A Yahoo Answer Question:
I recently taught myself to knit and it's proven to be quite an addiction.. I recieved some free yarn from my boss but it's going quick, and looking at the price of yarn, it can be awfully expensive... does anyone know anywhere to buy cheap yarn? I'm not looking for wool, or anything like that, just decent quality.
Also, thus far, I have made quite a few scarves and more dishcloths than I really need... each have their own design, so I still enjoy making them, but I would like to learn to knit something else.. so, does anyone know where I can find free, easy to understand knitting patterns?
My Response:
Ooooh, you make me want to pick up my needles just reading this question!
I am not a big fan of "cheap" so much as I am of VALUE. I want good yarn at a good price. Cheap makes me think of fire-engine red acrylic yarn - which has it's place, I'm sure, it's just not good for everything!
If you really want cheap, then go to WalMart, Michaels, JoAnn, etc. (they almost all send out 40 or 50% off coupons regularly.)
My favorite value yarn shop is knitpicks.com. They have great needles (I am on a sock frenzy and have their nickle-plated DPNs and circulars) It sometimes takes a minute to figure out how many balls you need to order, but I've had great success with all of their yarns.
For decadent luxury, find a local yarn shop - google "yarn shop" plus the name of your city. Then visit, touch, and ask questions if they're as friendly as most knitters - they'll love having you stop by!
Lion Bran yarn has tons of free patterns. I have found that I really like the specialty books like "Sensational Knitted Socks" or "Getting Started Knitting Socks." I search Amazon and see which ones look good, then request them from my library!
Also, added value at that local yarn shop - many of them have "home-grown" patterns with samples worked up. You can see/ touch/ feel the finished product AND get a free pattern PLUS appropriate yarn all in one stop. See how wonderful those expert knitters are!!
Have fun! Welcome to the Knitting Adventure! (Go ahead ... read a bit at www.yarnharlot.ca while you're at it. She's the best. With Crazy Aunt Purl!) (google - you'll be glad you did!)
Happy Knitting!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Socks On Circulars: The Least You Need To Know
Crazy Concept: knitting socks with two circular needles. Don't try to visualize, just believe that it works. I followed the directions from "Getting Started Knitting Socks" and whipped out a sock in ONE DAY - I was amazed after MANY hours of laboring over socks on DPNs (love those but I'm really slow with them!)
Then I got all saucy and decided to try two socks at a time on ONE circular. I bought the book "2 at a Time Socks" and a long circular from KnitPicks ... and some of their inexpensive sock yarn. Might I suggest that you order a ball each of two different colors if you want to try this, then follow the directions in "2 at a Time" for their practice socks?
This rocked! ... all of the way to the gusset increases where I completely lost it and had to take one of the socks off and work it on DPNs while the other sock remained on the long circular and made it's way to the foot. Now they're back on and I'm working happily to the toe ... shouldn't have any more troubles.
Tips and Tricks:
Good Books:
Sensational Knitted Socks
Getting Started Knitting Socks
2 at a Time Socks - Note that she has a lot of patterns for socks but doesn't spend a lot of time on the "how-to" of the sock - I think she assumes a certain knowledge of sock knitting and sock anatomy. Having one of the other books handy to help with that will be comforting!
Good Needles:
I like the nickel-plated, 47" circular (the longer the cord, the better for socks) from Knitpicks.
Good Yarn:
Two contrasting, fingering weight yarns for practice socks. I recommend KnitPicks Essentials in a light color to make it easy to see the socks.
Then I got all saucy and decided to try two socks at a time on ONE circular. I bought the book "2 at a Time Socks" and a long circular from KnitPicks ... and some of their inexpensive sock yarn. Might I suggest that you order a ball each of two different colors if you want to try this, then follow the directions in "2 at a Time" for their practice socks?
This rocked! ... all of the way to the gusset increases where I completely lost it and had to take one of the socks off and work it on DPNs while the other sock remained on the long circular and made it's way to the foot. Now they're back on and I'm working happily to the toe ... shouldn't have any more troubles.
Tips and Tricks:
Good Books:
Sensational Knitted Socks
Getting Started Knitting Socks
2 at a Time Socks - Note that she has a lot of patterns for socks but doesn't spend a lot of time on the "how-to" of the sock - I think she assumes a certain knowledge of sock knitting and sock anatomy. Having one of the other books handy to help with that will be comforting!
