Quilting is a bit different story, at least in my opinion, so this post is mostly about knitting but can apply to quilting as well. The reason I say mostly about knitting is that when you buy fabric, cut into it and decide you don’t like the pattern, you’ve kinda ruined the fabric. With knitting, you rip back and can re-purpose the yarn.
This is part of a comment from a reader:
I REALLY wanted to try the Leftovers Cowl, but so many doubts! Could I knit from the chart? Is this too complicated for me? Will I ever finish something this intense (at least in my opinion)? Talked myself into buying the pattern- just to give it a try. AND I LOVE IT!
There are times when I buy something or take on a project and decide I don’t like it but I’m never sorry I tried. Please, if there’s something you want to do, try it. One thing I never want to do is look back on life and realize that so much passed me by because I was too afraid to try it.
Every year there’s some weird seed that I want to plant. Vince, every single year, asks “How do you know it will grow here?” It’s a packet of seeds! If it doesn’t grow, at least I tried. If it does grow, it’s a new and fun experience.
I will admit that I’m probably a little on the extreme when it comes to trying new projects, crafts, seeds. Vince would say I have way too many crazy ideas. There are probably people who are perfectly happy sitting and watching TV and never feeling like they’re missing a thing. That’s ok . . it isn’t my place to complain or think less of those folks. But, for those of you who want to try something new, please do it. Do it today. We aren’t promised tomorrow. OK . . if you don’t already have the stuff to do it, you might want to wait. We just got back from Walmart and you can bet that trip was NOT my idea. Do not do it . . trust me!
I so love hearing from readers who were apprehensive about something . . whether it’s knitting or canning, or making a pie crust, and tried it and are so happy they tried it. Thank you for writing me when that happens and thank you for trusting me enough to try some of the crazy things I recommend.
Cilla Tyler says
I’ve heard for years about Bonnie Hunter’s scrap quilts and how many tiny pieces are in each of them. I was rgd by a fellow quilter to try “this years”. That was 6 years ago and I have completed each one since and LOVE doing them. All 3,000+ pieces of fabric in each one. I also do not want to look back and ever say “I wish I had…. I should have….if only I…”. We never know when our time is up.
carol fun says
I agree…no harm in trying something new… if it works for you that’s great… if it doesn’t well you know that too. Years ago I took a class with a teacher who said, sometimes the only thing you find out from trying something new is you can do it… but you don’t want to do it… and that’s ok too. The more experiences we have in life the more interesting it is. Every day I wake up and there is something crafty I want to do… makes me happy!
Joyce says
I always wanted to spin yarn. I bought an inexpensive wheel that a friend’s father had made. I figured that if I really didn’t like spinning I had not invested a huge amount of money. (The wheel cost less than $300). Well, as I hoped, I LOVED spinning. I now own 2 much more expensive wheels.
I have been knitting for many years and will try just about anything, but I really dislike doing stranded color knitting. I love how it looks, but I find it extremely frustrating to do. For me, knitting is supposed to be fun. If it isn’t fun, I’m not going to do it. There are too many other fun things (for me) that I would rather spend my time on.
Carolyn says
My motto has always at least try it. Knitting was one of those I wanted to try. I can knit a simple dishcloth, but finishing it off is another story. Every so often I knit a dishcloth and try binding it off. One day this quilter, crocheter, needle puncher, Rug Hooker and needle felter will eventually master a simple knitting project.
Bon says
I have a ScanNCut and a couple months ago I tried cutting appliqué pieces. Major fail. So I went to my dealer and talked to the pro. Tonight, I tried again and was what I would say, 96% successful. Cutting appliqué pieces was the reason I bought the machine a year ago. Took me a while but I found one way to not do it and one way to do it. I’ll do it again.
Dar says
Judy, I bought an Instant Pot ages ago when you first raved about it. Took weeks to get up the courage to try it (memories of the heavy stovetop one my mother had and fear I’d blow up the kitchen…and me!) Finally tried it, chuck roast with potatoes first time out (yeah I know….crawl first, run later NOT, LOL). Burned my hand YOWZER on the quick release, put it away, moved the dusty scary thing to NC with us in June. Kept reading about you using yours…. joined the electric PC Facebook page….. everyone loving theirs…. I can do this! No I’ll blow up the new kitchen…..YES I CAN…. NO…YES….sigh……suck it up, Buttercup!…. weeks of indecision but….. last night I hard boiled 4 eggs. Just 4 eggs, right? No big deal…breathe, Dar, it’s JUST EGGS! Had the iPad handy with Google and Pressure Cooking Today newbie stuff already up…. breathe…..what’s a little kitchen explosion anyway…..ice water bath ready….read, reread and reread again the instructions….eggs and water in, check…lid on, finally (hand issues), check…..plugged in, check….what does 10 minutes look like on the screen? Panic, breathe, Google, YouTube video, ok, got it, time set, check….patience while it pressures up …… patience…..IT’S COUNTING DOWN! YAY!!…… recheck recipe OH NO NOT 10 minutes, SIX minutes!! ……. google google, feverishly check manual, google…..oh Keep Warm/CANCEL, ok……..subtract the 2 minutes it was cooking, reset for 5 (just because; I can subtract)……..6 minutes natural release, look at that! it counts UP! ……. BOTH hands in LONG MITTS, quick release, fingers safe LOL…..lid off, awkward but doable……long handled spoon extraction of eggs into ice water till cooled…Moment of Truth, The Big Reveal: will they peel cleanly? Will I have beautiful eggs? YES! IT’S TRUE!! IT’S TRUE!! (Ever see Blazing Saddles? “It’s TWOO! It’s TWOO! LOL) Not only perfect looking but cooked just right, not rubbery whites or underdone yolks! Imagine that! I was so happy!! Like I’d discovered fire or something, LOL. Anyway yesterday, hard boiled eggs. Tomorrow, CHICKEN STOCK!! Sirloin tips! Orange chicken! The world of electric pressure cooking lies before me to conquer! Bwaaa-hahahahaha! Sooo yeah…you kinda influenced me. And encouraged me. A little. LOL Thanks! ;-D
Donna says
Lots of things I have tried, appliqué, paper piecing, camping, cold weather vacations, etc. I didn’t like any of them but I am glad I gave it a go!
Cilla Tyler says
On Sept 1, 2016 you mentioned you were going to purchase new ones.
Pat in Nebraska says
I have to say it was thanks to you and a couple other blogs I read through that brought me to the point of buying a pressure canner and taking up canning for the first time. It’s been six years (or so) and every year I can up tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, and chili. Thank you for the boost!
Dar in MO says
You have encouraged me to try many new things and I can’t think of one that I don’t love. I truly love my new found skill at sock knitting and the Instant Pot is my friend. In fact, I’ve talked two other friends into getting one when I showed them how easy it was to boil the eggs and all the wonderful things it can do. Thank you!
Kathleen says
Reminds me of one of my favorite songs: “I Hope You Dance” by Leanne Womack