Knit in Public Week: Day 7
A Chat with Blogger Gretchen Tracy
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Gretchen Tracy is one of our friends and contributors to AllFreeKnitting. She runs a popular knitting blog called Balls to the Walls Knits and is constantly churning out creative one skein patterns for cowls, hand warmers, and more. We’re so happy we had the chance to get to know her even better!
How did you get into knitting?
I learned how to crochet in college, but it wasn’t until my little sister (through Big Brothers Big Sisters) wanted to take a knitting lesson that I began to knit. The first thing I made was a vertically striped scarf for her. I didn’t really understand how color changes in knitting worked, though, so I made up some stitch-crossing technique that now strikes me as completely nuts. The second thing I made was a pair of socks for my husband. It took me forever to figure out how to join my cast-on in the round!
How would you describe your knitting style?
My favorite things to knit and design are small projects with some detail but that don’t require line-by-line knitting once you get the pattern down. I’ve got three kids; I simply can’t drag a knitting pattern around with me, or design something that requires me to write down instructions for each and every row!
When is your favorite time to knit?
Did I mention I have three kids? (all boys – 3, 5, and one month) So, basically, any time they’ll let me!
What’s your best piece of advice for other knitters?
Keep doing it! Because I learned how to crochet before I learned how to knit, I was mystified by fixing mistakes when I first started – I was used to being able to easily rip out to the mistake to fix it. That technique doesn’t work nearly so well with knitting. The more I did it, however, the more different knit fabrics made sense to me, and the more confident I became. Mostly, you just have to trust that you’ll get better! The same thing goes for following patterns – they seem really complex at first, but the more you do it, the more you understand. And today’s Internet knitting scene is great, since you have thousands of videos and tutorials at your fingertips. And often, you can even contact the designer with your questions!
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Do you like to knit with friends, or do you prefer to knit alone?
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I usually knit in my family room while watching TV. When we travel I will knit at my daughters homes but they never wanted to learn to knit. They do enjoy watching me create things for my seven grandsons.
Alas, I’m a lone knitter… not necessarily by choice, I think it might be nice to have a knitting buddy or group.
I generally knit every chance I get – in the car, spending time with family and friends, etc. Since I’m the only knitter in my group, I guess I knit alone. I rarely get to knit with other knitters. 🙁
I enjoy both, but mostly I knit in the evening after I’m prepared for bed simply it relaxes me.
I like to knit together with others if possible. On my commuting train I sometimes meet other knitters or crocheters, but none regularly. So mostly it’s my sister who keeps me company. As she doesn’t live near me, that’s not very often either. Pity, but can’t be helped.
As long as I am knitting I am happy! So, I don’t care if it is just me and my kitty cats or a whole group. I just love to knit!
I do knit alone, but that is just my current lifestyle. When given the chance I willingly knit in public and around friends and family.
I like to knit complicated things by myself, simple things around friends
I often knit in the car when going places with family (I don’t do the driving) but for more complex patterning may prefer to knit alone so I can concentrate on the pattern.
I prefer knitting alone because it is so calming, a sort of meditation. Also while watching a favorite TV program or movie. Just me and my thoughts and my hands knitting yarns into fabric.
I like to knit with friends., but it has to be something simple so I don’t lose my place while chatting.
I’m generally the only one knitting, but I do knit around others. If I’m knitting something complicated, I find it distracting to put it down and pick it up. To get blocks of time so that I don’t have to put it down and pick it up as often, I’ve learned to knit around others. I slow down for conversation but don’t actually stop.
I love to do both. I have a group of friends that meet once a month for “stitch” night. Some knit, some crochet, some do cross stich, some like myself both knit & crochet. 😀
I prefer to knit alone. I’m usually knitting something that requires constantly checking a pattern or graph, so I need to concentrate on it. Otherwise, I make mistakes that need to be undone.
alone if I have friends around I will talk and not knit
I like to knit both ways but I knit my more complicated patterns at home by myself.
Usually alone. If I’m with other people, I get distracted and stop paying attention to what I am doing
I usually knit alone (at home), but in nice weather, I like to go out and knit in public, at a local park/garden area. And I always knit on the subway when I’m going somewhere! 🙂
I am part of a knitting group of wonderful women and for most of my detailed work, I prefer to knit alone.
