Whatever you do for fun, it's important to keep learning new ways to do it and to improve your skills. Trying new techniques is very important for knitters. Taking the first step can be hard, though. I don't think I'd ever have picked up a set of DPNs if we hadn't had the sock knitalong in Simply Knitting; I really didn't believe I could knit in the round. Kirstie decided we were all going to make the Feet First sock (free pattern here) and so I had to learn. It's always handy if you're a member of a knitting group or have friends who are experienced knitters who can help you, so when you're trying out something new you have people to turn to if you need help.

I've just finished my second pair of Feet First socks, and am about to start a pair of socks more complicated than anything I've tried before: Viking Socks by Lykke Og Lokker. The thing that's making me nervous is the chart; I've got very little experience with charts and while I know how they work, part of my brain is telling me that I can't do it. Charts can seem scary, and we do get calls from people who either don't know how to use them or don't like using them, but they are useful. They tell you what to knit in far less space than full instructions would take. I'm determined to conquer my fear of this chart. I could write it all out, row by row, but I'm not going to. The beauty of knitting is that if everything does go horribly wrong, you can always roll your yarn back into a ball and begin again. If I mess up following the chart, I can start again. Once I've got it right, I will have gained experience in following charts!

So, are there any knitting skills that you're nervous of learning or are you a fearless knitter? Does the Magic Loop look too complex? (I'm sticking with my trusty DPNs for now!) What about fair isle or lace knitting? Or have you learned a new knitting skill recently?