Any Knitters Around Here?

Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS)
#1

I took up crochet a little over a year ago, and I really enjoy it. My mom got me started (she’s one of those “crafty” people, you know). It’s a lot of fun, very relaxing, and hey, I don’t suck at it. Hard for me to find a hobby like that.

I’ve been interested in knitting as well, so I asked my mom if she had any knitting needles she might be willing to let me have. Her response–“How many sets would you like, dear? I think I have about 487. Oh, and here’s a nice case for you to keep them in. Need some yarn? How about some patterns? Let me know if you need any help!”

Anyway, I haven’t tried to learn how yet, but I think I’m going to within the next week or so. Got a couple of good instruction books and some patterns.

Is knitting hard? I’ve seen my mom do it, and she just flies, I swear. The things she makes are so nice. How hard is it to learn on one’s own? I conquered crochet, so I’m pretty sure I can do this too.

#2

I knit. (It occurs to me that my “Knitting in Public” thread was probably eaten in the crash. A lot of Doper Knitters checked in on that one. Oh well.)

I taught myself how to knit using Maggie Righetti’s Knitting in Plain English. No problemo. Took a bit to get the hang of it–especially the tension–but once I got it, it was really easy and fun. You may have an easier time with the tension because you already crochet.

My helpful hint–use light-colored yarn to learn on. It’s easier to see what you’re doing.

Good luck.

#3

I second what Green Bean said - the tension will be the most difficult thing to master - when I was starting out I knitted a couple of “sweaters” for my dog that looked more like dresses because the tension got so loose at the bottom - oh well, doggie didn’t seem to mind.

I would also recommend starting on large needles - it helps when you’re getting the hang of it.

My grandmother taught me - she was a knitting machine - I’ve never seen anything like it.

#4

When I saw the thread title my first thought was “okay, what in the heck happened to the crochet thing?”
And I was meaning to get ahold of you cause I found some really cool snowflake patterns and one for a really cool garland.
Knitting is something I haven’t tried yet but my left handed sister in law taught herself and she makes some of the most beautiful sweaters for herself. I would die for the one she wore to christmas.
I had a friend teach herself and then we tackled tatting lace. I use a shuttle she of course uses the needles I would guess because it’s a bit like knitting.

That’s it, I have finally figured it out!

Crocheting is a gateway drug!

Good luck and let me know how you do and maybe I’ll give it a whirl sometime. Hubby would shoot me though if I start anything new before I finish my 11x7ft. Irish flag blanket I have been working on for two years. :smiley:

#5

Knitting can’t be that hard…I can do it. Don’t believe me?
Ask Mr. C.

[sub]I don’t knit well, but I knit. I think pearl(ing)? is easier though[/sub]

#6

I learned most of my knitting on my own (my mother started me off though) and I find it way, way, way, way easier than crochet. (I have an awful time with crochet tension.)
Anyway, as has been said - light yarn, american size 7-9 needles are generally good to start with.

So, yes. Go. Learn. Join those of us who have more yarn than we could ever possibly use in our lives and still need more.

Kricket, you tat? Wow. I know how, and should I find myself in some emergency tatting situation, I’d be just fine. But it’s such slow work (& I’ve done black and dark blue laceweight knitting on size 2s) I’ll talk myself out of patterns without much problem…

I’m seriously impressed.

#7

My mother knits. She knitted me an afghan to take to college 25 years ago. I still have it and sleep with it every night. [sub]Awww![/sub]

She also knitted Christmas stockings for all 5 of her kids way back when. Mrs. Dave-Guy had always been envious of the one I have, since she and the kids used store-bought ones.

Well, surprise, surprise! A couple years ago, grandma dug out the pattern (which must be almost 50 years old now!) and knitted three more, for Mrs. Dave-Guy, Sakura and Halford the Human Eel[sup]TM[/sup]!

My mom is cool. She oughta be, she’s the mother of a god! :wink:

#8

A friend of my mom’s showed me how to knit 30+ years ago - just basic knit and purl. Then I got books and taught myself all kinds of fancy stuff - cables and bobbles and popcorn and seed and who knows what all… Drop by and ask - I’ll show you my afghans!

#9

I knit, although I haven’t done anything big in the past few years. It’s easy to learn and pretty relaxing. Once you get going you will be able to knit, watch tv, surf, and post, all at the same time and not lose a stitch or make a typo. Good luck!

