Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Yarn Along 4

Joining Ginny of "Small things" Blog again on her Yarn Along

I'm a beginner knitter..if I concentrate hard I can knit a pair of basic mittens and I've completed one hat in the round following Elizabeth Zimmerman's instructions ..but so far I don't really retain what I've learned or be able to knit anything but very slowly and laboriously. So far recently I've tried knitting washcloths as they are small projects and allow for some pattern attempts which make knitting more interesting. But I make mistakes and get a bit bored an frustrated at how long it takes so I found an old copy of "Vogue dictionary of knitting stitches" and thought why not cast on some stitches and try out my own choice of a few simple stitches...it would've been better if I'd started with plain yarn as the patterns I tried would've been easier to see. I've also discovered that my tension is rather erratic .I tried Hurdle stitch...liked that one ..then a passage of plain stocking stitch ..then Raised Granite Ridge stitch..interesting..then I though long and hard about my speed and wondered if Continental knitting might be easier for me..so off to you tube and a few rows of knit later ...I could see potential..but I was sabotaging my washcloth and so decided to cast off call it a wash mitt and find some nice soft wool and try practicing knitting a scarf using knit stitch continental style to see if I can develop a faster relaxed style...wish me luck.

Books this week... to the girls at bedtime- we are reading "Bunchy"stories and Chapters from "Marigold at Godmother's House" turn and turn about (both by Joyce Lankester Brisley).


Both Childrens books were republished by Jane Nissan Books A great publisher making available some really lovely books.






Me ...the Vogue book of Knitting stitches



and an Old Green Penguin.
"Tour de Force" by Christianna Brand...It's an amusing murder mystery from 1955. Inspector Cockrill already regrets setting off on a conducted tour of the Mediterranean coast...it's too hot and the English abroad don't please him, then a young woman is murdered at their hotel and in the eyes of the local police he is the main suspect! I've read this before so my scatty brain has a chance of following the plot and it stands interruptions...both very necessary qualities I'm afraid.

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16 comments:

  1. CherylJanuary 26, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Sounds like you are being adventurous with your stitches. I'm trying a new stitch at the moment, but I have to say it out loud otherwise I get lost- knit three, purl two. I'm a self taught knitter, long before YouTube. I wish I could unlearn and try continental knitting, as it looks so much more fluid than my way.

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  2. Ashley WJanuary 26, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    I am also an easily frustrated knitter! I lack the patience and double handed coordination! I am intrigued by "continental knitting" it's a term I've never heard. I think a google search is in order.

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  3. MarianneJanuary 26, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    My mother taught me to knit. she insisted that our brains could do more than one thing at once so she read to us every night while we were knitting and sewing. The books were Milly Molly Mandy, Bunchy, Marigold... I'm still knitting while reading or watching television. Some things just stay with you.

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  4. rachelJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Your beginner's knitting sounds exactly like mine! I got a little better, and attempted some patterns (scarf, not sweater or anything scary like that!) but found I was forever asking my neighbour, a really good knitter, where I had gone wrong, several rows back. I've had to conclude that washcloths are perhaps my limit. But don't give up - it's a soothing thing to do, at least!

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  5. ValJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Cheryl ..it seems like every time I pick up a piece of knitting I have to relearn it all..lol

    There is a nice short youtube clip Ashley..just as an intro
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9XImtoQmZ8

    Marianne ..perhaps I should try listening to a story tape while practicing :0)

    My neighbors don't knit Rachel..which is perhaps good as I'd be round with knitting disaster in hand at all hours ..lol

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  6. monixJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Hurdles and Raised Granite Ridges sound more like obstacle courses than knitting patterns. If you master them, I'd love to see the results. I've been knitting since I was about 10 years old and haven't come across them.

    I looked at the video clip of continental knitting. It seems to be much easier than the method I was taught but I think I would get confused if I changed now.

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  7. ValJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    lol Maureen ...they're stitches from the very beginning of the dictionary and only use combination's of knit and purl :0)

    Hurdle stitch instructions...
    "multiple of 2 (stitches cast on)
    Rows: 1 and 2 Knit
    Rows: 3 and 4 *K1 P1 to the end of the row"

    Granite Ridge Stitch...
    "multiple of 2 (stitches cast on)
    Rows: 1,3 and 5 Knit
    Rows: 2 and 4 Purl
    Row: 6 K2 together across row
    Row: 7 *(K1,P1)into each stitch
    Row: 8 Purl

    There... even I can do those :0)
    (Not actually remember them later but do them yes..can I ask did Tamoxifan mess with your thinking? it's sure as heck is messing with mine)

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  8. love those cupcakesJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    I've given up casting on as I never seem to get to the stage of casting off!

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  9. monixJanuary 27, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Val
    Yes, taking Tamoxifen was like 5 years of the worst menopausal symptoms - weight gain, hot flushes and night sweats and lots of confusion. I couldn't wait to come off it but it has kept me safe for 11 years now, so I can't complain.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ValJanuary 27, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Hi Liz ...casting off is fine as I ask oldest d for reminders when nec..I just have to knit small projects as I have a tendancy to want to cast off a tad early ...:0)

    Thanks Maureen... I wondered if it was me ..I can positively hear my IQ points being dropped and lost..it gets very frustrating when even easy suduko puzzles become a challenge..still better than the alternatives :0)

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  11. monixJanuary 27, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Val
    I get a free quarterly magazine from Amoena which is full of information, interesting and useful articles about treatments, side effects etc. This is the website for the US club, you can join online
    https://www.amoena.com/us/TippsAndService/ClubAmoena/SignUpClubAmoena.htm

    It really helped me.

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  12. ValJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Thanks Maureen
    I'll go look at that one :0)

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Those two stitches sound pretty! Thanks for writing them out...

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  14. ValJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Thanks Jen, the hurdle stitch is both easy and interesting I think..I don't think the ridge stitch showed well with cotton variegated yarn but might be rather nice in plain wool?

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  15. HeidiJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Hi Val,
    Wanted to say "Hi :) "... I've been gone a while...
    ♥Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  16. ValJanuary 30, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    How lovely Heidi!!!!
    Blogger Kate is glad to see you back too :0)

    ReplyDelete

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from an old gravestone

If you hold your nose to the Grindstone
and you leave it there long enough,
Then soon you'll say
there's no such things
as brooks that babble
and birds that sing,
these three will all your world compose,
just you, the stone and your poor old nose.

(from memory so may not be word perfect)