What are you knitting/crocheting right now?

[indysteel]

Those are really pretty, Reesha. Have you considered using your knitting/hat as a way to raise the money you need for your ride? Just a thought.....

[malkin]

I finished a baby blanket and several hats and was feeling so productive that I hauled out the eternal socks-of-many-misfortunes. So many things have gone wrong with these poor little socks I can't even keep track anymore. The worst was TSA in Mexico taking my needles. I don't even really like the yarn, but I'm coming down the foot, so I might even finish them.

[carlotta]

I'm getting the urge to learn to knit (again). My Grandma was a phenomenal (and prolific) knitter and all of her kids (6) plus the grandkids were beneficiaries of her talents. My nephew is still wearing some of the sweaters she knit for my sister and I (not the pink ones...she leaned towards blue/brown Fair Isle patterns and cable patterns) and I wish I would've been adult-sized when she knit my last one so I could still wear it.

She taught me when I was in maybe 3rd grade and I haven't done it since. I'm not sure I need another hobby but I've thought about it more and more lately; it's interesting to see what you guys are working on and gives me a bit more perspective-- other than sweaters she knit a few baby hats and that's about it, it's good to see less time-consuming projects since those seem like a much less intimidating place to start.

[AppleTree]

I'm getting the urge to learn to knit (again). My Grandma was a phenomenal (and prolific) knitter and all of her kids (6) plus the grandkids were beneficiaries of her talents. My nephew is still wearing some of the sweaters she knit for my sister and I (not the pink ones...she leaned towards blue/brown Fair Isle patterns and cable patterns) and I wish I would've been adult-sized when she knit my last one so I could still wear it.

She taught me when I was in maybe 3rd grade and I haven't done it since. I'm not sure I need another hobby but I've thought about it more and more lately; it's interesting to see what you guys are working on and gives me a bit more perspective-- other than sweaters she knit a few baby hats and that's about it, it's good to see less time-consuming projects since those seem like a much less intimidating place to start.

I had the neighbor "grandma" try to teach me to knit when I was 12 or 13...somehow, even though I could crochet up a storm, knitting seemed beyond me at the time.

I JUST learned from my girlfriend last year and have been having so much fun with it. I haven't done anything more complicated than a shawl, and I have knitted several for a women's cancer treatment center. I am longing to learn how to knit hats though, what great gifts they make. What I especially love is that it is so portable. I take a project whenever we drive anywhere...very soothing to the nerves in traffic.

[Catrin]

Some of you may remember that I forced myself to learn how to knit just 10 months ago as hand therapy (bad arthritis). Not only did it work, but it's turned out rather better than expected. This is my very first fitted garment and I am just tickled pink that it's good enough that I can even wear it in public It wouldn't win a blue ribbon or anything, but I am NOT complaining. I've completed a good number of other projects, several quite large and complex, since teaching myself a short 10 months ago! This is pure merino wool and is SO soft and warm! I started this in September, after my return to work from medical leave for my knee surgery.

Attachment 17918

[BikeDutchess]

Wow, that is gorgeous! Beautiful color. And it's not easy to finish a project like that (hats and fingerless gloves are quick, but a beautiful piece like that takes much longer) - I'm really impressed. Congratulations! Yes, you can proudly wear it in public!

[Catrin]

Wow, that is gorgeous! Beautiful color. And it's not easy to finish a project like that (hats and fingerless gloves are quick, but a beautiful piece like that takes much longer) - I'm really impressed. Congratulations! Yes, you can proudly wear it in public!

It was fun, and LOT of firsts! First fitted garment, first short rows, first color work, first sleeves/knitting in the round, first...lots of things. I've yet to knit a hat or gloves, haven't seen a pattern yet that I want to do. To me that's the secret, pick something you WANT to do rather than something you're "supposed" to do just because it's for a beginner. The worst that can happen is you learn some skills along the way

[Reesha]

Those are really pretty, Reesha. Have you considered using your knitting/hat as a way to raise the money you need for your ride? Just a thought.....

It has occurred to me... I'm not sure I have the patience though and the best opportunity (the holiday season) has passed. It's worth considering though.

ARGH though. I just came back from strength training and discovered my dog chewed up one of my nice clover knitting needles that the second hat is currently on. I am soooo tired of her chewing on stuff! Underwear, now knitting needles too.

[kaybee]

No photos, but I'm working on the Every Way Wrap that was in Vogue Knits magazine a couple of years ago and cast on a small shawl/scarf thing this week, since the wrap was getting monotonous.

KB

[VeganBikeChick]

I've decided that next year all of my Christmas gifts will be handmade (as I say every year!)

I briefly picked up knitting a couple years ago, learned by watching online videos, and was able to knit my nephew a pretty basketweave blanket and some cute mary jane slippers for myself (love the purlbee website!)

I stopped after that and it appears I've completely forgotten. I would love to get into hat and sock making - they seem like an impossible challenge to me. What was the best (easiest) way for you all to learn these?

P.S. Reesha those hats look beautiful!!

[Reesha]

As for hats, my mom gave me a couple skeins of Blizzard... a super super chunky alpaca/acrylic yarn with some size 15 double pointed needles. She taught me to connect the cast on stitches in the round and to decrease (knit 2 together). Hats are much easier than you think once you know how to connect a work in the round and decrease.

I find circular needles easier than double pointeds, but you'll still DP's to finish the hat! Maybe go into a yarn shop and ask for a pattern suggestion for a beginner hat knitter?

[jessmarimba]

I'm always worried about TSA taking the needles. It specifically says they're allowed, but it's at the discretion of the agent I guess.

I made a beautiful seed stitch hat for the BF last year. Beautiful more for the yarn than the knitting, but I didn't mess it up either The hardest part was converting the pattern I was using to keep the seed stitch as I reduced the stitching (pattern didn't keep the stitch pattern as it decreased!). I was flying when I was finishing it and had pages of p's and k's and little arrows I was trying to read and follow on the plane. I'm looking for pictures to upload!

And I have circular needles but have never used double-pointed. The hats I've done, you knit together (or purl) to decrease and then just run the yarn through and cinch, then stitch up the back. I'd like to learn to use them but might have to lock up new kitty first!

[NbyNW]

I've got a few projects going on right now:

1. a pair of fingerless gloves - nice small project for car trips and air travel
   
2. shrug/bolero - my watching TV project
   
3. chunky ribbed hat - knitalong project with DH, who is learning to knit
   
4. pair of socks that I will probably frog because I'm not liking the pattern.
   
5. sock yarn scarf that is taking forever!

I only made one thing for holiday gifts -- I learned the hard way last year that it's generally bad for me to knit on a deadline!

ETA: I've flown a lot this last year with my knitting, and security has never been interested in my needles. And I've had all kinds -- metal circs, bamboo, double points. However, they were not so happy about my bike tool in my carry on, they made me check that in.

[Reesha]

They won't take wooden needles. I take them on often. It also helps that they're usually circular needles (I make scarves on circular ones also).

Oh god, seed stitch makes me crazy. It's not exciting enough to really pull my interest, but not easy enough that I can kind of tune out and knit to a movie or something.

Also, yeah, I was working on a hat with my kitty in my lap and looked down and discovered she had gnawed through the strand of yarn I was working with. Doh!