Welcome to the KnittingHelp forum! ...Introduce yourself!

#9024

I don’t think I’ve ever officially introduced myself on here, so I thought it was about time I did.

I’m Becca/Bex. I’m 46 and learned basic garter stitch when I was a little. Unfortunately my Nanny and Gran died when I was quite young, so those skills were never developed further.

I’m now a Nonna myself, and want to make “all the stuff” for my grandson :joy:

I’m autistic, and I have a really low concentration level. I tend to get very obsessed with an interest then drop it just as quickly. However, knitting seems to be “my thing”. I’ve kept at it for just over a year now and I find it incredibly therapeutic and rewarding. It’s not quite instant gratification, but I can see progress on every item, so it satisfies that particular need in me lol. Even my husband has commented on how quick I’ve become and how impressed he is that I’ve stuck with something for so long. It also gives me something to do when insomnia kicks in, like tonight.

I have to say, I’m loving every minute of it, and when I can’t get to my needles I miss them!

I have a really unusual style of knitting, I don’t hold my needles like a normal person would. I prop my right hand needle between my legs and move my whole hand to work the yarn, rather than using just my fingers. Maybe one day I’ll get it on video to show you. My husband finds it quite amusing. So I’ll never be a super fast knitter, that’s for sure. Although my Fitbit thinks I’m walking loads and keeps congratulating me on my steps achieved each day!! :joy:

This forum has been a life saver for me and I hope that one day I’m even vaguely as knowledgeable as some of you guys :heart:

4 Likes
#9025

I don’t think I’ve introduced myself here either and I’ve been here almost 3 years now.
There are so many styles of knitting and ways to hold the needles, your style does sound a little unusual but reminds me of the method of holding the needle under the armpit, or the knitting belt. I read just yesterday about a wooden contraption which was worn around the waist so a knitter could continue to knit whilst walking and that walking and knitting was quite the thing to do in previous generations.

Knitting doesn’t need to be fast, just interesting and enjoyable. What I love is the ability to set my own challenges so it can be as easy or as difficult as I want, enough of a challenge to keep me interested without being so hard I want to give up.

My goal is the have enough skill to make the shapes and sizes I choose, to have that kind of knowledge and control over what I make would be wonderful.

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#9026

Thank you both for the introductions. It’s a delight to have you on the forum as you both continue the spirit of helpfulness and kindness that drives KnittingHelp.
There’s no right or wrong way to hold the needles or to knit. Whatevey feels comfortable to you and achieves the result is just fine.

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#9027

Hi, so glad I have found this site. I need help on Intarsia. I have a lit of yarn ends accumulating at the front of my work. Am I able to weave these in? Shiuld I be doing something so that they end up at the back of the knitting?

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#9028

Welcome to KH!
There will be more replies on the thread you started over here:

Thanks for joining us and have fun with your intarsia project.

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#9029

A post was split to a new topic: Ziggurat Method

#9031

Hi there! I’m Casey and I’m glad I found this site. I have a pattern that I really want to start but have no idea how to just get it started. it just doesn’t make sense to me for some reason. If I could just get help with the set up row and the first 4 rows I think I can take it from there. Believe it or not they want you to spend $198 on all the yarn it takes to make this blanket but they have no tutorial video! Thanks in advance for any help!

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#9032

Welcome to KH! We’re glad you found us too.

What is the name of your pattern?

You’re to start with color 1 and cast on 332sts using your favorite cast on possibly long tail cast on.
For the set-up row, a wrong side row, slip the first stitch from the left needle to the right without knitting it. The yarn stays to the back. Then knit the next stitch, slip the following stitch and then knit each stitch up to the last 3sts. Slip the last 3 from the left needle to the right.

Now turn to the right side and begin row 1 with knit 3sts. That’s followed by a repeat of (p1, k1b). See the pattern for the way to work the k1b but possibly a knit into the stitch below. Repeat the (p1, k1b) across the row the the last 3sts, then k1, slip1, k1.

For row 2, a wrong side row, slip the first stitch, k1, slip 1, knit across the row to the last 3sts, slip these last 3 from the left to the right needle.
That’s a start on the pattern. If you need more help with the following rows, let us know. The slip stitches are going to form a nice edge on the blanket.

#9033

Hi I’m new to this site.

I have just picked up knitting again after a 30 year break!

I have retired from the NHS and given up smoking so need a welcome distraction!

I have one grandson (3) and 2 granddaughters due Feb 24.

I have been knitting a Debbie Bliss boys jumper with a cross over collar and I am truly stuck on the collar……can anyone help please?

Thanks
Sharon

#9034

Hi Peta and welcome to KH!
Congratulations on the granddaughters on the way and on a wonderful 3 year old grandson. They are great reasons to knit, too.
We’ll all be happy to help with the Debbie Bliss pattern. Post in How to or in General Knitting and everyone will be sure to see your question. Please also tell us the pattern name.
Thanks for joining us.

