knitting

[monarch64]

Any knitters on pricescope? I started knitting about 5 years ago, my mom taught me when I was home for the summer when I was in college. So far, my only projects have been throws and scarves (I can only knit in a straight line, using the knit stitch). Anyway, I love it, and am giving scarves and throws for Christmas presents this year! So much cool yarn out there, and it seems knitting is all over the place nowadays! Just wanted to share my enthusiasm!

 

[Lorelei]

I would like to try Monarch but I never could get the hang of it

Any tips for a beginner/ dunce?

 

[crafftygrrl]

Monarch,

Congrats on starting the knitting habit. It''s so relaxing and grounding. it''s also addictive, like jewelry...

I have been an avid knitter for 30+ years. I have made everything from fair isle sweaters, fisherman knits to socks hats and ponchos.
If you can knit scarves, you can knit ponchos!!! The some patterns are really easy. In essence, you knit two large rectangles the exact same size. You sew them together and, voila! it''s done. I just finished one this summer when I was in Costa Rica.

My current project is a baby blanket for a dear friend. She unfortunately lost her 15-year-old son a little over a year ago due to a tragic accident. She was pregnant too at the time, and lost the baby as well. She is pregnant again and due in March. I pray every day for her. I will post pics once I find the digital camera. I think my hubby has it in his briefcase.

crafftygrrl

 

[njc]

I love to knit! Its something i pick up and do every once in a while. Right now i am in the middle of knitting a teddy bear for a friend that is pregnant and making a scarf for a friend.

Lorelei - there are a ton of website out there now that deal with knitting. There is even one (cant think of the name or link, will post it later when at home) that even has video to show how to do stiches!

 

[JCJD]

I''ve been working on the same scarf for over 2 years now..... It''s almost 2 feet long, because I''ll work on it frantically for a few days and not touch it again until months later! It''s a little complicated too, gray with alternating black and cream stripes (from one end, where the tassels will be, it goes gray, cream, gray, black, gray, cream, etc), so I have to tie off the different colored yarn when I get to the end of a stripe.

 

[monarch64]

I guess I will have to try a poncho now! I really like doing scarves because they go quick and I have a finished product in a few days. I''m a big fan of instant gratification. I don''t use more than one yarn or any kind of pattern, so that''s why it doesn''t take me long. I know what you mean, JCJD about putting projects down and not picking them back up for months and months...I guess we all go through that. I get the most motivation/inspiration just looking at yarn when I''m at a Michael''s or a knitting store. I get all hyped up about whatever I buy, then I knit ferociously for two weeks, then I put it in a bag and forget about it until I need a quick gift for someone! LOL.

 

[flutterby]

I love to knit. I have never ventured out past scarves, but i have made some great ones! We have some great yarn stores in Chicago and the more popular knitting becomes the better access to great yarn. I would love to make something else...i just dont have the confidnece. I got both the stitch n''bitch books for christmas last year, but i havent made anything out of them.

 

[belle]

i love to knit!

the majority of my projects occur during the wintertime. i have a short attention span and the cold doesn''t last too long around here, so i whip out a few sweaters or blankets and then put it up until the next year. i can''t pass up a sale so by the time i''m ready to knit, i have a closet full of yarn i bought throughout the year all ready to go!

 

[AndyRosse]

My mother always tried to teach me how to knit. She used to make us all blankets, and our christmas stockings were done by her too! But I never did catch on, partially because she is left handed and I am right handed, and partially because to be honest, I never tried very hard to learn

. I do like to cross stitch, although that comes and goes in spurts

.

 

[AndyRosse]

Actually, I take that back, my mother used to crochet LOL. Close enough!

 

[Hamster]

I love to knit, although I''m not really that talented and I don''t really have the time to do it very often.

It seems a bit intimidating at first, but after a few weeks of practice, it gets much easier. I find it really relaxing, but only when I''m doing "simple" projects that don''t require too much thinking!

 

[monarch64]

I''m totally intimidated by anything besides scarves and afghans (but maybe I''ll try a poncho this year if it''s that easy). I just can''t seem to get up the courage to try anything with a pattern! I''ve gotten really good at scarves, so last winter I had some girlfriends over because they all wanted to learn how to knit. It didn''t go very well with the knitting, but we all had a good time. You know how your first project is all crooked and has extra stitches or dropped stitches or whatever...theirs were all like that, and everyone but 1 girl gave up completely on knitting. I guess I''m not as good at teaching as my mom was! But it''s not like I charged them money or anything, so I guess it''s ok.

