K3tog: ILx Knitting 3

Hi Mippy! Don't worry, everyone's tension is screwy when they're learning how to knit. My first attempt at knitting was a nightmare and I became terribly frustrated. It gets easier, though!

I'm not sure what the other ladies think, but I was quite fond of Stitch'n'Bitch when I was starting off knitting. The instructions make sense, as do the diagrams, which is something I can't say for all knitting books. Mind you, I had someone show me the ropes at work on lunch breaks, and then I took off on my own, thanks to S'n'B.

I have S'n'B, plus a really cool book of knitted wild animals that I bought when I administrated a library book sale. I'm sure they're actually really hard - Kath Dalmeny's World of Knitted Toys is the one. I think the pictures in it are what inspired me to learn, as I want my own menagerie :)

cool doll!

I taught myself first from a debbie Bliss book but taught myself wrong. A class fixed me up. From what I've seen of the SNB book, it's pretty clear.

I highly suggest starting out with large (not long, width-wise) non-metal needles and bulky yarn.

I actually would suggest watching a few online tutorials. Those are VERY clear. I like books, but they are mostly for when you're a bit more advanced (in my opinion). When you know what knit and purl is. That said, the S'n'B book is RAD.

I finished right panel of my cardigan. I realized I have a long way to go: sleeves and then seam together AND crochet around egde. But at least I can now also focus on baby garments. HURRAH

Attn Secret Pals... it's [b]Questionnaire Time[/b}! Knock yourselves out!

1. What are your favourite yarns to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely hate?
2. What are your favourite colours? Do you prefer solid colours, variegated yarns, self-striping, self-patterning – and which of these if any can’t you stand?
3. What are your favourite items to knit?
4. What do you use to store your needles and hooks in?
5. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
6. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
9. Do you have any pets?
10. What are you knitting right now?
11. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic? And how do you stand on DPNs?
13. Is there anything that you collect?
14. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have or regularly buy, and which knit books do you own?
15. Do you read knitting blogs? Which ones?
16. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
17. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?.
18. When is your birthday?
19. Any allergies or special circumstances (just in case)!

Please answer these on this thread, and mark them with your name and "secret pal questionnaire" for ease of finding. You will have next Thursday to complete the questionnaires and for any more people to get in on the Secret Pal if they want to. At that point, I will randomly match up Secret Pals who will use your questionnaire as a basis to send you PRESENTS during the next 6 months, up to a value of $60 USD/ £30ish / whatever that is in € (sorry nath, I can't think what the exchange is of the top of my head) - NOT including postage. This can be one big package, lots of little ones and can contain whatever you think your pal would like!

When you recieve your gifts, you MUST post on this thread (or whichever thread we're on I suppsose) with ideally a photo and description, and reaction to your gifts!

Let me know if I've missed anything out or if you want things cleared up...

1. What are your favourite yarns to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely hate?

If they are so acrylic they crackle'n' pop I prefer to use these in my knitting class for exercises. I love Lana Grossa yarn. But truth be told, I'm not a connaisseur (yet). :-)

2. What are your favourite colours? Do you prefer solid colours, variegated yarns, self-striping, self-patterning – and which of these if any can’t you stand?

I have gone off the multi-colour yarns a little, but overall I like any type. It just depends on what project I use a yarn for. For baby clothes I prefer pastel colours, for winter adult projects I prefer brownish tints and for summer? Well, I haven't knitted long enough to figure that out.

3. What are your favourite items to knit?

It depends on the mood I am really. For a short period I loved blind knitting so I could ogle Jack Bauer (hur hur) so I knitted a baby blanket and a scarf while watching 24. But I also like knitting clothes.

4. What do you use to store your needles and hooks in?

I have a plastic case - Clover I think - in which I store most of my bamboo needles. My other needles in a crappy plastic case that is in a drawer. I really have to sort it out. Books and magazines? In a bookcase.

5. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I learned to knit 'n' purl (and cast on) in school but quickly forgot about it. Last year, in the summer, I saw the first ILX knitting thread and was intrigued by it (as I had just cross-stitched a Miffy). I picked up a book or two - one of which was, to me, the sub par Knitting for Dummies. I quickly decided that I was so crap that I needed to enroll in a knitting course. Now I realize that maybe I overdid it with the course as it's extremely high paced.
I think I'm an advanced beginner, really.

6. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, at Amazon.co.uk
[Removed Illegal Link]

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Yes, but I'm trying to get rid of it. Now I'm obsessed with chocolate waffles.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Ever since having Ophelia I listen to a lot less music than I used to. I used to obsess over No New York, Fleetwood Mac and dEUS the most.

9. Do you have any pets?

Lucy, a basset artessien, who is an old nagging croaky bitch. I love her so much. She's 13 years old!

10. What are you knitting right now?

Lana Grossa cardigan and a Debbie Bliss baby cardigan. Some other trivial things that I can't remember. A shawl for Ophelia? Yes. Hmm.

11. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Oh yes!

12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic? And how do you stand on DPNs?

If I could, I would stand on DPNs with a sledgehammer and a fire torch. I really don't like'em all that much but I realize I will have to learn to live (and knit) with'em.I prefer straight bamboo needles and if I can't get ahold of the right size, then straight plastic will do very nicely, thank you! Metal? Meh. Circular needles? Well, yes, if it's for a baby blanket or a collar, then I will gladly receive them from you. :-)

13. Is there anything that you collect?

Not really. I even managed to downsize my yarn collection (*waves at Sam*). I do have the knack of collecting too many books though. I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooove books. It's silly really cause I don't have proper storage for'em. I need to get myself a big ass library.

14. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have or regularly buy, and which knit books do you own?
Uh, quite a bit really. Stitch 'n' Bitch. A couple of Debbie Bliss books. Knitting for Dummies (urgh!). Vogue knitting book. Some Japanese pattern books and ones by Hirose (?!?). I buy quite a bit of Lana Grossa and Katia pattern magazines. I also buy Simply Knitting from to time.

15. Do you read knitting blogs? Which ones?

I read knitting blogs but very randomly.

16. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

hahahahahahha Where do I begin? Aside from lacemaking - the *proper* lacemaking - I would also like to learn lace knitting but I PH34R this is not for the foreseeable future. I just want to get the hang of knitting a proper sweater first! After that I want to learn how to read a pattern and be able to use a fancy stitch in a sweater. I would also love to knit accessories but after my first few attempts I realize that I have to learn not only how to knit a proper gauge, I also need to study counting/measuring properly.

17. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?.

I'm a European size 40. Do I knit socks? Shit, I forgot to mention this in the previous reply, I want to learn this as well.

18. When is your birthday?

28th of October.
19. Any allergies or special circumstances (just in case)!

I'm allergic to work. That's about it really.

Shit, sorry, that was *moi*, Nathalie, for that Secret Pal Questionaire thingie. But you could kinda figure that out ey?

Hooray a questionairre!

1. What are your favourite yarns to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely hate?

I'm not a fan of non-mercanized cotton but other than that I love wool, soft acrylics and blends. worsted to bulky are good.

2. What are your favourite colours? Do you prefer solid colours, variegated yarns, self-striping, self-patterning – and which of these if any can’t you stand?

all of those are awesome! This is yarn we're talking about!

3. What are your favourite items to knit?

bags. want to learn socks.

4. What do you use to store your needles and hooks in?

jars, boxes, gallon zip lock bags. kitchen cutlery drawer. you know whatever. Do need a better system for circs though.

5. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

about 18 months, intermediate to advanced

6. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I have an amazon that needs to be updated.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
just ate some cookies. num.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I only listen to music on the 'puter. These days I pretty much just like hip-hop but I also have a fondness for old country and r&b.

9. Do you have any pets?
2 dogs and a cat. Used to have an iguana. :(

10. What are you knitting right now?
actively: kufi hats out of cotton

stalled:
toe-up socks out of some self-striping yarn Nath sent me
a Malcolm X tote out of Cascade 220;
Via Diagnole (bag) out of cotton;

11. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

as much as I like to give them!

