What Is a Knit Along?
If you do not know what is a knit along, or you have always wanted to try a knit along but have a limited idea of what it is, a knit along is a type of community event where a group of knitters all get together, talk about the art of knitting and then work on the same project at the same time. A knit along gives the participating knitters the opportunity to answer questions, share members’ thoughts and motivate each other.
You may think a knit along is when someone knits a full pattern with a video camera that is running while the person chats about the project to the people who are streaming the video online. The truth is, when you actually join a knit along, it is more interactive than what you may think.
In a knit along, the session is more focused on taking time to enjoy the creative knitting process and picking up new ideas as you progress.
You will get support
You may be the type of knitter who likes to knit alone, however, when you join a knit along, you will feel special energy because you have your friends knitting along with you.
In knitting or crocheting, you may sometimes feel that you are working in a vacuum, and you may even end up questioning yourself as to how your output looks, or if you are going to regret the yarn that you just bought.
If you are a part of a knit along, you are going to have a ready-made group of friends who you can debate about the colors of the yarns, or you can have someone with a fresh eye who will take a look at your work and find possible mistakes in it.
You will have deadlines
If you are working on something, and you do not set a deadline for it, there is a high chance that you may end up not finishing the project. That is why, whether you may like it or not, having a deadline always helps.
In reality, most knitters take too much time because they run out of steam before even finishing the project that he or she is working on. Some reasons might be that you are already giddy about your next project, making you lose interest in the one that you are currently working on. Without a deadline, you end up jumping from one project to another without finishing a single thing. This is why having a deadline will help you keep your focus on the goal so that you will finish the project you are currently working on. This will also help push the knitter to get past their less-favorite parts when knitting like the sleeves.
You will have a sense of accountability
When you are in a knit along, it is similar to working out with a gym buddy. This is because when you work out with someone, the process is easier as you have a friend who is going to pester you constantly.
Thus, when you are a part of a knit along community, you will have a host of friends who will cheer you on and who will keep you going when you are hit bumps in the process of creating your project. If you are working on a knit project by yourself, it is easier to tap out. That is why knitting with your buddies can really make a huge difference.
The fear of missing out (FOMO) is real
Whenever there is a knit along rolling around and you see that everyone is also doing it, then, you won’t want to miss out on all the fun. FOMO can be a curse, however, it is also an excellent motivator for you to work on a project that you have always wanted to make. When you are in a knit along, it will help you reach that goal that when working alone can be a bit unnerving.
Get the most out of a knit along
If you have already decided to take the plunge and join a knit along, then here is how you can get the most out of it!
Make sure that you get involved
The reason a knit along is always great is because you will be able to interact with the other members of the knit along group. Although most of the knit along is happening online, you may be tempted to watch other things from the sidelines. Make sure you avoid that and don’t be shy in the group. Try posting progress photos, share where you are knitting, show off the yarns that you are using and also take constructive criticism.
Because interaction is key when you are in a knit along, you should also comment on the progress of others, cheer them on and be open to offering support when needed.
The more that you participate in the knit along, the more fun you are going to get.
Make sure you keep a timeline
There are some knit along groups that give you a breakdown of goals that will help you stay on track. But, if you can’t, then you can always create your own. Break the goal into bite size pieces so that it is more manageable. This will also help you finish the project on time.
Go easy on yourself
If you fall off course, you should not beat yourself up. Just get right back in the saddle and pick up where you left off. You should remember that any progress is still progress even if you feel that you are far off track. Just keep going until you finish.
Article written by Lucy Hale
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.