Learning to knit!

[sheddie]

My daughter is learning to knit for therapy. We are doing a sampler of the basic stitches, I am amazed that quite a few of her friends would like to learn to knit also.This might be an idea for someone to do as nightclasses.:)

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Sheddie, There are some great knitting sites. Just google knitting, and knitting patterns, and you will find lots of free patterns, and lessons on how to do different stitches. After Reading The Friday night Knitting Club, I have an urge to knit again. I have so little time, so I have taken up knitting clothes for Muffin's teddies and dolls. Quick, and fulfills my need. Just bought some great dolls knitting patterns on EBay. Have fun. Hope you are getting better every day.

[annie fenbug]

Worth trying your local wool shop (it may take a bit of searching but they're still out there !) They should know of any local classes and clubs, and some of the bigger ones will have demonstrators coming in.

[Crocus]

I think knitting is a wonderful therapy Sheds. I copied this from a previous posting I put on:

JOLIE - Knittingshop in Hertfordshire
Hi all, For all the enthusiastic knitters out there, I came across this article in the April Edition of Country Homes & Interiors.

http://www.jolie-home.co.uk/

[Rustic Pumpkin]

I want to take up knitting again. Remember the two balls of yarn anyone?

[Ivy]

I am a knitting addict. Last night there was a small program on knitting on tv and they said it's the latest craze in Hollywood. Well I heard that Julia Roberts knits whenever she is making films and not required on the scene and other's are following her example. At least it is a healthy and creative fashion and might save the last few remaining wool shops. Buying on-line isn't really an alternative as colours and feel of a yarn are very important when buying wool.

[sheddie]

We will be having a couple of friends of Jo's round Thursday evening, who haven't got a clue. Whoever said I could teach knitting to others was really spinning a yarn. Also we had to buy our wool from a Hardware store, strange eh? X

[Ivy]

Sheddy maybe you shouldn't make them knit steel wool to start with!:D

[Crocus]

Oh dearie me .....:eek: .......perhaps not with the first lesson ........:D
there's a slight possibility they won't turn up for lesson no. 2........


Oh, and something else, I never knew one could buy knitting yarn at a hardware store.......... must go and have a look when I next visit the UK ........:rolleyes::D


Softie, you'll have to warn your friends .........

[annie fenbug]

We do have a dedicated wool shop on the High Street in Ely, but if you want to find the best haberdasher's/patchwork/sewing supplies for miles around you go to .... the City Cycle Centre!

[keepersdaughter]

I'm knitting a lovely little pattern I found on line for a welsh cottage tea cosy, even got a couple of dear little sheep. If anyone's interested I can post a link.

I learned to knit in kindergarten class at school. I can remember it now. When we in Italy I went in and gave my son's whole class basic knitting lesson. Funnily enough the boys were really keen to learn.

I think knitting's great because it keeps your hands busy and away from the snacks and you can do it while watching the tele.

[Crocus]

Hi KD, I would love to see the Welsh cottage tea cosy!

[sheddie]

Well it's still on for tomorrow night but the pupils have now ordered bacon rolls, where does that fit in I would like to know?

Keepers the cosy sounds lovely, I would like the pattern.The sheep may be a bit ambitious for me though. X

[keepersdaughter]

Hello girls, I tried to post a link but it said 'domain name expired'. I'm trying to work out how to get to the original link. If not, I saved the pattern to my favourites and can print copies off and send them to you. Bear with me. (not bare with me :) :) :) ).

[sheddie]

Well everyone the knitting evening went very well, in fact I took some photos, I shall put them on here. X

[Crocus]

Regarding the bacon rolls Sheds, one has to eat, especially when trying to knit!;) xxxx

[Gentian]

I am a knitting fanatic, I have to have two or three projects on the go. I am atm knitting bookmarks to give to my WI ladies next Christmas, I know I'm mad, but don't want to be doing them in the summer. I have to do 45 and have just finished the 36th, so not far to go. Then for the old folks club Christmas lunch we are knitting puddings filled with a Ferrera Rocher chocolate, 65 of those.
I can read and watch TV and knit but not eat a bacon buttie.
Look forward to the pics Sheds

[Crocus]

I also like to knit, providing it's not to much of a difficult pattern. I've knit quite a lot of the boys' stuff as well. My mum in law can knit the most difficult of patterns, cables, anything while talking away, watching telly, most times not even thinking about what she's doing.

