[knit4t]

I've always been amazed at knitters who can knit without having to looking down at their hands all the time. Which I've been doing for years!
I've tried to practice in the past, but fumbled miserably.

I figured I can do it if I really really wanted to...but that's only partially true in my case.

I will finally step up my game, more so b/c I'm encouraged or inspired. When someone comes along & describes how they told themselves to just practice not looking. I suddenly feel inspired. No more procrastination. That person makes it sound doable.

I guess it's akin to learning to write with your non-dominant hand. Your brain resists the idea, but if you had no choice you'd do it, right? You have a reason. So w/ practice your writing could improve until you are ambidextrous. Using both sides of your brain.

Wow! That's how I feel about this new skill!

I was encouraged watching 2 u tube vids recently. One was by nimble needles on how to prevent knitting pain. The young man in that video mentioned how much the human skull weighs heavy on your neck muscles, oww. Hurts my neck just thinking about it. Looking down creates a strain on your shoulders & back...poor posture, etc.

And the 2nd video by Kristin Lehrer of voolenvine knits, 'how to knit without looking at your hands'. I was binge watching her vids & one thing she mentions resonated w/ me about the benefits...being able to watch a movie or have a conversation while working on a mindless project that involves straight stockinette rows, for example. That would be great.

Now more seasoned knitters are probably there already, but I've been knitting long enough now & I'm ready to get serious!

I know how to fix a drop stitch if it happens. I have developed the patience to unravel back if necessary.

Which reminds me of another video I saw on u tube "how to rip out your knitting & pick up the stitches" The young lady bluntly states w/ what I received as a bit of tough love I needed at the time...she says imho ripping out your work is just a part of the craft & if you're resistant to it she didnt think one can fully become an excellent knitter, b/c mistakes happen. (I paraphrase).

So today has been an exciting milestone for me! I actually watched an episode of New Amsterdam on netflix, while I whittled away a bit on a knit beanie & my super simple ragland sweater I left hibernating since October 2021. Both easy mindless projects to practice on b/c it's straight stockinette on worsted weight yarn. My hat is dk wt. I also have socks on the needles, but its finger weight yarn..I'm not quite ready for that project. Baby steps.😊

 

[Jessica-Jean]

My elusive goal is to read (a book, magazine, e-book) WHILE knitting.
Knitting without eyeballing every stitch is something I just did without really thinking about it. Crocheting without watching every stitch is beyond my abilities.

Knitting backwards took a bit of trying, but is very handy for potato-chip scarves and ten-stitch blankets. I can’t seem to maintain even tension over more than 20 stitches though.

 

[KateLyn11]

I’m excited for you, it is a very useful skill to have. I learned by knitting in the car on our way home from a nearby city in progressively diminishing light. It is not an approach I would recommend, but frequent trips and me being unwilling to “waste” potential knitting time were enough motivation. I’m unlikely to progress beyond worsted weight stockinette, because that is over 90% of what I knit, but never say never.

 

[knit4t]

My elusive goal is to read (a book, magazine, e-book) WHILE knitting.
Knitting without eyeballing every stitch is something I just did without really thinking about it. Crocheting without watching every stitch is beyond my abilities.

Knitting backwards took a bit of trying, but is very handy for potato-chip scarves and ten-stitch blankets. I can’t seem to maintain even tension over more than 20 stitches though.

Wow! Suddenly I feel we're onto possessing superhuman powers...imagine if you're a fast reader & you could simply speak to your e-book "next page, next page". Hands free reading!😆
Re: knitting backwards...not sure what that is...is it the same as " tinking". Learning different ways to fix mistakes or taking time to do so is my new goal.
Wow..to be able to crochet w/o looking. I'm not ready for that either, but it would be nice.

 

[Carlavine]

Hooray for you. I can do it , but like you said only on “boring” pieces. I was knitting a washcloth in the dentists waiting room once and talking with someone at the same time. A man was watching me and he was astounded that I could knit without looking. I told him I can see with my fingers what I am knitting. Lol

 

[StitchNStash]

I have to ask, were you tempted to practise while you were writing this thread? Good on you! Looking forward to hearing how long it took you to perfect!

