I have to admit, I have this fascination (I guess that's the right word) for making socks. I've made two pair using a loom - the Sock Loom 2, from Knitting Board. I've never needle knit socks, but from what I've seen the loom seems way easier. No messing around with 3 or 4 double point needles, etc. And making the heel/toe on a loom is pretty easy, just simple increases/decreases. I've only made them in one color so far, but my next pair I'm going to try to make with different color toe/heel. That will be a new one for me. I use size 1/fingerling sock yarn made out of Merino wool - takes forever, but man are they nice and soft.
Misc Let's get this room going again!
- Thread starter Melodi
- Start date
Do you know if that John Galt FL show is available some where ? I'd love to take a listen to that. I miss that show btw, I used to listen to that a lot, but don't remember your sock episode.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
I don't think it is still up there as even the station is gone, I'm still in touch with John on and off but he's busy doing things like his website but not interested in doing another version of his radio show.
That episode (I had 1/2 of an hour show) happened because John made what he thought was a total joke saying he was going to do a show on "Combat Knitting" having no idea there really was such a thing as combat knitting.
My presentation wasn't really so much about socks, although because of the blister/infection/death connection they showed one of the best reasons hand knitting was done for soldiers until the Korean War when the military decided it wanted regulation machine-made items.
But the history of "Combat Knitting" goes back at least to the introduction of knitting into Europe somewhere in late 1200 to early 1300s. Some of the items that survive from slightly later are a perfect knitting conquistador type helmet found somewhere in Europe - they think it was probably worn under a metal helmet to protect the wearer's head and guys I know in the SCA who wear helmets think the same thing when I used to show them the one I made.
There were lots of knit items on the Mary Rose Warships, this was the heyday of Manly Men making military caps for the British Navy on giant (carefully placed) knitting needles worn through a belt and er..a ..pointing downward.
When I was first married and living in Sweden, the US did ask hand knitters to start knitting for the troops again but as in WWII only in very specific colors and patterns and rather than socks, what they really wanted were things like ear muffs that were not part of the normal uniform but needed in cold weather. They also made a big deal about NOT knitting in other colors, that anything that wasn't sent to a specific soldier by a family member that was not regulation colors would be given away to local children and charities.
So basically, unless you were knitting it for your child or spouse (who were permitted to wear it off duty) stick to the color scheme or else.
Anyway, the show that started as a joke was a great deal of fun, I may still have my notes somewhere - I use part of them in the SCA (Middle Ages Club) but only mention the more recent history in passing. Again usually when talking about socks, because modern people just don't think about soldiers getting infected blisters from badly made socks and dying from it - but was a problem in the War Between the States and WWI.
That episode (I had 1/2 of an hour show) happened because John made what he thought was a total joke saying he was going to do a show on "Combat Knitting" having no idea there really was such a thing as combat knitting.
My presentation wasn't really so much about socks, although because of the blister/infection/death connection they showed one of the best reasons hand knitting was done for soldiers until the Korean War when the military decided it wanted regulation machine-made items.
But the history of "Combat Knitting" goes back at least to the introduction of knitting into Europe somewhere in late 1200 to early 1300s. Some of the items that survive from slightly later are a perfect knitting conquistador type helmet found somewhere in Europe - they think it was probably worn under a metal helmet to protect the wearer's head and guys I know in the SCA who wear helmets think the same thing when I used to show them the one I made.
There were lots of knit items on the Mary Rose Warships, this was the heyday of Manly Men making military caps for the British Navy on giant (carefully placed) knitting needles worn through a belt and er..a ..pointing downward.
When I was first married and living in Sweden, the US did ask hand knitters to start knitting for the troops again but as in WWII only in very specific colors and patterns and rather than socks, what they really wanted were things like ear muffs that were not part of the normal uniform but needed in cold weather. They also made a big deal about NOT knitting in other colors, that anything that wasn't sent to a specific soldier by a family member that was not regulation colors would be given away to local children and charities.
So basically, unless you were knitting it for your child or spouse (who were permitted to wear it off duty) stick to the color scheme or else.
Anyway, the show that started as a joke was a great deal of fun, I may still have my notes somewhere - I use part of them in the SCA (Middle Ages Club) but only mention the more recent history in passing. Again usually when talking about socks, because modern people just don't think about soldiers getting infected blisters from badly made socks and dying from it - but was a problem in the War Between the States and WWI.
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
Look up the “Knit your bit” campaign
I think I kind of hate you now....
