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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Knitting for the first time anyone?  |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 9:47:00 PM
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I am......just learning, I have Crocheted all of my life, but, I think I like knitting better, well, see, though.........its very rough right now..........
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
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vintagediva1
True Blue Farmgirl
1251 Posts
Michele
Brighton
Michigan
USA
1251 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 06:59:33 AM
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Terri.
Keep plugging along There is always someone here who can help you out if you get stuck. It is worth the perseverence
Good luck
Michele
www.2vintagedivas.etsy.com
Love that good ole vintage junk |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 07:02:03 AM
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I love to knit...never tried crochetting, though, so I can't compare. But, I took a two hour class several years ago and that got me started and I've not put my needles down since (well, ok, to have my baby, but I DID take my knitting to the hospital with me)...
It's really gratifying when you can give handknit gifts, or make something for yourself and get complimented. Love that!
Keep going and give yourself the time you need to practice new stitches. I would give myself a goal of a new stitch a week, and master it, then go "treat" myself to some really good yarn and ice cream. |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 08:03:21 AM
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Terri- Welcome to the world of knitting! I took up knitting a few years ago and just love it! The best advice I can give you is to be patient with yourself, and remember that even the most veteran knitters make mistakes. If you have any yarn shops near you, I'm betting they have classes that you could take.
A good website to visit is http://www.knittinghelp.com/ They have lots of tutorials and videos.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 11:32:38 AM
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Terri, if you can crochet, you will love to knit. Knitting takes a while usually but I always advise to start with knitting dish clothes in the knit stitch, then do one in the purl stitch and then do a dish cloth that is a combination...practice makes perfect and when you are done, no matter what you have something you can use. (dish clothes don't have to be perfect to be useful.)
Got the lavender, love it! Been lambing and working and intended to contact you...
Terri, you could knit little squares and sew them together and put little pillows of lavender in them...great practice and what a wonderful little gift to make usually a wonderful product that you grew! I have not forgot you...thanks so much for the lavender.
Sarita in Mo.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 3:55:36 PM
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I have crocheted and I have decided to give knitting a try. It is tough, since I can go so much faster with the crochet hook. Hope I get the hang of it!! Casting on is quick and easy, however, my stitches are too tight. . . how are you doing with yours??
Joanna
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 09:21:02 AM
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Learning any new skill just takes practice. When I have taught knitting to friends, I liken it to music. If you relax you will get a rhythm going. If your cast on is too tight, try holding a smaller needle along with the cast on needle and when you are done, just slide the smaller needle out. This works particularly well when casting on fine yarn like lace weight or fingering weight and makes the first row a whole lot easier.
Sheri |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 09:48:06 AM
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I wish I knew how. Ive tried and tried but can't seem to get the hang of it.
I can't wait to see all the wonderful things you'll be making!!
hugs
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
"You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel; Lord, to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all."
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 11:23:08 AM
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Sheri, Thank you for the great tip!! Tonight I am going to sit and practice casting on. . . until I get it right! I really would love to master the art of knitting. . . my Mom, Grandmother and Great GrandMother all were fantastic knitters. I have their pattern books and written patterns, would love to make some of these.
Joanna
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
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lacisne88
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Chelsey
Lake Stevens
Washington
USA
1181 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 1:09:19 PM
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Knitting is AMAZING! If you are trying it out for the first time, don't give up if you make mistakes. Knitting is so rewarding and relazing and fun! Once you get the hang of it, I know you'll enjoy it. And you can make great things for yourself anf your family/friends. I love knitting!
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 1:19:29 PM
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Joanna, what are you trying to make? I have a real simple slipper pattern that is really good for a beginner - almost all garter (all knit) stitches and is really good to practice on plus you get slippers when you are done. Let me know if you want it and I will be happy to e-mail it to you.
Sheri |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 2:49:16 PM
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What can I say for all the encouragement.and tips.......my csting on is ok, was to tight, now too loose...teehee.......The stitches, well, my yarn I was holding in my left hand like crocheting, but, I jsut started holding it in my right hand, now have to relearn all over.
How do most of you hold your yarn?
I am making(or trying) dishcloths.........they sure are not perfect, dropped stitches, suppose to be knitting and end up purling, turn it around the wrong way...and sooooooooo on. I am now doing the ribbing stitch, 2 knit and 2 purl, trying to remember which is which is a trial.......Back is knit, and front is purl......right? 
Thanks again for ll your Farmgilr help.
<I WILL NOT GIVE UP>..quitters never win and winners never quit........   
