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Stitching & Crafting Room:  "Casting on" question  |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 07 2007 : 07:57:35 AM
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I tried to learn to knit this past weekend at our Farmhouse. I posted a picture of my finished product on my blog. I thought it was a blast. Except for "casting on." Now, granted, I was using a kids' kit, but this "casting on" thing alluded me altogether. I have looked around the internet this morning for some more detailed information and it just confused me more. Now I see there are many different methods for "casting on." Which do you recommend for a beginner, challenged knitter? The kids' kit was a two needle method. (The needles were huge and bulky, by the way.) Wish my Grandma was alive, I'd hit her up for a quick lesson!
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
www.ragstoroses.blogspot.com
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2007 : 08:21:11 AM
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Hi Rebekah- Casting on can be tricky. My mom tried and tried to teach me the two-needle method, and I could not catch on. Maybe that's why I waited until I was in my 40's before I learned to knit!
Here is what I do- who knows if it's right, but it works for me!
Make a loop over your left thumb and forefinger, holding the tail back with your pinkie. Bring the point of the needle through the loop, between your thumb and forefinger and then grab the tail, pulling it back through. This is your first cast on. From then on, all you do is continue making loops on your left hand, inserting the point of the needle through and then taking the RIGHT hand yarn and "knitting" it onto the needle until you have enough stitches.
Does this help? I had to do each step as I wrote it so I could get it right!! Good luck!
Karin |
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cmandle
True Blue Farmgirl
846 Posts
Catherine
Minneapolis
MN
846 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2007 : 08:23:21 AM
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Your chunky and funky hat is awesome! Way to go for your first time knitting. I say, keep it up! Check out this web site for cast-on techniques, tips and online videos:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/
I've always done the "long-tail cast-on" simply because that's how I was taught. There are many other ways, but this is very common and pretty easy. You were probably doing the cable cast-on which is easy too, but I like the long-tail better.
I also recommend starting on some mid-size needles, like a size 8. Get some Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn, size 8 needles and practice by making a dishcloth. You can try out ribbing, casting-on and casting-off, different stitches and lots of things and just end up calling it a dishcloth!
Your description of why your knitting was left by the fireplace for hours on end sounds dreamy too...would have loved to tail you and your daughter as you hiked around the Farm!
Go Knitting Country Lawyer, GO!
Catherine :)
http://yogurtandgranola.blogspot.com |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2007 : 08:18:02 AM
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Thank you for your help, Karin and Catherine. How can something that sounds so easy be so hard? I'm still struggling, but surely the light bulb will go off soon. Surely! If not, Karin, I'm headed to your house for a lesson! Catherine, when I posted that picture on my blog of our hat I thought of you. Your knitting is so extraordinary and advanced. I thought I heard you snicker.:) You are sweet to say ours is "awesome." :)again. I'm going to take this knitting thing on...for real.
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
www.ragstoroses.blogspot.com
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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nitere
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Amy
Hickory
NC
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2007 : 09:55:05 AM
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i also use the "long-tail" cast on method. it is the only one i know, but i am a beginner and find it very easy.
http://www.buraellen.blogspot.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2007 : 11:01:57 AM
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I use the long tail method, too, because that's what the lady at the knitting store started on. I began to make a scarf and after a few rows (and some dropped stitches :)) took it all out again and really struggled to remember how to cast on. I made myself practice casting on, and the first row (which I find to be the hardest) and then undo--begin again. I'm a lefty and it just feels so darn awkward to make your fingers go that way. I make the slip knot, and then force my fingers into a Y and away I go...You'll get it, but I'll admit, I still have to "not watch" too closely because I overexamine the loops and end up with nothing!!!
Two needles? I'm just barely making it with one!
Best of luck to you!!!
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: "Casting on" question |
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"Casting on" question
