Here are some basic tutorials on how to knit. Remember, if you don't practice outside of class time, it will take you much longer to develop the hand skills to create a finished piece.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
New Class!
Today begins a new class of knitting at Open! We will attempt to work beyond the knit stitch, perfecting the purl and working on increasing and decreasing. We will also work on pattern reading which can open up a world of possibilities for the beginning knitter.
Here's a good website for free knitting patterns of free knitting patterns that you might look through. If you find a design you like, we can examine it together and see what materials and level of skill you need.
Here's a good website for free knitting patterns of free knitting patterns that you might look through. If you find a design you like, we can examine it together and see what materials and level of skill you need.
Top and Bottom
After much frustration and ripping, I finally finished a small pair of pants and a hat for the little man. The pants still need elastic, but after finishing and thinking about leaky diapers, one really wonders how practical these are.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Finally!
Finally I got a new digital camera with which to take pictures of my knitting projects. Here are purple socks I knit for the baby boy. I made my friend a pair as well. Love knitting socks! In the near future I hope to include video instructions on using double pointed needles.
Next up is a reversible baby hat with the softest cashmerino yarn. Even downsizing my needles, the hat is still rather large for an infant but baby will grown into it. Pictures to come!
Next up is a reversible baby hat with the softest cashmerino yarn. Even downsizing my needles, the hat is still rather large for an infant but baby will grown into it. Pictures to come!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Knitting Frenzy
I've been in a knitting frenzy. Tracy helped me figure out how to finish the back of my sweater and I've almost finished the front. Even if I never wear this, I'll be proud if I actually complete it!
I'm enjoying watching all the students at Open knit! It's so much fun and so great to share. I'll post pictures as soon as I can find a working camera.
I'm enjoying watching all the students at Open knit! It's so much fun and so great to share. I'll post pictures as soon as I can find a working camera.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Greetings from the Southside!
I started knitting a new scarf last week and have already ripped it. No surprise there. I probably rip more than I knit. The stitches were just too tight so I changed from 8 to 11 needles. I'm still not all that satisfied. I might rip this evening or I may keep going. I like the uncertainty. Knitting is all about living on the edge...
Truth be told, I'm stalling between projects. I've got two unfinished sweaters in the works and some gorgeous linen yarn for a third. I also purchased some lovely hand spun, hand dyed wool yarn in the UP last summer. No shortage of yarn, just commitment.
I've added some great "how to" videos and a sweet animation for your viewing enjoyment. Can't wait to see how all the Open students are progressing!
Truth be told, I'm stalling between projects. I've got two unfinished sweaters in the works and some gorgeous linen yarn for a third. I also purchased some lovely hand spun, hand dyed wool yarn in the UP last summer. No shortage of yarn, just commitment.
I've added some great "how to" videos and a sweet animation for your viewing enjoyment. Can't wait to see how all the Open students are progressing!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Welcome to Knitilby
This is the inaugural post for Knitilby! While I've been knitting for a number of years, I still consider myself a novice. I've made lots of scarves, blankets, hats, socks, and shawls, but the sweater has eluded me. And as with everything, the more you know, the more you know you don't know!
I hope this site will help me finish two sweaters and also provide inspiration to my fabulous Open students who start class tomorrow. I want them to discover the meditative and creative joy of knitting. They will learn the basics of how to knit while creating at least one finished, wearable piece. Tomorrow we will discuss how to select and use the appropriate needles and yarn for a project. Casting on, binding off, the knit stitch,
and the purl stitch will provide the fundamental skills for any project. I'll provide links which may help students make sense of creating knots from needles and yarn.
Those with some knitting experience are expected to develop their skills by working with circular or double-pointed needles and a specific pattern.
For students to earn credit in this elective course, they must:
1) be attentive during demonstrations
2) participate in class discussions
3) practice stitches outside of class
4) knit in and out of class to finish at least one final, well-crafted piece
5) write a final reflective essay on experience
THE BASICS
Needles: There are various kinds of needles for knitting (single, circular, and double pointed) with various sizes and lengths. I recommend starting with a needle sized 8-11. An acrylic, worsted weight yarn (see below) works well with these sizes.
Yarn:
• Wool comes from sheep
• Mohair comes from goats
• Cashmere comes from the bellies of cashmere goats
• Alpaca comes from alpaca—a llama-like animal
• Angora comes from bunnies
• Silk comes from silk-worm cocoons
• Cotton comes from the cotton plant
• Linen comes from the flax plant
• Acrylic is a man-made, synthetic fiber
Yarn Weights:
• Fingering (or baby or 4-ply) weight
• Sport (or double knitting or DK) weight
• Worsted (or Aran) weight
• Chunky (or bulky) weight
• Extra-bulky (or super-bulky) weight
Purchasing needles and yarn:
Ben Franklin and Michaels both carry cheap yarns and needles. If you see a yarn you love, look for the needle size on the package label. This is a recommended needle size only. (Generally the heavier the yarn, the large the needle size.) Also, packages often have projects right on the label, so look for simple scarf patterns to get you started. Each roll of yarn is called a skein and you may need to purchase a number of skeins to complete your project.
I hope this site will help me finish two sweaters and also provide inspiration to my fabulous Open students who start class tomorrow. I want them to discover the meditative and creative joy of knitting. They will learn the basics of how to knit while creating at least one finished, wearable piece. Tomorrow we will discuss how to select and use the appropriate needles and yarn for a project. Casting on, binding off, the knit stitch,
and the purl stitch will provide the fundamental skills for any project. I'll provide links which may help students make sense of creating knots from needles and yarn.
Those with some knitting experience are expected to develop their skills by working with circular or double-pointed needles and a specific pattern.
For students to earn credit in this elective course, they must:
1) be attentive during demonstrations
2) participate in class discussions
3) practice stitches outside of class
4) knit in and out of class to finish at least one final, well-crafted piece
5) write a final reflective essay on experience
THE BASICS
Needles: There are various kinds of needles for knitting (single, circular, and double pointed) with various sizes and lengths. I recommend starting with a needle sized 8-11. An acrylic, worsted weight yarn (see below) works well with these sizes.
Yarn:
• Wool comes from sheep
• Mohair comes from goats
• Cashmere comes from the bellies of cashmere goats
• Alpaca comes from alpaca—a llama-like animal
• Angora comes from bunnies
• Silk comes from silk-worm cocoons
• Cotton comes from the cotton plant
• Linen comes from the flax plant
• Acrylic is a man-made, synthetic fiber
Yarn Weights:
• Fingering (or baby or 4-ply) weight
• Sport (or double knitting or DK) weight
• Worsted (or Aran) weight
• Chunky (or bulky) weight
• Extra-bulky (or super-bulky) weight
Purchasing needles and yarn:
Ben Franklin and Michaels both carry cheap yarns and needles. If you see a yarn you love, look for the needle size on the package label. This is a recommended needle size only. (Generally the heavier the yarn, the large the needle size.) Also, packages often have projects right on the label, so look for simple scarf patterns to get you started. Each roll of yarn is called a skein and you may need to purchase a number of skeins to complete your project.
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