How to Keep a Knitting Journal

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Updated: June 26, 2017

Trying to get into knitting, but keep getting frustrated because you can't keep track of your stitches and/or rows? Or maybe you just want to keep track of all the projects you complete for posterity's sake. Try keeping a knitting journal!


  1. 1
    Find or buy a notebook or writing pad and stash it in your knitting bag or basket. Make sure that it fits first! Smaller notebooks are best, as they take up less space than normal, school-sized ones.
  2. 2
    Grab a pen or pencil, then keep it with the notebook at all times. Consider getting a pen that can stay on your notebook for added convenience.
  3. 3
    Put the title of the pattern at the top of the page so you won't lose track of your project. Record the date that you're knitting on. Print out, photocopy, or manually copy over the pattern you're working on into your journal. Then while you're working through the project use a system of tallies, check marks, etc. to keep track of your place in the pattern. Write yourself helpful notes to remember if you ever revisit the pattern again.
  4. 4
    Record information about your needles and yarn. It's important to remember what sort of yarn you're using if you plan to throw away the wrapper. (You could actually just stick the wrapper onto the page.) It's good to write down the needles you used for future reference.
  5. 5
    Use the journal to keep track of abbreviations. If the pattern you're using doesn't explain all the abbreviations they use completely, look them up and write yourself a little explanation so you don't waste time looking them up while you're knitting.
  6. 6
    Tape or paste pictures into the journal. You can also use fun pens and maybe a sticker or a piece of yarn from each project, so your journal becomes really fun and sort of like a scrapbook.
  7. 7
    Record final details once you've finished the project. How much yarn did it take? What would you have done differently a second time around? What did you think of that brand of yarn? All of this is helpful for future knitting projects.

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      • You might want to try getting a spiral notebook. That way you can stick the pen or pencil in the spiral, if it's small enough. It's even easier if the pen has a clip!
      • Get a cute\snazzy notebook that appeals to your style. It'll get you more pumped up to knit if you see something so spiffy every time you sit down!
      • When picking out a pen, you may use a multi colored one so that your never know what color you will have!
      • Consider using an online journal such as While you will lose some of the visuals and fun of a hard copy journal, it's much faster to keep track online.

      Things You'll Need

      • Notebook
      • Pen\pencil
      • Knitting bag\basket
      • Camera (optional)

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      Updated: June 26, 2017
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