I broke down and bought the Artyarns Taj Mahal Shawl kit. Yes, I know. Expensive as hell. But it is so pretty. Meanwhile I am working on Lilli Pilli wrap in Tosh Merino light. My white isn’t quite as white as I wanted it to be, but I think it will be pretty. I’m tempted to join it into an Infinity Scarf. I do have to say that endless rows of garter stitch without any break are boring.
Also I found a cool article on scarf patterns. 🙂 Not sure what to knit out of there. I’m biased toward bright colors and gradients.
While I was cleaning today – by the way, today is one of those weird days when I can’t seem to sit down for five minutes, because minor stuff just keeps happening – I found a bunch of bulky, very soft yarn in white, grey, and charcoal. There is enough for a scarf and I really do need to make it into a scarf because it’s loose in balls of various sizes, so I suppose something with stripes of varying width. If I don’t knit it up, it will go to waste, because I will just keep shuffling it from spot to spot until it felts on its own.
How are your projects going? What are your favorite knitting needles? Bamboo, steel, wood, any particular brand?
Bamboo and rosewood needles are my favorite! I don’t have a particular brand I prefer as long as the needles feel good in my hand. I’ve been doing more crocheting than knitting as of late (which has been very little) but seeing these posts makes me think it’d be nice to actually finish something… it’s been a while since I’ve finished something…
Cute avatar!
I have a Knit Picks Harmony set with that pretty rainbow birch. I always knit with wood; other materials just don’t feel good in my hands. I have a February Fitted Pullover on my needles now and it’s a little stalled because I goofed and don’t feel like fixing it just yet. I did finish a beautiful cap sleeved sweater out of indigo Malabrigo Worsted and it’s wonderfully luscious.
Oh yays it’s a post…. 😉 I have so much yarn that is not magical calmly turning into anything. I’m organizing my craft stuff today and hope to be crocheting soon.
My auto correct is out of control. I don’t know why it randomly added calmly to my sentence.
Was perfect word, however; mental pictures of projects slowly crawling out of yarn stash as opposed to something from the Sorcerer’s Apprentice . . .
Knitpicks rosewood are my fave needles. I wish they came in more than just interchangeables. Mad Tosh is my faaaave yarn, although, I do like Knitpicks Billow. I’m working on the Helianthus Shawl and the Find Your Fade shawl. And a baby blanket b/c isn’t everyone at some time knitting something for others?
Just found Rowan’s Fine Art in Tawny for $9.99 a skein instead 29.99. Bought 2. Now to find the right pattern. Ravelry has sooo many to choose from.
I loom knit. Just finished a scarf and a baby blanket, starting in on a mother baby blanket for my neighbor who is expecting in June. I knit and listen to audio books for hours.
Me, too! Both the loom knitting and the listening (reading) audio books while I knit. Love it!
I do too!
I’m still knitting my eldests (18 and over 6 ft) elven cape… it’s now 5 meters around (or more) if you find rows, it currently takes about an hr per row… if not more… I don’t want to think what the stitch count would be. (it’s a full circle) I’m knitting it out of a bamboo/wool mix (bendigo wool mills “stellar”) I was on Addi needles (metal) which I loved, but I’ve had to transfer to knitpro needles, (length of cables and joiners) and I’m not as fond of them.
keep on knitting, it’s cheap therapy..
Heidi 😛
I love the Addi circular needles. They just feel right in my hands. Go girl! on the elven cape. Whew!
Me too! Addi Click Lace tip needles. I got them 3 years ago and have knitted more in three years then I did in the 20 before that. Equipment counts!
All the young women I watched grow up are finally having babies, so making receiving sets from a white cotton poly, soft with a little sparkle, and machine washable.
Lots of TV and recorded books while I knit!
I love wooden needles! I’m using some tiny double points for socks, and a set of bamboo ones for a scarf. I’d really like to start collecting wooden crochet hooks too. I’m crocheting an afghan and a pair of slippers with metal hooks, and I just don’t like the way the metal feels compared to wood.
I’m a Chiaoogoo girl. I have Addi Lace and Addi Turbo and they’re second on my list.
My favorite needles are rosewood. I would love to own a full set, but since they are expensive, I have just the sizes I use most. My needles sit in an hand-crafted pottery vase near my desk. They are a constant temptation when I am working. I probably should move them. My current project is a loom knitted stocking hat. It has been taking me forever most likely because I hate the yarn I am using. My daughter picked it out and I am laboriously trying to finish it so I can go back to more entertaining projects.
Pretty!
