Lion Brand Notebook

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Quick Poll: What’s Your Style?

May 13th, 2009

Do you tend to make one favorite pattern over and over again when you knit or crochet for yourself and for friends or do you look for new patterns for your next project?

35 Responses to “ Quick Poll: What’s Your Style? ”

  1. ekgheiy Says:

    I tend to look for new patterns if it’s a bigger project (blankets, sweaters) because my attention span won’t allow me to look at the same pattern for another project - especially considering how long it takes me to finish anything these days. :)

    Smaller projects though (i.e. socks, hats), lately - I’ve just been using the same patterns over and over.

  2. Rita Says:

    Sometimes I do an old pattern, sometimes I look for a new pattern. It depends on several factors: Is there a time deadline, how recently I completed the old pattern, will I be knitting while doing something else, how well does it fit.

  3. manuela Says:

    I prefer new patterns, because i always want to do so many things.

  4. Martha Says:

    I always look for new patterns. The only time I have remade a pattern is when someone has specifically requested it.

    I haven’t been knitting and crocheting very long (only about a year) so I guess I am in a phase where I’m constantly looking for new patterns so I can learn new stitches and techniques.

  5. Pat Says:

    I am a new knitter so I look for new patterns so I can expand my skills.

  6. Momsknitting Says:

    I look for new patterns for large projects but use the same basic pattern base for smaller projects like hats, socks and baby things.

  7. LaurenM Says:

    I can only think of one time in 40 years that I’ve made a sweater more than once (except for reknitting for corrections, which I do quite often). Socks on the otherhand, 4 out of 5 are just a plain vanilla stockinette.

  8. Candi Says:

    I have a couple of old stand-bys that I always use, but I am always looking for new patterns. I have a crochet hat that I make, and knitted baby booties that are my signature baby gift, but other than that I always want to try out something new.

  9. Abigail Says:

    That comes with a “it depends”….I make a lot of the same pattern for gifts: bags, wash cloths, fingerless gloves but I do “special” gifts and those are always different patterns

    So if it’s for my coworkers and I need 20? Same pattern. Mom? New pattern.

  10. Patty Says:

    I always look for new patterns. I’ve been knitting and crocheting for 37 years. (Whaooo…how did that happen… I’m too young). And I always want to make something new for gifts, and for myself.

  11. Tonya Says:

    I’m usually looking for new patterns. I love different textures and patterns. Besides — I don’t want to give the “same” gift twice.

  12. Ellen Bloom Says:

    Yes! I tend to knit and/or crochet a basic top-down percentage cardigan over and over again, just chaning up the yarn and stitch patterns.

  13. Joann Says:

    I basically make baby blankets for family members and for Project Linus. Every so often, I’ll go looking for something new to do, but time and again I return to my old reliables. I think it’s because I know how the pattern works and if I’m pressed for time, I know I won’t be pulling my hair out if the pattern doesn’t make sense.

  14. Colima Says:

    I am always looking for cute patterns, so I usually have a ton of things that are waiting for me to make. So, I am always making something different.

  15. Michelle Jinnette Says:

    It depends on what I make. I use the same patterns for baby socks and hats. When I make blankets and shawls, I start out using a pattern. After a little bit, I usually don’t like the way it is turning out so I take it out. I end up using one of my stitch pattern books or use my own variation of stitches to finish.

    I love patterns and have two expandable folders full of them.

  16. Danielle Says:

    I am always on the lookout for new patterns. And I also like to create patterns of my own from time to time because I have ideas that I want to see if I can make come true ;)

    Trying new patterns, and creating patterns gives me new challenges that makes knitting even more fun and rewarding for me than it already is.

  17. Shelley Says:

    I tend to do the same or similar patterns over and over again, I have my old stand bys, but… I am constantly searching for printing out and buying new patterns, when I find one I love it becomes one I turn to and carry with me always. I love to learn new stiches and patterns. I also do alot of yarn craft while my mind is other wise occupied and so I alwyas have one of those, “I don’t have to think about it” patterns being owrked on somewhere in my bag!

  18. Julie Says:

    I tend to look for new patterns because I love knitting up new projects all the time, and searching for new patterns relaxes me.

    As I have 3 or 4 projects on the go, I have many more projects in mind! I have some sock and washcloth patterns that I do again for moments when I can knit and chat at the same time: when on the go or at my knitting club meetings!

  19. Tanya Says:

    It totally depends on the project and the time frame I have for working on a gift. For myself, I like to use new patterns - for others, more often I use tried and true ones because I’m often working under a tighter deadline/due date.

