Knitting! (and other needle arts...)

Everything except LibriVox (yes, this is where knitting gets discussed. Now includes non-LV Volunteers Wanted projects)
Osculare
Posts: 3
Joined: January 14th, 2006, 6:54 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Osculare »

my first project was a blanket for my barbie (circa mid '70's) - it was square!

current projects...socks - I love 'em! this pair are in heirloom cotton in ecru, with a purple stripe across the toe, i may put stripes through the leg part, its only two inches long at this stage, so that decision doesnt need to be made yet...hehe...

I'm also at the sew-together stage on a strapless top, its also in cotton (purple...hence the use of leftovers in the socks...) I'm in the process of getting a blog/website/something to put pictures on to show everyone!

joey
kayray
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Post by kayray »

Oooo you knit socks from the toe up as well! I just did two pairs that way, in a lovely fine sock-weight wool blend --- brown for me, blue for my son. It was really fun to do it "backwards", and nice to know I could just knit the legs until I'd run out of yarn!

Kara
Kara
http://kayray.org/
--------
"Mary wished to say something very sensible into her Zoom H2 Handy Recorder, but knew not how." -- Jane Austen (& Kara)
Osculare
Posts: 3
Joined: January 14th, 2006, 6:54 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Osculare »

Toe-up socks are the best!!

cos you dont have to worry about how many rows you do, you just try the sock on as you go, then keep knitting until it fits like a glove, erm, ah sock!

:lol: joey
vee
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Post by vee »

Ok not to sound ignorant, but what is the difference between knitting and crochet?
Chris Vee
"You never truly understand something until you can explain it to your grandmother." - Albert Einstein
thistlechick
Posts: 6170
Joined: November 30th, 2005, 12:14 pm
Location: Michigan

Post by thistlechick »

vee wrote:Ok not to sound ignorant, but what is the difference between knitting and crochet?
It's a good question .... don't feel bad for asking =)

Crochet is done on a hook... kind of like making a series of slip knots with only one "active" stitch at a time. While knitting is performed on two needles with many "active" stitches and making an interlocking fabric.

Here are the wikipedia articles for both, if you feel like reading a little more about them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crochet

=)
~ Betsie
Multiple projects lead to multiple successes!
pberinstein
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Joined: September 26th, 2005, 5:47 pm

Post by pberinstein »

They also have very different looks. Most sweaters are knitted and have a sort of interlocking "v" pattern. Crocheted stitches are a bit softer-looking and have horizontal elements.
Paula B
The Writing Show, where writing is always the story
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Izze
Posts: 47
Joined: December 12th, 2005, 11:39 pm

Post by Izze »

Does anyone know of a good, simple pattern to make something pretty that can be given as a wedding gift? A friend of mine just announced that he's getting married, and I really want to send him something hand knitted. (That, and hand knitted things are generally cheaper than store bought things. ^.^; )
thistlechick
Posts: 6170
Joined: November 30th, 2005, 12:14 pm
Location: Michigan

Post by thistlechick »

Izze wrote:Does anyone know of a good, simple pattern to make something pretty that can be given as a wedding gift? A friend of mine just announced that he's getting married, and I really want to send him something hand knitted. (That, and hand knitted things are generally cheaper than store bought things. ^.^; )
hmm.... something pretty? like maybe a laprobe/blanket? Do you intend the gift to be for the couple or for your male friend?

I hate to disappoint you, but most of the time, hand knitted items are much more expensive than store bought items.... good quality yarn is a little more expensive (but well worth, imo)... and of course your time is worth way more than any dollar amount you could assign.

I recommend starting with http://knitty.com/archive.html for some of the nicest free patterns online ... this past summer they did "The Man Issue" if you are thinking of something just for your male friend... or how about his 'n' hers felted slippers ...

The Lion Brand Yarns website also has a nice selection of free patterns: http://cache.lionbrand.com/content-knittingPatternIndex.html (scroll down for the items for the home like afghans/pillows)

Let us know if you need more ideas =)
~ Betsie
Multiple projects lead to multiple successes!
Izze
Posts: 47
Joined: December 12th, 2005, 11:39 pm

Post by Izze »

Actually, I think I found the pattern I want to use, I just have to get down to a store to get the right weight of yarn:

http://www.frugalhaus.com/homepage/accentpl.htm

I figure that a nice set of those (they're REALLY super easy to make, I just tried with some other yarn just to see whether it would drive me insane to make them, and it's not! And it's VERY pretty ^.^ ) would do well for the couple. You know, for being all fancy and stuff. Because apparently people are fancy on occassion. O.o (I found a lace table cloth in the linen closet trying to find a blanket over winter break, and it scared me. Because it's fancy! O.o )
thistlechick
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Joined: November 30th, 2005, 12:14 pm
Location: Michigan

Post by thistlechick »

oooh, those are pretty placemats... good idea! ... you might consider using one of the new linen yarns which have a nice texture and weight.

How about making a wine cozy (with a bottle of wine or similar, of course) to match: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwinecozy.html
~ Betsie
Multiple projects lead to multiple successes!
Izze
Posts: 47
Joined: December 12th, 2005, 11:39 pm

Post by Izze »

What's a linen yarn? It sounds pretty! ^.^

Those wine cozies are so cute. ^.^
thistlechick
Posts: 6170
Joined: November 30th, 2005, 12:14 pm
Location: Michigan

Post by thistlechick »

oh, linen yarn is nice ('spensive tho) ... it starts out stiff but loosens up with use.... Euroflax is the one i've tried: http://www.pacificwoolandfiber.com/Euroflax%20Linen.htm
http://www.villagespinweave.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/hierarchy/0A/product-id/665413.html
~ Betsie
Multiple projects lead to multiple successes!
kri
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Post by kri »

thistlechick wrote:oh, linen yarn is nice ('spensive tho) ... it starts out stiff but loosens up with use.... Euroflax is the one i've tried: http://www.pacificwoolandfiber.com/Euroflax%20Linen.htm
http://www.villagespinweave.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/hierarchy/0A/product-id/665413.html
Oh my god this is definitely the thing to launch me fully into another temporary obsession with crochet, and perhaps even enough to get me to learn to knit. Linen yarn!! Just as exciting as DMC's new easily accessibly linen floss!
thistlechick
Posts: 6170
Joined: November 30th, 2005, 12:14 pm
Location: Michigan

Post by thistlechick »

kri wrote: Just as exciting as DMC's new easily accessibly linen floss!
Yes, I just found out about that too... I had some ideas for that too... lace making mostly tho.
~ Betsie
Multiple projects lead to multiple successes!
kri
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Post by kri »

Some day I would like to get into lace making....and weaving...and dying my own yarns/threads...and, ohh boy. Being a procrastinator and stingy person does not suit with my wants.
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