I have just started knitting a scarf for myself, and have found I love it.
I would like to make something nice for my Mother (and, time permitting, my Mother-in-law) for Christmas.
What I would like to do is make something elegant, and not at all twee or kitsch. No reindeer sweaters. Or koala potholders. In fact, a blanket ban on animals sounds like a good idea.
Can anyone recommend a company who has nice, elegant and fairly easy designs?
At the moment I'm at the knit and purl stage, nothing too complex. However I'm fairly good at following instructions, as long as they are clear.
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I should add, I know pretty much nothing about needle sizes, types of wool, markers and all that fancy stuff.
For the scarf I'm doing at the moment I'm working with four colours, one 100% angora, the others angora-wool blend and all 12 ply. I have the needles that the woman at the wool shop told me I needed. I don't have a pattern, I'm just playing around with different stitches to see what textures I get and changing colours when I feel like it.
We gave Mum a beautiful evening wrap/scarf for her birthday last week. So I don't really want to do a scarf for her. Not sure what I could do instead though.
For my mother-in-law, I could make a scarf. I really like this stitch, seafoam. Could I knit that in a quite light, fancy, evening-y wool?
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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I tend to think of the crocheted things I like to make, like dishcloths, hand towels, potholders, rugs, afghans, scarves, rugs. I've made a couple crocheted black purses. I made crocheted collars, back when they were in, and crocheted edging on blankets. I've crocheted lots of Christmas ornaments and little bookmark crosses.
But knitting? I tend to think about socks, scarves, and sweaters. And dishclothes, which are not elegant. What sort of item were you thinking about? Google or ebay some possiblities, see what pops up, that'll give you some avenues to explore, and some pattern companies to look up.
Hey, I saw some neat crocheted and knitted shawls online a couple years ago. I made one to take on a cruise with me for cool evenings over my dresses. Worked great.
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Personally I find crocheting faster and more fun than knitting. If I am making a sweater or socks for an adult, knitting is better. But for other sorts of projects, or baby stuff, I find crocheting more fun and less boring/frustrating. But focus on the knitting, if you're having fun with it. Add crocheting later.
Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Personally, I prefer knitting to crocheting. I don't know why, but I never know where the end of the row exists with crocheting, so my edges are all wobbly like a drunken sailer. Knitting gives me a much more clearly demarcated ending point, so I do all the right amount of stitches.
But I'm also at the knit/purl only stage with nothing complicated. I'm proud of myself that I managed to knit an entire monster afghan - 7 feet square, thick thick yarn, suitable for a northern Canadian winter. I no longer have a use for it, unfortunately. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Quid, I spent a year making this awesome crocheted afghan made up of little squares and each square was a different pattern. I gave it to a good friend who put it in the closet in a box because she got a cat after I started making it and she doesn't want her cat to ruin it so it just stays there in the box year after year after year.
My biggest knitted projects were the thick aryan sweater I made and the cardigan I made my own pattern for.
Also, if your edges aren't straight with crochet, then you need more practice or a teacher. It works fine when you get the hang of it.
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Oh, I have no doubt that it would work fine if someone taught me. Enough people out there in the rest of the world crochet and manage to make straight edges that it HAS to be possible. But knitting was easier. That's all. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Hey, I have a question for the knitting and crocheting gurus, too!
My husband hates the feel of yarn. It drives him crazy.
Soooo, is there a type of yarn that feels differently? I assume you know what I mean about the texture..because I don't know how to describe it.
Posts: 2880 | Registered: Jun 2004
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No, I don't know what you mean. Most ordinary storebought yarns are, what, 100% acrylic? That might be what he means. Different thicknesses, and some feel harsher than others, but all acrylic. Some have wool in them too. There are some made of cotton thread, those do feel much different I guess.
Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005
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You could try a mercerized cotton or microfiber yarn; those are smooth and slick, not rough like wool and acrylic.
As far as elegant patterns that can be done entirely in knit and purl...hmm. Do you think you could learn some other techniques if you had good instructions? That would really open up a lot more possibilities.
Posts: 957 | Registered: Aug 2002
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try a specialty yarn store. Even with acrylic yarns, you can find some that feel like suede or chenille (sp?) or a soft, fuzzy satin. There are also cotton treads, angora, mohair, nylon, etc. www.marymaxim.com is a good spot. The links to the different yarns are in the left column; just scroll down.
Posts: 26 | Registered: Aug 2005
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also... if you're good at following a pattern, there's a book that you should be able to get either on Amazon.com or at any bookstore. It's literally called "How to Knit" and it's by Debbie Bliss. It's a bit expensive because it's a hardcover, but it's well worth the money. She gives excellent instruction on every single knitting technique out there, as well as full color illustrations, and I think she even gives instructions on how to create your own patterns.
