Taking stock of your knitting

Happy New Year 

As you read this, we are hard at work taking inventory at the shop.  A new system mid year means this is the first time we’ve done a physical inventory with the new software. The process is not so different, but the terminology is. The new system calls it stock-taking. 

Stock-taking.  Taking stock.  I like that.  

At the shop we do it in a very systematic way, counting every single skein of every single color of every single yarn.  All the yarn gets pulled off the shelf and sorted. Sometimes we find random skeins hiding here and there, the end of dyelots.  It’s a giant pain, but it feels so good when it’s done.  We have an ccurate picture of where we are, what’s working, and what we want to do next. 

Taking stock is more than just a physical act. We can take stock of our lives, or relationships, even our knitting. It’s a thoughtful evaluation that considers what we are currently doing, what we want to be doing in the future, and whether we have the skills we need to get there.

Is it important to do this for your knitting? I think so.  Taking stock, setting goals, and working towards them is how we stay motivated and interested.  Knitters who do this are generally more satisfied with their knitting and get more fulfillment from it. 

For example, taking stock is the first step in Crazy for Ewe Sweater Eweniversity.  For members, the goal is to knit sweaters that fit perfectly and look great.  There’s an established process to get there, and when you join Club Crazy for Ewe, there is a process for taking stock and figuring out where you are on the path.  

You might have crazy awesome knitting skills and know all the fancy techniques, but be totally new to knitting sweaters. Or you may have knit several top down sweaters but not really know the finer points of shaping or seaming your fabric. Perhaps you’ve knit lots of sweaters, but are not happy with the fit and want to understand how to adjust them to suit you.  By looking at th milestones in each stage, you can see where you are and where to jump in.  

It’s very empowering to have not just a goal but a plan on how to get there. Have a look at the Sweater Eweniversity framework here and see what I mean. If a structured program helping you knit sweaters that fit perfectly and look great appeals to you, you  can sign up to be notified as soon as I open Sweater Eweniversity to a new cohort of knitters.  

Tell me in the comments where you see yourself, what your knitting goals are, and what skills you need to get there.  

Best wishes for a wonderful 2024 full of knitting and learning and much happiness in every area of your life.

Warmly,

Ellen