Are you a process or a product
knitter? Process knitters are
those of us who are motivated
by the process of making
something; product knitters
are inspired by wanting to
make particular items that they
will use.I’ve always considered myself
a process knitter – I just have
to be knitting! If I’m sat on
a train without needles in my
hands, I get a bit tetchy. I
enjoy the creativity of making
something and the satisfaction
of a job well done. However,
that is often where the love
affair ends. I cast off, put the
project aside, move on to the
next one and never look at it
again. I have a huge pile of
jumpers, shawls and mitts
that I just never wear. I made
them because I wanted to work
with the yarn or learn a new
technique or design something
to ll a gap in one of the issues of this
lovely magazine. These items tend to nd a
new home eventually – either as Christmas
presents or charity donations – but it does
seem a shame that I rarely get to enjoy the
fruits of my woolly labour.This year, that seems to have shifted a little
bit. I don’t know if it’s just something in theThis month, our Editor Kate is thinking about a new way of
choosing what she wants to knit next
air but I’ve managed to take a step
back, look at what I actually wear
and marry it to what I’ve been
knitting. I’m not a very dressy
person – generally you’ll nd me
in jeans or a casual skirt, T -shirt
and a comfy hoodie. So, why on
earth have I been knitting pretty
lace shawl after pretty lace shawl?
They’re fun to knit for sure but
there’s a huge pile of them in my
wardrobe and they rarely get worn
because I’m so clumsy that I worry
I’ll catch them on something and
ruin them.This year so far, I’ve tried to stick
to colours I know suit me and
shapes that I already wear. I’ve
got lots of boxy cropped hoodies,
so I’ve knitted some boxy cropped
jumpers and what do you know- I’m actually wearing them! I’ve
tried to apply the same principle
to my clothes shopping as well.
I’m a bit of a magpie sometimes - my wardrobe is full of pretty
dresses that caught my eye in charity shops
but I’ve probably only worn each one once
or twice. Maybe there’s a deeper point to be
made here. Is this because I’m accepting
who I actually am rather than the imaginary
pretty pastel princess I wish I was?
Whatever the reason, I’m happy that I’m
working towards a wardrobe of things I can
actually enjoy!
WOOLLY WARDROBE
KATE’S DIARY
“ I’m a bit
of a magpie
sometimes ”
RAINBOW
I improvised this
rainbow jumper and I
love the results – it’s
so easy to wear and
the Scheepjes yarn is
really soft.RIPPLE
This little bralette was a
fun knit in lovely hand-
dyed yarn, and it works
perfectly as an extra
layer on cold days.RECYCLE
This is one of my
favourite recent charity
shop nds – it was only
£2 and it has all of my
favourite colours in it.My latest knits
REDISCOVER
This shawl was buried
in my pile but I think
I might bring it out
again because it’s not
too lacy.RUBY RED
I chose a solid colour
for this simple hat and
I’ve been wearing it
non-stop since I cast
it off!to ll a gap in one of the issues of thisair but I’ve managed to take a step
back, look at what I actually wear
and marry it to what I’ve been
knitting. I’m not a very dressy
person – generally you’ll nd me
in jeans or a casual skirt, T -shirt
and a comfy hoodie. So, why on
earth have I been knitting pretty
lace shawl after pretty lace shawl?
They’re fun to knit for sure but
there’s a huge pile of them in my
wardrobe and they rarely get worn
because I’m so clumsy that I worry
I’ll catch them on something and
ruin them.This year so far, I’ve tried to stick
to colours I know suit me and
shapes that I already wear. I’ve
got lots of boxy cropped hoodies,
so I’ve knitted some boxy cropped
jumpers and what do you know- I’m actually wearing them! I’ve
tried to apply the same principle
to my clothes shopping as well. - my wardrobe is full of pretty
dresses that caught my eye in charity shops