What I've Learned Knitwise in 2016

 One of the things I've learned in my knit world this new year,

is that fun trick with the crochet hook for weaving your sock toes without that dreaded kitchener. 

Another thing: My wrists love a SSK or SSP over a K2Tog.

I don't have to wrangle those stitches together and twist when I slip slip.  

It took me 12 years to discover these things. 

Part of the discovery is the confidence to substitute what a pattern calls for.  I was too timid, too unsure, too uptight to improvise with a pattern. 

 I plan to finish my cowl in Madelinetosh worn denim today.

One of the reasons I frogged the shrug : the stitches got stuck at the circ needle join on the drop wrap row.  (see picture one) 

There are no snags at the join, but the stitches were stuck like a traffic jam and it required lots of pulling on my part. 

We all know I have to like the knitting part to carry on. 

In cat news: Pie has claimed the little hooded bed I brought home last week. 

In the kitchen: last nights dinner was saved, enhanced and blessed with Beer Bread.  I forget about good old beer bread.  3 cups self rising flour, 3 tbs sugar and a can of beer.  Stir. Bake at 350 one hour.   Really yummy taste.  

Have you learned anything craft wise in the first two months of 2016?