My fave needles are Signatures (with stiletto tips), followed by Addi Turbos. I use Addi Sock Rockets for socks.
I was working on a short-sleeve cotton cardigan, but my circ needle broke today. 🙁 Back to the Persian Dreams Blanket. I’m using Malabrigo Worsted in black and Freia Fine Handpaints Ombré Worsted, an awesome gradient yarn.
I have square knitting needles that help me knit longer without pain. I’m working on an self designed cursing afghan for my sister. It’s a bit of a pain but fun.
A friend requested a moose hat for her baby, so that’s what I am working on, getting the antlers to sit right is a challenge. I have tendency to break bamboo needles maybe because I am left handed, so just use plastic or metal ones,
I guess I’m on the dark side….I crochet O_O. I use steel hooks. Right now I’m working on blanket #3 with newly discovered fav yarn – Bernat’s Blanket yarn in variegated shades. It’s similar to microfiber material and no thread snags!
After finishing a mermaid tail for my daughter last fall I have had issues focusing on another project. But….but, I went into my yarn stash last Thursday and pulled out my accumulated 100% woollen yarn from a wonderful mill in PEI. I want to make a shawl from an Alice Starmore pattern book in memory of my mum who passed in November of last year.
The rainbow interchangeable needles are my new favourite but I would love to try rosewood needles.
Love Alice Starmore.
I browse https://www.virtualyarns.com/ when I just need to look at lovely yarn on the beach, or scattered through the heather….
My project isn’t really crafty. I’m assisting in a table Thai massage class, and also doing tons of research on pain theory. It’s nerdy to me because I like this kind of stuff. Grats on your beautiful knitting! That is a skill I’m jealous of!
I really like the feel of wood needles, but I knit a lot faster and more even stitches with metal needles. Currently still working on my “Find your Fade” shawl, then I’ll start a summery version of Softsweaters River shawl in a silk/linen blend.
Though I have knitted baby clothes in the past, I prefer to crochet. I like padded hooks but I also have a set of long wooden Tunisian hooks I’m fond of. I’m left handed so that can be an issue, just makes the diagrams a little challenging.
Working on lace shawl. Adapted from lace tablecloth pattern (1/2 of round and adding selvage edge). I have the KnitPicks Options chrome needle set and 1 each of the fixed needles 0 thru 3. I prefer to do lace and socks so the smaller sizes get a huge workout.
I love wooden or carbonz from webs for sock knitting, and Chaiogoo Red for lace knitting. Am currently working on a log cabin throw for a present for a wedding. Next is a huge stole for my mother and beaded shawl.
Favorite needles: Signature Need Arts double pointed or circs.
Addi Click Lace needles circular set is 2nd.
I did pick up some of the Carbonz needles a little while back, they don’t suck, but not a FAVORITE.
Yarnwise, I like the mad tosh, the malabrigo, the manos, and then my handspun. Cascade 220 is my go to work horse worsted type yarn. I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE brown sheep’s lamb’s pride yarn. so much love. But it’s got mohair in it, and it turns out while I like mohair, mohair does not like me. Their cotton fleece line is still one of my favorite non-wooly yarns, though it does have 20%.
That Taj Mahal yarn looks really fancy. What colors did you get?
The Mayan set colorway.
wood
I love the plastic/nylon? needles. Very flexible, plus you can break off the end, sharpen them in a pencil sharpener and make them into long double ended needles. I scrounge them in thrift shops – loving the green ones. Use grandma’s old metal needles for socks and gloves (gloves are quite quick to knock up, so don’t be intimidated.) Currently have a 10 stitch blanket in the offing, great way to use up odd wee balls of yarn. Have another crochet blanket which I’m mulling whether to make bigger. Have a few glorious balls of yarn calling to me but I haven’t made my mind up what they’re going to be. I really have to use up my yarn hoard. I have three legal boxes and a bag full of skeins, a big box in my storage locker. Bad me. Tempted to make a pair of bizarro leggings instead of a sweater.
First off, circulars all the way. Chaigoo are my go to for most everything these days. Addi are a close second. I cant do bamboo or other wood type needles anymore as the hold on to the yarn too much for my liking but they are great for teaching new knitters.
I’m still a knitting newbie. Right now I’m practicing making round things with DPNs. Not following a pattern or actually making things. Just knitting rounds until I feel comfortable then I switch to a different yarn, different size. Heh. I’ll eventually find something to try to knit with my pretty DPNs.
I love metal needles. I can work with wood and do but it’s only if I have to–metal is just easier for me. I don’t have nickel allergies so that helps too. I can’t fully understand wooden dpns for socks — I can snap those (and have) too easily.
