Post by meshaliuknits on Jan 28, 2015 12:01:31 GMT -5
I learned the basics of knitting when I was short. It's how my grandmother kept us quiet while she watched the A's game when we were visiting. (Like anyone could hear the tv over her shouts.) Picking it up again in my 20s was easy especially since I have the internet.
I can kinda, sorta crochet. I want to get better at it so I can crochet toys. But I have to literally be staring at the stitch instructions in order to successfully complete something (which I have, I've crocheted a hat, flowers, a cake) because for whatever reason I cannot hold the difference between them in my head. (Probably because I have 20yrs of Simpons episodes in my head.)
miniroller I got a similar spiel from wawa and picked crotchet. Part of the reason I went that way was because my dexterity in my left hand sucks so I thought one hook/needle would be easier than 2. My biggest was that she is local to me though and I can bother her for help.
I can kinda, sorta crochet. I want to get better at it so I can crochet toys. But I have to literally be staring at the stitch instructions in order to successfully complete something (which I have, I've crocheted a hat, flowers, a cake) because for whatever reason I cannot hold the difference between them in my head. (Probably because I have 20yrs of Simpons episodes in my head.)
Every time I learn something new it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home wine-making course and I forgot how to drive?
I love the idea of cat blankets, thank you! This will be especially helpful since they each spend half their time in the basement. It's finished but still a bit chilly.
Part of my issue with knitting was coordination. I just could 't manage two needles. One hook was way easier for me. To make it even weirder, I'm left-handed but crochet with my right. I can't do a pencil hold because I write with my left hand, so I have to use an overhand kind of a grip.
Thanks wawa!! Re: which I want to do, I really don't know. I don't really have any friends that do either? So I'd love your recommendation! I didn't know if one is easier, at least easier to start?
I'd like something to do with my hands during downtime, when I zone out in front of the TV. Sometimes even reading is too much for my mentally exhausted brain. BUT (horrible, I know!) I'd like to think that I'll feel better about my zoning out time if I can be productive whilst doing so
Sooo basically which one's easiest...? Ha? I'd love to make stuff for my nieces & nephews & even future kid. Leaning toward knitting b/c in my ignorant mind, it sounds less intensive than crocheting?
I really like knitting, and I second wawa's suggestion of trying to find a class at a local yarn shop, if possible. There are some parts where, getting started, it would be good to get actual, in-person feedback.
Once you've got knitting and purling (sort of) figured out, I really like the Tin Can Knits Simple Collection. It's a series of tutorials designed for beginners, and it's based on creating actual, reasonably stylish garments, which is better (to me) than knitting a long, boring scarf. It's even got video tutorials for casting on, knitting, and purling, if you want to start from scratch.
I would also recommend that you look at your local yarn store for some decent but inexpensive yarn, rather than starting with something squeaky and acrylic from WalMart or Hobby Lobby. Cascade 220 is a good option, but your yarn purveyor can suggest some other alternatives, as well. Having something decent to work with will make the experience much more pleasant.
I love the idea of cat blankets, thank you! This will be especially helpful since they each spend half their time in the basement. It's finished but still a bit chilly.
I don't think you can have enough of them:) Our cats love them and I love that I can collect them all, throw them in the washer, and have cleaned up 50% of the cat fur from the room
Post by miniroller on Jan 28, 2015 12:57:58 GMT -5
Thanks so much for the responses, guys! I told Wawa (you've got a PM) that I look very forward to showing off my first creation to my craft-NEWB supporters (Or maybe 2nd or 3rd depending on how my skills play out!)
washable, reasonably priced and feels nice are my criteria for this level of gifting. So synthetic is fine as long as it has a good feel.
I'm late to the party and you may have already decided but Knit Picks Shine is the softest yarn in the whole damned world. And it's like $3 a skein I think. It's cotton and bamboo I'm pretty sure.
I love the hell out of it and I'd swear by it for babies. It even feels nice in your hand when you're working with it.
I sometimes have dreams of getting better at knit and learning cables and such - but then I realize I still have like a 3 year backlog of crochet projects and...don't. But I do so love a good cabled sweater.
Thanks. It's really not difficult at all. It's bulky yarn, so really fast and 50% of the cabling isn't even cabling. The side columns are just slipped and twisted stitch patterns. I think it'd be a good first cabling project if you ever get to the bottom of your backlog.
Post by borinquen57 on Jan 28, 2015 18:06:25 GMT -5
I've been working on this in Bubblegum Pink for a while for DD1 but have yet to finish it. I was hoping to get it done before DD2 was born and she went into her big-girl room, but now I'm thinking it'll be a Valentine's Day gift for her instead. It'll be my first real crochet project (beside a really simple scarf), so I'm really anxious/excited to get it done and then start one for DD2.
Oh goddamn it. I was looking at the pattern for my nearly finished blanket...I thought I only had 3 more rounds to go (it's a star shaped blanket). But looking at the picture I was like, "wait....shouldn't it have another couple of stripes." So I pulled the pattern up online...and I was missing the last page. I actually have THIRTEEN more rounds to go.
Uhhh...huh. I did just shy of a full round last night, so maybe I can still crank this out in time to make something for my boss, but that was with not doing any dishes or laundry or working out or anything besides parking my ass on the couch and crocheting after bedtime. And MH made dinner.
Oh goddamn it. I was looking at the pattern for my nearly finished blanket...I thought I only had 3 more rounds to go (it's a star shaped blanket). But looking at the picture I was like, "wait....shouldn't it have another couple of stripes." So I pulled the pattern up online...and I was missing the last page. I actually have THIRTEEN more rounds to go.
