| Author | Content |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 11, 2006
01:23 PM Post #1969447
| Since it seems that we have all the topics here. we have one that is missing" KNITTING!. I am a knitter in the winter (such rhyme) and a gardener most of the year . I dont' count indoor plants as gardening , I think of it as leisure and pleasure, even when it involve spending the afternoon repoting a bunch of things.
I am sure that we have few gardeners that like me turn into knitters part of the year maybe we could exchange ideas, patterns and yarn sources. I do knit both by hand and also have few knitting machines. I used to have a knitting store this was in another lifetime so I do know few things both types of knitting. I do knit a lots of my presents for the holydays and this year my bestseller as a gift was the knitted mice with or without catnip. I could not make them fast enought . I am still 6 mice behind as gifts. they are fun to make and they are loved by the kitties.
Interested anyone? |
RUK
Fair Lawn, NJ
(Zone 6b)
January 11, 2006
01:38 PM Post #1969495
| Yes, I am interested!
I was a knitter years ago, had two knitting machines (Singer 700 and then a Brother 930/940) which I finally gave up last year. Lately I have been itching to start up some projects by hand again.
I did not get rid of all my yarns when I sold the machines and over the weekend I pulled some out to think of a nice project. One thing I always did by hand was cables, following graphs. |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 11, 2006
07:55 PM Post #1970388
| I know how to do cables I have done them before but they are not my favorites. I like to design mostly come up with an idea and run with it. I still use my knitting machine I just made a new sweater for my dog with some fairisle ribbons patterns for the holidays. He looks so cute in it. I work with natural yarn every chance that I knit I cant tolerate synthetics on my skin plus they dont really keep you warm. At this point knitting machine wise I have a old studio double bed that works like a charm, a single bed standard that does lace , and a bulky double bed. But they are not getting much work out these days . The only thing that I made a lots of last year was socks out of alpaca yarn as presents to go with other things. The socks were appreciated by all my friends. I have some pattern of cable that are quite intricate in some of my books if you are interested. |
RUK
Fair Lawn, NJ
(Zone 6b)
January 11, 2006
11:01 PM Post #1970787
| Thanks, I might come back to you for some patterns, but right now I am still at the "let me stare at this stuff for inspiration" - stage.
I used to make cotton socks on my machine, turned heel and all, so I can relate to that. Made from soft Alpaca, now that is nice.
Also, I looked at my old book: Charted Knitting Designs by Barbara Walker!! Are you familiar with her designs? |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 12, 2006
07:57 AM Post #1971245
| Yes I am familiar with her work. but as a rule I dont do other people's pattern . Usualy I make a knitting sample with the yarn that I plan to use then I make the pattern myself. Also I found a great pattern software form a canadian company and after I make the sample piece I put in the dimensions that are needed for the pattern and run with it . I have used this software time and time again and I have been very pleased with it. I have made several cotton sweaters and few silk and linen mixted and they turned out great. Plus the hats and carves for the crand children and the dog sweater collection. For the dog I created my own patternbecause you really need too inorder to fit right. I found a very good source for yarn called Ellan yarn they are on the web it is acanadian company and their yarn are about 40 t0 50%less than in the us. this is where I purchase the alpaca and few other things.
And those alpaca socks they are great in the winter...since I am always cold. |
ginnylynn
Blyth, ON
(Zone 5b)
January 13, 2006
11:40 AM Post #1973592
| orchidfancy, would you be willing to share your pattern for the little knitted mice? I have two cats that would just love them to pieces! |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 13, 2006
03:02 PM Post #1973922
| ginnylynn,
you can get the pattern from this website:
http://knitting.about.com/library/nmouse.htm
it is fairly easy pattern to follow , I make mine in variousl leftover wool l and Babyboo just love's them . her is a picture of the Moussies in various state of undoing . 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
kooger
Oostburg, WI
(Zone 5b)
January 13, 2006
09:33 PM Post #1974717
| orchidfancy - check ur link, think u may have an error in it, it's not working. :) |
downscale_babe
surfside beach, SC
(Zone 8b)
January 14, 2006
09:43 AM Post #1975632
| I would love the pattern for the mice.I have been knitting off and on since I was a child. |
ginnylynn
Blyth, ON
(Zone 5b)
January 14, 2006
01:38 PM Post #1976149
| Thanks orchidfancy! The kitties should just love this. --Ginny |
ggd
Sidney, BC
(Zone 8b)
January 14, 2006
03:45 PM Post #1976425
| Here's the link: It just had a typo in it.
http://knitting.about.com/library/nmouse.htm
Glenda |
downscale_babe
surfside beach, SC
(Zone 8b)
January 14, 2006
06:46 PM Post #1976742
| orchidfancy
I love your take on the mice.The fuzzy wool and combo of colors really adds to their cuteness. |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 15, 2006
10:58 AM Post #1978164
| Here I am this morning finishing some of the mousies , I have 5 more to go When I am finished I will take a pic and post it on this site.