I knit alone, and with family… although the rest of the family don’t knit!
I prefer knitting alone, usually in front of the TV if I don’t have to concentrate on the pattern. If I need further concentration I listen to music while I knit. Knitting is soothing and relaxing to relieve the daily stresses of life. Prefer this to meditation.
Normally, I knit at home, in front of the TV. But once a week, I go to a fiber arts group at my local library. It’s fun to see what others are working on, and it’s a help when I have a question.
I don’t really have a preference. I’m perfectly happy to knit and watch a show or knit and talk with my friends.
I knit alone. I’m a good, but not excellent, knitter. I make mistakes (Oh boy, do I make mistakes!) which sometimes require large amounts of frogging to correct, and sometimes are just too far gone to correct. I don’t mind going out in public wearing my imperfections, but I’ll be darned if I’ll create those flaws in front of an audience!
I would love to knit with friends but I tend to be a scatterbrain and must direct all my attention to whatever I am knitting. Even will full concentration I still end up tinking at times. It’s all good though. I really love knitting and even crocheting. It teaches me patience!
I like both. It kind of depends what I’m working on. If it’s a complex pattern with a lot of counting I would probably work on it alone so I can concentrate.
I usually knit while watching TV with my husband. I have a friend who lives far away but we “knit” together. We choose a pattern we both like and then compare notes, frustrations and progress on line. It’s a fun way to stay connected.
Like many others, I knit at night while “walistening” to the TV. I am a member of a number of great knitting groups, but since my husband became very ill, I’ve not been able to go to the meetings. I keep hoping it will change in the future. For now, knitting at home will do with access to my friends on FB and ravelry and forums like these.
Sorry, my bad but I didn’t really “listen” to the question. I prefer to knit in a group. I’m an experienced knitter and I love to “mentor” new knitters, some much younger than me, some under 17 and others my age. Especially when someone is stuck in a rut, like making only garter stitch scarves. Although I may not get as much accomplished as when I knit at home, the company of like-minded people, the sharing of thoughts, techniques, ideas and yarn/patterns and the joy of being with knitting peers fuels my knitting at home. I learn, I have fun, I mentor, sometimes I sip coffee or wine and I knit. A delightful way to spend a day.
I am a knitting instructor so I knit with others for work…but I LOVE LOVE LOVE to be the the LONE knitter in my snuggly PJ’s in my comfy chair, with my favorite movie playing. Eating my snacks and drinking a big mug of hot coffee. Heaven on earth!
I love talking to people and teaching people how to knit. I enjoy knitting with people in case there is a issue that I need help with. But if I am working on something that requires a lot of concentration then I like to knit in the quietness of home.
I am usually alone when I knit. But I love to knit and will knit while visiting with family and friends. The knitters in my family live far away, so I am usually the only knitter in the group.
Both. For complicated patterns I need to be focus so alone for those, but it is more fun with a group of friends when the pattern is basic.
I knit alone because none of my friends knit, however I usually have my husband sitting with me on our couch while watching TV with him eating snacks and I with my needles and yarn!
I mostly knit alone in the evenings, after my three boys are in bed. However, I really enjoy knitting with a group. It’s so nice to see what other people are knitting and get a few pointers!
I would be glad to knit with friends, but actually most of my knitting is alone.
I prefer to knit alone because it is my therapy. I also use that time to think and just be. I get the most fantastic ideas from that quiet time. I also use that time to pray.
I usually crochet alone (surrounded by family, actually, but the only one doing yarn crafts); however, I love opportunities to craft around other crocheters and knitters. I’ve gone to group events at my LYS and public library, and I discovered the “open crafting room” at the annual gaming convention I attend just last year. In between times, I network with like-minded crafters on Ravelry.
I love to knit at anytime or anywhere.
I always carry something to work on
in my purse, like Mitts or Socks.
I knit one afternoon a month with my church knitting group. The rest of the time I usually knit while watching TV, preferably tennis tournaments. Sporting events have so many breaks and commercials that you can get a lot done.
If I knit with friends, I have to make sure it’s a simple pattern … as I talk too much!
