Yarn & Knitting Needles
Knitting Needles
I am so excited to finally get started on an easy knitting project! I have been scouring the internet, picking my mom’s brain, and hitting the library in preparation. I was able to get the large straight knitting needles from my mom and I have decided to use them for my first project. I will be keeping the interchangeable knitting needle set just because it is so cute and handy and I’m sure I will use it later. The silver ones are size 11 and that is what I will be starting on.
Yarn Choices
The scarf I REALLY wanted to make as my starting project uses a special yarn called “eyelash yarn”. My mom started making these adorable scarves because she saw them for sale at the store for around $20 and thought she could make it for under $5. Well the final product is so cute, but since it uses eyelash yarn I don’t think it will be great for my first project. I am going to use a normal yarn that I happen to have on hand because I think it will be easier to work with and keep track of what I’m doing.
My First Easy Knitting Project!
You wouldn’t think it would be that difficult to decide on a project. But I am a perfectionist and tend to get obsessive about things. I have seen a few “Garter Scarf” patterns which is what I want to start with. It only uses the garter stitch which means it’s straight knitting. Nothing fancy. Easy knitting at it’s finest. But my Stitch ‘n Bitch book calls for size 17 straight needles and a super bulky yarn, neither of which I have on hand. So I found a new book at the library called Getting Started Knitting which is actually great too. It has a Starter Garter Scarf pattern which looks so easy. It calls for size 8 needles on medium yarn but I will just go for it with the size 11 and see what happens.
Now that I have the pattern chosen, and the yarn & knitting needles on hand, I think I can actually begin to work on learning the stitches. Stay tuned for my adventures in learning to cast-on and start on the garter stitch. I will definitely keep you posted on my progress. This is so fun!
Tags: Easy Knitting, knitting patterns, Yarn and Knitting
August 21st, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I have to tell you to learn to do knitting Continental style right from the start. It’s a lot faster. I timed it tonight on a row of 40 stitches. First time I did it Continental style and it took 28 Seconds. Second time I did English and it took 70 seconds!!! More than twice as slow. I haven’t tried to do anything tricky like cables or YO or anything besides knitting with this new way, but for straight knit it really goes fast.
August 21st, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Wow thanks for the tip. I will have to make a post comparing the two types.
p.s. For those who don’t know, GrandmaLori is my knitting guru Mom who makes all the beautiful things that I display in my pictures
August 27th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
When you learn the ‘purls’ I have a super easy pattern to share with you…
Keep up the good work!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Gia, now you have me all curious. I have been working on the knit and purl stitch and practicing both the English and Continental methods since my mom claims Continental is SOO much faster. Once I get them down I will post my version of instructions
I’m excited to see what pattern you have to show me!