Challenging Yourself

A few weeks ago I found a wonderful hat pattern. It's perfect for some neutral colored recycled cashmere yarn that  I bought it on sale last week at Creative Ewe. I needed a pattern that used dk weight yarn. I found a gorgeous one with lots of cables at www.rebeccagravespottery.com. It's called The Ruby Cashmere Cable Touque. She has some other beautiful patterns, as well. There's a cabled scarf that I'm dying to make! What a talented artist she is.

After printing the pattern out at the library, I tried getting started on it. I immediately had trouble with the first row. I attempted it  a couple of times, but kept ending up confused and with an off stitch count. I put it away for a while, and worked on my shawl. I also relaxed with some some fun and easy charity knitting.

This morning I decided to tackle the pattern again. I figured out why I was having trouble. I inserted locking stitch markers every eight stitches, so that I could check my work after each pattern repeat. I haven't done much cabling, so I got reacquainted with the technique. It takes some coordination.

I made this shawl about five years ago. It's how I learned to do cables. It's called The Favorite Hollywood Shawl Vest. It's designed by Vera Sanon. She's on Ravelry. I absolutely love it. I made one for my mom, too.

Sometimes we need to absorb information in order to learn it. I reread the pattern, and realized that the first two rows were the most complicated. After that, it gets much easier. The more I worked on it, the more natural  the movements became. I started to get into a rhythm, and my confidence returned. The body needs repetition to memorize a new movement. As a dancer, I've always known this to be true.

I was initially intimidated by the charts. Now that I understand them, I am enjoying using them. I see how convenient they make things, once you have learned the language. Often in dance, when you first are taught something, it feels very difficult, maybe even impossible. As you practice and break it down, you relax, get comfortable, and eventually it becomes second nature.

I find the same with most things. Spending time each day working on your technique helps you to improve. This works in all areas of life. Sometimes we avoid the things that we fear. If we just do a little bit at a time, and put in the regular hours, we may surprise ourselves with the progress that we make.  

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