#10

I know how to knit. But I haven’t knitted anything in well over ten years.

I can crochet also. I tried tatting, but only made a tiny snowflake and felt it took too long, and that I could get similar results faster with the crochet.

#11

I don’t knit, and my crocheting ain’t too hot - I don’t like it enough to gain proficiency.

I needlepoint and bead mostly.

When I come up for a Michi-dope we’ll have to do a Koffee Klache where we all sit around doing our various projects and gossip.

Also, if you get reasonably good at knitting, I have some Navajo wool that needs a good home and I would be happy to give it to you.

#12

I can knit. Not well. My mother started me off and then I learned the rest from The Complete Guide to Needlework. It’s a Reader’s Digest book that pretty much covers A-Z of knitting, crochet (which is my prefered yarn art,) macrome. They even have a section on bobbin lace, which my mother is really into. It’s a great book and I would recomend it to anyone who’s interested.

#13

Yep. I still really, really enjoy crochet, but I just felt that it was time for some…harder stuff. Heh.

My great-grandmother (who just turned 99, BTW), is forever asking me when I’ll try tatting. I have a shuttle (I know it’s here somewhere, buried amongst my piles of yarn…), and I tried to learn how to use it, but the thread just didn’t feel right. I think I’d gotten too used to working with yarn. That’s why I don’t do thread crochet, either. Hooks too small, thread too thin, Persephone too klutzy.

LOL! My mother is always asking me how I’m set for yarn, and Mike, her SO, is always telling me that no, I simply DON’T have enough yarn and PLEASE do HIM a favor and take some from their house. So I do. Free yarn is always good. And my mom also passed on her yarn addiction. Oh, I am such a yarn junkie. :slight_smile:

#14

Since the knitting in public thread, I’ve taught myself the basic knit stitch, how to cast on and stuff. But I still have a horrid time with that whole “purl” thing. Anyone want to pass along advice on that one? I’m kind of stuck until I get it figured out, and I really want this knitting thing to be fun. And it is, until I realize I’m not making anything but squares because I can’t do that much. :smiley:

#15

I wish I could knit. I can crochet pretty well, though I get sore fingers, but I just can’t seem to get the hang of knitting–I need a person to teach me. I started off OK, but then the pattern called for knit1,purl1, and I couldn’t figure it out. Anyone?

I mainly do embroidery and quilting. Quilting is also an addiction.

#16

I have to agree with genie on the quilting as addiction. Many people have commented to me that there is a fine line between hobby and mental illness.
I have knitted, but not all that successfully - my mom is a demon knitter, though. She is currently teaching my daughter, which is nice as I am so hopeless at it. Probably why I took up quilting.

#17

[tongue in cheek] You do the same things you do in knitting, only backwards and upside down[/tongue in cheek]

#18

Wow. I’m afraid I haven’t knitted since I was a little girl, though I still have the sweater I made then. My nanny down in Chile taught me, but I haven’t knitted since. I do crochet, and counted cross stitch, and yes, indeed all of that is addicting, especially quilting. I have a decent enough stash of yarn, but my stash of material is becoming indecent. Just don’t tell Mr Bear how much I really have hidden around here. :eek: :stuck_out_tongue:

I would love to learn how to knit again, though. I miss working with my hands. And, while I love to crochet, my thumbs no longer do. pout Perhaps knitting will be easier on my thumbs. My biggest problem is that I tend to have 4 or 5 projects going at the same time. When I get bored with one, I hop to another for a while. But, eventually, they all get done. :slight_smile:

#19

Wow. I’m afraid I haven’t knitted since I was a little girl, though I still have the sweater I made then. My nanny down in Chile taught me, but I haven’t knitted since. I do crochet, and counted cross stitch, and yes, indeed all of that is addicting, especially quilting. I have a decent enough stash of yarn, but my stash of material is becoming indecent. Just don’t tell Mr Bear how much I really have hidden around here. :eek: :stuck_out_tongue:

I would love to learn how to knit again, though. I miss working with my hands. And, while I love to crochet, my thumbs no longer do. pout Perhaps knitting will be easier on my thumbs. My biggest problem is that I tend to have 4 or 5 projects going at the same time. When I get bored with one, I hop to another for a while. But, eventually, they all get done. :slight_smile:

#20

That is so weird. I only hit submit once, I swear! I did click preview once too. Hmmmm…