knitting and crochet, nattering and sharing

Both my Mum and my Nan were exceptional knitters, I and my sisters never bought a jumper or cardigan for our children. Then my mum knitted for both my grandchildren. Sadly when she died 5 years ago there was a near finished cardigan, just one sleeve to go, plus bags of wool, needles, patterns. So with my very basic knitting skills, I finished the cardigan for my grandaughter and have been knitting ever since, currently using up the odd balls of wool, making dolls clothes for my great niece.

Thank you for starting this thread, Karmalady, I would like to join.

What a lovely shawl, Minimoon, it drapes beautifully.

I like knitting and crocheting blankets for charity. If anyone knows about charities that accept blankets, I would be interested.

Let's keep this thread going! Best wishes to all.

I mostly crochet these days but want to get back to knitting again. I crochet for the charity 'octopus for a preemie' which needs tight tension and is murder on the hands, but very addictive. I've made hundreds of these tiny aids.
I learned to knit when I was 6 or 7 from my mum who had beautiful even tension which I've never matched. Regarding ways of knitting, I do the 'English' way of throwing the yarn (therefore yarn on the dominant hand) and to the consternation of many I crochet exactly the same way, hook and yarn in the same hand! Frequently got told I was doing it all wrong but I taught myself (about 9 or 10) and didn't know any better Like Doodledog says as long as you finish up with a fabric what does it matter?

Forgot to say I bought two Tunisian crochet hooks at a 'Knitting and Stitch show' at Alexandria Palace quite a few years ago. There was a wonderfully skilled lady doing it there, and it looked easy and effortless. One is still in its packaging, the other had a little unsuccessful outing must try again!

My granny taught me how to crochet when my mum was expecting the “wee twins”- they will be 50 soon. For years all I’ve made is crochet pram blankets, but following an accident last year, I started knitting baby clothes. I like the Marianna Mel patterns on Ravelry. The cardigans tend to be knitted in such a way that you only have the underarm seams to sew up! I told everyone they were getting hand made Christmas gifts, so ended up doing lots of daft wee crochet chocolate orange covers! I’ve been self isolating, so I’ve used the time to make some lovely wee baby items. Lockdown has brought a baby boom, so there is always some one needing a wee gift. I’m not a great knitter but like to use bright, jazzy yarns. Folk seem to genuinely like them!

Try a knit and bitch group. Ours used to meet at a large pub where assorted old dears sat with coffee and tea, knitting away and sorting the world out. I was encouraged to knit socks by a long retired sailor, who told me he’d started on socks because when younger, his elderly uncle had great difficulty getting his socks on as the tops were too tight. He only knitted socks for people in his local nursing home who had the same difficulty. But since joining our group, regulars at the pub had commissioned him to knit socks for them. We haven’t met up since first lockdown but I hope he’s still around. He showed me some of the outfits he’d knitted for a great granddaughters Barbie type doll. Something I’m planning to knit when it’s nice enough to sit out in the garden again.
Incidentally, before lockdown I was in a residential home visiting a friend and we were watching a film. One of those car chase ones. My friend and I were knitting and joined by another lady. Staff told us that the three of us started knitting faster and faster during the exiting bits and slowed down during the quieter scenes. I wonder if other knitters unconsciously do this too!!

I would like to join this group. I have been knitting for more than 65 years and taught myself to crochet when I was 18. Four years ago I started a group at our Food Bank, hoping that the people needing it would join. That didn't happen but others did join and we started making things that the Food Bank could give out to the people who needed their help.
We made little chicks at Easter and got our Rotary to fund mini eggs to go in the chicks. These were given out to the families all over the Easter period. At Christmas we knit little stockings and again put little wrapped chocolates in them.
In-between we make baby stuff, hats, gloves and scarves for anyone. Blankets for our YMCA for the homeless teenagers, and for rough sleepers.
There's loads of organisations which work with those in need, night shelters, women's refuge, health visitors, as well as the Food Bank and primary schools.
My family also ask for stuff so I am never "out of work" and I kept in touch with all the group through the pandemic to keep them going which they really appreciated - so they said!!
Now we are going to start meeting again - I just need to find somewhere suitable to meet as our Food Bank isn't big enough for us to spread out safely.
It would be really good to be part of a group online!

Staff told us that the three of us started knitting faster and faster during the exiting bits and slowed down during the quieter scenes. I wonder if other knitters unconsciously do this too!! when I used to knit a lot more for my young children, nephews and nieces, I was told this! I do know if I'm afraid the yarn will run out before the end of the row I definitely knit faster to get there before it realises, totally daft!

I am just back to knitting after a break of 30 years or so! It’s amazing how it has come back to me spurred on by knitting for my DG. She is 2 now though so I’ll have to think of other projects when she stops wearing knitted things.

I stopped knitting for the DGC when I realised they hadn't worn the last lot I made, Cedardove, even though I chose very up-to-date patterns.

