Every time I finish a sweater, I sew a little bit of contrasting yarn into the inside of the back collar because I have been bamboozled by the front/back issue too many times

That AI app is also potentially using people to gain access to copyrighted patterns that are (rightfully) locked behind a paywall. Basically it’s a scheme to gain access -through theft enabled by unwitting users - to  more training data.

Long story short, support human artists!

I skim the pattern while highlighting the size in any of the areas where there are different counts for a line based on size

I read through the whole pattern and highlight the stitch counts for my size and any instructions like “change needle size” or things like that

I thoroughly skim the pattern before I start knitting. I have dyscalculia so I go through a pattern and highlight all the numbers for the size I am making, add checkboxes for needle size changes and repeats, and draw lines through instructions that are not related to my size when I’m getting ready to knit it. Then I read the first few sections again to get an idea of how the process begins.

Regarding monogamous knitting…. I see both sides of that. When you really want the finished object, you want to work on it every chance you get. For me, with a little ADHD, multiple projects works for me.  Especially because my hands and brain  might need a break from one type of yarn or stitch to have something else to give me the dopamine hit by mindlessly knitting. I love working on multiple projects. Right now I am finishing socks, and will start my shawl and Tee as soon as my yarn arrives!! 😊

Squarely fall in the ‘read as I go’ in knitting a pattern. This is 100% the opposite of my general approach to doing things, but I kind of feel like knitting is a hobby - like reading a book - and I just want to enjoy the process (story) as I go. Sometimes there’s a plot twist! It’s fine - has never caused more than a small side quest and it’s fine.

I totally read the pattern, with exceptions.  First, I'm from a generation when patterns were as brief as possible, and pattern testing wasn't a thing.  In fact, I don't think pattern testing should be a thing and it's born from the hyper competition modern designers have.  So, from the world of expected mistakes in patterns, it was more important to pre-read.  Next, there are pattern writing styles that don't gel with my brain.  The best way for me to deal with that is to rewrite the pattern to accommodate the way I think.  Finally, we have all been told terrible lies about gauge.  You were told you just go up or down needle sizes and the problem will be solved, but gauge is way more complicated than that.  It's best to use gauge to test if you like the fabric you are getting, and rewrite the pattern to that.  Even if math gives you a headache, that's better than redoing hundreds of swatches and wondering what universe the designer lives in that produces a square stitch.  My exception, I often do not really care what the pattern says.  Around year 10 of knitting I realized I was often changing so much about a pattern to fit my desires it was no longer necessary to really buy them.  You mentioned wanting a chunkier ribbed collar for a v neck, I'd just do that.  If I want a deeper or shallower v, I just do that.  So now, I am working on a fossil frenzy cardigan, and it's adorable, but I am not doing a raglan, but a cocoknits construction, and I am not doing dk weight, but a worsted, because I can use it outside instead of a coat.  I basically bought the chart, because that's what I needed.  So, I only read the pattern to determine how many stitches I would need to fit my intended size at the heavier gauge.

I am one of the people who reads the whole pattern (unless it’s 20 or so pages - then absolutely not). I started reading patterns when I was a beginner and I visualised all the steps to make sure I could do it before I started. I can also look for technique videos before I start too. I am one of those people who has a very visual imagination so reading the pattern almost becomes knitting it in advance. I can see how that wouldn’t work for everyone though.

In terms of row counter apps, I use YarnBuddy and find it great. No AI in that one so I have to add my own sections but it works really well, especially for multiple repeating blocks.

And I’m with you on lightbulb stitch markers. They were the first type I bought (used scraps of yarn before that) and I use them for EVERYTHING! 😀

Knitters have copied/shared designs forever. It’s difficult to “police” that with our online driven world. I know I’m personally drawn to certain designers because their patterns are usually more clearly written, more widely tested, and visually appealing. That “certain scarf” that everyone loves/hates is an example of how confusing this can all be. I mean, a scarf, knit all garter with i-cord edges is far from brilliant individual design. I’m SURE others knitted the same style way before “that” pattern was published.

I read through a whole pattern before I knit it.  I am an experienced knitter, and I'd rather have notes on my pattern with the adjustments I need to make before I get there.  This also helps me calculate my yarn usage better, because I am often changing armscye depth and/or sleeve length to fit my wonky little body.

I first used light bulb markers when I was looking for a way to reuse one from a garment I bought - most recent use I discovered : I used a pair up chain back up a dropped stitch in a dark movie theater by capturing the dropped loop with one then fastening another around the float above, then using that marker almost like a needle to go through the captured loop - then I just related the one from the now secured loop and attached above the next float and repeated the process

Yes!! I am so with you on the struggle with the concept of reading the whole pattern before you start. It’s the exact same tedium and annoyance of someone explaining in detail how to play a board game before you start playing! AND just as hard to remember. JUST LET ME START AND IF I SCREW UP WE CAN FIX IT

If your Book Club cardigan was a book, it would be The Neverending Story.

On reading the whole pattern before starting: I started knitting after a year of crocheting where I mostly self-drafted/improvised, and the biggest barrier to learning to knit was learning how to read patterns.

So when I knit my first garment, a raglan sweater, I was very familiar with this construction but I read through the whole pattern first so I could see the acronyms and techniques and watch tutorials first.

Then when I knit my first drop shoulder, I had no idea how it would come together so I read through the whole pattern first just to conceptualize the process. I was like "ohhh i make this trapezoid and then the sides become the shoulders" I needed that confidence that I knew what I was doing before starting.

Now, I usually don't need to read through the whole pattern first but I do skim through it and see what are the steps, identify new techniques, and also identify if there is anything I want to customize and change from the pattern. It's just part of my process!

15:23 I am one of those people that do read the entire pattern, mainly because I’m paranoid of missing the place where I need to change needles or something like that. So I usually read looking for things that I think I might miss in the moment I’m knitting and highlight and/or make a note. Also because I have certain body specific quirks, I look for places I’ll have to adjust before moving on so that I don’t “break my yarn” before realizing I have to lengthen that front yolk a few inches.

I love the metaphor you gave about being the size of godzilla and needing to step more carefully! It so beautifully summarizes the way people with influence should be navigating the world.

Love your rambling thoughts and hot takes!  I read through a pattern for the gotcha’s but am like you, cannot visualize. The first time I turned a heel was a mind blowing walk through a dark tunnel that opened into an amazing landscape!  As for single or multiple knits - I need multiple wips so that I have a project for different situations (ie take out and about) or different capacities of my brain in that moment.  Recently I have only been able to knit garter - due to exhaustion ahead of heart surgery. I used to hate garter but am learning it has many variations and adaptations.
LIGHTBULB stitch markers -YES!

You're definitely onto something with your comparison of the implied morality of being a monogamous knitter with being a morning person. I think they both stem from the belief that those behaviors lead to higher productivity, and productivity is King! As I'm the opposite on both counts, I do struggle with that inferior feeling from time to time. It's dumb though!

I do read through patterns before I make them but I don't necessarily visualize every step. I just check for those gotcha moments and decide whether or not it actually seems fun to make.

I very much appreciate your AI comments. AI feels like the path to the end of human dignity, and I try to avoid it as often as I can. I have the same experience of clicking X to close out of so many AI pop ups.