K is for Knitting

A – Z challenge for today is “K”

Hmm this has been another hard one for me. I have come up with knitting.

My Mum was a very good knitter. A very prolific knitter too. She always had something on the go and knitted all our jumpers and cardigans when we were small.

She also got much joy out of knitting for her Grandchildren too. It was very sad when she finally stopped. It was some while before the Alzheimers really set in but I think in part it was because she found it harder to follow a pattern and that may well have been because of the disease.

My sister is also an extremely good knitter. She has produced some beautiful things. She is currently knitting for her new Grandson. I don't actually remember, but I assume that it was Mum who taught her.

I can remember Mum trying to teach me. She wasn't that patient with me! Thinking about it, I guess I get my lack of patience from her. Anyway, it didn't go that well. I did manage to knit a small red teddy bear in plain garter stitch to get my Brownie badge.

Over my late teenage years I did also knit a much larger teddy who I still have and when I first knew Simon I knitted him a jumper and a cardigan. If I remember the jumper turned out very large and he only ever wore it a couple of times. The cardigan was a belted affair and I think it came out OK but it wasn’t really him. He wore it about twice!

I had another go when I was expecting Sam and knitted some bootees. Then when I was expecting Saskia (my 4^th) I knitted a couple of matinee jackets and some bonnets that were fairly successful.

Then it came to a stop. Until around a year back when I decided that I wanted to try a different craft each month. I decided to try knitting first as I would so much like to be able to master this.

Over the year I have knitted a few things. I started out with simple garter stitch squares which have since been sewn up to make a blanket which Beanie now has. It isn't very good but he likes it! Sewing up is even harder than the knitting!

Then I made a garter stitch, cross over, 50's style, neck scarf. It was OK, but would have been way better if I had used the correct wool. I was just using up oddments that I had from somewhere.

Then I appealed to some Etsy friends for easy starter patterns. My friend Spinning kindly sent me a kit so that I could test it for her. It was for fingerless gloves.

My friend Liz has a brilliant pattern for beginners, one which you can find here: Mad Mum Knits  I purchased it from her and I made myself the whole set which I was very pleased with. Excuse me with my eyes closed!

I have also made Simon 2 cowls and the gloves and I made all the girls gloves for their Snowman present at Christmas. Please note, two of them have them on the wrong hands so you can see the seams!!  Silly girls. Doesn't matter much though as I know one of them will never have worn them anyway!

I am quite good at this pattern now!

Unfortunately that is as far as I have progressed. I like using the chunky wool as it grows quite quickly. I need to find an easy pattern for something that isn't a scarf or gloves as I think we have enough now!

Do you knit? Who taught you? What is the best thing you have done?

Jilly

Photo 365 - 28

I'm still knitting! I have now completed 10 garter stitch squares so a blanket for Loulou might be a possibility eventually.  More exciting than squares I am now knitting with the lovely chunky wool on very big chunky needles.  Both new experiences for me.

I have already completed half of a mitten and the headband. I am waiting for some big eyed sewing needles that I have ordered so that I can stitch the headband together.  I am also waiting on a visit from Denise to show me how to pick up the stitches around the thumb on the mitten so that I can finish it.  I have never had to do that before and although I think I might have it straight in my head, I am not sure and don't want to mess it up.

So today, while I am waiting, I started on the cowl.  I think it is about half way there as it has to measure 20 inches in total.  I am really pleased with it so far although the loose edge bothers me slightly.  The wool is gorgeously soft and because the pattern has rows that are sort of open with big loops I think it will be very warm.

Photo 365 - 23

A very quick one for today.  I am still busy learning how to knit.  I have ordered some lovely chunky wool and some big needles to do a scarf and cowl.  While I am waiting I have been continuing to knit the garter stitch squares.

Here are my latest 4. I am using up scraps.  I have done 8 now so maybe sewing them together into a blanket for Loulou isn't such a pipe dream.  Only need to do about another 40!

Photo 365 -19

A quick one today as I have been busy.  This is what I have been working on today.

Anyone want to guess what it is (hopefully) going to be?