that it is Knit Whatever You Want Night.
We all have obligations, things we ought to be doing with our time, people to get back to or help with something, ways in which we could put our evenings to good use. Because I work for myself, doing something I honestly do love, I mostly spend my evenings working. But tonight I decided that I’d done enough for the day and even if I kept on working there was no way on earth I was going to be done with my to do list. So I ignored all of my in progress, required for something, projects and cast on something new (or at least its swatch, because I’m not being that naughty). Tonight I am knitting a sweater, for the simplest of reasons: because I wanted to, I’m excited about the project, and I want to wear it.
The world won’t end* if you ignore things for a teeny wee while, so go on, knit what you want tonight. Or, because other awesome people declared today to be International Crochet Day, for bonus points crochet whatever makes you happy right now. And tell me what you’re making, mine is going to be a very simple, casual, easy to wear hoodie. With snuggly pockets, and maybe some garter stitch. I’m thinking thumbholes sound good. Perhaps… Right now, I’m just enjoying it stitch by stitch. I recommend adding some hot chocolate and a storm raging outside for added cosy atmosphere.
*if the world really will end if you are knitting tonight, please carry on doing what you’re supposed to be doing!








{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Hooray for KWYW Night! I actually started a new project just because I wanted to this afternoon. When I last counted, I had 30-something unfinished projects and I’ve been trying to make that number go down, but today I just wanted to start some simple stripy socks for my best friend.
Swatching for all my upcoming holiday projects, but I did do some work on my son’s winter hat too, which is going to be needed sooner rather than later judging by the weather here in Glasgow too!
oh, great idea! after I do some dyeing, which really needs to be done for a show this weekend, I’m going to curl up on the couch with my Bird in Hands mittens, my kitties and some very trashy tv.
I should be sewing the arms, legs, and ears on my knitted monster but the MadTosh yarn I ordered for the Skelf sweater arrived today! Poor monster will have to wait cuz tonight I’m casting on for my sweater…oops, I mean swatching ; )
I’m knitting a pair of orange winter bed socks. Just cast on the second one tonight. I’m looking forward to wearing them soon! It is very stormy here in Edinburgh. x x x
I saw this on twitter and I couldn’t be happier. This is exactly what the doctor ordered, thank you for the Rx, Ysolda! (Now all I need is more cowbell….!)
Happy Knit Whatever You Want Night!
I am knitting the Paulie sweater tonight in honour of my first day back at university. No Classical Logic for me tonight! Tea, my puppy and my knitting!
I have a sweater that’s been in progress for yEARS now that I really ought to finish, as well as a grandmother’s bday coming up soon … instead I will work on Laika in super happy sunshine colours of noro kureyon sock (it’s yellow, orange, pink, turquoise, red, coral, light blue, royal blue, magenta… etc). Seriously I feel like Laika has cracked the code when it comes to making a lace fingering weight sweater a quick knit! I’ve been taking it with me everywhere.
Tonight I shall work on a warm shawl for me instead of the sweater for the husband — because I want to. Thanks for giving me permission ♥
Ah, I really needed this. Now to decide what to knit… :)
Hmm. I really like that idea. And I think I need to do it.
Socks. Definitely socks.
I’ve been knitting baby things as I am due early November. It truely is a joy to knit little garments. However I’ve been dying to cast on the Ayano wrap since I got my hands on some Plucky Knitter yarn at Sock Summit. Thanks for permission to indulge myself tonight.
I started a new knit this afternoon. I was in the mood for something Fall ish and cables so I cast on I heart aran by Tanis.
Thanks for permission to knit what I want. It has been a long summer of obligations and tonight I get to relax and enjoy MY knitting. No storm here, but a puppy at my feet and a cup of tea will do just fine.
I hope everyone enjoys the evening!
correction of name
Thank heavens you made such a declaration! Now, I can cast on for the mitts I want to make instead of chugging away on the sleeve of a sweater that has lost appeal to me for the moment. Hurray for KWYW Night!!
How fun :)
When I sit down to knit tonight I’ll either be working on a pair of socks for my husband or a swatch for a scarf for me. Haven’t decided yet. First though I have to harvest everything in my garden that will damaged by the frost expected tonight. It may not be the end of the world if I ignore it but it will certainly be the end of my veggies :)
Good choice! Life isn’t only work even if you love it! I look forward to see your new sweater!
Yahoo! I have a second sleeve to finish and a million things to do. I am going to do the most pressing ONE and leave the rest for later. Knitting is calling my name.
