Do any of you still do knitting as a hobby ?

Hadn't knitted for years. When GS due I did knit a few items for him, that was 13 years ago. Then GD arrived 18 months later and I knitted for her arrival have continued knitting a lot until only last year. Last items I knitted for her were beanie hats only this winter. I also crocheted a bed cover for her. I am not an expert in either. Been attending a knit and natter group for 10 years. Some who attend, are to me, knitting and crochet artists.

Primrose 53, due to our hobbies being portable the public can see us when we craft in other spaces. It’s nice to help trigger a nice childhood experience. I find a good pattern can help channel concentration as a dropped stitch isn’t wanted. I have arthritis in both hands and the exercise helps. I don’t overdo it as well want to carry on .

I am just working on a baby blanket for new grandchild arriving in March.

I'm not an expert, nor very quick, but can tackle most projects, although I tend to stick to simple patterns now. The one thing I haven't mastered is to knit and not look at my work! So I can knit and listen, but not watch the TV.

I knit quite a bit don't always have people to knit for though- when the younger ones at work are having babies I do knit for them, I've a couple òf lovely patterns for cushions which I will do. Also the local hospital are always in need of tiny baby things for the prem baby unit. Yarn isn't cheap but it's my hobby and gives me pleasure.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202402/medium-486890-2011-03-10-baby-blanket-1.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202402/medium-805575-2011-03-10-baby-blanket-reverse-2.jpg

A double sided baby blanket I knitted for GD2

Reverse of blanket

I gave up knitting for twenty years because I was so disappointed that my garments kept turning out too long, with extra long sleeves. I knitted a jumper for my husband and he had to roll the cuffs up quite a bit. In frustration, I packed away all my knitting equipment and stuffed it into the back of the wardrobe - and there it remained for twenty years. Then one day, I noticed the knitting bag hidden at the back of the wardrobe and decided to have another go. I couldn't even remember how to cast on and had to watch YouTube videos, but it gradually fell into place. I went on to knit many things for my three youngest grandchildren, and also realised from the YouTube videos that the reason everything turned out too big was because I was not tensioning the yarn. Strange because I had learnt to knit at the age of 8 and neither my mum or nan had noticed that I just let the yarn hang without tensioning it.

Have a go. You might surprise yourself - and what have you got to lose? .

Here's a doll I knitted for my granddaughter.

Oldnproud

Glorianny

I've started knitting hats and just done one on 4 needles. The last time I knitted on 4 needles was aged 11 when we were expected to knit a pair of socks. I don't think mine were ever finished. I just remember having a lot of work pulled out or taken back when I was supposed to be "turning the heel". It's taken me 60+ years to get over the trauma. Hats are easier!

I didn't know how to knit on four needles before Google.
I am still trying to perfect my technique,but it has improved a lot since I changed to knitting with the yarn in my left hand instead of the right. There is still plenty of room for improvement though.

So much easier to knit with the wool in your left, put the wool across your index finger and you will knit twice the speed within minutes. Google it (continental way of knitting) I have always knitted like that. I started knitting when I was 4, my mother used to be a classroom assistant who taught the children in the school I attended to knit.

I love to knit and always have something on my needles. I'm really enjoying knitting toys and gifts. Jean Greenhowe toy pattern books are brilliant and easy to follow. This is my latest completed for a friend for her 60th birthday .. baker with cake.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202402/medium-958904-20231212-182955.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202402/medium-60999-20231212-182739.jpg

These were chocolate orange covers for Christmas presents

I buy Woman’s Weekly every week, lots of interesting features and yes they still have knitting patterns inside , plus recipes, health, and puzzle pages , something for everyone (including my husband) !!!

Wow Primrose 53 you throws are amazing. Should be on show at the V&A.

This little video is worth watching. It’s about knitting, and is really well done.

clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=Et3XR&m=3dNUHaMGaPaipg2&b=dU515jdJ_xTF8M67EnMZYg

I knit and/or crochet every day at some point. Took them both up again in retirement and get much pleasure from both

paris123

Everyones knitting pictures are lovely, thank you so much for sharing. Iv loved reading everyone's posts.

hubby didnt yet have chance to get my pattens down from the loft so this morning iv been looking on the internet to see if there are any old vintage free patterns. iv found the perfect knitting project l want to have a go at
As im stuck in bed most of the time , l thought why dont l make an old fashioned 1950's style bed jacket !!
if l can find some soft yellow 4 ply wool ll be all set up to get comfy when l write my 1950's journal. perfect but daft lol.

www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/G-KR004-10.htm

Shawls are having a moment just now paris so you could try one of those too.
DH only wears hand knitted socks (he has peripheral neuropathy and they are the most comfortable) so I’m kept busy with those. I also knit for charity. I knit and/or crochet every day of my life.

Gran16

I love to knit and always have something on my needles. I'm really enjoying knitting toys and gifts. Jean Greenhowe toy pattern books are brilliant and easy to follow. This is my latest completed for a friend for her 60th birthday .. baker with cake.

He's lovely Gran16

You can always tell a Jean Greenhowe pattern! 🙂

I can knit and do so very rarely - I find crochet grows faster and easier to pick up and put down. Got back to it a couple of years ago after a long break when my niece was hunting for a small scarecrow.
I like to make small things and do soft toys for charity etc and preemie hats.

I can knit and mum had a wool shop in Westcliff on sea, Essex. Just find it too much of a faff now and a bit old fashioned. Have a long designer scarf almost finished. I sell stuff on eBay as need the income but the scarf is going to the local charity shop next week. Hope someone likes it. Will sell the knitting needles as no intention of continuing knitting. Prefer making money on eBay but whatever floats your boat.

Why not follow a charity such as SIMBA craft group or CHAS knitting army, find them both on FBook. They are always looking for small simple knitted items either for the prem babies themselves or to sell for charity. They both have patterns in the files section at the top.
Also if needing odds and ends of wool put a shout out on local FB pages as I am sure many people will have odds. I rehomed 2 black bags of odds the other week.

I love knitting (cannot crochet but am learning to sew), and my DDIL and her sister have requested hand knits for their babies! I’m thrilled, even my nephew’s partner has asked for hand knits for her two children. Not a problem, I’m never happier of an evening than when I’m knitting something. I understand it may be different when I get to grips with sewing mind!! LOL

Love the baker with cake, Gran16 - and I do agree about Jean Greenhowe patterns, although I’ve largely made Christmas things. Her instructions are crystal clear and so detailed - if you follow them exactly you can’t go wrong. Mostly accessible for knitters with just basic skills, too.

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but hospitals often welcome twiddle muffs for patients with dementia, to keep their hands busy. As far as I recall, , they take them home with them on discharge, so new ones often needed.

You can use any oddments of DK or chunky - pattern is in double dk IIRC. They are quite quick and easy to knit. I found my pattern by googling Oxford University Hospitals twiddle muffs - 🤞the pattern (free to download) is still there.

I love to knit Debbie Abrahams mystery blankets. I can't afford it every year but her designs are amazing and her instructions are excellent. She always uses Rowan yarn which I feel is excellent quality although pricey!

I've also used Jean Greenhowe patterns. The Dickensian Christmas Mice is just magic..

Just finished these socks last night for husband.

Back to crochet now.