Knitting?

[ORChick]

I wanted to learn to knit when I was a girl, and my mother tried to teach me - but she wasn't a very good knitter, and was left handed to boot! I gave it up as a bad job. But then my MIL showed me how she did it - she was German, and used the German method of holding the yarn in the left hand - much, much easier, and quicker! I much prefer it to crochet, as I think it is more versatile, but maybe I am mistaken there. (If you decide to get into sock knitting try to find directions for a "German heel"; its easier than the standard heel)

 

[miss_thenorth]

My mil is German, and she has given us lots of socks, and she is an incredible knitter. The only thing that we didn't like about her socks were that she used awful yarn and the socks were slouchy and ill fitting. My mom, who is not a great knitter--(she has knitted for years, but mil is by far a superior knitter), has given us socks that were amazing--the right wool makes a big difference.

 

[Wifezilla]

Finally got my white yarn and had to get a little more green. Finishing up this weekend and will ship Monday.

 

[TanksHill]

What did you make Wifey???

 

[mrbstephens]

I have a question that maybe someone can answer. I used to knit and crochet. I need a refresher though. I just recently learned how to spin. So now I have this yarn that I'd like to do something with, but don't know what gauge it is. I'd like to pick out a pattern, but don't know if I can use this yarn for it. Anyone know what I can do here?

 

[Wildsky]

I have a question that maybe someone can answer. I used to knit and crochet. I need a refresher though. I just recently learned how to spin. So now I have this yarn that I'd like to do something with, but don't know what gauge it is. I'd like to pick out a pattern, but don't know if I can use this yarn for it. Anyone know what I can do here?

You need to figure out the WPI (wraps per inch) and it will tell you the "weight" of the yarn, I think thats what you're getting at.

Look up on line how to measure it, you just need a ruler I think and see how many wraps around it you get from your yarn. (Aran weight, which I use most often is 10 wpi)
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/wpi.shtm


Gauge is used to measure a person's knitting tension, each pattern will tell you the gauge you need to get the correct size item, you knit a square of a specific number of stitches and rows and measure it. For example, if you knit on size 6 needles with XYZ yarn you should get one inch per each 6 rows and 5 stitches.. something like that. So you will know, if your 6 rows and 5 stitches is bigger than an inch, you need to go on to size 5 needles or cast on less stitches to get the same size item.

 

[Bettacreek]

I have a question that maybe someone can answer. I used to knit and crochet. I need a refresher though. I just recently learned how to spin. So now I have this yarn that I'd like to do something with, but don't know what gauge it is. I'd like to pick out a pattern, but don't know if I can use this yarn for it. Anyone know what I can do here?

You need to figure out the WPI (wraps per inch) and it will tell you the "weight" of the yarn, I think thats what you're getting at.

Look up on line how to measure it, you just need a ruler I think and see how many wraps around it you get from your yarn.


Gauge is used to measure a person's knitting tension, each pattern will tell you the gauge you need to get the correct size item, you knit a square of a specific number of stitches and rows and measure it. For example, if you knit on size 6 needles with XYZ yarn you should get one inch per each 6 rows and 5 stitches.. something like that. So you will know, if your 6 rows and 5 stitches is bigger than an inch, you need to go on to size 5 needles or cast on less stitches to get the same size item.

Now you're making it sound complicated, lol. Guess it's like soapmaking, gotta do it to understand it.

 

[Wildsky]

Now you're making it sound complicated, lol. Guess it's like soapmaking, gotta do it to understand it.

Don't worry about all that stuff, you only need to worry if you're making something where the size really matters.
Otherwise, no worries - if you're knitting a scarf or blanket, it doesn't really matter if your needles are a size bigger or you knit really loose.

You figure out more as you go along, I can look at a pattern and know that I'll need to use different needles, or like for the hats I've been knitting, I use smaller needles and added more stitches, I wanted a very tight knit with no gaps between the stitches.

A scarf is a great first item to make, you can even buy beginner kits at places like Walmart or Michaels, the little kit will come with the yarn, needles and instructions.

For your first few items, avoid all the pretty fancy fluffy yarns, and go for plain. A good yarn is Lion Brand Wool ease, its my favorite yarn of all.

 

[mrbstephens]

Now you're making it sound complicated, lol. Guess it's like soapmaking, gotta do it to understand it.

Don't worry about all that stuff, you only need to worry if you're making something where the size really matters.
Otherwise, no worries - if you're knitting a scarf or blanket, it doesn't really matter if your needles are a size bigger or you knit really loose.

You figure out more as you go along, I can look at a pattern and know that I'll need to use different needles, or like for the hats I've been knitting, I use smaller needles and added more stitches, I wanted a very tight knit with no gaps between the stitches.

A scarf is a great first item to make, you can even buy beginner kits at places like Walmart or Michaels, the little kit will come with the yarn, needles and instructions.

For your first few items, avoid all the pretty fancy fluffy yarns, and go for plain. A good yarn is Lion Brand Wool ease, its my favorite yarn of all.

You were confusing me too!
I can knit a scarf. I have A LOT of scarves!
I have this beautiful yarn I spun from llama fiber. I look at it and think "little woodland animals." I'd like to make them for my kids to play with. So I guess the gauge shouldn't matter at all for that? If I crochet, I'd wind up using more yarn than if I knit, right? Could I use sheeps wool as stuffing? I hate that poly stuff and I have lots of sheeps wool.

 

[Wildsky]

You were confusing me too!
I can knit a scarf. I have A LOT of scarves!
I have this beautiful yarn I spun from llama fiber. I look at it and think "little woodland animals." I'd like to make them for my kids to play with. So I guess the gauge shouldn't matter at all for that? If I crochet, I'd wind up using more yarn than if I knit, right? Could I use sheeps wool as stuffing? I hate that poly stuff and I have lots of sheeps wool.

sorry - didn't mean to confuse you guys.

Crochet can use less yarn if you use double stitches, and have gaps (chains) between, but I've never specifically measured.

I guess you could use wool for stuffing, but it will compress over time, faster than the poly stuff would. They do make wool batting, but its very flat and compressed already (the ones I've seen) it can be super for a blanket or quilt.

you need to use small needles if you're going to be making something to stuff - or the stuffing will poke out.