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Any knitters/crocheters on Bluelight?

spork

spork

Bluelight Crew
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
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the present
I've been looking into knitting/crocheting as a hobby for quite some time now. I have a lot of free time at work and it would be something to do when my eyes get tired from reading. Also, I think it would be a fun hobby and awesome to be able to knit things for people as gifts.

My only problem is how do you get started?

I've tried to teach myself with The Complete Idiot's Guide To Knitting And Crocheting, but that seemed to fail. I also tried to have a person at work try to teach me how but it never really worked because of pesky work stuff getting in the way. We were going to meet up at a coffee shop or somewhere and he was going to teach me how so it would be uninterrupted, but that never ended up working out and now he's quit and I have no way of getting a hold of him. I don't know any one else that knits either, so I don't really have the option of asking someone to teach me. I guess I could put up an ad or something on craigslist but that just seems like it would get creepy responses and could be risky.

I've also thought about and looked into taking classes, but they never seem to work out with my schedule. :!

So how did you guys learn? Did you teach yourself or did someone help you? Are there any resources (youtube links, web sites, or forums) you can link me to that could help me out?

It seems like the only option I have is to teach myself and I'd just like to make it a little less frustrating so I can get to making projects ASAP.
 
I learned to crochet this year. right now I am making a pair of boot socks. I sort of learned with a friend, but I also checked out some youtube videos and taught myself. I really can only make basic stuff and on close inspection you would find my stitches to be rather careless in some spots, but I'm really not aiming for perfection at this point because winter is coming and the last thing on my mind is the perfect stitch. I would suggest starting with a beanie and some yarn that is inspiring to your vision. sometimes the messier and softer the yarn the easier it is to hide your little mistakes. I wear my first hat all the time and it is sort of a fucked up looking elf hat, but it suits me perfect.
 
I'm more into darning.

I wouldn't mind somebody knitting or crocheting me a nice earth tone beanie though. That would be super special gift from a close friend that I'd totally treasure.
 
spork, get the stitch n bitch books. they're EXCELLENT in teaching you how to knit. :)

my mom initially taught me when i was 14. i didn't pick it up again until a few years ago, but i bought the stitch n bitch book and it really helped a lot. it takes practice. ;) a lot of the hobby shops have this donation site where you knit swatches and dump them into the bin. later, some people piece them together to create blankets for the less fortunate. i ended up taking so many of those to the craft store here. i felt like i was wasting yarn until i found those.

you have to realize at the beginning you're really going to suck, or you may just be a natural at it. but, it takes time and practice. it's really a lot of fun, and i've gotten quite good at knitting scarves and whatnot while watching tv. unfortunately, my tendinitis in my wrist bothers me too bad to keep knitting for long periods of time.
 
Shambles said:
My grandmother taught me to knit. And crochet. And similar things.

I've long since lost the knack though.

Shame really.
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I've found it's a lot like riding a bike. I had to refresh myself, but once I did, I had no issues.
 
do ya'll exercise at all? I imagine if knitting is giving you problems thats a clear indication that you need to exercise and/or change something in your diet. Unless you're 75 years old (we are in a knitting thread after all, oh beautiful stereotypes how I love thee).
 
GP~any sort of repetitive hand motion can mess with you, it doesn't matter if you are in peak health. I once crocheted for 6 hours straight (no, I wasn't high) and for a few days my hands were fucked. It was totally worth it though because I have the most bad ass mountain faerie hat you'll ever see.
 
i went on a knitting spree a few years back and just couldn't do it. i got way too frustrated at it not being perfect. i may pick it up again if i ever find teh time. i was looking forward to boring old lady shit to discuss at family discussions. my next goal of artistic crap that won't go anywhere is scrapbooking.
 
I'd love to learn crochet sometime. My mother knows how to do it and she tells me she'll teach me one day but I have a feeling she probably doesn't want to teach her son how to knit ;). lol.
 
i learned to knit in '03 from someone i was working for, and i taught the 3 people working for me how to do it. we would all sit backstage and knit before our show, and it was the most calming, relaxing atmosphere before a show ever. my mom likes to get me projects - she'll pick up a pattern, the yarn, and needles for it and give me the whole shebang for my birthday or the like. i haven't ventured past the hat/scarf/easy stage cause i just don't have time to sit down and try to keep track of making a sweater.

next year i'm going to try to make a little extra money selling my scarves, so i may be back with an etsy webpage for you crazy cats to buy one if you like. :) they're super soft and i can make them really fast, and should be picking up a bunch more yarn in a couple weeks.

i love crafts!!
 
^Definitely let me know if you start selling your scarves. I'd love to have a Squirt original scarf! :D

RR: The guy that was trying to teach me actually recommended the "Stitch & Bitch" books. I wasn't able to find any in the used bookstore last time I checked, but I'll check more now that you're recommending it too. :) Maybe I'll even *gasp* buy it new. ;)

Jammy: take up your mother on her offer, I'm sure she'd love to teach you. :)

Thanks for all the info so far! You guys are awesome!
 
Rogue Robot said:
spork, get the stitch n bitch books. they're EXCELLENT in teaching you how to knit. :)
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Those two got me started on knitting and crocheting too! They're really easy to understand have lots of cool projects. I started by knitting first and I would advise you to do the same. Crocheting is a lot less time consuming and if you start off crocheting you'll probably never even bother learning how to knit! Personally I prefer the way knitting looks but it just takes forever. I love crocheting blankets with big gauge hooks. Once you get a decent amount of it done you can sit under it while you crochet!
 
Rogue Robot said:
I've always wanted to learn how to crochet but I don't really have time to teach myself a new craft. But there is always winter break. :)
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Crocheting consists of one basic technique that you then tweak to create the various knots. If you already know how to knit it's almost a joke how easy crocheting is.
 
spork said:
Yeah, I've always heard that crocheting is easier than knitting.
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It's a lot easier to fix a mistake too. When I knit I tend to accidentally pull the piece I'm working with off of the needle. Then I have to loop all those little loops back onto the needle in the right direction. With crocheting you don't have that problem because you're just wrapping knots with one hook. It makes it easier to do 3-D pieces like hats.
 
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