12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic? And how do you stand on DPNs?

In order of pref: Circs, flexis, straight/DPNs - Bamboo, plastic. DPNs are an evil neccesity.

13. Is there anything that you collect?

Anything related to the movie Giant or Marfa TX, cacti, novelty uno cards, vintage feminine hygiene products (random and usless I know. I also love Hello Kitty and anything pink.)


14. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have or regularly buy, and which knit books do you own?

no mags. :( I own a Debbie Bliss book (learning to knit), a vogue vintage pattern book and a few other random Half Price books.

15. Do you read knitting blogs? Which ones?

I love Mag Knits, Knitty and Grumperina of course. I also love Crazy Aunt Purl. tell me some good knitting rings to join!

16. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Continental. Illusion knitting.

17. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?.

Would like to be. I wear a US women's size 8.

18. When is your birthday?

Dec 11

19. Any allergies or special circumstances (just in case)!

not to fibers thank god.

yay questionaire! Thanks Sarah!

Here is my questionnaire (I am playing too! So I am afraid someone will know that I know that they are sending stuff to me! I will keep it a secret though)! Sarah's Secret Pal Questionnaire:

1. What are your favourite yarns to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely hate?
I really like knitting with the cashmerino blends, and Rowan’s Wool Cotton, things like that. I don’t like pure wool or any mostly-wool blends because it itches me :( However – I have recently become keen on making some knitted felted flowers which I suppose would have to be wool. I would love to try a silk yarn, and I’ve never knitted with anything alpaca (mostly because I fear it will itch). Socks *have* to be superwash! I am also fond of fun cheap WASHABLE standard acrylics (not the REALLY manky ones), but you know!

2. What are your favourite colours? Do you prefer solid colours, variegated yarns, self-striping, self-patterning – and which of these if any can’t you stand?
I like really OTT bright colours mixed up, but I also love all sorts of greens, browns and oranges. They are probably my favourites. I also love fantastic bright and deep reds. Not really keen on the self-patterning yarns!

3. What are your favourite items to knit?
I’ve really enjoyed doing the toe up sock, and I also loved doing Branching out! Actual garments which need to fit are a bit high-pressure but I do hope to start making an awesome tank top once I’ve finished the second sock (I will NOT succumb to Second Sock Syndrome). I’d also like to make something PROPER lacy. And FLOWERS! Flowers flowers flowers huge Marimekko like knitted flowers!

4. What do you use to store your needles and hooks in?
My straight needles are inside a roll inside my long knitting bag, and some more are loose within there. My crochet hooks are in a little pouch which also lives in the knitting bag. Circular needles lurk and/or get lost. This is the bag!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robot_starry/411842150/

5. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Quite a long time now, I’d say I’m intermediate. I’ve only really started to knit consistently over the past couple of years.

6. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yep: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/1P8B5E3L16QPX

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes, but I’m trying to cut down on the sugary treats to be honest, especially chocolate.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like synthpop, ABBA, a lovely bit of nindie, (esp NZ nindie), Petula Clark, Laura Nyro, Half Man Half Biscuit, Bobby “O”, Prince Buster, Jeanette Dimench and THE LIGHTNING SEEDS HOORAY! YOU HEARD. I’d quite like to hear new indie stuff!

TBC...

Sarah Secret pal Questionnaire cont:

9. Do you have any pets?
Nope.

10. What are you knitting right now?
A marvellously bright sock! Only one project on the go right now.

11. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I’d love to! People be making stuff!

12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic? And how do you stand on DPNs?
For flat items I’ve always used straight needles, I don’t really have much experience with circular needles, but I would like to try out some addi turbos to make a garment in the round. I’d also like to try socks on bamboo dpns to see what all the fuss is about :)

13. Is there anything that you collect?
Francoise Sagan books! Cuddly pokemon toys that aren’t creepy. 20s Agatha Christie books. “Vintage” knitting patterns – there’s even good stuff from the 80s out there… honestly…

14. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have or regularly buy, and which knit books do you own?
I regularly purchase Simply Knitting and Vogue Knit.1. I own: Stitch & Bitch, Stitch & Bitch Nation, Happy Hooker (paying Debbie wosnames mortgage innit), Readers Digest Guide To Needlework, various 80s tat, a few Rowan magazines (they count as books as they are so EXPENSIVE)! I also have Sally Melville’s “The Knit Stitch” but it’s not brilliant.