With each technique she teaches, there's a small pattern that goes with it so you can put your knowledge to work right away. I highly recommend doing those little patterns before moving on to applying them to a project that's going to be a gift, but if you're like me you'll be too impatient and want to get into knitting the gift item right away Posts: 26 | Registered: Aug 2005
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One thing I haven't seen mentioned (and is how I got started): Most craft stores or other places that sell yarn have pattern-sheets galore hanging all over the shelves. The patterns are free. They are published by the yarn makers. Some of the patterns are quite elegant, and most are done with beginners or novices in mind (except for the ones put out by the specialty yarn companies. They can often be more advanced. I guess those companies don't expect beginners to start out using $8/skein yarn. )
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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Wow, those are some neat patterns on Theaca's link. Some of the others are prettier, but I think the stole with pockets on the ends is a really cool idea. Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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They really are. Not neat enough for me to try to learn to knit, mind you, but still awfully neat. Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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If you are seeking an elegant look, I'd go with some sort of a lace or open work pattern and a light weight yarn. If you know how to knit an pearl, it is fairly easy to learn the additional variations needed to do an open work pattern. The seafoam pattern you point to is a very easy open work pattern and would look elegant even with a heavy weight yarn so it could work up very fast.
I nearly always knit sweaters. Shawls, scarves and ponchos seem faddish to me. I hate to put in the time knitting something that is going to be out of fashion in a year. Sweaters are more timeless in my mind, but maybe that is just me.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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A poncho like this one http://knitting.about.com/library/weekly/aa091904.htm would look quite elegant done in the Seafoam stitch you marked. The pattern is very simple so it would be easy to adapt to any stitch you like. You just knit two 20" by 32" rectangles in the stitch you like and sew them together as shown.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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I'm with quid. I prefer knitting to crochet for the very same reasons. I also prefer the look of knitted items over crocheted.
I'm also with Katarain's husband about the "feel" of yarn. I hate the feel of anything knitted or crocheted with 100% acrylic yarns. They have a rough scratchiness to them that no amount of fabric softener can get rid of.
I make most of my things with either 100% cotton or at least 25% wool mixed into the acrylic. Unfortunately, those yarns are far more expensive than the acrylic yarns are, but you get what you pay for I suppose.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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I'm sure I could learn more stitches, Stray. If there were clear instructions.
Lucy, that book sounds good. I was also looking on Amazon at the Vogue Knitting Book - anyone seen that one, have any comments?
The Rabbit - I would *love* to make a sweater. I just figured a scarf or stole would be easier at this stage of my knitting career.
I'm not sure about a poncho (never quite got the things) but I do quite like the one you linked to. Hmmm. Food for thought.
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Most knit patterns are a variation of knits, purls and yarn overs, so if you're good with k&p, you'll be fine. You just have to pay attention and count carefully, usually.
I made this poncho out of a wool blend for my daughter for Christmas. It's not especially elegant, but with the yarn I used, it's very nice.
I made this one out of white cotton for another daughter.
This site has a lot of free patterns, both knit and crochet. Most are pretty easy. Of course, they specify their own yarns, but I've substituted other brands with no problem.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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Don't let the sweater intimidate you. It really isn't much harder than knitting a scarf. The only difference comes in adding and dropping stiches to get the right shape. If you've got a good pattern, that's really no problem at all.
The only other problem with knitting a sweater is keeping your tension more or less constant. When people start knitting they often start by knitting things too tight, then they move to knitting a bit too loose before they final settle in. This can be a problem with a sweater if you knit it one piece at a time because the back could end up being lots tighter knit than the front or the sleeves. The best way to deal with this when you are a beginner is to knit all the pieces at the same time. Well of course you can't knit them all at the same time, but rather than finishing one piece before starting the next, you can knit a few rows on the back, then knit a few rows on the sleeves, then a few on the front. I've never done this but I know some very experienced knitters who knit this way. It helps ensure that all the pieces come out uniform.
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That's a good idea. I find sweaters more intimidating merely because they take longer. When I was a beginner I was terrible about keeping the tension even until I learned to crochet. That helped immensely. I knitted baby things when I first learned to knit, though, and they were small enough projects that it didn't matter. Then I went to bigger sweaters when I was working more evenly.
Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I recently bought some yarn from www.knitpicks.com and I've been pleased with it, their prices aren't bad either. They have some free patterns, too and their various knitting books all look interesting.
My daughter and I fairly drool over the catalog when it comes
Posts: 239 | Registered: May 2004
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I have Vogue Knitting as well... it doesn't have as many patterns in it, but it still has nice color illustrations and gives instructions on a lot of great techniques.
Do a web search, you'll find plenty ;-) and check your local craft store (Michaels has a decent selection if they have a store in your area) they'll have books & mags usually.
