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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Knitting and Loving it!!

I have always wanted to learn how to knit. My Grandmother used to make my sister and I sweaters with cute matching hats. I started taking knitting classes at Wool Tyme here in Kingston at the end of summer and  I look forward to them every week.

I started out learning a Garter Stich or "g st" where you knit every row.
Photo source: Knit Picks
I then learned how to do a Stocking/Stockinette Stich or "st st" which is a combination of a knitted row followed by a purl row.
Photo Source: Knit Picks
Next, was a K2, P2 rib or 2x2 rib. This is a combination of knitting 2 stitches and purling 2 stitches.
Photo Source: Knit Picks
A checkerboard pattern is a combination of several K2, P2 rows follwed by an equal number of P2, K2 rows.
Photo Source: Cyber Seams
I then learned a making a dish cloth in a diamond pattern. The materials I used is 1 ball/skein of Sugar 'n Cream yarn and 1 pair of size 8mm US knitting needles (2 balls/skeins make 3 dish cloths). Here is how my first project came out.


Then I was ready to make my first hat/toque for E. I used a pattern from my instructor and used bamboo circular needles and knitted in the round for the very first time. It seemed intimidating, but, after a few rows, it made life simpler.

To avoid sewing seams, you can work in rounds using circular needles or double-pointed needles. To work in rounds, cast your stitches on one end of the needle the same as you would on a straight needle. Check to make sure that the cast-on lays flat and smooth and is not twisted. I added a stitch marker to the end of the needle to mark the beginning of the round and work the first round according to your pattern instructions.

As I got to the top of the hat it became very taut, so, I switched to double pointed needles. First, you evenly distribute your cast-on over three or four needles, keeping one needle out to knit with. Make sure the cast-on lays flat and smooth and no stitches are twisted. The needles either form a triangle (if you cast on to three needles) or a square (if you cast on to four needles). With the empty needle, knit all stitches on the first needle. When that needle is empty, use it to knit the stitches on the next needle. Continue to knit the stitches from each double-point onto an empty needle, working the stitches as instructed in the pattern.
 
I'm really happy with how this came out and I can't wait to see it on E. 
I am currently using the same yarn to make him a matching scarf also on circular needles, but, I'm not knitting in the round for this project.

I already have requests to make hats/scarfs for my family. I will post pictures when I complete those too.

I'm linking up with these parties.

Have a great weekend!!

13 comments:

  1. Knitting is HARD. good for you! Now you have so many cute things that you can make knitting!

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  2. So cute! So glad you stopped by my blog - I'm your newest follower! : )

    -Mel the Crafty Scientist

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  3. Wow! Your knitting is fabulous! I have always wondered how to make the different stitches. I learned how to crochet when I was a kid but that's where it ended. Very cute!

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  4. Thanks so much checking out my blog over at http://forsuchatimecrafts.blogspot.com/. Great site!

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  5. Hey! I do love knitting, too. Your projects are so well executed. I do not have the same skill. Once, I tried to do the basketweave stitch but kept losing count and I ended up doing a bunch of random knits and purls. It actually, had a nice effect...

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  6. I am totally intimidated by knitting...my crafty friend makes my kids all their winter hats, etc because I am too scared to try! :) Keep up the great work! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Let me know how the tutorial page works out for you.

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  7. It's so exciting when you master a new craft! The hat looks great!

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  8. Great job! My sister knits, I'm in awe of it!

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  9. I so want to learn to knit! I've got my hands a bit full now with current projects, but I have needles and yarn purchased waiting for the right time. Congrats on the hat! It looks great!

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  10. Wow, way to go...you sure are learning lots of new activities. I love knitting but it is too hot up here in the tropics to sit and knit and even wear knitted items. I have never used circular needles. Your hat looks wonderful.

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  11. Great job! It looks fantastic and those knits up there look complicated....you're doing a great job!

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  12. Thanks for sharing your steps of when you learned the different stitches. Right now I'm improving my knit stitch by just making a garter stitch scarf, but I'm planning what comes next!

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