I’m almost through Isen –which is a lovely shawl that has lots of beads. It’s my first beading project and it’s gone pretty well. I’m trying desparately to get through Loopy Academy projects (3 per semester and I’m doing a make up semester…so 6 between Feb and May). I’m missing the knitting-for-fun-and-sanity with all this obligation knitting.
But I bought a lot of lovely new things at YarnCon… (see most recent blog post) 🙂
I prefer circulars for most everything but use bamboo dpns for hats. I just got some gorgeous closeouts at Webs. Then they started their anniversary sale yesterday! They had the yarn I wanted at a shop in New Orleans for $21 instead of $30 a skein. (Huge yardage). I had to get it. No yarn budget left for me. ? Anne.
I’m the oddball out as my project wasn’t knitting today but instead beekeeping. Today we split our 2 hives into 4 and collected a few frames of honey. We ended up harvesting a gallon of honey (more than anticipated).
On the other hand, I do wonder if knitting is something I would enjoy. Perhaps it will be something to try during the next winter when the farm chores slow down.
Did your bees do OK this winter? We finally gave up after losing our hives three winters in a row. The cost of colony replacement got to be too much.
I’m in a knitting drought right now. I’ve got about 2 sweaters about 75% done and 1 about 50% done all of which are currently hybernating. I think I have knitting ADHD.
WEBS having their big annual sale right now. Would love to get some Cascade SW Aran for some cabled sweaters.
I’m an Addi fanatic. Tried others, but keep going back to Addi Lace for everything.
My favorite yarn is from an independent dyer, Plucky Knitter. If you hv any tendencies toward addiction, don’t buy any. If you want to tempt Fate, you can find their group on Ravelry.
The only things I can knit get so hole-y I should send them to Rome >_>
I crochet! I have these lovely shiny coloured metal hooks that I love. I’ve yet to try wooden ones, and I’m not overly fond of the plastic ones.
I have to crochet a shawl as a birthday present, but I’ve never done a ‘big’ project, it’s been mostly gloves, a hat or two, teddy bears and amigurumi and flowers! 😛 The ones you’ve knitted look lovely! And I think my yarn stash has been breeding while I’ve not been around.
And as of today, I did a medieval crafters class and learnt some naalbinding – which is a technique that predates knitting and crochet, a bit more similar to crochet than knitting, it uses a large needle and knots and shorter strands of yarn, you wouldn’t have a big ball, more like a metre or something like that at a time! I also tried drop spindle spinning, tablet weaving and finger loop braiding 😀 fun day! The people were also dressed in re-enactement/proper period clothing of viking era/early medieval 🙂
I am currently using steel on my very first knitting project, d*mn wool keeps slipping though. I’m trying to knit a jersey, meant to be an easy pattern hahahaha, yeah less so.
I love knitting with my Nana’s old knitting needles, the old tortishell-look kind. luckily she was a bit of a hoarder and I have a lifetime supply!
My faves are Signature Stillettos. I like me a sharp point.
I just finished a capelet, and now I’m working on a cowl in two colors of a gorgeous merino-silk yarn (Civility, sport weight, by Elemental Affects). It’s a good knitting day.
That is, it was good until I had to salvage a skein of yarn one of the cats got into. I entertained myself by thinking of wrap designs inspired by Aunt B. What would Aunt B wear? 🙂
Current project is a Swirl Jacket (pattern Rubies and Ribbons by Sandra McIver), my current favorite needles are Dyakcraft Northern Lights (metal).
And that Artyarns kit looks gorgeous. I’m so tempted by the Caribbean Beach set.
I love my circulars. I usually drop fewer stitches from them when projects are stashed in my travel bag; their needles tend to be shorter, so, my plane manners are “improved;” and, I don’t run the risk of needles rolling loose down the isles. The lighter weight they are, the longer l can knit. I have several brands that have worked well. The HiyaHiya sharps say ‘stainless steel’ and feel hollow and very light. They have a very slight give, which seems gentler on my hands. (Solid metal is my least favorite material.) I’m currently making a “Celtic Bunny Hat” — with the design and yarn by Toots LeBlanc & Co. If you like very soft things, this yarn is yummy. For cables, I prefer my thin cable hook, but I can’t decide if it is a generous J or a sloppy U? For the double pointed part of the hat, I like my bamboo needles best — they are the stickiest. 🙂 I love the mix of colors in your yarn. You inspire me to try some colorwork next…
I use knit picks nickel plated interchangeable needles for nearly everything. But I also use chiagoo for sock knitting and wood dpn’s for smaller things. My favorite yarns are Malabrigo, Madeline Tosh, Elliebelly, and Three Irish Girls. Latest WIP is a Mirren hat using Elliebelly bulky the color is called Wednesday’s Child.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mirren
Your scarf is looking absolutely lovely! Gorgeous colors!
