Gransnet forums

Chat

Are you a knitter?

(114 Posts)
nanna8 Wed 12-Jul-23 11:37:58

I’m kind of addicted to it- a couple of months without knitting and I find I miss it. What colour are you knitting with if you are knitting ? I’m knitting in blue just now, just a sleeveless pullover. I was given a lot of wool and it has sat there for awhile but eventually I couldn’t resist churning out little garments for some of the younger family members. None of my family knits, they don’t have the patience these days but I like knitting in front of the tv because otherwise I feel I am wasting time ( I know, I know, silly isn’t it ?)

nipsmum Thu 13-Jul-23 15:04:27

One of my teachers in primary school taught me to knit and I've knitted ever since. I can't sit and do nothing so I knit anything I can get a pattern for. Mostly for charity now as my girls are all grown up now.

Doodledog Thu 13-Jul-23 14:48:32

It is a way of sewing two pieces of knitting together.

Here is a video.

omega1 Thu 13-Jul-23 14:38:27

Marshmarigold123 what is mattress stitch please

grammargran Thu 13-Jul-23 14:08:31

I’ve knitted for years but absolutely loathe the sewing up when making garments, so when the great grandchildren started appearing, together with late grandchildren I started on baby blankets. What a joy! No pattern too complicated because no increasing/decreasing and only ends to sew in when complete. I just love cable and cable patterns abound in baby blankets. Another wonderful discovery was knitting dishcloths! I got so fed up with j cloths, no substance at all, that I started knitting my own cotton dishcloths. I use a brilliant yarn called Sugar ‘n Cream which comes in incredible colours. So quick to make & excellent for fundraising/gifts, they look so pretty - stocking stitch or make up your own pattern!

pce612 Thu 13-Jul-23 14:08:27

I can't knit but can crochet. Held some classes in our local library before lockdown.

Hetty58 Thu 13-Jul-23 13:40:28

LadyGracie, I love the wool that changes colour. I enjoy knitting for knitting's sake - and rarely turn out much that's useful. Still, I have loads of scarves, lap blankets, dog jumpers - and a shopping bag made from odds and ends.

The legwarmers and headbands are adopted by my granddaughters - so I can always make more. I knit squares to sew inside the knees of winter trousers, too.

holcombemummy60 Thu 13-Jul-23 13:34:27

I have knitted for years and discovered knitting socks. Wish I had a penny for the amount I have knitted for family and friends. Taught by my late grandmother who had the patients of a saint. I’m left handed so she had to do things backwards for me. I also sew. And can crotchet squares but that’s about it. Miss my GM even after 18 years sad

Millie22 Thu 13-Jul-23 13:29:33

Yes love knitting. I've recently made a few bits for my granddaughter for her Barbie dreamhouse.

I also have a cushion on the go just now.

Liz46 Thu 13-Jul-23 12:59:15

Thanks Witzend. Like you I have made some worry monsters but didn’t really enjoy them.

I also made many cannula sleeves for our local hospital. (They are to stop dementia patients from pulling out their cannula and have lots of safe twiddles.

At the moment I am making cardigans and blankets for a charity that helps young mothers.

Witzend Thu 13-Jul-23 12:43:14

That is really sweet, Liz46!

Witzend Thu 13-Jul-23 12:34:38

For a change (I usually make Big Fat Teds) I’m making a worry-eating frog for Knit for Nowt. As you can see he’s waiting for his 2nd back leg, and for the Froglet hand puppet to accompany him. Both are waiting to be finally finished/sewn up/stuffed.

BellaT2 Thu 13-Jul-23 12:25:40

I love knitting, but hate sewing up, and never seem to finish the second sleeve of anything. I did knit some jumpers for toddler GD, but I rarely saw her wearing them. Think they went to the charity shop, good as new.

But I’ve discovered Knit for Peace, a charity that wants all sorts of handknits. I do blankets - very little concentration needed so great combined with telly watching and listening to audiobooks. I’m working my way through my stash.

They also sell bundles of yarn - I’ve bought a couple. It’s lucky dip, but I’ve had some great wool, and opening the packet is really exciting. (I know - bit of a sad sack!)

Liz46 Thu 13-Jul-23 12:22:04

I’ve just made this for a neighbour’s granddaughter.

Backtoreality Thu 13-Jul-23 11:50:32

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.😀

karmalady Thu 13-Jul-23 11:27:33

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

ginny Thu 13-Jul-23 11:26:18

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.

Athrawes Thu 13-Jul-23 11:06:06

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 smile

Kateykrunch Thu 13-Jul-23 10:37:19

Thankyou for your recommendations, I will take a look.

Callistemon21 Thu 13-Jul-23 10:31:52

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

Witzend Thu 13-Jul-23 10:30:20

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.

Callistemon21 Wed 12-Jul-23 16:11:27

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!

Callistemon21 Wed 12-Jul-23 16:09:40

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 Wed 12-Jul-23 16:07:27

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 Wed 12-Jul-23 16:02:46

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!!

Kupari45 Wed 12-Jul-23 16:02:16

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!