A Crocheter’s Knitting Journey: From “Maybe One Day” to Today

So, I’m a crocheter by heart, but I have a deep love for all fiber arts. My fiber journey includes everything from crochet and drop spindles to even a rigid heddle loom, and I’ve always been drawn to the versatility of yarn. Recently, I’ve decided to take on something new: knitting. But, let me tell you—it wasn’t always an easy decision.

The First Sparks of Inspiration

When I moved out to the country, I began visiting local yarn stores instead of just sticking to the big box shops. The more time I spent in these lovely stores, the more I started noticing all the beautiful knitted projects around me. There’s something about knit fabrics—how they drape, the stitches, the textures—that intrigued me. Though I’d tried to knit a few times before, it had always ended in frustration and, honestly, a little failure.

But then, earlier this year, I started seeing this gorgeous book: “Knitting the National Parks” by Nancy Bates. It seemed to pop up everywhere, and it immediately drew me in. The book features hats inspired by different National Parks, and it brought back so many memories for me.

See, when I was a kid, I used to spend my summers with my grandparents. My Grampa, after retiring, had a dream to see the country, and those summers were full of road trips, exploring National Parks and Historical Sites. I was a typical teenager at the time—determined to look uninterested—but I secretly loved every minute of it. There was something so timeless about the beauty of those parks, the history and nature intertwined. So when I saw the book, it took me back. It was like the idea of knitting became less about making something and more about connecting with those memories.

The Turning Point

Then came my first fiber festival in September: the DFW Fiber Fest. Walking through booths of incredible yarn, seeing projects people were working on, and talking to so many talented knitters and crocheters, I felt inspired. It was like all those “maybe one day” thoughts about knitting became something more real. I knew it was time—I wanted to give knitting another shot

I had a pair of US 8 bamboo needles that a kind person had given me at one of the local yarn stores, and with those, I learned to do a long-tail cast on. But from there? I was stuck. Knitting felt awkward and difficult, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong. That’s when I decided to stop by a couple of yarn stores to ask for a little help—and ended up somewhere truly special.

Finding Help & Community

I walked into Yarn & You, this cozy local yarn store in Farmersville, TX. I’d come to really love, and I met Stacy, the owner. I showed her my cast-on, trying to explain my struggles, and she was so encouraging. She took a look at my knitting, did a few stitches herself, and reassured me that I was actually on the right track. Her kindness put me at ease immediately.

When I asked if she could help me, she invited me to sit at the big community knitting table, and that’s where everything changed. Stacy walked me through what knitting was supposed to feel like. She reassured me when I thought my work was too tight, explained how to move my hands, and corrected me when I went wrong—but always with a kind word. It wasn’t just about learning to knit; it was about feeling supported and welcomed.

I knew Stacy taught classes, and after that experience, I knew I wanted to learn more from her. So I signed up. It wasn’t about just buying a lesson—it felt like she was genuinely excited to teach me. And that meant the world.

The First Project

For my first real project, Stacy helped me pick out a lovely skein of Berroco Vintage yarn in Forget-Me-Knot, a pair of 3.5″ US 8 Lykke Blush interchangeable needles, and a pattern for a simple beanie. I sat at the table with her, and she walked me through casting on and then knitting in the round. She was so patient, even when I needed help with nearly every stitch at first. As the other members of the knitting circle returned from lunch, Stacy would come back to check on me, cheering on my progress each time.

That day, I left Yarn & You with my beanie project, my new needles, and a lot of excitement. I couldn’t wait to keep knitting. And when I started feeling a little bored with just knit stitches, I even picked up another set of needles to try some knit and purl practice. I was determined.

Back for More

A week later, I went back to Yarn & You to show Stacy my progress and meet the regulars who gathered there on Thursdays. Once again, Stacy was there to help. She showed me how to do decreases for the beanie, and I practiced with her guidance before taking it home to finish. That night, I met some wonderful people who made me feel welcome, and I started to feel like part of the community.

So, Why Learn to Knit?

I learned to knit because I was inspired by a beautiful book that reminded me of my childhood summers—the Yellowstone Beanie became the project I aspired to make. Yellowstone National Park was one of the most memorable places I went with my grandparents and means a lot to me.

But beyond that, I learned to knit because I wanted to challenge myself, to be part of this wonderful yarn community in a new way, and to create something that had a personal connection to my past.

Thanks to a lovely and incredibly patient teacher, and a supportive group of knitters, I’ve now got my first project well underway. And maybe soon, I’ll be casting on that Yellowstone beanie—knitting a bit of my history into every stitch.