Knitting!

[meowmix]

oh i do so want to learn to knit! like two months ago i tried starting, but every 2 minutes i had to have my knots undone and reworked... so that first time was a bit discouraging for me... it would be nice to be able to knit... i'm very fidgety and i need something to occupy me, keep me focused

 

[ebyokuri]

sorry i missed you amy! i had to work. anywhoo, i haven't even started on the purses. i will thursday when my nosy sisters are gone. i'll give an update once i start

 

[Amy Louise]

oh i do so want to learn to knit! like two months ago i tried starting, but every 2 minutes i had to have my knots undone and reworked... so that first time was a bit discouraging for me... it would be nice to be able to knit... i'm very fidgety and i need something to occupy me, keep me focused

I think I can put knitting in perspective for all the beginners inspired by this thread. There is definitely a learning curve with knitting--but really, there are only 2 basic stitches, knit and purl. Everything else is just a combination of those and techniques which will evolve naturally as you learn to get your stitches even (which happens automatically once you get going).

My advice is to select a basic pattern (I suggest booties because they have knit, purl, increases and decreases), some plain (not fuzzy or challenging), inexpensive yarn, find someone who knows how to knit, and just persevere. If all else fails, try crochet.

No, no kidding. Crochet can be just as versatile and lovely, and it only uses one easy-to-hold needle. It works just as well as knitting on issues like a strong desire to be creative and productive so life doesn't waste away in front of the TV, being able to give great handmade gifts, etc.
Amy

 

[Amy Louise]

sorry i missed you amy! i had to work. anywhoo, i haven't even started on the purses. i will thursday when my nosy sisters are gone. i'll give an update once i start

Too bad--I was hoping you'd be able to make it. The show was HUGE--over a hundred vendors, and some really lovely crafts. I did amazing well--best show ever--and sold lots of jewelry and a high-ticket combination handknit/ handloomed/freeform crocheted/beaded & lined, two-tone mohair jacket (I think there's a photo of it back several pages in this thread).

A knitting forum penpal (now my friend) just went berserk and bought 3 knitting machines off E-bay. She's reporting daily on their different features and pros and cons and is sooo excited. I asked her to do all the research so I can make the right choice when I finally buy a bigger, better machine. I'm now lusting for that lace carriage... Well, a few more shows like the last one, and I'll be able to afford one without a guilty conscience.

Please let us know how the bags turn out. I'd love to see photos when you've figured it out. Have you heard of the Camellia City Stockin'ettes? The knitting guild in Sacto?
Amy

 

[Avant Garde]

I learned how to knit

Well, I finally learned how to knit! And I am very excited because knitting has taught me so much already. I first learned how to knit the american way, and I've also learned to knit the continental way. I find that knitting continental is a lot faster, at least for me anyway. All I need to do now is learn some more techniques like adding color and pattern reading. This thread really inspired me to learn how to knit, something I wanted to do for a very long time.

 

[Amy Louise]

Awesome!!

I knit continential when I've got two colors going--otherwise, it makes my hands tired, and I can't keep it going for long.

Now, I've got my heart set on a fancy, do-it-all knitting machine, especially to beef up production. People keep asking me for larger sizes. Larger sizes mean a lot of extra time knitting per garment, especially when I'm knitting lace. It also means, if it doesn't sell, it won't fit me, so I've been reluctant. But if I can speed up the process by doing the bulk of the garment by machine and then adding all the hand-embellished details, it might be okay to try a few out and see if they sell.

I made a big mistake listening to my (ex) friend and choosing a manual machine. I knew I wanted one that could practically knit without me, but I took her advice because I didn't do enough research on my own (it was pre me getting on the internet) and it's been a tug of war with both my machines ever since, although one is much better than the other and doesn't give me too much grief.
Amy

 

[Trista]

Knitting is VERY popular in the area where I live-so much so that last year the local JoAnn Fabrics was sold out of almost everything for a month. Now they know to buy more.

As for what I use, I use the Knifty Knitter. It's roughly $9 for the rectangle loom (scarves) and at some craft stores you can get a 4-pack of round looms (hats, totes) for $15. I'm to the point where I'm making scarves to sell.

A question for all you knitters-what yarns do you use? For me, I have to use at least 2-a base and then something else-in order to get it to be durable unless it's a Super Bulky weight yarn or just something thick.

Base Yarns
Red Heart
Lion Brand Wool-Ease
Sugar/Cream

Fun Yarns
Lion Brand Fun Fur
Plymouth Dazzlelash (extremely expensive but worth every penny)
Sensations Flutterby, Fairy Dust
Moda Dea FurEver, Espree
Bernats Boa, Disco

Base or Solos
Lion Brand Homespun
Patons Divine

 

[meme527]

A question for all you knitters-what yarns do you use?

oy vey.

i am sooo addicted to yarn. i feel like "amelie", putting her fingers in barrels of grains just to feel the texture. luckily i work part-time in a yarn shop, so i get to spend several hours a week feeding the cloven-hooved beast of my yarn yearning. i heavily favor the wools, cashmeres, mohairs, alpacas and angoras - i have yet to be won over by ost of the novelty yarns. I do like patons "divine' and berroco "envy", though. i guess i like my yarns soft and fuzzy.

my favorites right now:

"ecco" - a superwash merino wool. it comes in many colors and knits up very nicely.

"baby twist" - an alpaca blend. i have an entire bag in a deep warm red.

"boise" - a cashmere/wool blend that is TO DIE FOR.

aurora 8 and aurora bulky: classics for good reason

noro "silk garden" and "kureyon".

i am starting to do much more designing, felting with objects (shibori style), and lacce knitting.

i could go on and on though...!

