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

[KateG]

I'm embracing this make do and mend thing in 2009. So far so good it seems. But now I'd like to make some clothes for my daughter and learn to knit.

 

Where can I buy up to date patterns for a 4 year old girl from? I've tried ebay but they are mainly retro and seem over priced.

 

Secondly, I've been shown how to knit numerous times but just don't get it maybe it is because I'm left handed and those that have shown me are right handed? anyway, is there such a thing as a 'teach yourself in a weekend' kind of thing?

 

oh and also, are curtains hard to make? (I'm thinking simple curtains - do you get patterns for them)

 

Thank you for your patience!

[Jules.]

I have no idea where to get patterns from.

I am left handed, but I think I may knit the right-handed way? I hold the wool & wrap it round the needles using my right hand. It's how my mum taught me, & she is left handed too.

[Snowy]

This is a good site for patterns - I've just picked the link for Simplicity childrens patterns, but there are other pattern makers. Simplicity are very good though. Patterns are expensive, but if you trace the size that you want, you can re use the pattern many times as some are for a wide age/size range.

http://www.sewingworld.co.uk/Simplicity_Children_Sizes_2_-8.html

Definitely go for it - I used to love making clothes and am looking for patterns for my boys now!

 

Again, curtains can be dead easy, or quite complicated! If you only want simple curtains they are easy! This site looks straight forward:

http://www.alternative-windows.com/unlined-curtains.htm

 

Definitely worth getting hold of a good book on sewing as that will help you interpret all the terminology, or you can always come on here and ask! Good luck!

[KateG]

Thank you for your advice and links.

 

Hadn't thought of tracing the pattern, will definately do that.

[Mrs Webmuppet]

Kate,

 

I can recommend Sirdar knitting patterns, pretty fool proof and easy to follow. I have a couple of easy knitting patterns for kids stuff..........I can send you a copy.

 

I don't know where you are in the country but if you are anywhere near Suffolk, I could give you a knitting lesson. Failing that find an old fashioned wool shop, they will give you a crash course in knitting

 

Forgot to say I am left handed too

Edited May 2, 2009 by Guest

[Fizzle Knit]

Sewing patterns - have you looked at the Clothkits website - they have some gorgeous pattern and material kits for little girls. I'm not sure of prices though, suspect they're not cheap. Would love to sew one of theire dresses if I had a girl to sew for!

 

Knitting - my mother tried to show me when I was a teenager and although I could cast on, cast off and purl and knit I never mastered it. Then I tried again a couple of years ago and discovered I could actually do it! It helped for me that I use bamboo or plastic needles now - using metal puts my teeth on edge, nnd I think that was partly the problem for me years ago. You could try looking for some tutorials on you tube on left handed knitting. The Ravelry website also has a lot of information but you have to register to use it, and there's a waiting list of a few days to get on.

 

Curtains - go for it! I've made a few pairs over the years and surprised myself that I actually did them.

 

Have fun

[Trish]

try http://www.theknittingsite.com/how-to-knit-left-handed.htm

 

I don't know if it's any good but they do have videos it says and it's often easier to watch someone else than from books etc

[Tulip]

Hi Kate, I've recently managed to teach myself using a book and t'Interweb. Agree with others that bamboo needles are great (stitches much less likely to slip off than metal).

 

www.ravelry.com is a fantastic place - like facebook for knitters, with groups and helpful forums, but also has designers on there, with thousands of free and reasonably-priced patterns. You can also see the finished results of Ravelry members who made the patterns! If you join, feel free to add me as a friend

 

Good luck!

[Jules.]

Re bamboo needles- when we went to Canada in 1986 my mum bought bamboo needles especially for the BA flight

That was back in the days when you could have such things in your hand luggage.

[Tulip]

I highly recommend 6 inch bamboo DPNs for flights. They got through Heathrow, Bangkok and Samui security last month no problem - an excuse to get into socks if ever I saw one!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I highly recommend 6 inch bamboo DPNs for flights. They got through Heathrow, Bangkok and Samui security last month no problem - an excuse to get into socks if ever I saw one!

 

....and they are..... ?

 

Sha x

[Couperwife]

Double Pointed Needles

 

the sort of thing that you start knitting a one end and keep going off the other

 

strangely easy to knit with, as long as you atke you time and dont panic

 

also what you knit I-cord with

 

look about half way down this page

 

hope this is helps

 

cathy

x