Those mousies will travel the are going to some of my friends and some of my relatives in France all cat lovers.
Next will be making some knitted scarves they are very simple and take no time to make and they can be as fancy or as simple as you want to make them. I will give you some ideas of how to embelish them at the same time. Please post pictures of the things that you make...For those who are just starting to knit i will put the pattern in the treat that deals with the knitting. |
bettydee
La Grange, TX
(Zone 8b)
January 31, 2006
01:22 AM Post #2012225
| orchidfancy,
I am also a winter knitter. Thanks for the mouse pattern. I'm sure Lucky and Winston will love their mice once I have them knitted.
Glenda, where is the typo located?
Veronica |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 31, 2006
08:28 AM Post #2012494
| Everyone I am so glad that I could share the mice's with all of you . Now I am on the quest for a pattern of winter birds that I saw in a magasine about 5 years ago. The patterns consisted of blue jay, cardinal, timouse, and sparrows. they were made to decorate one's christmas tree.
Of course at the time I had other concerns and didn't bother saving the pattern. Now I am sorry. So far I have not been able to find it . Right now I am working into designing that pattern and it is a challenge. When I have it together I will be glad to share it with the knitters on this tread.
Thank you to respond to this tread. If anyone has knitting suggestions please post them I am sure that we have peoples that are intersted in new patterns and what their experiences are with those patterns and send pictures of the finished products, it is always fun to see other peoples creations...
|
rcn48
Lexington, VA
(Zone 6a)
February 01, 2006
06:07 AM Post #2014754
| Just found this and glad to see a thread dedicated to Knitting! I recently picked up my knitting needles after almost 10 years and I'm once again "hooked" :) It's a great winter pastime, but I'm not sure how my gardens will feel in the spring when they have to duke it out competing for my time! I've made four scarves, one hooded scarf, two big bulky sweaters (one for me and one for my daughter), almost finished with a cardigan for myself that I'm determined to finish although I don't really like it and cast on the first stitches and worked a couple of inches for a new vest for myself last night - and all since the first of November! I can't stop!!!
I'm actually looking for a pattern for a toddler sweater and maybe some of you can help. I knit one about 20 years ago for my son and now want to make one for my best friend's grandson. The pattern was for a hooded sweater with a zipper that went down the back so it made it extremely easy to slip off and on a "wiggly" toddler. I thought it was a Penny Straker design, but went to her website and couldn't find it although I found other patterns that I recognize from my knitting ventures over 20 years ago. Unfortunately when I left Maine six years ago, I thought I had given up knitting and I don't even know what I did with all the patterns I had worked over the years. If anyone has any resources for this type of sweater, I'd sure appreciate it.
Debra |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 01, 2006
10:11 AM Post #2015043
| Debra
Let me see What I can find in my collection of patterns for childrens. It seems like you are on the roll keep on going. In the past few years i have made some shawls mostly crochet. but I have made many baby blankets for peoples in my family... they all were having babies... |
bekados
Pensacola, FL
February 20, 2006
05:38 PM Post #2058975
| I just learned to knit two days ago...takes me about five minutes just to do one row. The woman who taught me said she doesn't even have to look at her needles. Wow. I love it but am excited to get past this beginner really bad stage. Any suggestions for beginner websites? |
jdee
Paris, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 22, 2006
12:22 AM Post #2062506
| Hello bekados,
I'm just learning myself. Believe me when I say that I know all about the beginner frustrations. I think I've unraveled as much, or more, than I've knitted. lol
This link was given to me, and I find it to be very helpful.
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
Good luck, and have lots of fun,
Jennifer
|
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 22, 2006
06:45 AM Post #2062768
| The best thing that you can do as a beginner is using a real fancy yarn like a eyelash , or a chenille that you like and make yourself a scarf using size 12 or14 needles it goes real fast . And you can also make scarves as christmas present , if you use fancy yarns people love them they make great gifts and they are pretty, also you become more confident , with the knitting you get more speed and after few scarves you can start going for bigger and better things. I taught a group at church and they realy had fun knitting. Not only did they make scarves for the Christmas bazaar they also made some for their friends. If you try to go too fast knitting you can become discouraged if it does not turn out as you like it... so do something easy... the scarves at the bazaar sold between $25 and 35 each not bad... |
bekados
Pensacola, FL
February 24, 2006
05:21 AM Post #2067302
| Jdee,
I found that link just a few minutes after I posted. I learned SO much from it! Thanks for passing it along as well. Orchidfancy, as for making a scarf...seems like it takes me all day just to make a dishcloth (that's what we're using my endeavors for...work great!). Am I doing something wrong? I have a size 9 needle and am practicing with regular yarn. And, if I'm making a scarf, what stitch should I use? K1 row, P1 row is still really slowing me down. I guess all this is just part of the learning process? |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 24, 2006
07:26 AM Post #2067354
| Bekados: If you are amking a scarf you are using the simplest stitch , knit it is also called garter stitch. pattern for a fast scarf
Size 14 needles
2 balls of fancy yarn (they hide the mistakes easy)
start with 16 stiches
and keep on going untill your scarf measure 60 inches
bind off..
