Knitting!

[greeen]

^books never helped me ...im gonna take a class. at least i can crochet rather well. lol

 

[delerith]

I found class too but it's not convenient for me in the evening after work :-(
Also it will be cold very soon here and dark on evenings :-( So that's why I was thinking about some book - to learn at home in the cozy chair LOL

 

[Amy Louise]

Hi! I have one question to those who knits here (however it seems that everybody can I improve my knitting skill using a good book or I definitely need somebody to teach me? Where did you learn knitting? Thanks

I think the best way to learn to knit is to go your local yarn shop (LYS), tell the owner you want to learn, have her advise you on a simple beginner pattern, buy the yarn and needles from the shop, and ask her to teach you the basics to get started. You'll need to learn how to cast on, basic knit, purl, increase and decrease stitches.

However, please be sure to purchase your needles, yarn and pattern from the shop. It's considered extremely rude by yarn shop owners when customers come in with all supplies purchased elsewhere and expect the owner to take valuable time out to sit and instruct them. it's not worth it to the owner if she's not going to get something out of her investment. Of course, by showing you, she hopes to build loyalty and a potential steady future client.

I taught myself to knit from a magazine, which was fine for straight knitting. I tried an Aran afghan as my first project. I wanted to start hard and learn all the cables and everything. But when it came to trying a sweater, I had no idea how to decrease and increase to get the correct shaping without ruining the pattern stitches.

I went to my LYS, and the owner who assisted me became my mentor, friend and practically a surrogate mother! I did make the mistake of bringing in my own pattern, yarn & needles that first day, but I ultimately ended up spending many $1000s there because she created a lifelong knit nut!! I've since learned it's quite rude not to purchase at the shop and expect them to teach you to knit.

Amy

 

[meme527]

a great site for learn-to-knit VIDEO:

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

i have found it extrememly useful.

 

[delerith]

Thank everybody for your answers and opinions :-) I'll try to find such mentor for me :-D

 

[NOE]

I learned by going to a basic knitting class (4 classes total). Then from there, I've been able to better understand books and online sites.

As meme527 mentioned, knittinghelp.com is a great site. It helps to actually SEE something being knit from the knitters view. Thats the only way you'll learn.

I also find that for specific questions, the forums at www.knitty.com are wonderful! Its like tFS for knitters, sorta.

Good Luck!

 

[jun3machina]

i just got this awesome book from good friend of mine called "loop de-loop" or something like that...it has a hooded capelette i really want to make and some really neato things!

 

[NOE]

^Oh, I've seen that one. Looks interesting! How nice of your friend

I found this adorable pattern for mini Christmas stockings to hang on the tree. I'm attempting to make one for all my friends/family this year. I've already made 2. They are very cute... and the color combinations are endless.

http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/photos/free_pattern/stockings6.html

http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f105/knitting-11345-20.html

 

[jun3machina]

how cute!

 

[jun3machina]

how cute!

 

[Amy Louise]

Enjoyed Combining Knit & Crochet in This Project

I just completed my first shaped crochet garment, a toddler's dress, and added some knitting & knotting to it. Prior to this, the only crochet I've done has been straight (shawl), edgings and freeform flowers.

I never liked the end result of crochet as much as knitting, except for my grandma's work. Her crochet was original designs and looked like it should be in a museum. Now, crochet is growing on me, and I like that its more portable than knitting. I intend to continue on with crocheting--probably going forward with integrating both crafts into each project.

Here are some pics of my completed project. I'm taking it to a big craft fair next week where I'll be trying to sell all of my work, also adding it to my website product lineup of Baby Boutique clothing, which is a relatively new category for me:

 

[gius]

that is very beautiful, amy louise crochet is growing on me too!

this is an irish crochet motif i made...
i used a loose wool and felted it after

 

[Amy Louise]

Thanks, Gius:
Nice work--looks even and consistent in stitch, which I think is one most important test of quality crochet. What will be doing with it because that design is calling out to me to make a few, add some leaves then attach them to a knit or crochet purse in a flowing way as embellishment. Would also look pretty with several scattered across a shawl or cape.