 

[GrumpyGramma]

I can only do knits without looking, purling I have to glance at what I'm doing. A stockinette tube is less boring when I watch something on the screen. I don't know how people who say they read while knitting manage it. It's not something I can do. Crochet without looking at the work? Not me.

Re: knitting backwards...not sure what that is...is it the same as " tinking". Learning different ways to fix mistakes or taking time to do so is my new goal.
Wow..to be able to crochet w/o looking. I'm not ready for that either, but it would be nice.

Choose a video and see what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+knit+backwards

I learned to do it for sock heels. With two socks on a long needle turning for heels was horrible. Doing the purl side without turning makes it much, much easier. I can do the purl side of stockinette and an occasional purl on the side facing but mostly I just do the purl side without turning. When I did potato chip scarves it never occurred to me to work in purls instead of knits. Then I could do them without turning.

 

[KateLyn11]

Wow! Suddenly I feel we're onto possessing superhuman powers...imagine if you're a fast reader & you could simply speak to your e-book "next page, next page". Hands free reading!😆
Re: knitting backwards...not sure what that is...is it the same as " tinking". Learning different ways to fix mistakes or taking time to do so is my new goal.
Wow..to be able to crochet w/o looking. I'm not ready for that either, but it would be nice.

Knitting backwards is knitting another row without turning your work. Set a mirror up behind your work and you can the the motions you need to replicate to knit in reverse. There are you tube videos on the subject. I’d love to learn it for items like side to side scarves and afghans, but haven’t really worked to learn it yet.

 

[Jessica-Jean]

…
Re: knitting backwards...not sure what that is...is it the same as " tinking". …

Knitting backwards, at least for me, means NOT turning at the end of the row. I just change direction of knitting. I was driven to break my grandmother’s stern admonition that going backwards was WRONG! when going crazy knitting the first of my potato-chip scarves.
Turning so often was awful!
*k20, turn.
k8, turn; k8, turn.
k6, turn; k6, turn.
k4, turn; k4, turn.
k2, turn; k2, turn.*
Repeat ad infinitum!
After about eight inches of that, I studied my actions - twisting my hands around to see what the motions were (think yoga), and finally got it.
I wish I had thought to use a mirror! That would have been so much easier!!
Essentially, I knit normally Continental style on the right side, then knit ‘lefty’ English style in the return direction. It probably isn’t any faster, but it’s a boon on such short rows as on the Ten-Stitch blankets, and if I’m ever tempted to knit another potato-chip scarf.
Potato-chip: Ravelry: JessicaJean's Curly Ruffly scarf - a helix
Ten-Stitch: Ravelry: JessicaJean's Projects

 

[playwithfiber]

Hi knit4t, be sure to let us know of any tips that help you to succeed. I aspire to knit without looking, too.

 

[patocenizo]

I've always been amazed at knitters who can knit without having to looking down at their hands all the time. Which I've been doing for years!
I've tried to practice in the past, but fumbled miserably.

I figured I can do it if I really really wanted to...but that's only partially true in my case.

I will finally step up my game, more so b/c I'm encouraged or inspired. When someone comes along & describes how they told themselves to just practice not looking. I suddenly feel inspired. No more procrastination. That person makes it sound doable.

I guess it's akin to learning to write with your non-dominant hand. Your brain resists the idea, but if you had no choice you'd do it, right? You have a reason. So w/ practice your writing could improve until you are ambidextrous. Using both sides of your brain.

Wow! That's how I feel about this new skill!

I was encouraged watching 2 u tube vids recently. One was by nimble needles on how to prevent knitting pain. The young man in that video mentioned how much the human skull weighs heavy on your neck muscles, oww. Hurts my neck just thinking about it. Looking down creates a strain on your shoulders & back...poor posture, etc.

And the 2nd video by Kristin Lehrer of voolenvine knits, 'how to knit without looking at your hands'. I was binge watching her vids & one thing she mentions resonated w/ me about the benefits...being able to watch a movie or have a conversation while working on a mindless project that involves straight stockinette rows, for example. That would be great.

Now more seasoned knitters are probably there already, but I've been knitting long enough now & I'm ready to get serious!

I know how to fix a drop stitch if it happens. I have developed the patience to unravel back if necessary.

