True Love!

[Brandi]

I knit a lot! And a couple weeks ago I decided to treat myself and buy some really nice yarn.
They have a type of yarn they whind into a hank. Hard to explain but anyway you are supposed to whind into a ball. Well I didn't know this and it is the first time I have delt with it like this. Well long story short I REALLY messed it up trying to figure it out. My dh looked at me and said I was making a mess. I was ready to call it a loss. He is now sitting in front of me with yarn all around him,fending off cats and letting he's ice cream melt to fix it for me. I told him we could just forget it, no big. He won't let it go. It was a huge mess too. He's so cute sitting there doing this right now. And i was so mad about the mess he made yesterday and then he does this. Sigh.

[KnottedYet]

Aw, that's sweet!

Winding the yarn into balls was always one of the best parts of getting ready to do a sweater. There was somthing about taking those hanks and looping them around my toes and unwinding/rewinding that yarn... The first time I'd touch that new yarn!

I used to carefully knit strands of my hair into each sweater I made. :rolleyes:

[Brandi]

I would love to learn how to knit a sweater! Oh knotted it is wool yarn by the way! I bought it for a hat. It is a junky lavendar yarn.

[KnottedYet]

Wool yarn is lovely to work with. My favorite for years was a brand called "Brown Sheep." It had such a nice texture! And it smelled good.

I need to start knitting again. I was given some beautiful wooden needles for Christmas/Hannukkah.

[Bikingmomof3]

My favourite yarns to knit with come from Norway. If I do buy yarns in the US, I will use Galway, Brown Sheep, or Cascade 220.

I almost exclusively knit sweaters. :) Most of my patterns come from Garnstudio or Dale of Norway. These patterns can be purchased in the US, but I usually buy them in Norway.

[Blueberry]

Oh - I feel for you:) I usually beg my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) to wind it for me:)

I have a hank of sock yarn (eek) that didn't come from my LYS that I haven't knitted for the sole reason that it's in a hank, and I can't imagine what a bear it will be to wind into a ball....*sigh*

CA

[mtbdarby]

Brandi, I think you should take a picture of dh winding the yarn for you. Next time you get mad at him pull out the picture to remind you want a great guy he is!

[mimitabby]

knitting has always seemed so much more difficult for me than crochet.
anyone else crochet here?

[Bikingmomof3]

I enjoy the process of winding a hank of yarn into a ball. For that reason I have never purchased a swift.

[Blueberry]

I enjoy the process of winding a hank of yarn into a ball. For that reason I have never purchased a swift.

Any tips you'd care to share:D :D I'm a little intimidated by the process:cool:

[Bikingmomof3]

I open the hank, wrap it around a chair, my feet, or DH's arms and begin rolling it. For me, keeping the ball as tight as possible works best. The process does not take me too long, but I have been doing this for a long time. :)

[Offthegrid]

knitting has always seemed so much more difficult for me than crochet.
anyone else crochet here?

I find knitting WAAAY easier. My mom tried to teach me to crochet so many times and I just can't get the tension right. And I understand the whole wrapping the yarn around your fingers to help with the tension thing.

With knitting, it's no big deal. I learned about 18 months ago and love it. Very relaxing.

I have the yarn for a sweater (got a simple pattern -- the first time I proposed to try cables) but just haven't bought the size needle I need. So lazy! It'll be next winter before I get that thing done.

But, BTW, I *hate* rolling the yarn into the balls. It's so boring. I want to get down to the project. Just like when I cross-stitch something, I hate putting the border on at the end. *yawn*

[mimitabby]

I find knitting WAAAY easier. My mom tried to teach me to crochet so many times and I just can't get the tension right. And I understand the whole wrapping the yarn around your fingers to help with the tension thing.

With knitting, it's no big deal. I learned about 18 months ago and love it. Very relaxing.

*

oh, how funny, you are the opposite of me! With knitting, i had trouble with tension, dropping stitches, ak. With crochet, it just flies by and becomes a (relatively) beautiful thing.

