Sunday, December 26, 2010

Scarf Progress

Well, it's not perfect but it's coming along. I ripped it out 4-5 times before I just let it go. I am learning more about tension and what it does to a piece of knitting. But I want to finish this so I will keep going. I think I enjoy using smaller needles than the size 13's I am using on this scarf. I think my next project with be something in the purl stitch. One step at a time. I'm not ready for socks or hats yet. I don't have circulars-but I really want them. I desperately want to make socks and a shawl. My daughter is frustrated with knitting and she can't get the tension right. She's using cotten and I struggle with that to. I think she needs to use fatter yarn to get comfortable and convince herself she can do it. I want to take her to the yarn boutique in Brookfield and see if the ladies can help her.



I decided after knitting on it some more to rip it one more time and try again. This time, I got it. The key I learned was to have very consistant and light tension. Plus I decided to slip the first stitch. It's amazing how it gives both edges the same look. Now I have a scarf that is the same width. I'm very happy with it!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Santa brought me knitting needles and yarn! Of course I don't believe in santa but it has been a hard week not knitting. I also got 3 skeins of yarn from my daughter. I have been immersed in knitting books trying to learn and not go crazy. It will hopefully be a scarf in the future. My daughter got knitting needles and yarn to.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Went to a yarn store

Today I went to The River Boutique and Yarns yarn shop in Brookfield, WI today. Oh my! I love this place. It has tons of yarn and the best part about it is the atmosphere. They have in the front-middle of the store couches and chairs to just sit and knit! I walked in and the owners or workers were just stitting there knitting. No other customers were there. I talked to them for awhile and they are so warm and inviting.

It is so opposite of another yarn store I have gone to called Knitch in Delafield. It's a great place to, but it's more buisness like than a knitting environment. The knitting area is in the far back of the store. Kind of like a private room. At River Boutique the knitters and customers are all blended together free to talk and share with each other. Plus it's a bigger store with room to move. I feel like I should buy something at Knitch, but at the River Boutique, they don't seem to care if I buy, they seem more interested in sharing the knitting knowledge and encouraging you and helping you and showing you. I don't feel uncomfortable asking questions or asking for help. At Knitch I feel I need to take a class to get the attention I need and my questions answered. Both are great places but I feel more comfortable at River Boutique. I can't wait to take my daughter there to just sit on the couches and knit and talk. Plus I want her to touch the 100% angora yarn that's $45 a skein! God must have made his clouds out of angora! Come on Christmas, hurry up and get here so I can knit!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Last of the knitted loomed gifts



I finished this curley-q scarf tonight just in time for my daughter's christmas party at school. The scarf is for my youngest daughter's teacher. I really hope she likes it and wears it. She did like it and said she had a few things she could wear it with. Another teacher said she wanted the pattern. Well, the pattern is a needle patten but with my versio of it on the loom. I think it was a success. I also learned I have two knitters in my church! Plus one of my aunts knits! Hw do you know someone for 42 years and not know they knit? I guess I don't know her then.

A loom finish

I finished this for myself a few weks ago. I really like it. It was made on the loom. I am thinking of making another one but where it lays flat against the back of your neck. I look like I am wearing a clown suit with it on.


Friday, December 10, 2010

I'm getting it!

Well, after 4 days of practicing I am getting it. I have the knit stitch down. I have to work in the purl stitch. If I can get these two down, I can make anything!
I also figured out that I have to knit more than 2 rows to be able to see how things are progressing. I have to pull at the stitches to make them look good. I really want to post pics but I can't upload pics to my computer. I decided I am going to make a scarf for myself. I have to decide if I am going to use thick and quik or a lighter yarn with varigation. There are so many things I want to make, I just have to be patient and practice every day till I wrap up my needles up for Christmas. I am hopful I can be a true knitter and make things I can be proud of. I included links to some of the projects I would like to tackle. I am going to make a scarf with the knit/garter stitch. Then I will make someting with a purl stitch in it.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Why I wanted to learn to knit

My daughter got some Knifty Knitters a couple of years ago for a birthday gift. She loved it and knitted a few things. I took to it also and really enjoy it. But then my daughter was taught a bit on how to knit with needles and she has talked about it ever since. She has hooked me to. I walked into a nice knitting store one day and that was it. I saw a georgeous shawl I wanted to make. I tried to figure out a way to make it on the loom. But the more I studied stitches and patterns the more I wanted to learn to knit with needles. So I bought my daughter some needles, a book and some yarn for Christmas. I also bought myself some needles to give to myself as a gift.

But I have become obsessed with the thought of learning to knit. I found ome easy
beginner dishcloth pattern on the web and some very good teaching videos on the basics. So I decided I was going to use the needles I bought, learn in secret from my daughter. I will buy more needles (after I decide I really can knit and love it)wrap them up for myself for Christmas. I figure if I learn the basics, I can help my daughter if she has a problem. So here I am on the cusp of learning. I can't wait!