| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
SusanT
Seriously Hooked
950 Posts |
 Posted - 03/24/2004 : 5:45:28 PM
|
I've had some people at work ask me to teach them how to knit but I'm having trouble coming up with beginner projects appropriate for spring and summer. I don't like working with wool in the heat of summer.
Any deas |
|
|
draymer
Permanent Resident
USA
1481 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 6:02:12 PM
|
I think cotton is too hard for a beginner, so I would use a blend that has some elasticity. With novelty yarns, it is kind of hard to see your stitches, and I don't think that is good for beginners, either. As for patterns, I am drawing a blank.
Debra |
 |
|
|
jjporep@hotmail.com
Chatty Knitter
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 6:17:59 PM
|
| How about a wrap with sports or baby weight yarns. They could make the long rectangle style with a basic stitch. I made one as a gift for a friend and she uses it at night. At least they'd get use to knitting without spending alot of money on supplies. |
|
|
|
Little Kitty
Chatty Knitter
255 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 6:23:46 PM
|
What about a little purse? The VK To Go Purses & Backpacks book has several easy patterns. I also remember a purse/wallet from Melanie Falick's Kids Knitting that looked quick and easy in garter stitch with an i-cord. A thick cotton blend would work well.
~~ Lynette ~~ |
|
|
|
Josh A.
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
561 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 01:43:26 AM
|
I know you said you don't like working with wool, but what about felted bags? You get to knit 'em lose, they're forgiving of errors, you can do 'em in fun summery colors, etc.
Josh A.
N. California -> Rochester, NY |
|
|
|
kimkrafty
Permanent Resident
USA
2145 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 07:42:51 AM
|
All cotton yarns aren't hard to work with.
You may want to check out a few reviews that Clara has done and also over at www.wiseneedle.com
Some are softer than others, some have a little sheen to them, and some are blends which can help give the yarn more elasticity.
Kimberly, kniting in VA
WIP: 4 FO: 0
Finished Patchworks Squares: 7 |
|
|
|
Cowstruck
Chatty Knitter
149 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 2:00:45 PM
|
I bought a skein of Cascade Sierra (80% cotton, 20% wool) yesterday and have been swatching with it. It's very smooth and the gauge is 4.5-5 st/inch so the stitches are easy to see and it knits up relatively fast. It's got some give to it and (I'm told) it will keep it's shape better than 100% cotton.
It's very soft and not at all wooly feeling. I think it would make a lovely tank top or T-shirt-style sweater.
Sarah |
|
|
|
tess1e
Seriously Hooked
United Kingdom
627 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 4:11:40 PM
|
I agree with Sarah - I'd go for a wool/cotton mix and make a tank top - there are lots of lovely simple patterns out there and it's not too hard - if you wanted something smaller my vote is with Josh's bag.
www.yarn-shop.co.uk |
|
|
|
GaiaDea
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 01:42:38 AM
|
My first project was a scarf--to make one for summer, use a fingering weight yarn and big needles, make it wider and call it a stole! It will go really fast, isn't difficult to learn (just knit one row, purl the next!) can be customized for size and style, and can be made with any fiber as it will be really lacy. I would use at least a US size 10, if not bigger. You can also see what you are doing while you learn!
Other than that, I like Josh's bag too!
Trish |
|
|
|
GaiaDea
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 01:44:09 AM
|
Oops! Sorry jjporep, you already posted that! My bad!!!
Trish |
|
|
|
Julie914
Gabber Extraordinaire
481 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 2:46:08 PM
|
Brown sheep does two weights of cotton wool blend. Cotton Fleece is, I think worsted weight and Cotton fine is fingering weight. They're both really nice to work with. Linen's rough to knit originally, but you can run that stuff through the washing machine on 'destroy' setting and it'll just soften up. I'm using Reynolds Saucy Sport which is cotton and it handles nicely. I think what gives cotton a bad rep are the heavier yarns. The light stuff seems nice enough.
Julie, who lives in Hawaii and uses a lot of cotton. :)
I'd try recreational drugs, but they'd cut into my yarn budget. |
|
|
|
jjporep@hotmail.com
Chatty Knitter
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 7:42:16 PM
|
| Trish--it just proves great minds think a like. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
