Handmade Round-Up for Winter

Hello, darling friends! I know this post is entitled Handmade Round-Up for Winter and, in all accounts of the wording, it’s correct. However, I only made one item this winter and it is the most treasured handmade item I’ve ever made.

Yes, even more than my Nap Dress Dupe I made last Summer. Yes, even more than my white daisy Summer top.

I’m so proud because not only did I self-teach myself to knit this past October but I knit an entire garment all by myself. It’s not perfect, but holy guac, I am mother-loving-proud of it!

Handmade Round-Up for Winter

This one item took me 2 months to make. I worked on it about 3x a week and I think it took me 50 hours altogether. Which is significantly longer than the pattern predicted (20-30 hours) but that’s because I was brand spanking new to sweater making.

The pattern

Seamless Mock Neck Sweater by Well-Loved Knits.

Bethany is an American knitter based out of the Netherlands. She has a youtube channel where she knits and chats. I have learned so much from watching her videos and knitting along with her. 10/10 recommend, however, please note:

When a pattern says “Confident Beginner” that doesn’t mean your attitude. 😅 That means you’ve done more than just knit beanies. Haha! So, to say I learned a lot is an understatement.

What I learned

Literally everything. This pattern challenged me to youtube every knitting-ism imaginable. Here’s a list of knitting vocabulary that I am now an expert in:

1. 2×2 rib
2. Folded collar
3. Raglan sts
4. M1R, slip, SM & M1L
5. Yoke
6. Pick up sts
7. Decrease round (K2tog)
8. The importance of buying needles you can change out the round vs removing the needles & round, and replacing them with a whole new needle and round.
9. Two different cast-off techniques!
10. Stockinette stitch
11. Blocking
12. How expensive knitting can be

I also learned that nothing I could have done would make this piece 100% and I like it more for that. I went back through a LOT to fix up twisted stitches, accidentally dropped stitches, and full rows that I kept stitching and not purling.

What brought me joy

Oh my gosh, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this whole experience is how much I love the repetitiveness of stockinette stitch knitting. It has done wonders for my anxiety.

After a really long and tiring day at work, I found the best medicine was to make a cozy cup of tea, put on a movie, and knit for an hour.

I knit so much one week that my thumb hurt and I had to take two days off!

I finished it though and I’m beyond proud of myself for it.

How it turned out

Again, this piece isn’t perfect in any way shape, or form. I recently washed it by soaking it in wool soap. I was also able to block it by laying it out on a towel and it fixed some of the imperfections I had with it. Regardless, I love everything about this piece, especially the Alcaca and Merino Wool blend I used called “Alpachino Merino” by Wool & the Gang.

The color, Walnut Brown, is the perfect addition to my closet and literally matches every skit and pair of pants that I own. It’s ultra warm and I’ve already worn it to pieces.

In short, I’m thrilled!

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Thank you so much for indulging me and reading all about my pride and joy. I’ve already started working on my next piece. I’m 2.5 months into it and getting ready to start to the arms soon.

To say knitting is a journey is an understatement but I’m so happy to have learned.

Other posts you might enjoy:

• Handmade Wardrobe Goals for Spring
• This Year’s Spring Bucket List
• 5 Handmade Gifts Your Friends & Family Will Actually Want