Anybody here knit or crochet? [Archive]

Allie

06-30-2010, 02:20 PM

I went through a short period of just simple knitting. My sister-in-law was trying to learn and it got a bit contagious. It looked interesting and I gave it a try. All I was able to produce were plain square tiny blankets (I considered them blankets) for the little dolls for the kids, or long, thin rectangular scarves. :embarrassed: I am sure they would make the true artists cry.

I have to say, it was a relaxing pastime. The simple repetitive motions offer great stress relief.

GouldFan

06-30-2010, 06:03 PM

I went through a short period of just simple knitting.

Yup. Been there and done that. After knitting something for each of my family members and close friends, the interest sort of dwindled. I also did some crocheting, mainly stuffed animals and hats.

Haphazard

06-30-2010, 10:13 PM

Wow guys, I thought I'd have a higher turnout.

This is one of the more recent things I've made, a blanket:

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khrome

06-30-2010, 10:17 PM

Yes, I do both! But I have a lot of hobbies that I jump around to and from, so I haven't done any yarn projects since about a year and half ago.

I learned to crochet from my aunt when I was little. It took me a while to get good at it since I started so young. But I only took up knitting recently, and I think it was easier to pick up as an adult than it was for me to pick up crocheting as a child (even though crocheting is suppose to be easier.) This kitty scarf was my first knitting project:

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If anyone has a ravelry.com profile, feel free to add me - username is "khrome" :)

---------- Post added 06-30-2010 at 10:20 PM ----------

Wow guys, I thought I'd have a higher turnout.

This is one of the more recent things I've made, a blanket:

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That's beautiful!! I love the different patterns. :D

Haphazard

06-30-2010, 10:23 PM

Aw, that's cute! I love the bows -- and is that a matching hat?

What's ravelry? I keep hearing about it, but I can't say I've ever been...

khrome

06-30-2010, 11:25 PM

Aw, that's cute! I love the bows -- and is that a matching hat?

What's ravelry? I keep hearing about it, but I can't say I've ever been...

Thanks! The hat is an oversized beret made from the same yarn, but it's crocheted.

Ravelry is probably the largest online community for knitting and crochet. You have a profile page where you can post your finished work, works in progress, free patterns, or even sell your own patterns. You can keep track of inventory - yarn, needles, books, etc. Another useful feature is that all the projects are searchable, so if you wanted to make an oversized beret, simply search for it and you're bound to come up with quite a few free patterns. There are forum groups for all sorts of topics as it relates to knitting/crochet, for example if you like the tv show Firefly there is a group for that. It's amazing how creative people can get with some random topic plus knitting! Too much creativity is part of the reason I don't visit the site too much. I get so inspired by all the works but I don't have time to make anything. :-)

Another neat thing is that the site was started by just a regular, young couple - the wife was into yarn crafts and the hubby did programming. They came up with the idea and created the site right in their home, unbeknowest that it was going to get so huge - there are currently 790,000+ users! They have managed to keep it free, and the hubby still does all the programming.

Elena

07-01-2010, 05:45 AM

:laugh:
I had to laugh (at myself)
I could knit and crochet very well in the past, then last year I went to pick it up again. >.<
I have forgotten how to do everything.

Danisty

07-01-2010, 04:05 PM

I do both! I get really bored when DH deploys so it gives me something to do. That blanket is beautiful, btw!

Booko

07-01-2010, 04:11 PM

I'm horrible at crocheting, but I do a lot of other forms of needlework, including knitting.

I knitted a scarf as a gift for a friend fairly recently, but it was one of those amazing yarns where the yarn looks so fancy the knitting is terribly basic.

Oh, for mathematics-based arts, I should see if I can find a pic of the work of a friend of mine. Her designs are based on fractal geometry. She's also a skilled seamstress so imagine what fine works of art those are.