[wannaduacentury]

I knit a lot! And a couple weeks ago I decided to treat myself and buy some really nice yarn.
They have a type of yarn they whind into a hank. Hard to explain but anyway you are supposed to whind into a ball. Well I didn't know this and it is the first time I have delt with it like this. Well long story short I REALLY messed it up trying to figure it out. My dh looked at me and said I was making a mess. I was ready to call it a loss. He is now sitting in front of me with yarn all around him,fending off cats and letting he's ice cream melt to fix it for me. I told him we could just forget it, no big. He won't let it go. It was a huge mess too. He's so cute sitting there doing this right now. And i was so mad about the mess he made yesterday and then he does this. Sigh.

Yes I've been there. I bought some wool yarn recently and had yarn all over the place too. Didn't have the cats helping though or dh. I really like the organic cotton/ wool natural fiber yarns, really cool texture.

[Brandi]

Well now that we are on this subject maybe one of you can suggest something for me. My dh wants a sweater as I wrote above. He wants a chunky yarn ,tweed like with specks of color(good for hiding any stains). What yarns would you suggest i take a look at. I don't think wool will work unless I can machine wash it. I don't like washing things like that by hand. So any suggestions on this. I looked up the yarns knotted and Bikingmomof3. They are really nice as a matter of fact there are two up for bid on ebay i am thinking of getting just for hats.
My friends Aunt said she would help me do my first sweater. But she is cheap with the yarns she picks.
If I am going to make asweater and put in the time I want it to be special.

[five one]

knitting has always seemed so much more difficult for me than crochet.
anyone else crochet here?

I can crochet, but haven't made anything in years. Counted cross stitch kind of took over as the craft du jour sometime back. I know the mechanics of knitting, but like you, I have trouble with tension. I'd like to give it try again sometime. We have a great shop in town and I'm sure they give lessons. I think I'd need help if I were ever to try following a pattern.

BMo3, I've looked at your knitting blog. You do BEAUTIFUL work! I am very impressed by the pictures :D . Lovely yarn, gorgeous sweaters and socks.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well now that we are on this subject maybe one of you can suggest something for me. My dh wants a sweater as I wrote above. He wants a chunky yarn ,tweed like with specks of color(good for hiding any stains). What yarns would you suggest i take a look at. I don't think wool will work unless I can machine wash it. I don't like washing things like that by hand. So any suggestions on this....
If I am going to make asweater and put in the time I want it to be special.

Brandi I would suggest a "washable wool"- some call it "superwash" wool. It's 100% real wool that has been treated so it will not shrink badly in the wash cycle like other wool. But you should still avoid hot water and don't dry it in the dryer- lay it out to dry.
Real wool cannot be treated roughly like acryllic yarn. But the beauty and specialness of real wool is worth it. Real wool keeps you warmer than acryllic wool, it breathes better, wicks sweat away better, and doesn't get BO. It's natural lanolin repels dirt and rarely has to be washed.

I strongly suggest you go to an actual yarn store and they will help you with finding a pattern you like and finding the appropriate weight and type of wool, and they'll also calculate how much wool you'll need and what size needles, etc. All this help is invaluable. Often a good wool store will let you return any unopened/unused hanks of yarn you have left over (don't take off the labels or roll into balls until you are sure you will use that next hank). Usually if you have bought the yarn there, they will also help you with any problems you encounter while knitting the sweater.

[Geonz]

(Just make sure he's not allergic to wool. I love how wool looks... but not how it makes me feel... I prefer breathing :))

[kaybee]

Okay, how did you folks who are great knitters LEARN to do it? And how long did it take to get to the point where you felt like you knew what you were doing?

My sixth-grade teacher taught me the basic stitch, but not how to properly cast on or cast off, so last year I bought myself a book and started teaching myself to knit properly. I can now cast on, cast off, knit, pearl, increase, decrease, do cables, and read simple patterns, and have a closet full of scarves, but still feel like a knitting dummy. I started a class at the local college last night called "Knitting: Beyond Scarves," that was advertised as teaching a new knitter to move past rectangles. All the other ladies had their projects picked out and were planning to make sweaters and little tank tops and really cute things, while I had no idea what I wanted to do because it seems so overwhelming -- like learning to hammer a nail into a 2x4 and then being told "Okay, now let's build a house." Fortunately, the instructor has a great personality, and is willing to work with each person on her own level, and the other ladies are really nice, but I feel like a remedial student in an honors class! :eek:

KB

[chickwhorips]

anyone else crochet here?

i do i do! i'm in the process of making a blanket.
though i do want to learn how to knit and get better at the crocheting. i've only worked on this blanket, now twice.

