Knitting for beginners

Just a quick post to direct new knitters to this website:

Knitting Institute

which has several instruction leaflets to start you off with various techniques, plus some free patterns and other bits and bobs

Well worth a look

Our first meeting

Hurray! We are launched! Eight of us brought knitting, yarns and exciting project plans to our first meeting in the UCL Science Library. The initiation test to qualify for membership was to be able to fold Charlotte's one-piece knitted jacket actually into a jacket. We more or less all passed - the occasional semblance of a third sleeve was graciously ignored! (Photo of jacket to follow I am assured.)

The focus of the group was quickly established - talking about our skills, where we'd learned, what we'd achieved and what we were planning next. Tips were readily exchanged. Charlotte's demonstration of the thumb cast-on method was so proficient that no-one could believe she had taught herself to knit only within the last couple of months!

So soothing and lulling was the click-click of needles that none of us was inclined to leave when the time was up. But leave we did with dreams of scarves, jumpers and of course, cuddly toys.

12.30 seems the best time to start - so see you all then next Thursday!

Andrew

And something "not-knitting"

This is my friendly forest spirit, currently sitting on my piano, who will be coming to the meeting tomorrow. He is what is known as an amigurumi, which translates as something like 'knitted toy' but they are usually crocheted, and are very easy to make. I can point anyone in the direction of thousands of patterns for strange creatures if you would like.

First meeting announcement

Knitting Etc. are pleased to announce that their first official meeting will take place on:

Thursday 2nd August

12-2 pm

in Room 417, Science Library

Bring a cake to celebrate if you like!

Something slightly more basic

This is my first pair of socks. I have recently turned the heel using the short row technique - nifty, but I made large holes when I picked up the stitches, and am now working on the foot part. Only another 2 inches or so to go and then I can shape the toe - hooray!

• Pattern: Easy tubular socks from Easy knitted socks: fun and fashionable designs for the novice knitter / Jeanette Trotman. ISBN 9781844482146
• Yarn: 4ply 100% wool sock yarn in a blue/grey marl pattern from local market stall. Not sure of brand but will check. £3.50 per 100g ball - bargain!
  
• Needles: 2.5mm steel dpns
• Inspiration: Random Knitter's blog

A piece of Aran knitting to start the blog off.

I completed this cardigan a year ago as a Christmas gift for my mum. It uses a variety of Aran stitches including cables and honeycomb stitch. It is the first time that I have incorporated a pocket into a piece of knitting.

I particularly enjoy Aran knitting as there is always an interesting pattern to absorb the attention, and progress is visible, unlike rows of plain stocking stitch. However, making mistakes/dropping stitches etc. can be a nightmare to correct. Who wants to pull out rows of knitting for a one-stitch cable that irritatingly twisted itself the wrong way? I tend to unpick just a column of a few stitches, then spend hours manipulating crochet hooks, needles whatever to reconstruct what should have been there before. Very trying!

But should we always aim for perfection? I'm happy to make/leave one mistake in a piece of knitting, just like a little signature that renders the item unique.

Incidentally, I didn't make the little teddy in the pocket. Those bursting with curiosity can look forward to a post about it in the future.