BYC KNITTING CLUB

[chickaboom]

OH!!! me too! I wanna join! I just found this thread! (or is it a yarn?)
Ravelers can find me here http://www.ravelry.com/people/savagerabbit
I'm a long time, kinda obsessive, knitter!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Quote:
I like using circulars for straight, too. I find it easier to balance the needles because they are short. When I use the long needles, I kind of stick the left one behind my belt buckle. Can you tell I'm a self taught knitter?

2manyhats, I have done something very similar! I am left handed and when I was young, I had trouble keeping consistent tension in the yarn, carrying it with my right hand. When I was taught to knit, 40 some years ago, carrying the yarn with your left hand was not usually taught here and there was no internet or pcs.

Then, 30 years ago when I was traveling, another lefty showed me how she anchored the right needle in the bend of her hip! It looks very funny, but it's fast! The left hand moves the left needle, making the stitch, the leg/hip holds the right needle steady and the right hand manipulates the yarn, never letting go of it. As it turns out, in the really old days, there was some kind of knitting cup or pouch that people people wore around their waist, to anchor one needle and knit much faster. So, you are using your own version of a very old, traditional method!

 

[Jenlyn9483]

Here's pics of the socks I just finished for my sis

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[Wildsky]

Those are very cute!

 

[2manyhats]

Quote:
I like using circulars for straight, too. I find it easier to balance the needles because they are short. When I use the long needles, I kind of stick the left one behind my belt buckle. Can you tell I'm a self taught knitter?

2manyhats, I have done something very similar! I am left handed and when I was young, I had trouble keeping consistent tension in the yarn, carrying it with my right hand. When I was taught to knit, 40 some years ago, carrying the yarn with your left hand was not usually taught here and there was no internet or pcs.

Then, 30 years ago when I was traveling, another lefty showed me how she anchored the right needle in the bend of her hip! It looks very funny, but it's fast! The left hand moves the left needle, making the stitch, the leg/hip holds the right needle steady and the right hand manipulates the yarn, never letting go of it. As it turns out, in the really old days, there was some kind of knitting cup or pouch that people people wore around their waist, to anchor one needle and knit much faster. So, you are using your own version of a very old, traditional method!

Thanks! Now I don't feel like such a goof.

 

[chickaboom]

Yes! I remember reading something in an issue of Interweave Knits a while back about the needle in the hip technique being an old Irish way. The women would do this so they could stand and knit while they were waiting by the warfs to be hired for work. Young girls were taught to knit this way so they could knit to and from school.
Very cool

 

[Sequin]

Thanks LindaN for the advice!!

I Really appreciate it, as I was stuck until I grasped the concept. Now my scarf is moving very steadily along and I am very proud of myself. I will post a picture of it when it is finished. The organic cotton is nice to work with, but the bamboo is SOOO soft. I might have to make myself a bamboo hoodie next.

Cute socks Jenlyn!! LOVE how the needles are still attached. Might make it a challenge wearing shoes though, don't ya think? hee hee hee...

Happy knitting everyone!!!

 

[LindaN]

Sequin, bamboo yarn would make a lovely scarf or shawl, but unless it's blended with something else, I discourage you from using it for a hoodie.

Bamboo has LOTS of drape. One of the ladies in my Stitch n' *itch group made a cardi with bamboo and was soooo disappointed. It stretched way out and the arms were much too long, the body much too long, everything was much too long!

So, use caution there! It took me a few years of knitting before I really started to understand how the properties of the fibers could had a huge impact on my projects.

 

[Sequin]

AAahhhh, yes, very sound advice, Thank you LindaN. I appreciate that greatly. It is easy to get carried away with texture and not really pay attention to practicality. Perhaps cotton or wool, or even maybe alpaca(?) would be better choices. I like the feel and looks of natural fibers.

Thanks again!!!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

That's good to know about bamboo. I've seen it, but haven't knitted with it. I use different fibers and blends, depending on the project and what qualities I'm looking for.