[Bikingmomof3]

Well now that we are on this subject maybe one of you can suggest something for me. My dh wants a sweater as I wrote above. He wants a chunky yarn ,tweed like with specks of color(good for hiding any stains). What yarns would you suggest i take a look at. I don't think wool will work unless I can machine wash it. I don't like washing things like that by hand. So any suggestions on this. I looked up the yarns knotted and Bikingmomof3. They are really nice as a matter of fact there are two up for bid on ebay i am thinking of getting just for hats.
My friends Aunt said she would help me do my first sweater. But she is cheap with the yarns she picks.
If I am going to make asweater and put in the time I want it to be special.

Start with these: http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-tweed.asp

I wash my sweaters in the washing machine. :)

Also check out:http://elann.com/

Edit: Dale of Norway makes a few superwash wool yarns that do not feel, um...unnatural. The only time I use a superwash yarn is if I am making a baby blanket. There are a lot of wools out there and varying prices. Since this is your first sweater, I suggest going with Brown Sheep or Cascade 220. Both wash and wear beautifully and last forever. As well as getting more wool for your money as well as a huge colour selection and decent prices.

If money is no object, I will happily direct you to yummy yarns. :D

Once you find a pattern, it will tell you how much yarn you will need. Garnstudio has some gorgoeus free patterns online.

Happy shopping. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Start with these: http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-tweed.asp
...Since this is your first sweater, I suggest going with Brown Sheep or Cascade 220. Both wash and wear beautifully and last forever. As well as getting more wool for your money as well as a huge colour selection and decent prices.

Yes I can second the recommendation for both Cascade brand and Brown Sheep brand. Both are good wools at reasonable prices.

[SadieKate]

I open the hank, wrap it around a chair, my feet, or DH's arms and begin rolling it. For me, keeping the ball as tight as possible works best. The process does not take me too long, but I have been doing this for a long time. :)This makes DH the swift and you the ball winder. My hubby used to do the same thing for me but some days he was swifter than others.

You can also use a nostepinde (http://www.graftonfibers.com/nostiewinding.htm) for ball winding though you still need a swift, a DH or chair back to hold the hank. I've even used my feet. I ahve a nostepinde when I want to wind balls of yarn in the car, infortunately I've never mastered the technique. I need remedial lessons because everybody says it sooooo easy.:rolleyes:

[Bikingmomof3]

This makes DH the swift and you the ball winder. My hubby used to do the same thing for me but some days he was swifter than others.

You can also use a nostepinde (http://www.graftonfibers.com/nostiewinding.htm) for ball winding though you still need a swift, a DH or chair back to hold the hank. I've even used my feet. I ahve a nostepinde when I want to wind balls of yarn in the car, infortunately I've never mastered the technique. I need remedial lessons because everybody says it sooooo easy.:rolleyes:


It takes me such a wee bit of time. DH is even faster. He will open the hank, put it around his knees and it is done in no time. :)

I have seen so gorgeous nostpinde.

My car eats cable needles. :rolleyes:

[Brandi]

bikingmomof3 direct direct me pleasssssse!!!!!!!

[Bikingmomof3]

bikingmomof3 direct direct me pleasssssse!!!!!!!

Alright. :) Baby steps. Remember you may need 20+ skeins. Okay, begin here:http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/29

[Brandi]

Oh oh bikingmomof3 i found this yarn on the site with the free patterns but I can't find it any place. Garnstudio KARISMA, it is a chunky black yarn with a tweed look. My dh loved the yarn. This is major cause I have got him settling on something. Any idea's. http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=63&d_id=5&lang=us

[Brandi]

Alright. :) Baby steps. Remember you may need 20+ skeins. Okay, begin here:http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/29
Wait ,wait! 20+ skeins per sweater?:eek:
Or I am going to just want to buy that many just because buying yarn is addicting as my bike stuff is. Oh no! I have so much yarn... oh man!

[Brandi]

Ohhh the debbie bliss alpaca silk. I have touched that stuff and it is sooo dreamy. I am drooling just thinking about it. I am not aloud I would ruin anything made out of it I am sure!

