Like all of us, when you started knitting or crocheting, you no doubt were cautious and perhaps a bit uneasy as you embarked on a brand new creative journey. Moments of doubt, frustration and pesky mistakes may have robbed us of some of the joy of making. Thank goodness for those “purls of wisdom” along the way that gave us encouragement and confidence to keep going! (More on that a bit later.)

In our case, initially we held onto those knitting needles a little too tight and fumbled through each stitch, creating "lace" that was not intended 🙂 Oh, and the first "real" project made was inadvertently all knit through the back loop! Yup, the whole cowl (it was a small cowl, but still). It was kindly deemed a "design feature" by the ladies who saw it.

That being said, we got through those initial projects, learned how to knit through the front loop, and received loads of great advice along the way.

Do you remember when you first started your knitting or crocheting journey? What was some of the advice you were given? We asked this in an Instagram post a few months back and wanted to share some of those gems here on the blog as a way to continue encouraging making and finding joy while we create each day.

Here are some “purls of wisdom” from some of our wonderful IG followers that are brimming with encouragement to keep all of us going!

greycapknits - If a pattern seems too hard, try it anyway. Even if it doesn’t come out perfect, you’ll learn so much, so the next pattern you try will feel that much easier!

pilatesgal56 - Learn to read your knitting!

miscellanyandquirk - Make the thing that brings you joy - even if you think it’s beyond you. My first projects involved texture and cables because that was what I wanted to make. If I went wrong I frogged it and tried again. You learn so much from having a go at something you love!

normaloqwendy - Expect to make mistakes. Learn how to fix them. It makes you a better knitter, and better knitters make bigger mistakes faster!

javasuann - Just get started……it’s mostly knits and purls……😍

caitydid71 - Knitting is a journey…enjoy the process. ❤️

fairymakes - If you’re making an item as a gift be sure to include at least one mistake so they know it’s handmade 😉

ela.klein - Buy the best wool you can afford and take your time to enjoy the process. 

Little mistakes here and there are design features. 

If you don’t enjoy the pattern, frog it and use the wool for a pattern you would enjoy more. You can do it! 🧶

woolandsilkco - A few things:

1) if you are trying to complete a project & are finding it a slog, do 20 mins a day. As a minimum but you will probably do more

2) keep trying something new or different. You will improve your overall knitting 

3) finish when you finish. It’s not a contest. Don’t take the joy out of the experience

kathykrystofik - “Nothing in knitting is hard!” It’s just 2 stitches, knit and purl, everything else is built on those two stitches.

betsycooper710 - It's all just knit and purl - I was nervous doing color work and this really helped!

donnac368 - If something is bothering you, fix it now or it will bother you forever. Come to think of it, that's also good Life Advice!

cecile.e.hoare - Don't save the best yarn for something special! YOU are special, use the yarn!

And last, but not least, a "purl" that has stuck with us through the years: Try to knit or crochet everyday. Even if you can only get in a few stitches, or a couple rows, it can add a bright spot to each day! 

It is our sincere hope that you find joy in whatever project you start. Please feel free to share what advice has encouraged you along the way by commenting on that Instagram post, or sending us an email at customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com!