Learning how to knit with… oh, my hands!

Recently, I have been making some changes in my life to help me de-stress. Apart from baking like never before I was searching for something less complicated and messy. A hobby I could just pick up whenever I needed it, whether for 5 minutes or several hours, then move on to something else. Knitting had been in the back of my mind for a while, as it combines being creative with fashion: the more ambitious you become, the faster you can move from accessories like scarves and mittens to attempting bigger challenges like jumpers. However, I had two problems: zero patience… and the fact that I suck at knitting.

Last week I wrote a cover feature for Miniguide Barcelona, talking about knitting as a way to generate income, and the urban art known as yarnbombing. While doing the research for the article I came across Oh My Hands, who not only sell gorgeous scarves and merino wool, but also organise Barcelona-based workshops for yarn newbies like me. During said sessions they also serve tea and cake, so I really couldn’t resist when they invited me to join them some days ago.

If you’re not in Barcelona, you can shop online, either one of their gorgeous snoods, 100% merino wool, or a complete DIY set and follow their novice-friendly videos. Here are some pictures I took during the workshop.

Their wool is 100% merino wool, it comes from Portugal, feels extremely soft and doesn’t itch.

Me on the right, trying not to stab myself with the needles. I loved their glittery ends (Maria, thanks for taking the pic)

Freshly baked cake and tea, what’s not to like?

My verdict? I had a great time. With two hours we had enough time to learn the basics, practice a lot, share a few laughs and enjoy some freshly baked cake with tea. Their video tutorials, which were projected on the wall for further help, are very well filmed and easy to use from home. While you can’t expect leaving the workshop with your snood finished, it took a novice like me only 4 sessions of knitting at home, whilst I watched a movie, or relaxed for a couple of hours. I had to undo my work a couple of times, but the more you re-started it, the easier it got. I think, overall, it took me 5 hours to complete mine. It was surprisingly easy and extremely relaxing.

My finished snood, in plush burgundy red

The big needles and thick yarn make it easy to knit, spot your mistakes, and simply unstitch everything if necessary. You quickly see that you are creating something, and for impatient, over-stressed souls like me, that is a huge plus.

If you’re in Barcelona, why not book one of these workshops, which are also available in english? If you are outside, they ship internationally, so you can purchase one of their snoods, made by hand, with luxurious merino wool, which is a treat. They look great worn over plaid shirts, leather jackets and t-shirts.

So, what do you think of my snood? I’m planning to make new items soon, knitting is addictive! What should I do next?

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Oh My Hands can be reached via this link. Their website is in Spanish and English.

Tagged as: Barcelona, crafts, knitting, learning, shop online