I usually knit with metal needles, I have only a few bamboo but I seem to always go to the metals. I just finished a westknits MKAL that turned out fantastic. I used about 80% of left over yarn from other projects and the variety of colors made this shawl so interesting. I am back to knitting my 2nd find you fade shawl. Good luck with your new knit.
Knitting! I love to knit. I especially like to knit while riding in the car or when reading a book because it keeps my hands busy. I really like bamboo needles because they aren’t as slippery as the metal and are more durable than the plastic needles.
Have you ever thought of learning to weave? I toss all my knitting leftovers into a box of similar weight/material and then, when the box is full, I warp up my (really small, 15 inch) rigid heddle loom and plain weave scarves, squares to sew together and stuff for couch accent pillows, place mats for the table, and coasters or mug rugs. So what if they are all in stripes and plaids? It uses the least scraps of yarn (I save everything a yard or longer), doesn’t take much time or thought and gives a useful, pretty result. Craftsy.com has an inexpensive, informative video on learning to weave. That is how I learned.
I’m working on a shawl/wrap for my mom. Have been for….two years now? Hand surgeries got in the way 🙁 Wedges of color worked in short rows and slipped stitches for a lace row between each section. Picked up the pattern at a yarn mill in Wyoming. Three more sections of color and I can send it off and look for a new project. I like the ones with simple patterns and not alot of changes in the rhythm. Especially since I tend to watch TV as I knit and counting gets…tricky 🙂
I used to use nylon/plastic straight needles for knitting most things but am now a huge circular-needle fan – much better weight distribution so not not such a strain on my hands. I’m using Knit Pro wooden interchangeable heads and love how smoothly the yarn slides as I’m making stitches. I’m not sure you could call me a true knitting addict – yesterday I passed up the opportunity to buy four large skeins of undyed homespun sheep’s wool at a country auction I helped organise. The lady i was bidding against got the lot for $40 and I’ve been spending today kicking myself for letting it go…
I’m so envious, I wish I could knit. My grandmother knit all the time and I tried learning when I was a kid but I got too frustrated. I would like to try it again now that I’m much older with more patience. Any advice on where to get info and what kind of projects to try as a beginner?
I would recommend heading over to Ravelry and having a look around.
I taught myself using YouTube, I’m a firm believer that anybody who wants to can make it happen.
Addi Turbo Lace for circs. Inox, Knit Picks 6″ Nickel Plated, and Hiya HIya Sharps 6″ for dpn. I like Addi lace interchangeable Circulars, too, for the easy mounting system which usually stays put. I have a set of Signature 6″ dpns for socks and they are lovely. I’m a tight knitter and mostly stick to non-synthetics so I use slippery needles. For the odd times I knit slippery stuff, I prefer bamboo and mostly have Clover circs or Crystal Palace dpn.
I just finished a overdue holiday gift hat for a toddler and unfortunately, I can wear it and it isn’t ribbed. Time to buy more yarn and knit a smaller one. I might give the adult sized one to toddler’s mom for next winter.
Miss Babs has some beautiful colors and fiber blends. So hard to resist.
Yay knitting! I finished 2 Pussy hats and now I’m working on 2 brain hats for my aunt. I feel like it’s gotten me back into knitting, which I’d gotten away from for a while.
I always use bamboo needles. I’m not fond of metal, but I haven’t tried rosewood. Noro is my favorite yarn (the colors!) , but pricey, so I haven’t used it much lately. The wool is beautiful when I felt it, add a leather bottom, and turn it into a zip bag.
Right now I have 7 wips, most of them hibernating. I love the 8″ Addi circs for socks, although the tips are very blunt. I prefer fixed 16″ for hats, over interchangeables because the joins are smoother. I love the finish on Addi turbos, but also love the tips on Hiya Hiya sharps. I have bought several Marblz because they are pretty. I personally hate bamboo.
I read about a really cool striped scarf idea where you assign a wool colour to weather (white – fine, grey – cloudy, black – rain). Then you knit a line of your scarf in whatever that day’s weather is. It’ll take a while to finish (unless you ‘backdate’) but is a rather fun idea.
A sports-themed variance is to knit as many rows as your team scored goals in the given week.