Then one DGD announced the other day she would wear a knitted jumper but I'm not risking it. I was teaching her to knit at that time

Staff told us that the three of us started knitting faster and faster during the exiting bits and slowed down during the quieter scenes. I wonder if other knitters unconsciously do this too!!
I used to notice that my knitting got tighter and tighter if I was watching something tense or even feeling tense.
It doesn't seem to happen with crochet.

I’m an avid knitter too with always something on the go. I switched to interchangeable circular / cable needles a few years ago and I’d never go back to just straight ones. I bought a Knitpro set to start off which was a bit pricey but they are constantly in use and I have added to them with different size needles and different length cables. I use them for knitting back and fore much more than for circular knitting. They come with caps to fix on the ends if you unscrew the needles so that a piece of knitting can be left on a cable. My stash isn’t as daunting as it was but what’s there might come in useful sometime ?

Would love to be able to knit or crochet but unfortunately being left handed, no one has helped or shown me how to master these crafts, as they were all right handed. Sad

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I learned to crochet about 50 years ago but crochet seemed to be in the wilderness for many years. But recently there has been an explosion of interest in it and I am now in my element. I love a challenge and have learned so much following some very talented designers. I've made lots if blankets and shawls and even a cardigan- and worn it! Since Covid, I have become "hooked" on Mosaic crochet. Fabulous patterns that look tricky but are basically 2 stitches. Still working on the Reindeer one

I am so jealous of all you knitters, hand made stuff is lovely . I used to be able to make a scarf, that's it, can't remember how to do it now despite having loads of needles, rubbish at following patterns, and I hold my shoulders and needles too tense !
It's a fab hobby, good luck to you all !

I am loving all the pictures, all the beautiful things that you have made

Alan Dart, he has the most gorgeous toy patterns, I once made a whole nativity scene and have a knitting sheep on my window cill. I collected his patterns for a long time and now find that many have become rare. I don`t make toys any more but I did once upon a time, jean greenhowe and still have her books.

At present I am knitting the border on a stars in the sky shawl, it is boring at this stage but I do a bit and put it down, it should be finished by next week. I cannot access my blocking kit, am expecting the decorator some time this week or next, no idea when but had to be ready, hence other rooms have become dumping areas. So I shall soak in eucalan, roll in a big towel, squeeze and finally lay it out on 2 or 3 big towels on my floor. I shall just have to gently adjust the size by hand until it looks right and give it a good 2 days to dry out

Next project will need me to make a swatch. It will be made on a circular needle, meaning that every row will be right sided ie no purls. The tension of knits is different to purls so I need to use 2 circulars and will have to unscrew and replace a tip to opposite ends, every row, so I can slide the swatch along, to keep knitting right sided. Either that or I make a circular swatch but then would have to cut up the centre. That would be a complete waste of yarn and I hate playing yarn chicken when making a garment. Making a flat piece will be much better. Then I have to wash exactly as I would wash the finished garment.

Change of knitting position for me last night. I tried knitting in bed with the radio on and it was lovely, I also had the relaxation effect and fell asleep quickly

So many beautiful things made by you clever lot. I wish my knitting and crochet skills were better - I'm going to get my needles back out I think, and practice a bit more.

I started knitting again in March 2021 after many years of not knitting. It kept my mind and hands occupied after loosing my husband to the dreaded C-19. I'm really enjoying it and have made several things now. I hate the sewing up though and tried circular needles but found the short needle section difficult to hold the way I do the long straight ones.

I started knitting last year after a break of over 40 years, prompted by birth of baby grandson. I’m doing very basic things but I enjoy it. However, I can’t get the hang of crochet at all.

Alot of celebrities knit now. Plus people are realising just how calming and relaxing handicrafts are. Look at sewing machines they are regularly sold out now after that sewing bee series first started. It's so therapeutic.

A lot of celebrities knit now

Tom Daley knits and crochets

I knitted many jumpers for my two children but only up to to the age of eight with the exception of school uniform; the last one was a cardigan made of cheap wool in a beautiful royal blue with a simple diamond pattern. It was washed frequently and always looked good.
Luckily I was asked by my daughter to make cardigans for our first grandchild and I continued making items for her two sisters a few years later. My daughter kept many of these
and their little sister, over ten years
later wears them quite often.
My fingers are rather arthritic now so if I ever try again I would have to make a bigger size to make up for for the length of time it would take!

I'm not a natural knitter, but do find knitting very relaxing and satisfying. Have just started an easy project mainly as relaxation therapy. It is slow going but is actually starting to resemble a little cardigan.

I always looked forward to knitting for my grandchildren. Unfortunately my first granddaughter was born and lives in a country where it seldom drops below 30 degrees!

So I have contented myself with knitted toys etc. Does anyone knit for little ones in hot countries - what yarn is best - for coolness but still washable etc.?

I too love to knit and crochet. I crocheted baby blankets for my granddaughters in waffle stitch which gives a lovely warm blanket for a baby. Always have something on the go can’t seem to sit with idle hands ! I also started back sewing a few years ago and it was a life saver during lockdown. I could buy fabric online and print the PDF patterns I bought online. Such a great encouraging community of sewers and knitters on Facebook and Instagram. So interesting to see what people make and great for getting inspiration