Advice on learning to sew and knit

[Shutsumon]

Knitting practice continues. Yesterday I purchased a knitting mag in hopes of more instuctions (hope fulfilled). However it also had a pattern for a shopping bag knitted from old t-shirts. Now having lost all this weight I have a lot of over-sized old t-shirts and this seems a far more fitting fate than being turned into dusters. The pattern looks simple enough (though it does involve increases and similar), so I purchased 20mm knitting needles at the haberdashery and craft shop near the bus station and as soon as the T-Shirts are dry (they'd been lying around and were grubby through simple time) I will commence with cutting them into yarn. Good prctice and only the cost of the knitting needles - plus recycling and an end produc that avoids needing carriers... seems quite Ish.

Should the bad be successful I will of course post photos.

[Berti]

how great!!! I would love if you could share the pattern.........this indeed is VERY ish and I guess other fabrics can be used as long as they are thin, aka, summerclothes or shirts (the buttoned kind).
hey waitaminute........I think I have something somewhere in a book for a crocheted one...........lemmesee........

berti

[prison break fan]

would love to have the bag pattern, either knitted or crochet. Thanks pbf

[the.fee.fairy]

There's a fibre artist caled Rachel Johswho knits things with GIGANTIC needles. Ive got a pair of her smaller ones and they're 2ft long, and 7cm round...

I've got loads of teeshirts that i want to make into a quilt, so i'm going to use the backs for cutting into yarn and make a bathroom mat out of them.

I saw a great denim bathmat made from old jeans and latchhooked through some burlap. Quite fancy giving that a go...then again, i also saw a pattern to make an orange slice bathmat too...

[sheena]

I have spoken to quite a few people who have all complained that the college courses offered on sewing/textiles are still far too advanced for them, perhaps approaching your local college and asking about a basic course or evening class may help.

I don't know if they have one in your area, but I have directed a lot of people to our local fabric and textile mill who have brilliant staff who will help you with everything that you need to know and they now offer this help on a regular basis - if you have anything like this it is worth approaching them as believe me they have met many people who haven't had a clue and within a short time became quite good at it.
The best way is to read about machines and how they work, you tube have a few links that may be of help, but in general the best way is to disect lots of bits and pieces to see how they are made and to practice whenever possible, just on simple things, napkins, pillowcases, sheets etc.

O.k. you might make a few mistakes along the way, but we've all done that at some point -Just take a deep breath, enjoy the learning process and hang on in there - You will pick it up and it will be worth while

[bryony]

Have you had a look for any informal knitting or sewing groups near you? I've just found out about a knitting group who meet in a pub near me once a month, it sounds friendly and far less formal than signing up for a class. well, I'll find out soon!

I can agree with the usefulness of youtube for tutorials, and have just got hold of debbie stoller's knitting book which looks fab for beginners' knitting.

Good luck, from one beginner to another!

x

[rockchick]

I've been trying to learn this stuff too - so far I have nearly managed to knit hat, scarf and mittens for my tiddllies. I have used online tutorials but found when I was actually sitting knitting I didn't want to be be tooing and froing to the PC (and OH got annoyed when I kept interupting him) so I invested in a Debbie Bliss book. Its got loads of excellent instructions and some nice projects, although not completely to my taste I think I could adapt. I also invested in the Sewing Book by Alison Smith which is currently on offer with the Book People. It has instructions for so many techniques that I don't know where to start, from basic seams to crazy tailoring stuff Luckily it also has some simpler projects which I will be trying as a starting point to test out my 'skills'

PS I know its not very ish to buy all these new books I have to see them as an investment. i trawled the charity shops for months and found nothing - I guess people hang on to this kind of book!

[Brij]

I found this site very useful http://www.learn2knit.co.uk/knitting.php

I googled 'beginner knitting pattern', stuff like that, and in combination with the info that site gave me, was creating my own designs within weeks.

Good luck!