15. Do you read knitting blogs? Which ones?
I don’t read any specific ones in particular. Mine is: curlyperm.wordpress.com! I do often browse knitting blogs though.

16. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Loads! Modular knitting, entrelac, magic loop for socks, shadow knitting, constructing a garment in the round, definitely more colourwork! Also I would LOVE to knit the flowers from Nicky Epstein’s imaginatively titled “Knitted Flowers” book. Hearts!!

17. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?.
Yes! And I don’t bleeding know. I’m a UK size 6. Sockses be sockses, right? I think sock yarns are mostly incredible, but always, always superwash…

18. When is your birthday?
21 June.

19. Any allergies or special circumstances (just in case)!
Just don’t send me quiche or mayonnaise and we’ll be reet.

1. What are your favourite yarns to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely hate?

I LOVE cotton yarn. I also love wools or all sorts, esp. weird beautiful stuff that comes from Peru and other parts of Latin America. I HATE microsport yarn (shreds!), fun fur, and eyelash stuff. No thank you.

2. What are your favourite colours? Do you prefer solid colours, variegated yarns, self-striping, self-patterning – and which of these if any can’t you stand?

I like everything, really. Not so fond of variegated yarns.

3. What are your favourite items to knit?

I love making dishcloths. I know the pattern so well, that it's actually a form of therapy for me.

4. What do you use to store your needles and hooks in?

My friend sewed me a needle holder which is ADORABLE. Unfortunately, it has a ribbon on it, and my cats love to shred it. Also, the needles fall out of it all the time.

5. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for about 5 years. I learned from a Canadian diplomat. I'd say I'm intermediate. I haven't challenged myself with anything lately.

6. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I think so! I haven't updated it in a while.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Good lord, yes.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Yes, it can play MP3s! I like everything! Por ejemplo: anything Phil Spector, Tammy Wynette, Desmond Dekker, TVPs, The Fall, Jimmy Cliff, George Jones, Phyllis Dillon, Petula Clark, Jospehine Foster, Leonard Cohen, Gillian Welch, Lavender Diamond, Donovan, Talulah Gosh, Loretta Lynn, etc. Essentially, old country (and some new!), rocksteady, DIY punk, 60s girl groups, etc.

9. Do you have any pets?

I have three ridiculous cats.

10. What are you knitting right now?

Devil baby pants, a dishcloth, and a catnip mouse.

11. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I LOVE them.

12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic? And how do you stand on DPNs?

I prefer straight and aluminum (for realz). I used to be into bamboo, but not so much anymore. I always sit on plastic needles and bend them. I like DPNs very much, although I like my straight needles long (I knit with needle in armpit -- gross!).

13. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect: records and UBER tacky salt and pepper shakers (much to Ben's dismay).

part deux:

14. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have or regularly buy, and which knit books do you own?

I often get Vogue Knitting, although I don't have a subscription. I also read my friend's copies of "Craft". I own both the S'n'B knitting books, Mason Dixon Knitting, and couple of others that my mom bought me, Reader's Digest to Needlework, and random things I pick up at used bookshops.

15. Do you read knitting blogs? Which ones?

I read Masondixonknitting.com fairly often, as it's amusing and one of the ladies is in Nashville, keeping me up to date with knitting events in the area.

16. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Oh yes. Where do I begin? I would love to make a garment for myself. I'm always knitting for others, and never for myself. Anyway, I would love to knit myself a cardigan, learn how to do cables, and make socks. I have a sock book that seems to be pretty great, but I have yet to use it.

17. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?.

Not yet! Get ready ladies, I have a US ladies size 11. (I'm tall, so it's proportional to have clodhoppers)

18. When is your birthday?

Sept. 25

19. Any allergies or special circumstances (just in case)!

Other than environmental stuff (mold, pollen, etc.), no.

