This is a proud, proud knitting moment. As I gaze at this capelet, I feel nothing but happiness that I was able to make something that I could actually wear with great pride.
I printed out this pattern a few weeks ago and read it a dozen times, but would immediately become overwhelmed with anxiety. What if I couldn’t make anything more than a scarf or a dishcloth or a blanket? What if I was destined to make square flat things for the rest of my life? What if I failed?
I began to knit and what happened was that I began to learn. I made a swatch to check my gauge. I made mistakes, but I ripped them out. I learned what 1×1 ribbing was. I placed markers. I moved things to scrap yarn. I created sleeves. I seamed. I became excited as I began to understand what I was doing.
I knitted with wild abandon. I tried my work on. I tried it on again. I modified it to my personal taste. I sewed it up with a button. I blocked. I collapsed at midnight of the same day and felt quite smug that I had done it. If I could knit this, what else could I knit? I held back from spending the night flipping through patterns with my new skill set in mind. Yes, I must rest.
The next day was the other anxiety filled moment. I wore it out in public. And no one laughed or asked if it was what I made in my Home Ec class. And they complimented me. And there was so much pride.
And now, I know I can do so much more than I gave myself credit for… and that was the best feeling of all! A whole new world of patterns have just opened up for me!
I plan to make this in a couple of other colors and play around with the pattern a bit. It is one that can be modified depending on your style and shape.
Details on Pattern: This is the Anthropologie Inspired Capelet from Peony Knits. I used size 11 (8.00 mm) needles and Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it so I bought the inexpensive yarn.
Modifications: I added two inches to the length of the capelet and then added 5 rows of additional ribbing to the sleeves. It is a small pattern. I have a very narrow frame and am petite and this fit me perfectly. I would recommend modifications if you are busty or have a wider frame. This project did require some blocking, but came together quickly with instant gratification.
The project only took me one day of dedicated knitting and I am a newbie knitter.
This looks great! I’m so impressed! I’ve yet to tackle anything sweater-like.
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Way to go, Amy!! You have inspired me to try and learn how to knit. I have been reading your blogs for quite some time now and have followed you learning how to knit and I am so proud of you. I have always been “afraid” of learning how to knit because I am afraid of failing at it. But, now I am going to give it a shot.
Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Jodi
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One of my goals for 2009 is to learn to knit. That sweater is awesome Amy! Congrats!
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Amy, I’m so impressed! It’s lovely!
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That is SRSLY impressive. LOVE.
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Oh, that is awesome! Great job!!!
Have you thought about joining Ravelry? (ravelry.com) You have to sign up and be invited. But the process doesn’t take long! And it is a great place to find more free patterns!
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Tammy- I am on there- my username is momadvice. I am highly addicted to Ravelry and that is where I found this cute pattern.
Thank you guys so much for the compliments. I thought I was going to burst from pride the day I made it
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I love it!! I would have been very proud too.
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ooo very cool! You did an amazing job!!
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That is BEAUTIFUL girl! I am so impressed and proud of you!!!
p.s. I took 10th grade home ec and my sad, sad apron I made was just horrid.
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it’s beautiful!
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That is so cute, I love the ribbing on the sleeves. I have been wanting to knit for sometime now, I think I may:)
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its just lovely.
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Where can I order one?
Congratulations it is lovely.
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I love the soft color!
And what I love even more is that you chose a pattern inspired by such a pricey store!
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Amy, congratulations! What an accomplishment, and it’s beautiful. One of my goals is to learn to knit this year. My mother-in-law comes next week and is going to help me!
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Very impressive! I learned to knit (from a book) as a teen, but never got past just putting straight rows together.
I’d like to give it another go this year.
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Woohoo! Go you! It looks amazing. It’s fun to see how far you’ve come in knitting since you started.
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So cute! I love it-
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So impressive. I’m still stuck in a rut of only knitting rectangles. Baby blankets, dish cloths, scarves. No sweaters. The patterns freak me out.
I’m going to try this the next time I get to the store to buy some yarn. Hopefully the results will be half as nice!
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Oh my goodness! That is absoluetly beautiful! You have an extradionary talent!
Looks like it was made for a princess……it was…….you!
Blessings sweet friend!
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Wow, thanks so much everyone for all your sweet comments- I was so proud!
Kristie- Let me know if you try it because I thought it was a great first pattern for someone who was venturing out of the square stuff like me. I really think you can do it. I believe in you
Amelia & Angela- Please let me know if you decide to try knitting. KnittingHelp.com and You Tube were my best friends in those beginning days and I still look up techniques on there. I am a visual person so it really helped. I wish you all lived close so I could start a club with you
Jamie- I can't sew at all. I tried and I just do not seem to have the patience. Even if you can't sew though, you could definitely try knitting. Want me to teach you when I am in Nashville?
Meredith- I am so happy to see you on here- I can't wait to see you at Blissdom. You are right, Anthropologie is so pricey so I was excited to attempt replicating something of there. I have all sorts of ideas for what else I could do with this pattern.
Jodi & HomeBizLiz- I believe in you- you could definitely learn!
Joanna- This was such a great first pattern because it wasn't a full sweater and was all knitted up in one piece. I am working on a baby sweater that is similar and it is a great way to learn how to begin tackling a project like that. I bet you could totally do it!!
Marva- I just adore you! Thank you, sweetie!!
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Amy, that is awesome! Seriously, it looks like what you would buy (for a lot of money) in a store! Way to go!!
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seriously – you are my hero!
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Absolutely love it and I’m so impressed. You go girl. I told my husband just this morning that I think I want to learn how to knit this year. Guess what? He said HE could teach me…apparently it’s a skill his mother taught him that I never knew about!
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Beautiful! You are advancing so quickly!
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Very cute, Amy! Of course you got compliments–it looks fabulous.
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Beautiful work! I am almost tempted to try knitting myself. Or maybe just look for someone talented who is willing to start a small sweater-making business! Seriously!
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Darling…..absolutely darling!!
Good for You!!
Pam, South Bend
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It’s beautiful! I’m impressed! I’ve never been able to do anything more than a scarf.
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That is the most adorable sweater! You should be really proud of yourself. I have never managed to make it past knitting scarves and blankets.
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Beautiful! I am so proud of you for taking that step out from squares!
Who knows what you can make now! The sky’s the limit. Great job!
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Nice job! I don’t think I’ve ever seen Woolease look so good. I made one of these several years ago – out of the 50/50 merino chunky wool that Lion Brand makes. I never wear it. Maybe I need a new one.
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Julia- I agree- the Wool Ease wouldn't have been my first choice, but I really wasn't sure if it would turn out. I actually bought some of their Homespun in Kelly Green & Black to try it with that. I think it is just an awesome pattern and that is why it still looked good.
Thank you all so much for this great feedback- I really appreciate it!
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You did a great job! I’m going to learn to knit this year. I crochet and I really want to make a cardigan this year. You have given me inspiration that I can do it.
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Look at you! You are really getting into this knitting thing.
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What a gorgeous little capelet! That’s terrific!
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Awesome! You give hope to all of us dishcloth/scarf knitters! I have some beautiful teal yarn that I just bought on sale at JoAnn’s. Now I know what I’ll tackle next!
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