Learn to knit

So, I wasn’t going to mark this until I’d knit a sweater. Well, I still haven’t knit a sweater, but I have knit bags, scarves, shawls, cozies, hats, cat toys, cat beds, headbands, mitts, blankets, (many, many) dishcloths, blankets and several pairs of successful socks.

So, I not only am willing to say that I’ve learned to knit (though, really, I think it’s a lifelong learning process—there are so many variables), but also that I’m totally hooked on it.

Feel free to add me on Ravelry.

Done today, so I have a pair! The second is much better, though I botched the Kitchener and have somewhat of a jog on one side (oddly the side that I didn’t have one on the first sock), I think from missing picking up a stitch after turning the heel. Otherwise nothing to really complain about—it’s a vast improvement. I do wish the ribbing were better, but that’s mainly because I had it perfect the first time, but then had to rip it out twice because of errors I made just after.

Today I finished my first sock! I’m so happy, and I’ve learned so much—knitting with dpns, decreases, ribbing, and Kitchener stitch. Not really all that difficult, though the first one looks pretty rough (dropped stitches, loose stitches, unintentional yos, and the ribbing – ha!). Can’t wait to get started on the second – it feels so nice.

Michaels didn’t have pillow form, so I got batting instead. Cheaper, anyway.

I like how it turned out, nonetheless. It’s still screwed up in a zillion places and will be a car/beach pillow, but it’s soft and looks decent.

I finished the pillow I was working on early last night, or as as much as I can without buying the pillow form for it. Both sides done, three sides stitched together.

So I got out the crochet book that I picked up at the library yesterday, re-taught myself chain stitch, figured out slip stitch, and modified the pattern to suit myself – to use the thread I had, and added a stripe and some girly stuff. So now when I want to bring my knitting with me, I don’t have to bring the huge bag with all my supplies. I can just bring my current project (next: a basketweave baby blanket). I also stitched up a gague on three sides to have a little scissor & tapestry needle pocket.

Long, long way to go, still. But getting more comfortable overall with yarn-fun.

I’m making a texture-striped pillow for practice (10 rows garter, 8 stockinette). I just had to tear out 5 rows because I realized I started my stockinette bit on the wrong row. I’ve also noticed 3 dropped stitches many rows down that I’m not going back to recover. Bleah. I think this pillow will be relegated to beach duty when it’s done. Even if not for the dropped stitches, the yarn is very, very rough. I’ve never been fond of roguh fabrics, period. This feels a bit like it’s tearing my hands to bits. It’s no fun, but I need to use this cheap yarn I bought for practice to, well, practice.

I’m starting to get a knitting callus. It doesn’t hurt but where the needles rub it’s getting a little rough. Oddly, I think it’s kinda neat.

I finished my first square for WUA yesterday, and today taught myself purl and stockinette and I’m working on the second square using that.

Is it just me or is purl easier than garter?

I finally just downloaded a tutorial, bought some yarn and needles and set to it! So far just the garter stitch and binding off – I’m working on a square or several for WUA to make sure I’ve got it down before I move on to the next stitch.

I can see where I’m improving, though.

Woot!

I used to crochet (though not very well), but knitting always seemed more fun and practical. I need more quiet productive things to do while husband is watching TV. There’s a beginners knitting group that meets at the library I’ve pondered joining when (if) it starts again. Or maybe I should just buy a beginners knitting kit?