Oh, and bamboo needles – living in Australia, merino wool is kind of the default and the fibres are super-smooth, so slip off metal needles way too easily.
The only time I’ve used metal needles was when I knitted up a scarf from wool produced by my stepbrother’s flock of Shetland sheep – much shorter, ‘stickier’ fibres and impossible on wood.
Im still brand new to knitting, I started learning when I was living in Iceland, they made it look soo easy. I am finally at the end of my first scarf, took me ages. I am torn between trying something a bit more challenging or just starting another scarf. I like the steel circular needles seems a bit easier for me to handle.
I enjoy bamboo, although I’m currently using aluminum. I’m making a patchwork quilt out of knitted squares. I’m using three different beautiful colors each color gets its own Stitch and then I’ll sew them together. I wish I could post a picture the colors are just wonderful.
I love my rosewood and bamboo needles. I use the rosewood circulars as much as possible, but switch to bamboo double points for the smaller items. I’m always looking for new types too. It is all about the feel and how they work with the yarn. I like to keep at least one complex project to work at home and one or more small items to carry to kids’ activities, so bathe are always in play. Sadly I’ve decided that wool and my family don’t get along, so I work mostly with cotton, bamboo and silk blends. Sometimes a soft alpaca or cashmere meets the itchiness test, but so hard to find that magical wool yarn that is soft AND affordable.?!
I use both wood and metal but which I use really depends on the project and fiber. Anything with man-made fibers like acrylic gets metal, the stitches slider better on metal. Natural fibers like wool, silk, and others get wood because those stitches slide too easily on metal. The only exception is knitting socks 2 at a time on a good 40 inch circular like Addi. I also have a preference for needles with longer tips since I tend to knit on the tips. I don’t have a specific brand I like. I do tend to avoid bamboo as I flex the needles too much and they splinter or break especially when I used sizes 1-3 for socks. Happy knitting!
Gorgeous project!! Unfortunately, I have been a slug on knitting projects lately. Have three sock kits I still need to get started. I prefer plastic/nylon needles and since I do a lot in the round, I have the Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles kit. Lots of flexibility and easy to change. BTW, I love you knitting posts — if nothing else, to knit vicariously through you!! ;D
Love the colors! It’s so pretty that’s its tempting me to try knitting again even though I’m a disaster at it. Look forward to seeing the final work. Thank you for sharing!
When I was unpacking I came across about 3 unfinished knitted scarves. I even think one of them is in a pattern in that article you linked. But I don’t like it in the yarn I was using – too thick and stiff. I can finish one of them cos I still see myself wearing it and discard the other two. I also still have my complete set of Aero knitting needles that I was given back in December 1986 when I was leaving the UK … even though I hardly ever knit these days and I might buy bamboo needles to finish that scarf.
I like crochet with bamboo hooks, even though I have a set of hooks in somthing else. Ummm, nope that detail escapes me at the moment. I really want to finish my crochet blanket this year, started it 2 winters ago, and now that we’re half way through autumn(fall) I really should crack onto that.
If you like lace the Brickless or the Saroyan are nice knits. I really enjoyed but of those. I am currently working of the River shawl. We’ll see how it turns out.
I love stripes of color-changing yarns alternating with stripes of a solid color. It’s going to be gorgeous!
I love these colorful wood needles from knitpro: http://www.knitpro.eu/Materialwise-size-Details.asp?id=5&Language=English
They look so beautiful and feel light and smooth. Unfortunately I am still an total beginner and most projects turn out just awful. ?
Please more knit posts, they are inspiring. But I wouldn’t object another Hugh snippet, either, haha. ?
Just kidding. Happy knitting!
That is beautiful. Serious skill, hoping when I grow up I will get that good 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I have more than a few stray stashes of yarn:) Time is always an issue, but it’s also a challenge to balance knitting with typing in terms of wrists and a hands, and writing tends to win out. That said, I love my KnitPicks Interchangeable Rainbow Wood needles. In a fit of amateur enthusiasm, I picked up the full set plus extra cables and ends and such. Sure, I hardly ever use the teeny tiny needles, but I could!
Happy knitting!
I have 3 projects started in various stages of completion. A lace Afghan, a simple scarf and a cable sweater coat. I’m almost finished with the scarf. I seem to gravitate to shades of red or pinks or shades of grey or black, one color at a time. When I get bored with one I start on one of the others. I prefer Knitters Pride circular needles and their new circular needle protectors. The protectors keep my projects from slipping off the needles when I’m not knitting that project.
