4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[ajm200]

As I've been forced to rest up over the past few weeks, I've been using the time to make some cot and swaddling blankets for LO when she arrives. I have some from DS but not enough and handmade blankets are soo much softer.

 

Several people have told me that they think I'm mad, wasting my time or have more money than sense.. Is it really a dying skill that no-one bothers with anymore?

 

If it is, it seems a shame.

[..lay a little egg for me]

By no means! Knitting is very trendy at the moment! I particularly like knitting socks because they are quick, with the self-patterning yarn you get some great patterns and they are much better quality than what you can buy in the shops!

 

A quick google will show a plethora of knitting websites.

 

Check out the www.yarnharlot.ca site for an insight into the mind of an obsessed knitter...its hilarious! I particularly like her stories about where she has to hide her stashes of yarn from her husband....inside the piano, down the sleeves of coats in the wardrobe and in the freezer, for example!

[chickencam]

I did loads of knitting whilst waiting for my eldest child to be born, I still knit when I get the time on long winter evening etc having said that I have been knitting the same jacket for over two years

 

I also love doing tapestry and cross-stitch.

 

My ED has knitted bags and scarves for herself and friends over the last couple of years and is now into bag making, my sewing machine has never had so much use. She bought a pattern in a shop when we were on holiday then when she realised that it was going to be costly to buy new fabric she bought a pair of curtains and a pink and white candy stripe sheet and made the bag out of these. She went off to her first day in year 10 this morning with her bag proudly over her shoulder She now has plans for empire building and already has an order from a friend for his sisters' birthday.

 

I also have a big stash of yarn in boxes in the top of our wardrobe OH makes the odd mumble about it from time to time. I inherited some from my Gran when she died and I like getting it out and looking through it with my girls and making plans. OH doesn't moan too much though because the rest of the wardrobe is full of old radios and other electronic history

[The Dogmother]

I've never managed to knit (my mother used to be a master knitter until arthritis got in the way), but can dress make and crochet, enjoying both. You carry on creating wonderful items, that will be treasured and handed down through generations. I still have a beautiful hand made, smocked dress made my my grandma; there are pictures of my mother, me and also of Rosie (so three generations) wearign it at approx 6 months old.

 

If anyone fancies knitting me some socks, I'd be only to happy to reimburse them for the yarn.

[mrsallen08]

I really want to knit again! I can knit although I have completely forgot how to cast off etc. I have been thinking about this for a while as I love all the chunky knit scarves and jumpers that are in! May have to invest again. My Grandma taught me when I was very young but would like to start again.

[ajm200]

MrsAllen,

 

There are loads of how to knit websites out there with picture guides so you could get started again in no time. Give it a go, you know you can..

 

My 90 year old gran taught me to knit and crochet when I was in infants school as she thought it was an essential life skill for all girls.. how times have changed! Knitting stayed with me but I had to revise crochet via google.

 

Just finished my 2nd crochet project - a shell pattern baby shawl that I'm feeling quite proud of as it's quite pretty, the right shape and measurements.. not bad for a beginner me thinks

[Aga n Chickens]

Knitting and crochet are great for the dark winter nights.

 

In my teens I must have been an knitting adict....I'd knit Aran and Fair Isle jumpers, even had a friend who had a relative who sent me Islandic patterns to knit on circular needles.

 

When we were first married OH and I would sit in front of the fire pegging rugs when I ran out of knitting projects.

 

Now I alternate knitting with cross stitch.

 

At the moment I'm working on a RIR chicken picture taken from a book I ordered from Wye Needlecraft in Bakewell. I had been looking all over for chicken cross stitch patterns and found just one book which had to be purchased from their supplier in the USA.

 

Hmmm...I may be able to adapt the cross stitch templates and convert them into a panel to knit on the front of jumpers in a Fair Isle sytle !

 

My next knitting project is starting to take shape......

 

Happy stitching,

 

Christine

[Angels4]

I haven't tried either, but would LOVE to know how!

[Omletina Kyckling]

I need another option on here!!

 

I don't think it's outdated or anything but I can't say I like it either. I tried both and was absolutely useless. It wasn't so much "knit one, purl one" as "knit one, drop two"!!

 

I'm pretty good craft wise (used to make one off mohair teddy bears before the arthritis and even had a website!) but knitting/crochet never came easily for me!!

 

I need a "Tried it, but was useless" option

[The Dogmother]

I haven't tried either, but would LOVE to know how!

 

You could knit your little lads some jumpers Mark, I bet they'd love them... how old are the little fellas?

