Are you a knitter?

During the last couple of years of her life when my Mum was starting to find it trickier to knit due to arthritis she set about knitting a christening shawl to put away for her grandchildren to use when they became parents in case she became unable to knit or in her words was “gone”.

She made a beautiful shawl and cardigans, mitts, hats etc. She wrote a little note and placed it in the sealed box of baby knitwear for whichever of my 2 then teenage children opened it first. Sadly, my lovely Mum was “gone” when my daughter was the first to marry . She died a few months before the wedding. 2 years later I gave her Gran’s baby box when she was pregnant. Both her children were christened in the shawl and a few years later it was passed on for my son’s 2 children.

It’s back in my possession now, washed and packed away ready for the next generation.

kateykrunch have you had a look on Ravelry? Lots of patterns there and a huge range of difficulty too.

Kateykrunch

I havnt knitted for some years, but fancy doing a chunky cardigan, but I just cant seem to find a simple pattern. I havnt knitted since mastectomy x 2 and I have been left with Lymphoedema, so dont want to spend a lot just in case I find I cant manage it. Any pointers please? Thank you

The last few patterns I bought were from Ebay.

Kateykrunch see if there’s a Knit and Natter group near you. I go to our local one and there’s a wealth of experience to be shared. Someone could probably help with a pattern and our group has spare needles etc Plus a cuppa and biscuit, what’s not to like?
I only crochet now due to an arm injury but I’m another who has something easy on the go to do while watching tv. I too make blankets for Linus charity.
Getting plenty done just now while Wimbledon is on.

I always have knitting "on the go". I have at last finished a Kate Davies sweater for DD and am making myself a fine cowl from a mix of alpaca and silk.
I'm an average knitter but can always get help from my amazing knitting group who meet weekly.
There are 3 or 4 who make fair Isle sweaters, hats and gloves. Others who knit for charity. One or 2 who spin and a lacemaker. (That nearly said pacemaker)
We chat and have coffee.

I've just finished a cardigan for a new baby, I'm now finishing off a cardigan for myself, then I have to pick up stitches round the neck to finish a jumper for DH.
I bought new wool this week for another cardigan, I couldn't resist the colour.
My niece then wants a jumper to wear in her cold floristry studio.

This is picture of cardigan I'm finishing and the new wool I couldn't resist.

I was a good knitter from childhood, and made lots of garments - mostly Aran - for various family members. An arthritic shoulder kept me from knitting about 17 years ago and although surgery made that shoulder good as new, I got out of the habit of picking up my knitting whenever I sat down. I always detested having to sew up jumpers and cardigans, so have a few items that really need reviewing. I've joined a knit and natter group, so hope that will work for me.

I'm a knitter too, and always have something on the go. I am knitting a sweater just now, although I have more of them than space in my wardrobe.

LadyGracie, is that Mille Colori yarn? I made a scarf with that in a very similar pattern to your cardigan, and it was very effective. I love your work too, Salti.

I knit mostly baby items shawls and pram suits seem to be the requests. I was taught by my dn at 15.
I also spin and weave so use lots of yarn.

Witzend

*Grannynannywanny*, I stopped going to Brownies at maybe 8 because of the knitting you had to do for your Golden Bar - I was hopeless at it.

A few weeks later another girl from school - one of those good-at-everything types - came up and said I’m a sort of smugly accusing tone, ‘Brown Owl wants her red wool back!’
I felt as if I’d been accused of wilfully nicking it! 😂

Cue for a song:

If they could see me now
That little gang of mine ....

No Doodledog the cardigan is Hayfield Spirit.

The multi blue big ball is James C Brett Shhhhh.

The multi blue big ball is James C Brett Shhhhh.

I have always enjoyed knitting, but now no one wants home knitted garments. However in March someone in our village asked for volunteers to knit poppies for remembrance day.
Idea being they are attached to a large net and will be on display at the entrance to our village church.
So I've knitted fifty so far, takes about 40 mins to do each one. I promised to do 100 by September, so I need to get knitting!

I can knit, was taught in hospital as a 10 year old, by a kind Nurse, who brought me in a ball of shocking pink wool to practice on. Remember asking why it was shocking. Unfortunately, I get bored very easily with it,the jumpers I've started and never finished. Although can manage to finish baby clothes. A friend is a beautiful knitter, from aran to fair Isle to toys. Perhaps I'll get those needles out once more!!

I'm a passionate crocheter. Never without a piece of work in my hands. Not brilliant at garments but great with blankets and tablemats!!

Freya5

I can knit, was taught in hospital as a 10 year old, by a kind Nurse, who brought me in a ball of shocking pink wool to practice on. Remember asking why it was shocking. Unfortunately, I get bored very easily with it,the jumpers I've started and never finished. Although can manage to finish baby clothes. A friend is a beautiful knitter, from aran to fair Isle to toys. Perhaps I'll get those needles out once more!!

I don't like knitting large garments now although I used to knit them years ago.
One is still on the needles from years ago because I got stuck on the cabling, have tried it twice since and abandoned it again.

Ailidh

I'm a passionate crocheter. Never without a piece of work in my hands. Not brilliant at garments but great with blankets and tablemats!!

Have you made the Sweet Blossom blanket Ailidh?
Several new stitches in that one for me - it's rather slow progress!

Kateykrunch

I havnt knitted for some years, but fancy doing a chunky cardigan, but I just cant seem to find a simple pattern. I havnt knitted since mastectomy x 2 and I have been left with Lymphoedema, so dont want to spend a lot just in case I find I cant manage it. Any pointers please? Thank you

There are masses of patterns on the Lovecrafts website that you can download. Might be worth a look. You don’t have to be registered with them or anything.

I’ve often looked for non-fussy patterns, esp. when I used to knit for baby/toddler Gdcs - not just because I find them harder (I do) - I just don’t like the look of them.

As recommended above, Kateykrunch, you could try using circular needles too as they might help.

Thankyou for your recommendations, I will take a look.

I enjoy knitting but I do simple things these days like hats, scarves etc. I used to knit quite complex patterns but my brain won't take it on board now - and I'm not too sorry

I’ve always got some knitting or crochet on tne go. I knit small m things these days for charity.
I love crocheting blankets and love Attic24 patterns for blankets.
I taught myself to crochet a few years ago. Used a book called ‘ Crochepedia’
Lots of small projects for practice and very good illustrations and explanations.

For complex patterns ie sizing related, I always read through and put a circle around everything in my size. Re lace or cable patterns, I use a special board with magnets and can keep my place that way. If the pattern is especially intricate then I put that board on a music stand in front of me. I need a serious readers lamp when doing intricate or if the light fades

I second ravelry, especially the advanced pattern selection. You can make a swatch that feels nice, note the number of stitches and rows for 10cm. Then you input the gauge and what you want in a pattern eg cardigan and also ease of making etc and a range of patterns comes up. Not forgetting that rows are not as important as stitches

Circular needles are fantastic, knitting circular means that many seams are eliminated. I prefer bottom up but many lik top down and that usually involves short rows. Youtube is very good for demonstrations

I’ve always enjoyed knitting but now GC are growing up and I have more than enough sweaters, I was running out of ideas for projects. Then I decided to try knitting some socks on circular needles, which is a whole new experience. I’m beginning to enjoy this and as I wear boots a lot for everyday and hiking, I think I’m going to be knitting a few pairs.😀