Uhhh...huh. I did just shy of a full round last night, so maybe I can still crank this out in time to make something for my boss, but that was with not doing any dishes or laundry or working out or anything besides parking my ass on the couch and crocheting after bedtime. And MH made dinner.
Post by secretlyevil on Jan 29, 2015 22:57:55 GMT -5
I need to start my project Linus blanket. My first Friday night knitting club aka craft night was more planning and me (can you believe it?!?) showing people some crocheting basics. AH! Anyway, I need to go to Joanne's this weekend and get some yarn to get started.
I figured this was a good place to drop this. Three years ago, maybe even as many as four. Okay so like five years ago, shaddup.
Anyway, back a long ass time ago, I started this really pretty shawl. I got it about a foot long and then lost the damned directions for the fucking thing, including the markings so I'd know my place. FOR SERIOUS!
Two houses later and I found them.
Except typing this I realized that I think I restarted the shawl on new needles with new yarn and I don't know where that is so, I guess square one?
Maybe I can still figure out what I did/where I am.
I think this might end up as a cat toy rather than a cat blanket.
Oh, memories. Yep, the first thing everybody tries to make looks like that. It's just your yarn tension - which is all practice. You'll get the hang of a consistent easy tension with practice. Try to let your yarn be a little looser than what you've been doing. You want it to be just snug, not tight.
I think this might end up as a cat toy rather than a cat blanket.
Oh, memories. Yep, the first thing everybody tries to make looks like that. It's just your yarn tension - which is all practice. You'll get the hang of a consistent easy tension with practice. Try to let your yarn be a little looser than what you've been doing. You want it to be just snug, not tight.
Yeah, I definitely noticed that tightness was an issue. Towards the end it was really really hard to get it in the hole and it made it harder to figure out which hole I was supposed to stick it in. I think I am going to start fresh tonight.
I was crocheting after an upper body workout and I think it made me arms extra sore!
Oh, memories. Yep, the first thing everybody tries to make looks like that. It's just your yarn tension - which is all practice. You'll get the hang of a consistent easy tension with practice. Try to let your yarn be a little looser than what you've been doing. You want it to be just snug, not tight.
Yeah, I definitely noticed that tightness was an issue. Towards the end it was really really hard to get it in the hole and it made it harder to figure out which hole I was supposed to stick it in. I think I am going to start fresh tonight.
I was crocheting after an upper body workout and I think it made me arms extra sore!
You guys...I really need to stop with the blankets and do some hats or something. I forgot how quickly yarn costs add up when you need close to 2000 yards for a small project.
For this, but also just for general use, are there good yarn reviews somewhere. Like on ravelry? or something? So I can stalk random closeouts. I could go to my LYS and just touch everything and see what I like, but i'll end up spending $100plus on yarn for this damn baby blanket and I just don't like my boss that much. Maybe I should just use Caron Simply soft and be done with it. Snobbery gets me nowhere. Save the good shit for my own kid.
I think it was the first thing that came up when I searched worsted weight and I figurted it didn't much matter when I was learning. I noticed last night that the thread seemed to separate a bit, if that makes sense. At times it was hard to get the needle under the entire thread and it would go into it instead. Is this normal or an issue with this yarn?
You guys...I really need to stop with the blankets and do some hats or something. I forgot how quickly yarn costs add up when you need close to 2000 yards for a small project.
For this, but also just for general use, are there good yarn reviews somewhere. Like on ravelry? or something? So I can stalk random closeouts. I could go to my LYS and just touch everything and see what I like, but i'll end up spending $100plus on yarn for this damn baby blanket and I just don't like my boss that much. Maybe I should just use Caron Simply soft and be done with it. Snobbery gets me nowhere. Save the good shit for my own kid.
2000 yards for a small project? Is that a crocheted baby blanket? I was thinking about picking up crochet in order to make an afghan for us, but if that's the case maybe I'll stick to knitting one. The patterns I'm looking at are like 2,500 yards for a large adult afghan.
Ravelry has the best yarn reviews. Go to the yarn tab, look up the yarn in question, and then go to the comments page to see what people have to say about it.
ETA: Caron Simply Soft is great for baby blankets. I use it for stuff I'm donating to Project Linus. I have zero complaints.
You guys...I really need to stop with the blankets and do some hats or something. I forgot how quickly yarn costs add up when you need close to 2000 yards for a small project.
For this, but also just for general use, are there good yarn reviews somewhere. Like on ravelry? or something? So I can stalk random closeouts. I could go to my LYS and just touch everything and see what I like, but i'll end up spending $100plus on yarn for this damn baby blanket and I just don't like my boss that much. Maybe I should just use Caron Simply soft and be done with it. Snobbery gets me nowhere. Save the good shit for my own kid.
2000 yards for a small project? Is that a crocheted baby blanket? I was thinking about picking up crochet in order to make an afghan for us, but if that's the case maybe I'll stick to knitting one. The patterns I'm looking at are like 2,500 yards for a large adult afghan.
Ravelry has the best yarn reviews. Go to the yarn tab, look up the yarn in question, and then go to the comments page to see what people have to say about it.
ETA: Caron Simply Soft is great for baby blankets. I use it for stuff I'm donating to Project Linus. I have zero complaints.
I rounded up. it's actually 1860. But still...that's at least 9 balls of 100 g. balls, and most of the knitpicks yarn is in 50 g. balls. We're pushing 20 balls! That's a lot of yarn!
I remember having this same stroke when I bought the yarn for the blanket I'm just finishing up now. But I was ok with it then because it was for my sister.