Welcome!

***Stickying this post so new folks can read all about us. New posts start the next post down!***

This KAL will begin January 1, 2008 and run all year long! You can sign up any time!

The purpose of this KAL is to address and resolve our knitting fears, regardless of complexity. My hope is that we will have a fair mix of members who want to try different things and some seasoned vets willing to offer advice, guidance, and assistance. Please feel free to join us! Doesn't matter how long you've been knitting or what you'd like to conquer!

Since many people will have different goals, this could get a little hairy. To help keep things in order, please use the labels located on the bottom bar of each of your posts as a reference. Good ones to use include the technique you're discussing (fair isle) and/or the project you're working on. As we accumulate members, we'll post links to patterns that folks are working on. We will also probably create a Ravelry group just for fun. There will also be links to helpful websites with tips and ideas for each technique, so if you run across something particularly helpful let us know and we'll add it!

How to join: Email me at lotusknits@gmail.com and I'll add you to the KAL! Also please provide your blog link OR ravelry name if you have one so we can add you to the sidebar.

Assistance: If you'd like to offer help/guidance/tips in a particular area (or several), please let me know and I'll create a section for 'helpers'. If you'd like to help moderate, I'm sure I could use it!

Buttons/Banner: If anyone would like to create a button or banner, gimme a shout!


Thanks for visiting! Join us, won't you?

Fetching is done!

Thanks for all the support, you guys! As you can see, I had ladder issues. But I've heard that those get better the more that you practice and all. And since it was my first DPN experience I'm not going to let it weigh mt down! The cables came out really well and I had fun knitting those. It was my first time picking up stitches, too, so the thumbs came out pretty wonky. But all-in-all, I'm really happy with my Fetching!

Slowly Getting It Going...

I cast on for Fetching (rav link) last night since I finally decided to conquer my fear of knitting in the round on dpn's and knitting cables all in one shot. So far so good I think. ;)

First Colorful Step Toward Goals

Hi Fearless ladies! I finally have something to contribute to the KAL...not much knitting time and when I have it, I've been finishing off some gifts lately instead of working on new, exciting techniques. But I'm a bit closer to one of my goals for this KAL...becoming comfortable with sock knitting. So I finally finished the pair of socks I started last fall. You can see more details if you are interested at my blog.

The first was knit with the help of a class instructor...the second was knit on my own over the past few weeks. I like how they turned out but I do have a couple questions for any of you willing to answer...

I did have a bit of a ladder problem but it was just when I had to K1, SSK at the start of a needle. I pulled as tight as I could but still seemed to have this problem. Suggestions anyone of anything I can do except just pull even tighter??

Finally, I got 'the hole'. The dreaded hole. Only on one side of the heel but there is a hole and I wanted to know if anyone had suggestions for that. It's a slip-knit heel flap which I think is pretty standard. It seems I heard from somewhere that maybe if you slip that first stitch knitwise instead of purlwise...or you twist it some way...or you knit that first stitch of the first row of the heel instead of slipping it...I'll stop but I'd welcome suggestions.

As for now, I think that I'll be casting on another pair this weekend (once I decide on a pattern). I'm also close to being able to cast on one or two other things that will work toward my goals of this KAL...I'll update as I go cuz I'm sure I'll have questions and need some support!

Hello There!

I finally managed to join in here, so I thought I'd write up a post real quick to introduce myself. My name's Kris, I'm 22, and I've been knitting for about 2 years now. And I finally decided to start tackling some projects that I've been avoiding like the plague. I'm fanning through the web to find some good beginners patterns, but I'm planning to delve into socks, lace, and fair isle this year. These are all things that I never thought I'd be able to do, but I'm determined. There's just way too many pretty things out there that I'd be missing out on! Looking forward to working on these with you all!

Another one!

I have started another colorwork project. The actual knitting is going well, but I am having trouble getting them to fit me.


I do know a kid that likes purple and pirates, so at least they have a recipient.

How's Everyone Doing?

Hi! I hope your week is going well!

I wanted to check in and see how everyone's getting along on their projects. Please post your project pics if you're working on anything!

I started the Blue Light Special hat, but I've since stalled. I think I should have chosen a two color fair isle project rather than a four color. The tangling strands are driving me batty!

I've since started a two at a time toe-up sock pattern, which confronts another fear of mine (two at a time AND toe up...eek!). I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

What are you working on right now? Have you run into any problems you need help with? Let's see some fearless knitting!