I bought a bag of yarn in 2011 to make myself a jumper and it is still in its bag, I did get as far as ¾ of a sleeve but I had to frog it as I had cast on the wrong amount of stitches and I lost hope at that stage.
Late last year I did try my hand at intarsia with dreadful results, I made a wrist warmer and it was about 4 sizes too small and would have fit a toddler. Mmmm I need to walk before I can run I think and I need to go back to the beginning and master the basics like tension, yarn and needle sizes etc.
So if I do nothing else this year I will learn to knit and by the end of the year I will have produced a substantial knitted ‘something’.
I will be sure to keep you updated.
23 comments:
Back in November I did a review of a knitting book, called Knitting Knowhow, which you can read about here http://joyknitt.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/knitting-know-how-review-and-giveaway.html
obviously the giveaway is no longer current, but there is a link to a website where you can buy it, should you wish.
Hi Kandi - I was taught the basics by my Mum, but as she is no longer here for me to ask I bought 'The Ultimate Knitting Bible'.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Knitting-Bible-Step---step/dp/1843404508/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1358329319&sr=8-23
It has very clear instructions that even I understood! XX
Hi Lisa, blimey your lovely makes are pretty good for someone who says their skills are "basic". Although I haven't looked, but I expect there are some good tutes on youtube. That's how I learned to crochet (very basically) and I've only gone and forgotten how to *sigh*. xx
Agreed with Loo ^^ I love that you say you can't knit and then proceed to show us a load of fantastic and intricate-looking knitted makes!! I'd definitely recommend youtube over books to start with - or even better, an actual person - are there any knitting groups nearby? xx
You most definitely can knit, you nit! You can cast on and off, knit, purl, increase and decrease so you can do everything you need to do to knit a garment. The rest is just practice and experience. You don't need to pay for classes. I'll teach you. We'll do a weekly session of you like. xxx
Hi Lisa. Lynda's right you can knit, it's just practice that makes perfect as they say. I remember knitting my first garment and I kept acquiring extra stitches somewhere along the way! I soon learnt to recognise where I was going wrong and I'm sure that you will be the same. I love the scarf you have already made. Happy knitting, Pj x
Ha ha. You can knit. Just not supremely. I'd love to be able to knit the way I can sew.
I can recommend a tension square before you start. Not that I always listen to my own advise,but I'm sure when I have, its made the difference. Took me a while to realise that not all DK yarn is the same. Some need bigger needles.
Echoing other comments, but it looks like you can knit. Good luck with the bigger piece this year.
If you can made that dish cloth at the top, you most certainly can knit and knit well! I think the only thing that is causing you problems is gauge. A dishcloth doesn't matter because size is not crucial, but if you're going to knit anything you want to wear, then gauge is absolutely key.
I agree with Cheryl, a swatch is the only way to go, especially so if you are substituting another yarn. You need to count your stitches and rows per inch and match it to the pattern gauge, that way you'll have a much, much better chance of a good fit.
It's a pain to take the time to do, I know, but better than wasting more time knitting something you can't wear in the end.
Don't worry, practise makes perfect and as you already have the techniques down you'll nail this last bit in a jiffy!
S x
Erm, NO! I disagree. Basic? I don't think so. Check out that first project, that's not basic knitting!
I agree with the others, you are beyond a basic knitter, most of the time I've been lucky with tension because I don't do anything but knit, but I think to get it right you do a bit of the pattern and try different size needles until it matches what it says on the pattern or something like that or at least it is what I would do.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
I don't think you are a beginner - those makes look amazing! I will watch out for the next piece of knitted goodness!
It looks to me as if you already know how to knit well enough to knit a jumper! Yes, tension is important for sizing. Maybe you feel overwhelmed by a big project; what about a childs jumper or a sleeveless top?
I know exactly what you mean! Crocheting is much simpler to work out, and if you go wrong you can frog it and easily pick up again wherever you want. I find if you have to unpick knitting, it is so hard to get it back to a normal place - I can't tell what are stitches and what aren't, and it all ends up a mess! Maybe it just takes practise, and I know that some people put a length of another colour yarn through all the stitches every now and then, so that if they have to frog it, then can go back to a place where the stitches are all kept where they should be! I want to try to knit something from my vintage knits book I got for my birthday, but I'm a bit daunted!! Good luck learning, I am very confident that you will conquer it and make something great!
Maria xx
Good luck, you look like you can knit to me! :) xx
Have a look at these classes there might be something there that will suit!
http://www.northstaryarns.com/class-list
Holy freak. That's BASIC?!
hellooo lovely, please let me know that the book arrived?...i cant remember if i asked already- my minds been full of lurgy i cant think ;0)xx
lovely post x
Your knitting is wonderful Kandipandi.
My goodness if I was a beginner like you I would be in heaven
I am completely useless!
I love the scarf with the flower in the photo it is gorgeous.
I can't find the pattern but maybe just as well as I don't think I would manage it anyhow!
Tomorrow's Friday - yippee
enjoy
see you on IG
Fiona x
Basic? Your makes are bloody marvellous! x
Yoo hoo, been meaning to contact you - no hadnt heard about Pins & Needles hmmmm may have to send them an email!!! Cant believe you got rid of your card making stuff (if you are thinking of restarting please give me a shout I'd happily send a few bits and bobs xx)
kandi you are such a naughty, spoiling lovely lovely lovely lovely lovely ladyyyy ;0)
you were soooo kind to send me the lovely gifts, thank youuuuu soooooo much xxxxx you made me so happy xxxx
...thank you again xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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