#9035

Hi!

My name is Julie. I live in Montreal. My first language is French, but I knit in English. I’m a left hand knitter which sometimes complicate things for me. I knit from right to left, while you right hand knitters knit from left to right.
I think I start knitting 5 years ago. I like to knit simple things. I like untreated yarn. I consider myself an eternal beginner.

Happy knitting!

#9036

Hi, my name is Julie Harris. I love sewing, learning to crochet and to knit while I homeschool my son. I came to this website as I am looking for help to understand this pattern and I would appreciate some help.
Thank you so much and Hello to everyone!

#9037

Hi JulieKnit and Julieharris and welcome to KnittingHelp!
There are always new things to learn about knitting and the forum is a great resource of collective knowledge. Happy to have you both along with us for this adventure.

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#9038

I don’t understand your meaning when you say ‘right to left’. In my view I knit right to left meaning I start at the rightmost stitch of the work and move toward the left. I believe most American & European knitter - maybe the whole world- does it that way.

But I can see how you could reverse that, using your left needle as the one that creates & stores completed stitches.

Anyway welcome to the group. Your English is great.

#9039

Hi!
It is always reassuring to be told that my english is good. :wink:

As a left hand knitter when I knit my stitches go from my right needle to my left needle.
Right hand knitter knit from left needle to right needle. You can see it as reverse knitting. It complicate things sometimes because techniques, knitting patterns are teach/written by right hand people. But nothing is impossible.

Thank you for your welcome message.
Happy knitting!

#9040

hi!, i’m new here, i have a knitting machine, so i’d like to learn how to use it with you, thank you

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#9041

Welcome, zahra! We’re happy to have you join the forum. We’re mostly hand knitters but there are some experienced machine knitters who will be able to pitch in and help you. Be sure to let us know the type machine you have when you post a question. Thanks for joining.

#9042

Hi.
Im an experienced machine knitter. My specialties are the European machines, Passap & Superba, but Ive also used simple non-patterning bulky gauge machines too. Bond & Big Phil). I had a Toyota complete with all the bells & whistles, but I never made friends with it & kept reverting to my Passap for anything complicated. So I sold it. So you may get better advice on Japanese machines elsewhere.

Two great machine knitting teachers on youtube are Diana Sullivan. And Susan Guagliumi. Just search Youtube for their knitting machine instruction videos.
Susan also has a series of “teachable moments” videos that happen to be on sale right now. (On her website).

Another rich source of info is the Machine Knitting Answer Lady both on youtube & a website (all 3 have extensive & informative blogs or websites). The aforementioned answer lady & her husband also cover machine repair and maintenance, some of it quite advanced should you need it.

If you have some basic questions, or even more advanced question on Euro machines, I’d be happy to help.

Good luck!

PS - I didn’t include links because these sites & videos are very easy to find.

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#9043

Hi there, I’m new to this forum, I thought I’d introduce myself.

My name is BeeBee (I’m 54), I was taught to crochet the granny square in a car park in Spain whilst motorhoming by a lefty (I’m a righty so not the easiest) back in autumn of 2019. I then taught everything else to myself, new stitches, how to read patterns etc… Once I mastered crochet I taught myself Tunisian Crochet in the autumn of 2021. Then last month whilst traveling in Spain again I taught myself to knit. I’m currently trying different techniques to see which one I’m most comfortable with. It seems that ‘very slow’ English throwing the knit stitch is easiest for me and Portuguese Purling is even easier but I’m also trying out the continental method (not so easy even though I’m a competent crocheter). I’m getting there slowly though. My biggest peeves so far is how much more yarn crochet uses versus knitting which is why I am learning to knit and also the pilling of my completed projects, mainly sweaters. I would love to learn how to buy yarns that would be better for not pilling as much. I know there are some good books out there that teach you about the sheep and their fleece etc…but I would need a good book that covers the UK and Europe as well as North and South America. Suggestions would be more than welcome.

Anyway… I’m constantly learning, the biggest curve is learning all new terminology and the names of stitches as I’m so use to crochet terminology. First book I have invested in is Vogue® Knitting The Ultimate Knitting Book so hopefully I will find that really helpful. I’m also realising that interchangeable cable needles are the way forward for me, I just can’t knit with needles longer than 20-25cm, I find them so awkward and that’s why I have tried and failed to knit many times over the decades. I have a mixture of needles to try, to see which ones suit me best… Addi Click Novel Interchangeables, Knit Pro Cubic (metal and wood), Knit Pro Karbonz and Knit Pro Wooden ones too which all seem to be easier for me than non cable needles. I’m really hoping I can get to the point where I can knit a norwegian style top down sweater or a fairisle who h is my ultimate goal, I’m definitely a few years off of that LOL but I’m a tryer.

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#9044

Welcome, BeeBee!
You are on your way to learning it all. You have amazing abilities in diferent types of crochet and knitting. We’re happy to have you along with us on the forum.

1 Like