It's coming along...
I have been inspired by some new friends to get back to knitting. I’m not really a new knitter. I just have zero three dimensional thinking skills. Up until now I have only made scarves with garter stitch. That’s fine, but I wanted to branch out.
My friend, Tara from Blonde Chicken Boutique, recommended the book Stitch N Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook by Debbie Stoller. (Tara also writes and teaches about building your Crafty Business here. She has great ideas!)
So, I started to read the book and got overwhelmed. But I decided not to give up. I grabbed some rose grey alpaca yarn and started trying to learn to Knit 1, then Purl 1 for a cute pattern I saw in the book. It looked easy enough…(thought the woman who had never purled before.)
The beginning was a disaster and my mom had to help me pull it out. Then she taught me how to purl. After some struggling I think I’m getting the hang of it. Here’s crossing my fingers I don’t screw it up again.
Are you a knitter? If not, have you ever tried to knit? Was anyone you loved when you were growing up a knitter? Leave a comment and tell us about your knitting journey or someone you love who knits.
If you’d like to buy some homegrown alpaca yarn, visit the Alpaca Farmgirl Etsy shop. For more fiber-y fun, visit the other participants in Fiber Arts Friday and Creative Friday.
Nice to see you back at FAF! And Kntting!! With Alpaca!!!
BTW, YouTube is amazing for when you get stuck.
I think knitting is the best.
I’ve been a knitter since I am five years old. A neighbour taught me first although my mum was knitting all the time. She was very surprised when I showed her that I had learnt to knit in one afternoon while our neighbour was looking after me and my siblings.
I wish you all the best with your purling.
That looks very nice and even!
I taught myself to knit from books and internet videos, back when I had a dial up modem. My first efforts were … well … I no longer have them.
I admire you for learning to knit from a book. My mom taught me when I was very young, literarily held my hands, stitch by stitch, until I “got it”. Good luck! As Kathryn said, YouTube has some great videos on learn to knit.
Welcome home! We’ve missed you!
You know, when I was learning to knit I tried scarves because I was told they were easy. They were BORING! If you truly want to knit then find a project that totally inspires you. It all clicked for me when I learned to knit in the round and make hats. I am such a hat gal that knitting my own simple hat gave me the courage to move forward. Same stitches as that scarf EXCEPT there is an end in sight.
I am glad that you have a friend helping you too because knitting and friends go hand in hand. Now, don’t be a stranger. As you remember, Fiber Arts Friday love the animal photos too so don’t be afraid to share your beautiful herd.
I just started knitting myself last year…I am mainly a crocheter, but was lured to knitting by socks
Kathryn, YES! I learned to cast on with YouTube and I’ve used some of the knitting sites. But, really, sometimes I cannot wrap my brain around what’s “going on” with my goof up. This is why I like needlepointing. lol.
Regula and Vivian – How wonderful to have people teach you to knit at a young age. I bet that helps!
Andrea, You look so cute in hats! No wonder you love knitting them. However, you couldn’t PAY me to wear one. And down here it’s too hot for most knitted accessories. We only wear sweaters about 2 days a year. I keep thinking I will like crochet… While I will keep trying, I’m not really a knitter at heart. I do love dyeing, needlefelting, and I have spinning aspirations!
I am not a knitter but I have tried to knit. I have seen some people knitting, it seems a bit hard work but if you practicing well it is so easy. Its good for a break as well as you can earn some money. Tuscany Wine Tours
I am 58 and learned to knit three years ago….took me forever to learn to purl and then ribbing…oh, my! I have since learned that videos are the best learning tool out there, above and beyond a class. Crocheting makes my wrist hurt now, though I have done that for years. Now I use it to make bands for sweaters and binding for afghans and baby blankets. I would say knit and felt bags and stuff like that. Kristin Nicholas does marvelous stuff with felt and embroidery. Look her up.
I can see how soft it must feel. I love knitting with alpaca. It slides through your hands so softly and makes such a comforting fabric. Thank you for sharing it.
Had a totally new experience Saturday. Helped to shear two pacas for the fiber. Now off to the mill as soon as I can contact them! I am sooo excited….enough yarn to make ME a sweater!
I have knit since my teens. Of course other fiber arts followed. I progressed from knitting to spinning then on to processing raw fleeces I would purchase at fiber festivals and online. Then of course came my angora rabbits: french and german mostly. Why buy fiber when you can get it for “free” LOL. I have this bone in my head that tells me that if I can make it myself…. or maybe I just like learning the whole process from start to finish? Who knows but enjoy your knitting. The person who said that scarves are boring is right! (unless you are knitting an open airy angora “cloud” on big needles. That goes faster LOL. But don’t stress about your knitting. I tell anyone I teach or who asks questions that your hands learn to knit long before your brain does! Let your hands handle the yarn and needles the way they want to and don’t force it or stress. Doesn’t sound like much advice but you will see if you stick with it. Knitting with such a wonderful yarn in your hands will help. Focus on the soft feel of the yarn. Good luck and I will be checking back to see how you are doing. Thanks for a great page!
You are so right, Dawn! I can be rocking along, knitting, then my brain gets involved and messes it up.
Thanks for your comment!