If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
Now that you ladies have totally scared me off making a sweater for fear
that I could spend months on making it and then discover it didn't fit, I discovered from *somewhere* a mailing list where they have a knit-along for a knitted dishcloth of a different pattern every month. It seems to me that perhaps I could build my confidence with those small projects for a few months before I tackle something huge. (then I could put them all together for lightweight sofa throws or something if I didn't want to use them all as dishcloths, right?) I am sort of totally self-taught and have never read a pattern, knit ambidextrously, etc., and learning how to knit conventionally and to follow a pattern is a big hurdle to cross. So does it sound st*pid to start with small things like that or not? It seems to me like it might be the knitting equivalent of telling people who want to learn to sew to start with tote bags, pillows, etc., because they are more forgiving. OTOH, if I want to stay way out on my off-the-beaten-path position, I also saw knitting pattern software that takes what you can do and gives you a schematic type of thing to follow in whatever way you are knitting to do what you want. Seeing as though I have pattern drafting software, knitting pattern software would only seam a reasonable next step LOL (and it's cheaper -- I think it was like $50). Any ideas? |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
So does it sound st*pid to start with small things like that or not? It seems to me like it might be the knitting equivalent of telling people who want to learn to sew to start with tote bags, pillows, etc., because they are more forgiving. No, starting with small projects where gauge doesn't matter is less frustrating than spending months knitting something large with which you are not happy or doesn't fit. If you use different yarns for these projects, it will also give you an idea of what type of fabric each fiber will produce. Knitted purses are a good learning tool. You are actually making something, gauge really doesn't matter, and you are learning to read patterns. http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/kategori_oversikt.php there are tons of free purse and accessory patterns here, just click on the accessories link. OTOH, if I want to stay way out on my off-the-beaten-path position, I also saw knitting pattern software that takes what you can do and gives you a schematic type of thing to follow in whatever way you are knitting to do what you want. Seeing as though I have pattern drafting software, knitting pattern software would only seam a reasonable next step LOL (and it's cheaper -- I think it was like $50). Any ideas? http://www.knittingsoftware.com/sweaterwiz.htm would be my choice of software for designing knitting patterns which are easy to understand. Over the years I have used several design programs, from expensive (Design-A- Knit) to free and Sweater Wizard is the one I end up using the most. It is written by a knitter, and tech support is great. Just a satisfied user, no connection to the company. DA |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
Melinda wrote:
Now that you ladies have totally scared me off making a sweater for fear that I could spend months on making it and then discover it didn't fit, I discovered from *somewhere* a mailing list where they have a knit-along for a knitted dishcloth of a different pattern every month. It seems to me that perhaps I could build my confidence with those small projects for a few months before I tackle something huge. (then I could put them all together for lightweight sofa throws or something if I didn't want to use them all as dishcloths, right?) Exactly. With this kind of thing you could make some using cotton yarn for use as dishcloths - my handknit dishcloths last a lot longer than store-bought ones - and others as sampler squares using whatever yarn you have lying around. I am sort of totally self-taught and have never read a pattern, knit ambidextrously, etc., and learning how to knit conventionally and to follow a pattern is a big hurdle to cross. So does it sound st*pid to start with small things like that or not? It seems to me like it might be the knitting equivalent of telling people who want to learn to sew to start with tote bags, pillows, etc., because they are more forgiving. Sounds like a good idea to me. Since your time is limited, I would think it would be better to work on smaller things that likely won't lead to disappointment if they don't turn out as expected. I know I'd be rather miffed if I spent months working on a sweater that ended up not fitting the way I expected. Especially when you're building skills and confidence, it's better to get some good results early on. I know a lot of people who jumped right into that dream sweater only to give it up when it wasn't going well. OTOH, if I want to stay way out on my off-the-beaten-path position, I also saw knitting pattern software that takes what you can do and gives you a schematic type of thing to follow in whatever way you are knitting to do what you want. Seeing as though I have pattern drafting software, knitting pattern software would only seam a reasonable next step LOL (and it's cheaper -- I think it was like $50). Any ideas? Since the software will customize to your abilities, this sounds okay to me, too. I would still start with smaller items and work my way up, if only because you don't have hours a day to spend knitting. I don't have that kind of time at the moment, either, so most of my knitting time has been spent with socks. I just started a nice scarf in Classic Elite's Posh - 70% silk, 30% cashmere, bought at a blow-out sale for 50% off; I can't afford the regular price on this yarn - and I can pull that out and do a few rows here and there when I get the time. Anything major, like another sweater or jacket, would have to wait until I manage to create those 40-hour days I've been working on for the past few years g The Other Kim kimagreenfieldatyahoodotcom |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
"Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply" wrote in
