posted August 22, 2007 12:23 AM         

i love the idea of creating something from little knots of yarn....something delicate and intricate. i'd love to make blankets, sweaters, handbags and hats. perhaps tarot bags and sachets.

would love to hear any knitting stories, or ideas from those with a knitting heritage. my talent in this area of crafting leaves something to be desired. casting still escapes me lol.

would love any help, commentary, thoughts on the knitter's inside track.

posted August 22, 2007 11:12 AM         

I taught myself about 5 years ago. I jumped right in with an afghan with a cable twist row LOL Casting on I found to be a bit tricky until I got my finger muscles the hang of the motions. Now I can do it without thinking about it. I've made blankets, and scarves thus far. No mittens or slippers or hats. I found it to be a big stress reliever when the kids were so small. Mom could jsut sit down and take 5. It's a good hobby to have I think. I really like using the real yarns, cotton, wool, etc. opposd to the synthetics. They feel nicer against the skin. They can be a bit more expensive, but if you watch for sales, stock up during the sales and that helps. If you have a question, let me know.

Good Luck!
GG

posted August 22, 2007 01:37 PM         

i love the creativity involved as well....in typical aries fashion, i'm all ready to be beyond the learning stage, and creating stylish and intricate designs such as this cool tunic....

but i know i'll be thrilled just to complete a simple patchwork blanket....

would love to see photos of your blankets and scarves if you have any....

i've also seen some excellent designs for dishcloths...apparently they are classic and sweet little objects to make, collect, and esp to give as gifts.

posted August 22, 2007 01:45 PM         

My mother taught me how to knit and crochet, as all good little girls were taught to back in the days of Home Ec

I've knitted sweaters, many a muffler, and even mittens and socks (with 3 needles or circular needles).

My last project was a baby blanket that baby never got to use -- it's sitting in my den with 12" to the finish and he's 11!! It was a fun pattern tho -- I enjoy those complicated ones.....

I met one of my first loves at a street fair where me 'n' my best friend were selling our knitted halter tops. We didn't even have a pattern for those, basically they were just a triangle shape.

For doing afghans, I would rather crochet (with a "J" hook ) -- that monster amount of yarn on your lap becomes really unwieldy and that's a lot of stitches on your needles.....

Have fun!!

posted August 22, 2007 03:33 PM         

I sew a lot (due to my trade) - don't knit, as I haven't the patience (v. Aries), although I used to do lots of samples - LOL. At textile design school they wanted to have me do weaving because (again in typical Aries fashion) I had a good brain for construction/engineering. Again, I reckoned that would take too long, so I studied printed textiles instead.

Now I'm doing fashion accessories, which is what I wanted to do all along really, although I didn't know it. I do individual hats, scarves and neckwear, jewellery, bags and purses, toys and bridalwear. I also make hand-sewn leather gloves - I would recommend that everyone have the experience of making such an object at least once in their lifetime. It really is an experience.

love,

posted September 02, 2007 07:28 PM         

nice site for pretty dishcloths ~

http://cf.geocities.com/knitdishclothcorner

and this one from sugar 'n cream yarn ~

http://www.sugarncream.com/index.php

this is the sweetest yarn -- %100 cotton, soft sweet colors and swirls...

posted September 03, 2007 08:47 AM         

http://www.knittygritty.com/

posted September 06, 2007 06:32 PM         

Have made 7 scarves. Working on a doggie sweater, and soon to start my first baby blanket!

------------------
Scorpio/Leo/Leo

"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky" Buddha

posted September 06, 2007 06:52 PM         

I actually bought one of those "Learn to Knit" packets at Michael's, but I couldn't learn from it. I'm lucky that there's an independant yarn store down the road from me that's been there for 30 years..and the owner is a patient teacher!

Now I belong to knit club there, and have seen a lot of cool stuff the other ladies are working on. So, yes, I think it helps to have the class work. Ironically, I learned how to change the oil in my car from the car manual years ago...I usually have no problem learning by reading. Knitting by the book befuddled me.

------------------
Scorpio/Leo/Leo

"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky" Buddha

posted September 06, 2007 08:37 PM         

quote:

---

do you think you could have learned on your own....did taking a class make a big difference?

---

posted September 06, 2007 09:31 PM         

hehe....i bought one of the learn to knit packages also....this one was supposed to teach kids, so i thought, well, that should be appropriate for me.

but alas, i still am fumbling along....in fact, i rather enjoy looking at designs and yarns and knitting accoutrements more than the actual (attempt at) knitting. just daydreaming about knitting great stuff.

so i did find a learn to knit packet meant for children at Whole Earth....with the enormous knitting needles and bulky yarn....guaranteeing utter ease in learning....so i shall try that when i next have some purchasing power....

as for the sugar'n cream....oh, i love the tactile sensory experience of the materials.....the soft cotton and soothing colors are very pacifying. i will avoid animal related materials though...so no wool or silk. is there such a thing as tencel yarn? i will be seeking yarn of natural materials such as these....perhaps hemp....is there anything that matches the warmth and breathability that wool provides? i love the cotton, but i don't know if it results in the same warmth factor as wool. and acrylic doesn't really seem very appealing.

anyway...excellent knitting thoughts and ideas....love and crafting....

posted September 06, 2007 10:10 PM         

I started with acrylic, and then found the cotton yarn and haven't gone back since.

posted September 07, 2007 07:47 AM         

Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti

and

Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss

posted September 07, 2007 06:38 PM         

i will try your suggestions.

so today i purchased the knitting kit for children, spent the extra $$ that i really don't have -- and this one is more difficult than everything else i've tried so far!

(i wanted to use a choice expletive, but the emotional emoticon will suffice.)

it's super-cute though...

but i can't imagine how a kid could learn to knit with this....

and, though i love Whole Earth, the people there are usually always soooooo rude.....i never remember to allow for this, and i always leave with my stomach in knots and sometimes with tears even. i don't know why i continue to go there, but then i wonder why i shouldn't....maybe they 'sense' that we're poor, so they hate because of that?

but oh well.....