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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Knit-impaired  |
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RueAnn
True Blue Farmgirl
58 Posts
Tracy
Brook Park
OH
USA
58 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 06:48:28 AM
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| Help- I am knit impaired! I'd love to find a good video or website to show me how to knit. I've tried and tried to learn from reading knitting books but so far can only figure out scarves. Any suggestions? |
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Prairie Gypsy
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Tammy
Wolford
North Dakota
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 07:16:41 AM
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Youtube has a ton of knitting videos. You can type in particular stitches such as "purl stitch" or just type "knitting". Check out several videos to see which one makes the most sense to you. You might want to consider taking a class or find a knitter who will help you.
Farmgirl Sister # 2363
http://twilightburrough.blogspot.com/
Warren, MI
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 07:17:13 AM
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You tube was a great help for me!
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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Nigella
True Blue Farmgirl
386 Posts
Nigella
Chimacum
WA
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 09:39:07 AM
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Yes Youtube works great! I have to say though, Elizabeth Zimmermann is my knitting guru! Working with her workshop book is how I got started. When I got stuck I'd look things up on youtube. Keep at it-it is so worth it!
Sister #1213
Farm-made aprons and vintage goodies
www.thecapriciouscorgi.etsy.com
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
~Thomas Edison~
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RueAnn
True Blue Farmgirl
58 Posts
Tracy
Brook Park
OH
USA
58 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 12:25:31 PM
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| Thank you ladies! I will check our You Tube at Elizabeth Zimmermann. I'm hoping to find a knitting group in the area as well, but am still getting used to my new town. I can't wait to learn to knit something other than scarves! |
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herb19355
True Blue Farmgirl
321 Posts
Debi
Danielsville,
GA
USA
321 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 12:30:35 PM
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If you can knit scarfs your are 1/2 way there. Is there something in particular you would like to make? Dishcloths are great and so are top-down sweaters. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Debi |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 4:41:45 PM
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I agree with Debi. I made a bunch of dishcloths and it really helped me learn new stitches. I want to try a top down sweater, but I don't really know where to find the right pattern.
Marianne |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 5:31:51 PM
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Hi there,
I teach knitting classes for my town Parks and Rec, and teach children and adults. The next stitch you need to learn is Purl. Then you can knit anything! You can email me if you have some specific questions, maybe I can help you.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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RueAnn
True Blue Farmgirl
58 Posts
Tracy
Brook Park
OH
USA
58 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2010 : 6:26:43 PM
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| Wow, ladies thanks for the advice and encouragement! I'd love to make dishcloths, socks, and sweaters. I'll try to figure out the Purl stitch and will be emailing those of you that offered soon. |
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Mandy
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2010 : 11:20:16 AM
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Hi again Rue!
I'll be glad to teach you to knit! As long as you are not left handed!
I knit socks, scarves, sweaters and etc. Love to do intricate work like Aran sweaters and fair isle... but would love to pass on my knowledge!
Paet................. |
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mickib
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Michele
Coeur d'Alene
Idaho
267 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2010 : 11:44:34 AM
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| Ah, left handed. That is my problem. I would really like to learn to knit, but everyone I have talked to says, I could help you, but you're left handed. Does anyone know of a good resource for leftys? |
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Mandy
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2010 : 12:00:15 PM
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Ah, poor lefty!
My cousin never forgave me that I couldn't teach her to knit - didn't realize that she was left handed.
You have two options. The first is to learn to knit right handed. Oh I know it will be a bit of a hassel - but ALL patterns are written for RIGHT handers! I think I read somewhere that you can put a mirror in front of you and it will go easier looking in the mirror.
OR, you could google left handed knitting and see what comes up. I have seen books where there seem to be sections for left handed knitters.
Good luck and don't give up on it. Practice makes perfect!
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2010 : 12:01:38 PM
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Find a knitting group near you...that is the very best way. Then if/when you get stuck you can go and get help. Check libraries, coffee shops, churches for a group.
Carrie M
www.apronsoftheadirondacks.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
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AmethystRose
True Blue Farmgirl
254 Posts
Rosemary
Huntingdon
PA
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2010 : 3:15:09 PM
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I'm going to step out onto a limb here. I don't think that there is a left handed knitting. Knitting requires two needle points, one in each hand. Both arms and hands are used. It's the way that your mind decides to make the stitch that makes the difference. The stitches are made on the left, then transferrfed to the right. If that makes the instructions "right handed", then we must be reading "left eyed".
I write with my right hand, but have always been left handed in bowling, baseball, golf, etc. I am more likely to open a door or turn on the water with my left.
In knitting style, I look like a right handed "thrower", but my left hand is controlling everything. It guides the next stitch to the right needle, and impales itself over the tip. The left forefingers pinch the stitch in progress while the right hand brings the yarn over the join, much like someone weaving with shuttle. Then the left hand pulls away, leaving the stitch on the right.
There are many different styles of making a stitch. It's really a matter of finding the one that works best for you. You don't have to re-invent the wheel. |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2010 : 8:59:18 PM
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Rosemary,
I never thought of it that way before. i guess you are right. There really is no such thing as a left- or right-handed knitter. Huh!
