5 Ways That Knitting Can Give You That Feeling of Satisfaction

Remember the words to that classic song “I can’t get no…sat-is-fac-tion!”? Well, hold up! Knitting and/or crocheting may just give you that satisfaction. But, you can still sing the song, because, well, it just rocks!

So, how can knitting give you that feeling of accomplishment? Well, let’s look at 5 ways it can satisfy that need.

Why You Should Learn How to Knit

• Meet other knitters and have something in common
• Enjoy a fun hobby and be able to make pretty gifts for others or even yourself
• Create useful projects like scarves, cowls, gloves, or throws
• Reap one or more of the many health benefits associated with knitting

Where to Go to Learn How to Knit

Are you ready to begin knitting, but don’t know where to look for guidance? No worries. There are several places you can go for guidance. This list will cover a few so check it out.

What You Need in Order to Knit

For the most part, to knit you only need yarn and knitting needles. However, there are a few other accessories you might find useful. Check out this list of knitting supplies:

• Point protectors
• Calculator
• Scissors
• Tapestry needles
• Stitch holders
• Needle gauge
• Tape measure
• Stitch markers
• Cable needles

Many of these supplies are optional, but I think you may like to have them on hand. They can prove to be very useful when you are in the middle of knitting a pattern. Here are some of the optional supplies:

• Correction tape (white out)
• Sticky notes
• Notebooks
• Pens, pencils, and highlighters
• Needlepoint/craft tote
• T-Pins
• Yarn Ball Winder
• Blocking Mats
• Craft books

Let’s Talk Yarn and Knitting Needles!

You can most likely use any old set of knitting needles and any yarn, but it may prove to be quite difficult if not impossible if you have never tried knitting before and don’t have anyone to show you the ropes!

It is recommended that your first set of knitting needles should be made of metal, which are smooth to work with, or wood, which may be easier to hold for a beginner. As for the yarn, try to stick with worsted weight, acrylic yarn or possibly a bulky yarn, but you will watch to match the recommended needle size shown on the yarn label.

How to Know You Have Mastered the Art of Knitting

While this may seem like an obvious thing, you can master “trying” the above subtopics and still not really have learned how to knit. The real test as to whether you have learned how to knit is what you are creating. Can you complete a knitting project? Does it look the way it is supposed to? If not, no worries, you will get there if you don’t quit.

Now that you have that sense of satisfaction from learning how to knit, and ooh does it feel good, did you know there is still another way you can have those goosebumps? Well, consider teaching someone else how to knit. That can offer you a great feeling and it can give someone else all the benefits that you experienced when you learned how to knit.

You can find knitting “pupils” at yarn shops, meetup groups, church groups, or volunteer groups. If you would like to join a group online, there are numerous communities full of knitters. Check out Ravelry.com as it is the number 1 knitting and crocheting social group.

Keep in mind that there are benefits to sharing the knitting knowledge to others. You can build your own group if you teach enough people how to knit! You can start your own charity even. Don’t know where to look for a knitting charity idea? Just search on google for “knitting charities” and you will find plenty!

If you know how to knit now, then you know how to do the knit (K) stitch. The next easiest stitch to learn is the purl (P) stitch. However, if you are having trouble learning to purl, consider a video (like the one below) instead of a book or online images.

Watching a video or having someone in person teach you how to purl is much easier than looking at images of someone purling. Don’t know where to find a teacher? Check out this table of alternative ways to find someone “in person” to teach you the wisdom of knitting!

The purl stitch is done in the front of the needle rather than the back of the needle like the knit stitch. Purling is also done by entering the needle downward rather than upward as is done with knitting. If you can understand all of that, which it is surprising if you do (it’s a difficult concept!), you must remember before you do anything when it comes purling you must put your yarn tail in the front of the working needle instead of the back of the needle like you do when you complete the knit stitch. So, as you see, it’s quite a lot to grasp, which is why it’s recommended that you check out a video or have someone “in person” teach you the purl stitch.

The Benefits of Selling Your Knitting Patterns

If you have the will and desire, you may just keep improving your knitting skills until you not only create your own patterns, but you may also be skilled enough to sell what you make. Join etsy, Craigslist, or open your own business locally. Many knitters can knit as a full-time job by opening an etsy shop. Imagine the joy of combining your favorite hobby with your career/job!

Where to Sell Your Knitting Patterns

If you wish to just sell your own knitting patterns, there are plenty of places that will allow you to do that. You can start your own blog or website where you only sell free and “for sale” knitting patterns. One of the most popular places to sell knitting patterns is Ravelry!

Of course, the most obvious way to get that feeling of satisfaction when knitting is to finish a project you have been working on. I have found that with me (and most of my knitter friends) a large quantity of knitting “work in progress” projects just tend to be lying around. I’m sure I have an excuse as to why each project is on hold, but if I finished 1-3 this coming weekend, I would definitely have that feeling of accomplishment!