[sheddie]

Well here is the pics all of the knitting girls, they did very well. Just look at the concentration! X:D

[dragonfly]

Well done girls. What are they knitting sheddie?

[sheddie]

HI Dragon they are just doing samplers at the moment, it was only the first night, but Softie's is longest because she has been doing it for therapy. X

[Crocus]

My, but they knitted eh? A few more classes and they'll be knitting for Britain! Wel done Sheds and girls.xxx

[sheddie]

I am finding it very thereputic and am now on my 3rd square. X

[Crocus]

It is very therapeutic and creative at the same time. I remember when I knited all those squares last year for Msinga, it almost became addictive xxx

[sheddie]

Those pics were great Crocus any idea where they are I would like to show them to Jo. X

[Crocus]

I'll try and find it Sheds. xxx

Hi Sheds, it's on page 14 in the NTN section, thread called "The Trip".

[sheddie]

Thanks Crocus will show her later. X

[RebPax]

I decided to do some knitting last year and began knitting fingerless gloves. Hadn't done any knitting for years and I was amazed at how much I remembered. I was feeling quite proud of myself until I got to making the thumb and after hours and hours of trying to work it out, with me reading aloud the pattern to my mum on the phone and her not being able to help, I had to give up. The one half finished glove is now shoved in a box in the cupboard, knitting needles still attached, probably feeling terribly alone and dejected. Will stick to scarves from now on....

[sheddie]

Hi Rebpax good to speak with you. I haven't knitted for years and would probably land up in the same situation as you with the glove, hence I am just sticking to squares for a blanket at the moment. X

[Ivy]

Reb Pax cast off stitches and regain them in the following row to make the hole for the thumb.

[RebPax]

Thanks Ivy, but with this particular "fingerless" glove the fingers are knitted to about half way. Does that make sense? I mean they just don't get closed off, but there's still an individual "tube" for each finger.

[sheddie]

Rebpax no advice from me just too complicated. X

[RebPax]

yeah I'm thinking it can stay in the drawer and my mum can sort it...

[sheddie]

But Repax we won't give up, just do something simpler. Did you know all the stars are taking up knitting? X

[RebPax]

He he, well if Hollywood's doing it I better jump on that bandwagon. I can just imagine the next gala event, all the starlets turning up in crocheted tops and knitted vests. They probably have some very highly paid knitting instructors or pattern interpreters. Or maybe knitting needles with artificial intelligence.

[sheddie]

It has been in our newspapers that celebrities are knitting whilst waiting to do their part in a film or T.V. X

[Crocus]

Wow, knitting needles with artificial intelligence - that won't be bad at all! Especially if the knitting pattern could be programmed into these needles and it could tell us in some way where we go wrong of what to do next! xx

[sheddie]

I went in a charity shop and they had a really big bag of all size of needles so I bought lots for Country Matters for 20p a pair. Bargain Eh? X

[Crocus]

Wow yes, that is a bargain Sheds - you could start a knitting club! X

[Ivy]

RebPax it makes sense and I know how to do them but I can't explain it on the internet so better ask your mum

[sunflower]

Well, I have just finishd the two bunnies for Easter for my grandaughters. Now tonight I'm starting to knit a dress for the white bunny. Grandaughter wants a pink and purple checked dress!! I love challenges.

[Crocus]

A pink and purple checked dress, now there's a challange Sunflower! Happy knitting! x

[Crocus]

I remember when I was about 5 years old, my dad's sister one afternoon sat me down, and "informed" me that she's going to teach me to "knit". This is now after I've been nagging and moaning for either her or my mum to please help me.