Which reminds me of another video I saw on u tube "how to rip out your knitting & pick up the stitches" The young lady bluntly states w/ what I received as a bit of tough love I needed at the time...she says imho ripping out your work is just a part of the craft & if you're resistant to it she didnt think one can fully become an excellent knitter, b/c mistakes happen. (I paraphrase).

So today has been an exciting milestone for me! I actually watched an episode of New Amsterdam on netflix, while I whittled away a bit on a knit beanie & my super simple ragland sweater I left hibernating since October 2021. Both easy mindless projects to practice on b/c it's straight stockinette on worsted weight yarn. My hat is dk wt. I also have socks on the needles, but its finger weight yarn..I'm not quite ready for that project. Baby steps.😊

I guess I am a whimp!! I count and recount, look at my work, it is obsessive. Someday if I grow up, I'll try your style. Congratulations to you!

 

[JoRae]

I can knit without looking but I too can not crochet without looking at what I am doing. I can glance up as I finish a crochet stitch but that is it. The knitting backwards sounds intriguing but I don’t do many short runs. I do an afterthought heel so there is no purling there. I do not mind purling and can work it nearly as fast as knit but have to look.

 

[fiddlegirl]

I’m excited for you, it is a very useful skill to have. I learned by knitting in the car on our way home from a nearby city in progressively diminishing light. It is not an approach I would recommend, but frequent trips and me being unwilling to “waste” potential knitting time were enough motivation. I’m unlikely to progress beyond worsted weight stockinette, because that is over 90% of what I knit, but never say never.

I have done a lot of practicing in the car on long trips. I learned to use circs so I didn't loose my needles in the car. I learned to knit backwards and to knit without looking in the car on those long road trips too. Can't wait for the next trip.

 

[spins2knit]

I've always been amazed at knitters who can knit without having to looking down at their hands all the time. Which I've been doing for years!

I've tried to practice in the past, but fumbled miserably.



I figured I can do it if I really really wanted to...but that's only partially true in my case.



I will finally step up my game, more so b/c I'm encouraged or inspired. When someone comes along & describes how they told themselves to just practice not looking. I suddenly feel inspired. No more procrastination. That person makes it sound doable.



I guess it's akin to learning to write with your non-dominant hand. Your brain resists the idea, but if you had no choice you'd do it, right? You have a reason. So w/ practice your writing could improve until you are ambidextrous. Using both sides of your brain.



Wow! That's how I feel about this new skill!



I was encouraged watching 2 u tube vids recently. One was by nimble needles on how to prevent knitting pain. The young man in that video mentioned how much the human skull weighs heavy on your neck muscles, oww. Hurts my neck just thinking about it. Looking down creates a strain on your shoulders & back...poor posture, etc.



And the 2nd video by Kristin Lehrer of voolenvine knits, 'how to knit without looking at your hands'. I was binge watching her vids & one thing she mentions resonated w/ me about the benefits...being able to watch a movie or have a conversation while working on a mindless project that involves straight stockinette rows, for example. That would be great.



Now more seasoned knitters are probably there already, but I've been knitting long enough now & I'm ready to get serious!



I know how to fix a drop stitch if it happens. I have developed the patience to unravel back if necessary.



Which reminds me of another video I saw on u tube "how to rip out your knitting & pick up the stitches" The young lady bluntly states w/ what I received as a bit of tough love I needed at the time...she says imho ripping out your work is just a part of the craft & if you're resistant to it she didnt think one can fully become an excellent knitter, b/c mistakes happen. (I paraphrase).



So today has been an exciting milestone for me! I actually watched an episode of New Amsterdam on netflix, while I whittled away a bit on a knit beanie & my super simple ragland sweater I left hibernating since October 2021. Both easy mindless projects to practice on b/c it's straight stockinette on worsted weight yarn. My hat is dk wt. I also have socks on the needles, but its finger weight yarn..I'm not quite ready for that project. Baby steps.😊

Good for you! I don't read and knit - I listen to audio books - but I learned in my 30's to knit without looking while doing straight knitting. Complicated patterns still require my sight, though.

 

[sheherazade]

I can knit without looking but I don't remember teaching myself to do it, probably just got bored with so many simple stitches while watching a show. But my all time favorite is when I "feel" myself make a mistake in knitting, glance down and Yep, picked up two stitches or inadvertently made a YO. Fun, like my fingers have eyes.....on simple projects.

