first scarf - done!

My first knitting project is finished!  YAY!!  I started this at the end of July, right before my trip to California. The pattern I chose was from a teen "learn how to knit" book.  I figured that if it was written to teach a teenager how to knit, I could probably do it. 

It is amazing that it's finished, considering the state that I found it in yesterday.  My little inquisitive 3 year old son decided he wanted to try some knitting.  I found my almost completed scarf on the floor, partially unraveled, both needles OUT of my work, with my working ball of yarn along with another ball of yarn all twisted and tangled around the needles.  I was furious!  He knows better to mess with my knitting.  If I had left it out in his reach, shame on me, but he had to leap tall buildings with a single bound to get to my project.  I was too upset to take a photo of it, though I should have.  Once I got all the yarn untangled and the work back on my needles I was a happy camper.  Then Alex asked "Is you happy now, Mama?"  Yes dear, Mama is happy, don't you EVER mess with my knitting again!!  My boy is going to give me a run for my money, that's for sure.

The yarn I chose isn't ideal, it's the cheap wool from Hobby Lobby, but the knitting shop (the only in town) was closed the weekend before I left for the trip -I HAD to bring something with me.  Now that this scarf is finished, I give myself permission to move on to a new project.  What to tackle next?  Suggestions?  Being a newbie to the yarn/knitting world, I have no idea where to start, but I'm extremely excited at the possibilities!!

Comments

[erin]

i say go for a kiddo sized hat. knit in the round....new skills and a small project.

the scarf is awesome - you should be super proud of yourself, beki!

[Melissa]

Looks great! I should try something like that. I always need things I can take along w/me!

[kathryn]

hooray and congratulations--your first scarf! it looks great!

a hat would be fun for a second project, and there's a very easy roll-brimmed hat pattern over at crazy aunt purl. (it's one of my favorites because it makes up so quickly.) or maybe baby booties...those are fun too!

[kat]

Good for you! You should be proud of yourself. I just might get my needles out and pick up the project I left off last winter!

[Karyn]

Your scarf looks great Beki, but I think it's begging for a matching hat! :)

[Anina]

I love the scarf. You could either knit a hat (quite easy) or try another scarf in a different pattern.

[sulu-design]

I love the colors and the little detail in the center of this scarf. You say it's your first one?!? I'm seriously impressed - my first scarf was very wavy - unintentionally wavy. Nice job.

[Sarah Jackson]

Oh my gosh! That's awesome - great work. If I were you, I'd go look somewhere like http://www.knitty.com and see what strikes your fancy. And go to a yarn shop - see what's really out there for yarn. Yay for you!

[lera]

Oh, I love it Beki. AND I'm terribly jealous! You knit a scarf! I'm so proud of you.

("leap tall buildings with a single bound" LOL!!!)

[Heidi]

Great! I looks fairly complicated for a first scarf. Are those lace holes? I second the suggestion for a in-the-round hat. Or maybe a ponch, which is really just two rectangles.

[Michelle]

Oh, I know that "Mommy angry" phrase all too well, myself. But you did a great job recovering and finishing up the project! It looks wonderful, now on to... a shawl? A bag or tote, perhaps? Or... dare I suggest it? Some socks! Just dive right in. Pick something you love. Have you seen http://berroco.com/pattern_library.html or http://knittingpatterncentral.com/ ? Just a warning if those are new to you... don't click over unless you have a *lot* of uninterrupted web browsing time!

[amy]

Super nice job! And it matches your blog banner too. :)

[Keri]

What a great scarf! Pretty pattern too! Good job!!

[Stephanie]

So pretty! My first thing I knitted didn't look nearly that good! Glad it was able to be recovered after it was messed with! My little one knows better than to mess with mommy's crafts, too!

[Carrie S.]

OH! I remember this! I saw it in person! It turned out great Beki! Wow - you go! I'm inspired!

[rohanknitter]

Good job! It's very pretty. What to knit next? That's a tough one, there are so many options. I think the first non-rectangle project I made was a felted bag. There's lots of cute patterns and the felting is like magic.

[Rachel]

I am with everyone on the hat. Knitting in the round was my second big project, and I loved it.

Of course, you could also make something like a wool pillow case for your couch. That would be fun too.

[Kathleen]

Hey the yarnmight be cheapo stuff but it's really nice! Great job!

