|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:40 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:56 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:39 pm
|
|
|
|
When going into your local craft store, there will be three needle types you'll be faced with.
~Straight needles are, well, the straight ones. They come long and short, but they serve the same purpose; to knit flat objects.
~Circular needles are two short straight pieces joined with a cord. They come in different lengths which you will use for different projects. Shorter ones are great for smaller circumference objects while the longer ones are better for larger circumferences. Circular are the most versatile. You can knit things in the round like hats, seamless sweaters, and bags, or you can knit flat objects like scarves or afghans. If you get a long length needle, you can do a technique called "magic loop" to knit things without using DPNs.
~Which are the last needles. Double Pointed Needles are used to knit in the round on small objects like socks, i-cord, or the tops of hats. They're a set of 4 or 5 needles with points on either end. You spread your stitches out on 3 or 4 of them and use the left-over needle to work them.
I'm typing this out while being interrupted by a baby who should be sleeping, so I hope it makes some sense!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:09 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:35 pm
|
|
|
|
Needles also come in a bunch of different materials. The most common ones are aluminum, which you can find in the average chain craft store. I've seen aluminum needles run from size 00 double-pointed needles (often referred to as DPNs) up to about size 13. They're pretty lightweight and sturdy, but they're not my favorite, since they can also be a little slippery with certain yarns. They're also fairly inexpensive.
Also very common are plastic needles. I don't know much about them, although I suppose they're pretty light. They're not my thing. (Maybe someone who likes plastic needles can write more about them.) They also come in a bunch of sizes. I don't know what the smallest size is, but the really big needles (like size 15+) are almost always plastic. A lot of stores will carry these.
Bamboo needles are less common in the chain stores, but most yarn shops will carry these, as well as other wood needs like birch. I like them best because they're lightweight, sturdy, flexible, and most yarns don't slip as easily as they do on the aluminum needles. I also really like how they feel in my hands. They're a little pricier, though, and how much depends on the brand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:00 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:23 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:23 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:08 pm
|
|
|
|
Well, if you're trying to master a lot of skills (which really are variations on a handful of themes), a simple sock pattern would be a cood place to start: Cast on, ribbing, short rows, picking up stitches, decreasing, and grafting (should you choose it).
One will also learn to handle multiple needles (although I'd recommend 2 circulars instead of a lot of DPNs)
You could also do a "toe up" sock (like) and skip the grafting. Cat Bordhi's Coriolis Sock lets you skip gussets along the sides, but you have to carry 2 strands of yarn instead of one (not as tough as it sounds)
If this sounds too intimdating, then yes, scarves in stockinette (knitting on one side and purling the other), garter (kniting both side) and basket stitch (knitting some stitches, purling others on your way across, matching the row below. Then after a few row, switch the blocks of knit and purl, so the result looks like basketweave)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:33 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:34 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:47 am
|
|
|
|
The only reason that i say to use large yarn is because I've taught enough people how to knit that i can honestly say that a single garter stitch scarf in something like wool-ease thick n quick is a good starting project.
When i started knitting, i was handed a pair of 8s and some caron perfect match. The person who was "teaching" me showed me how to cast on and knit and then left me on my own to learn everything else - purls, yarn overs, knit two together, all that good stuff. So i went about finding something to teach me, and decided to just learn by doing projects. Seemed like a good idea. A garter stitch scarf was suggested, as it was 'everybody's first project.' so i tried. I still have what used to be about two feet of scarf - i use it to see what ribs and different patterns look like. But that stupid worsted weight garter stitch scarf really killed my motivation to knit. I ended up putting it down for something like a year and picking up crochet in that time. When i came back to knitting, i learned to purl, since now my sister had picked it up, and she taught me how to purl so i could make a seed-stitch scarf for my grandpa. I used large yarn on size 12 needles, and actually finished my project.
Honestly, i wonder why people give new knitters something that'll take a while, is insanely repetitive, and gets freakishly boring, and only teaches them one stitch. Why can't knitters start with something small, like a dish-cloth? *remembers a video about 'closet crocheters' and the dishcloth vs. garter stitch thing*
My suggestion for a first project: If your going with a garter stitch scarf, go big. If not, take some time and do a couple three rows of knits, and a couple three rows of purls, and then figure out what proget you want to do. Maybe start with ribs instead of garter stitch, or something that isn't just the same thing over and over.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:13 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:32 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:16 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|