What is Creative Knitting?

Creative knitting uses no pattern. It's also known as freeform knitting since knitters may create as they go by varying the stitching, shaping, yarn type or colors completely at random. Oftentimes, a creative knitting piece turns out to be an irregular shape since freeform knitters may change the edge to stitch on at many different times during the project. The knitter also decides when the creative project is complete and how small or large it will be.

Other than using some type of knitting stitches — these may be original ones created by the knitter — there are no rules in this type of needlework. Some creative knitters use bamboo sticks rather than knitting needles or twine or ripped cloth rather than yarn. The possibilities for creative knitting are limited only by one's imagination and choice of materials. One freeform knitter may use scraps, while another may choose yarns especially for the creative project.

Some creative knitters may have a project idea in mind for their freeform piece, such as a rug or pillow top, while others just pick up needles or sticks and begin stitching. Freeform knitters who start without a project plan may not decide until later what to do with their finished piece. Depending on their size and texture, creative knitting pieces may be used for table runners, pet blankets, afghans, shawls, wall hangings or many other things.

A creative knitter may decide to use all one texture, color or stitch, combine many different variations of all three elements or do something in between. If knitters want to create highly textured pieces, they may combine a baby weight yarn, which is very fine, with a bulky rug yarn that's extremely thick. Different stitches used together can create varied texture as well. While some creative knitters choose their yarn colors before beginning a project, others may just bring out a large bag of mixed scrap yarns they've been saving and knit by changing a color impulsively.

Creative knitting doesn't necessarily even have to be in one piece. Some knitters make different small knitted pieces and stitch them together in interesting ways. Different techniques as well as stitches may be used when knitting creatively, such as letting stitches drop on purpose to create yarn strands in the work. For example, it's possible to experiment with twine, which is thin rope, and use dropped and other stitches to knit, creative openwork shopping bags.

Knitting in a freeform, "anything goes" style can be very relaxing and fun for knitters. Since there are no rules and creative knitting projects can be worked in a random fashion, this means there are no mistakes. In regular knitting, sometimes even a small mistake such as a misplaced stitch can affect the look of a project. Knitting creatively can be a great way for knitters of any skill level to express themselves with yarn or other materials.