Only because that is going to cause me to do SOOOO much research and copying/pasting... LOL. On the good side, I've probably got a lot of projects now lined up to try.
OK I've taken a few days to look at that and many other related pages/patterns/etc. I have saved off all kinds of .pdfs and bookmarked a lot of pages. It's kind of sad that I like the free patterns the Red Cross and other .orgs were recommending people make for World War I & II more than most modern patterns.
And like I said above... I have a whole big list of projects that I want to make now. I was just on Amazon and they had some pretty good deals on needles. I only have some old, straight needles, and these new projects are making me expand my "kit" as the Brits would say. An entire set of double point needles (made of bamboo), like 5 needles in each of the common sizes for a total of 75 needles for like $10 !! Also picked up one of those adjustable/interchangeable circular needle sets, by "Knit Picks" for what seemed a fair price. Both highly rated, so I hope they work out.
In making socks, how important is it to "block" them or whatever it's called after washing? Do you need to do that everytime? or just the first time after you make them? Also any recommendations on what products you use? I looked at some things on Amazon when looking at the needles and either the reviews were not that great, or they wouldn't be shipped until like end of Feb/March. I have a local yarn store, but it's a bit of a drive, so thought about going there and seeing if they had some.
And like I said above... I have a whole big list of projects that I want to make now. I was just on Amazon and they had some pretty good deals on needles. I only have some old, straight needles, and these new projects are making me expand my "kit" as the Brits would say. An entire set of double point needles (made of bamboo), like 5 needles in each of the common sizes for a total of 75 needles for like $10 !! Also picked up one of those adjustable/interchangeable circular needle sets, by "Knit Picks" for what seemed a fair price. Both highly rated, so I hope they work out.
In making socks, how important is it to "block" them or whatever it's called after washing? Do you need to do that everytime? or just the first time after you make them? Also any recommendations on what products you use? I looked at some things on Amazon when looking at the needles and either the reviews were not that great, or they wouldn't be shipped until like end of Feb/March. I have a local yarn store, but it's a bit of a drive, so thought about going there and seeing if they had some.
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Martinhouse
Deceased
Slydersan, when I bought my set of bamboo double point needles, the lady at the yarn shop told me to buy waxed paper and rub the needles real well with it as they had no type of finish applied to them when new..
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Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
I never block socks, just knit and wear. Some that I do are machine washable, and some are hand wash only, but I dont block after washing either. Just pull them on and wear! For hand washing I use kookaburra wool wash. I've also bought those dpn bamboo sets off amazon and so far have been happy with them. You can check online shops like The Woolery for dpn sets.
It's funny reading some of the reviews on Amazon, they said that their bamboo ones had some kind of finish on them that made the yarn stick a bit. So they took some fine sandpaper too them to take some of the finish off and make them smoother. LOL Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll have to see what type I get and go from there.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Hint: I've discovered that socks are much more likely to keep fitting well if there is ribbing or cabling used, especially for longer knee socks. This isn't always true, and I still make patterned socks with colorwork or socks without ribbing - but sometimes they felt (just from wearing) if they are 100 percent wool and that shrinks them over time.
So for starting out, I recommend doing something like K 3 P1 for two rows and then Knit all for two rows - there are lots of variations on this one - but that one just needs a cast on of a number you can divide by four which makes it easy.
You can get a different effect with the same cast on by doing K2 P2 for 2 rows and then just Knit two rows.
A lot of traditional European socks have a lot of colorwork on the calf and then start the ribbing underneath the colorwork band.
Ravelry is a great source of free socks patterns, one if the Vanilla Socks, I know there are "issues" with Ravelry but I refuse to let that stop me from using a free resource.
Knitting IS a prepping issue..
So for starting out, I recommend doing something like K 3 P1 for two rows and then Knit all for two rows - there are lots of variations on this one - but that one just needs a cast on of a number you can divide by four which makes it easy.
You can get a different effect with the same cast on by doing K2 P2 for 2 rows and then just Knit two rows.
A lot of traditional European socks have a lot of colorwork on the calf and then start the ribbing underneath the colorwork band.
Ravelry is a great source of free socks patterns, one if the Vanilla Socks, I know there are "issues" with Ravelry but I refuse to let that stop me from using a free resource.
Knitting IS a prepping issue..
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Such a not-so-closet-enabler, you are !!!!
I love how you, so subtly yet so definitively, gave the entire class not only permission, but marching orders, in that they immediately procure (if only an token quantity) flock of sheep, several angora goats, a few alpaca, small shed suitably furnished with comfortable caging for the impressive array of angora rabbits.....