I usually knit while watching tv. Right now the only other knitter in the family lives a few states away, so I’m on my own.
I usually knit alone, but enjoyed knitting my first hat at a dog trial. The hat was for a dog lover, and many dogs & handlers checked out the gift over the course of the day.
I knit in public a LOT (always ready to share FaveCrafts urls!) so meet other yarn crafters that way…Complicated stuff I must do alone, where I can focus. Simple stuff, I can talk and knit at the same time. Liat Gatt (Knit Freedom) said it best – don’t be afraid to frog back and correct mistakes!
I have never knitted in a group, so I don’t know what I prefer. I knit and watch TV. On long trips, I knit in the car and I always knit on Jetblue while watching TV.
Usually alone, often in public, but sometimes with other members of our tribe.
So far, I haven’t incited anyone to join in knitting, so am a solo knitter. My poor darling husband knows that if he speaks to me during a particularly complex (for me) row, he will hear ‘Let me finish this row’ a lot of times. Maybe it is best that I just knit alone for now at least!
Some of best times are knitting with friends! My favorite was catching up with two friends in a quiet local bar (fairly dark). My friend had just finished turning the heel of the sock she was working on, and picked up her drink straw instead of her needle to pick up stitches. And she didn’t notice for a couple of rounds! Friends don’t let friends drink and knit!
I tend to knit in front of the TV.
I usually knit alone, while watching tv.
I knit with my 9yr old DD who just started knitting. We spend mornings knitting before school. At night I knit while watching TV with the family.
I like knitting groups by I don’t get much actual knitting done at them as I get too busy looking at everyone else’s projects and talking lol! I do most of my knitting alone or with my husband watching tv.
I spend about 4 hours every Thursday sitting in the waiting room while my oldest son is doing Physical, Occupational and Speech therpaies. I decided to start knitting again to occupy my time while I’m there. I really enjoy when some of the other ladies bring in whatever projects they’re working on and we can share tips & tricks. It doesn’t matter that most of the other ladies crochet. We still have many things in common that we can chat about, including the progress and things our kiddos are doing. I also try to knit late at night after everyone else is in bed for a couple hours each day but since I have four boys at home that are 13, 11 & 4 you old twins finding quiet time is almost impossible unless they’re sleeping. Lol.
I prefer to knit alone.
Solo knitter here. With music or audio book as accompaniment.
I took my knitting to work two days this week and a lot of my workmates wes cautious.
i like to knit alone, only because i cannot knit and hold good company as of yet 🙂
I prefer to knit alone….it’s my “me” time!
News of our event on my facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/kay.headley/media_set?set=a.10204211574748397.1073741853.1198045906&type=3
None of my friends knit, so when I am with them I often leave it at home, as they just don’t understand the attraction. I also am often out with the twin grandsons — they are more than enough of a handful without having yarn in the combination. When at home though, I never feel like I am really knitting alone, as I often chat with other knitters online via Ravelry or knitting friends on Facebook.
I like knitting after a long day at work. It is sooooooooo relaxing!!!!!
I usually knit alone unless I’m visiting my Mom in California.
When I was in college I got a few friends interested in knitting and we’d have a little knitting circle sometimes, but I’m a lone knitter now.
I knit fastest when I knit alone, but it’s so much more fun to have knittting company to share ideas and conversation with – so I prefer the smiles and approval of others! 🙂
Knit anywhere, anytime. Most fun — knitting while the dentist works on me! Drives him and his assistant nuts! LOL
I always knit alone but I love knitting with friends! I wish I had more friends involved in the craft.
I usually knit alone while watching TV.
I knit or crochet in the car, waiting for kids. My quiet time. (sort of) lol…
I love knitting both with friends and by myself. If I’m with friends I prefer the project to relatively easy and one that doesn’t take precise counting or following of a pattern.
both; joined a knitting group in my town and we meet weekly to knit and have lunch.
love to knit at night while watching tv too!
