Hello, new to knitting!

#1

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself!

My new years resolution this year was to quit smoking. Well, the bronchitis helped. Anyways, I knew I had to keep my hands busy in order to take my mind off the nicotine withdrawal, so I came up with knitting. I ran to the store and bought some books, I went completely overboard and bought about 10 different pairs of knitting needles and 15 different yarns. I came home all excited, sat down and… didn’t understand the pictures in the book. A few hours of frustration and all I had managed to make were a slip knot and the cast on. Then, I found this site and everything clicked :slight_smile: I’m a very visual person so thank you thank you thank you!

2 days later and I have a very sloppy, lopsided beginning to a scarf. It started out being about 3 inches wide and it’s now about 5 inches wide hah! I’m slowly trying to get it back under control by double stitching some stitches :slight_smile: I was about ready to just scrap this and start over, but after reading threads that said to not do that , I’ll stick this out to the end and be proud of my very ugly scarf. I am making progress though. I started out with the english method and managed to switch myself over to Continental, which has helped alot with the tension. I was making very TIGHT stitches at first and it was a real struggle to get a row done, not to mention really hurting my fingers. So, at least I’ve solved that part. My biggest mistake was to not get a normal yarn to make the scarf. My yarn is “squiggly” and sticks to itself, it’s very hard to knit with for a beginner, I’m sure had I not been so ambitious I’d not be having such a hard time with it. Oh well, builds character :slight_smile:

-Julie

#2

Welcome! You’re right to just keep on truckin’ with what you’re doing. You’re bound to see a big difference between the beginning and the end–it’ll show your improvement!

#3

Welcome to knitting and KH! There are so many helpful people here, and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot. You will be proud of your scarf when you finish, because you stuck it out and completed your first FO. And you’re sure to notice more improvement by the time you near the end, too. (Be sure to post a photo on the forum, too!) :smiley:

#4

Good for you just jumping in like that! Welcome :slight_smile: :waving: :waving:

#5

So, is there actually a store like this in Ile Bizard?

http://www.phildar.fr/fr/p_magasin/default.asp

If so, I’m thinking roadtrip! If not, how are the real yarn stores in Montreal?

Welcome!

#6

Believe me–the more you knit, the more you’ll like it. Sure, it takes time and practice, like everything else, but it’s so worth it. And I really hope you can stay healthier knitting too!! Sounds like you had one heck of a time in that yarn shop though!! Girl–you really know how to shop! :happydance:

#7

Awsome! I did the same thing, but my first project was a HAT. :shock: Doh. It fits a little funny, but hey! I was proud of myself.

Post pictures if you can! It’s great to see others work. I love it. What kind of yarns did you get? I’d love to see what you purchased ‘on the whim’. :lol:

#8

Hmmm, I have NO idea. The web page looks legit, perhaps give them a call? :slight_smile:

As for real yarn stores in Montreal, I know there are a few but I haven’t been. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on yarn while learning to knit so I just went to a department store and bought a bunch of the acrylic stuff. Nothing fancy.

#9

:waving: Welcome! Enjoy that scarf, and good for you for not frogging it !! I’m sure you’ll soon be as addicted as many of us on these forums!

#10

I had a friend that used knitting to quit smoking in the middle of a musical. We were all sitting around crochetting or knitting and he said maybe it’d help him, and he’s still smoke free a year later, good job and good thinking!

#11

:waving: Welcome to the forum and soon you will be dreaming of knitting just like the rest of us lol… :thumbsup:

#12

Excellent idea to help quit smoking! I would never think of that (I’m not a smoker but can imagine it must be very hard). Good luck!

#13

Hello, I started knitting the same way I quit smoking and realized that it took more time out of my day then I realized and I needed to fill that time with something besides cleaning my house and bugging my kids I think I had the cleanest house on the block for a while :lol: So knitting being somthing I said I would never get I decided to go for it and now I think I am an addict I have only completed one small project because I just can’t decide what to do next I think I will try the booga bag I would really like to learn how to make socks too.Well I have gone on long enough I would just like to make sure I say I love this site and although I probably won’t be able to post very much (I have a toddler) I’ll check in often and can’t wait to show my first real master piece :smiley:

#14

What a great way for you to quit smoking! I remember the first hat I made was a bit big, but since I made it for my mom (and she claims she has a big head), she didn’t mind! :lol:
Stick with it!!

#15

:waving: welcome! great to have you here! :smiley:
congrats on quitting smoking!

#16

Welcome :waving: Yeah you for quitting somking. :cheering: Now you’ll have more money to buy yarn :XX: :XX: :XX:

#17

My husband was so thrilled to hear that there is a great yarn shop 2 minutes down the road :happydance:

#18

LOL-my dh would CRY if there was a great yarn store 2miles down the road :lol:

Welcome,Julie! Congrats on quitting smoking! I think you’re going to love it here-but a warning-this site is addicting too, but in a good way :thumbsup:

#19

That’s right, lure her in Jaxhil, lure her in BWAHAHAHA! …erm… welcome!

Oh and… I’m going to start using my knitting to keep away from chocolate and candy. Going to be hard though. :crying: