Shortie Cardigan

[mrsflibble]

some kind, wonderful person *ahem*russiandoll*ahem* gave me a bag containing 8 balls of mohair yarn. I thought I'd put some of it to good use.

it's a shortie cardi because I hadn't got the patience to continue the lace pattern!!! I might continue it at some point, but it didn't look right as a bolero so that's why I started adding the lace... I didn't use a pattern.

[Sally Jane]

Ooh, pretty! You are clever!

[becks77]

you are clever thats really good

[snapdragon]

thats Lovely - she looks so cute

[rockchick]

that's brilliant, my knitting is such a long way from producing anything frilly, nevermind creating my own patterns!

[mrsflibble]

that's brilliant, my knitting is such a long way from producing anything frilly, nevermind creating my own patterns!

I can't knit, i don't have the co ordination but for some reason crochet came naturally to me. it was done on a size 5 hook.

[JulieSherris]

That's pretty, Mrs F... and she looks lovely in it too.

You'll really havta learn to knit, you know.
Hey, keep your eye out for 'Stitch & Bitch - The Knitter's Handbook'.

I was rifling thru a copy the other day & it really is good for beginners - right down to the best way of holding your needles & different variations of holding the yarn too!
I tried the continental way when I got home, but nope, too hard for me!! (And I've been knitting for 30-odd years, taught by an expert)

It also has all the explanations about how to substitute different yarns into specific patterns & the rules on designing your own - a fab little book!

Julie

[the.fee.fairy]

That does look pretty, and warm!

I agree with the suggestion to look for the Stitch and Bitch books. Debbie Stoller also wrote The Happy Hooker, which taught me to crochet. They are really easy to follow books.

[SarahJane]

You are so talented! I wish I could knit.

[hippy chick]

That's fab. I can't knit, and my crochet could be muched improved. My mum however has a friend who knits and has knitted a few things on my behalf yey. I'm much more confident behind a sewing machine than a knitting needle!

[Shabba]

thats a really gorgeous cardigan! I really envy people who can knit. I can do straight knitting but can't seem to get the hang of other types of stitches, not even simple purl. I think its because I'm left handed. My mum can knit really well but she's right handed so she finds it hard to teach me as she has to reverse everything. And I find it really difficult to understand diagrams in books of how to do different stitches. I get on better being shown how to do it but I need a left-handed teacher. I tried to learn crochet out of a book too and ended up hurling it across the room in a fit of temper! I don't have much patience!

[JulieSherris]

Shabba, have a look for the Stitch & Bitch book as well - it gives instructions for continental knitting, where you hold the yarn in your left hand & she also gives tips for left handed knitting too.

My granddaughter is a leftie also - we regularly check out anythinglefthanded.co.uk & have found loads of things on there for her, as well as tips & tricks for the future. I even got a cool little programme that swops the mouse buttons with 1 click for her - if only I can find a mini mouse for her little hands!

Julie

[MuddyWitch]

Shabba,

My Grandmother was a leftie & learnt to knit (and loads of other things) by watching her Mum...in a mirror! She made loads of stuff for us when we were kids. Not sure if you could adapt patterns though, 'cos she never used one.

MW

[Green Aura]

I'm left-handed Shabba and I knit right-handed. Doesn't seem to pose any problems for me - it was just the way I learned. Same with crochet. My aunt taught me when I was a child and never gave any thought to which way round I should do it.

[snapdragon]

I learned at school in the first year of Primary (whatever that's called these days)
never got good and still slow but circular needles are a boon
Crochet goes much quicker but uses more yarn per inch