Spotlight on: The Knitting Notebook

Do you carry a notebook in your knitting bag? I am definitely a notebook girl, and I rarely start a project without one. Here's a peek at how I use mine.

When I start a new project, the first thing I do is jot down is the basics:

• The pattern name
• The size I'm knitting
• The yarn, including the dye lot numbers
• The needle sizes I'm using (becuase don't we all steal needles from one project to start another)?

When working on a project, I note any changes that I make to the pattern. If I shorten the sleeves or add a few rows to the body, I write it down right then. If knitting a cardigan I note how many stitches I pick up for the button band, so I can repeat it for the other side. I always think I will remember these details but I never do. Writing them down is key for me.

Setting a project down

Sometimes a sweater sits in the project bag longer than planned. Maybe I made a mistake and it needs a time out or, more than likely, I want to cast on something new. Before I put it down, I make a quick note of exactly where I am: which row, which section, what comes next. When I pick it back up, I can dive right in instead of squinting at my stitches and trying to figure out where the heck I am.

Catching ideas as they come

I often listen to podcasts or watch knitting videos while I work (like The Knitting Posse here!). If someone mentions a pattern I'd love to try or a yarn I want to check out, I jot it down on the spot. My notebook is full of little "someday" notes, and they've turned into some of my favorite future projects.

Making Ravelry easy

Here's a bonus I didn't expect. When it's time to add a finished project to Ravelry, all the information is already in my notebook. Size, yarn, needles, and modifications are right there, so entering a project takes just a few minutes.

And why add projects to Ravelry at all? For me, it's a nice way to give a little back to the knitting community. When I'm deciding on a pattern, I love looking at photos, suggestions, and notes from other Ravelers, and I've picked up so many helpful tips from their experience. Adding your own notes passes your experience along to the next knitter. If you're curious about what I've made, you can see my projects, including sizes, yarns, and needles, on my Ravelry page. I also wrote more about why I enjoy keeping my project page updated in Spotlight on: Ravelry Project Updates.

A notebook just for knitters

Of course, we had to make our own! The Monarch Knitting Spiral Notebook is a 5 x 7 size that fits nicely in a project bag, with a reminder on the cover to "Knit and Be Happy." Any notebook will do the job, but it's nice to have one that makes you smile every time you open your bag.

I'd love to hear how you keep track of your projects. Do you have a notebook system, a favorite app, or sticky notes everywhere? Leave a comment and tell me.