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Post by Emily on Nov 22, 2013 19:01:29 GMT
Hi guys! I'm really trying to find ways to teach myself how to knit or crochet. Anyone have the website or videos where they learned to do either? I also saw this project: bittersweetblog.com/2007/02/19/birds-of-a-feather/Is that a good starter? I have a friend who owns a yarn shop and she does classes for $20 but she's an hour away and I won't be able to do that until after Christmas time. I'm wondering what else I can do that will help me catch on. |
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Post by Emily on Nov 22, 2013 19:09:32 GMT
This is how much I know about knitting, and this is the only thing I've made.   It was suppose to be a square.  And this is my mom's dog, Jasper modeling with the thing I made...haha his only flaws are loving me too much and tolerating me. |
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Post by Pammy on Nov 22, 2013 19:28:06 GMT
Aww, sweet Jasper! The little birdies are adorable!! They are crocheted, though, and I don't crochet (yet), so I can't say whether they would be a beginner project. They look fairly simple, though, if you can crochet! I know that's a big IF. I am a knitter. When I see a stitch I don't quite remember, or am not familiar with at all, I go to YouTube and type in the name of the stitch - for example, "wrap & turn." A bunch of videos will pop up, and I generally look for one by a lady called the Knit Witch, because I like the nice, clear and slow way she demonstrates her stitches. The great thing about YouTube videos is you can pause and back up as many times as you need to. Just the other day, I watched one of her videos to remind myself how to graft using the Kitchener stitch. I did it right along with the Knit Witch, pausing and backing up a couple of times, or five times.  but I got it, and my work turned out lovely and smooth. I'm knitting a Christmas stocking for my oldest daughter's boyfriend. He's been in the picture for 4 1/2 years now. Guess he rates a stocking. I turned the heel without incident, but I needed help remembering how to graft the toe. It turned out great! Now I'm in process of using duplicate stitch to write his name on the cuff, and am completely unhappy with how the lettering is turning out. Back to the drawing board.... |
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Post by Sarah on Nov 22, 2013 19:50:44 GMT
Both of these videos are great starting lessons for the simplest things you can make with either knitting or crochet. The little stuffed birdies are not really for beginners until you can make a piece of smooth fabric. You seem to suffer from the most common beginner's problem: irregular tension XD This is something that you can only learn with practice. The key is to pull the yarn or thread exactly as hard in the second line of stitches as the first, and exactly as hard on the fiftieth. Different people use different things to learn this: like using the width of the needle and only pulling until the thread is even and not taught. I usually actually use the sensation of the pressure of the yarn on my finger when I pull it - when it digs in just a bit but not so hard its uncomfortable I instinctively move on. You can't develop these good habits until you have been knitting or crocheting for some time though. I had plenty of wonky uneven projects at the beginning XD
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Post by dianapalmer on Nov 23, 2013 16:01:08 GMT
I used to do a lot of knitting and crocheting. I think crochet is easier for a beginner--no dropped stitches and just one needle. I wish I still did it. I guess the time I used to spend knitting I now spend on the computer. That may be a little bit sad--I'm not sure. I do learn a lot on the internet.
My mother taught me to knit, and my grandmother taught me to crochet.
Pammy, I really admire your ability to make a Christmas stocking! I was going to knit socks once, but found the directions on turning the heel very confusing.
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Post by luvsanimals2 on Nov 23, 2013 16:59:52 GMT
awww, what a cute pup!
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Post by Pammy on Nov 23, 2013 18:14:00 GMT
Thanks, Diana! Knitting brings me a lot of pleasure. I was intimidated by the phrase "turning the heel" too, but it ended up being not so difficult. Once I decide what I am going to do about getting Hughes' name on the stocking, I will post a picture. Of course that is IF the desktop is put back together.
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but I got it, and my work turned out lovely and smooth. I'm knitting a Christmas stocking for my oldest daughter's boyfriend. He's been in the picture for 4 1/2 years now. Guess he rates a stocking. I turned the heel without incident, but I needed help remembering how to graft the toe. It turned out great! Now I'm in process of using duplicate stitch to write his name on the cuff, and am completely unhappy with how the lettering is turning out. Back to the drawing board....