Marianne |
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Mandy
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2010 : 07:44:46 AM
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Rosemary,
I have to agree with you, to a point. I too am ambidexterous (sp?) And do almost everything with my left hand except write neatly! When I embroider -which I do a lo9t of as a textile artist, I can even change off when one hand gets tired!
You are right that knitting "right handed" does put a lot of the work on the left hand. Even more if you use the continential method - carrying the yarn on the left finger. Then all the right had does is move the needle.
But, unless things have really changed since my early 20's, most books of patterns are still written for the "right handed knitter". To try to use the written patterns you will end up with something quite different then the written pattern.
Has any left handed knitter tried using written patterns and found them to work? I'd be interested in hearing your experiwnces. |
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AmethystRose
True Blue Farmgirl
254 Posts
Rosemary
Huntingdon
PA
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2010 : 2:21:32 PM
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I'm not ambidextrous. I am right handed for some things, lefty for others. I can do needlepoint or embroidery with either hand, but that is because the work is in a frame, and both hands are working together, although one might be stronger or more flexible.
What makes a knitting design right handed? |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2010 : 2:37:15 PM
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Ok, I am just jealous of all you switch-hitters. What a cool thing it must be to be able to switch off when one hand gets tired.
marianne |
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Mandy
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2010 : 4:25:25 PM
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| Speaking of switch hitters.... I get a certain perverse joy at teaching kids that have just mastered cursive writing how to write backwards! They are so quick to pick it up. Hope none of you are teachers..........if so,me bad! |
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mickib
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Michele
Coeur d'Alene
Idaho
267 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2010 : 5:05:39 PM
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| Unfortunately, I cannot do anything even remotely righthanded. My right-handed friend tried to teach me to crochet, she said it couldn't possibly be that hard for me to just learn the way she does it. It didn't go well at all. I just ended up with a big mess every time we tried. If she wasn't sitting right next to me telling me every single second what to do I just couldn't get it. |
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Hallie
Video Sister
79 Posts
Hallie
Pullman
WA
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Dec 02 2010 : 5:21:53 PM
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I prefer to pick than to throw because it's more comfortable for me. However, if you haven't already tried it, I think it's fun to learn to knit both ways. At first it takes a while to switch back and forth easily. But once you do -- oh boy! -- it's doesn't take much before you can hold two colors of yarn in each hand! Fairisle and checks and all sorts of little colored patterns will then be yours to do with as you please. It is so much fun!
Hallie
Sister #1112
www.maryjanesfarm.tv |
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barnagainkristin
True Blue Farmgirl
465 Posts
Kristin
Utah
USA
465 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2010 : 8:05:33 PM
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Hope you found a way to learn to knit by now. I am with the farm girls who say to try you tube. Whenever I need to learn a new technique I check out you tube and can usually learn really quickly by their instructions.
My sister taught me to knit when I was younger and she is a lefty. Several years later I wanted to get going again so I took a class and the first thing they said was "Oh You knit left handed." I love the way I learned since it seems so much faster. I can never remember what it is called but I think it is continental style. I pick the yarn instead of throwing the yarn. In watching friends who throw I seem to be able to get much more done than they do. Maybe if you haven't tried continental style and you are a lefty you should try it.
If we lived by each other I would love to teach you since out of all the many things I have tried knitting is my all time favorite old time craft. Best Wishes in your success and don't give up!
barnagainkristin
"Others Before Self" |
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Kyria
True Blue Farmgirl
213 Posts
Kyria
Carthage
TX
USA
213 Posts |
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star-schipp
True Blue Farmgirl
942 Posts
Starletta
Middletown
Indiana
USA
942 Posts |
Posted - Dec 23 2010 : 1:11:07 PM
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I'm left handed and I knit just like everyone else EXCEPT I carry the yarn in my left hand and don't really "throw over"...it is called continental style I think...I used to think I just did it wrong even though my stitching looks the same as everyone else's but now I know differently
We can do no great things; only small things with great love - Mother Teresa
Star - farmgirl sister #1927
Master Food Preserver |
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eggfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
253 Posts
Kristy
Melvern
KS
USA
253 Posts |
Posted - Dec 23 2010 : 5:11:22 PM
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I am going to jump in here with both feet and a new pair of knitting needles ! Lol ! I was walking through the pages here at MJF and found this thread and had to giggle ! I am not the only one learning to knit. I should say re-learn. I learned to knit when I was about 10 in 4-H. But that was a million and one years ago ! I've been a sister here about a month and a half and I am ready to work on badges. I am working on my punch list and knitting somehow snuck on to my list ...Lol ! I'm a Mimi (Grandma) and want to learn to make socks and sweaters for my babies. I would also like to do a service project creating maybe hats or small blankets for chilrens cancer centers. Well adult as well. This is very near and dear to my heart as I lost my husband this past July and have spent way too much time at the cancer center. I saw the need and the joy when they were given lap quilts or scarves. So... Here I am ready to knit and purl !! Headed to You Tube as well !!
Hugs...Kristy
"Live like you were dyin'"
Sis #2339
Scattered Prairie Gals Chapter
http;//www.myhealingthroughartstory.blogspot.com |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Knit-impaired |
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Knit-impaired
