Sunday, March 2, 2008

I still have to walk before I can run and why is knitting so complicated?

Biting off more than I can chew is nothing new to me. O RLY? I can hear StringTheory2.0 rolling her eyes from over here. So it was only a matter of time till it happened with knitting. The basic stitches are starting to feel natural, so I'm naturally starting to think about what I can make with them. I can now hear StringTheory2.0 beating her head against the wall.

The really funny thing is, ST2 and I were just having a conversation with a third party the other day about how people want to learn to knit and crochet so they can make pretty things and then a lot of them aren't willing to learn the basic steps first. I believe at the time I reassured ST2 that if the urge got to be too strong, I could just go crochet a finished object. See me sticking to that right now?

So I've been doing a little scouting on Ravelry tonight looking for the perfect first knit pattern. And the more of these patterns I try to read, the more befuddled I am. Use a what kind of cast-on? What's wrong with the cast-on I already know? You mean I have to learn another one? I'm starting to remember why it took so long for me to give knitting a chance. I better go crochet a bunch of stuff before my head explodes.

4 comments:

Priscilla said...

This is going to sound cliched, and it may not be what you want to knit, but a scarf really is a good first project. Find a really pretty yarn and just knit every row. This looks great especially if you use larger needles, because you get the look of lace without all the yarn overs. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

IMO, a dishcloth or other small but useful item is a great first project. It's enough for you to feel a sense of accomplishment when you're done, but not so large that you get bored halfway through. Scarves and baby blankets are good, too, although I (personally) tend to get bored with them quickly if all I'm doing is stockinette or garter stitch the whole time.

About which cast-on to use, I typically ignore the cast-on method suggested in the pattern (with some exceptions). I use the long tail cast-on 98% of the time, even if the pattern calls for something else. Use your favorite (or the one you are most comfortable with). For most beginners projects, it will have little to no effect on the finished object. :-)

Ninabeena said...

I agree with everyone else. YOu should start with something small and things like scarves or dishcloths are good go to's. I've seen some people start on sweaters but if your already worried about not knowing technique no need for baptism by fire.
Also, don't get caught up with the whole cast on stuff. There are tons of differnt ways to cast on but most knitters usually only use one or two methods about 95% of the time.
Chest hey kitty see! :-)

Debbie D said...

Hate to tell ya but there are loads of different ways to cast on and off.

My first project was a scarf but others have sworn by washcloth, hats, sweaters, etc. Don't let the "rules" box you in! My favorite story is from Annie Modesitt who's 1st knit was a complex multicolored sweater that she knit over a weekend. When she went back to the yarn store she'd purchased the yarn and pattern from the owner basically threw her out because she did not believe that Annie had just learned to knit. True story! I heard this start from Annie's mouth. If you happen to see her at Knitch, ask her about it.