Free Spirit Topper Knit-Along: What’s Your Knitting Style?

You are probably nearing the end of your first of two panels for the Free Spirit Topper.  You have repeated the same two rows for so many inches, you may be exhaling a little sigh as you realize you have to do it all again for the second half of your Free Spirit Topper!

If you’ve lost steam, you could always wear the first half as a scarf until you get around to the second panel, but for those of you who are committed and determined to have a snugly sweater at the end of this knit along—I’m talking to you!

Due to the repetition of this stockinette pattern, I have found myself wondering about different knitting techniques.  I learned to knit using the English style of throwing the yarn.  Over the years I have tweaked my technique to wrapping my working yarn around my pointer finger and sort of flicking it around the needle.

This past year I have challenged myself to knit garments (as opposed to scarves or hats or smaller projects) and this has caused some knitting fatigue.  I taught myself how to knit in the continental style which involves picking the yarn instead of throwing it.  I find a row of continental style knitting goes a bit faster too—so I am that much closer to the finished product.

Though I have enjoyed experimenting by mixing my techniques when knitting for long stretches, I warn that this can mess with your tension if you are a beginner.  Be sure to do some practicing on a practice swatch to make sure your tension remains the same throughout.

If you have tried knitting before and not found your groove, trying a new technique may be the trick. One style may be better for a righty than a lefty.

I recently discovered a class on knitting techniques BEYOND English vs. Continental, from Patty Lyons.  She talks about 6 different techniques. This may be fun to explore if your skill level is beyond a level 2 (the rating for this topper).

On another note, I have found that my marker, separating the 8/9 stitch border from the rest of the project has been misplaced a few times. I don’t know how this has happened! But there are a few stretches where my border ended up only being 7 or 8 stitches long instead of the correct amount! I hope it blends in when I am wearing it! Almost everything I have made has a little mistake or too—don’t fret—it gives your garment some added character!

What is your favorite knitting technique? How do you prevent knitting fatigue? I would love to hear about your stretches and techniques in the comments below.

Take a look at some of our fellow Ravelry knitters as they work on their Free Spirit Toppers! All projects featured use different colors of Scarfie.

Tealadytoo’s Free Spirit Topper in Ochre/Navy Scarfie	leaobrien95’s Free Spirit Topper in Cranberry/Black Scarfie	memaw9’s Free Sprit Topper in Forest/Black Scarfie
Nolancleta’s Free Spirit Topper in Cream/Taupe Scarfie	Aquaspir’s Free Spirit Topper in Denim/Navy Scarfie	KnittedKnotion’s Free Spirit Topper in Oxford/Claret Scarfie

I am Kristy Glass and I am so thrilled to be infiltrating the Lion Brand blog to lead you in the 2015 Fall Knit Along! Even though I learned to knit as a girl, my passion for fiber arts has escalated at a very steep rate these past several years. I returned to knitting and began crocheting about 8 years ago after I suffered an unexpected health setback leaving me feeling completely out of control. Hand work was a healing salve for my body and soul as I suffered through a long healing process. Thankfully I continue to use knitting to aid meditation, solace and a feeling of accomplishment. I knit year round, despite weather changes, and I am highly anticipating us all knitting together on this project. I have completed over 100 projects including scarves, cowls, hats, hand warmers, phone cozies, afghans, pillows, sweaters and yarn bombing. My most recent passion has been making sweaters and actually wearing what I make!