Nath, I forgot too. Scroll up for Molly's Secret Pal Questionnaire.

1. What are your favourite yarns to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely hate? I love Noro wool & blends, merino, and anything soft. Not a big fan of mohair or angora--just looking at them makes me itch!
2. What are your favourite colours? Do you prefer solid colours, variegated yarns, self-striping, self-patterning – and which of these if any can’t you stand? I love greens, blues, reds, browns, grey and black. Other colors in moderation too (except pale purples, they look ghastly on me). I haven't used self-patterning, just the self-striping and variegated (and solid of course). Hand-dyed is always appealing, with the subtle variations.
3. What are your favourite items to knit? I've been on a hat spree! I think I've peaked on those, however. I like to learn something new with each thing I knit, and I've yet to complete a garment.
4. What do you use to store your needles and hooks in? A free Simply Knitting caddy that's too small and an old handbag. A fancy needle roll with space for circs is on my wishlist :)
5. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I took a class last May, so I'd say I'm an advanced beginner.
6. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yup: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2FY6T472VO3T3/
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Licorice is my downfall. Dark chocolate is divine.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Wow, I like lots of music... I love to hear new stuff. I can play MP3 discs no problem.
9. Do you have any pets? Two parrots who run the house: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patita/sets/1534928/
10. What are you knitting right now? Mt. Tam mitts and a cabled scarf in Touch Me. I've got yarn to make the Sonnet sweater from knitty next.
11. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I adore them!
12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic? And how do you stand on DPNs? Bamboo is my favorite, either circs or dpns. I have one Addi Turbo in my typical hat knitting size and they are a pleasure.
13. Is there anything that you collect? I'm trying not to collect things, but I have a weakness for vintage fabrics (in hopes that I learn to sew some day).
14. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have or regularly buy, and which knit books do you own? I've got a subscription to Interweave Knits and I pick up Simply Knitting each month. I've got the S n B books, Big Girl Knits... I think that's it. I'd love some kind of stitch dictionary.
15. Do you read knitting blogs? Which ones? Knitty, Eunny Jang's, Magknits, a bunch of random ones that I find or have bookmarked on delicious.
16. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Intarsia, entrelac, lace and socks. I want to try everything!
17. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?. I have some sock yarn, but have yet to try to knit with it. Foot size 41 euro, 10 US womens
18. When is your birthday? June 14
19. Any allergies or special circumstances (just in case)! I'm not good with scented things (lotions, oils, etc) or candles (feathers are flammable). I don't mind receiving used books/cds etc or regifted items.

1. What are your favourite yarns to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely hate?
I like a lot of animal fibers lately: sheep, rabbit, goat, alpaca (though sometimes the last one smells funny). I have been trying silk, linen, and bamboo recently, and like them too. I don't have a big problem with manmade, except the super scrtachy Red Heart types, and certain cottons are annoying. Brands include: Brown Sheep, Manos, Lorna's Laces, Cascade, Classic Elite.

2. What are your favourite colours? Do you prefer solid colours, variegated yarns, self-striping, self-patterning – and which of these if any can’t you stand?

I have a lot of pink, purples and blues. I like variegated hand-dyed yarns a lot. I don't like tweeds that much, and I am not to keen on the autumn colors palette.

3. What are your favourite items to knit?
I d a lot of hats, scarves, and socks because they are quick, portable, and you can just jump in with little planning on the project. I have been doing a few sweaters lately also.

4. What do you use to store your needles and hooks in?
I have a little travel case that has lots of compartments for all the accessories, a pencil case for all my dpns, two pencil cases for circulars, but I need something else to hold them.

5. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting since spring 1994, and I learned the basics from my landlord. The rest I figured out from books. I am probably at intermediate/advanced level.

6. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
yes, but it needs some updating

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
yes!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like all sorts: I think most of you are on my myspace friends lists, you could check that out!. My computer and discman plays mp3s

9. Do you have any pets?
cats
10. What are you knitting right now?
Grumperina's sock pattern in the new Interweave Knits, the RPM sock from Knitty, and a sweater from the Dominitrix book.

11. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
yes!

12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic? And how do you stand on DPNs?
I use circulars all the time. I like Clover's bamboo, and Inox's metal ones which are similar to Addi, but much less $$) I love DPNs!!

13. Is there anything that you collect?
I like Sanrio and Happy Bunny stuff. I like cookbooks from the 50-70s. And music stuff, but not as much since I started spending my spare $$ on knitting.

14. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have or regularly buy, and which knit books do you own?
I buy Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, and Knit 1. I have some isues of Rebecca. I have three zillion knitting books.

15. Do you read knitting blogs? Which ones?
I read Annie Modesitt's and MK Carroll's sometimes. And I'll read the Knitty and Knitter's Review boards.

16. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to get better at intarsia. And crochet!

17. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?.
Yes! I am a US size 7

18. When is your birthday?
December 6

19. Any allergies or special circumstances (just in case)!
not that I know of

MK Carroll's sometimes.

me too!

I did a needle inventory last night and although I have 2 dozen needles I still have big big gaps.

I cast on my third kufi hat last night. I'm trying different yarns and lace patterns. If I find something that really works well maybe this could be an etsy thing for me?

Anyone know if bamboo needles come in bigger sizes? I have quite a few (from size one to... maybe 15?) but I don't have'em nor did I find'em in bigger sizes when I was in Japan. Guess I'll need to trek back to that craft shop. I didn't buy any circ bamboo needles back then. Don't think I will as I like plastic enough.

Clover has some huge ones

I have US13 circs and 11 straights as my biggest.

oh I should note that if r/z called herself intermediate/advaced above than I'm surely only beginning/intermediate.

Yeah, then I'm a novice as well.

Slipped class! I was just *off balance* due to *discussion* with mum. (Mother daughter relationship, are they always fucked up?)

Mother daughter relationship, are they always fucked up?

I know no other kind.

Heh. :-) I ph34r my relationship with Ophelia. Hopefully I'll learn? Yeah right.

My Debbie Bliss cardigan is coming along nicely. Now that I skipped class I won't be able to do the sleeves of the Lana Grossa cardigan until... after Easter holiday. *sigh* Maybe I'll start with those Sublime baby garments? hmmmm. Yes.

do you not have a pattern you can try to learn from yourself?

The problems btw my mother and I stem mostly from things she did when I was a child. If I do have children in my future I tend to use her as a cautionary tale and try to be as far from the role model she is as possible.

Well, I have a pattern but as the teacher adapted it I can't rely on it anymore. No worries, it'll just have to wait. And hey I can focus on something else!

My *fucked up* relationship is this: 30 years of being too close and 3 years of being too far removed from eachother. You could say I have never (symbolically!) killed my mother (nor father).

but maybe down the road you'll have a deeper, more mature relationship with your mother b/c of the forced separation?

I keep thinking I should address things w/my mom and try to fix them before it's too late. but it's also so unpleasant and I'm not sure it would actually fix things so therefore - not worth it.

knitting content. . .uh I've discovered I really only like bamboo needles. Nath, I've decided I'm going to do socks with that bulky, pink varigated yarn (mexico) mostly b/c I really like it and I think trying to do my first socks with 2.5 mm DPNs is what's putting me off. I don't care if I won't be able to wear them until November!

i've recently realised i only like bamboo needles too. they feel so much nicer in your hands, don't you think? also i love that lovely warm golden colour they have.

yeah, for me it's largely a hand think. I like the way they work the yarn better than plastic but metals hurt my hands. Their inflexibilty means your bones and joints have to give, not good.

yeah metal hurts my hands too. or more precisely, the metal needles make my joints hurt a bit, particularly the middle fingers. the weather has just started getting a little colder here and i've noticed i don't like picking up the metal needles so much when it's cold either.

Bamboo often have the best points, too. I'd be happy with an entire set of bamboo, that's for sure.