I didn't do too bad, (!) took hours of course, because I first had to learn how to cast on stitches which frustrated me no end, because it kept on slipping off the needle! After I managed that, the "knitting began" - oh dear. If one can call it knitting, that is. Anyway, I managed to knit a few stitches in plain, much to my proud elation! And then the fun started - when I wanted to start the second row, I couldn't get the needle through, because I knitted it SO tight, the stitches had to be cut of the needle with a scissors!:eek:

Needless to say, that was the end of it for that day. Next day, same thing, day after that, same thing, until I "mastered" the art of casting on a few stitches, knitting a few stitches, even down to the 3rd and 4th row. Wow, I was so proud of myself. Wonder why I didn't keep that piece of artful knitting .......:rolleyes:

[sheddie]

I've just bought some woollen chicks in aid of our local hospice. If you are lucky you might get one! X

[Crocus]

Oh that sounds cute Sheds! How's the knitting progressing? XX

[sheddie]

I am still knitting patches of all colours for The Country Matters blanket, but thought the chicks very cute, I shall send you one Crocus. X

[Crocus]

Hi Sheds, oh that will be lovely thanks !! I'll keep an eye on the mailbox. XX

[Treehugger]

Sheds, excuse my ignorance, but what's 'Country Matters'? I fancy having a go at knitting myself so would love to know if there's a charity that I can send my efforts to. xxx

[sheddie]

Hi TH Country Matters is a business set up in an old village hall by 3 village women. It has a tearoom inside called The Lavender Tearooms and is in Bedfordshire. I frequent it once a week the cake is divine and it is all Victorian china. I sell some old bygone pieces there and everyone is so friendly. I shall check with them exactly where the blanket will be going, I have been knitting squares of all colours and am finding it very thereputic and as I only have 30 stitches on it doesn't get too heavy for my arm (I recently had BC Treehugger, that's the reason)X

[sunflower]

I've started a new knitting project...something I have had in my mind for a few years. One of my sons brought some wool back from Northern Canada....a variety of colours on one skien, 'young' pinks, greens, lemons, cream. I've started to knit a wall hanging and knitting different stitches when the colour changes. The result is a very textured piece of work that, from a distance looks like a spring garden. Also, I would love to knit a wall hanging depicting English field patterns. I find field shapes so facinating and beautiful, but will have to get a bit more clever to tackle that project!!

[franbee]

That sounds very artistic sf, you must be very talented. I'm just a technician, can follow a design but can't make them.

[sheddie]

I am in the process of kniting a jumper for a much loved elephant. haven't followed a pattern for years so don't know how it will turn out but I'm having a go! X

[Crocus]

I also haven't followed a pattern for quite a while, I think the last time was when the boys were babies! My sister loves to knit, especially following patterns as does my mum in law. She can knit the most difficult stuff and still be able to watch telly, listen to the radio, or follow a conversation! I'm to stupid!

[franbee]

My late Auntie was a whizz at knitting. When the children were small, I used to draw round their hands, send the drawing to Auntie, and a week later a pair of gloves would arrive. When they got older, they would choose colours or designs for themselves. My daughter always got a beautiful cardigan or jumper for her birthday too.

[sheddie]

Thing is how am I going to fit the elephants ears and trunk through the neck? X

[franbee]

Doesn't the trunk go on the face sheddie?

[dinger]

Yes the trunk is on his face but how am I going to get it over his head and trunk? sheds visiting dinger X

[Crocus]

You'll have to sew on little buttons and knit some buttenholes I think Sheds. xxx

[Sparrow]

Hi Ladies, long time no chat! Letter in the post to you Sheddie.

I was teaching 3 girls at Girls Brigade how to knit on Monday. Talk about the blind leading the blind!! Still, I suppose you only need to be a few stitches ahead at any one time.

Love to all
Sparrow

[Crocus]

Wow Sparrow, long time no chat definitely! Where have you been and how are you doing? It's so nice to see you on here. Please don't stay away so long, we miss you!
How's the flower arranging going these days?


Hope you knitting class went well. xx

[sheddie]

Hi Sparrow received card in the post today, many thanks I'll be in touch. keep well eh? X

[Sparrow]

Thanks Sheddie. All good at this end of the world. We're heading into winter, so my knitting needles are poised for new projects. I need to spend a few days catching up with all the interesting threads on RM. Greetings to everyone.