[Bikingmomof3]

Oh oh bikingmomof3 i found this yarn on the site with the free patterns but I can't find it any place. Garnstudio KARISMA, it is a chunky black yarn with a tweed look. My dh loved the yarn. This is major cause I have got him settling on something. Any idea's. http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=63&d_id=5&lang=us

First, what size will you be making? That determines the number of skeins of this yarn you would need.

[Bikingmomof3]

Wait ,wait! 20+ skeins per sweater?:eek:
Or I am going to just want to buy that many just because buying yarn is addicting as my bike stuff is. Oh no! I have so much yarn... oh man!

It is all dependent on what size sweater you need to make and what yarn and pattern you choose. A man's sweater usually takes a lot of yarn.

And yes, it is addicting. :)

[Kano]

Ohhh the debbie bliss alpaca silk. I have touched that stuff and it is sooo dreamy. I am drooling just thinking about it. I am not aloud I would ruin anything made out of it I am sure!

I did a sweater with alpaca many many years ago, and loved that sweater. It was a bulky yarn, and I was able to toss it in the washer/dryer, gently. I don't know what ever happened to it, but it never got worn looking or stained, or anything. You'd LOVE an alpaca sweater.

I recently bought a new batch of alpaca yarn, and it's heavenly -- beautiful, gossamer, and a delight to work with. The worsted weight alpacas work up nicely too -- and when I felted a project a couple of months ago, the felted stuff is still VERY soft, even though it's firm and thick and has great body.

My current passion is socks -- I've got at least five pairs going, so I can keep moving from yarn to yarn as I get temporarily bored with each of them!

This is really cutting into my sewing time -- good thing it's ski season and my bike is hiding from the chilly air!

Karen in Boise, who's not as tough as Tater

[Kano]

BMo3, or whoever else might have suggestions --

a challenge for me is patterned knitting. Being a lefty, things like cables always turn out WEIRD. Anyplace I can find how to make these turn out well instead of very very strangely?

(upside down, backward, inside out, you name it, the really exciting patterns turn out very very strange)

Karen in Boise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I made myself a sweater last year that was about 50% Alpaca and 50% llama wool. It was lovely to work with and very warm and soft. But...it sheds a LOT- blue fuzz gets all over me whenever I wear it. I'm not sure a guy would like that. Mohair yarn sheds the same way. I would recommend "regular" sheep wool for a guy's sweater, in worsted weight. Cascade brand is a very good price.

[KnottedYet]

BMo3, or whoever else might have suggestions --

a challenge for me is patterned knitting. Being a lefty, things like cables always turn out WEIRD. Anyplace I can find how to make these turn out well instead of very very strangely?

(upside down, backward, inside out, you name it, the really exciting patterns turn out very very strange)

Karen in Boise

Kano, I'm a lefty knitter, too. A friend taught me to knit Norwegian style, and that solved all my tension and twist-stitch problems. I can even do pretty cables! (I was twist-stitching on the knits, purls were ok)

Is there a yarn shop where you can ask someone to watch you knit and help you fine-tune your technique?

[Kano]

Kano, I'm a lefty knitter, too. A friend taught me to knit Norwegian style, and that solved all my tension and twist-stitch problems. I can even do pretty cables! (I was twist-stitching on the knits, purls were ok)

Is there a yarn shop where you can ask someone to watch you knit and help you fine-tune your technique?

Thank you, Knotted. I'm finding a couple of references online and want to get the video to show for me at one of them, dang it! The text/graphic illustrations aren't doing the job for me -- I want to see this norwegian thing in action!

I have recently started attending classes and talked with the teaching staff about learning the cables and bobbles and such. At this point I seem to have thrown them-who-I've-found for a bit of a loop with my left handedness -- and maybe even my desire to use texture in my knitting! I think sometimes stuff has to be done in reverse or something to make the patterns come out the way they're supposed to. I may have to find some other teachers too, but what I think might need is like "lefty conversions" or something on that order!

Karen in Boise

[mimitabby]

I'm lefty too, what's the problem? everything's just backwards, isn't it?

(in crochet, i guess it doesn't matter)

[Kano]

I'm lefty too, what's the problem? everything's just backwards, isn't it?

(in crochet, i guess it doesn't matter)

It's been a long time since I bothered trying anything other than the really basic stuff, Mimi -- when cables come out upside down, backwards, and who knows what else, it's a little discouraging!

I want to try again, but I want to have some hope of success...

Karen in Boise