Good Needles:
I like the nickel-plated, 47" circular (the longer the cord, the better for socks) from Knitpicks.
Good Yarn:
Two contrasting, fingering weight yarns for practice socks. I recommend KnitPicks Essentials in a light color to make it easy to see the socks.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Magic Loop Socks!
Not only Magic Loop - here I go with two at a time on one long circular!
After learning the traditional double-pointed needle method, I think (I need to do some research!) that the two circulars is faster. I am not sure about two at a time -- there is a lot of fussing (rearranging needles halfway through each sock) but then I am doing two at once ... I think I like it! 
Of course I think maybe it would have been a good idea to practice the heel flaps before setting out on Sven's socks ... but I'll jump that bridge when I get there!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
How many stitches should I cast on to knit a full size blanket?
2. Knit a gauge swatch. Multiply stitched per inch x number of inches I want my blanket to be.
(Note: An LL Bean full size quilt measures 85" x 95")
Let's say I'm using Vanna's Choice (I don't like acrylic generally but it makes for a washable blanket) on #9 needles and it works out to 4 stitches to the inch.
4 stitches times 85 inches = 340 stitches to cast on.
That's a lot of knitting. You'll definitely want to use a circular needle to give yourself extra space for the stitches or knit in sections.
You may also want to refer to other posts regarding knit v. crochet ... crochet is a lot faster AND eats yarn. Trade off!
Happy Knitting!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Traitor!
So you've tangled up your first skein of yarn, you are ready to burn those bamboo sticks in the fireplace ... and you're wondering if maybe CROCHET might just be a better fit???
Crochet is probably easier to learn ... it's very flexible. However, it isn't long before you notice that flexibility is also a downside - there are lots of things to do wrong!
Knitting requires a few more tricks: knit/ purl, increase/ decrease but once you figure those out, you're all set. From there, the patterns and needles keep you on track for bigger, more complex projects. After all of that, it does depend upon what you're making.
Take a look through patterns somewhere like Lion Yarns and think about what projects you would like to make. That might be a better guide than "easiest."
I read somewhere that crochet works up 3 times faster but uses 3 times more yarn. Would you prefer one lacy knitted cashmere shawl or an enormous acrylic (if you're looking to spend the same $$ on yarn) blanket?
You can do both. I learned crochet, then knitting. I bounced back and forth between the two (as I grew frustrated with one, I switched to the other) for months before I really began leaning more toward knitting. Either way, have fun!
You might want to check the library for how-to and pattern books. There are a lot of good beginner books but you probably won't need them for long, so the library's a great place to start.
Crochet is probably easier to learn ... it's very flexible. However, it isn't long before you notice that flexibility is also a downside - there are lots of things to do wrong!
Knitting requires a few more tricks: knit/ purl, increase/ decrease but once you figure those out, you're all set. From there, the patterns and needles keep you on track for bigger, more complex projects. After all of that, it does depend upon what you're making.
Take a look through patterns somewhere like Lion Yarns and think about what projects you would like to make. That might be a better guide than "easiest."
I read somewhere that crochet works up 3 times faster but uses 3 times more yarn. Would you prefer one lacy knitted cashmere shawl or an enormous acrylic (if you're looking to spend the same $$ on yarn) blanket?
You can do both. I learned crochet, then knitting. I bounced back and forth between the two (as I grew frustrated with one, I switched to the other) for months before I really began leaning more toward knitting. Either way, have fun!
You might want to check the library for how-to and pattern books. There are a lot of good beginner books but you probably won't need them for long, so the library's a great place to start.
Blankets Sing to Me!
If blankets are your thing and you can't imagine any other project, here's my input:
I have knit several blankets. I find that I like knitting for smaller, finer work like baby blankets and crochet for the big, cozy throws and blankets.
Crochet uses lots more yarn but also works up a lot faster ... knitting a king-sized blanket is a real commitment! (One that would surely end when I poked my own eyes out with my knitting needles, but that's just me - you go right on ahead!)
I have knit several blankets. I find that I like knitting for smaller, finer work like baby blankets and crochet for the big, cozy throws and blankets.
Crochet uses lots more yarn but also works up a lot faster ... knitting a king-sized blanket is a real commitment! (One that would surely end when I poked my own eyes out with my knitting needles, but that's just me - you go right on ahead!)
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