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Forum Thread
Knitters/Crocheters
September 9, 2007 at
06:06 PM
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Cool
(7)
I know that there are a few of you.
I have a lot of time on my hands, so I'm attempting some new things. I'm actually using patterns now, where before I just knitted whatever came about.
I'm beginning to realize that I only have small needles and I'm becoming a yarn snob.
I knitted a hat for my nephew, one for myself (no patterns), a baby-carrier (no pattern), and now I'm going to start working on some fingerless gloves.
Anyone else? Any deals on good yarn, needles, etc.?
I have a lot of time on my hands, so I'm attempting some new things. I'm actually using patterns now, where before I just knitted whatever came about.

I'm beginning to realize that I only have small needles and I'm becoming a yarn snob.
I knitted a hat for my nephew, one for myself (no patterns), a baby-carrier (no pattern), and now I'm going to start working on some fingerless gloves.
Anyone else? Any deals on good yarn, needles, etc.?
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AggieMomx2
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PassionateGray
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AggieMomx2
Barbelle (I'm Beej on SD)
Cheergal05
PassionateGray
Slickitty
Smiley333
miao0726
LizW
sharcfinz
932 Comments
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Dh has a blanket that his nana started before she passed a few years ago and I would love to be able to finish it for him.
Can any of you offer advice on where/how to start.
TIA
I think most knitters/crocheters have more yarn than knitted items. A book that I just received (a surgery gift) says something about yarn-guilt. Apparently, the author had a whole closet full of yarn that she hid from a boyfriend for a very long time, but eventually, she just put it all out there, once she realized how much time he spent on football.
So, why only scarves, blankets, and purses? Just curious. For me, I'm not confident enough with pattern reading for more complex projects just yet, and I need to learn from more experienced knitters, but being cooped up in the house doesn't lend itself to that. Soon...soon.
ive been working on it for a while now and i'm about 1/10 done
I've never understood how to knit a project that big. The ends of the needles are finite, so unless you scrunch something up, I don't understand how it can be done. Crocheting is different, because you bind each stitch, but knitting leaves each stitch open until you bind-off.
Ok, first of all, sign up to join Ravelry. (www.ravelry.com) The waitlist is huge, but they just got their new servers, so it shouldn't be TOO long. It's a knitting/crocheting community...
Second, check out my knitting set! http://www.flickr.com/photos/passionategray81/sets/72157601288837301/
I am OBSESSED with knitting, for reals. And I've only had three projects, two of which are listed below. I started knitting with making a hat.
Right now I am working on a pair of toe up socks on a circular needle and also a blankie (called Joseph's Blankie of Many Colors) for my nephew.
Ooo, and me and my friends from my knitting group also are getting featured in a local magazine too because there are tons of young people that are getting into knitting now.
What I would recommend is to go to Hobby Lobby's website because they have a 40% off coupon every now and then. You can get some cheap yarn that way.
I also recommend getting Knit Picks Options interchangeable needles (http://www.knitpicks.com/Options%20Harmony%20Wood%20Interchangeable%20Needle%20Set_ND90306.html)if you ever knit on circular needles, although you can adapt them as straight needles, too. They aren't cheap, but they are good to have around and you will have everything you need right away.
And join Ravelry! When you get on I will add you on my friends list.
Oh, your hat is finished! I remember when you started it on the round needles.
I want to start some socks, but I've never attempted them before. Are you doing them on the round needles, or are you doing it using the double-siders? It looks like you're using double-siders. This is your first pair? Wow! You're doing a great job! You're inspiring me. Maybe I can do socks, afterall.
Okay, prepare to barf...I knitted a textured heart square (learning to knit/purl patterns) and my husband loved it so much that he took it to work and traced out the heart. He's got it up at his desk.
I didn't even know that Hobby Lobby HAD a website!! Thank you!
YAY! I love fall. It always makes me want to knit. I think people might be getting a lot of knittery for Christmas, this year.
Spring for the interchangeable circular needles someone mentioned above. They're worth every penny. Plus, circulars are more polite when you go on trains, buses, planes, in the car--you're not poking people with long straight needles. For big projects, circulars distribute the weight better so your wrists don't ache after you've knit 5 rows. You might want to get a set of various sizes of double-pointed needles, too, for doing socks. And get those row counters that slip on the needle--invaluable for keeping track of your pattern.
Lion Brand yarn and Patons have websites and free e-newsletters you can sign up for, and tons of free patterns online. There's also Herrschner's (online and catalog). I have a lot of good yarn stores near me, so I don't shop much online. Have fun!
Dh has a blanket that his nana started before she passed a few years ago and I would love to be able to finish it for him.
Can any of you offer advice on where/how to start.
