Knitting & Spitting

Hi SueAnthony, I think you do remember, but if you haven't knitted for a while it's often best to start of with something simple, as I know from experience how frustrating it can be to attempt somthing complicated and then end up throwing it either on the floor or the back of the cupboard I love aran and I've just made a little aran hoodie jacket for my daughters first baby, but this was quite a simple design, with just the cable design on the sleeves and and the front of the garment, the rest was moss stitch, and very effective it was too Some aran patterns are very complicated with several panel patterns that you have to go back and forth too, I try to avoid these were possible! Don't give up on aran, but you may have to have a rethink and try a pattern that is less complicated and then gradually progress to patterns which have a lot more going on in them. I hope this helps a little. There may be other Grans out there who are experts and who would like to pass on their gems of knitting wisdom, that would be great!

Hi Angelwispa, thanks for the support. Just sticking with it, taking it stitch by stitch, and will get there by this winter

I also have a stocking stitch scalf on the go and when the aran gets me cross I go and have a go at that, it just grows while I'm reading or watching TV.

yep love aran grew up with the little jumpers and now I want to have aran as part of my wardrobe.

Hi SueAnthony, yes I agree with having more than one project on the go, it makes life a little more interesting Besides I'm a bit of a butterfly, I need to have several projects on the go, knitting, cross stitch, reading, oh and somewhere inbetween some work as well!! I remember making an aran jumper for myself once and although it was lovely, it unfortunately grew bigger and bigger every time I washed it, I think the wool that I used wasn't a good quality, so I learnt that lesson very quickly. No point in putting all that effort in, if it's not going to last! I've got lots of knitting patterns, lately I've sourced lots from charity shops, wonderful vintage patterns, as well as some new booklets at really silly prices, like 20p instead of over £6.00 in the shops! You will have to post a picture of your knitting when you've finished it, so we can see what it's turned out like! Happy knitting, x

I'm a big fan of aran too, have just finifhed a big cardi for myself, which is already stretching. I don't think it helps to hang it up, either coat hanger or hook - seems to like end of bed or chair back. Doesn't help general tidiness - memo to self, make the next one to fit in with interior decor as well as wardrobe.

SueAnthony, I also started on baby knits years ago, knitting the hard bits over and over til they came right. Scarves are easy to make while watching tv once you get the hang of the pattern. You will soon get the hang of it.

I'd love to go on to knitted lace, but it seems to take a lot more concentration. Has anyone tried knitting dishclothes like the Americans do?

I'm sure the knitting (and crochet) helps keep the rheumatics at bay, I notice the difference in my hands if I don't do any for a few days.

Since I retired I picked up this hobby again that I loved so much when the girls were little and I was at home. I started with a sweater that had a cable up the sleeve and over the shoulder. When it was finished I noticed one twist was missing !

I have learnt that the beautiful mosaic patterns in a mosque will always have an intentional flaw because only God can be perfect

I am much more relaxed about a small flaw. As far as I'm concerned it is an indicator that it was stitched with love by human hands and not a machine.

Of course there's a measure of what qualifies as a 'small' flaw and I have pulled back some inches for a major gaff; or got creative with the pattern, making a symmetrical shape on the other side of the garment.

One of the beauties of growing older is ditching the 'rules'.

On the subject of deliberate mistakes. It may seem gruesome but there is a tradition in some fishing communities where the women knit Aran sweaters for their men. Deliberate mistakes are incororated in the patterns to help with the identification of drowned fisherman.Very sad though pragmatic. I tend to put in a minor mistake to keep up a sad tradition but at the same time to show gratitude the the recipient of the garment is not in such danger.

To all other knitters - are you all members of Ravelry? It's wonderful - can give you an answer for virtually every question, has loads of advice, and FREE knitting patterns galore. But beware - you can spend hours on the site!

Youtube is also great for videos of how to knit specific patterns, be they aran or lace.