....Full shop, set up with an overhead belt and pulley system (steam driven would be sooooo romantic) for the washing, picking, carding, spinning and winding equipment requisite to the industry......
Yeah.
You get the idea.
Loves me a savvy enabler, I do.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Found out this afternoon that JoAnn's is shuttering the majority of it's stores nationwide.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
So what I'm reading in various groups about Joann's is they're having a hard time getting products, surprise, surprise. Got fabric? Thread? Yarn? Needles?
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
I think the supply chain issues is really affecting a lot of places, I know Hobby Lobby was looking rather thin the last time I was in there and that was spring of 2021.
Yes, yes and yes! And while fabric prices are going nuts, JoAnns prices have BEEN nuts for years. I'm sure the internet fabric stores really hurt their business. I took advantage of the after Christmas sales and bought a bunch of "fancy" fabrics, to go with my very large stash of basics. Thank God I bought my cotton quilt fabrics and jersey knits long ago! If you search for "jersey knit" in the online sites, they're all synthetics!
Summerthyme
Melodi
Disaster Cat
I caution the class to do a lot of serious research and if possible talk to people who already have fiber animals like sheep, angora bunnies, goats, alpacas, and/or llamas. Norwegian Forest Cats and Symoyand dogs can also provide a lot of fiber, with Forest Cat does better with 25 percent wool but you can still buy pounds of that from wool outlets and card it up with the soft under-coat of the cats.
Samoyed fur can be spun and used as is, but as I learned from a professional, it can be too warm - for example, she only made vests, she got feedback that sweaters with sleeves got too warm even in Alaskan Winters (she was based in Colorado). But you could make a cape/blanket to pin on and take off if someone was overheating.
We had sheep our first few years here and while it can work for some people, we found the problems of fence jumping and a lack of shearers to be severe problems. When foot and mouth hit years ago I was in the hospital facing emergency surgery the next day and the cops called and said we had overnight to hunt the escapees down and shoot them or be fined 100,000 pounds! My husband and his former cop buddy from the US went home and went sheep hunting.
We then tried rabbits and have never managed to keep them alive very long, if things get seriously bad again I will try "Operation Rabbit" part 10 or 12, but with 18 cats and a lot of foxes and sometimes dogs - keeping everything secure is difficult. Also, fiber rabbits don't make good meat rabbits and vice versa, so you need to keep me than one strain if you goal if both fiber and food.
Now people with the right set up for a few sheep - good fencing, the right land, knowing all the right skills can do llamas or alpacas pretty easily at least one or two at a time. They will live with the sheep and fight out predators including stray dogs and coyotes.
In some areas look at nettle fibers (they are everywhere here), flax and even cotton may be alternatives though all are labor-intensive and you need to ret (rot) the nettle or flax which can get messy but many frontier homes in the US and cottages in Ireland had "retting ponds" for just this purpose.
My actual advice to the class is to get as much fiber and already made yarn NOW, while you still can without breaking the bank and storing it in big plastic tubs or other moth-proof areas. Sock Yarn which is usually 75 percent wool can still be pretty cheap and is useful for a lot of things besides just socks (including washable children's and baby clothing).
While I prefer to work in 100 percent wool yarns, the more common (and cheaper) 80 wool/20 polyester and even some of the 20 wool/80 polyester are better than nothing and very useful for some items like Fall/Spring Sweaters, blankets, children's clothing, Fall/Spring hats, etc.
Cotton yarns are useful for many items as well and are often on sale, at least over here - the problems are the factories in China are not shipping anymore (or in some cases producing) so the stocks may be limited.
Finally, polyester/man-made fiber yarns can be useful for some things like hot-water bottle covers, some baby clothing, bags for shopping (or gathering apples), knitting practice, cat toys, children's soft toys, and even adult clothing in a pinch though it will tend to stretch, pill and not be nearly as warm as wool.
If this is all the yarn you can get now, at least get some and practice, you can also use it along with wool (use two strands together) to make a warm but stronger fiber, which will be warm.
So, I'm not saying don't get fiber animals, this is the BEST LONG-TERM solution for those who can manage it and/or setting up trade relationships with a neighbor now (probably using cash at this point) so that if things go to pieces you have contacts you can barter or buy wool/other fibers from.
But again, I suggest first getting some well-prepared, commercial spinning wool, a set of carding combs, a drop spindle, and start to practice before getting supper invested.
