Knitting Interview

Braden · June 4, 2007, 10:19pm

I got this interview in my e-mail, and thought I would share my answers.

Could you answer this little interview in your blog? Thanks!

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] It’s more continental than anything else, but the bottom line is my knitting style is just plain weird. But it works for me!

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] About 6 years ago

[B]3. First FO?[/B] Apart from the knitted squares? My first [B]real[/B] project was a gre bulky raglan sweater, made from acrylic, and before I knew about dye lots. I think it was 3 different shades.

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] I don’t have any one favorite- but give me good basic yarns in natural fibers. Okay, if I Had to pick one, it would be Malabrigo.

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] My own design, or a published pattern? I almost exclusively calculate my own patterns from [I]The Sweater Workshop[/I], but my favorite published pattern is Alice Starmore’s [I]Inishmore[/I]

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] Myself-I calculate my own patterns from [I]The Sweater Workshop[/I]

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B]Addi Turbos or KnitPicks Options, no question!

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] An aran vest I designed and knit for a friend. I loved knitting that thing, sadly, it was made and given away before I had a digital camera.

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] That Grey raglan sweater I told you about. The thing was huge, different shades, and the neck was too big. It probably would have fit ove the washing machine, for all I know.

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] Whoever wants to answer it.

Anyway…

beckyrhae · June 4, 2007, 10:57pm

I answered it!

On my blog thingy

Braden · June 4, 2007, 11:56pm

Thanks! by the way, if you don’t have a blog, you can answer it in this thread!

Susan_P · June 5, 2007, 2:29am

This is a classic example of the experiential gap between you folks in the US and here. I don’t know these addi turbos or knitpicks needles at all here and Malabrigo I OFTEN see mentioned on this forum but don’t know it here at all.

Why do you folk speak so well of it?

I like Filatura di Crosa yarns and most from Naturally NZ. Friends enjoy Bendigo yarns. Naturally is a wonderfully helpful company. Good ole Cleckheatons and Patons are often valuable.

I only know two sets…well…3 sets…of needles here as such. There isn’t a lot of range and variation in needles here as such and I’ve only ever seen one set of circulars (brand I mean). MOST needles I see sold here are Birch brand.

Patterns…shrug…no favourites as such. I’ve not branched out enough in items I make although I’ve made some original wraps.

marykz · June 5, 2007, 6:30am

Could you answer this little interview in your blog? Thanks!
I have no blog- (I am lame) so here goes…

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] English
[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] About 5 months ago, after a hiatus of many many moons

[B]3. First FO?[/B] after learning all my stitches, the Anthropologie inspired capelet

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] I love all kinds of yarn- but the nicest I’ve knit with yet was Royal Bamboo- it felt so nice…

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] tough one- at the moment I’m in love with the top down raglan.

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] knittingpatterncentral.com, and Interweave knits magazine

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B]Addi Turbos or Denise interchangeables,

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] so far I’m most proud of the Monica tank I made for my kid…

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] a novelty yarn monstrosity

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] my Mom, who is a fabulous knitter!!

msoebel · June 5, 2007, 6:44am

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English? [/B]It’s English. For the life of me, I just HATE knitting continental.

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] 8 months ago

[B]3. First FO?[/B] A little purse for my dd. It was made with cheap acrylic yarn, but it had a pink and orange colorway that I really enjoyed knitting with.

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] Very favorite? I really like Peaches n Cream or Sugar n Cream. I love that cotton!

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] I love to make hats…and I just make them up as I go.

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] The internet…I love patterns from blogs…they’re usually free, and people are so creative!

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B]As long as they are aluminum, I don’t care.

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] Hmmmn…a tie between the lace shawl I made for my sil, and the hoodie sweater I made for my baby niece. Or the heart pillow I made for my dd.

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] Absolutely most hated? I made “Le Slouchy” hat and it drove me to distraction. And I don’t even like the way it looks now!

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] The world.

nadja_la_claire · June 5, 2007, 6:55am

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] English. I’d like to be able to do both but English is more comfortable for me.

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] About 21/2 years.

[B]3. First FO?[/B] A garter stitch scarf for DH.

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] I don’t have any one favorite- I’m very fickle. It used to be Caron SS, then it was LB Wool-Ease, then Paton’s Classic Merino Aran. Now I think it’s a tossup between Malabrigo and Adirondack Alpaca Tweed. Please don’t make me choose between my babies.

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] I Like my own designs, but right now I think my all time favorite is Brook Nelson’s Column of Leaves Scarf.

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B]The web mainly.

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B] KnitPicks Options!!! :cheering:

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] :shrug:

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] My 1st sock. It’s still on the needles because I haven’t frogged it yet and a shrug for my niece.

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] :shrug:

Anyway…

Nadja :knitting:

Braden · June 5, 2007, 6:59am

Wow, I think it’s great to be able to see how people knit, what patterns, etc. Don’t you?

Jan_in_CA · June 5, 2007, 7:15am

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] English mainly, but I do use both hands for fair isle.

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] 1.5 yrs

[B]3. First FO?[/B] I think a dishcloth, but I made a sweater at 3 mos.

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] I like wool, but I can’t wear it so… :shrug:

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] Don’t really have one yet, but I do like making little charity sweaters from various patterns.

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] I always start my search at KPC.

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B]Addi Turbos or KnitPicks Options, no question!

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] I guess the EZ Baby Surprise Sweater I made in wool a few months ago.

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] Nothing yet.

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] Whoever wants to answer it.

Susan_P · June 5, 2007, 8:23am

Ok…so…I was the one who didn’t behave and copy the darn thing out LOL

Chrissie · June 5, 2007, 8:32am

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] English

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] about 8 months ago

[B]3. First FO?[/B] a 2x2 ribbed scarf from Lamb’s Pride Bulky.