Ilara

07-01-2010, 08:30 PM

I love to knit, but am quite amateur. The most advanced item I have knit was... several pairs of slippers. Very toasty and cozy, actually. I actually originally only made one, and then I received a number of commissions from family XD. My grandmother is the one who taught me how to knit and she unfortunately lives in another city, so I only see her every so often, and don't have much opportunity to learn from her. I'm planning on visiting this summer and asking her to teach me how to knit sweaters and more complex patterns.

I love knitting, though, and can do it almost unconsciously, so I can knit while I do something else that is hands-free. I find that it's a great way to control the physical tics that I get when I have to sit for too long. It burns the physical energy enough that I don't start fidgeting.

I would love to learn how to crochet.

I embroider, too. Last project was a rose vine border on a pillowcase.

Haphazard

07-03-2010, 10:11 AM

For those of you who both knit and crochet, which one's your favorite?

Oh, and I just got a Ravelry! I can't believe I've never seen this site, it's really awesome.

WraithWolf

07-03-2010, 10:41 AM

I love both knitting and crochet. I knit while wacthing TV since I hate to just watch TV without also doing something productive.
I've recently discovered freeform crochet - simply beautiful!

Danisty

07-03-2010, 04:47 PM

For those of you who both knit and crochet, which one's your favorite?

Oh, and I just got a Ravelry! I can't believe I've never seen this site, it's really awesome.I enjoy doing both of them equally, but like the results of knitting a bit more. I just think it tends to look nicer.

Bloody Annoyed

07-09-2010, 11:01 AM

I crochet like a fiend, but would love to learn to knit.

I agree the results look a bit better and for clothing there is more 'give' and control over shape. (Although I did recently finish a short-sleeved, wrap sweater that gives the illusion of being form-fitted. Best I could do in crochet).

I'm just not too keen on having to find a class or social group to learn. Anyone self-taught? Any suggestions or recommendations on books/videos/websites that helped them learn to knit?

Danisty

07-09-2010, 11:40 AM

Fyrnae

07-13-2010, 11:29 AM

What's another name for a contented crocheter?

A Happy Hooker!

I love to crochet, especially lace crochet. I have done some blankets and many, many bags. A friend of my nan's taught me over the Christmas holidays when I was 11. It's my 30th year of crocheting.

Most interesting crochet factoid I know: Crochet is the only form of needlework that proportionally mimics molecular structure. A Uni student did a paper on it & provided models of molecules & simple organisms that she had done out of crochet. I can't find this article, so if any of you have heard of this and know where to find it again, let me know.

I used to do little crocheted flowers (with the 'stem' being a page marker). It was rather like doing little fractals with this fine thread and a 1mm hook.

Shandeh

10-05-2012, 10:41 PM

So, is this the only knit/crochet discussion in the INTJ forum? I thought there would be more of us. Oh well. I'm a devoted knitter/crocheter. You can find me on the Knitting Help Forum, as well as the Bernat Yarn Forum. I am a moderator in both sites. I'm on Ravelry too. My profile name is "Shandeh" in all those places.

I started knitting in 2004, by watching online videos. Quickly became completely addicted. Learned crochet in 2009, and now I'm hooked on that too. My home is full of yarn, and I keep buying more. So, I guess you'd call me a yarn collector (*cough* hoarder).

zibber

10-06-2012, 02:43 AM

Shandeh

10-06-2012, 11:28 AM

I've been crocheting for over a year and just started to pick up knitting. My penpal taught me to crochet, and I'm getting a lot of knitting help at craft nights at this wonderful yarn store in Amsterdam, Penelope Craft. These people are total pros doing crazy lacework with shittons of Madeleine Tosh or Skein and I'll be crocheting my basket weave scarf I started in August with $2 tweed from the poor people store, but it's all good.

My name's Jarno, so the people at craft night figured I should sign up on Ravelry as Yarn-o. It's cool, except I turn my head anytime someone mentions a yarnover.

We are kindred spirits, because I usually knit or crochet with the bargain store brands too. :) Nice to meet you.