I won't even get started on weaving in this post, but that's another useful prepping skill but I suspect it will come into play a bit later in a real collapse situation, as clothing and fabric run out and people realize the limits of knitting.
Everyone in a family who is able-bodied and over about six years of age can learn to knit, small loom weaving is the same way, but for production weaving, you need a full-sized loom and set up. A good investment for many families after sorting other things out and/or if someone already has a serious interest in it.
Samoyed fur can be spun and used as is, but as I learned from a professional, it can be too warm - for example, she only made vests, she got feedback that sweaters with sleeves got too warm even in Alaskan Winters (she was based in Colorado). But you could make a cape/blanket to pin on and take off if someone was overheating.
We had sheep our first few years here and while it can work for some people, we found the problems of fence jumping and a lack of shearers to be severe problems. When foot and mouth hit years ago I was in the hospital facing emergency surgery the next day and the cops called and said we had overnight to hunt the escapees down and shoot them or be fined 100,000 pounds! My husband and his former cop buddy from the US went home and went sheep hunting.
We then tried rabbits and have never managed to keep them alive very long, if things get seriously bad again I will try "Operation Rabbit" part 10 or 12, but with 18 cats and a lot of foxes and sometimes dogs - keeping everything secure is difficult. Also, fiber rabbits don't make good meat rabbits and vice versa, so you need to keep me than one strain if you goal if both fiber and food.
Now people with the right set up for a few sheep - good fencing, the right land, knowing all the right skills can do llamas or alpacas pretty easily at least one or two at a time. They will live with the sheep and fight out predators including stray dogs and coyotes.
In some areas look at nettle fibers (they are everywhere here), flax and even cotton may be alternatives though all are labor-intensive and you need to ret (rot) the nettle or flax which can get messy but many frontier homes in the US and cottages in Ireland had "retting ponds" for just this purpose.
My actual advice to the class is to get as much fiber and already made yarn NOW, while you still can without breaking the bank and storing it in big plastic tubs or other moth-proof areas. Sock Yarn which is usually 75 percent wool can still be pretty cheap and is useful for a lot of things besides just socks (including washable children's and baby clothing).
While I prefer to work in 100 percent wool yarns, the more common (and cheaper) 80 wool/20 polyester and even some of the 20 wool/80 polyester are better than nothing and very useful for some items like Fall/Spring Sweaters, blankets, children's clothing, Fall/Spring hats, etc.
Cotton yarns are useful for many items as well and are often on sale, at least over here - the problems are the factories in China are not shipping anymore (or in some cases producing) so the stocks may be limited.
Finally, polyester/man-made fiber yarns can be useful for some things like hot-water bottle covers, some baby clothing, bags for shopping (or gathering apples), knitting practice, cat toys, children's soft toys, and even adult clothing in a pinch though it will tend to stretch, pill and not be nearly as warm as wool.
If this is all the yarn you can get now, at least get some and practice, you can also use it along with wool (use two strands together) to make a warm but stronger fiber, which will be warm.
So, I'm not saying don't get fiber animals, this is the BEST LONG-TERM solution for those who can manage it and/or setting up trade relationships with a neighbor now (probably using cash at this point) so that if things go to pieces you have contacts you can barter or buy wool/other fibers from.
But again, I suggest first getting some well-prepared, commercial spinning wool, a set of carding combs, a drop spindle, and start to practice before getting supper invested.
I won't even get started on weaving in this post, but that's another useful prepping skill but I suspect it will come into play a bit later in a real collapse situation, as clothing and fabric run out and people realize the limits of knitting.
Everyone in a family who is able-bodied and over about six years of age can learn to knit, small loom weaving is the same way, but for production weaving, you need a full-sized loom and set up. A good investment for many families after sorting other things out and/or if someone already has a serious interest in it.
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Excellent bit of wisdom there, Melodi.
This is why small communities and tribes, and otherwise extended families in close proximity have done well, on earth, for millennia.
Nobody has to do it all.
Nobody has to know....it all.
No one has to tool up to the extreme, as each has their specialty while a generally impressive overview of self sufficiency is inherent in all.
If one flock suffers a hit, there are others to draw from.
And society attempts to make “independent” loners of all, through artificial technology......rendering all more dependent than any society or generation in history.
This is why small communities and tribes, and otherwise extended families in close proximity have done well, on earth, for millennia.
Nobody has to do it all.
Nobody has to know....it all.
