Greekchat Knitter's Circle
 

So it's time to confess... Are there any other knitters around? I have been knitting for about a year and a half and am totally addicted. Does anyone have any favorite yarn sites? Favorite patterns? I have not really ventured into the online world of yarn b/c I have a great yarn store down the street, but I'd love to learn.

This weekend I bought some really cute geisha in green and white to make a scarf.

LD

I bought the "Stitch-n-Bitch" book last fall, but with grad school craziness, I haven't had time to learn. I think I'm going to take a class at a community college just to get me started. I'd love to make some great home crafts!

I began knitting a few months ago, but its been a slow process for me. I learned to crochet first, and I'm having a hard time adjusting to using 2 needles instead of just 1. I'd love to take a class as well, as I think it might help me make the transition easier, but I haven't seen any offered around here.

All right... I confess. I knit.

I have knitted baby blankets for each of my closest friends and sisters who have had children. I've also knitted a couple of sweaters and a hat for myself, a long (think Doctor Who) scarf for my husband, and I still owe him a sweater...

However, my knitting projects take a back seat to my cross stitch. :cool:

In general, is knitting any easier than crocheting? I tried to take up crocheting this past winter, but the book I had stunk and I couldn't learn very well, so I gave up.

I think that knitting is easier to learn when you don't know either. The best book for learning is "Knitting for Dummies." It's a great book for learning simple stitches.

I have a great yarn store by me where the owner teaches you if you buy your yarn at the store. It's the greatest!

I learned to crochet over Christmas. It goes quickly after you learn but I think the stitches are harder to learn that knitting is.

I am so happy not to be the only knitter on GC!

LD

Crochetting is easier in my opinion - you only have to care about one stitch at a time! Look for old books to teach you - go 1970s or earlier. My grandma gave me a book from the mid 60s that was wonderful on the sitches.

I'm currently obsessed with crocheting socks.

I know how to crochet but i have always wanted to learn to knit. That and quilting.

I am obcessed with wanting to learn to make socks. I make the cutest baby booties but haven't learned how to make socks yet.

There are a lot of great yarn stores that probably aren't too far from you. You should learn to knit! There is nothing more relaxing!

aephi, I'm with you!

I absolutely LOVE cross stitch! Unfortunately, I haven't done any needlework in a few years, and I need to get back to it. I have several unfinished cross stitch projects that I was just looking at. I learned to knit and crochet when I was about 8 years old, and while I have the basics, I still haven't actually put together anything. What I really, really want to do is knit a sweater (cable stitch and all!). Any particular books that make it easy? Do you all have a favorite type of yarn that you like to use?

You ladies aren't playing fair. . . you're gonna make me go out this weekend and get new knitting needles and yarn. . .

Do I look 90?

Lord knows i need some serious relaxing these days..... i think i am going to get that book you suggested knitting for dummies. I don't know why i never learned it. i learned early on to crochet. I have been hearing how knitting is very relaxing and because now with twin nieces coming i need to get my self in gear!

Baby stuff is especially fun to knit b/c it is so quick. Aphigal's little one can attest to the fact that I LOVE knitting for little onesw. Good think they live in the cold!

I plan on learning this summer... but I already crochet. I'm currently working on a baby blanket for one of my best friends! :)

Yeah with my brothers two lil girls coming i need to get on the ball ( of yarn) ...ha....sorry a little tense these days gotta crack myself up... with those two coming soon i am thinking of planting a seed early on and making them burgandy and silver baby blankets...its never to early ya know!:D

I learned to cable using Knitting for Dummies. I haven't done too much cabling b/c it is so time consuming and requires so much concentration. For cabling I would get a wool cashmere blend. It's not too expensive and is really nice to knit and wear.

One of my good friends has a vogue knits sweater book that has some really cute sweater patterns. I have not yet ventured there.

I love making gifts for people, especially little hand knit dishclothes, hats, scarfs, baby booties and blankets, and my favorite thing to knit:

PURSES!

One of the yarn stores I frequent just got a new book of purse patterns and while they were sold out of the book, I saw the samples and they are adorable! I can't wait to get the book this week and start knitting one!

:p to you! I'm 24 and I crochet. I would like to learn to knit. My grandmother taught me to crochet but won't teach me to knit because she hates it. How hard is it to teach yourself?

