You Already Have the Teacher You Need
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned—both in knitting confidence and in life – is that just knowing help is available changes everything.
I realized that when I run into a problem in an area where I have expert resources at hand, I think, “I’ll ask my teacher/therapist/sister about it next time we talk.” And as soon as I think that, something amazing happens: my brain immediately started putting the problem into words. I begin imagining how I’ll explain it, what details I’ll share, and what questions I’ll ask.
And then, often, the strangest thing happens: I never end up asking. By the time I’ve put the issue into words, I already know what to do next.
Framing the Problem is Half the Solution
When you know you’ll be able to ask for help, your brain starts preparing the story in a way that someone else could understand. You shift from “Ugh, this is just a mess” into:
- “Here’s what happened.”
- “Here’s what I tried.”
- “Here’s where I got stuck.”
- “Here’s what I need.”
That shift is huge. Instead of sitting in a fog of frustration, you start structuring the problem. You’re already halfway to solving it just by imagining how you’d ask the question.
And often, once the problem is framed, your brain goes: “Oh! I see it now.” You gather the courage to keep going, or you notice something you hadn’t seen before.
The Teacher in Your Head
This taught me something staggering: the teacher I was counting on was already in my head.
When you imagine explaining your issue to a mentor, therapist, or knitting teacher, you summon their voice inside your own mind:
- “Yay, you’ve made a mistake! Let’s fix it.” (That one’s me. 😉🧶)
- “Slow down, walk me through it. Tell me what happened.”
- “What’s happening here makes perfect sense. Here’s why.”
The words come from them originally, yes. But over time, they become your words, too. And that inner voice is often enough to carry you through.
Why This Matters for Knitting Confidence (and Life)
This is why, more often than not, KnitFreedom students find themselves venturing outside their comfort zone. They take on more advanced projects because just knowing they have the support and backup there if they get stuck gives them knitting confidence.
Visualize a Teacher
So the next time you feel lost, pretend you have a teacher. Conjure up the image in your head of a person that has all the answers you need, and explain the problem to them. Lay it all out. That might be enough to give you the next steps forward.
Want the security of knowing you can get help whenever you need it? Explore KnitFreedom membership here.
Corollary Technique – Reading Aloud
When I was working at Stix Yarn in Bozeman, people would come in with questions on knitting patterns.
In order to explain to me what they didn’t understand, they’d start reading the pattern aloud to me.
In the end, 99% of the time, they’d stop and say, “Oh. That’s what I’m supposed to do.” So if you get stuck, read the pattern out loud to me (just pretend I’m listening). You might get a flash of clarity in the moment!
More Resources for Knitting Confidence
Want more? Here’s my K.N.I.T. Formula for becoming a superstar in knitting and in life. It includes an easy-to-remember formula that you can use when you are confused or stuck in knitting OR in everyday life. I use it a lot. It also includes a clip of me on TV! ☺️
Here’s a fun one: The Five Immutable Laws of Business, Knitting, and Life, According to Liat Gat. I should have remembered to follow Law #4 right before I spilled coffee on my new computer on the plane back from Mexico last week! (Good thing I had AppleCare+, so I guess I did sort of follow Law #4)
Free guide: Catch and Fix the Top Ten Knitting Mistakes Self-Taught Knitters Make – FAST! Essential to watch if you haven’t already. Save yourself hours of frustration.
Leave a Comment
When you get stuck in your knitting, do you ever find yourself “explaining” the mistake in your head before you even ask for help? Does that shift help you see things more clearly? Share your experiences in the comments—I know other knitters will relate.
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