No one has to tool up to the extreme, as each has their specialty while a generally impressive overview of self sufficiency is inherent in all.
If one flock suffers a hit, there are others to draw from.
And society attempts to make “independent” loners of all, through artificial technology......rendering all more dependent than any society or generation in history.
Hello, just found this room tonight and have enjoyed reading and seeing the pictures. I love to crochet, sew, and make all kinds of crafts. I haven’t tried to knit since I was a kid. I tried to teach myself from some book I checked out of the library and could not get that last stitch to come off the needle. After numerous attempts I gave up and never tried again. Maybe I will try it again after reading/seeing all of your posts. My mom and all of my aunts and neighborhood ladies crocheted so I had plenty of teachers for that so I just stuck with the crocheting and love it. I had my sewing room so well organized until this past fall and Christmas when I bought of lot of craft supplies and just carried the bags into the room and left them because of decorating and getting ready for Christmas. So tomorrow I am going to get in there and get it organized again. I was so proud of myself last winter when I had everything organized, fabrics sorted and stacked by themes/colors, and had labeled all the containers with their contents. It won’t take me as long to get things sorted as it did back then. I certainly hate to hear they are closing some of the JoAnn‘s. I was in a JoAnn’s near me last week and they were better stocked than they had been since the pandemic started. I was actually kind of shocked to see they had so much. I bought a couple of new crochet books last week with some new baby shoe patterns and baby afghans I want to try. So, after I clean my room, I can crochet with a clean conscience.
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Organized.
Did I honestly just hear somebody say, “organized”, in a fiber thread ?
Can we cyber-wash out offending fiber artist’s mouths when they are so disrespectful of the queen’s English ?
organized
I mean, how are the rest of us supposed to feel when somebody bandies about that word, let alone the inescapable painful mental images conjured.... ?
Otherwise, welcome to the thread, Shotsie !!
Did I honestly just hear somebody say, “organized”, in a fiber thread ?
Can we cyber-wash out offending fiber artist’s mouths when they are so disrespectful of the queen’s English ?
organized
I mean, how are the rest of us supposed to feel when somebody bandies about that word, let alone the inescapable painful mental images conjured.... ?
Otherwise, welcome to the thread, Shotsie !!
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
I know not the definition of organized.
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
It is akin to “measured”, or “disciplined”, as pertains to a fiber artist’s purchasing tendencies, when the wallet is full and one is presented with an overwhelming quantity of particularly appealing qualities, varieties and/or textures of fiber, ranging from raw to finished.
Mere oxymoron nonsense.
That is all.
I thought you all might be interested in this video tour of dh's step-brother's place, Songbird Farm, featuring their wool production. He and his wife retired a couple of years ago when their autistic son aged out of the programs he was involved in, and moved from New Jersey to Berkeley Springs WV to give him a rich life working at what he loves. Their combined skills are creating a beautiful homestead.
"We were asked by the WV Dept. of Ag. to create a video on small scale wool production for their homesteading series. It's not a masterpiece but I thought I would share it the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1R5OaIfKi8
I've noticed that on some devices the subtitles automatically appear - the translation isn't very good, be warned
....This was a quick, off the cuff , production, no script, in 15 degree weather. None the less I think we got our process across."
Run time 11:13
The farm's Facebook page showing some of the lovely things she makes: Songbird Farm
"We were asked by the WV Dept. of Ag. to create a video on small scale wool production for their homesteading series. It's not a masterpiece but I thought I would share it the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1R5OaIfKi8
I've noticed that on some devices the subtitles automatically appear - the translation isn't very good, be warned
Run time 11:13
The farm's Facebook page showing some of the lovely things she makes: Songbird Farm
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If you can, I'd recommend Youtube videos or something similar for your knitting problem. I'd be willing to wager that there is a video for any problem you can think of. I was trying to cast on with something a book was calling the "double cast on" they had pictures, etc. I tried for about an hour and it just wasn't turning out right. I went to Youtube and figured out the part I was missing and was cast on and ready to go in about 10 minutes. I just learned to knit and my mom was laughing while she watched me - she said I make the needles "wiggle". I have no idea what she means, and she couldn't really explain it. But then she's been knitting for like 60+ years and can do certain patterns without even looking.
Or... just do what you like to do, crochet, and save yourself the frustration!
