Hobbies and Crafts

Hi Lancia

Survived Christmas - just. Made the fatal mistake of trying to cook too many different foods on Christmas Day and ended juggling between 4 ovens :-( Resolve to make things simpler next year

I am a summer knitter due to allergies and knit outside which would be a problem in this weather!! However a friend brought me the most wonderful book of sock patterns https://www.hachette.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9780753726907 with some really wacky designs including socks that you can wear with flip flops and a spiral tube pattern with no heel - Can't wait to try them

Happy 2015 to all Knit Wits (a little early :-D) and keep clicking

Kay

Did anyone catch Jane Garvey's programme A Gripping Yarn on Radio 4 this morning looking at knitting all over the world. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0418p75
I had no idea that there are 1/2 million men who knit in the UK

They have also got a board on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/knittingr/knitting-radio-4/ Love the chicken with a jumper, but think ours would object :-D

Many years ago my Uncle (Mum's brother) who lived in Scotland, used to make lovely fairisle(sp?) items. he always knitted holding one needle under his arm pit.

Funny you should say that, Ann - I do that, too! :-D

I enjoy knitting, it's so therapeutic :-)

I'm currently knitting a blanket made from squares, with two strands of different coloured yarns knitted together. I keep on buying odd balls of double knitting, so the variations are endless. :-D

Not looking forward to putting them all together, though :-( :-D ;-)

I have a bag full of crochet hexagons waiting to be put together........... :-(

Ann - I wish my uncle had knitted fairisle and could have taught me when I was young. My aunt taught me and had many bad habits which I picked up. The only fairisle I have knitted looked a battle on the reverse side :-(

Using up odds balls of wool for make blanket squares is a good idea Gin - How big is the blanket going to be :-D Are you going for a bed size or a throw?

Island - Is it a New Year resolution to sow them together :-D :-D

I fell in love with some multicolour Zauberball Sock wool last year and after starting it I really must finish them this year. I just love watching the colours mix and grow.

K - I'm just going to carry on until I lose interest, but it will at least be a throw! :-D
The squares are quite large, about 8". I've started to put them together by stitching, but if I could crochet, I'd join them that way. It's looking good, though, and It's fun to work out the colour combinations :-) :-)

I learnt to knit the way Jacqueline does ............ long needles with one tucked in my armpit.


However, I have always hated the sewing up :-)



For the last 5 or 6 years, I have knitted everything on circular needles ................. the body is knitted in one piece up to the armpit, and then I put stitches onto a holder for (eg) the back while I finish the front.




I find this method very comfortable when travelling. I can knit in the car, on a plane or train.


I also knit the shoulder seams together instead of sewing.


My sister-i-l taught me the Swiss way of invisible stitching for the seams that have to be sown



BTW ..................... I use spare pieces of yarn (different colour) as my "stitch holders". I cut a long piece, thread it onto a tapestry needle, then pass the needle and yarn through the stitches to be put on a holder. Remove from the knitting needle, and tie the ends of the yarn together







PS ................. I note that I have become "Americanised" :-D


For "yarn", read "wool :-D :-D

I have been knitting since I was a child, and have always used the long needles, so that one is tucked into my armpit.

Couldn't knit with both needles waggling around.............

Sylvia - bought an American pattern a few years ago with linen yarn that used a circular needle.

I had to give up in the end as some of the instructions were completely incomprehensible. I wish I had know at the time that you would probably understand them :-D

K



Americans use "yarn" for all types ........ wool, linen, cotton, acrylic



I have had to learn American knitting terms :-)


although I do tend to prefer to buy British yarn and patterns

re knitting from the armholes




I follow the pattern but combining the instructions for back and front(s) up to the division for armholes ................ I double the number of stitches to be cast on and knitted.

I use little dividers to indicate where the "seams" would be

At the division, I knit across the front stitches, then put the back stitches onto a holder. I then continue knitting the front, following all instructions, but just knitting back and forth across the circular needles. After completing the front, I do the back, following all instructions


If I am knitting a cardigan, then I still use the circular needles, but just knit back and forth across them, just as if I was using long needles.



Is that a bit clearer???

Hello all,
I've just started to knit dolls clothes for my 4 yr old granddaughter. Hoping to knit a few things and along with a doll that will be her xmas present. Last week I knitted a vest and knickers. I'm not very good and have to keep running up the road asking a neighbour for help.

Anne

Anne,
I don't get on her that much so accept my appologies, I too have recently taken up knitting again for my grandaughter. I have found utube brilliant for stitches e.t.c I had forgotten.

Julie

I have not knitted in ages.

I remember years ago in the sixties I made myself a lovely jumper but it was such an intricate pattern. I would be out socialising and get out my knitting and then I would look down at it and find whilst chatting and drinking etc I would have made a mistake further down. I would go ever so carefully back through till I got to the mistake and then take off again. This used to happen several times and one the male friends in my circle said one day. I have never seen a person do so much unknitting.

I got it finished, I did the neck on one of those circular tube needles. It looked terrific. There were knee high socks to make that went with it but I passed on those.

Well so far all in plain and purl or a mixture of both I have done vest, knickers, jumper, skirt, 2 dresses and now on a cardigan.
I can't unpick so if I make a mistake I have to unravel it all and start again. Or Leave it!
Anne

It is a bit of an art in itself - this unpicking lark.

Ages since I knitted anything. I did make a couple of things for Great Grandson when he was a baby but never saw him wearing them so guess theyw ere not acceptable. I love knitting but hate sewing up. When in my 20s/30s I used to have a knitting machine and made children's clothes to order.

My big blanket made from chunky squares is all finished, and sitting in a cupboard for a day when I, or somebody, might need it. :-D

I've since knitted two baby blankets to donate to charity, and I'm currently knitting some finer squares in autumn colours - don't know what do do with them yet, maybe a small throw.

There is a Knitting and Stitching group in my area - they knit things for charity, so I think I will be joining it soon. I would like to see one starting up in our village hall, but I think I would have to start it up myself - need to find out if there would be enough interest :-) :-)

Congratulations on finishing it and making the baby blankets :-D

The autumn colours throw sounds great - will it go with your sofa?? Good luck with starting a local group for knitting and stitching in your area.The nearest small town/village to us has one primarily for for knitting which they call Knit and Natter. :-D

I have been really slothful this summer in terms of knitting. I must dig out the cardigan I started. I put it to one side because I changed the design and got part way through before I realised that it wouldn't work so now I have to pick it all and start again :-S