BYC KNITTING CLUB - Page 124

You spin??? I really want to learn to process my own wool. My friend has 2 sheep that I shear for her every spring and she throws the wool away!

I also have a weaving loom that was handed down to me (a really nice table top one) that I don't know how to use. So many textiles... so little time!

<-----  That's me in my avatar.


Yes, spin, knit, crochet, needle punch, embroider, rug hooking, weave, tat, dye, (garden, can & make soap) but I don't shear sheep!

The fiber I use to spin is a combination of raw wools I prep or prepared wool/flax/cotton I buy.

There are a few links on my spinning page  (under construction for a few years!!!)

Like you said, there are just too many fiber-y things to accomplish!

Do you know what type of loom it is?  Does it have a single heddle (like this ) or multiple heddles (like this or this )?

For learning to weave on a Rigid Heddle, I recommend 'Hands On Rigid Heddle Weaving' by Betty Linn Davenport.  For multiple heddles, I like both Learning to Weave by Deborah Chandler and The Joy of Handweaving by Osma Gallinger Tod.

Remember, you need your 'Daily Dose of Fiber!'

Can I ask you what size needle, how many stitches and is that a normal adult sized sock?

My first and so far only attempt at making socks I followed a pattern I found, only if I had continued, I would have had sagging socks so I gave up.

I generally use a size 00 or size 1 needle & fingering weight yarn.  The number cast on depends on the pattern on the leg.  This one is 56, but I've knit some using 66 stitches.  This pattern is Escalator Socks  found on Ravelry.

I was using a Patons sock yarn and pattern.  Same number of stitches but on a #3 needle.  I will try again with smaller ones

I've used Patons sock yarn with a size 1.

Lace sock patterns, I'll go down to size 0 or 00.  I must knit more loosely with lace patterns.

Be sure to post pictures!!!

I'm a loose knitter and always need to go down a needle size, to get the right gauge.  I'm consistent when knitting patterns like lace and cables.

The bad news for me is that when knitting in the round, I knit just a bit looser than when I knit on straight needles.  I hate to swatch knitting in the round, but for me, it's still necessary.  I've read that a lot of people have a different gauge size when knitting in the round, so it's really recommended that you swatch in the round.

I have just started learning. I am just beginning to learn hoe to cast on. My boss is the queen of knitting so at least I have a mentor. I started knitting because I wanted warm socks and I will be harvesting fiber from alpacas and angora rabbits. I figured I'd better learn to knit. I will be getting alpaca as soon as I get the knitting down pat!

http://www.schachtspindle.com/our_products/specialty%20looms/table_loom/tl-15-4s.jpg

This is the one that I have. Hope I'm okay posting the link... I've found a couple of people about an hour away from me who weave but both say they aren't interested in teaching anyone. Maybe if I learn the basics and principles they will be more willing to teach me some.

SkunkN, I also replied on the weaving page!!

r4eboxer, You'll want to blend in a more 'stable' wool for sock yarn.  Both alpaca and angora don't wear too well.  No sense wearing out the soles of your hard worked socks!