Do you ever look for yarn at thrift stores? I've found LOTS of great yarn that way.

---------- Post added 10-06-2012 at 02:31 PM ----------

BTW, I just added you as a friend on Ravelry. You can add me as a friend if you want (or not). :)

zibber

10-06-2012, 12:27 PM

No! That's actually a good idea! Well, with the caveat that thrift stores around here are a bit iffy, but I'll definitely look around next time I stop by. (I periodically visit a couple - gotta keep my eyes on those 1 euro record bins :).)

Nice to meet you too! Consider yerself added :).

Shandeh

10-06-2012, 02:04 PM

I check out thrift stores whenever I pass by. Never know what I will find in there. My little home has all the latest gadgets (from about 10 years ago). :D

Our thrift stores in the Carolinas (USA) can be kinda scary. Not a crowd of people that you would want to socialize with. But, I'm not there to socialize anyway. I usually walk through with a determined expression, and a tight grip on my handbag.

leslissocool

10-06-2012, 02:29 PM

Storm

10-06-2012, 02:50 PM

Yes, I crochet. Also know how to knit, but not anything complicated. Crocheting is simpler to understand.

I never use patterns. Sure, I'll look up how to do certain stitches that I like, but outside of the basic stitch never use them. I might watch a video or look at the design of how someone made something, but I never follow their exact guide. Takes away from the actual art. Although, I'm not very advanced yet. Sticking to hats, scarves, blankets and slippers. I want to do a pair of fingerless gloves, but knitting in circles looks perhaps a bit too advanced for me at this point. I think I'm going to go with knitting/crocheting it flat and then sewing it together.

As for yarn, I've gone the bargain brand before for blankets, but I never do the extra steps of "setting" it for the acrylic. I usually use 100% wool because it smells nice and is so warm. Of course, it's only about $8 a spool - and that's enough for a hat. Considering you'll pay three or four times that for a wool hat, I don't think it's pricey.

Someday, I hope to crochet play food for kids, but I'm not that good yet and don't know any small children.

leslissocool

10-06-2012, 02:56 PM

Yes, I crochet. Also know how to knit, but not anything complicated. Crocheting is simpler to understand.

I never use patterns. Sure, I'll look up how to do certain stitches that I like, but outside of the basic stitch never use them. I might watch a video or look at the design of how someone made something, but I never follow their exact guide. Takes away from the actual art. Although, I'm not very advanced yet. Sticking to hats, scarves, blankets and slippers. I want to do a pair of fingerless gloves, but knitting in circles looks perhaps a bit too advanced for me at this point. I think I'm going to go with knitting/crocheting it flat and then sewing it together.

As for yarn, I've gone the bargain brand before for blankets, but I never do the extra steps of "setting" it for the acrylic. I usually use 100% wool because it smells nice and is so warm.

Someday, I hope to crochet play food for kids, but I'm not that good yet and don't know any small children.

You can make your own patters, I use patterns because I do pictures and I nee to follow graphs but there are websites that graph pictures for you.

I also like to do cables, which is very repetitive and I also use charts. It looks really intimidating, but if you can purl you can cable you just need the needle and a lot of concentration. My very first cable project was this (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and it came out really good.

Shandeh

10-08-2012, 01:44 AM

I do! I started two years ago, my sister tried teaching me her messed up crazy style that some gypsy lady taught her and it made me utterly confused because I like knitting from pattern books, so I went on youtube and learned the standard way.

Anyways she did teach me the basics, I just don't have crazy gypsy on me like she does :(.
There are SO many different ways to knit, aren't there! And the people always try to push they way onto everyone, saying that their way is best. But, I think that we should just try different methods, until we find what WE like. :)

Yes, I crochet. Also know how to knit, but not anything complicated. Crocheting is simpler to understand.

