Am I too old to learn to knit? ( 57 )

nanna8

I’ve got into knitting socks for the family with left over balls of wool. They all really like them and I got a nice cable pattern from Bendigo woollen mills which is one of the places I drool over when I go up there. I just love walking round and looking at wool. Funny I found some of my old ancestors used to have sheep farms in the Lake District,so maybe it is some old ancient DNA or something. Alpaca wool is lovely,too, very soft.

I have a friend who used to keep alpacas but it all needed spinning first.
Now, there's a thought for a new craft!

Actually, when we were on an Australian cruise I met a woman who had a schedule of alpaca yarn but had never learned to knit!

We have a rug from the Castlemaine Woollen Mill, nanna8 - it was a gift, we haven't been there.

lovebeigecardigans1955

Please explain, Flexagon how you begin at the toe end

Judy's Magic Cast On (JMCO). Invented by Judy Becker. You Tube videos by Roxanne Richardson and Cat Bordhi (and others) explain how.

It's a way of winding stitches onto the points of a circular needle. You then knit in the round increasing every other round until you have the size of toe you want.

Increase by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop betweeen the two stitches at either end of each row - i.e. increase by four stitches every other round.

Have a try. It can take a while to get the hang of it but once you do, you might find you don't want to go back to knitting top down.

Roxanne's video - which is more comprehensive:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEnk-Kl513A

Cat's video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ItemF86f90

One of the reasons I like this method is that once I get past the heel turn on both socks - I tend to work two at a time - I can see how much yarn I have left and can adjust the length of the leg accordingly.

Another is that I find the toe smoother than if I work top down and graft the toe stitches together.

Once I've knitted the top rib I use a sewn bind off to finish as it creates a stretchy edge. Again, Roxanne:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H91T1xY0fwU

Kandinsky you are never to old to learn anything new. I am 63 and started to cross stitch 5 years ago. I mainly work using DMC threads on 14 count Aida . But have made cushions using yarn and 5 count canvas. This is a cushion I made for my grandson.

If you fancy it I suggest you buy a copy of The world of cross stitching or Cross Stitcher magazine they come with a free kit. It's a slow craft but very relaxing. I am addicted to it. On the cross stitch thread others have posted pictures of their work plus some of mine.

I’ve got into knitting socks for the family with left over balls of wool. They all really like them and I got a nice cable pattern from Bendigo woollen mills which is one of the places I drool over when I go up there. I just love walking round and looking at wool. Funny I found some of my old ancestors used to have sheep farms in the Lake District,so maybe it is some old ancient DNA or something. Alpaca wool is lovely,too, very soft.

Aggie
I have that problem.
I decide to crochet something to use up some wool, then end up buying even more to finish it.

I love this thread.
Everyone is so positive and enthusiastic.
Its also lovely to read all of the helpful tips!
Thank you for lifting my spirits?? (dont look too closely, these are chop sticks not knitting needles)

I'm sure you can learn, possibly with the help of books or videos on You Tube, etc. You'll find it very rewarding. You could start with cheap wool from Poundland if you have a branch near you. (Three for two - you can't argue with that, can you?)

I've been knitting socks since the second lock down last year and eventually got the hang of it. Please explain, Flexagon how you begin at the toe end. I tried to do this but the wrestling porcupine had me beat so I went back to the knee down method.

I love knitting and have recently even attempted some knitted toys. Bit fiddly but fun.

Callistemon

I have come to like circular needles too.
But I find crocheta bit easier on the hands and wrists

I have never managed to get the hang of crochet. I default to trying to knit with the hook

We are never too old to learn - ANYTHING!! Go for it.

If you have rheumatism in your hands, it may well be too late to learn to knit without it hurting.

Otherwise I do not believe we are ever too old to learn something that we really want to learn.

At any age the desire to learn a thing will carry a person sucessfully though any difficulties.

Try and find a Knit and Natter group in your area. I did this a few years ago and love it!!! They taught me how to crochet but i do prefer knitting. Its a great way to make new friends too. Ours restarts tomorrow as it goes and i am soooo looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Flexagon

Callistemon

I have come to like circular needles too.
But I find crocheta bit easier on the hands and wrists

I find it helps to alternate. I seem to have developed a spasmodically collapsing left thumb which could be a result of too much lockdown knitting. I wear a support for a few days and hook with my right meantime.

I seem to have developed a bit of tennis elbow without playing tennis and without being a left hander.

Dangerous sports, knitting and crochet!

Don't ........ ?

There are advantages with keeping it it different places, though, aggie , you (and anyone else) don't realise just how much you have!

Callistemon

I have come to like circular needles too.
But I find crocheta bit easier on the hands and wrists

I find it helps to alternate. I seem to have developed a spasmodically collapsing left thumb which could be a result of too much lockdown knitting. I wear a support for a few days and hook with my right meantime.

The only problem with knitting or crochet is becoming addicted to yarn/wool !
I started crochet and now have stuff in blanket box , on top of the freezer, in the airing cupboard and 3 parcels opened and drooled over , I love colour and texture
When I was knitting I did fairisle , Icelandic,Aran but never plain ,
I love trying different patterns/stitches in my crochet
I do go on a bit ??

I have come to like circular needles too.
But I find crocheta bit easier on the hands and wrists

I always use circular needles - nothing controversial about that .

I am going to teach an 8 year old to knit later this week, and I can't decide which needles to use. I have some straights that were free with a magazine, and if I use those she can take them away with her, whereas my circulars are all part of interchangeable sets. On the other hand, part of me feels that she may as well learn on circulars, as they are so much more convenient. You can pack your knitting away much more easily, and knitting in the round will be easier to learn if she is used to the idea of circulars.

Thank you!

Callistemon.

Johnny Vasquez's You Tube channel Knitiversity (formerly New Stitch a Day) is good for learning new stitches.

www.youtube.com/channel/UC4P7tVwBNJvcijWA3r6EPGg

Knitting Fool is a good stitch directory with written instructions.

www.knittingfool.com/Default.aspx

I'm a big fan of Knit Pro needles. I have a set of Nova interchangeable double-pointed with cables and like Zings for straight knitting. However, for fine lace I prefer Addi.

I've just realised that you're only 57, Kandinsky

The world is your oyster!!

Pps and try to choose a yarn which doesn't split.

For acrylics the Hobbycraft WI yarn is good and they also do a pure wool WI yarn too (3 for 2 as well).

Yes, Grandmajean. I do that too if I am knitting something heavy so that my lap takes the weight rather than my wrists or for lace knitting with several hundred stitches.

However, I'd still suggest learning with two needles as it helps with tension. Having stitches strung across a central cable and having to move them back and forth across cable and rigid points can stretch out the the cast on stitches leaving loops between.

Knitting is such an adaptable craft, isn't it? As a child, I learned to knit gloves, mittens and socks on four needles. Nowadays I still like to knit socks - nowadays from the toe up. Judy's Magic Cast On was a revelation to me. I use it with a circular needle for the cast on and toe but once past the toe, divide the stitches onto four needles and knit with a fifth. Old habits can die hard. It can be like wrestling with a porcupine but I enjoy it!

I'd also like to see Kandinsky's hat when it's finished - or even when it's a WIP (Work in Progress) to see how she's getting on.

Ps for knitting I like KnitPro needles, they are a bit expensive but lovely to use.

I taught myself how to crochet about 3 years ago and I bet I'm much older than you Kandinsky.

An old family member tried to teach me but she went so fast I couldn't pick it up so followed books and YouTube.

Now I must progress to more difficult stitches and will look on YouTube again.

It's never too late!