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] I like so many of them…and I haven’t knit with enough different kinds to really pick a favorite. I guess I’d say Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, for now.

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] My favorite pattern so far is Chicknits Ariann.

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] Knitty

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B]Knitpicks Options

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] My Ribby Cardi from Blue Sky Cotton…its SO soft and luxurious

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] A baby hat I knit on a 12 inch circular out of Mission Falls 1824 Cotton…it hurt so much! I liked the finished product, but I don’t think I will ever use that needle/yarn combination again.

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] Whoever wants to answer it.

beckyrhae · June 5, 2007, 8:38am

:teehee:

debinoz · June 5, 2007, 8:42am

Hey, Susan P… I found your answer very informative. Even though I’m in the US, I still feel like people are speaking a foreign language when they start talking about the Mmmm stuff, options, and addis. :shrug:

G_J · June 5, 2007, 8:44am

[B]This is fun! Thanks for posting it! Here’s my 2 cent’s worth![/B]

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] English. Even when doing Fair Isle, I still keep both strands in my right hand!

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] When I was a kid I learned and sort of knit a bit along the way, but didn’t get into it big-time until about 2 years ago.

[B]3. First FO?[/B] A dishcloth. My mom buys the cones of cotton yarn and she gave me one! but I made a toddler sweater for a friend a few months and many scarves and dishcloths later.

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] I’m currently knitting a sweater for my mom with Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and love it. Not too heavy, very soft and lovely colors.

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] A toddler sweater my grandmother used to knit. I’ve made several for friends and they LOVE them. I love passing along a bit of my grandmother!

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] The internet and library books! I have yet to spend $ on patterns!

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B]I was given about twelve circular needles from a friend whose husband’s grandmother passed away and didn’t know what else to do with the stuff. I taught her daughters how to knit, but they wanted new stuff! I don’t have much else to compare with.

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] The Alice Sweater from MagKnits.

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] A sweater I made with KP Decadence. The sweater turned out fine, but I every time I wore it, it left a swath of red fibers ! The yarn ws a PAIN to work with because of the lint! I tried washing it and it sort of felted! Now it’s unwearable! :waah:

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] Whoever wants to answer it.

system · June 5, 2007, 8:49am

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] English mostly but I taught myself continental and combined and switch off randomly.

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] About 1.5 years.

[B]3. First FO?[/B] Virginia Tank from Knitty

[B]4. Favorite yarn? [/B]Misti Alpaca.

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] I really don’t think there’s any correct way to answer this. :rofling:

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] World Wide Web.

[B]7. Favorite needles?[/B] Knitpicks Options and Denise Interchangeables.

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] Lengthwise garter stitch scarf with Misti Alpaca Chunky.

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] Um… I don’t have a hated project really. I don’t like cotton yarn though. :ick:

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] Whoever answers next.

jodstr2 · June 5, 2007, 8:52am

done… answered in my blahg thread.
thanks ContiKnitter!

system · June 5, 2007, 9:12am

This is fun

[B]1. Do you knit continental or English?[/B] English, but I’d like to learn how to knit Continental.

[B]2. How long ago did you learn to knit?[/B] About 1 1/2 years ago

[B]3. First FO?[/B] I used about a skein for “practice.” Then I found out a friend was going to become a gramma, so I made a baby blankie. If I recall correctly, the pattern came from eHow.

[B]4. Favorite yarn?[/B] Mmmmmalabrigo & Misti Alpaca.

[B]5. Favorite pattern?[/B] Dunno. I’m really addicted to hats right now, so I guess hat patterns would be the current one.

[B]6. Favorite pattern source?[/B] The Internets. :mrgreen:

[B]7. Favorite needles? [/B]I don’t have any yet, although I do prefer metal ones. The Husband has agreed to buy me Options, though, so my opinion may change…

[B]8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?[/B] Probably the never-ending baby blanket that I just finished (for my friend’s nephew).

[B]9. Most hated project?[/B] The never-ending baby blanket, just because it seemed to take forever (although it was probably less than a month total.)

[B]10. Who are you going to pass this on to?[/B] Whoever wants to answer it.

MrsJSD · June 5, 2007, 9:15am

My answers to these questions would not be very interesting, so I’ll just comment on a couple of things.

Knitting style: the weirdest thing about this issue is how many continental knitters talk about “using less energy” to pick vs. throw. I mean, honestly, what could the actual difference be? Are there people out there losing weight by knitting english? I’m sure I’m not.
My most despised knitting project was a garter stitch jacket I made in six different yarns, some of them I doubled (horizontal stripes). Although I loved the color combinations and enjoyed knitting it, when it was all finished and I put it on, I looked like I had just gained 50 pounds. I couldn’t rip it apart fast enough.
I love yarns in cashmere, silk, soft wool…I hate cheap synthetics and yarns with goofy baubles hanging off them. I think what’s easiest to knit is not always the most lovely feeling, so to pick a favorite I’d have to ask, favorite to knit or favorite to wear?
I knit nearly always with circular needles whether in the round or not. I have a pair of Lantern Moon ebony circs I absolutely love. Addi turbos are good for wool. Sometimes I have to use bamboo if that’s the only kind I have in the size needed. I must look into this Knitpicks Options, I’m intrigued.
A pattern I love:
E. Zimmerman’s gull pattern lacy baby sweater found in her Knitter’s Almanac.

Kaydee · June 5, 2007, 9:25am

I posted in my blog!

kristinw · June 5, 2007, 10:23am

Answered in my blog (which BTW, has lots of yarn p0rn in it!)