From Tracie: I Hit A Knitting Wall

Friday, November 08, 2013

I Hit A Knitting Wall

Once upon a time I used to knit. Not all that long ago, and not in a kingdom far, far away, although I did send squares far away to be made into blankets. I did most of my knitting in Orlando probably while watching discs of Gilmore Girls on repeat. And now? I miss it. It has been more than a year since I created anything with knitting needles.

Ball Of Pink Yarn And Knitting Needles

This is my problem: I hit a knitting wall.

Knitting walls are possibly less painful than hitting a brick wall or a concrete wall, but they are just as firm. I reached the point where I wanted to do more complicated designs and branch out from scarves, hats, and squares to something more exciting, like fingerless gloves. But that branching out always seemed to require a new pair of needles and new yarn that wasn't easy to find in my craft store (which, despite having a whole aisle of yarn, does not seem to carry a large variety of yarn weights and is overly excited about acrylic), and I quickly realized that knitting isn't exactly an inexpensive hobby.

I spent last night looking at knitting patterns online, and found one I am in love with. The pattern looks complicated, and says things like, "read from right to left as usual, work a purled 'seam' stitch (not included on chart) and then read from left to right for the second half." I've never knitted with two colors. I'm not sure how an Italian Tubular Cast-On works. The thought of holding out stitches for the thumb, only to work them back in, sounds a little terrifying. But I believe I can overcome all of those issues.

There is one thing that has me worried: I have yet to successfully use double pointed needles. I always end up with a stretched area between the stitches that sit on different needles. Also, my craft store doesn't even carry them in sizes small enough to be used with any "knit in the round" patterns I find.

Between the lack of appropriate needles and yarn, the potential scariness of the pattern doesn't matter much.

This is my question: Knitters, is there a great place to buy yarn and needles online that won't cost the equivalent of a small car? And once I find said place, which needles should I buy? Do you have a favorite brand, a preference of metal or bamboo, a secret way to make double pointed needles work correctly?

I want to get past this wall, but I am going to need some help to do it.

If you aren't a knitter, what is your favorite craft or hobby?

Almost at the halfway point of NaBloPoMo, and still feeling good about it.

12 comments:

  1. I soooooooo want to learn to knit! I'm a bit afraid that I won't be able to do it with my hands, but I still want to try. I have no helpful tips for you, I'm afraid. But I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next! Wishing you the best of luck in busting through that wall <3

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    1. Maybe if you worked on projects that call for a larger needle size it would be easier on your hands? I'm not sure. I wonder if crochet is easier, too? I find crochet to be incredibly confusing, but a lot of people love it.

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  2. I used to knit, but it's been a long time and you lost me somewhere around Italian Tubular Cast On. I just loved knitting. I need to take it back up again!! Hope someone can help you over that wall!! --Lisa

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    1. You should take it back up again.
      We could do an across-the-miles knitter's circle!

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  3. Bamboo needles are my favorite. I love how they warm up in my hands as I use them, the metal ones always seem to stay cold. I also like how smooth the bamboo needles are - they hold stitches really well, yet you can easily manipulate them for the more difficult patterns. I use JoAnn's Fabrics online for most of my supplies - I just wait for a good sale or the coupons to arrive in my e-mail before shopping. For fancier yarns, along with good tips and tricks, try KnitPicks.com And, um "Italian Tubular Cast On" sounds way dirtier than a knitting stitch name ought to sound. ;-)

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    1. I am definitely going to look at the bamboo needles. And I just peeked at JoAnn Fabrics, and it looks good. Thank you!! The KnitPicks site looks fun, too; lots of awesome yarn.

      I am now imagining all of the grandmotherly knitters out there waving good-bye to their husbands as they walk out the door saying, "I'm off to go learn to do Italian Tubular Cast Ons!" ;-)

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  4. I haven't progressed to knitting with double pointed needles yet but I say youtube the more complicated stitches. I do that now. It's amazing what tips on knitting you can find online.

    I like to buy my yarn at Hobby Lobby (with a 40% coupon) for my hats and scarves. I find the hobby lobby brand affordable (esp with the coupon) and soft. I don't like the stiffness of Red Yarn but I like acrylic yarns.

    I will also go to Joanns armed with online coupons printed from all of the local craft stores that sell yarn. Joann's takes competitor coupons. However, I only buy the yarn with the coupons when the yarn is *not* on sale. Coupons can't be used on sale items and the 40% off are much better than what the "sale" prices normally are.

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    1. Great couponing tips! Thank you. I didn't know JoAnn's accepted competitor coupons. That is fabulous. I need to check out the yarn aisle at Hobby Lobby. I haven't tried there yet.

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  5. Do you know Webs? www.yarn.com . Their headquarters are in my backyard. Legit... less than 10 min from my house. I'd be happy to help in anyway I can. Although I know zero about knitting.

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  6. Hi Tracie! Coming to you from #SITSSharefest. I don't know much about knitting (still watching YouTube tutorials to try to teach myself) but I do know about crafting in general. And I imagine crafting walls are about the same as knitting walls.

    The way I get out of them is to switch to another craft for a little bit. It helps keep my creative juices flowing and then I am often able to go back to my original project and finish it.

    I don't know if that will work for knitting-walls, but its worth a shot.

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  7. I prefer slicker needles, but others like bamboo if you tend to loose your stitches easily.
    With my bicep tendonitis, I haven't been able to knit anymore & it breaks my heart!

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  8. I used to crochet alongside my grandma when I was 9 or 10. That's like a cousin of knitting, right? I can see myself getting into knitting in the distant future. If I could take up a hobby similar - it would be sewing!

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