I absolutely love to knit with friends, and strangers, which allows for the chance to make new friends. I have knit in a group and at LYS events and those are loads of fun. The reality is that I am long term unemployed due to lack of work layoff, (and it seems near impossible to get an interview these days), so I can’t afford the costs of even non-essential car travel and knit at home, alone, though with my kitty at my side to keep me company and that I truly do love. Her with me, keeping my spirits up, and knitting after another discouraging day of job-hunting is what keeps me going!!! God bless kitties… and yarn!!!! 🙂
I usually knit “alone” and I say alone, because while I knit at work or at home surrounded by my family or even out in public, no one knits with me. I am the only person I know that actually knits around here. Evidently my town is full of closet knitters and I am the only one out. Although I am trying to teach others.
I like to knit with others but cant find a friend to love knitting so I knit alone & and i am happy.
I prefer to knit alone, it gives me a chance to catch up on some tv shows, or listen to audiobooks
I usually knit alone, but with a crowd during football season !
I do like to knit in groups and with friends, but I reserve something simple for those times so there is less of a chance to make a mistake. I do my more complicated work while I’m alone.
I knit alone. I love to sit outside in the summer and knit. People think I am crazy.
I knit alone, I love lace and do a lot of counting to keep in pattern.
Either. At work I knit with a table full of people and at home I knit usually alone enjoying some peace and solitude.
I joined a knitting group a few months ago and I never knew how much fun it could be to knit along with other people! I can use them to bounce ideas off of, instead of relying on my husband who doesn’t care to know what kind of stitch would look best. =) I love my new knitting friends and Tuesday nights have become my favorite time of the week!
I knit when I’m with friends, but usually I’m the only one knitting.
I like having my hubby with me when I knit. Even if we don’t talk. Otherwise, it depends on the project. Some require enough concentration to require silence, others, not so much.
None of my friends knit, but that doesn’t stop me from knitting when I am with them. I knit almost everywhere I go – except at church! It is a great conversation starter as someone almost always asks me what I am making.
if i am not doing lace, either way is fine. if i AM doing lace, definitely by myself.
Both. I like to knit while watching TV with my husband, and when I am alone. I also like to knit along with the Brooklyn Knit and Crochet Guild members.
I mostly knit alone, but enjoy it even more with friends. I love the social time while we each create something beautiful
If I am knitting a mindless project, I like to knit with friends. My lace or more involved projects I like to knit alone at 4 am because it’s cool and quiet and when it’s light enough outside, I sit outside and knit.
I enjoy working on more than 1 project at a time. Knitting is calming and I enjoy doing it at any time.
Either, or. My family is usually around, it’s part of family life. I always love being with friends so knitting with them just doubles the pleasure. And of course, on the rare occasion I’m alone it’s a great time to knit–especially more complicated lace and designs with intense counting.
Have a group of ladies I knit with once or twice a week. The rest of the time, I usually knit at night, after my son goes to bed, while I watch tv with my husband.
Love to knit in front of the tv!
I knit alone. It has always been my Zin!
Depends on the project. Easy one lots of people around or t.v. on no problem. Difficult need to be alone to concentrate
alone or with someone, does not matter
I usually knit while others are around. I can carry on a conversation and keep working on my favorite project, usually a gift for someone.
I’m the original knit in public person so I knit with friends and I knit with strangers. I knit everywhere I am. I’m never without a project. And I’ve made a number of new friends by doing it.
Knitting with friends is great for simple repetitive work, but if I have complicated patterns and stitches to count, I knit in front of TV with Hubby for company.This way, I get to work on multiple projects at once.
Mostly alone. But I am a hospice nurse and take my knitting with me to my continuous care cases.
I prefer knitting alone while watching tv.
I live alone and knit alone, but with a social media twist–I share or post photos of patterns and WIPs to FB, Twitter, etc. I have friends who knit and I often knit things for family and friends, so it’s a reasonably steady stream. I’ve never been a fan of selfies or a lot of the other things that travel around social media, so I just fill my space(s) with pictures of beautiful knits 🙂
I usually knit alone but I always have it with me so when I’m out, I knit with friends
I’d like to knit with friends, but none of my friends knit.
I knit everywhere so it’s hard not to knit around people. The nice thing about knitting is that you can still be sociable while doing it. As far as having other people who knit, my friends don’t and it is sad.
I do a lot of my knitting in the car as we travel from one place to another so I guess I am not alone!
