Yeah, I totally know you can jump on youtube and have someone, somewhere show you the basics and even the complexes. But I like learning on demand from real live people, plus the chance to chat to humans of the same sex as me in real time! I don’t get to do that enough. Throw in the ability to support a new, Melbourne based creative initiative – the Handmaker’s Factory? I’m there.
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| Jorth!, JuliaBobbin and Nikkishell |
I’ve been buying skeins of gorgeously coloured wool every now and again, but they’ve just been shamefully accumulating in a box. Then I keep seeing creations like this:
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| Jorth’s green knitted dress – amazing! |
and then this…
and then I started following Kate Davies Designs (oh, how I love posts seen through the eyes of Bruce! This one is my favourite) and the jealousy just got too much.
This knitting thing was a skill I simply had to acquire – by force, if necessary. And who better to learn from than the very person who inspired my covetous jealousy in the first place? Thankyou, Jorth.
I can now cast on, knit, purl, increase and decrease, decipher the obscure hieroglyphics that make up a knitting pattern and cast off, all without swearing and having to make reference to instructions. Go me.
Having moved down the beginners sewing learning curve already, I am vaguely aware that I’m not going to be able to produce the magnificence shown above straight away.
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| JuliaBobbin and I get busy knitting |
But just you wait.
In the mean time, I’ve succumbed and signed up to Ravelry. I envisage plenty of cold winter nights comfy on the couch with a cup of tea and some clack-clack-clacking. See you in knitting land!
poppykettle 
I recognise your extra large smile as the scandalous face of someone who just unraveled a whole afternoons work of knitting. So cheeky! Such an awesome day of knitting and learning. Have been doing lots of practise already.
ahahahaa… you should have seen the looks on yours, Leisl's and Nikki's faces as I was doing it… you'd think I'd have killed someone's puppy! Such a lovely afternoon :) You're steps ahead of me then… I'm planning to start doing some more tonight!
You'll be knitting beautiful things in no time! I agree on being taught by a live person – it helps to have someone watch what you are doing so that they can correct what you are doing wrong or tell you when you've got it just right.
Man, that afternoon was SO MUCH FUN (scary yarn unravelling aside!)Let's do it again soon!Mwah mwah,Leisl
You will be whipping up cable knit dresses in no time! It was a great afternoon, my tummy muscles are still recovering from all the belly laughs!
You and Julia are too cute! I learned the basics of knitting from a Craftsy video, but I'd really love to attend a group thing and learn more from someone in person. I'm sure it's much more fun that way!
Sounds like fun. I watch too much TV and I have been thinking maybe I should knit. I have tried before with no success :(
Looks like it was fun – what's on the needles then?
here here! Bring on sock fabulous-ness!
hells yes! :D
As are my cheek muscles :) I certainly hope so! I'm very much looking forward to the next installment!x
just practising getting my tension in some vague semblance of uniformity. It's harder than it looks! x
Can't wait to see what you make!I tried to learn knitting about half a dozen times, from my Mum. I don't know why it didn't sink in. Possibly because Mum wasn't that into it, and I didn't know what I was going to do with it… the creations above might re-inspire me to learn :-)
I reckon. Seriously, it was such good fun!! Knitting lends itself really well to the social group thing… you don't have to move around much at all and you can converse until your heart's content!
Definitely do, Vicki! It's a wonderfully relaxing thing, and whilst it's certainly not going to compete with my sewing, it's great for when you don't really feel like sewing but still want that outlet for creating something. It's frustrating starting right back in the beginners circle again, though! :)
Yep… the Jorth! blog is a pretty darn good (har har) incentive for getting knitting! She's amazingly good at it. Learning increasing and decreasing was awesome though – mind definitely blown. I'm hoping to do some more practising tonight!
I have no doubt that you will master knitting as well as you have mastered dressmaking. Knitting is one of the most therapeutic stress relief activities that I know and I hope you will find it that way too. Ravelry is a great site for inspiration and beginner projects. Good luck with your knitting.
I salute your efforts! I have the urge to take it up, but I know I'd be crap, no coordination whatsoever! You be so good at it soon, I have no doubts!! X
Good to see you joining Ravelry! You did it! Congratulations to the initiation of the wonderful world of knitting! While we make plans for the little summer dresses, you'll create scarfs and pullovers!
I'm taking a Craftsy class to learn how to knit! I wish I could learn with you and Julia though :(
Melanie, great to see that you have started knitting, which is contagious!! You have two talented people teaching you, as you already know. Great start to a fantastic journey with yarn.
Oh I am so jealous, what a day that must have been and such amazing company!
You do realise that Knitting is a gateway drug to Spinning, don't you?
Thanks Majorie! I'm really looking forward to mastering it, too. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realise I'm a skills junkie!!
I was pretty lousy Kat, don't get me wrong. I kept looking over Leisl's shoulder and being in awe of her straight, consistent knits and purls. There's definitely some skillz involved!!
I certainly hope so Inna! Thanks :D
Craftsy is a pretty good substitute though. Maybe we need to have skype knitting sessions!!! :D
Don't I just!! And seeing what the experienced and talented can knit just makes me want to master this even more. Thanks Evelyne! :)
It was seriously the best fun, and I can't wait to do it again soon!!
ahahahahaha!!! Love it. I do verge on the side of an obsessive compulsive personality disorder… so watch this space Anne!!
jealous. so, so jealous!
Oh yay! I'm so glad you're knitting– it's so fun! You've reminded me that I need to knit more. I've allocated more of my spare time to sewing over the last year or two, but I need to get back to knitting. And you're right– you'll be knitting amazing things in no time!
Yay! I love knitting and have added you as a friend on Ravelry. I love Ravelry for so many reasons, not least that you can stalk your friends feed and see what they’ve been favouriting for inspiration. Hope you have good fun in your knitting adventures!
Thanks Jo, I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into it! :)
x