What kinds of yarn do you all like to use, or what are your favorites? My favorite for warm and cozy scarves or throws is Lion Homespun in any color. I buy it at either Michael''s or Wal-Mart for about $4.50 a skein. I also like all the specialty yarns, like the eyelash kind or anything with funky textures or metallic threads.

 

[crafftygrrl]

You really CAN make a poncho.

I''ve attached a picture of one I made over the summer in 2 weeks. The pattern is k1, p1, but you knit and purl the back of each stitch. The rectangle size I believe is 27 x 51 inches.

 

[crafftygrrl]

Here''s a close up.

 

[monarch64]

Claudia, that''s so cute! Question: I only know the knit stitch. Do you think I can go online and teach myself the purl stitch (Better Homes and Gardens.com has good basic instructions--I re-taught myself how to cast off from them.) ? Then maybe I can make a poncho. Do you use circular needles to make the poncho?

 

[crafftygrrl]

Monarch,

Go to your local knitting store. I am sure they can teach you how to purl.

I use circular needles, and I go back and forth like on straight ones. That way, you won''t lose the second needle.

Round needles are easier to travel with too.

 

[monarch64]

Thanks Claudia, I will take your advice and go to the knitting store. I have used circular needles in the past to make throws, you''re right, they are much more convenient. Here''s a picture of a fun poncho, and this is the kind of yarn I really like (it''s machine washable/dryable acrylic, it''s so soft)

 

[crafftygrrl]

That''s a very nice poncho and the pattern does not look that difficult. I agree soft and machine washable yarn is a big plus. The only thing that you need to be careful of is how many ply the yarn is. If the yarn has too many plys (threads) and it is not woven tightly, you will have a nightmare on your hands.

 

[mrssalvo]

Another knitter here

I started knitting about 10 years ago. My best friend''s mom bought us all knitting kits for Christmas and when we were home for Christmas break she taught us. we started right away on a sweater

. I have knit a few sweaters for family members and baby shower gifts but my favorite is the one I knit for my hubby (then fiance). I had planned to give it too him the same night he gave me my ring (he proposed without one). I wasn''t exactly sure when that would be so I just kept knitting. He ended up giving me the ring before I had the sleaves sewn on so all I could do was show it too him but he loved wearing it when it was finally done. He still wears it to this day..

 

[saturn]

I learned to knit about 4 years ago, and every winter I get hooked again. Last night I was up way too late because I couldn''t put my knitting down.

The only problem for me is that I don''t have the attention span for any project larger than a scarf. I''ve knitted two scarves (both were gifts), a couple pairs of baby booties, one or two caps, and TONS of mittens. For some reason, I love coming up with new color combinations and patterns for mittens. I line them with fleece so they''re extra warm, and then I donate them to charity. In fact, I have six pairs to donate in my car right now.

My mom, my brother, my fiance and my roommate all knit, and sometimes FI and I go yarn shopping together. It''s such a nice hobby. I use all different kinds of yarn, but one of my favorites is the cheap cotton Sugar & Cream stuff. One ball is the perfect size for a pair of mittens, and there''s so many colors!

 

[monarch64]

Yay for male knitters! Saturn, it sounds like at least you were taught how to follow a pattern, more than I can do at this point (still haven''t gotten around to the knitting store classes, damn holidays). Is it hard to make mittens? Or booties? I love looking at the baby yarn in stores, it''s so sweet, but I don''t have kids yet so I never buy anything. Also I obviously don''t know how to knit either mittens or booties, and don''t want to strangle a small child with a scarf!

 

[crafftygrrl]

Saturn,

When I read you post, all I could think was, "How cool is that!"

FYI, did you know that Fisherman knits originally were knit by men (sailors) who needed something to keep them occupied while at sea.

 

[saturn]

Monarch-
Mittens are really easy if you know how to increase and decrease (at least with the pattern I use). In fact, I have the pattern memorized. I can send you the directions if you are interested.
The booties are a little tougher for me. I knit those in the round, on double pointed needles which I find kind of difficult. And I definitely need to have the pattern in front of me the whole time. They end up really cute though, so if someone close to me is having a baby it''s worth the extra effort.