I would love to knit with friends. I tried to get a craft group together, and it ended up being me teaching them to crochet.
Generally an ‘alone’ knitter or with others who don’t know how and don’t really want to know (at least, not at that time). I can talk, watch TV, take in a concert or a play while knitting, most of the time.
Often, with others, I end up being the “Help Desk” whether I want to or not. I knit somewhere between Continental (pick) and Lever knitting in style and have difficulty showing other how to knit or fix their knitting when they knit English style (throw). Which ends up being an frustrating experience all around.
I’m usually knitting with family around, me the only one with needles and yarn. Have been thinking about looking into the meetups in the area for knitting buddies. I’ve found that knitting in public is always a great conversation starter for meeting new people.
Knitting with a friend is a nice change of pace. Plus I like talking while knitting.
I usually knit alone, but am more than happy to knit with friends. Just have to have a project that isn’t too complicated!
Knitting with friends is a treat. I spend an awful lot of time alone.
i like to knit with someone but i do better alone
I knit both in groups and alone. Knitting in groups I stick to simpler projects as I have had to undo errors. Alone I knit more complicated projects.
I knit whenever I can, wherever I can – home, car, with friends. At home I knit my more complicated patterns. With friends or in the car, I knit something that needs less concentration
When starting a new project I like to knit alone. After the pattern is established it is fun to knit with friends!
I knit alone usually while watching tv. The few groups I am aware of meet during the day while I’m at work.
Unfortunately, none of my friends are knitters 🙁
So I’m teaching my daughters to knit!
I enjoy both. I think I really like knitting with friends cause it makes the time go faster but I normally end up knitting alone. I think I get more done alone but you can’t beat company.
I do both. A weekly group who knit and crochet at our senior center {50 or better, baby!} is a great place to talk and craft, bring questions and learn new things. I also like to knit in public and talk to people who stop to comment. Knitting in the car, at home or while waiting for an appointment gets wash cloths and hats done!
I do a lot of alone knitting, but my favorite knitting time is when our church’s prayer shawl ministry gathers and knits together for an evening.
None of my friends knit, so I always knit alone.
I like to knit alone it is my me time.
knitting at night keeps me sane-sorta!
I knit just about every time I sit down which would probably add up to be by myself a majority of the time . When I do knit with friends which is weekly, I try to knit something that doesn’t take a lot of attention cause there is a lot of communication going on that needs my undecided attention! Knitting with friends is social; knitting alone is production .
I like to knit with other people, I learned from my sister, cousin and sister-in-law and loved being able to ask questions. Now I like knitting in our lunch room at work, I even taught a co-worker to knit while on the picket line when on strike! I love knitting prayer shawls while I’m in church, knitting is such a great way to focus while listening.
Both! I love my quiet knitting time to myself, but I also really like getting together and being crafty with friends!
I love knitting with others, but can work on more challenging projects when It’s just me and my knitting!
mostly alone while listening to an audio book.
I always take knitting with me, sports events, waiting in Dr’s office, meetings and trainings where i know i will be sitting and listening, and if you keep a project in the car and you end up waiting for someone in an emergency room, you are all set!
I usually knit alone, but do enjoy occasionally knitting with a friend. Just not sure how much knitting I get done that way. 😉
Either, I prefer to do it while watching movies, that way I feel productive and entertained
I usually knit a alone at home, but I take to work and knit on my breaks in the present of others. When we travel I hook a book light to my seat belt so I can see and continue to knit in the dark, of course I am not driving at the time.
I knit alone…as in, I’m the only person knitting, but my husband and kids are often around too!
My youngest daughter and I go to the Library on Monday Nights and we knit with 10-15 other women. Then I usually knit at home while watching tv and sometimes bring it to work to work on.
I love to knit..period. Whether by myself, with friends, or teaching others, it is my stress reliever.
I usually knit or crochet by myself with my husband sitting beside me driving or watching TV.
I like to knit with friends but I do both.
I knit while I watch TV, so family is usually around.
I have never been a part of a knitting group, but it sounds fun. I usually knit when I am watching TV in the evenings. Even 15 or 20 minutes accomplishes progress and relaxation needs.