My Knitting Life So Far

I learned to knit just about a year ago. I've really enjoyed it but can't say I've had stellar success. I thought it would help me use some of the mounds of yarn I have acquired over the years, but I just seem to have acquired a whole lot more yarn. . . plus all manner of knitting accoutrements and books. The ever-expanding loom room swells some more.

I learned enough last fall to make a twirly scarf for a friend's Christmas present. Having a friend who has just learned to knit is not a great thing when Christmas rolls around, but she is a good friend and humors me.

Sandy Witman in my first twirly scarf!

I took a 8-week basic knitting class during the winter and then a 6-week sock knitting class in the spring. Somehow I got it in my head that I wanted to knit baby socks and try though I might, it just wasn't meant to be at this stage of my knitting career.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong between the cuff and the toe.

I did complete a pair of adult socks. They are clearly a first pair of socks, and I had to position them just so to take a picture without showing you some big honking holes, but I got the idea down and a lot of people never get that far.  So, I'll try this again.

 

These were done on size 3 double pointed needles which in and of itself was a challenge.

Here is a cotton scarf done with lots of yarn-overs. I was doing this on size 7 needles when we went to the beach with Duncan's family over Memorial Day. Turns out, Aunt Emilia is a life-long knitter and she recommended I start over on larger needles. Soon after that, I was trying to knit and participate in a conversation at the same time and I made a mistake I couldn't find my way back from, so I did as she suggested and moved up to #10 needles.

I have not become a yarn snob. This is made with very inexpensive cotton yarn from Wal-Mart.

Claire sent this pattern and I gave it a try. Again, yarn was on sale at Michael's. It is variegated browns and greens. I hope it doesn't look too much like camouflage.

When my knitting classes were over, I started going to a knitting group that gets together at the  Barnes & Nobles cafe on Monday nights. I know two or three from the Fiber Guild who go regularly. -- and one is Beth Parrott, another life-long knitter and co-author of several books on knitting socks.  She helped me with baby socks until I willingly gave it up and since she has continued to answer every question and show me tricks.

For this baby shirt (I was determined to make something for a baby!) I did use yarn I've had for years. It's a nubby cotton and I guess I thought I would eventually make a baby blanket with it but that just never happened. This little shirt is very simple, but I did have to sew seams and make the sleeves fit into the arm holes.

Like weaving, there is lots of planning involved and lots of surprises. The yarn in the kimono style shirt above is probably too heavy for a baby shirt, especially one that has a double layer of fabric in the front since the right front crosses over the left front. Live and learn.

I do like the portability of knitting. When I weave, I have to be in the loom room and sometimes that gets lonely. I like that I can knit AND watch something on NetFlix with Duncan.

Next, I'm going to try another pair of socks -- and I have a pattern for a market bag that looks doable.