 

[.francesca]

start posting some of your creations, you!

this is a scarf i made for a friend and gave her for christmas (it's me modelling it). i haven't seen pictures of her wearing it yet, but i'm sure she looks lovely. i hope she doesn't mind my posting it here!

 

[Trista]

I can't post any of my things because I don't have a digital camera or access to one.

But I love that scarf with the details Very cute

I actually am lucky enough to have a yarn shop close to my house that sells Plymouth yarns and those kinds of things. I might actually get a job there which would be nice although my mom has told me to never get a job at a craft store...

 

[Amy Louise]

Hi, Francesca--haven't heard from you in a long time. You look pretty from what we can see of your photo--too bad you didn't include your full face so we could associate a face with the name. Do you have some closeups of your scarf?

I've been furiously knitting a dress to wear in February. It's been taking a loooong time. It's a k2 p2 rib, and it tires my hands and arms so I can't go on long at each sitting--although I try to keeping doing "just one more row."

WHOPPEE FOR ME! After years of researching, lusting for, but resisting buying a machine, I finally took the plunge and won an auction for an electronic knitting machine on E-bay last week. I'm practically bouncing of the walls with excitement waiting for it to arrive.

I was finally able to justify the purchase because I sold some high-end knits at a craft fair in December and now have several items (both knits & jewelry) selling in a boutique. As a result, more people were asking for larger sizes--and knitting them by hand was just unthinkable effort-and- timewise. It just wouldn't be profitable for me no matter what I'd charge. With the machine, I'll be able to produce the base fabric quickly and then hand-embellish to make each design unique. I'm especially interested in lace and tuck patterns on the machine. Lace by hand takes forever...

I'm sooo excited. I've got a whole slew of new sketches ready to roll, although I know there's going to be a HUGE learning curve with the machine. I pre-printed the manual and have been studying it so that I'm familiar with at least some of the features and how-tos by the time the machine actually arrives.
Amy

 

[gruveechik]

i'm very much a novice.
at my workplace we set up a learn-to-knit club
and our practice pieces were to be cat blankets for the humane society
(they always need them for the metal bottoms of cages).

my first piece was supposed to be - you know - a rectangle
and i don't know how i did it
NO ONE knows how i did it
but when i removed it from the needle
it was exactly like a crescent.
would make a lovely shrug or hip adornment or Xmas tree skirt.

i'm happy to say my second IS rectangular
but it's a bit holey.

i cannot fathom how people make sweaters and all
i'll pretty much just move on to long scarves.. and that's it.

for y'all who are knitting fiends! good on ya.

 

[.francesca]

oh, chik - i've been knitting for years and all i can make are straight lines (erm. scarfs) and i've been trying make like, a toque or something not straight, but i'm still learning it's hard! just keep going and you'll be really good soon.

amy, i'm so excited about your machine - it's going to be such a huge help with your projects. and congrats on getting your stuff into boutiques! what a great way to get yourself out there!

 

[Amy Louise]

Chik:
Good for you for not giving up. So many people try to knit and, after a few setbacks, they completely toss the hobby. Keep taking progressive steps, and you'll completely be able to understand how to follow patterns for more complicated items like sweaters.

Added note about clubs: Way back, when I worked for Bankers Trust in NYC, they had all sorts of clubs. On the recommendation of one of my bossses (also an artist), I joined the oil paint club. He told me that's how he got started painting in oils years before He's now a famous, collected artist: Charles Raskob Robinson - known for his maritime paintings. That taught me that clubs (and guilds, etc.) are a great way to meet people with similar interests, learn and stay inspired not to give up. It's easy to quit when you're trying to figure everything out yourself--unless you're the really dedicated, determined type.

Francesca:
Trying to psych myself up to going to another boutique I just heard of nearby. Want to go scope it out to see if this is one to approach with my wares. It's really difficult for me to get out there and try to sell my own stuff--I hate it and wish I could afford a sales rep. Yech--selling!
Amy

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

start posting some of your creations, you!

this is a scarf i made for a friend and gave her for christmas (it's me modelling it). i haven't seen pictures of her wearing it yet, but i'm sure she looks lovely. i hope she doesn't mind my posting it here!

Yeahh! I love it .f it looks gorgeous...I've still only got a few rows done on the one I'm meant to be knitting, but have been putting it off for a while (prioritising college work, pah) I'm off to Paris in early february though...so I plan to get one done for then so I can look tres chic Need to get myself into a habi. to buy some nice buttons to go on it though...I like the double-button thing you've done with that one.

Good Luck with the selling Amy-Louise!

 

[Trista]

Knit goods are a good way to make some money. If you use a yarn that people don't know of, you could make more profit. Also uncommon yarns. My mom's philosophy for when I sell scarves is double the cost of the yarn.

 

[unmetro]

I thought this was funny...graf, but wit yarn...

http://www.myspace.com/knittaplease
http://suicidegirls.com/news/culture/13373/

 

[TheSweetest]

ever seen this one by Anna Kula. her knits are pretty cute. i love the hats most of the time, but I do want this scarf.

 

[purpleviolets]

I know how to knit, but once I learned how to crochet last year I've all but dropped knitting. Knitting makes my hands hurt whereas crochet doesn't. I still knit small items though to keep my skills sharp.

 

[.francesca]

sweetest - that's really cute! could you please credit your source?

purpleviolets - i have been knitting for a while, but i could never get the hang of crochet. i'd like to give it another chance though...there is some amazing stuff that i want to be able to do!