I never use patterns. Sure, I'll look up how to do certain stitches that I like, but outside of the basic stitch never use them. I might watch a video or look at the design of how someone made something, but I never follow their exact guide. Takes away from the actual art. Although, I'm not very advanced yet. Sticking to hats, scarves, blankets and slippers. I want to do a pair of fingerless gloves, but knitting in circles looks perhaps a bit too advanced for me at this point. I think I'm going to go with knitting/crocheting it flat and then sewing it together.

As for yarn, I've gone the bargain brand before for blankets, but I never do the extra steps of "setting" it for the acrylic. I usually use 100% wool because it smells nice and is so warm. Of course, it's only about $8 a spool - and that's enough for a hat. Considering you'll pay three or four times that for a wool hat, I don't think it's pricey.

Someday, I hope to crochet play food for kids, but I'm not that good yet and don't know any small children.

I have a friend who crochets that way. She just starts crocheting, and makes things. Blows my mind. I ALWAYS use a pattern.

---------- Post added 10-08-2012 at 04:46 AM ----------

My very first cable project was this (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and it came out really good.

Hey, that's a pattern from my friend Silver! She used to be a forum mod for Knitting Help.

leslissocool

10-08-2012, 11:33 AM

There are SO many different ways to knit, aren't there! And the people always try to push they way onto everyone, saying that their way is best. But, I think that we should just try different methods, until we find what WE like. :)

I have a friend who crochets that way. She just starts crocheting, and makes things. Blows my mind. I ALWAYS use a pattern.

---------- Post added 10-08-2012 at 04:46 AM ----------

Hey, that's a pattern from my friend Silver! She used to be a forum mod for Knitting Help.

It's a very good pattern, I absolutely love it! I was watching a video where someone was purling the norwegian way and teaching it and she used this pattern, I completely fell in love. I have 3 scarfs with this pattern.

Silence

10-08-2012, 09:45 PM

I knit around this time of the year. I only know how to knit, not to purl (perl?), and I get very anxious because I know I'm not doing it right. I start out knitting two strands of yarn together, and end up making 10' bulletproof/windproof scarves. They've very thick and very warm...but they'll kill you if you happen to go through a revolving door, or if you accidentally step on one end.
I suppose I should learn how to knit properly, because everyone says it's so relaxing. I have to teach myself how to do it, every year.
But I'm a sucker for the colored and textured yarns. I can't resist it.

zibber

10-09-2012, 02:38 AM

<3

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Storm

10-09-2012, 11:03 AM

You can make your own patters, I use patterns because I do pictures and I nee to follow graphs but there are websites that graph pictures for you.

I think I would follow a graphical pattern, but the written patterns just confuse me. Making my own pattern as far as making pictures would be neat. Like I said, though, following somebody else's pattern too closely makes it boring to me.

I knit around this time of the year. I only know how to knit, not to purl (perl?), and I get very anxious because I know I'm not doing it right.

I just figured out how to purl yesterday. I recommend doing a search on youtube and watching a few videos. Some are better than others. This (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) is the video I liked because she does it slow enough and enough times you can follow along. Although, I hold the loose yarn in my left hand, not the right. Which I believe is the English method? I hear most people hold it like she does, though.

I'm sure you realize this, but a purl stitch is just a knit stitch backwards so that your fabric has all of the same pattern on each side. In a sense, you already know how to purl.

Espadrille

10-10-2012, 05:28 PM

I enjoy knitting and crochet both. A couple of winters ago I knit several pairs of woolly socks since they are hard to find commercially. The Internet is great for finding patterns and socks are fun to make. I particularly enjoy knitting in ribs.

One trick is to knit both socks at the same time so that they come out the same size. Same goes for gloves. So you need to have extra needles.

Storm

10-10-2012, 07:46 PM

At the same time, do you mean one after the other? Or holding two pairs of needles together? Or switching each row?