Attempting the lotus baby blanket (http://www.9-stitches.com/blog/knitting/knit-baby-blanket-pattern) but it’s killing me. I keep getting to the same line and messing up. It’s frustrating. Then I’m looking for a zig zag blanket (but may have to go with crochet for it) and a newborn or baby knit sundress in scallops. My bestie is having a baby and I’m super excited!!
Oooh – pretty!
There’s a free pattern from Bernat for an “easy beginner zigzag baby blanket” here https://s3.amazonaws.com/spinrite/pdf/WEB-BERNAT-SOFTEEBABYCHUNKY-K-ZigZagBlanket.pdf
Or look for “chevron” as an alternate term. Good luck!
I had the best time making the double-sided “one ring to rule them all” scarf…
http://geekologie.com/2012/11/do-it-yourself-lord-of-the-rings-one-rin.php
I don’t knit as much as before, except for socks which I always have in the go. My favourite needles are the Denise interchangeable needles. I used them for knitting in the round or as straight knitting. Needles. They are light and perfect for light or heavy projects…and come in a very handy case.
I gave most of my fiber arts stuff away when I moved to the housebarge, and then across the country.* About the only thing I brought with me was my favorite drop spindle. So everything I’ve picked up in the meantime has been project specific, and I’m not doing a lot.
I have a bunch of spun alpaca, and then a bunch of totally different alpaca waiting to be spun (the unspun stuff is for my sister. The spun stuff… I have no idea. Though come to think of it, it suits the coloring of a dear friend in Seattle.) I think my last few knitting projects were a cowl and some socks. I do a lot of working with double sided wood and bamboo needles – shouldn’t be too light, shouldn’t be too smooth. I’ve had trouble finding good stores locally, which has held me back – I end up mostly buying from folks at the farmers market. (This is me being busy and lame.)
I have also finally found exactly the right yard to repair my beloved dark green Aran sweater. (Which I’ve had for almost twenty years, and which I abuse.) I’ve repaired it in minor ways before, this time is going to require more serious amounts of material… or a new sweater, and I resist that. The problem: the yarn is in Donegal. Solutions a: have them ship from Donegal – clearly ridiculous b: Find a US local store with the yarn, practical, though tedious c: Go to Donegal, yet the yarn, and get fitted for a hand woven tweed jacket while I’m there – this is clearly the right solution. (This is clearly completely ridiculous, and extravagance money must first be earmarked for The Sword.) Such pretty yarn…
* Well, the spinning wheel and looms went into long term loan, and then the person they were loaned to gave them away without consulting me… and I decided that some battles just aren’t worth it, especially since I approved of the new owners.
Two projects. A baby blanket for someone scheduled to arrive in August and a hat for said person’s older sister. The blanket is in cotton yarn and the hat is bamboo yarn.
Thanks for the knitting post. I am currently working on socks ( 3 pairs for family members), a shawl for me ( I don’t think I have the gauge right so may have to rip it out) a sweater (that I’m beginning to hate the yarn) and a potholder ( double knitting) Potholders/dishcloths are great for learning new stitches and they finish up quickly. Right now I’m learning double-knitting so I can try the Lord of the Rings Scarf. I’ve got to stay off ravelry so I quit collecting patterns. Right now I live six hours north of Winnipeg, Manitoba and getting yarn is difficult. There are so many great yarns online but the shipping costs are horrendous! Have you checked out http://www.lanitiumexmachina.com/ ? They have a shop on Etsy too. Their yarns look fantastic.
I like bamboo needles but discovered I bend them. I tried some metal ones too and bent those as well. So I’m back to bamboo because I prefer natural materials.
Please post again as I love to see your progress!
I knit with Bamboo, usually circular needles just because I find I drop stitches less that way. For crochet I use metal hooks. I tried the bamboo for crochet, but it didn’t feel right in my hands.
For needles I love the Addi circulars – http://www.addineedleshop.com/ They are smoothe, rotate well and pliable. I am always working on several projects – my current ambition is a star chart of the northern hemisphere – http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/celestarium – worked in some very nice yarn from Gynx – http://www.gynxyarns.com/allcolorwaysnz – (CW: Witch Witch). It should be suitably skyish once all the beads are in place.
I like hats. I refuse to knit scarves. I did once knit myself a very beautiful sweater that was too hot to wear – it was an angora/wool blend yarn, so lovely and soft… I did wear it a couple of times in Alaska when I didn’t want to carry a coat. Favorite simple stitch pattern is seed stitch, and favorite technique is double knit.