I crochet, love it, but wish I knew how to knit as well. It seems like there's cooler patterns for knitting! I crocheted a scarf for my first little sister's I-night present and I think I'm going to crochet a purse for my current little sister's I-night. (It'll be a bit too warm for a scarf when April 23 rolls around! :D )

And I also loooove to sew and do cross stitch.

I'm so glad that being crafty not a dying art!

Oh, and I subscribe to the Lion Brand Yarn newsletter. It's usually not filled with much, but sometimes there's news about yarn sales in there and a few cute patterns!

I don't think it's that hard to teach yourself. I've taught myself a lot. The one thing that you may need someone to teach you is how to cast on. I find it is the hardest thing to learn when you're knitting.

My grandmother taught me to knit, but I can only knit and purl, nothing fancy. She was wonderful - made cute baby booties and caps. My mother (who is about the most un-crafty person I know) taught me to crochet a chain when I had the measles in 2nd grade. I taught myself to do other things like making granny squares for afghans.

My real passion is needlepoint. My cousin the Pi Phi used to own a needlepoint and knitting shop. I used to have a $200 a month needlpoint habit. Our motto was:

"Whoever dies with the most yarn - WINS!!"

I adore needlepoint, crewel, and cross-stitch and just found out that Michael's offers knitting classes. I hope to start when school's out!

It is, until you realize that you've been decreasing by the wrong amount for the past 20 rows and you have to rip it all out and do it allllll over again. :p

I love it! I think I'm well in the running :D I am currently not allowed to set foot in my local yarn store until I finish at least one of my many knitting, cross stitch, and needlepoint works in progress... :(

I think I might win the most yarn race. My entire kitchen table is covered in these cute bins right now all filled with yarn. And those are my projects that aren't active. For those who like to knit for babies you have to check out this yarn called Velvet by Peter Pan. It is the softest stuff. Knits up kind of like chennile, is totally machine washable and is the softest ever!

I learned to cast on and knit from a friend but then taught myself everything else about knitting from a book.

I have to agree that ripping out 20 rows sucks, but fortunately it doesn't happen too often :)

I can knit a little but I need Knitting for Dummies! :p
I used to do crochet when I was a kid. Mom made quite a few Afghans. I would like to relearn crochet too.

I envy people who can cross stitch. I can latch hook like nobody's business but cross stitch...nope

I haven't taken up knitting yet, but I'm a big cross-stitcher. I love it.

I've wanted to try knitting, but am afraid of becoming a crazy old cat lady before my time.

What's wrong with being a crazy cat lady while you're still young? You can enjoy it that much longer!! :)

I think knitting has lost its "cat lady" stigma. At least it has here in LA. I knit at La Knitterie and there are not usually that many women in there over the age of 40. Most of the regulars are mid-twenties to mid-thirties.

I was at wal mart earlier and i don't know great the yarn is there but i found this yarn that is very chenile feeling and ooooooh so pretty.

it is one of those marble swirly kinda of colors

HUnters, burgandys, navys, gold, pink and sages.....

Oh loved it. SO i got it . Now i need to get the kniting for dummies book so i can try and teach myself.

I used to crotchet when I was younger. I like to knit, cross stitch, and latch hook. Jill1228 I thought I was the only one. Lol.

I know when I pass Michael's or the yarn shop near me I doomed to get something. My mom is great at knitting and crotcheting. I still have the poncho *yes, it was the seventies*she made for me when I was little.

Everyone here is really into ponchos and wraps of various sorts. I crocheted this beautiful poncho for my stepmom for xmas and one of my chapter sisters knit me a gorgeous one! They are so much fun!

Laura, you can get Knitting for Dummies at any of the big book stores or on Amazon.com.

bumping. One of the paralegals at work has been knitting and one of my friends does, so i'm sorta inticed to join the trend.

The paralegal is bringing in her Knitting for Dummies book for me. I need to pick up some needles and yarn. There's a knitting store right by my office, but they're SUPER expensive, so I may hit up Joann Fabrics.

What size needles are good for newbies?

Depends on what you want to make and what type of yarn you want to use. The bigger the needles, the bigger the stitches, and the quicker you'll be done. Everyone's tension is different, so you will have to play around with different sizes a bit, knit some swatches and see what works.

I would not advise using very small needles. Your project will take forever and you'll end up frustrated.