As for male knitters, I think it''s pretty awesome too! My high-school age brother''s knit hats have become quite popular with his friends (especially the young ladies

), and the owners of the nearby yarn shop know him by name. FI actually started knitting before I did, and unlike me he has the patience to actually complete larger projects. Last year he knitted a cardigan sweater that turned out really cool, just way smaller than he intended. He gave it to his grandma (so sweet!

).

All this talk of knitting has got me thinking.... Maybe I''ll knit my grandma a scarf for Christmas this year!

 

[gingerBcookie]

LOL...a few days ago my FI''s 7 yr old sister (yup, she was a surprise to his parents -- he''s 27) called me and asked me to help her learn how to knit. I went over last night to see if I could make sense of the little kiddie directions that came with her dollar store package and before i knew it I was addicted and sitting there knitting and purling furiously! She was also trying to learn how to crochet, which I used to do when I was 7 or 8, but hadn''t done in almost 20 yrs, but its strange how quickly your mind remembers these learned movements and I was re-addicted to crochetting (sp?) again! I''ve been dying to run out to buy some knitting needles and crochet needles...its just so relaxing.

 

[bstraszheim]

Wow, I had no idea there were so many knitters on PS : ) I love knitting, it''s such a joy. I learned to knit when I was about 8 or 9, so about 20 years now (Jeez, when you say it like that!) It''s an awesome hobby. If you like to knit, you have to learn about http://www.elann.com They sell designer yarn at deeply discounted prices, usually about 50% off. Oh and if you haven''t tried Alpaca yarn yet, it''s wonderful, soft like cashmere, without the pricetag : ) I have made many things, I prefer to make sweaters, but usually not for myself.

I wish you well, and if you don''t know how, you need to learn to purl!! : )

Bridget

 

[AGBF]

I used to knit, but I hate patterns. (I could never sew because I couldn't figure out how things fit together! Monarch64 speaks for me as well as herself!)

I learned how to make pretty and interesting patterns in the strips and squares by combining knitting and purling in different ways, but I could still only knit squares and strips. (And the ribs and cables I could make in those strips made me yearn to be able to knit an Irish fisherman's sweater!) But I could only make cream colored ribbed and cabled scarves and blankets!

Eventually I decided to design and hook rugs instead. I haven't done that in years, but I can't believe how big a couple of the ones I hooked were! We aren't talking doormat size, here!!

My cousin asked for a Jayne's hat for Christmas. I can look up what he wrote on his Christmas list. Apparently it is something new!

Deb

 

[AGBF]

Date: 12/5/2005 8:33:53 PM
Author: AGBF
My cousin asked for a Jayne's hat for Christmas. I can look up what he wrote on his Christmas list. Apparently it is something new!

"Jayne is a character on the TV series Firefly and its movie version, Serenity. One day Jayne received a hat in the mail from his mother. This moment is a fan favorite, most likely because it's a rare glimpse into Jayne's sensitive side, which is pretty much, not very."

This site may shed some light! And also this one!

 

[AGBF]

I don''t know if this is going to show up. The computer is acting funny! I am trying to post a picture of a Jayne''s hat!

 

[AGBF]

Trying again!

 

[monarch64]

That''s a really cute hat! I, too, am somewhat (pleasantly) surprised to see that there are so many knittes on PS! It is really a relaxing thing to do, once you get going. Last fall my dad was having surger at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and I knit a whole entire scarf for myself that coincidentally was the same colors as the carpeting in the waiting area (navy, burgundy, etc.) It really kept my mind focused and other people who were waiting for their loved ones got into some great conversations about knitting with my family and I--I think it kept their minds occupied for a bit as well.

Saturn, you can definitely PM me with your pattern/method. I am ready to knit something besides a straight line, I think. If I can''t get the hang of it from your directions, I will ask my mom for some help when we are home for Christmas. Thanks!

Bstra, how much is alpaca on elan.com? (Ballpark) One of my college profs loved to make sweaters, etc., out of alpaca but said it was pretty expensive. Is it acceptable for beginner/intemediate knitters who may have to unravel and re-knit a few times, or is it too delicate?