I have no problems with aluminum needles. Actually, I prefer them. I find the yarn sticks too much to bamboo, whereas it just slides right off the needles with aluminum. Also, I sit on needles, and often lose them (one fell out of my bag today), so the cheap-o needles are AOK with me.

yes the not sliding off of needles is good for me as I drop stitches far too often (esp knitting in transit). Molly, does the aluminum not hurt your hands?

Re: sliding -- I just find the movement smoother. Also, I have this freakish and neurotic problem with texture/sound. When people bang their straws on tables to get the wrappers off, it's like fingernails down a chalkboard for me. Even thinking about it makes my cringe. Anyway, wool yarn and bamboo needles sometimes has that effect on me. Bleh. Also, Sam, I knit the goofy way, i.e. one needle in the right armpit. My hand hurts a little today, but that's just because I've been knitting during every spare moment I have for the past 2 weeks.

you should do a video demo of yr armpit knitting method!

The Armpit Method is nice (for me, at least), because it keeps your right hand a bit more free. I've tried the other ways, and this is just the most comfortable for me. Also, my tension gets screwy if I try to knit in the Continental style, for example.

I'm a "loose knitter" so the extra friction of the bamboo often keeps me from losing my stitches off the needle. I can understand the problem with the sound though, some stuff like that drives me mad.

Does anyone have a good gusset tutorial or explanation? I'm trying to do one now and I can't work out how it's supposed to go. It doesn't help that I suck at m1.

The problem with my bamboo needles is taht they are shorter than my plastic and metal ones. I wonder if this is because they are Japanese and they prefer shorter? I'm not sure. I need a few minutes to get used to this. :-( But I love bamboo! Then plastic. And metal? Eh, no thanks unless there's nothing else.

I hope this doesn't turn out HUGE:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/436733367_6a98a160a7_m.jpg

I has sock!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/437336115_235b518a71_m.jpg

And new sock has been started....

Things I need to change with this sock:

1. Toe increases will be done with a kfb increase, rather than M1, which MAKES HOLES, if I wanted holes I'd do a yarn over, you know... kfb will of course leave a BAR but we will just have to see whether that is better than holes (I think it will be).

2. I need a stretchier cast off! I can barely get the first sock over my heel. I might still see if I can unpick the cast off (is this mega difficult?) and do another type - if indeed there IS another type...

yay sock!

I've been working out my kufi pattern and my own new purse (sewing) pattern so the sock is sitting on my nightstand, splayed out by it's bamboo stick rack.

Nath, the bamboos you sent me are the longest needles I have! How long are your usual metal and plastics ones??

Sarah: I had to do that once: I had to undo the bind off, and then I reknit the ribbing more loosely, and then did the bind off extra loose, too. You could also try it with a size larger needles, too. Were these toe-up socks? 'Cause that's the only time I had the 'oh no I can't get this on my foot!!!" problem.

I like the colors of yr sock.

I have since found out there's another type of cast off, it's on my delicious (I hope I put it there anyway), I'll check it out. I did try it with a size larger needle but obviously NOT LARGE ENOUGH. Yep, they are toe-up socks. I am a complete convert to the way of the toe-up and who cares about loose toe stitches, NOT ME. The ribbing is OK (as I tried them on before casting off), it's just the cast off that has no give.

I plan to wear the socks out to a NU RAVE once they are finished (except I guess nu rave will probably be over in a couple of weeks so KNIT FAST young jedi).

I second doing the cast off with larger needles. I always tend to cast off too tight and would probably cut my leg circulation off with such a sock.

Has anyone ever tried an *elastic finish*? It's with a needle and you basically sew/knit every stitch. It's superhard but once you understand how it works, it goes pretty fast but you have to keep with the program. (So no chattering for me as I then forget where I am.)

I saw a brief guide to this online but didn't "get" it - am going to search for me but think I might need lots of pictures at least, unless anyone can actually demonstrate how this works.

nath, you are so advanced.

OK guys, you should be getting your matches through next week.

incidentally, my completed sock is now encasing my camera.

i am going to buy a new case today.

my shift key isn't working!!! Oh yes it is. How strange.