 

[crazystitcher1959]

As above, I can read and knit most stitches, except complicated patterns, but I cannot even do standard single stitch crocheting without looking all of the time..... xx

 

[smasha12]

I can knit while reading and have been able to for a long time. The book has to be a hardback so that it stays open.

 

[RoxyCatlady]

My mother always knit while doing other activities - reading, talking, being a mom... And she taught me to knit. I couldn't tell you how long I've been knitting without looking, but unless I'm doing a particularly complicated pattern, that requires attention (such as mixed/different cables across the row, or lace) I don't look at my hands. But I still don't need to look when working the reverse row, or any that are plain "knit the knits, purl the purls" rows between. Though I will glance at it every so often to check for mistakes. I can read, watch TV, converse while knitting. And I don't think about it being a particularly "special" skill, I guess because of my mom doing it, and doing it myself so long. Until... There was a day, some years back, when my son and daughter-in-law had signed up for a weekend long mixed doubles darts tournament. But a conflict come up, and DIL couldn't make it on the Sunday. So, my son asked me to fill in. Because I wouldn't be playing in every game, and I didn't really know the other people from the group, I brought a long a sock I was knitting on dpns. People came over to see what I was making, and as we talked, and I was knitting away without looking, they were all amazed that I wasn't even looking at the sock while knitting!
My first experience with the knitting backwards, was when I saw a co-worker from my yarn store days doing it. She was doing it so fast, just as fast as forwards, and with colour changes!! That blew my mind. She'd been doing it since she learned to knit, so had a lot of practice, lol. I've tried doing it a few times, but haven't really given it enough practice to do it at all well. Maybe, since I want to try the 10 stitch blanket, I'll finally put in the time to train my hands.

 

[silkandwool]

I can read and knit at the same time. I think this is because if the knitting is plain I need something to keep my mind occupied.
I hate having to stop and turn the pages so now I listen to audio books most of the time.

 

[Colg]

I've always been amazed at knitters who can knit without having to looking down at their hands all the time. Which I've been doing for years!
I've tried to practice in the past, but fumbled miserably.

I figured I can do it if I really really wanted to...but that's only partially true in my case.

I will finally step up my game, more so b/c I'm encouraged or inspired. When someone comes along & describes how they told themselves to just practice not looking. I suddenly feel inspired. No more procrastination. That person makes it sound doable.

I guess it's akin to learning to write with your non-dominant hand. Your brain resists the idea, but if you had no choice you'd do it, right? You have a reason. So w/ practice your writing could improve until you are ambidextrous. Using both sides of your brain.

Wow! That's how I feel about this new skill!

I was encouraged watching 2 u tube vids recently. One was by nimble needles on how to prevent knitting pain. The young man in that video mentioned how much the human skull weighs heavy on your neck muscles, oww. Hurts my neck just thinking about it. Looking down creates a strain on your shoulders & back...poor posture, etc.

And the 2nd video by Kristin Lehrer of voolenvine knits, 'how to knit without looking at your hands'. I was binge watching her vids & one thing she mentions resonated w/ me about the benefits...being able to watch a movie or have a conversation while working on a mindless project that involves straight stockinette rows, for example. That would be great.

Now more seasoned knitters are probably there already, but I've been knitting long enough now & I'm ready to get serious!

I know how to fix a drop stitch if it happens. I have developed the patience to unravel back if necessary.

Which reminds me of another video I saw on u tube "how to rip out your knitting & pick up the stitches" The young lady bluntly states w/ what I received as a bit of tough love I needed at the time...she says imho ripping out your work is just a part of the craft & if you're resistant to it she didnt think one can fully become an excellent knitter, b/c mistakes happen. (I paraphrase).

So today has been an exciting milestone for me! I actually watched an episode of New Amsterdam on netflix, while I whittled away a bit on a knit beanie & my super simple ragland sweater I left hibernating since October 2021. Both easy mindless projects to practice on b/c it's straight stockinette on worsted weight yarn. My hat is dk wt. I also have socks on the needles, but its finger weight yarn..I'm not quite ready for that project. Baby steps.😊

Wow!!! I'm impressed. I have often thought about trying it.