One more idea for our week of resolutions is working on getting your knitting records in order. Whether you keep all your knitting-related notes in a spiral notebook (or a Moleskine, like I do) or have a fancy and well-organized scrapbook or swatch collection, keeping track of the different yarns and patterns you've used (as well as any changes to patterns you might have made) can come in really handy.
There may come a day when you want to knit a sweater or a sock pattern for a second time, but if you don't write down that you had to make the sleeve increases or decreases much faster than the pattern called for in order to make the sleeve fit your body, if you don't write that down somewhere you'll be able to find it later, you'll have to go through the frustration of knitting and ripping and knitting again.
A pattern record can also be helpful so you don't knit two siblings the exact same baby gift, or just to remember some of the projects you might have forgotten about that you sold or gave away but still want to have some record of.
Getting your patterns, books, and your own knitting notes in order can be a rather daunting task, but once it's done, if you can stick with it, you'll always know exactly where to find whatever bit of knitting information you need.
There may come a day when you want to knit a sweater or a sock pattern for a second time, but if you don't write down that you had to make the sleeve increases or decreases much faster than the pattern called for in order to make the sleeve fit your body, if you don't write that down somewhere you'll be able to find it later, you'll have to go through the frustration of knitting and ripping and knitting again.
A pattern record can also be helpful so you don't knit two siblings the exact same baby gift, or just to remember some of the projects you might have forgotten about that you sold or gave away but still want to have some record of.
Getting your patterns, books, and your own knitting notes in order can be a rather daunting task, but once it's done, if you can stick with it, you'll always know exactly where to find whatever bit of knitting information you need.
Comments
You are soooooooo right. The times I have regretted not noting down details of something I have knitted, especially if the item is not knitted exactly to a commercial pattern. Time for the procrastination to stop. I am going to get a notebook tomorrow and that will be a New Years Resolution.
Thanks for the motivation
Sandra
Computer files.
Ravelry.com was the answer for me. I love the fact that it provides a template and storage for keeping all my knitting recods in good order.
I actually made notebooks with dividers; one for crocheting and one for knitting. I have my notes in a section. After reading my knitting and crochet magazines, I keep the patterns I want to make someday by putting them in sheet protectors and in the correct area of the notebook. I have dividers labeled as Shawls, sweaters, hats/scarves, home decor, baby, charity projects etc.
Now if I can just keep my projects as organized, I’d be REALLY organized. And that’s where I’m off to. To organize some of my projects for 2009.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
wow, thats prob. alot of work to organize. I just have a special mini closet, and when i think of a pattern, or find one, i make a mini scarf and the patterns i’v tried go into one pile, and the others in another
I photograph everything I knit. Then I make notes in a binder about the project, yarn used,colors,who it was knit for or who bought it. I put a piece of the yarn around the ball band so I know what that yarn is like. That way, I can knit or buy it again.
My yarns are organized by color in plastic see-though bins, and arranged like a rainbow with a bin for neutrals.
Other yarns are organized by project.