What’s the starting point for you? The pattern or the wool?
Although I often wish it were otherwise, for me it seems to be the pattern that starts the (wool) ball rolling.
I often have a picture in my mind of what I’d like to make, and then I set about finding wool and needles to make it. It might be that I want to knit a specific gift, or I hanker after a new cardigan for the spring … Consciously or not, the shape, design or function is often where I start.
I’ve realised that the yarn that has been randomly purchased over the years, beautiful though it is, tends to be neglected, waiting patiently for the ‘right’ project. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to ‘waste’ that special skein on an ‘it’ll do’ pattern. And what if I don’t have enough to finish what I’m making? I’ll have wasted the whole thing then. At least, that’s what my inner voice tells me.
So now I want to challenge that caution, that voice. It has served me well, and will continue to guide me, but I’ve decided that my next project will start with the wool. I’m off to retrieve a neglected skein from my stash. I will let the wool suggest its destination to me … And I can’t wait to see where we go!
So how about you? What’s your starting point and why?
Thanks for sharing!
yarnsmithery 
I agree with you. I also start with an idea in my mind and then try to find the right yarn. Happy knitting 🙂
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Thanks for commenting Laura – I appreciate it 🙂
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Pingback: The Wednesday WIP – the chosen skein | yarnsmithery
I used to start with the pattern when we didn’t have so much choice in patterns and I would see the latest mag and choose from that.
These days I quite often buy some nice or special yarn (I have become a yarn snob…) with only a vague idea, or even none, and then peruse Ravelry: firstly to see what others have made with that yarn, then according to the quantity I have, which could dictate what sort of project it will be and then find myself going through projects with little regard to the yarn – much as I love starting something new, it takes a lot longer as a rule, now!
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I agree – it’s easier to find a suitable pattern than it used to be, thanks to Ravelry and Knitty etc. I couldn’t do without the search facility now!
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