Knitting for the Beginner

[Rev]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

What are some of the better knitting forums? I've been to knittinghelps.com a few weeks ago, and yes its videos are very helpful. It helped me to realise I learned a hybrid form of knitting when I was young.

[col90]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

What are some of the better knitting forums? I've been to knittinghelps.com a few weeks ago, and yes its videos are very helpful. It helped me to realise I learned a hybrid form of knitting when I was young.

If you're interested in a group that is involved in 19th century knitting, and very helpful, then try cwneedleworkers, a yahoo group. It is for all types of period needlework, but seems to center more on knitting, and is dedicated to doing it as close to period as possible. As far as contemporary knitting help, knitlist, another yahoo group is great. There is also historicknit, another yahoo group, but it deals predominantly with the craft from the 17th and 18th century.

My first recommendation would be cwneedleworkers, and you may even find some familiar "faces" there.

Colleen

[Drygoods]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

I guess I shouldn't be so into the stigma of "woman's work", since I've had to sew gowns for my son, and I've been learning emroidery as of late, so what's one more practical skill!

Gentlemen,
Never worry about being teased by your fellow soldiers because you do handwork. You know, at my drygoods tent I hear all sorts of comments, and one that I particularly got a charge out of was a group of fellows who had teased their friend for knitting, however, with the next breath they praised his name up to the heavens for being so hardcore and how they wished that they could knit their own gear.:D Yeah, hardcore guys sew their own clothes and knit their own socks, what is so surprising in that? Learn to knit, or do any form of handwork, and lead by example. More than likely, you'll find yourself well in demand making socks for your group of friends.;)

Hey, I was so impressed with this one guy who did/does his own handwork, I went out and married him.

[Pvt Peck]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

I too am glad this came up, I surprised my wife's knitting group once by whipping out a funny little hat for our dog I'd knitted up. I need to get back into tying to properly learn, that way Troy and I can knit at the next dance instead of partering up and scaring everyone else on the floor! (inside joke) I have already seen some great tips on here, thanks to everyone who replied as you have us pointed in the right direction to get started in period style. "Cast on in nine times, CAST...."

[Rev]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

"Cast on in nine times, CAST...."

:D:D Too funny!

[Spinster]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Here's Lawrence's knitting lesson, as he starts the double knit heel flap. The beautiful young lady is his daughter working on her garters. Pay no attention to the strangely dressed woman--she thinks its 1740.

Lawrence has also learned in conversation what a fine time he would have if he signed up for Into the Piney Woods, as well as how many pairs of socks he would need to finish between now and then. His goal is now a matter of public record, so he cannot back down...........:D

[Jennifer T Wisener]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

How that I will have to learn ( a double knit heel), I have made one pair of double knit winter cuffs. Might I ask where to find the sock pattern?

That's a winter project, I have made four pairs of socks from the toe up, now for the cuff down.

[Spinster]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

To double knit your heel flap from any sock:

Put half your stitches on one needle.
Slip the first stitch, and knit across. Turn work
Slip the first stitch, purl, slip, purl, to end of row. Turn work.
Repeat until flap is 3 inches long. Turn heel as normal and pick up gusset stitches through the slipped stitches on the edge of the heel flap.

If you are maintaining a "seam" or purl stitch down the back of the stocking, count that stitch as an extra one on the needle, and maintain it as an exterior purl regardless of the pattern. It is the center stitch on the needle.

When you are done, on the inside of the sock, you will have little channels where the thread carries across the slipped stitches. If you are really hyperactive, and there is room in the shoe, run yarn through those channels, giving a third layer on the heel.

They will still manage to march through it, but at least you will have tried.

[Rev]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Here's Lawrence's knitting lesson, as he starts the double knit heel flap. The beautiful young lady is his daughter working on her garters. Pay no attention to the strangely dressed woman--she thinks its 1740.

Lawrence has also learned in conversation what a fine time he would have if he signed up for Into the Piney Woods, as well as how many pairs of socks he would need to finish between now and then. His goal is now a matter of public record, so he cannot back down...........

Thanks for posting the picture. I love it. And, thanks for the lesson. Especially 'straightening out my twisted habits' ;) Is that what Mr. Curtis was wandering about doing? It was a pleasure sitting there in the evening surrounded by the beauty of creation and two of God's beautiful creatures.

[Spinster]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Especially 'straightening out my twisted habits' ;) .

Your mistake was a common one, and illustrates a good maxim---if knitting is hard, there is something wrong. Knitting is easy. It was a child's job for hundreds of years.

If stitches do not flow easily on and off the needles, and have to be pushed with the fingers, there is something amiss. Yours is a fine case---you were making a firm even fabric--exceptionally firm. Once we got that navy yarn out in the light, and put two sets of spectacles on it, I could see the problem--each and every stitch was consistently twisted at the bottom--the legs at the bottom of the stitch crossed over each other . This made it harder for you to knit the next row, and made it hard to work without spliting stitches.

Since the leg is done, I would not take it out--finish the sock correctly. If its wearable, wear it. If not, use it as a lesson.

[Drygoods]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Mrs. Lawson,

That is indeed, a really sweet picture.:D I can easily understand that many people are now turning to knitting for fun, it's been a growing hobby for some time out in the real world (modern folks). I've always wanted to start knitting groups at events. I thought to get kits together so that we could eliminate those tea sipper belles and give fellows something to do around the campfire. As good as the idea sounds to me, I mean, getting folks to knit their own socks is a great talent, yet I seem to find folks who prefer to drink and sit around. Go figure?:confused_ Really, I wish that more folks would knit and be useful to the hobby and their impression. I think this is another one of those lead by example issues.:sarcastic

BTW, thank you for the knitting guidelines with the heel info.

[xamier]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Greetings:

I strongly second, or third, the idea of finding someone to give you a few lessons. It is very easy to knit in the back loops, knit too tight, hold the yarn or needles wrong etc. when learning from books or tapes. A Few lessons to get started right and then run with it using printed material.

It is hard to unlearn bad habits or mistakes. (Been there, done that, lessons helped and Miss Terre was able to help me salvage the mistakes. Bless her)