[AmandaR]

I chose the last option. My gran taught me how to knit when I was a child and I had the urge to try it again a few months ago...that is until I saw the price of balls of wool

I think it is lovely to make items by hand and to pass them on (I do alot of needlework) but if it just for practicalities sake, then I feel it is far cheaper to buy than make nowadays.

[Egluntyne]

I do it in spasms. I knitted an heirloomworthy christening gown for my first child and crocheted a beautiful shawl too.

[Snowy]

There are some fabulously trendy patterns around these days, so hand made for me every time! Sadly knitting is too slow for me these days, so I've rediscovered crochet. I can crochet a flower in 5 minutes - much more satisfying to see a result quickly!

[Rhapsody]

I have to say I think hand-knitted stuff always looks ghastly. Sorry.

[chocchick]

It is fairly trendy at the moment. There is a society at Sheffield University and I know a bar/cafe that runs monthly classes.

It's a skill lost on me, I never really learnt and don't have a clue. I always think it's nice these traditions are maintained even if only by a select few.

I know a number of people who make their own clothes with a sewing machine and they look very professional.

[Ana's flock]

Of course you can buy things cheaper than knit them! but it misses the point. It would be like saying it's cheaper to buy eggs from Tesco Value range!

 

I'm a fanatic knitter - can't sit in front of the TV without my needles. I don't follow patterns, make up my own things and I've had people in shops (and an actor at the theatre once) asking me where did I get them from.

 

The best thing is that you can get exactly the colour/shape you want... (well, most of the time anyway.

 

And it's fun!

[Fizzle Knit]

I took up knitting a couple of years ago and love it. I'm not very productive but get a lot of satisfaction creating magic from 2 sticks and a length of yarn. Tends to be a winter habit for me. So far I've made a bag, several scarves, 2 monkeys, one pig, and my proudest achievement - a pair of socks! Went to the new John Lewis in Leicester tonight and had a feel of all the lovely yarns - looking forward to getting started again soon.

[KimmyCustard]

I've also had to rest after surgery in July and went to stay in Cornwall with my parents. My very good friend has just had her first baby so whilst with parents, I asked my mum to teach me to crochet. Am now half way through a blanket for said baby, blue and white with matching tassles on each corner! Hope it turns out OK for a first attempt!

 

Kimmy

x

[Couperwife]

I love knitting and I am always on the look out for something new to knit

 

unfortunately, Im not all that brilliant at finishing things

 

I would love to know how to crochet (the flower in 5 minutes sounds great ) but I can only crochet in circles - but i managed to do a scarf last yesr

 

I would also love to knit socks, I can knit in the round, but heals are totally out of my brain capacity

 

cathy

x

[Plum]

Enjoy the threads and knitting necklaces but not so good at finishing things hence lots of UFOs.

[Janty]

I love kniting and crocheting. I made my exbatts little knitted Christmas jumpers with their initials on.

[rusky123]

LOL, I am an embroiderer, used to do a lot of commissioned work, until I had my Hungarian Vizsla, now crotchet a lot, one handed with large dog on lap!. Love crotchet cardies. Our elder DD, now in mid 30's has discovered knitting, she has made some amazing garments!. My 7 year old grandaughter has made me a finger knitted scarf, it is fantastic, outdated skills I think not.

+

[SarahJo]

I started Knitting - very basic - last year, and made a gorgeous blue/silver and green soft scarf for myself. I have a unique pink/purple stripey number in the throws of production - but admit to being a seasonal and scarf only knitter

 

I watched a video clip on the internet when it came to casting off -

[Snowy]

I took up knitting a couple of years ago and love it. I'm not very productive but get a lot of satisfaction creating magic from 2 sticks and a length of yarn. Tends to be a winter habit for me. So far I've made a bag, several scarves, 2 monkeys, one pig, and my proudest achievement - a pair of socks! Went to the new John Lewis in Leicester tonight and had a feel of all the lovely yarns - looking forward to getting started again soon.

Noooooo! I'm trying to avoid it - it looks so beautiful doesn't it? I forgot JL has a fantastic haberdashery department. Looks like I might just have to find time to visit after all!!

[Looney]

I've taken up knitting (thanks to some starting instructions Couperwife sent to me ) and was doing ok but haven't had time since Bogwoppit arrived...but I will go back to it!

 

My Mum has knitted some absolutely gorgeous jumpers and cardies for Bogwoppit, loads of people comment on how lovely they are. She also knitted him a fabulous Shaun the Sheep mobile...it is sooo cool and makes me chuckle!