Thank you. I think I may get some needles and give it another try. I know there are a lot of YouTube videos out there and I just need to find the right one. When I tried to learn from that book I was around 12 years old. Now that I am many, many years older I should be able to grasp how to cast on the correct way a little easier, especially with a video.If you can, I'd recommend Youtube videos or something similar for your knitting problem. I'd be willing to wager that there is a video for any problem you can think of. I was trying to cast on with something a book was calling the "double cast on" they had pictures, etc. I tried for about an hour and it just wasn't turning out right. I went to Youtube and figured out the part I was missing and was cast on and ready to go in about 10 minutes. I just learned to knit and my mom was laughing while she watched me - she said I make the needles "wiggle". I have no idea what she means, and she couldn't really explain it. But then she's been knitting for like 60+ years and can do certain patterns without even looking.
Or... just do what you like to do, crochet, and save yourself the frustration!
Melodi
Disaster Cat
YouTube and the pictures in an old book you can still get in reprinted editions called:
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman.
I have trouble learning ANYTHING from books and illustrations but those I could follow - I mean I knew a basic garter stitch when I got my copy nearly 30 years ago but I was hopeless at pearl, keeping the right number of stitches on a needle and in absolute terror of cables or colorwork.
If you are left-handed there are some great videos about that one too, usually, I just end up teaching people to knit with both hands anyway because colorwork is a lot easier to do with both hands than with one.
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman.
I have trouble learning ANYTHING from books and illustrations but those I could follow - I mean I knew a basic garter stitch when I got my copy nearly 30 years ago but I was hopeless at pearl, keeping the right number of stitches on a needle and in absolute terror of cables or colorwork.
If you are left-handed there are some great videos about that one too, usually, I just end up teaching people to knit with both hands anyway because colorwork is a lot easier to do with both hands than with one.
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes: Zimmermann, Elizabeth: 0787721884224: Amazon.com: Books
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes [Zimmermann, Elizabeth] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes
www.amazon.com
Thank you for recommending it. I just placed an order for it on Amazon. Between this and YouTube I should be able to learn how. I have a couple of ongoing crocheting projects right now that I need to finish and then I am going to give it a try.YouTube and the pictures in an old book you can still get in reprinted editions called:
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman.
I have trouble learning ANYTHING from books and illustrations but those I could follow - I mean I knew a basic garter stitch when I got my copy nearly 30 years ago but I was hopeless at pearl, keeping the right number of stitches on a needle and in absolute terror of cables or colorwork.
If you are left-handed there are some great videos about that one too, usually, I just end up teaching people to knit with both hands anyway because colorwork is a lot easier to do with both hands than with one.
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes: Zimmermann, Elizabeth: 0787721884224: Amazon.com: Books
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes [Zimmermann, Elizabeth] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizeswww.amazon.com
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Great that you are getting it - I've always said that every prepping family should have a copy of that book and one of A Knitters Handy Book of Patterns - Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges by Ann Budd.
That, a few pairs of knitting needles in various sizes (even better a set of circular needles) a few double pointed sets, and some yarn laying around (maybe with a crochet hook or three) can not only be the start of a great hobby for someone in the family but as I've said before a really seriously useful skill.
In reality, ALL the Elizabeth Zimmerman books are fantastic and worth collecting, including the two published by School House press since she passed away - collected patterns by her daughter in one case and the first few years of her knitting newsletter in the other.
But if you can only afford two books, get the two above - I only had to read to the right to get my well-worn copy of a Knitters Handy Book of Pattern I've had for like 20 years or so - (I got it when it first came out). It has every basic thing most people need - socks, hats, mittens, gloves, vests, caps, and a couple of simple sweaters. I like her sweater pattern books too but I don't use them nearly as much.
What pattern that are not in there, are usually someone in the EZ (Elizabeth Zimmerman books) from baby "longies" (trousers and sweater sets) to shawls, Christmas Tree orinments, Nordic ski sweaters, socks with replaceable soles, all kinds of stuff.
In other news, our internet continues sadly to be on and off - it wasn't really "fixed" they just thought they did - the old phone line isn't working when it rains - they will send someone else out - meanwhile I got my knee socks to the point of turning the heal and starting on the foot listening to podcasts downloads today when it was raining..
That, a few pairs of knitting needles in various sizes (even better a set of circular needles) a few double pointed sets, and some yarn laying around (maybe with a crochet hook or three) can not only be the start of a great hobby for someone in the family but as I've said before a really seriously useful skill.
In reality, ALL the Elizabeth Zimmerman books are fantastic and worth collecting, including the two published by School House press since she passed away - collected patterns by her daughter in one case and the first few years of her knitting newsletter in the other.