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Lots of great patterns and ideas here. I think I may have to switch to two needles for a while... LOL
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Antartica? Really? I'm so jealous! How does he get to go, how long will he be there, and what will he be doing? And will he take lots of photos to share and write about it? Oooooooh, I soooo want to go there!
Good to hear how well it's going for you. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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He is going with the Australian Antartic Division because - get this - he's a writer. Rort!
The AAD have a program where they send down artists of one kind or another - writers/painters/poets etc etc. You have to apply for it and one of the criteria is you have to have a project in mind based in Antartica, that will benefit from your trip down, and that you will complete when you get back and it will help raise general awareness.
Tony's got this idea for a book, they liked it, so - off he goes! He's away for about 6 weeks in all, but about a week of that is pre-voyage training. Then it's 5 weeks there and back on the Auroura Australis (re-supply mission) and a week on the ice at a station.
He will be away over Christmas, so I've made him promise to bring me back a penguin as a late present. Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Oh my! Does this only work for Australians, or can I get in as a member of the Commonwealth? I would so seriously love to do this, and yes, I would happily write a book based there. Oh, would I!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Some applications under the Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship may be accepted from citizens of other Antarctic Treaty nations.
These applicants must have the support of their own nation’s Antarctic program, and must be able to demonstrate a capacity to reach a significant audience, preferably including a significant Australian audience.
Unfortunately, if you're not published already you might find it hard to get a spot..
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Would they let me even if I don't live in Canada anymore? Must find something. He better realize how lucky he is!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Yeah, I saw the criteria. So it'll just have to wait until I'm published then. And then I'll apply with a vengeance!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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He does realise. And he has promised to take lots of photos - and email them to me. So I can always share the good ones. Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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As a beginning knitter, I am making a blanket for my husband. I've done 21 "squares/blocks" that I need to stitch together somehow. This is what I need help with. What I've read just says "sew them together". Does this mean there isn't a nicest looking way to do this (other than using the yarn I've used and working along the outer most edges of the blocks)? Do I knot the stitching periodically so if the chenille yarn breaks or comes undone that the whole thing won't come apart?
Any suggestions for me?
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Goodness! I didn't realize this was an old thread, saw imogen's post and thought, "Geez she's a beginner and starting Christmas gifts now? She had better do scarves - with really fat yarn!"
Katarian, did you ever find a yarn that your husband likes? I can't stand acrylic anymore. Try malabrigo - it is a wonderfully soft merino. http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/
And sweetbaboo, yup, just sew them together. With chenille, I would guess that you won't see the join anyway. You could knot it every so often, or double the strand so there is less chance of breaking. I would save some of the yarn in anycase for repairs.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005
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kmbboots, I have a book with a slough of different joining methods but usually I just sew them together. I often work from the right side of the pieces so that I can make the seam and stiches as invisible as possible from the right side.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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When sewing fabic, you generally leave a centimeter of fabric on the inside of the seam. This isn't necessary when joining two knitted pieces because the edges are finished and they won't fray. When I sew two knitted pieces together, I over lap the pieces as little as possible or not at all depending on the pattern. Basically, you lay the two pieces side by side and join them with sort of a zigzagging stitch to create a flat seam. The exact way to do this depends to some extent on the knitting pattern and whether you've used a border stitch. That is why I usually work from the front side. It is easier that way to make sure the patterns line up right.
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Me, too. The only thing I have joined so far is sweater pieces. I generally use a whip stitch with the right sides together - just like I would if they were fabrics.
I would love to know some other methods.
I think that for sweetbaboo and chenille, there is enough fluff to hide whatever method is used.
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With the sock pattern I've used, the end of the toes are sewn together by something called grafting (explained at the bottom of the pattern). I'm not sure exactly what that term means, but what basically happens is each stitch (except the initial and final ones) has the sewing strand passed through it twice, which I assume makes the seam twice as strong. In my experience, it's also pretty much invisible from the right side. Even though you don't still have the squares on the needles anymore, you could probably adapt the technique to work for your blanket.
I'm speaking entirely in the theoretical, of course, since I've never tried it on anything other than socks. If anyone knows that this is a bad idea, feel free to correct me.
Sidenote: Are your squares different colors? If they are, there are probably techniques designed for invisible joining between two different colors. Unfortunately, I don't know what they are.
Posts: 952 | Registered: Jun 2005
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Yep, two different colors. I didn't do anything fancy, not even a purl. I just went back and forth with the basic knit stitch.
Thanks Nell Gwyn and The Rabbit for your added insight and experience.
I'll just lay the blocks side by side and stitch it together. I think it's going to be a little bit of an odd looking blanket (it IS my first after all) but it will be soft and cuddly. Good thing he already loves me Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
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