I have a question for you...
When you choose a pattern to knit, do you make something to fit in with outfits you already have, or do you knit a pattern you like and work it into your wardrobe later?
I was thinking about this question earlier, trying to figure out what it is that I do. For example, shawls were never something that featured in my wardrobe, they're not something that ever would have occurred to me to wear until I started knitting. But there are some stunning patterns out there that I want to make, so obviously I will figure out which outfits work once they're done.
On the other hand, most of the things I have made (or plan to make) are things I would wear anyway, in colours that feature in my usual style, so I know that I have plenty of outfits that will work together. Plus I have a very varied wardrobe that allows me to throw things together and discover new outfits anyway.
Having said that, I don't wear my hand knits as much as I would like, because they aren't necessarily wardrobe staples. I could do with a new black cardigan, but I don't really have the desire to knit one - probably because I hear so many people hating knitting with black yarn!
So, I'm interested, what do you do? Do you knit things you need, things you want, things you may never wear but want to knit anyway? Or a combination of all of the above?!
I think I do a bit of both. Some of the things I plan to make just because it looks nice and I fancy the challenge (do I really need a gazillion scarves?), other stuff I choose because it will be useful (on a bit of a cardigan/shrug pattern hunt at the moment, as the office is so damn cold all the time).
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm thinking of swapping out one of my Year of Projects patterns for something else, because while I think it would be fun to make, I really can't see me having any opportunity to wear it, so it would be a waste of my time really.
If I love a pattern I am only likely to knit it for myself if I think I will use it. Sometimes just making a few alterations will make it wearable, like lengthening it a bit or changing the sleeve length. Also using different coloured yarns makes a garment more wearable. If you don't want to knit black, why not knit something in a dark grey or deep brown. If you want something to go with everything, knitting in undyed yarn is a different way to go and shows up fancy patterns better than black.
ReplyDeleteHowever sometimes I just knit something because I love it. These tend to be less expensive projects such as a shawl, and they usually find the right home once they are finished. If someone loves it and tries it on and it looks fantastic and I know deep down I'll maybe wear it twice, then I give it away. Knits have a way of finding the right owner.
Mostly, I make socks, and you can wear those with pretty much anything, it is one of the reasons I like them. The few clothing type things I have made I picked something I knew I would wear and went with it. Maybe try a lovely shades of grey yarn instead of black for a cardigan?
ReplyDeleteI love shawls and wraps, so I am embarking on knitting frenzy with these at the moment (well actually have 2 on the go and thinking of casting on another one). I have only knitted one but I wear it every week. I also love throws and these get used quite a bit. Bar a vest top (which I wore once), I haven't really ventured into making outfits for myself - thinking about it for the future though.
ReplyDeleteI knit things I want - because if I want it, then I feel I must somehow need it and if I feel that I must somehow need, I will most definitely wear it... but that's me and my little neurotic knitting brain for you... lol.
ReplyDeleteI knit things I want in colours that I love. Though I will sometimes think, "that would look great with a black top or a pair of jeans." For other people, I am happy to knit what they need. My husband will ask for a new hat or mittens and when close friends come to me with Christmas requests I am (usually) happy to oblige as I know they are receiving something they like.
ReplyDeleteI knit based on the yarn and pattern. Usually I find the yarn and just go get a pattern to use. Since I buy colors I love, I will likely have something to match in my closet. Sometimes I end up with something from a swap or given to me. I really only have two knit items in my wardrobe that don't go with my clothes. I am thinking over dyeing will work for those.
ReplyDeleteReally, I mostly knit hats. I have one sweater that I made that, while I love it, I haven't worn it all that often. It's the Tempting sweater from Knitty and I made it out of 100% wool...but it's also got short sleeves. So while most of me is warm in it, my arms are usually freezing. Plus it's off the shoulders and the neckline dips way too low for me. I should probably re knit it. I have one cardigan/shrug thing that I made (february lady sweater) but it has very short sleeves and won't close over my bust. I haven't worn it all that often either and I'm not sure why. I should try to pair it with a long sleeved t-shirt and wear it in the fall.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question that I've never really thought about. I guess when I started knitting, I was knitting just to knit but I was so enthralled by the things I made (errors and all) that I incorporated them into my wardrobe. Mostly I was making hats, gloves, and scarves and it's cold enough in New England to wear accessories 7 or 8 months out of the year. I was like you with shawls though, I would never have worn them until I started knitting them, and mostly now I don't make very big shawls and I just wear them like a scarf, or with the triangle pointing downwards in the front.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm at the knitting point, though, where I'd wear anything I knit simply because I love knitting that much. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but there it is!
I knit things that appeal to me because of colour, shape or stitch and will go with pretty much anything. Because I am so slow to complete knits for wear, I find it is a bit pointless to knit things to go with other specific items. By the time I have finished the knitted bit I have worn out the rest of the outfit.
ReplyDeleteI've so far avoided this by only knitting things for other people. Usually small baby-sized people! However I have had 16 balls of Rowan Pure Wool DK for my birthday and I'm waiting for an awesome pattern to make. I always feel like shawls and things are too nice to wear with my usual jeans and top 'Mom uniform' but I'm trying to change the sort of things that I wear at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI don't really tend to knit garments much, mostly socks, shawls & hats, so I just go for patterns I like the look of. The garments patterns that I'm attracted to tend to be ones that fit in with my style, so I'd be inclined to say that I'd just go for a pattern that catches my eye and worry about incorporating it later!
ReplyDelete