message ... Now that you ladies have totally scared me off making a sweater for fear that I could spend months on making it and then discover it didn't fit, I discovered from *somewhere* a mailing list where they have a knit-along for a knitted dishcloth of a different pattern every month. It seems to me that perhaps I could build my confidence with those small projects for a few months before I tackle something huge. (then I could put them all together for lightweight sofa throws or something if I didn't want to use them all as dishcloths, right?) I am sort of totally self-taught and have never read a pattern, knit ambidextrously, etc., and learning how to knit conventionally and to follow a pattern is a big hurdle to cross. So does it sound st*pid to start with small things like that or not? It seems to me like it might be the knitting equivalent of telling people who want to learn to sew to start with tote bags, pillows, etc., because they are more forgiving. OTOH, if I want to stay way out on my off-the-beaten-path position, I also saw knitting pattern software that takes what you can do and gives you a schematic type of thing to follow in whatever way you are knitting to do what you want. Seeing as though I have pattern drafting software, knitting pattern software would only seam a reasonable next step LOL (and it's cheaper -- I think it was like $50). Any ideas? As I recall, you said previously that you can only allot small increments of time for knitting. So joining a dishcloth knit-along seems like a smart thing to do. Yes, you should be able to sew or crochet them together for a throw or pillow cover providing they are all similar in size. -- Jan in MN |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
Melinda, if you were to go back on this board (which I don't recommend)
you would find I have often recommended beginners to get a book of dishcloth patterns - there are some fairly cheap ones at some of the "big box" stores - buy some pretty acrylic yarns and get busy. The great thing about this is that (1) each square can be knit in a relatively short time (2) you learn to knit various different stitch patterns, and (3) You can knit as many or few as you like, and make them into a lap robe or afghan. Once when I was making an afghan for my son, I wasn't sure which way I wanted to arrange the squares so made a few extra. At the end I had four left over, so stitched them together to be an afghan for his cat!. The cat loved it, and slept on it right until his demise. Olwyn Mary in New Orleans. -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
Hi, its Wooly. I'm rebuilding my system, haven't found my newsreader
software yet so I'm posting thru Googlegroups (ugh). On Jun 2, 12:08 am, Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply wrote: Now that you ladies have totally scared me off making a sweater for fear that I could spend months on making it and then discover it didn't fit, Why wouldn't it fit? If you know how to measure yourself (or your intended victim), know how to make and measure a gauge swatch, if you're able to count and if you can do some basic arithmetic you can make a sweater that fits. Three books for you: Maggie Righetti _Knitting in Plain English_, Elizabeth Zimmermann _Knitting Workshop_, and if you really get into DIY sweater building, Maggie Righetti _Sweater Design in Plain English_. Also a sweater need not take "months" to knit, unless you have absolutely minimal time to give it. I've turned out adult-sized sweaters - made with fat yarn on big needles, admittedly - in less than a week's time when I was under the gun to get them done. I discovered from *somewhere* a mailing list where they have a knit-along for a knitted dishcloth of a different pattern every month. It seems to me that perhaps I could build my confidence with those small projects for a few months before I tackle something huge. (then I could put them all together for lightweight sofa throws or something if I didn't want to use them all as dishcloths, right?) Indeed. Another good small first project is a pair of "standard" flap- and-gusset socks. The skills you hone on sockmaking will be useful when you start the sweater: knitting in the round, knowing which way different decreases lean, picking up stitches. I am sort of totally self-taught and have never read a pattern, knit ambidextrously, etc., and learning how to knit conventionally and to follow a pattern is a big hurdle to cross. Then only thing to remember is "right leg forward". If you knit such that your stitches are mounted left leg forward on the needle it makes some manipulations fiddly because you have to remount the stitches before you can do whatever. Otherwise there's no "conventional" knitting to learn: it's knit, purl, increase, decrease, bind off put together in endless variations. Pattern reading isn't that tough either. A well-written pattern defines for you all the abbreviations used therein. Its just a matter of becoming accustomed to the abbreviations, which is a learned skill like taking shorthand or reading a recipe. So does it sound st*pid to start with small things like that or not? No, but I do think you should jump in with a project for which GAUGE WILL MATTER, such as socks, or a teddy sweater. You'll learn more, and build your confidence faster so you'll be ready to tackle the sweater sooner. It seems to me like it might be the knitting equivalent of telling people who want to learn to sew to start with tote bags, pillows, etc., because they are more forgiving. Sewing is a LOT less forgiving than knitting. You can always rip out the knitting and start over. With sewing that's a little harder to do, hence the starter sewing projects. I've taught 3rd/4th graders to knit; once they have KNIT and PURL I throw them at socks, or simple lace. My most outstanding student is now in grade 6 - her first project was an EZ-style sweater, then she went straight to Shetland lace and is now designing her own stuff and selling the patterns to her classmates. That girl is going places OTOH, if I want to stay way out on my off-the-beaten-path position, I also saw knitting pattern software that takes what you can do and gives you a schematic type of thing to follow in whatever way you are knitting to do what you want. Seeing as though I have pattern drafting software, knitting pattern software would only seam a reasonable next step LOL (and it's cheaper -- I think it was like $50). Knitware and similar software presumes that you have basic knitting skills, understand gauge, and can read the patterns it spits out for you. Any ideas? |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
The Other Kim wrote:
Since the software will customize to your abilities, this sounds okay to me, too. I would still start with smaller items and work my way up, if only because you don't have hours a day to spend knitting. I don't have that kind of time at the moment, either, so most of my knitting time has been spent with socks. I just started a nice scarf in Classic Elite's I am sort of sock-phobic right now. Tried to make some a number of years back (knee socks because I have no need for any other kind of sock) and after a few months I ended up with one sock that didn't fit. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Okay, tell me if you think this is silly...
Had I realized you've already made up your mind I wouldn't have spent
the time playing devil's advocate to the "too hard, won't fit" crowd. It is always easy to justify NOT doing something, isn't it? |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
OT-Silly Humor | Lucille | Needlework | 27 | February 26th 05 11:13 PM |
Silly Question | Corri | Yarn | 2 | February 25th 05 02:49 AM |
OT but silly! | Kate Dicey | Quilting | 0 | July 21st 04 03:57 PM |
OT Silly, Silly Gender Test | Karen_AZ | Beads | 23 | April 26th 04 10:47 PM |
Silly S.E.X | Katherine Burgess | Yarn | 2 | July 28th 03 07:21 AM |