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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Am I nuts? finished picture/free plastic needles  |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 07:10:31 AM
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I got a ball of acrylic yarn to teach my self how to knit. I got it on the needles did a few rows knit one row purl one row . I even got to the point of k one p one it looked pretty good. In about 4 inches by 8 inches I dropped one stitch I don't know how but I did. So I thought I would get some of the cotton for the dish clothes and do up some of those with a few other things for Christmas gifts. I am having so much trouble that I am about to give up. My question Is cotton harder to work with than the acrylic or am I nuts?
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273![]() |
Edited by - gramadinah on Nov 17 2008 7:48:30 PM |
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Nicie
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Denise
Lincoln
NE
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 07:31:08 AM
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| Personally, I think that cotton is easier. But the only thing that I can knit are dishcloths. |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 07:42:44 AM
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Nicie
I may have to contract a deal with you for 6 or so. How can something seem so easy get to be so hard.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 07:46:32 AM
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Cotton on metal needles is no fun but if you are using wooden needles you just need to practice. Soon you will be whipping those dishcothes out with ease. For me a crochet hook is my friend - but two needles have their place. Have fun.....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 07:59:26 AM
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Diana, just put knit stitches on and make square dish clothes until you are not dropping stitches and you are getting your tension regulated...then do the knit 1 Purl 1.....keep growing from there. A girl can never have too many dish cloths.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care. |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 08:24:21 AM
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I don't find cotton any harder or easier to work with than acrylic yarns, but I prefer wood needles to metal ones any day. I especially don't like using the metal needles that are 14" long. I find them very clumsy to work with.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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prairielandherbs
True Blue Farmgirl
690 Posts
Maggie
Iowa
USA
690 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 09:03:07 AM
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| i REALLY don't like knitting with cotton - I dunno why, I just don't like the feel of it. I knit one pair of socks out of cotton yarn, then gave away the rest i had purchased. |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 09:28:20 AM
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Try the bamboo knitting needles.
They work up just about any yarn with no problem
I use cotton for the dishcloths too.
Give the Bamboo knitting needles a try; they may cost a little more;but in the long run they are worth it in my opinion.
pinkroses
www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com
http;//www.sheilascreativetouches.blogspot.com |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 09:56:54 AM
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I never thought the needles would make a difference. Round and pointy what is the difference. I wll try some wood.
Thanks Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 2:25:15 PM
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I never had any trouble with cotton yarn on metal needles.
I also agree - start with a simple, knit only pattern - infinitely easier.
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
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eskimobirdlady
True Blue Farmgirl
700 Posts
connie
fairbanks
ak
USA
700 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 2:50:16 PM
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| personally i agree to use bamboo needles with cotton yarn. i never would have believed that the needle type and quality would make a difference but it sure does! i also think that cotton doesnt have as much "give" as acrylic and is therefor a bit different to knit with. diana, just keep trying. you will get it! years ago i had a terrible timme with tension being too tight. now i conciously hold my needles with only enough grip to keep them from falling out of my hands and it works to keep the tension regulated. if my tension is too tight i find that dropped and added stitches are more common. oh while i say "years ago" that works out to actually a couple of dish cloths and scarves before i began this sweter for hubby! lol. peace connie in alaksa |
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farmkitty
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Angela
Anderson
South Carolina
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 4:37:29 PM
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Diana , stick with it!!! Knitting is sooo much fun , but like everything else else you will find your own style and what you prefer. I agree wooden/bamboo with natural fibers and metal with synthetics *seems* a little easier but keep trying. If you can get your hands on the Yarn Harlot's (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee) book Knitting Rules! I highly recommend it ! Hysterical and enlightening for beginners and experienced knitters
Farmgirl Hugs
Angela sister #23 |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 4:39:46 PM
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Yes!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 4:41:38 PM
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Diana, Sorry I just couldnt resist. I love it when people ask that question. Anyway, way proud of your for giving knitting a go at it.. I have it on my list. I tried to knit as a child and well it didnt go well.. But, I am willing to give it another go... So figure this out and then you can teach me.. and of course your not NUTS....
