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Making Things With String
I've seen a lot of people around the forums mentioning various crafty string things they are interested in, particularly recently. So what's the story, guys? Who makes things with string? How did you learn? Why do you do it? Who wants to learn? What do you make? Pics or it didn't happen! (Any and all string things are welcome. Knitting, Crochet, Needlework, Naalbinding, Sprang, Hammock-weaving, whatever!)
As you may or may not know, I love to knit. I'm an intermediate knitter working on increasing the techniques I can use proficiently. I also crochet, although I generally use it in combination with knitting rather than on its own. I am addicted to yarn. I buy finished yarn, recycle it from sweaters, and also dye my own. I accumulate yarn faster than I can knit it up, but at least it's pretty and good for insulation!
This is my current highest-priority work in progress:
My ulterior motive for this thread is recon for a knitting workshop/panel. Should be fun.
As you may or may not know, I love to knit. I'm an intermediate knitter working on increasing the techniques I can use proficiently. I also crochet, although I generally use it in combination with knitting rather than on its own. I am addicted to yarn. I buy finished yarn, recycle it from sweaters, and also dye my own. I accumulate yarn faster than I can knit it up, but at least it's pretty and good for insulation!
This is my current highest-priority work in progress:
My ulterior motive for this thread is recon for a knitting workshop/panel. Should be fun.
Comments
Best picture I could find of... her? Maybe? I can never figure out the genders of those guys.
As most people know, I am a cross-stitch fiend. I love doing it. I grew up not really doing anything in regards to sewing or any needlework and was a tomboy. Doing anything that was mostly known to be "girly" didn't appeal to me at all. My mother would crochet doilies, and even made a really nice table cover. She tried teaching me once, but I wasn't really interested.
The first time I ever cross-stitched was when I was in my early teens. My neighbor's girlfriend showed me. I worked on a stamped cross-stitch pattern. It was pretty cool and she said I did a good job for being the first time. However, that was that. I never really gave it a second thought, until over a year ago.
I wanted to create something and had remembered cross-stitching. I would always see something awesome on SpriteStitch and decided to give that a go.
Now, I've completed over a small handful of pieces. I plan on finishing my latest piece tomorrow, so I will post pics soon. After that I have a few things I want to do, then perhaps I'll start getting into knitting. I think one of the things why I enjoy this so much is because I get to integrate my geeky interests into a craft that is mostly known for traditional designs. I also love making things for people. It's nice to hear or see how much people really enjoy something that I've created.
You're scarf is awesome, Nuri. I look forward to seeing it finished. I think it's awesome to show you interest in things by creating clothes that you don't normally see people wearing. I have been planning to make a scarf for myself since last year, but I keep getting caught up in other things.
But yes, please, share some good basic pointers. I probably will just start off by making a pot-holder or something. I thought about looking into classes at Jo-Ann's, but I really don't feel like dropping the money to where I can probably learn that stuff for free online.
Honestly, there is an abundance of women who craft on this forum.
2. This barely scratches the surface of the crafty shit I, and others, do, so saying it's ridiculous is a bit preemptive and short-sighted.
Ro:
Basic scarves are the easiest because they require very little shaping. They're probably good to start out with, except that they can be long. When I teach people to knit, I tel them they aren't *making* anything yet. They are just learning what to do, so it doesn't matter if it looks ugly as hell or what shape it turns out. Takes off the pressure.
I haven't tried Amigurumi yet, though I know how to crochet. I've just got other things I want to make in higher priority, so I haven't been too interested in the toys. There are some really cute dragon ones that I'd make if I ever got to it.
So as far as learning goes, I'm of the opinion is that the easiest way is to have someone show you in person so you can have them check you, look at mistakes, answer questions, etc. Then there's plenty of documentation on the internet that can refresh your memory and teach you more advanced techniques. I like to give new knitters US size 8 needles and worsted weight yarn to start with. My preference is to get double-pointed needles, because they are short and easier to work with, and just put rubber bands around the end to make them single-sided needles. Something fairly smooth and solid is a good starting yarn; don't use anything really fancy or hairy, because it will be harder to work with and harder to see what you've done. Don't underestimate the value of acrylic/nylon yarn for learning; it's cheap and can sometimes be easier to work with.
You can also learn online, particularly if you are good with seeing videos or pictures and translating it to your own movements. Knitting is made up primarily of two stitches (knit and purl) which are actually the same thing, just that one is backwards. Once you get how to cast on (start), knit, purl, and cast off (end), you have the basics. I find it's helpful to have someone else to ask about things like reading patterns, too...it took me a year or two to completely figure out patterns. Anyway, if you want a good resource for starting out, check out http://www.knittinghelp.com/. They have pretty good videos of the basic stuff. I use the long-tail cast on to start unless I have a specific reason to use something else. It'll work fine for scarves. I usually have someone cast on 20 stitches and then knit, knit, knit constantly for several rows at least. Don't even start to purl until you've got the knit stitch. Seriously, don't. Then, when you learn to purl, remember that purling is just knitting from the back of the work instead of from the front, and you should be fine. This site will teach you the basics with videos, and I recommend practicing with those for awhile until you've got them down in muscle memory before attempting anything fancier. Scarves or potholders would be great practice.
This first set went to my sister (but those are my hands they are about the same size)
However, if you want to learn to knit and haven't by PAX East, assuming you are still planning to go, I'd be happy to teach you.
Iä! Iä! Amigurumi Cthulhu fhtagn!