When I teach, I use short straight needles, but for my own projects I prefer my interchangeable circulars with extra short tips. I knit tight but hate plastic needles, so mostly metal, but Knit Picks and Knitters Pride tips are smooth enough for me to work with. I also really like to mix it up with square tips.
Right now I’m experimenting with spinning my own yarn, so I only have one hat and one sweater on the needles at the moment.
I love knitting. Speaking of random stripes, I found a really cool Random Stripe Generator free online back when I was making a 2 color throw for my daughter. Turned out great! Just keep refreshing the sequence until it matches what you have in mind. Hope it works for you!
http://www.biscuitsandjam.com/stripe_maker.php
My typical go to needles are the Addi’s but I’m beginning to try some of the other brands for various projects. I’m currently working on the Sans Suri cardigan in the Top Down book by Elizabeth Doherty in a class in one my the local yarn shops. This is a new way of knitting a sweater but I’m enjoying it very much.
I hadn’t knitted for ages, but I’m expecting a grandnephew in June so I started working on a cuddle bear for him http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cuddle-toys-bear.
I’ve been using Knitter’s Pride circulars Nova Platinas, round (they have a cubic variety). The tips are pointy and tapered, the yarn moves smoothly over them, they are light, and when they rub together, I don’t get the chills from the metal on metal (they are chrome plated).
I like Karbonz for smaller stuff because they are so strong, and I like wood for slippery yarns. Been using circulars rather than straights or DPs mostly. I tried the magic loop method and I ended up with the stitches not looking right, which means I’m doing something wrong.
I’m making some socks from leftover yarn, but now I have to find a heel flap I like.
I didn’t enjoy magic loop. I found success with second sock syndrome with two circular needles. 9″ circulars have been recommended to me.
I’ve been using the two circulars for one sock and just doing one at a time, or else taking the first sock off the needles, knitting to the heel, do both heels, and then finish.
Love the karbonz! They’ve become my favorite type of needles to knit with, though with Icelandic wool, I will switch to a Denise or clover bamboo for the stubby needle tips.
And for anybody who reads this and is interested, there’s a local estate sales shop that did a sale for someone who had at least five or six spinning wheels. Nice ones. They still have at least one, and I’m not sure of the cost, but I’m certain they’d do a good deal. I could put you in touch.
I would love to know what they have.
This has their phone numbers. Owners are Amanda and I believe her husband is Jake. https://www.estatesales.net/companies/OR/Salem/97303/35822
I love it when you post about your knitting, and your Lilli Pilli is looking great! My favourite needles are usually circular Addi Turbo Lace needles (the ones with the brass tips), in the 32″ length. You can knit in the round, back and forth, magic loop, or travelling loop. Basically, you could use them for almost any knitting you might want to do.
I love the knitting posts, your work is lovely! I like the addi knitting needles as well, I am knitting my first sweater. I have four daughters and have knitted many many scarves and hats. Last year I knit fingerless mitts for all. I hate double sided needles, so I learned how to manic loop. You should have a ravelry fan group.?
Wow! I’m in awe of the mad skills you ladies exhibit in the knitting arena. I tried both knitting and crochet with wonky results. It’s sad when bad things happen to good yarn. Personally I’m more comfortable in the tool aisle at Lowe’s. Right now I am painting a salvaged china cabinet from the 1940’s. Normally I wouldn’t paint such an amazing peice, but the repairs would be obvious if I attempted to stain it. I’m going with a daring shade of beige for that French country look.
Currently, I have three projects cast on. I try to have projects with varying needle sizes to help with hand/elbow issues. I am knitting Elfe, a stripped top down seamless stripped sweater (and I am going to lengthen the sleeves) with a hand dyed alpaca, cashmere, silk blend from Fierce Febers (Hillsboro indie dyer) and a tonal solid from Hazel knits, a pair of socks (trying Bordhi’s after thought leg, this time on nine inch circulars) with some Lemonade Shop yarn, and a scarf with drafted but unspun silk from hankies I dyed last summer. I mostly knit on addi turbos. I just finished Omena with worsted from Sweet Georgia in a color they did exclusively for Stash (Corvallis–our wonderful brick and mortar sanctuary) last year–love it. It is a little garter stitch but you switch every three rows and it’s a circular shawl/vest like wrap that is awesome to wear. I have a meeting in Portland in. Couple of weeks so what is your favorite yarn shop there? I have not done any of the yarn crawls–I am always afraid it will be overwhelming and break the bank.
I’m familiar with most of the nice selection of patterns in the scarf round up. If one is a beginner but wants something a bit more interesting the Hitchhiker by Martina is the winner in my opinion. Also one can go as long or as short as one wishes.
