Last week we talked about making your needlework goals for 2018 S.M.A.R.T.E.R. – and this week, well – it’s time to wrap things up so we can actually start working on those goals and developing your needlework skills! 😉

Let’s recap what you’ve done, so far.

1. You “Kon-Mari’d” your PIPs and prioritized them.
2. You made a list of things you want to accomplish this year – and you turned them into goals.
3. You made your goals S.M.A.R.T.E.R.

Congratulations!!!

You’re doing GREAT! I’m so proud of you for taking the initiative to develop your needlework skills. It’s one thing to say you’re gonna do something, but you’ve proven that you mean business.

Ellen Johnson

Welcome to the new Serendipity Needleworks website!

I’m so happy that you’re here. Please bookmark this page on the new website so you can visit with me regularly.

Let’s take a quick tour around the website and I’ll share a little about what you can expect to see here.

Ellen Johnson

Have you ever worked really hard on a project, only to have your hat (or mittens or, even worse, your sweater!) turn out waaaay too big? Or how about making something that ends up being entirely too small?! Well, that’s exactly what can happen if you don’t check your gauge before you start your project. Now, you may be wondering – what, exactly, is gauge?

Great question! Let’s take a look at it and see why it’s SO important!

Gauge refers to the number of knitted stitches in one linear inch of fabric. (It also applies to rows per inch, but we’ll chat about that another time.) Gauge directly affects the width of your knitted item and, if it’s off (even by 1/2 stitch per inch) can completely wreck your project.

Here’s an example…

Suppose the pattern you’re using states that gauge should be 4 stitches per inch. The pattern also tells you that you need to cast on 60 stitches. When you do the math, that calculates out to a piece o knitting that will measure 15″ wide. (Because 60 stitches divided by 4 stitches per inch = 15″.)

Ellen Johnson