[linda]

Verrry nice! And are those little holes in the scarf? You're already doing some lacey stuff? :o) I'm impressed you got it back on the needles - I would have screamed if it were me!

I'm no expert, but I had fun felting a bag and making a ribbed scarf. And well, that's about as far as me and the knitting needles got! Oh yeah I knit the boys neck gators on circular needles, but LA is like TX. The wore them about 4 times. :o) Congrats! You're a knitter!

[Cindy]

Hey Beki, I love the scarf. I wonder how hard mittens would be to do? I don't knit, so I have no idea. But before you get too far away from sewing, I would love to have a purse! I need to go to Etsy and check out what you have there. Love ya, see ya for lunch soon. Please join me and Renee on the 4th.

[xcat]

the scarf looks great! now that you're knitting, you might think about joining ravelry.

the inspiration is endless in there.

[suzie sews]

Fantastic, it looks great, I love the colours and as for the 'blip' as it being used as a toy...you did well to put it all back together, I know how that feels my boys would not dream of touching my knitting 'NOW'!!! When you invest so much time into knitting its really worth treating yourself to good wool. My favourite is the whole Debbie Bliss range, I am sure you must have it over there. Enjoy it and be proud of yourself that one great scarf...
SUzie Sews

[Brigitta]

great colours on that scarf!!! Makes me wanna pick up the needles myself again!!
why not knit a nice jumper or cardigan for one of the kids?

[Lauren]

It looks great. You can now confidently say you are a knitter.

[Renee]

I love the colors, Beki. Now, you just have to wait about 3 months for it to get cold and you can wear it!

[Barbara C.]

You have to invest in some "point protectors" to put on the ends of the needles. I learned that from my grandchildren who also wanted to "learn how to knit" when they were 2 1/2 or so. At least they buy some time!!!
Keep your next project easy also--perhaps another scarf with a bit more lah-tee-dah yarn.
Barbara C.

[julie]

What a great scarf... and I love the colors! I also love the idea of finding a teen book to learn how to knit! I wouldn't know where to even begin--so I just may look into that!

[sarahk]

Looks great, congrats on finishing! All I can say about your little guy is: 2nd child syndrome....I feel for you, my 2y/o finds trouble everywhere....I have a pic of her on my blog sitting on top of a desk in my living room, she's a climber. Anyway, congrats again.

[Stefani]

Oh!!! You've inspired me! I'm gonna give it a whirl. And that boy, oh bless his little heart, I would have hit the roof for sure!

[robiewankenobie]

hat, for sure, and then socks. socks are the best knitting project of all time. portable, fairly quick, and a great way to practice intricate patterns.

[Mary Sarah]

Beautiful Scarf! Love the colors! You're good! I don't think I could have put the scarf back on needles. 3 year olds are too funny ...when they're not yours! LOL

[Jen]

Congratualtions, it looks great! I'm also voting for a hat next. Knitting in the round is a very valuable skill.

[carrie]

the scarf looks great! the colors are very fall-ish. i cannot believe that is your first knitting project. i don't even want to think about the wonky, uneven, disastor that was mine.

[Lisa {milkshake}]

I second the poncho idea, although since I'm not a knitter I have no idea how hard it would be. Nice job on the scarf! I'm glad you got it back together after the mishap ;)

[amandajean]

I love it! I noticed, too, that it matches your banner.

[lla]

YAY!

It's fab! And now you can add mad knitting skills to your already impressive skill set!

[Amy]

beautiful! way to go :)

[Robyn]

Oh, I missed this post! Look at that wonderful scarf! Isn't it neat to finish your first project?! I would suggest instead of going out and buying pattern books or anything, check out some of the free online patterns. knitty.com is a great resource, as is magknits.com Hope that helps.

[amy]

i love this scarf! and i am glad that you are on to your next project!

[lucy]

CONGRATULATIONS! I hope you will be hooked on knitting!

[erin s]

That is one impressive scarf Beki, you little knitter you!! How about a matching hat?

[Chara Michele]

It looks lovely! I don't think I would have had any idea how to fix a mess like that:)

[lla]

so, so pretty!!!! And it doesn't look like "cheap wool" - it looks pretty posh.

I'm beyond impressed that you were able to salvage after the little whirlwind had his way with it.... It took me YEARS to be able to fix stuff! (I'd just stash it away until I next saw my mom, at which time I'd thrust it at her and wail: FIX IT????)

You're amazing...