Silence

10-10-2012, 08:55 PM

I just figured out how to purl yesterday. I recommend doing a search on youtube and watching a few videos. Some are better than others. This (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) is the video I liked because she does it slow enough and enough times you can follow along. Although, I hold the loose yarn in my left hand, not the right. Which I believe is the English method? I hear most people hold it like she does, though.

I'm sure you realize this, but a purl stitch is just a knit stitch backwards so that your fabric has all of the same pattern on each side. In a sense, you already know how to purl.

Thank you! That helps.

topquark

10-11-2012, 12:26 AM

I knit. Very badly. I've been making my dad a hat since last November. It's still only half done and there's some weirdness going on at the edges that I don't quite understand how it happened.

Espadrille

10-11-2012, 05:29 AM

At the same time, do you mean one after the other? Or holding two pairs of needles together? Or switching each row?

You cast on the stitches for each sock on its own set of needles (usually 3). Then knit a few rows of one sock. Switch to the other set, knit a few rows and so on back and forth between socks.

To use this technique for sleeves, you can cast on both sleeves onto one needle, using two skeins of yarn, and knit them at the same time. Then you know the sleeves will be the same length (and you get the impression that the whole thing is getting done faster ;)).

For a small project like a pair of short socks where you only have one skein of yarn, you need to roll it into 2 balls. Use the weight of the original skein to get the weight of the 2 new ones right.

---------- Post added 10-11-2012 at 08:39 AM ----------

I knit. Very badly. I've been making my dad a hat since last November. It's still only half done and there's some weirdness going on at the edges that I don't quite understand how it happened.

Could you post a picture? Edges can look weird but are often hidden in seams. If not you can add an edge afterwards to smooth it out.

Jazz

10-12-2012, 11:44 AM

<3

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That is a lovely scarf, and I enjoy the composition of this photo.

I knit, and I only knit scarves. That's because I can't be bothered to do a complex pattern because it requires too much focus, and when I am knitting I'm usually watching a movie or something. Patterns take the joy out of it for me because I have to put all my attention towards it. I like the mindlessness of knit and purl without any casting on and off unless starting or finishing a project. I find that because I'm easily distracted I often forget what I'm doing so if I were using a pattern I would just mess it up. It's more of a stress release, plus I really like scarves. Maybe one day I will decide to knit something else.

snapdragonia

10-12-2012, 03:30 PM

Yeah! Right now I'm just finishing up a lovely cabled hooded-scarf thing that I like to call a harf. The scarf tails have buttoned pockets, it's pretty cozy :) The problem solving aspect of knitting really appeals to me and I love trying to think of new or better ways to accomplish what I want to create. But then again I hate dull, simple knitting. It's only entertaining if it keeps my interest, so I do a lot of cabling, colorwork and intarsia. Does anyone else watch TV while they knit?! You know... the kind you don't even have to look at in order to follow the story but is interesting enough to be worth listening to?

Storm

10-12-2012, 09:27 PM

I started knitting/crocheting to have something to do while watching TV. I can watch almost anything.

Agree about the problem solving/creating aspect. Aside from things that come in pairs, I never make the same thing twice.

firebee

10-12-2012, 09:38 PM

I have what may possibly be a belt in the washing machine at the moment. Whether it actually achieves beltness depends on whether it continues to exhibit an extraordinary tendency to felt without actually becoming shorter.

Shandeh

10-16-2012, 03:24 AM

I have about 20 different projects going right now, so I'm probably considered an autistic knitter. Ha! (Don't give me any grief - my son is autistic, so I can make jokes if I want.)

You can see all my projects here on Ravelry:
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My last completed project was a crocheted cardigan.
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I'm in the middle of a cabled baby sack right now. Hope to finish it soon.
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eam

10-19-2012, 06:18 AM

I knit and crochet..though I prefer to crochet.

Just finished an afghan with a gazillion popcorn stiches so I am pretty sick and tired of popcorn stiches. I am starting a new afghan tonight.