I’m knitting a Snapdragon Tam in Madeliene Tosh.
It’s a super happy knit, though I’ve learned that it’s not the best thing to knit in company (happily, most of my mistakes were fixable with the liberal application of a crochet hook instead of frogging). A nice quiet evening at home is just what my knitting calls for.
I’m knitting a sleeve of a stockinette man-sweater in a deliciously soft alpaca/merino blend. I’ve had a really long day, and all that stockinette is just what my brain needs to reset itself. (And I wouldn’t be able to do anything more complicated at this point!)
I’m continuing work on a sinfully delicious alpaca/cashmere/silk cardigan! I’ll definitely take “Ysolda told me to” as an excuse to work on it!
The storm is keeping me awake. So thought I would catch up on Tweets. Then found this. Why didn’t I read it earlier?? Can we do this tomorrow as well. PLEASE
Oh boy, I can enjoy a guilt free crochet evening…Dishes can wait till mornin. I’m working on finishing up my giant granny square blanket. I’ve a few more rounds then decide on the edge stitch I want to use. Have fun with your project! I know I will…
your post made me smile! Hubby left on a ten day business trip sunday. So i am trying to ignore so many of the cleaning lists, as well as other domestic goddess-be good lists i have to complete before fall and knitting something just for fun. (a new sweater for my puppy who has outgrown all other ones) but this is a fun one so…. :)
Brilliant idea! I can’t wait to see the sweater, it sounds perfect!
Tonight I will be knitting a swatch for Laika. I’ve had the yarn for several months, but my dissertation stood between me and the project. I’ve submitted the thesis now and feel like I’ve shed a huge weight off my shoulders. Evenings are finally proper evenings again!!
Excellente idée et bon tricot !
I knit socks for my Mom’s birthday last night. They are sort of “something I should get done” but the process of knitting them for her, knowing that each stitch is for her, makes me really enjoy it and love it, so I think it counts. ;)
Speaking of snuggly sweaters for yourself, I’ve always wondered how your orange Mystic Pullover came out!
Excellent idea! Soon I will have to start knitting for Christmas but meanwhile I will follow your advise! :)
I heard that you will have a class at Loop this weekend. If I knew earlier I would change my plans. I will come to London two weeks later.
Greetings from Norway!
Maria
smartest of ideas…to stay inside as the remnants of katia pass over! glad you’re safe.
Brilliant! I’m in the middle of a toddler dress and handwarmers, both gifts on deadlines, but it wouldn’t hurt to swatch for an aran vest I’ve been wanting to do… :)
I was knitting the Inside Out Baby Blanket (a Cascade Yarns download, designed by my co-worker Naomi Herzfeld), but I had to put it down for designs on a deadline. I think I’ll pick it back up and work on it a little bit tonight. It’s for my 5-year old, and he’s the best recipient ever! He’s really gratifying to knit for :)
I’m knitting a baby sweater for my cousin’s notquitechildyet. I’m also going to cast on for a stuffed elephant… but maybe tomorrow night.
I’m swatching for a ripple blanket (although i’ve got enough wips waiting in my knitting basket). It’s really fun to add colour after colour…and it’s crochet!
Instead of the hot chocolate (too warm here in Stuttgart) i’m having some M&M’s…
I gladly took this opportunity to set aside my Christmas knitting and cast on a lovely cabled cowl for myself in yarn I’d been dying to use! I call it the Knit Whatever I Want Cowl on ravelry.
a wonderful idea. i started a little sweater, so nice to just knit.
Oh thank you Ysolda ! What I do like now, in the evenings, after a hard working day, is knitting swatches. I really enjoy trying different combinations on yarns and colours and let my mind wander…
Before I met you during your wonderful class, last July (French festival “Le Lot et la Laine”), I thought swatchinq was so boring and waste of time ! It’s so different now. Please, forgive my poor english…
I’m glad to see that you’re taking a wee bit of time to enjoy your knitting. I’ll be casting on a swatch hat for my “Chickadee” cardigan tonight. Little boys can wear birds, right?
Today I’m knitting a Bramble Tam, a knitty.com pattern. Not only am I not knitting on 2 sweaters that I’ve been slogging through, but this is newly purchased yarn rather than yarn from the stash. A double treat.
So lovely! I am knitting every night just love to knit.
You are really progressing. thanks.
Oh I love this idea! Have tons of things I need to finish for my store or for other people…but I think I’m going to start a hat and scarf set for myself…just because. Oh yeah, I like.