TIA
Knitters/crocheters are a very friendly lot, and almost always willing to help a newbie learn. By the very virtue of their craft, they're almost always social within their own group, so don't be afraid to go to a yarn store (like PassionateGray said), or go to Craigslist and find a local knitting circle (sometimes called Stitch n' Bitch) where people will be very happy to help.
I don't know where you live in TX, but here are a few in that area:
http://stitchnbitchdal
http://www.stitchnbitc
http://www.makezine.co
http://www.pegasusnews
You can also get step-by-step instructions online at diy.com (type in keyword "knitting"). This site plays a video that you can watch. Remember this; everyone knits/crochets just a little differently, so if you can't learn right away, it's not because you're no good, it's because you likely knit differently than your instructor. I couldn't learn from my mother, and I couldn't learn from my friend. Neither really had the patience to teach and as it turns out, I knit differently than anyone I know. I had to learn by reading a book, and even then I developed my own style.
Knitting is easy. It's just making loops with yarn. You can move forward from that point - patterns and such, but you can make plenty of lovely, functional things just by making loops.
You probably won't want to start on the blanket that nana left behind, because it's likely that she was knitting for years before she started on that blanket. Build your chops by working on simpler items first, like hats, scarves, etc. Then move on to a few baby blankets and pattern reading, then you'll be ready for that blanket.
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I think most knitters/crocheters have more yarn than knitted items. A book that I just received (a surgery gift) says something about yarn-guilt. Apparently, the author had a whole closet full of yarn that she hid from a boyfriend for a very long time, but eventually, she just put it all out there, once she realized how much time he spent on football.
So, why only scarves, blankets, and purses? Just curious. For me, I'm not confident enough with pattern reading for more complex projects just yet, and I need to learn from more experienced knitters, but being cooped up in the house doesn't lend itself to that. Soon...soon.
I think most knitters/crocheters have more yarn than knitted items. A book that I just received (a surgery gift) says something about yarn-guilt. Apparently, the author had a whole closet full of yarn that she hid from a boyfriend for a very long time, but eventually, she just put it all out there, once she realized how much time he spent on football.
So, why only scarves, blankets, and purses? Just curious. For me, I'm not confident enough with pattern reading for more complex projects just yet, and I need to learn from more experienced knitters, but being cooped up in the house doesn't lend itself to that. Soon...soon.
Whoa! I am impressed! Keep it up. That is a real commitment, but when you're finished, you're going to feel so good about it. It will be an heirloom.
I've never understood how to knit a project that big. The ends of the needles are finite, so unless you scrunch something up, I don't understand how it can be done. Crocheting is different, because you bind each stitch, but knitting leaves each stitch open until you bind-off.
http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?
I know I am knitting my blanket on a circular needle, which extends it quite a bit and is easier to fold up and put away.
Oh, your hat is finished! I remember when you started it on the round needles.
I want to start some socks, but I've never attempted them before. Are you doing them on the round needles, or are you doing it using the double-siders? It looks like you're using double-siders. This is your first pair? Wow! You're doing a great job! You're inspiring me. Maybe I can do socks, afterall.
Okay, prepare to barf...I knitted a textured heart square (learning to knit/purl patterns) and my husband loved it so much that he took it to work and traced out the heart. He's got it up at his desk.
I didn't even know that Hobby Lobby HAD a website!! Thank you!
YAY! I love fall. It always makes me want to knit. I think people might be getting a lot of knittery for Christmas, this year.
And I love that Stitch'n Bitch book!!!!!!!! I have Stitch'n Bitch Nation checked out from the library right now.
Another great book with cute stuff is Knit 2 Together [amazon.com]. It has funny stories and the patterns in it are sooooo cute! You should check it out.
I wish you lived near me!!! I would SO invite you to our Sit N Knit.
I am hoping that if I start pretty soon I can get the blanket finished in time for Christmas. It's about 3/4 of the way done already. She was knitting it in Maroon and white (Texas A&M) for him when he graduated college. But she passed away before it was done and his mother gave me the blanket along with the extra yarn and needles to finish it saying I was crafty maybe one day I could learn and finish it for him.
I am sitting here nearly in tears. I KNOW he will cry if I get it done for him. (sorry I am a sap)
Again thank you to you all for the advice.:hugs:
Awww! You've got to do it...
PS: you're welcome PG!
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Cast on until the hat is long enough. (Don't worry about making it a little too long. Extra length can be rolled into a brim.) Length should be about the same as a hand plus 1 or 2 inches (for a preemie, I would guess one inch would be sufficient).
Knit until there are 12" of rows (this is appx. preemie size).
Bind off.
Sew the seams together.
Thread a piece of yarn and work through the top of the hat, then cinch it together, tie a knot, and flip the hat.
I don't know if that makes sense. I hope so.