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2008 : 4:50:23 PM
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Keep at it Diana.. practice makes perfect. I am working on a scarf I started two years ago. It's nearly done. Now I am taking a quilting class starting next week.
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 02:13:55 AM
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Definitely get bamboo needles. Metal are too slick. I agree with just knitting all rows until you get the hang of it. And don't feel bad about dropping a stitch. I had to tear out the shawl I'm working on 3 times before I got it going good. I usually only knit dishcloths too.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 07:13:48 AM
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Diana, Oh course you are nuts. We all are because we do things like make our own dish towels when most folks just go to Walmart to buy them. You keep being nuts. It's a great place to be and so much fun! And if we are going to be nuts I'm an almond. There's two types (bitter and edible) and I didn't know which one was in my yard until this year. The bitter part of me is when I'm frustrated with not being as sustainable as I'd like and the garden still needs lots of good compost. The edible (friendly side) was yesterday when I sat in the bookstore writing and a lady was pouring over dozens of diet cookbooks. Sounds like her family is trying to eat healthier so we talked cause I could see she was not having luck and things like diet cheese and sugar substitutes kept coming up. I pointed her to the vegetarian cookbooks and advised her to stay away from any fake stuff. Moderation. I could see her relaxing so I also gave her my pizza recipe and we talked spinach spaghetti with alternate toppings since the sodium level is so high in most store bought stuff. She left, I think, with more of a plan.
Ok I'm rambling this morning, but be a nut. It's so much fun.
Best Growing |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 07:18:00 AM
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Way to go Farmgirl... !
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
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barnagainkristin
True Blue Farmgirl
465 Posts
Kristin
Utah
USA
465 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2008 : 9:45:38 PM
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Wish I could come over to help you. I love knitting and am hooked on it. You are a tough one to try to teach yourself. I have found that I love to knit with good yarn that is all wool or has wool in it. Maybe I am a wool snob but it just feels so much better. Obviously it's not a good choice for dishcloths though. If you have access to some inexpensive wool yarn for practice I think I would just play around with it while learning. I find crocheting is great with cotton and acrylic but for some reason I love to knit with wool. Just because I love wool doesn't mean I don't use cotton and acrylic for projects but I think learning was a bit easier for me with wool. So happy there is another knitter in the world.
barnagainkristin
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2008 : 08:10:48 AM
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Thanks I'll keep plugging away on it will see what happens.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2008 : 08:34:49 AM
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I have just finished knitting a cotton dishcloth yesterday! I think it knits just as well as any other yarn, no problems here anyway.
Keep going girl, you will finish this and be ever so proud of yourself!!
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
http://princess-of-pink-creations.blogspot.com/
my new BLOG.
I have added "new" creations, take a look :)
And also some pictures of my village, come for a visit
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2008 : 9:14:19 PM
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I've knit with just about every fiber available and I think worsted weight cotton is harder. It makes my hands tired.
Diana....meet me in Lewiston and I'll help you. Really.
Marcia
"Nature always has the last laugh." Mrs. Greenthumbs
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LauraH
True Blue Farmgirl
305 Posts
Laura
North Creek
New York
USA
305 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2008 : 06:01:29 AM
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Yes, I have to agree! I just purchased the bamboo knitting needles, which I hesitated because of the price, but I had a 50% coupon for Jo-Ann's Fabric. They do seem do work nicer, and are lighter in your hand too!
Good Luck!
http://cottagekids-laura.blogspot.com |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2008 : 10:11:33 AM
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When I stopped knitting because it just hurts my hands too much, i gave away most of my yarn and all but my absooute favorite knitting books, but I still have all my bamboo needles just in case I'll be able to knit one day. Hang in there. It gets easier...
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 7:59:22 PM
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That dishcloth looks great! Just keep at it , it takes a little while to get comfortable with knitting, and some needles are easier to work with than others...
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 05:50:48 AM
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Great job on the dishcloth! Congrats on finishing the first of what will probably be many projects to come!
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Am I nuts? finished picture/free plastic needles |
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Am I nuts? finished picture/free plastic needles
