VJ Knitters and Crochet-heads Unite!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Just throwing this out there -- who amongst us are knit-freaks and crochet-lovers? I am happy to be counted amongst them. If you don't already know about Ravelry you should join immediately. All sorts of additional interwebz-time-wastin' can be had there as you ooh and aah over patterns and yarn, and decide what's next up in your queue. If you are a Ravelry person already, have a look for me and friend me -- I'm meagantm.

Here are two of my most recent finished objects -- first a big slouchy cabled beret:

And a half-cabled cowl scarf for my mom (with my cat George showing it off):

[Ladylethal 12]

I only do crosstitching, mom taught me knitting and my granny tried teaching me crochet but I could never really grasp it or fall for it. I love cross stitching though.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Have you ever tried spinning you own yarn ?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Have you ever tried spinning you own yarn ?

No, but my friend Sara does and she is going to teach me this summer. Very excited! I have done it once before -- when I was a kid, I went to a very right-on and groovy sleepaway camp, and one of the things we did was learn the entire process of making a finished object: we were raising sheep on the farm there, so we sheared the sheep; sorted, combed and carded the wool; spun the wool using a drop spindle; and then made little things like potholders and cat toys.

I don't do any of the finer needlework like cross-stitch or needlepoint, though we had to learn them at school so there are a couple of pincushions and samplers out there with my wonky stitches all over them!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Cool thread (Ha! pun intended!).

I do the loom knitting and enjoy it very much. I also make wool flowers which use a combination of knitting and crochet stitches but interestingly I don't actually knit or crochet although I have tried both. I do a lot of needlework - embroidery basically - and some tapestry. A lot of times I used to use these skills at the various historic re-enactments where I participated as I needed something to do with my hands. I've even done a little bit of bobbin lace work but that is definitely not something I want to do on a regular basis. It's enough to know I can do it if I need to, hehehe. I think I ended up making the majority of my re-enactment clothing at events and can costume myself from the Seven Years War (F&I) time period up to the Civil War. Yes - all of my clothes are hand-stitched and historically accurate.

I've done the wool carding and drop spindle spinning as well, along with using some natural dyes to dye the yarn, although I am definitely not very good at it, and I've also done some weaving. I wish I had more time to devote to these skills as I do find them enjoyable, satisfying and in many ways, very calming, especially after a stressful day.

I'll definitely take a look at Ravelry - it sounds really interesting .

[IndigoSkies 168]

When I attended a private school, I was had to take knitting class. It was a all boys school and I think the board of directors were drunk when they decided to make home economics mandatory for boys. Or they were feminist or something. So I know how to stitch even though I'm a boy. I'm not suppose to know this or suppose to admit to this. I haven't made anything worthwhile ever. But I did make a bunches of start fish and made it into a wind chime like thing. It hung in my bedroom for couple of weeks before I threw it away.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Do have a look at Ravelry. They are starting to branch out from just knit and crochet into spinning as well. I get all weak at the knees looking at some of the patterns in there!

I can't sew to save my life, and I am thinking about taking a few classes this summer. I have a stack of groovy 60s minidress patterns I bought at a flea market in London before I left and I would love to make some of them. Whenever I wander into Jo-Ann Fabrics for notions, I look at all the gorgeous fabric and wish I could make something.

Knitting is like meditation to me -- it chills me out. I'm good enough now that if the pattern is relatively simple, I can watch TV or a movie and not have to look down; I watched three seasons of "Greek" on Hulu while I was knitting a cardigan. I knit with my friends a lot -- we put on a movie we've all seen before (we're currently working our way through the collected 80s and 90s oeuvre of Jon Cusack), drink wine, natter on and knit.

[English Muffin 59]

I don't knit, but I'd like to learn. My mum taught me the basic stitches when I was a child (knit and purl) and how to cast on and off and I can still remember how to do that. I've no idea where to go to learn the more intricate stuff, maybe I should do some research.

[KaiserD 12]

Not a knitter personally but for more time wasting you might like:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php

http://www.etsy.com

Ahhh Etsy, they might complain a lot but there is so much creativity and energy going on in that place you learn something new every day.

I love looking at the completed clothing projects on craftster, those people are so talented! Have fun learning to make yarn

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I don't knit, but I'd like to learn. My mum taught me the basic stitches when I was a child (knit and purl) and how to cast on and off and I can still remember how to do that. I've no idea where to go to learn the more intricate stuff, maybe I should do some research.

Or maybe you should come out to Burbank for a private lesson and some wine, Muffin!

[English Muffin 59]

Or maybe you should come out to Burbank for a private lesson and some wine, Muffin!

Margaritas too?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Margaritas too?

Well, DUH. Of course there will be margaritas! Seriously Muffin -- what were you thinking?

I learned how to drink and knit when I was a member of Stitch-n-B!tch in London -- we met at pubs a lot. I tended to bring my easy things though since as the evening progressed, the more mistakes I made. I think my moment of glory may have come as I knit a scarf, polished off three pints of London Pride, and puffed my way through six Silk Cuts (this must have been pre-smoking ban).

[Susita 175]

I want to knit, crochet and do ravelry!

Somebody teach me!

Margaritas too?

Margaritas!!

I wonder the things I can knit/crochet when I'm drunk.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I want to knit, crochet and do ravelry!

Somebody teach me!

Best place to start is at your local Little Yarn Shop (known as LYS in knitter parlance) -- you're in New York, right? A gazillion places. Find one local to you that you like the vibe of, where you can browse and ask questions without someone acting all snooty. Most places have beginners' classes that are affordable. Another option is to go on Meetup.com and look for a knitting group; often if you show up with needles and yarn and say "HALP!!!!" someone will show you the basics.

Start with inexpensive yarn -- there are some gorgeous yarns out there, but you will be making a LOT of mistakes in the beginning, and messing up with something affordable is easier to stomach! Buy inexpensive wool or cotton, or blends, if you can find it; acrylic yarn is cheap but feels nasty. You have to like your materials! Get big needles, at least a size 10 and preferably larger. There are also a LOT of video tutorials on YouTube -- I use them all the time when some weird technique shows up in a pattern.

And join Ravelry! There are plenty of discussion forums on there, and I have yet to come across any serious craziness there. We're all just needleheads gushing about yarn and patterns (and frequently cats, feeding into the stereotype).

[Susita 175]

Best place to start is at your local Little Yarn Shop (known as LYS in knitter parlance) -- you're in New York, right? A gazillion places. Find one local to you that you like the vibe of, where you can browse and ask questions without someone acting all snooty. Most places have beginners' classes that are affordable. Another option is to go on Meetup.com and look for a knitting group; often if you show up with needles and yarn and say "HALP!!!!" someone will show you the basics.

Start with inexpensive yarn -- there are some gorgeous yarns out there, but you will be making a LOT of mistakes in the beginning, and messing up with something affordable is easier to stomach! Buy inexpensive wool or cotton, or blends, if you can find it; acrylic yarn is cheap but feels nasty. You have to like your materials! Get big needles, at least a size 10 and preferably larger. There are also a LOT of video tutorials on YouTube -- I use them all the time when some weird technique shows up in a pattern.

And join Ravelry! There are plenty of discussion forums on there, and I have yet to come across any serious craziness there. We're all just needleheads gushing about yarn and patterns (and frequently cats, feeding into the stereotype).

Thank you!

well I have 2 cats so that should work out. I want to make stuff for my kids My husband's family in Peru will give me free yarn, they own factories that produce yarn so next time I go I will be stocking up!