Knitting

[dancerjodi]

I started to try and learn to knit yesterday. I took the skein of purple Red Heart and plastic needles that Feline gave me as a graduation gift over to the monthly ladies crafty group in Derry. One woman was nice enough to sit with me and try and show me how to cast on, and start knitting.

What I've learned thus far:
-Its truly addictive. I'm craving having needles in my hands again. Its very zen.
-I need better, more slippery needles. The large plastic ones will probably be great once I've gotten the hang of it but for now I need something more slippery (plus, need to do things looser).
-I want to get that "Sitch and Bitch" book. I've heard good things of it from Feline, and then got to flip through it yesterday. The pictures are very helpful (and I forgot how to cast on and do stitches already, so a photo guide would be good).

Tonight is that burlesque class (if I get there early I'll check out Brookline Booksmiths and see if they've got the knitting book). I'm not even done done with school, and I'm already getting into new hobbies :)

I do have to say, shaking my program director's hand after he told me he's happy he met me, that I've done well in the program, and that I seem to have a great start for future work was very fulfilling. After tomorrow night's class (which will be pretty mindless - listening to other people present things) I'm DONE!

Comments

Knitting

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"Try metal needles if you're feeling tight, we perfectionists tend to be tight knitters."

That's what I'm planning to do (I borrowed a friend's on Sunday, now need to get some of my own).

Thanks for the book tips!

"There is a second Sn'B book that was just published last month (Stitch n' Bitch Nation); it's not a learning book like the first one is but is great from my quick skim for learning about altering patterns and such."

I saw this last night, though it seemed more than beginner (i.e. mostly patterns).

"I don't know how to handle the idea of you not in school anymore! :)"

Heh, *you* don't know how to handle it? ;)

I want to come see you guys! Soon!

Re: Knitting

[synaesthesia.livejournal.com]

We miss you guys, too. Our idiot-compassion putting-up-of-friends thing sort of caused us both to clam up and not see anyone. :/

But it is over now! =)

Plus you know I love to teach knitting-related things. I really wish I'd kept a tally as I was teaching classes; I must have taught over 100 folks(!!) by now. If you want any specific book recommendations, let me know -- yarn recommendations too, as we had quite the selection at the shop and even now I can often identify yarn used by sight (what a useless skill, eh?).

I haven't been knitting lately; I think it was because there were always other people in my living room and sometimes I really go for the solitary thing. I should pull out the mohair I was working with...

Re: Knitting

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

i'm personally not fond of "stitch/bitch" but it does work for some people, so... if it gets them hooked, gateway we go...

one of two books i do like to have people check out are _big book of knitting_ and _knitting for dummies_, both are approachable, without being "too hip/cute" for their own good, and offer (esp KfD) patterns and LOTS of solid reference material for years to come ($15-20).

the S&B book does refer to a pattern i like, the alien illusion scarf, but i believe 99% of those patterns are already on the intarnet:
http://www.jigsawknits.co.uk/illusioncreate.html
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=alien+illusion+scarf

any questions, give a yell. knitting guy that i am :)

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