Well peops, I FINALLY finished something that is getting worn every day! I KNOW! Check out Elliott's "model" pose in the centre pic, hee hee!
The yarn is recycled from a supersoft but unwanted sweater. I didn't do any of the stuff I was supposed to do with the yarn after I harvested it. (I think you're supposed to skein it, wash it and hang it or something. Anyone know?) I literally unravelled it from the sweater, into a ball, and knit with it straight away. Neither did I do any of this "blocking" malarkey. To coin a well used phrase, quite frankly, I couldn't be arsed ;) In defence of my slapdashery, for all I knew, this was just gonna be another UFO to add to my pile. But no! It all worked out ok! I think my lack of prep shows in the finished items, but to be honest, I don't care! They're soft, warm, and cosy and they fit! This people, is progress.
I knit them both in a "triple" rib. (3 knit, 3 purl etc). The hat was done on double point needles which for some bizarre reason I find less fiddly than circular needles.
In a potentially foolhardy act, this flush of success has spurred me on to make some knit and crochet gifts for Christmas. These will probably never see the light of day after they're gifted (as Karen so aptly describes) and will probably be secretly laughed at. But hey, I'm in a handmade mood this year. In any case, knitting to a deadline and for someone else, motivates me to actually get it finished and do the best job I can. In fact, I have one finished already. Blocked (well sorta!) and everything.
How about you? Are you a knitting novice? Do you have any advice for a knitting novice?!
Adorable! He looks fab.
ReplyDeleteI am also a knitting novice, trying to get two shrugs knitted for my daughters' school Xmas parties on Monday. Yikes!
I don't really have any advice. I find lots of tips on the internet and I bought a knitting encyclopaedia on amazon.
It seems that to understand what they are trying to explain, you need a little practice to have a feel for what they are talking about and what is going on.
I like sewing better than knitting really, but since I don't have a dedicated sewing room, sometimes knitting is all that I can fit in.
2 shrugs? Wow! For Monday? Double wow! I take it this is chunky yarn? Please don't tell me it's fingering weight!!
DeleteGood luck this weekend!
Px
Nice job - the hat and scarf look great and it's great to know that your hard work is being appreciated by being worn too.
ReplyDeleteI don't think blocking is as essential with the type of items you made, and rib gives a pretty forgiving fit.
If you're not on it already, get onto Ravelry for lots of knit and crochet inspiration. Have fun!
Oh I was going to say Ravelry. And you appear to be doing everything right. Sometimes I go through the whole palava of straightening out kinky recycled yarn, but mostly I don't.
DeleteBeen trawling Ravelry for novice patterns. All my faves seem to be for Aran weight and I've gone and bought DK. Perhaps there's a way to adapt an Aran pattern for DK yarn? Hmmm. Better google that!
DeleteThanks Kerry and Francoise!
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I have an issue with circular needles too! good to hear I am not the only weirdo who prefers double pointed ones!
ReplyDeleteI am a novice too, I have been knitting accessories for a while now, but never managed to finish something like a jumper..I tend to get the gauge wrong and I give up when I realise the size of the garment is wrong. So, the only advice I have is....check the gauge!
Yay! A fellow weirdo! (You said it, I didn't!)
DeleteThose circular needles are weird, not us!
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agreed :-D
DeleteNice work! I am exactly the same with the knitting and crochet. I have tried it and never finished a thing!
ReplyDeleteElliott has gotten very big! He is very cute and looks just like his mom!
Glad it's not just me! Elliott has indeed got very big! Can't believe how fast they grow, an you? He's starting proper school in September!
DeleteHope your little one continues to bring you lots of smiles :)
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I do the same thing with sweaters from thrift stores! I am also a serial knitter...hah! You should really consider "blocking" your scarf if you really want to get the sqiggles of the yarn out....super easy and certainly not as complicated as it can seem when you read about it!
ReplyDeleteI have a whole pile waiting to be unravelled, he he!
DeleteYou're right about the blocking, Kirsten Anne, I know. It made such a difference to a recent make (only finished yesterday and not yet blogged) in terms of overall shape and stitch uniformity. Quite a revelation!
I shall try and make more effort with blocking in future, promise!
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Look at those adorable dimples! I still consider myself a knitting novice, since I haven't knit anything that wasn't a rectangle. :) I think the only advice I can give you is to just keep trying. Your result this time around looks great, though!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! He only has one dimple you know Abby. That's because half the time he's cute, and half the time he's a little sod! (but still cute!)
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Very simple and (sophisticated) looks darling on your beautiful boy!
ReplyDeleteI just love this chic set!
Aw thanks Elicia. (Beautiful name by the way!)
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Your scarf and hat look great! I wouldn't be concerned about washing and skeining (if the yarn is clean!) and the links don't bother you. As far as blocking is concerned, that is great for lace as it opens up the pattern but it will flatten the rib and you would probably lose the elasticity.
ReplyDeleteAs far as circular needles and DPN's are concerned - use what works for you. I am a shawl and sock knitter (I am on Ravelry under twotoast) and love, love, love circular needles. I use relatively short ones (32" I think) and can knit two socks at a time. I think that a lot of problems with circulars are due to the cable being stiff. If you get the chance, try out the Options circulars from Knit Picks (www.knitpicks.com), they are very flexible and a pleasure to knit with. Having said that, DPNs look much cooler!
Argh! I just typed a long comment, and probably entered the wrong letters/number verification combo and whoosh! All gone ::sigh::
ReplyDeleteYour hat and scarf are great. If you are happy that the yarn is clean and you don't mind knitting with the kinks of unravelled yarn, then washing and skeining is not really needed. Blocking is best reserved for lace as it opens up the patterns - it would probably flatten your ribbing and take away the stretch factor.
As far as DPN's are concerned - use what you prefer. I use circulars as I am a sock and shawl knitter (I am on Ravelry as twotoast). I use a 32" circular and can manage two socks at a time or most shawls. I think that some people are put off circulars as the cables can be quite inflexible. If you have the chance, try Option from Knit Picks (www.knitpicks.com) they are a treat to knit with and very well priced. DPN's do look cooler though!!
Love, love, love! Little Elliott is super adorable, and looks so trendy in his new hat and scarf. Congratulations on completing a project. I hope this gives you some momentum to finish the next project you start.
ReplyDeleteI've been a knitter for many years, and I can tell you there is no "supposed to" in knitting. Anyone who wants to tell you there is needs to be reminded that there are NO KNITTING POLICE.
ReplyDeleteIf what you are doing gives you a result you like with an amount of fuss you find acceptable, then you are doing it right. Like that squiggly yarn? Knit it! Want it smoother? Block it! Want to overdye a wool sweater with coffee to mask that you just spilled a lot of coffee on your sweater? Ask me how I know!
It's all about expectations. You wouldn't expect a desk to behave like a fork, so don't expect that from the desk. Same with yarn; you just can't expect acrylic to behave like wool, nor wool like acrylic (substitute and knitterly nouns here, like cables and lace, DK and aran, etc), so as long as you are realistic and pleased with your results, there is no wrong way.
Portia, your makes are great! Lovely colour too! I am also a newbie. I hadn't knitted in 15 years. I'm trying to knit a cowl right now. YouTube and blogs seem a great resource.
ReplyDeleteI can't comment on the knitting, as I don't knit, but I think they look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAnd how cute is he - he looks just like his mummy, especially in that middle "model pose" photo. Gorgeous!