I'm trying some thin, traditional ecru cotton now. Want to make a bunch of independent circles, all in the same motif, but have them all look consistent.

 

[Amy Louise]

Upcoming Craft Fair - My Sweater Disappointment

Well, here I am again...is anyone out there in the knitting community?

Wanted to share this knitting disappointment--
I'm doing a craft fair on Saturday. Last year, I did phenomenally well at this show. For one thing, I sold a $375 knit/crochet jacket to a woman who loved my stuff. She wanted it for herself, but she was a much larger size and it obviously wouldn't have fit her. She ended up buying it for her sister, but told me to get in touch if I knitted garments in her size.

I usually knit/sew stuff in medium sizes so I can wear them in case they don't sell. I do get requests for larger sizes (obviously, this country is leaning toward obesity), but I usually stick to smalls and mediums. So this time, I knew I wanted to knit something to fit this customer--especially since she's willing to pay for exclusive design.

I asked what colors she prefers last year, and did my best to pick the "jewel tones" she prefers. After referring to it as, "Dr. L--'s sweater" all year long, every time I thought or talked about the thing, I finally finished the sweater this week. I knitted it up on a handloom, then added handknitting and crochet embellishments.

Unfortunately, when I added my trademark braid, it pulled the under-bust in to the point where it's going to defeat the whole point of knitting an extra-large sweater. Trying to rip it out and redo it would risk the integrity of 3 different seams, so that's out. Anyway, I just went ahead and finished the entire sweater. I was sooo disappointed...all that work...plus I really was hoping she'd like it since she so admired my work last year, and it made me feel like a million bucks, not to mention, I could really use the money.

Well, it's still quite a large size, so perhaps someone will buy it, but it's hard letting go of the thought it was "Dr. L--'s sweater" all this time. I've learned this lesson over and over--I made sure I knitted the braid on larger needles, but they still weren't large enough. That's the problem with having everything "One-of-a-Kind." There's always a learning curve with each new design and, no matter how much you think you've figured out the construction (I sketch them, then mentally knit them up in my head, plus use software because my math stinks), you just never know what you've got till it's put together...

 

[mini me]

Hey,Amy , your crochet garment is fab!

 

[Amy Louise]

Thanks, Mini Me: I almost hope no one buys it!

 

[meme527]

hey amy louise:

i'm sorry about the disappointment with the sweater! it sounds like you still have a good chance of selling it, but i know how it is to put all that work into something.

your work is great, by the way - i went to your website and looked around for the first time. excellent and very inspirational.

i'm trying to knit as much as possible for the holidays. loving purlples and wine reds and greys, and lamb's pride is my new favorite wool - the best value around.

who else is out there knitting?

m27

 

[Amy Louise]

Hi, Meme:
Thanks so much for the kind words and vote of confidence. Sure enough, Dr. L received my postcard invitation to the show with the message saying I had a sweater I thought she'd like (mailed before I knitted the culprit braid!). She showed up and loved it, would have bought it on the spot but, of course, now it wasn't going to fit her.

I confessed that I was calling it "Dr. L's" sweater all year long, and we both laughed about that. No one else bought it, although several people lookey-lou'd. I know it's out of the price range of most...

The upshot was, I told Dr. L I had other yarn she probably would like, and I was going to design and knit up another one with her in mind. I promised to send her another post card when it was done, and I even told her I'd come to her for a private showing. Now how's that for customer service? Now, I just have to find design inspiration and knit the darn thing.

Here's the original sweater--just some quickie photos not yet shot on my mannequin. I think you can see the spot where my braid pulls the shape in under the bust.

 

[ibimus]

I only know one stitch (no clue what it's called) and can't make anything from said stitch. So, my goal, is to someday learn how to properly knit!

I'm afraid to try crocheting....tried it once as a kid and just got lots of knotted up pieces of string.

But I do adore knits. Scarves, sweaters, even those crocheted bags. Totally vegan, and very pretty.

 

[lucy92]

wenlan chia's book on knitting is coming out in february. i love this designer. i dont knit myself but my mom does. i cant wait to get the book for her.