Archive for the 'Knitting News' Category
Sunday, August 13th, 2006
What yarn could be used that would keep a person comfortable in hot andhumid weather? I do agree cotton is the best, but I haven’t gotten any in my stash for now, so I guess I will be knitting a few nice cable shawls and maybe a sweater in the next coming months. While working on my swatches I also took some time to browse the Net and found this article written for Kellie, who owns an online store where she sells beautifully handmade knitted purses (see the link at the bottom):
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So You Want to Learn to Knit?
By: Sawyer Theron
So have you caught the knitting bug? Have you learned the basic stitches and are now wondering what to do? With a little practice and tips from experienced knitters, you can be creating awesome creations in no time.Once you learn three basic techniques you will find that there are numerous projects you can learn to knit. The three basic foundations of knitting are casting on, the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Once you master these three techniques you can begin to add more advanced knitting skills.You can learn the basic stitches from other knitters,
online or from a book. You can truly only become a functional knitter from practicing as much as possible.
Starting out you will want to use medium gauge wool yarn which is the easiest yarn to start out with. It may not be the prettiest, flashiest novelty yarn, but it’s the easiest yarn to learn how to knit with. You do not want to use cotton since it has no give in it. Wool has just a bit of stretch so it is much easier to learn with.
Your local yarn shop is a great place for both beginners and veteran knitters. It is an excellent place to have your questions answered when you begin to choose your yarns and patterns.
Knitting has always been a social hobby. Similar to scrap booking where women meet to work on their scrap booking in gatherings called “crops”, knitters have sessions called “stitch and bitch”. Women bring their projects, knit together and chat.
These knitting groups are a great place to learn to knit from experienced knitters. They can give you advice and show you hands on skills. Advanced knitters are also able to improve their skills by watching the talents of others who can share various techniques.
Lessons are a great way to learn basic knitting skills. It is usually worth the money to have someone teach the knit and purl stitches. The local shop usually offers individual or group beginning knitter classes. It will take you just one or two classes before you feel confident enough to attempt an easy project. Of course, outside of class you will want to practice as much as possible.
When you start to knit you will not really begin with a project. Most likely you will learn by knitting a swatch about 2 feet long just for practice. Once you can complete that you will rip it all out, roll it up and start all over again. It is not necessarily fun but you will begin to feel comfortable with the knit and purl stitches. You should not start a real project until you can successfully knit the swatch with no dropped stitches or gaping holes.
The easiest first project is a scarf. It is simple and you really do not have to worry too much about gauge. It is the best project to begin with to practice your skill. If it is summer and a scarf does not sound too appealing, try a decorative scarf in a lightweight cotton yarn that can be used in place of a necklace, or used as a belt.
Knitting is a really fun hobby. You will find it relaxing and enjoyable. You will love all the colors and textures of fibers available. You will love to make things and give them as gifts. Knitting is a great hobby for all seasons and all ages.
Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com
Kelli is the owner of Monetina Creations, an online store showcasing her hand-made knitted creations. You can see her unique knitted purses at monetinacreations.com.
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Friday, August 11th, 2006
Posted in Afghans, apparel, baby blanket knitting pattern, Baby Blankets, bags, Book and Magazine Reviews, CAL, cast off, cast on, charity knitting and crocheting, Circle Looms, craft shows, crafts, crochet, crochet heart, crochet patterns, crochet stitch, crochet thread, crochet wire, crochet-basics, crocheted bookmark, crocheted felting, crocheted heart motif, crocheted jewelry, crocheted lace, Crocheted Shawl, Crocheted vest, crocheters, crocheting, design, designing lace, embroidery, Felted, felting Tunisian crochet, Free Knitting Loom Patterns, free knitting pattern, free+patterns, gauge swatch, hand knitting, hand spinning, Hats, Holiday Projects, Home Decor, Hooks, inspiration, knifty knitter patterns, knit, Knit Simple, Knitted, knitter, knitting, knitting blog, knitting boards, Knitting Books, Knitting for Baby, knitting for beginner, Knitting for Charity, knitting kits, Knitting Loom Patterns, Knitting Needle, knitting needles, Knitting News, Knitting Pattern, Knitting Resources, knitting supplies, knitting yarns, knitting-needle, learn to crochet, loom, loom knitting, machine knitting, Mitts, Needlecraft, needles, patterns, ponchos, purl, Quick Projects, scarf, Scarves, shawls, Shells, Socks, Stitches, Sweaters, tatting, Techniques, threads, Vogue Knitting, weaving, weaving, wedding shawl, Will this thread work, Will this yarn work, Wraps per Inch, yarn, yarn making, Yarn Substitution, yarns, Yarns and Threads | 1 Comment »
Thursday, August 10th, 2006
stitches
First thing, how do you knit? Continental or English? Do you throw the yarn with your right hand or do you pick it off your left fingers?