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2009 : 08:10:27 AM
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I hold mine in my right hand...but I'm left handed and I don't remember if that's right or wrong for me. It's what feels comfortable, and I've always been ambidextrious, so it doesn't really matter.
I can't wait to see your waschloths...that was something I didn't do. I started on scarves because you could simply go "forward" but quickly burnt out after my husband requested the longest scarf in history (remember the scarves they wore on Welcome Back Carter????) so I don't make scarves anymore...:) I'm currently knitting a baby sweater for my little girl, and I'm also working on some hats for a few friends. I knit a hat earlier in the year for a friend's baby, and now all the adults want one, so I'm trying to figure out how to enlarge the pattern. Shouldn't be too difficult, but the one lady has dread locks, so it might take some wrangling!!!
Here is what I am trying to resize, posted in an earlier thread in this forum:
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27248
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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SuzieQ
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Suzie
Texas
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2009 : 1:40:29 PM
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| My minister at church said before Lent to not give up something, but do something new. So, I decided to knit. I joined the group at church that does prayer shaws and the "more experienced women" are teaching me. I did several washcloths and love them and that has helped me learn each stitch. good luck and happy purling. |
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OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 2:20:43 PM
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| I used to hold the yarn in my right hand, but couldn't get the tension right, either too tight or too loose. Finally someone showed me how to hold it in my left hand and its sooo much better now, and faster, too, for me. It takes time to have it feel comfortable in the left hand but I couldn't go back to holding it in my right hand probably now even if I tried. It just takes time to learn it and to feel comfortable. I encourage you all to stay with it. And it does help to find a group somewhere, at a church or a park district, here where I live a group was started by the library for people who want to learn from people who know. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 03:44:33 AM
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Hi Chris,
I have been working at learning to knit. I finally have the casting on down pretty good. . . keeping the loops loose enough to work but not to tight. My challenge is holding the yarn. . . is it possible take a picture of you holding the yarn in your left hand for me to see?? Sounds like the solution to my problem!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 07:16:56 AM
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Joanna, you can do this and feel so good when you get comfortable with it. Knitting is something that takes time to perfect, just keep knitting simple things and it will come to you and be easy. There was a show on DIY, Knitty Gritty, go to their web site and they had videos about every show and they will show you how to hold your hands.
Good luck and keep on trying!
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 07:37:19 AM
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Knitting Daily has a TV show as well and also a web site. It depends on what type of knitting you are learning as to which hand holds the yarn. If you are learning continental style then you hold it similar to crochet. If you are knitting English style where you are throwing the yarn then you hold it in your right hand. I am certain you will master it if you stick with it long enough to become comfortable with just holding it and simple stitches. Once you get to that point, you will develop your own rhythm. I don't think that it matters exactly how you hold the yarn as long as it works for you and your guage is correct.
Sheri |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 09:53:12 AM
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LOL. . . if you all could see me. . . to funny! I know I will master this eventually. . . however, I am trying to follow a set of instructions in a beginners knitting book, so I think I will follow your advise and check out the two locations on the web. Sometimes just "seeing" someone else doing, is worth so much more than trying to interpret sketches! ( I am going to try holding the yarn the way I do when I crochet. . . did not know there were two different styles! See you learn something new every day!! )
Thank you for all your encouragement!! I will have to post a couple of pictures a little later for you all to see. . . and yes, you all can have a chuckle. . . it won't hurt my feelings at all!!
Joanna#566
JojoNH
PS: Seems I am good entertainment for our cat "Lucky". . . I swear to you he is laughing at me!!
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 10:08:39 AM
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Another really good for beginners program airs on PBS and also has a web site it's called Knit and Crochet Today. You might try that. If you need visuals, you might try purchasing an instructional DVD or CD for computer. There are several available and one is put out by Coats & Clark It was available from Joanns but I don't know if it still is. Halcyon Yarn on the net sells lots of instructional DVD's. When I first started spinning, I bought a DVD and it really helped a lot.
Sheri |
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MissDotty
Farmgirl in Training
49 Posts
Anna
Coralville
IA
USA
49 Posts |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 05:23:11 AM
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
All of this is so helpful. . . I have been knitting. . . and ripping apart. . .knitting and so on!! LOL!! The demonstrations are a great help, since I am a visual person. So, tonight I will attempt to actually start a "knitting Project". I'll keep you posted on what I have decided to try and how I am doing.
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 06:29:28 AM
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Diana, I really enjoyed the link to site with videos....really helpful! I am a knitter but I hadn't done the advanced stitches so I am learning more.
thanks!
Linda
in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71 |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Knitting for the first time anyone? |
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Knitting for the first time anyone?
