True Love!

[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 . 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!

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.

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 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.

[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 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.

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.

[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/vi...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?
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/vi...d_id=5&lang=us

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