A new year is the perfect time for setting goals and challenging ourselves to try new things. Here at Berroco, as we’re making our own plans for the year, we thought this would be a fun time to look back at some projects from our early days. Enjoy!
Casey:
I made this scarf in middle school in preparation for starting high school. I had only ever made things in garter stitch, with one color, and this was my first attempt at stripes. I had no idea how to weave in ends, and used two very different yarns because they were the only ones I had in my high school colors. My mom actually still wears this scarf because she works at the high school.
Emily:
My first finished project was the Potato Chip Scarf (YUM) I made it in about a week because I got so excited every time the color changed! Ravelry: Potato Chip Scarf pattern by Barbara Aguiar (this is the only photo I have of it lol and yes that is a class hamster)
Margaux:
This was one of the earliest projects I made (2005). I saw it in Interweave Knits and loved how it looked and was eager to make it. I am a “i see it and i want to wear it” kind of maker. The yarn was an Organic Peruvian cotton I had to hunt down (because I had to have the yarn called for). the cotton yarn was double throughout so what I got was a very very HEAVY dense tank top… I don’t think I wore it. Lesson learned on fiber content and what happens when you double up cotton.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/tentenknits/cable-eight-top
Asa:
This was not my first knitting project, but it was definitely a time I jumped in the deep end! I was expecting my first baby and picked up this kit in a yarn store. I had never done any colorwork before, did not know what blocking was and had never sewn in a zipper. This was before the time of easy access to video tutorials, but I remember thinking “how hard can it be?” Well, it was a hard project! I had a book with photo instructions for the zipper, and that part turned out pretty good, but I had no idea how to do the colorwork teddy bears. They came out buckled and full of gaps. I remember how frustrated I was at the time. But in the end both the overall and blanket got a lot of use and I am so glad I still have them!
Alison:
My first project was the classic garter stitch scarf. When I started knitting as a teenager, I was lucky enough to have a really lovely yarn shop in my hometown of Lexington, MA called Wild & Wooly (since closed, sadly). I picked out for this first scarf – and many others made for friends and family that first year or two – a very traditional worsted-weight 100% wool yarn. I don’t remember what it was exactly, but was rustic, heathered, lofty and lovely. My taste in yarn apparently has not changed that much over the years!
I’m so glad I still have this scarf, even though I haven’t worn it in many years since it’s got several holes, is rather uneven in tension, and I hadn’t figured out yet how to weave in my yarn ends!
We really enjoyed sharing these stories with each other, and we hope you enjoyed them too! They are all such perfectly imperfect and special makes. We hope they inspire you to try something new, without worrying too much about the outcome. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and remember to ask for help when you need it. We are all beginners in the beginning!
Do you have a knitting challenge for yourself for the New Year? Whether it’s making your first sweater, learning how to read a chart, improving on your finishing techniques, or maybe sharpening your skills with a crochet hook, there are many helpful resources:
Search our Pattern Library for your next project, then visit your LYS to get your yarn!
Planning to make your first garment this year? Download our Fit Guide to learn how to take your measurements and select the right size. And don’t forget to make a gauge swatch!
If you get stuck on a stitch or technique, we have a whole library of video tutorials over on our YouTube channel.
If you need a little more help, many LYS offer classes for beginners, as well as drop-in classes. Find a store near you and ask about their class schedule. Learning is even more fun when we do it together!
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