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Post by clcountry on Oct 4, 2016 21:12:10 GMT -5
Wahhhhh. I just had to pull out hours of work one sweater. I noticed I had done the cables in the wrong direction. There was no saving it. I actually pulled out everything I had done. I decided I needed a restart. I wasn't totally happy with how it was looking. So, it was a bit cathartic. But, man I really hate when I have to pull out that much work. I would say it was probably 8 hours of work. Oh no,suzie! That really stinks. I hate that you had to undo all of that work, but hopefully now you'll be really happy with what you make. I made a really stupid mistake on my baby blanket yesterday and am going to have to pull a few rows out. I'm going to wait until I have a more experienced knitter around though, so it doesn't turn into a total disaster. I started a ten stitch blanket tonight. I was really intimidated by the mitered corners, but I got the first part of the first one done easily, so I think I can do it. I also started a scarf. I had tried to start it before and the yarn messed up on me, so this time I'm being very gentle and knitting loosely. I love the yarn, so I'm really hoping I can make it work. So, I guess that's a three projects going at once, plus I want to knit at least one dishcloth to take to my stepmother when I visit later this month. Yep. I have a problem.
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Post by V on Oct 5, 2016 7:12:54 GMT -5
There are worse problems to have!
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Post by suzieq52083 on Oct 5, 2016 7:26:23 GMT -5
Lol, yeah, its not the end of the world. I'm strangely okay with it. I would normally be really upset about that much work. But, I want to work on making a few parts better. I could have left a section of ribbing at the collar, but decided pulling out the whole thing was the best option.
Cl - you are out of control!! I can't believe how many projects you have started. Lol. But, I am what they call a 'monogamous' knitter. I really like to work on one project at a time. I am breaking away from it as I get more complicated patterns though. I tend to have a project I can work on in public and one that I need to keep at home.
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Post by clcountry on Oct 5, 2016 7:28:41 GMT -5
Definitely, V ! I discovered that there's a yarn store in Tulsa that offers a lot of different classes and meet ups. Classes are $20 each or $60 for five which seems like a pretty good deal to me. I think I'm going to attend the block blanket class. Course description from their Facebook page: Expand your knitting repertoire while making an incredible, heirloom blanket! Each month we learn a new stitch and make a block. The blocks "build" on one another in a natural progression. Also, one of my knitting buddies has invited me to her knitting group tomorrow night. I'm starting to feel like I really lucked out when I chose this to be my distracting hobby during this otherwise sucky time. It's fun, and I'm making new friends and getting closer to old ones. ETA: suzieq52083, yeah, I need lots of things going, so when I get frustrated I can switch. Also, the ten stitch blanket requires concentration and the baby blanket is a gift, so I really need to be able to focus on them, but the scarf I'm just going to do in rows and rows of garter stitch, so I can work on it when I want something mindless to keep my hands busy.
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Post by V on Oct 5, 2016 7:31:10 GMT -5
I'm a one at a time girl. If I try to get going on a complicated pattern, I need to keep focused on just that one repetition or I will mess up everything. I'm still looking for a project to get started, but I'm looking at an entreloc (sp?) scarf or hat with the fall colors and maybe a pair of mitts with the design on the back of the hands/wrists.
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pepper
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Post by pepper on Oct 5, 2016 7:55:44 GMT -5
clcountry, I love that you're totally immersed right off the bat. Last night I was working on my oatmeal-and-black striped shawl, and all I could think about was the shawl ashtangi posted with all those beautiful colors. MUST. NOT. START. 4TH. PROJECT. Grrrrrrrrrr!
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Post by ashtangi on Oct 5, 2016 8:33:12 GMT -5
Oh suzieq52083 I hear you on having to rip out a bunch of rows. It's like a punch to the gut, isn't it? I've had to do that more times that I can count. I wish I could focus on one project at a time but I usually have more than one going. I have a small project with me at work so I can knit at lunch, and then I have another one (or two or more) at home. pepper I'll take a pic of the Ishbel that I'm working on now and post it tonight. I'm telling you, I waited MONTHS to order the yarn because I couldn't decide which color to get. I wanted all of them! @v I'm planning on knitting some fingerless mitts because they keep me warm and they are a small enough project to use up all the yarn leftover from my socks. clcountry that class sounds cool, and the one block at a time blanket is a really neat idea. Blankets are a big project (duh) but breaking it up into little squares will probably make it more manageable.