Is that simple or what?
Wall mart has a nice collection of nice fuzzy fancy yarns, you can add ribbons to your yarns meaning one strand of fuzzy yarn and one strand of of ribbons of your liking and it will make it very interesting , and unique at the same time.
this week end I will make a scarf and take a picture of it and post it so you can see ... Happy knitting... |
MaryinLa
Marshfield, MO
(Zone 6a)
February 28, 2006
01:10 AM Post #2076670
| orchidfancy, I looked for the knitted birds, so far have found crochet ones
http://home.wideopenwest.com/~sag55/bluebird.html
http://home.wideopenwest.com/~sag55/sjay.html
http://home.wideopenwest.com/~sag55/cardinal.html
http://home.wideopenwest.com/~sag55/dove.html
|
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 28, 2006
08:19 AM Post #2076870
| maryinla
thank you for the bird crochet links. I am going to download those patterns and maybe try them , this will have to be in the fall because now I am overloaded with things to do... |
bekados
Pensacola, FL
March 14, 2006
06:29 PM Post #2112955
| knitting is going much more quickly. my needles are a smaller gauge...size 10 is the largest I have so I am keeping the stitches loose. used a fuzzy yarn and you are right...hides a lot of mistakes! did you ever post pictures of your scarves? and, how would I incorporate ribbon into scarf? that sounds pretty. |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
March 17, 2006
05:41 PM Post #2119441
| bekados
to incorporate small ribbons in a scarf you would need larger needles like size 14 or 15 and you knit i strand of yarn, 1 strand of eyelash yarn and some ribbons of your choice . you can do thru the whole scarf or just few rows . since you are knitting 2 strand to begin with you can cut the ribbon when you want to and add it when you want to and this can be very attractive. No need to attach the ribbon anywhere, the stiches hold it in place. I love to make some scarves and show them but i dont seem to be able to keep them long enought to take a picture , My friends come and visit and shall I say anymore ... this week end I should be able to take the picture of a scarf I am finishing one for a client. |
Mandi_48
Glasgow, WV
(Zone 6b)
June 27, 2006
12:49 PM Post #2439404
| Glad to see a knitting thread. I've been knitting (crochet also) for 48 years: sweaters, socks, rugs, afghans, scarves, hats, doll clothes, bedspreads, placemats, doilies, etc.
For searchers, there are plenty of places to look for patterns: JoAnn Fabrics, LionBrand and many other brands of yarn ... offer free patterns; Free Patterns.com and the Knitting section at About.com, to name just a few. Eventually, I'll have links to all or most of them on my own knitting web page, as soon as I get some patterns I made written and posted.
I hope this thread becomes much more active when cooler weather gets here. |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
June 28, 2006
08:06 AM Post #2442540
| Right now I am knitting with some yarn that a friend gave me, it is called banana silk it come's from Nepal. the color is great the hues are beautiful it is a navy blue that changes thru the the whole skein . I love it ,it is also a thick and thin yarn because it is hand spun . I am making a summer vest with it i design my own patterns I should be finished by the end of the week and I will post a picture of the finish product. the last time that I wanted to post a pic a friend came along and had to have the scarf that i was making before I could take picture of it. tjhis year I have decided that I am going to make all my christmas presents , scarves are high on the list so are shawls and socks...
happy knitting... |
Sherry1961
Skowhegan, ME
(Zone 5b)
August 04, 2006
09:51 PM Post #2587940
| am knitter, crocheter, x stitcher and gardener. And a pet lover.. ~ Sherry |
therahort
Rowesville, SC
August 06, 2006
06:01 AM Post #2591845
| Just visited the Lions Brand thread link, and they have a new yarn, which uses a new technique, that looks simple, once you get used to it. The yarn is called 'Ruffles', and they give a free pattern for a elegant ruffled scarf. You can get other free patterns, also. You cast on by inserting the needle at intervals in the yarn, and go from there. The yarn is supposed to do all the work of making the ruffles in the piece. I think that they said that knitting with it makes dense ruffles, and purling makes a thinner ruffles. Come this winter, I would like to try it. I believe that you register, if you are a first time visitor, and log in thereafter. I subscribe to their newsletter, which is optional, I think, and that is how I found out about the new yarn. |
orchidfancy
College Park, MD
(Zone 7a)
August 06, 2006
06:37 AM Post #2591875
| this yarn sounds very interesting , Not really one that i will get . Right now Ipromised myself to use all the yarns that i have accumulated throught time and trust me I have a lot. This year I am making all my Christmas and birthday presents...this should keep me busy... |