But if you can only afford two books, get the two above - I only had to read to the right to get my well-worn copy of a Knitters Handy Book of Pattern I've had for like 20 years or so - (I got it when it first came out). It has every basic thing most people need - socks, hats, mittens, gloves, vests, caps, and a couple of simple sweaters. I like her sweater pattern books too but I don't use them nearly as much.
What pattern that are not in there, are usually someone in the EZ (Elizabeth Zimmerman books) from baby "longies" (trousers and sweater sets) to shawls, Christmas Tree orinments, Nordic ski sweaters, socks with replaceable soles, all kinds of stuff.
In other news, our internet continues sadly to be on and off - it wasn't really "fixed" they just thought they did - the old phone line isn't working when it rains - they will send someone else out - meanwhile I got my knee socks to the point of turning the heal and starting on the foot listening to podcasts downloads today when it was raining..
I hate it when the internet isn’t working properly or so slow it takes forever to log on. When we got the internet there were no internet providers in our area so we got the Verizon Hot Spot. While it is slows after it reaches 15 GB of use, it is only $20 a month. Right now we are at 39GB and it is doing just fine. We don’t need it for work, no school age children, etc. so it meets our needs. When I find a pattern I really like I print it out to make sure I have all of it when I need it and I am not able to get on line as quickly as I would like. Glad you have your socks at a point where you can continue working on them.
Thanks for the info on the other books. I saw several listed by the author when I went to Amazon to purchase this one but I didn’t look at them in detail. I will check them out after I get the first one. I plan to go shopping this weekend and will pick up some needles. Having the crochet hooks is no problem. I have all sizes and types of those as well as a large assortment of yarn.
MissionBend
Contributing Member
I have plenty of knitting needles I have caught on sale (circular, bamboo and regular) even though I don't know how to pearl (but my yarn is mostly red heart 4 ply) BUT I did finally find the one specific skein in the color I needed to finish my granddaughters mile a minute afghan throw I over started 15 yrs ago.
I found it on ebay and where I normally would pay $2.50 for a pounder skein this wound up being $9 bucks plus shipping! But come to find out this color was last produced in 2010 No wonder I couldn't find any more!
sigh I am off to Ebay to look for sock yarn to jump into. This is going to be interesting~
I found it on ebay and where I normally would pay $2.50 for a pounder skein this wound up being $9 bucks plus shipping! But come to find out this color was last produced in 2010 No wonder I couldn't find any more!
sigh I am off to Ebay to look for sock yarn to jump into. This is going to be interesting~
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
The videos you want to look for are:
Casting on
Casting off.
Finishing a knitted piece
Thanks. I will check those out as well.
O2BNOK
Veteran Member
I dedicated this month to 
clearing out a box of UFOs. Two finished tops are now quilted and bound! And it's not even the middle of the month. I may get to start something new very soon!!
The first finish is a bargello (I think the pattern is called Past Tense) that I started in 2017. Had the center portion finished and borders cut but not applied. When I dug it out of it's box I decided I didn't like the border fabric and found another that I did like. Thought there would be enough left over to bind, but was in error. oh well. Done is better than perfect.
clearing out a box of UFOs. Two finished tops are now quilted and bound! And it's not even the middle of the month. I may get to start something new very soon!!The first finish is a bargello (I think the pattern is called Past Tense) that I started in 2017. Had the center portion finished and borders cut but not applied. When I dug it out of it's box I decided I didn't like the border fabric and found another that I did like. Thought there would be enough left over to bind, but was in error. oh well. Done is better than perfect.
O2BNOK
Veteran Member
The second to finish was a nine patch boogie. I started in January 2020 making 10 nine patch blocks each Monday. A bit over a year later I had all my blocks made and was ready to put it together. It's been in the UFO box since July of 2021. Completely finished yesterday. Yay!! Just a few more and I can start something new!!
Oh, how beautiful! I love bargello... the look, but not really the process. I've 9nly made one, a 30"x40" wall hanging in blues and greens. It ended up looking like an abstract scene with mountains and meadows... really cool. My daughter kept admiring it, so I gave it to her for her birthday.
Summerthyme
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MissionBend
Contributing Member
Oh these quilts are gorgeous! They are very beautiful~
Melodi
Disaster Cat
My cousin is the one who is a master quilter, she now judges at the Washington State Fair after years of winning - I've never really tried it but those are lovely!