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Post by V on Oct 5, 2016 9:07:07 GMT -5
I love the couple of pairs of fingerless mitts that I have made myself in the past. They are getting raggedy, tho. I need new ones. I wear them in the office so that I can work on the computer without freezing to death in the icebox that is my office.
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Post by clcountry on Oct 5, 2016 9:49:41 GMT -5
A question for the longtime knitters in our group:
What do you consider to be essential knitting tools, other than the obvious needles and yarn? And what is your preferred brand/type of needle, if you have one?
So far, my needle caps are my very favorite things. They have saved me several times already.
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pepper
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Post by pepper on Oct 5, 2016 10:08:22 GMT -5
I have a quart size ziplock baggie with all my necessities in it. It moves to whichever project basket I'm working on. It contains:
crochet hook for picking up dropped stitches tape measure small notebook post-it notes pen and pencil scissors stitch markers in different colors yarn needle for weaving in ends
I also keep the book, "The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques" nearby in case I need to look up a particular increase, decrease, do buttonholes, or some other thing I need a reminder of how to do.
My very favorite needles are Addi turbos. (I only use circular needles, or doublepoints* for socks.) The points are nice and sharp, so it's easier to pick up the next stitch. Also, the cable between the ends doesn't stay looped after they're removed from the package.
*Most of my double points are Inox.
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Post by V on Oct 5, 2016 11:11:23 GMT -5
Pretty much what Pepper mentioned. Stitch/row counter and a ruler with gauge holes to check the circular needles. I bought a project case made out of cloth that holds needles, misc stuff like she mentioned, and can contan a small project when folded up. I found it at a yarn shop years ago. I also have a larger canvas shopping type bag that usually lives near my sofa that contains everything I need for larger projects (extra skeins, magazine with the pattern). s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/35/41/44/3541445fc94af91ffcd8118899720579.jpgSimilar to this type of case.
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Post by nopolkadotbikini on Oct 5, 2016 12:33:15 GMT -5
That's a great idea committed, I saw a pattern for fingerless gloves I considered trying but never thought about wearing them at work. I'm always cold. This is my current project. It's a small baby blanket for my new cousin, http://instagr.am/p/BLMIeufj92W
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Post by elle on Oct 5, 2016 14:37:08 GMT -5
(I'm a little behind on the thread, sorry!)
suzieq52083 - I love knitting socks, too! Instant gratification! As far as having lots of knitted items (like scarves) at home, I actually think I have a lot fewer items than 20 years of knitting should produce. I think maybe 80% of what I make is a gift for someone else. Recently I've started making more things for myself, though.
It's so disheartening to have to undo hours worth of work. I've taken apart entire sweaters after they've been sewed together because they just weren't quite right. It feels a bit like I'm wasting all of those hours spent on the sweater, but then I remind myself that it's actually a waste of money and time if I make something that I'll never use (or won't feel good giving away).
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Post by elle on Oct 5, 2016 14:40:56 GMT -5
I have a lot of the same essential items as other people have mentioned. I do like to keep a tin of L'Occitane shea butter cream with my knitting supplies, especially for during the winter when my hands are already prone to drying out. It keeps my cuticles from drying and cracking after spending hours working with the yarn.
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pepper
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Post by pepper on Oct 5, 2016 15:02:59 GMT -5
elle , I have a sweater that's completely finished but it's just too big. I've needed to unknit it for years but I think I'll cry when I do. It's this one. It also has that leaf design on the sleeves. It's made of THE softest silk and hemp yarn. I just can't wear the darned thing.
