Re: Knitting again

The thumb method also removes the necessity for knitting into the back of the stitch. That's the way I prefer to do it.

Btw, do you still buy yarn >> Make sure you knit into the BACJK of the stitch on your first row after

I knit into the back of the cast on stitch, like the look it gives but I read once that there are a zillion cast on methods, one wouldn't have thought it possible, but I guess it is.

Most of the specialty wools here come in skeins and people have these clever little machines that will wind it. I wind either by using a grandchild or the backs of two chairs lol

The yarn I have is split about 50/50 between balls and skeins. The wool and linen and hand-spun or hand-dyed yarns are usually skeined, while the cotton, bamboo, and silk are usually balled. But there are exceptions both ways.

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com WIP: Poppies (Art-Stitch), two knitted tops, Oriental Butterfly Most recently Finished: Floral Sampler, Insect Sampler

I was looking through some knitting mags (during the headache pre-fall asleep interludes). One of either Vogue knitting, or Interweave Knits had a large article on multiple cast-on methods - just from this past year.

I used to use the DH. But, after realizing that I tend to buy "interesting" wool that comes in hanks, skeins - it was too much. So, I bought a swift - the thing with the collapsible arms, that extend out to different diameters, and spins. Much easier, and quicker. I don't have a little ball winder - I'm happy enough doing that part myself. I do love the swift - it works like a charm. Some of the LYS have a set-up and will let you wind your balls, but the one I use the most doesn't (much to the chagrin of her staff). Got it when I realized what a PITA it was winding the Colinette yarn skeins - they do a terrible job of being sure their skeins are orderly

- and I actually had to return one of some lovely silk/wool after we spent about 2.5 hours trying to untangle it to wind.

Those are they - I'll stay with my method, if I use the chairs it makes entertainment for the cat lol

I'm with you. My mother used either me, my father or the back of chairs, as did my grandmother and if it was good enough for them, it's good enough for me. lol

Anyway, who has room for all those odd things.

Lu

I bought a skein of lovely fine, soft wool (forget what it was made of) a couple of years back. Actually Brat led me astray; she took me shopping in Mass.! Anyway, I just wound it the way I always had, over my own arms. It seemed as if there was miles of it; I knitted a lacy wide scarf for DH's stepmother, and still had a bunch left over. It really was a pleasure to knit with, but at the price I paid, it SHOULD have been good.

Gillian

I wanted to add that I mostly do the first line in purl instead of knit. Easier that way for me.

Lucille

If you've ever used a ball winder and swift, you'll make room for it. I was of your opinion until a friend let me try hers. Funny how I found both the cash and the room after that! LOL!

Elizabeth

I meant to thank you. Leading you astray has paid off for me, lol! I added that bit to the basket of yarns I've been gathering for my ruana where I'm sure it will look lovely.

As I recall, it was mid-priced so far as yarns go. I'm glad you had a good experience with it. I would have felt badly otherwise!

Elizabeth

That's why we call her Brat lolol

Your punishment for making Gillian spend all that money lol

If you've ever used a ball winder and swift, you'll make room for it. I was of your opinion until a friend let me try hers. Funny how I found both the cash and the room after that! LOL!

Elizabeth

I have used one but until Florida I lived in a small two bedroom apartment with no decent closet space and had my needlework supplies in a suitcase under the bed and a plastic tub on the bottom of the hall closet.

Lucille

I knitted with some alpaca recently that was skeined. Lovely stuff. I've been wishing for a swift though. I should put it on my Xmas list for next year. Dora

LOL - I did start out using the DH's hands, or various chairs. But, honestly, the swift collapses nicely (in diameter) and is so, so much faster. Plus, I think that DH really hated having to hold his hands out for me to wind wool. Mostly, I think that, and the fact that I tend to buy so much that is in skeins, it's paid off. It does, however, sit out most of the time on a side table in the sunroom. Puckster is fascinated as it twirls!

Ellice

I guess you've never met her, if you think that anyone ever MADE Gillian do anything, LOL!

Elizabeth

You need a ball winder *singsonging*

Elizabeth

Ahhhh come on Brat, dear! You and Sheena both know me in person, and you both realise I am just a pussycat!(still have claws, though)

As a New Year's Eve thought..... I am extremely thankful for the friends I have made here; and even more inasmuch as several I have met literally.

Family is nice, but friends are chosen!

Hugs to all

Gillian

Even when one knits in garter stitch, it is adviced to knit the 4-5 edge st, opposite to the rest of the work ,, mirjam