Knee socks are done, I now have the perfect fit for my foot! At least with sock yarn, it only took 27 years to figure out lol. I'm very short - 12 inches is a knee sock or 14 if I use the 1940s "school child's knee sock" idea and knit a four-inch cuff, fold it over and sew it down then add heavier elastic to it. My legs are also someone like a kid and even garters fall off.
If you are old enough to remember the horrors of "nylons" that were supposed to stay up over or at the knee, well mine never did, it was pretty terrible when I was a teenager (or a waitress).
No pictures yet, our net is working this morning but it isn't "fixed" yet, it simply isn't raining so the phone line is dry we are still waiting for an engineer.
Now that I have the exact numbers of stitches for my "usual" and related patterns, I can do some educated guesses for the heavier yarns or sock yarn/wool yarn combinations I like for Winter. I do think I need to go back to reinforce the heel and toe with sewing thread (polyester or really hard cotton/silk) because I've noticed some of the ones I made last year already need repair. So while the sock yarns are up to 25 percent synthetic fiber it isn't enough for serious wear on the heels and toes at least not alone.
I suspect a lot of younger people are not as "hard" on socks as I am (or other folks living in the countryside are) mine also go in a wool wash (but are air-dried) which isn't ideal but I simply don't have time to hand wash socks I'm wearing all the time.
What are my "perfect" measurements
Start with 80 stitches and use size 0 needles
After ribbing and using: Row 1 and 2 knit all/Row 3 and 4 Knit 3 Pearl 1 repeat
decrease 2 stitches every few rows as you feel like it (I decrease on knit/pearl rows) until you have 64 stitches.
Then finish sock with 64 stitches (on this pair I divided evening for the heal, you need at least 2/3rds of the stitches for a heal).
I decrease down the back - I like using double pointed needles but this works on two long circulars as well - just use a marker for the "back" of the socks for decreasing.
Note I am a very loose knitter, I can make these socks on a size 1 needle, and sometimes I do, but the fit is better with my size 0s using one strand of sock yarn.
Knee socks are done, I now have the perfect fit for my foot! At least with sock yarn, it only took 27 years to figure out lol. I'm very short - 12 inches is a knee sock or 14 if I use the 1940s "school child's knee sock" idea and knit a four-inch cuff, fold it over and sew it down then add heavier elastic to it. My legs are also someone like a kid and even garters fall off.
If you are old enough to remember the horrors of "nylons" that were supposed to stay up over or at the knee, well mine never did, it was pretty terrible when I was a teenager (or a waitress).
No pictures yet, our net is working this morning but it isn't "fixed" yet, it simply isn't raining so the phone line is dry we are still waiting for an engineer.
Now that I have the exact numbers of stitches for my "usual" and related patterns, I can do some educated guesses for the heavier yarns or sock yarn/wool yarn combinations I like for Winter. I do think I need to go back to reinforce the heel and toe with sewing thread (polyester or really hard cotton/silk) because I've noticed some of the ones I made last year already need repair. So while the sock yarns are up to 25 percent synthetic fiber it isn't enough for serious wear on the heels and toes at least not alone.
I suspect a lot of younger people are not as "hard" on socks as I am (or other folks living in the countryside are) mine also go in a wool wash (but are air-dried) which isn't ideal but I simply don't have time to hand wash socks I'm wearing all the time.
What are my "perfect" measurements
Start with 80 stitches and use size 0 needles
After ribbing and using: Row 1 and 2 knit all/Row 3 and 4 Knit 3 Pearl 1 repeat
decrease 2 stitches every few rows as you feel like it (I decrease on knit/pearl rows) until you have 64 stitches.
Then finish sock with 64 stitches (on this pair I divided evening for the heal, you need at least 2/3rds of the stitches for a heal).
I decrease down the back - I like using double pointed needles but this works on two long circulars as well - just use a marker for the "back" of the socks for decreasing.
Note I am a very loose knitter, I can make these socks on a size 1 needle, and sometimes I do, but the fit is better with my size 0s using one strand of sock yarn.
O2BNOK
Veteran Member
Thank you, Ladies. I am very proud of them. Always ticks me off ever so slightly when I show a finish to my husband and he says, "sell it." It's nice to read, "that's beautiful" instead.
Our local quilt shop recently closed and with it my part time job. so I'll likely be doing a lot more quilting for myself, less for the shop, and hopefully the regular quilting customers keep coming.
Our local quilt shop recently closed and with it my part time job. so I'll likely be doing a lot more quilting for myself, less for the shop, and hopefully the regular quilting customers keep coming.