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Post by elle on Oct 5, 2016 15:07:56 GMT -5
pepper that's beautiful! I've had to set aside a finished project for a year or two before I could bring myself to take it apart and start again. But the yarn you used sounds so nice, and definitely deserves to be a sweater that you'll enjoy wearing :-)
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Cyn
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Post by Cyn on Oct 5, 2016 15:26:30 GMT -5
I've been avidly reading, but needed to get some other projects (organizing, jobs search stuff) squared away before I head down this rabbit hole. I am more a crocheter than knitter. I taught myself how to knit a few years back, but was not doing well evenly gaugeing my stitches. I even taught myself some rudimentary cabling, but I think I need a few classes to increase my knitting confidence.
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Post by elle on Oct 5, 2016 16:27:31 GMT -5
Cyn I've always wanted to learn more than the very basics of crocheting. I see so many cute blanket and hat patterns I'd like to make. But what I really want to be able to do is make some of the crocheted amigurumi patterns I've found. I love making little stuffed animals and Christmas ornaments, and I'd have a wider range of patterns if I could just crochet them!
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Post by nopolkadotbikini on Oct 5, 2016 16:48:12 GMT -5
Elle, I made my 1st stuffed animal not that long ago and really enjoyed doing it. I plan to do more in the future. This is it: http://instagr.am/p/BLMmJLCgIIM
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Cyn
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Post by Cyn on Oct 5, 2016 16:57:54 GMT -5
That elephant is very cute. elle crocheting is pretty easy to learn, especially since you're only manipulating one needle, not two. I'll see if I can find a good youtube video for you. I learned when I was 7, so it's been awhile. Eta: I just reread your post, so I see you know the basics. How are you at reading simple patterns? I suggest maybe you start with some of the snowflake type decorations, they can help you with some more complicated stitchery, and using smaller sizes of the needle and tighter yarns/threads.
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Post by clcountry on Oct 5, 2016 18:36:35 GMT -5
Elle, I made my 1st stuffed animal not that long ago and really enjoyed doing it. I plan to do more in the future. This is it: http://instagr.am/p/BLMmJLCgIIM I love your little elephant! So cute! There's a crocheted jellyfish on Pinterest that I really want to make, but I can't for the life of me figure out crocheting.
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pepper
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Post by pepper on Oct 5, 2016 18:50:29 GMT -5
Awww! That is adorable.
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Post by V on Oct 6, 2016 6:39:57 GMT -5
First attempt at entrelac pattern. I can see where I flubbed stiches and joining. That's part of the reason I wanted to use multiple colors so I could more clearly see how it worked. But I like the color combos. Now I have to decide if I've learned enough to try incorporating it into something like gloves.
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Cyn
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Post by Cyn on Oct 6, 2016 8:00:46 GMT -5
Impressive, V!
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Post by clcountry on Oct 6, 2016 8:08:19 GMT -5
V, I love, love, love the look of entrelac. Once I get a little more comfortable with my knitting, I'm going to try to knit a scarf I found on Ravelry using this technique. It's so pretty. I had lunch with a friend who knits yesterday, and she told me about some charities she knits for sometimes. Are you guys familiar with The Pink Slipper Project? They knit slippers, washcloths, and blankets for people and pets in homeless and domestic violence shelters. She also wants to get involved in the Knitted Knocker project, which knits prostheses for women who have had to undergo a mastectomy. Does anyone else knit for charity? I worked on my scarf some yesterday. I have to be really careful and gentle or the garn falls apart, but it's so pretty, I can't wait to see this all finished. I'm planning to do straight garter stitch all the way through and then add fringe to the ends. I also started a dishcloth for my stepmother using the same pattern as my last one. Once you know the pattern, these knit up fast, too! I started last night after work and I'm already more than half-finished. I'm using yarn from Hobby Lobby on this one, and I'm amazed at the difference it makes. It's so much softer and easier to work with than the cheap Walmart kind. I've decided to start my ten stitch blanket over and use bigger yarn and needles, so it goes a little faster. I'm going to wait until I finish one of my bigger projects to start it again, though. I did buy the yarn though (or some of it, at least), and it's beautiful. Also, I have a major yarn problem!
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