![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dancerjodiI 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!
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!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 01:30 pm (UTC)Knitting is addictive...the cost of the yarn is a bit too much for me at times (some place featured in the Boston Magazine had skeins for 100 bucks each).
A good thing to get is a stitch measure/needle gauge square...its very helpful (I've got a ton of circular and double pointed needles that have no markings on them)
no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 02:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 02:26 pm (UTC);)
Try metal needles if you're feeling tight, we perfectionists tend to be tight knitters. Stitch n' Bitch is great bang-for-the-buck and has fun projects, the illustrations are decent although not my favorites (that would be the Harmony Guide of Knitting Techniques, but it's a book without projects), but I love the attitude of the book (not the "too cool for school" airs, but the "this isn't difficult and there's no need to be intimidated" thing. 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 don't know how to handle the idea of you not in school anymore! :)
no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 09:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-12-14 02:03 am (UTC)i've got a bunch of needles, but i can't seem to make the transition from crochet to knitting as of yet. did you ever crochet?
Stuff
Date: 2004-12-14 05:58 am (UTC)Its probably best to consult with Brian on these kinds of things :)
Knitting
Date: 2004-12-14 06:00 am (UTC)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!
Knitting
Date: 2004-12-14 06:01 am (UTC)That store is very cute (though, I thought they had closed a while ago?). My mom got this great pattern there for a sweater called "mother and baby" that was apparently a total bitch to make, but its a cute sweater. The place is owned by an old retired couple that knits together all day . . . so cute.
There's a place on Moody that my brother's friend's Mom owns that does classes. I'll probably check them out at some point too.
Crafts
Date: 2004-12-14 06:02 am (UTC)Nope. My mom does both but for some reason I never tried to learn from her. I think starting with knitting first may help me (because if I can do that, I can surely crochet!).
Re: Knitting
Date: 2004-12-14 06:18 am (UTC)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
Date: 2004-12-14 04:43 pm (UTC)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 :)
#