When you knit (activity), you take the stitch on the left needle off that needle and position its LOOP below a new stitch on the right needle. KNIT stitches make the loop go away from you and form a bump on the BACK of your work. These stitches are worked with the yarn in BACK, and the needle tip in BACK [going through the front of the stitch from the left side].
PURL stitches make the loop come toward you and form a bump on the FRONT of your work. PURLS are worked with the yarn in FRONT, and the needle tip in FRONT [going through the back of the stitch from the right side -- just look at it normally from the front side of the work to determine right and left].
Regardless of whether you’re KNITting or PURLing, Casting on, or doing a Yarn Over or Yarn Forward, the yarn always goes around the right hand needle from the bottom right to the top left. Therefore, it looks like this on the needle \ [I can't put it there from my keyboard, but you can imagine the needle running through the middle of the slash] For many, many people, the easiest way to pick up the yarn on purl stitches is from bottom left to top right; this looks like this / and it makes the stitches twist on the next row, so you need to avoid doing it. Just remember, Bottom Right to Top Left, looks like a backward slash \ \
I know it can be frustrating, but be patient with yourself. You can learn to purl or do whatever you want…:)
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Posted in Afghans, Baby Blankets, bags, cast off, Circle Looms, craft shows, crafts, crochet, design, Felted, Free Knitting Loom Patterns, free knitting pattern, gauge swatch, hand knitting, Hats, knifty knitter patterns, knit, Knitted, knitter, knitting, knitting blog, knitting boards, knitting kits, Knitting Loom Patterns, knitting needles, Knitting News, knitting supplies, knitting yarns, loom, loom knitting, machine knitting, Mitts, needles, patterns, ponchos, purl, scarf, shawls, Shells, Socks, Sweaters, weaving, yarn | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 9th, 2006
Knitters are pretty friendly people who love to talk about their craft… I’m not a novice, but am learning every day and I think
you can learn your best lessons from beginners…
I taught myself to knit at age
8 by watching my grouchy ol’ grandmother and have knit in my own style for
about 30 years.
[*GRANDMA*]
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I found a great pattern for knit in one piece from the neck
down sweaters years ago and have made my own variation so many times I lost
count! You just never know what you’ll learn…For years, I had been learning by solitary knitting, learning by books and the ole school of hard knocks…
For those who are new to knitting, don’t worry about ‘perfection’ – it doesn’t exist. And, don’t look so closely at your little mistakes – chances are no one else will notice. And, it’s mostly from those mistakes that I learn and become even more determined to take on a wider selection of projects.:)
| Your Brain’s Pattern |
 Your mind is a firestorm – full of intensity and drama.
Your thoughts may seem scattered to you most of the time…
But they often seem strong and passionate to those around you.
You are a natural influencer. The thoughts you share are very powerful and persuading. |
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Posted in Afghans, Baby Blankets, bags, cast off, Circle Looms, craft shows, crafts, crochet, design, Felted, Free Knitting Loom Patterns, free knitting pattern, gauge swatch, hand knitting, Hats, knifty knitter patterns, knit, Knitted, knitter, knitting, knitting blog, knitting boards, knitting kits, Knitting Loom Patterns, knitting needles, Knitting News, knitting supplies, knitting yarns, loom, loom knitting, machine knitting, Mitts, needles, patterns, ponchos, purl, scarf, shawls, Shells, Socks, Sweaters, weaving, yarn | 1 Comment »