Be aware that the Mistake Rib Scarf, which is very nice for guys too, is a bit deceptive as far as the width vs the advised cast on stitch count. It pulls in, so be sure to add necessary stitches if it’s needed to be somewhat wider than shown.
Lace scarves, while pretty and fun to knit, might not be the best projects to work on while attending chatty knitting group’s, or in front of the TV, unless one’s powers of concentration are above average (or the tv show is less than stellar). I’ve often had to rip out inches of mismatched lace efforts after an evening of chat! : )
I crochet, but…
My most successful project was an afghan composed of all of my yarn scraps from previous projects, even if they were only 3 or 4 stitches. It ended up wildly colorful, huge, and admired by all who saw it. There was no planning; I just picked up the next color at random. I didn’t think of it then, but I could also have changed out the stitch when I began a new row. It was definitely unique.
I recently finished Snowmelt and am in progress on one of Baah yarns Dipped and Dappled faux argyle scarves (see her IG for pix and how-to’s). Also swatching for a linen Tee..
I love my chiagoo interchangable lace set.
BUT!!! since you’re using madtosh colors and whites, make sure you fix the yarn one more time when you go to block! I’ve had friends have very sad color bleeding happen recently with those colors. just add a cup of white vinegar to the cold water when you go to wash it, and let it soak for 15-30 min. then you can wash it as you normally would. lovely colors! and I love lilli pilli
I can’t go past bamboo needles. And I knit jerseys and cardigans. Complicated aran patterns are the best! Mind you when you knit a jersey because you like knitting the pattern you often get something unwearable. I’ve been through a phase of unpicking a lot of jerseys that were fun to knit but crap to wear and knitting them up into stuff I will wear. You feel very virtuous using recycled wool.
I’ve tried different needles and I like metal needles for wool and wool blends. I started with bamboo but they drag a bit sometimes. I’m currently leaning how to knit octos for preemies and I also have a scarf startin problen.
I like my bamboo needles but my metals slide better…I had 3 sets of metal circular needles break..
Knitting projects: I have just finished two baby blankets… I am trying to be positive. My 23 yr old grandson is going to be a father. He and his girlfriend lived together for a year (8/15-8/16) and it was a nightmare for him. She knew around May that when the lease was up, her free ride was over…so she got pregnant. I’m just sad about it all.
Family is moving so I’m making knitting baskets up of super nice yarn and needles and patterns for my school’s annual auction. My projects that had been “special” I still just look at them and go “Later my friends, when I have free time again!”
i loved hitchhiker by martina behm- just enough interest that i had to pay attention at the end of the row, but the middle was easy ‘time to chat’ knitting. and as long as i remembered which row i was on, i didn’t need the pattern- easy to memorize. i made two. may make another one.
saroyan is beautiful, too. i made two- one a scarf that i regret not making in garter instead of the pattern suggested stockinette. another shawl that i did make in garter, in a gorgeous blue. the charted leaf part required attention, as did remembering which row the increases and decreases were on.
i prefer metal needles, specifically chiagoo or addi. i have used lykke needles, made from driftwood, which are the loveliest wooden needles i have ever touched. if i need wood (it is a bit less slippery, so better for when i knit with bamboo yarn or silk) i will use lykke.
I am knitting the third version of a wool hat for my husband. I prefer the 40″-47″ Addi rockets or lace needles. I like the longer lace point and using the magic loop method. I try to knit mostly in the round as I hate to sew seams and purl. I also love that you can knit two sleeves or socks at the same time so they are the same size when they are done. 😉 I want to try brioche knitting for my next project, probably a scarf. I will one day knit a lace shawl…
I knit using a knitting machine (of which I have 6). different skill set, usually, the same end product. It allows me to knit a row much faster than when I knit by hand, but it also means that I can mess up a huge amount of stitches in one breath. but I don’t have to worry about numb hands with my machines- unlike hand knitting and cervical spinal problems.
But that got me into spinning— OMG, a more perfect hobby doesn’t exist… 1 second or two days produces usable and beautiful yarn…
I use Hiya Hiya interchangeable circulars (whichi love), but just aluminum or bamboo straights till I find what I really like in those (its an ongoing quest). For crochet I have a set of aluminums in all-sizes that work ok, but I inherited a couple Ivory hooks with wood handles that are lovely in the hand and very light. I’m currently trying a Brittany Birch set that I’m not sure if I like the handle of. Current projects are:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flower-baby-blanket-3
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/failynn-fox-cowl (2 of these, one for each child)