Many times over the years I tried to teach myself to knit, but it was only 8 years ago that I finally figured it out. I've been loving it ever since. Other crafts have caught my attention but knitting is the only one that I've stayed with on a consistent basis. Handspinning is what encouraged me to try knitting. I had sheep and wool and a spinning wheel and I needed to do something with the wool I was spinning. I knew how to crochet, but I thought the best use of my yarn would be for sweaters--knit sweaters. Finally one day I decided I was going to learn to knit once and for all so I went to the library, brought home every knitting book they had and didn't give up until I was a knitter.