BYC KNITTING CLUB

[ChicksterJo]

Rosaleen, it took me 4 days and working pretty much a few hours a day to finish that one sock. It is for me because only my foot would fit in it. I didn't know it would be this small but at least next time I will know how to make a bigger sock. I will hopefully buy 1 more skein for the other sock today. Thank you for the compliment.

 

[posey]

Quote:
Dear Featherfinder:
I have been teaching people to knit for years and I am a professional knitwear designer. My BEST tip for new knitters: use wooden or bamboo needles. Don't try to learn on those awful aluminium needles in the learn to knit kits at the craft store. Begin with US size 8 or 10 needles and a smooth yarn - worsted weight if using size 8 and chunky if using size 10. This way you will be able to SEE the stitches clearly and get to know what you are doing.

The best thing is to find someone local who can teach you but if that isn't possible try the links that others have shared. Also try meetup.com and type in your city or area and that you are looking for knitting. Lots of people use this site to find others in their areas with similar interests. I started a group 5 years ago because many women expressed their interest for a knitting group on that site. I found them because someone suggested I search meet up.com once I moved into the area. Give it a try.

I agree about the circular needles. When I learned to knit I used straight needles but once I got more confident I switched to circular needles and have never looked back because they are very versatile and comfortable to use.

A good project to begin with is a dishcloth because they are small projects that you can finish in a short amount of time and can feel a sense of accomplishment. They are also forgiving projects because you are just washing dishes or counters or tables with them. I recommend that you learn the knit stitch first. Using size 8 needles and sugar and cream cotton yarn (if you crochet you may know what this is) cast on 40 stitches and just knit, knit, knit every stitch, every row until the length is as long as the width and then cast off.

The second project I recommend is the bias dishcloth because it teaches several new skills and it is a nicer project with edges that are very elastic. I can email you a pattern for that project when you are ready.

Here is a detail of a square shawl I finished 4 years ago and I had only been knitting seriously for 3 years at the time I began that project.

I just knit all the time and each project that I knit included new techniques that I would have to learn. That way I was/am always pushing myself to learn new skills or to improve my abilities.

Knitting is so good for all of us, so is crochet - there are so many benefits that we can gain from these two wonderful needlecrafts. Here is a link to two articles that I wrote, one about the Many Benefits of Knit & Crochet: http://www.seektheancientpath.com/index.php/at-home/in-the-home/knitting-and-sewing/knitting/63-knit-together-in-love


and the other Tips for New Knitters: http://www.seektheancientpath.com/index.php/at-home/in-the-home/knitting-and-sewing/knitting/16-tips-for-new-knitters

I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Posey

 

[ChicksterJo]

posey, that is a beautiful shawl. It's like a piece of artwork. Thank you for sharing

 

[annie3001]

what a beautiful shawl..

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Yes, Posey - stunning.

I'm moments away from starting to spin my first yarn. After I finish the duck house chores. Fingers crossed I don't wreck my roving.

 

[posey]

thank ya'll for your kind words.

Spinning, I really enjoyed that but I don't have my wheel anymore

when we moved 6 years ago darling hubby asked me to let go of it because we weren't using it anymore (couldn't get fleese or roving local). Now I live in an area where we can get lots of fleese, o well.

Good luck with spinning endeavor.

 

[dearduckyducky]

YAY! A knitting thread!

I admit, I'm a little (lot) addicted to working with string.

I am working on a pair of socks right now. I have knitted socks three times before this, hated them and ripped them apart. Socks are my nemesis. I try about once a year to knit socks, every time something goes wrong. If it doesn't work this time, I'm going to try two at once next time. Often I am frustrated because the socks don't match in fit. That drives me bonkers! I cannot wear socks in a pair if they don't fit the same.

Looking forward to taking part in this thread with all the other crafters out there!

 

[1mommahen]

Quote:
Try knitting two socks at one time on two circular needles. Youtube it, it's great to have two socks the same size, done at the same time!

 

[ChicksterJo]

Quote:
I am almost finished with my second sock for my first pair ever. I'm a little disheartened because I messed up a couple of times for this one, but I'm hoping

they fit similarly if not the same. Otherwise I'll just call it a BIG lesson and hope that my second pair for my SO turns out better. I'm a little confused about knitting two socks on one circular so I won't try it for a while!

 

[dearduckyducky]

Quote:
Try knitting two socks at one time on two circular needles. Youtube it, it's great to have two socks the same size, done at the same time!

That will be my next step. I would have done it this time, but didn't have two circulars in the same size that would work. I can't justify any knitting purchases right now, so need to use what I have on hand.