  20. Barbara Says:

    When I’m making afghans, lap ghans, or other good sized pieces I don’t remake the same pattern. You can walk through my house and see all the different kinds of afghans I’ve made. The same is true of clothing. The joy is in mastering a new pattern.

    That said bath mitts, wash cloths, dish towels are the same patterns I’ve made forever. I can put a movie on or a book on tape and mindlessly knit or crochet.

  21. Gail Szumylo Says:

    I look for new patterns or let people chose the one they want so I can learn and ‘play’ at the same time.

  22. Thymedremr Says:

    Instead of repeating old patterns I like to look at the new patterns . However when it comes to doilies , tablecloths, or bedspreads I think the old patterns are more intricate and I like that type of challenge.

  23. Wendy Williams Says:

    I consider myself a newish knitter and I have found that I am attracted to new patterns for the variety and learning experience but I have repeated one pattern a bunch. It’s an easy but beautiful pair of fingerless gloves. I’ve had no less than 5 requests for them. So while I’m preparing for the fabulous purse pattern 60402 on LB (in red for me!) I’m desperately trying to finish #4 of the gloves and hoping that no one asks me for another pair!

  24. Bella Says:

    I explore new patterns obsessively. There are many projects sprawled all over my house, but sometimes I just knit a plain old garter stitch scarf, just like in the beginning days of my knitting experience.

  25. Marilee Says:

    New, new, new patterns….. except for a few quick gift favorites which I may make several times, but always in new yarn or new colors.

  26. christy Says:

    New, I like most of us find the challenge of learning a new pattern exciting and welcome, so yes, i will tend to pick a new pattern.
    Yet (oh, yes, there is always the ‘yet’) if it is a project (such as the lovely knit a long shrug) that requires exact fit, or is a learning experience in of itself) etc… i follow along as i should. Other wise, i try and design, plan, and knit up all sorts of new things for myself and others (i am thinking of scarves, hats (especially hats), bags, household items, or other more forgiving items, i boldly go where i have not gone before…
    thanks for asking

  27. TRACIE Says:

    I TEND TO DO BOTH. THERE ARE CERTAIN OLD STANDBY PATTERNS THAT I USE OVER AGAIN; ESPECIALLY IF I NEED SOMETHING QUICK. I LIKE TO DO NEW PATTERNS TO LEARN NEW TECHNIQUES. I ALSO LIKE TO DESIGN MY OWN PATTERNS FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE NEW TECHNIQUES THAT I LEARN FROM NEW PATTERNS.

  28. pat Says:

    One pattern I have used over and over again is the one on the Lion Brand Pound of Love. It is for a baby hooded blanket. I usually eliminate the hood, add another inch or two and then add a border. The only color I never seem to get to use is pink and lavender. My favorite is the green, yellow, white, and antique white. Right now I’m doing a pastel green for a July boy.

  29. Kathie Says:

    Both actually. I tend to go back to a pattern that I really enjoy giving as a gift and make that over and over. (Currently it is coffee sleeves.) Then I also will repeat a pattern twice–once for each daughter! Other than that I really prefer a new pattern each time–and yarn. The yarn is always a new choice–even for repeated patterns.

  30. Sharon Says:

    I’m also split between new and repeated patterns. I love learning new crochet stitches, but when I’m under some type of time constraint I usually fall back on a few familiar items.

  31. Andrea Says:

    I like to try new patterns, but sometime when a pattern is more difficult then expected and I have ironed out the problems, doing it a second time is much easier.

  32. Peggy Says:

    I make different things, but sometimes make the same thing varying the colors.

  33. LuAnne Says:

    I love doilies, purses, & market totes. But once I make a pattern, I usually don’t do it again for 3-5 years. Once the puzzle is solved it’s just not the same. I love the challenge of super difficult patterns & trying out new yarns. I’ve been trying to sell some of my stuff (hopefully this summer will be better at craft fairs, etc.) My kids all know where to come when they need a wedding, birthday, orbaby gift. I have a cedar chest full of goodies.

  34. Leslie Says:

    I really like to try out new patterns. It’s like a challenge to me (can I do it well). And it’s always fun to tweek them to make them all yours.

  35. Anne Godsey Says:

    I pick patterns that can be useful for special or everyday wear. Of course, I want to have a challenge. I’ll pick a pattern with a new twist or technique (stitch) I haven’t conquered yet. Your patterns, by far, are the best to be had.

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