Posted on 11/11/2005 4:53:09 PM PST by Knitting A Conundrum
Prayers for your talented, but hurting hands.
I've been thinking about your comment the other day about making scarves: that you go with the width you like and just go to town on the pattern. That's kind of what I'm doing in the learning process. Most the patterns I've seen recently (even in some of the links you posted) have you knit the long way, with a bunch of stitches but just a few rows along the length. I wouldn't like that, because what if I decided the length was wrong, or just changed my mind? I don't understand this.
I have made them that way, but I really prefer making them across the short way. They can be quicker, longwise, though, and some effects you can't get knitting them the other.
I guess it counts what you want it to look like.
It's my turn to take care of the church linens this month, and I am going crazy wanting to do some fancy work and replace the lavabo towels with something nicer. I haven't committed to anybody about doing this, because I don't know if my hands will gripe a lot. But I've been collecting old books and new about church linens.
My secret desire, I think, is to make a fine linen altarcloth with hand crocheted lace and cutwork and whitework.
Maybe I ought to keep working on my niece's socks for right now, instead.
I also prefer the short way, although I see your point about it being quicker the long way. But for those of us still in the "obsessively counting" stage, 15 or 21 is a lot easier to keep track of than 99, LOL! And I think it is easier to learn on regular needles than on circular, which is what I believe it would take for doing it the long way.
It's nice to plan to do those church projects, but I think you're smart to keep it to yourself until later, maybe even until they are done. I would be interested to see what kind of patterns you're reviewing for this.
I will do scarves until I get really, really good at them, and I'm ready to move on to shawls.
PS. Hobby Lobby had all their knitting needles and accessories on sale for 1/2 price today. I thought fisticuffs were going to break out between otherwise sane-looking women!
Once you get comfy with the straights, you will find circulars are even nicer, cause you are even less likely to drop stitches with them, and they seem to distribute the weight better. I almost never use single pointed needles any more. Mostly I use circulars and double points.
I miss Hobby Lobby!
I've abandoned knitting. Like it, but it takes too long. I did finish 3 scarves and am almost done with a blanket... All crocheted.
Knitting can take longer, but I like how it drapes better. And it hurts my hands less.
On the needles right now, I have socks, two scarves and a sweater. I tend to be a butterfly and jump from project to project.
Are there any Madame LaFarges out there?
No doubt more of them at DU are kindred spirits to her, but if you mean are we politically minded and do we knit? a lot of us...
Cold gray weather.
Cheery fireplace.
A comfortable chair, lots of yarn, and a hot cup of tea.
And how is your Sunday afternoon going?
Cleaning my room :D
Worked on a pot holder last night. Need to clean a spot to do any quilting or card stamping. Now is the time to think about doing project for fairs next year!
I've been spending the day crocheting on the sidelines of state soccer tournament.
check out this post:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1521460/posts?page=27#27
particularly if you are interested in dolling.
Perhaps other needleworkers have handled this: my mom died and left many unfinished projects. Do y'all go ahead and finish those projects, putting aside your own, or do you put hers on the back burner waiting for a break in your or someone else's schedule, or do you just say, sorry, I'm not interested in those projects? I have a lot of emotions tied up in whatever answer I pick.
I put my mom's away until I was ready to deal with it. Mostly, I ended up salvaging the materials instead of completing hers. Different tastes and interests, in part.
Finished one fun fur scarf and started another in an eyelash (boa) yarn. Took a long walk in the cool, gray weather, breathed in the fresh air, and had a cup of hot herb tea when I got back. Nice, lazy day.
I found that I start dropping stitches when I fall asleep, LOL!
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