Love the scarf, Zibber!

zibber

10-30-2012, 11:54 PM

X-TREME CLOSE UPZ

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Espadrille

10-31-2012, 03:54 AM

Good technique, Zib. Is this a scarf too?

icecreamnocake

11-04-2012, 10:02 PM

I taught myself how to crochet last year. I made some hats for family members and myself. Just last month, I made a very comfortable blanket. I made a scarf for my nephew for Christmas last week... Trying to decide what to do for a hat, since I don't know his measurements and want to keep it a secret from his parents.

loveoff

11-04-2012, 10:18 PM

For those of you who both knit and crochet, which one's your favorite?

Oh, and I just got a Ravelry! I can't believe I've never seen this site, it's really awesome.

I enjoy knitting and crochet both. A couple of winters ago I knit several pairs of woolly socks since they are hard to find commercially. The Internet is great for finding patterns and socks are fun to make. I particularly enjoy knitting in ribs.

One trick is to knit both socks at the same time so that they come out the same size. Same goes for gloves. So you need to have extra needles.

Crocheter extraordinaire reporting for duty!

Love crocheting, but that's a treat for me that I have not allowed myself to engage in for a while; much more mentally demanding and important projects at present.

I began crocheting at four! yep. that's right. four.
I've crocheted for years all sorts of things, but my least favorite is clothing. I've never cared for crocheted clothing. Favorites: luxurious blankets with complicated patterns and crocheted animals for kids. Also love crocheted and crocheting lace.

Knitting. I knit, too. Prefer knitted cotton dish clothes, and knitted wool socks. Some blankets.

Embroidery too. Favorite: embroidered pillow sheets.

Espy, I'd love to see a pic of your knitted sock technique.

Espadrille

11-05-2012, 07:30 AM

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This photo shows the second sock of a pair in progress. If you follow this idea and knit one sock and then the other, they will propably not be the same size when finished because it is nigh on impossible to maintain even tension throughout.

To make sure that both socks are the same size, start both socks at the same time, each on its own set of needles, so 8 in all (or 10 if you use 4 for each sock and knit with the fifth). Knit a few rows of one sock, set aside. Pick up the other set of kneedles and knit a few rows on the second sock. Continue alternating from sock to sock to the end.

On the web you can find references to knitting two socks together on a circular needle but I've never learned to do that.

xxdarkangelxx

11-10-2012, 02:36 PM

I KNIT and its AWESOME!! sadly I don't crotchet but I plan to learn soon.
Lately I have knitted a pretty useful and practical red scarf, a bag and working on something special now. I don't get the opportunity to knit often but when I do, I thoroughly enjoy it. I'm no expert knitting artist but I can knit pretty fast. I knitted my scarf in 1 day.

Async

11-10-2012, 03:47 PM

My favourite knitting projects are socks & laces. Enough challenge to keep me interested.

Espadrille

11-14-2012, 03:16 PM

I want to knit a sweater that calls for nylon ribbon yarn...if I can find some.

leslissocool

12-01-2012, 11:15 PM

First knitting project made was a scarf:
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Currently working on a knee length sweater:
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Immskris

04-25-2013, 05:13 PM

I taught myself to crochet a few summers back. I usually crochet when the TV is on.

altoid

05-02-2013, 09:20 AM

I like to knit and crochet with the TV on as well. It gives me a feeling of productivity that I wouldn't have if I was only watching TV and knitting without any other distraction doesn't hold my attention well. I always take up knitting and crocheting in the winter, maybe mostly out of a desire for warm, cozy scarves. Made a few small amigurumi creatures, and would like to tackle socks as a next project.

Smotor

05-03-2013, 06:42 PM

I knit all the time, it's a great way for me to relieve anxiety. It also gives me something to do while watching tv shows and movies because I usually can't be patient unless I'm productive. And I whip it out at restaurants or while I'm waiting in line.

Here's my most recent project, a set of Doctor Who washcloths I made for my brother.

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