Your local yarn store may have knitting classes or workshops. A book only gets you so far, especially when you are trying to hold the book open when your hands are full of needles and yarn :p An instructor can help you with things like how best to hold the needles, how to form the stitches properly (especially the trickier ones), etc.

Good luck and have fun! :)

Thank you! I'm starting out with #8s b/c the woman I work with has 9's and I like the way her scarf is looking (the store I went to only had 9's in plastic... my friend told me that the yarn slides better on the metal, so I got the metal). They had some absolutely HUGE plastic ones, but I've got small hands and would have issues managing them... plus I like how a smaller knit looks much better.

There's a yarn store about a block away from my office that has classes. Once I learn a little bit from my friends I may go to a few. Their yarn is ridiculously expensive and you're supposed to buy their yarn for class... so I may look into somewhere else.

Does anyone know of any good websites for very beginners?

Needle crafts!!!
 

Oh my favorite hobbies!!!!!

I do counted cross stitch, quilting, crochet and I just recently mastered knitting (it took me 30 years to conquer that!!! and then it suddenly dawned on me what was I doing wrong.. :)

I am completely self taught and won some ribbons at local fairs.

I love to share tips, sites and just chat about all I do.

Works in progress:

Cross Stitch
Teresa Wentzeler Winter Carousel Horse
BHG - Stuffed nativity

Quilt
Heritage baby quilt
noahs ark "cheater" quilt (a great way for a beginner to learn)

Crochet
a second filet crochet of the last supper
numerous baby booties (2 new grandsons arriving!)
and a christening outfit for grandsons.

I have THOUSANDS of patterns and charts, if you are looking for something...ask, I will see if I can find it in my "stash"

#8 is small for a beginner. If you get frustrated I would put the project you are doing on size 8s aside and try something a little bigger as your first project. Quite honesly you will likely never wear/use your first project b/c you are learning and you will be able to see mistakes. I usually advise people to start with something more along size 13+ short needles. I LOVE short needles and use them unless I have to use long or circulars.

I dont' know that the store had size 13. I know they had up to size 10, then some huge plastic things that I would not have been able to handle- don't know what size they were. They looked like big fat super long crayons and not at all comfortable to hold.

I played around with my needles last night, trying to follow directions on a website with good pictures. They felt comfortable and I could manuever them well. Just learning from pictures does suck! But i'll learn from a real person today :)

Those sound like size 34 needles. I call them my rocketships. You can use them to make blankets and stuff and they are awesome.

Glad to hear your needles are working for you. It's just harder on smaller needles b/c you have smaller stiches and it's more difficult to see what you are doing.

Knitting for Dummies is a GREAT book. I highly endorse it. There are also some great websites that teach you how to knit and pearl. I taught myself how to pearl off of one of them.

i don't know how to knit, but i love crochetting! my grandma taught me when i was really young how to crochet, do needle point and sew - i'm an all around martha stewart! haha :D :p

my roommate and one of my chapter sisters know how to knit, so i'll have to get one of them to teach me.

i'm currently making a baby blanket for my grand lil, she's due at the end of the month! since she doesn't know what it is, i did it in light blue, pale yellow and white - so if it's a girl, she's all ready for phi sig! and if it's a boy, then the colors work out. :D

yay, today at work i've learned how to cast on and how to knit. Purling will come eventually :)

I didn't know where I should post this information. The email came to me from my stitch n bitch group.If this needs to be moved to Hurricane Katrina thread, mods do as you wish.

--- Webs - America's Yarn Store <webs@yarn.com> wrote:


Dear Customers, over the past couple of days, all of
here at WEBS have been moved by the devastation that
Hurricane Katrina has brought the Gulf Coast. The
magnitude of this tragedy is overwhelming. We met
with our team here and we all agree that we need to do
something. So, starting today, for the next 10 days,
we will donate 10% of all purchases to the American
Red Cross. If you order on-line, over the phone or
shop in our Northampton store, 10% of your purchase,
through September 10th, will be given to the hurricane
relief efforts of the Red Cross. There is nothing
special you have to do, just shop.

We hope you will join with us in supporting this very
worthwhile cause for the people who have lost so much
across the Gulf Coast States.

www.yarn.com

Sincerely,

The Elkins Family and the Webs Team