This is what I consider my first “big” project. Looking back, it’s hard to believe I was intimidated by and struggled with this little cutie. As a new knitter, I wanted to deviate from dish towels and neck cowls knit that were knit simply in the round. Although I came to knitting like what felt like rather instinctively, I had only been knitting a few months when I started this project, so I wasn’t yet confident enough in my skills and pattern reading ability to try anything more than a simple, beginner’s project.

Playful Stripes was also the first project that required me to choose yarn in a color pallet. I think this was the most intimidating aspect of the project. I knit this blanket years ago but can still remember the anxiety brought about by choosing colors. The unmitigated anxiety was especially fraught because yarn can be rather expensive.

Out of frustration and confusion I made a quick purchase, choosing yarn texture and color that I didn’t really love. I was leaving for a long train ride to a professional conference and wanted to be able to knit on the train. Purchasing the yarn this way so accurately reflects so much of my life: making impulsive decisions and feeling the dissatisfaction as a consequence.

At the same time, I was proud of the outcome, and loved the experience of taking my knitting with me for the first time. Now I knit nearly everywhere I go. I also learned an exceptional amount of myself as a woman and a knitter.

Nearly every aspect of my identity as a knitter is a result of the experience knitting this simple baby blanket.