More knitting chat ...

[NotQuiteCockney]

Ok, new pictures, photobucket.com/albums/c176/NotQuiteCockney/?sc=6 . I like both new hats, although the photos are rubbish. (Am I not holding the camera still?)

Not sure what to do next, am slightly uninspired. Thinking about tubular knitting? DH has a colleague whose wife is having a baby, so I should do one for them ...

They're american and made of birch, very very smooth, nowhere near as expensive as lantern moon which is a plus, but am wondering if that's cos they're significantly worse, altho for £6 extra lantern moon must be seriously good!

This place seems to have a wide range of them, and one of the best prices i've found!

www.woollyworkshop.co.uk/acatalog/Brittany.html

Enjoy

they also do crochet hooks for those that dabble!

sorry, total lack of link maybe copy and paste? sorry!!

Hah, I knew you were living on borrowed time SueW You'll be on this thread every day before you know it... How is your dd, by the way?

Lulabell, I was addicted to Brittany Birch, and do still use them, but sadly Lantern Moon are really much better. Well, for me- I'm sure a lot depends on your knitting style and tension. They are much smoother and zippier somehow (although I think my Brittany ones are a bit worn, so that may be affecting my judgement). They are also pointier (is that a word??) so they're much better for lace patterns. They are also good from the POV of supporting a women's cooperative

Tamum she is doing very well now but it's still only three weeks post op and she was fine until two months post-op last time so I am not counting chickens...

I am beginning to believe that the knitting world is my oyster with my increasing understanding of terminology e.g. K1 tbl and yfwd etc. Couldn't 'Fake It' though as I continue to refer to my yarn as wool....

I'm keeping all my fingers crossed for her this time, SueW.

The whole knitting thing just sucks you in, doesn't it? I am now trying to knit a black beret for dd, as she has decided this is something she really wants. An unusual request for a pink mad 7 year old, but there you go

how hard is it to learn how to knit?

misdee- have we sucked you in?

Not that hard, I don't think, but I learnt when I was little so not the best person to ask. Fio would be good to talk to, she learnt recently, and so did NQC, but she's away at the moment. I can send you some yarn and needles if you want!

my mum says she can teach me if i get the stuff. theres a p[attern i have my eye on here which i have shown my mum and she says it looks easy enough if you know how to do it.

I learnt just before christmas and am now totally hooked. It's really not to hard if you put your mind to it and gets easier and easier. Would really recommend a book/website with nice clear illustrations if you dont have someone showing it all though, also handy for refreshing the memory

misdee, I have to say that wouldn't be a pattern I would choose for a new knitter, as I think dealing with stitch markers, circular needles and kitchener stitch are probably easier once you're used to straight needles and a bit of basic shaping. But if you've got your mother on hand to help then you could certainly try!

i'll start with a square then lol. i would like to knit those longies, but wont attempt till i get good lol.

Can someone tell me the diff between 10" and 14" needles? I accidently got some 10" brittany ones and so far actually really like them, but was wondering why there are two lengths. Thanks

Just that for larger knitting jobs the stitches are tighter bunched on shorter needles. That's all. I use 10" on public transport so as to not stab fellow commuters, although frankly I am sorely tempted to switch to 20" ones with razor sharp ends on some days
Ninja knitting - there is a market and it is London commuter trains.

I made the same mistake, Lulabell. They're great for sleeves, at least!

Marina

Lol Marina, I was thinking 10" must be more convenient on a train, but I havent done rush hour for a while

I'll carry on with them for now, at least I have an excuse to buy another pair

Thanks!

Aaargh!! I've just broken one of my new beautiful Brittany birch needles! A huge hardback reference book managed to jump on one that was sticking out of a ball of yarn and it's now split near the top. Have put selotape on it but feel like i'm going to cry (whines) "they were my best pair"

wanted to tell people who would understand, bf has no sympathy . that'll teach me to branch out from pony, oh well, i'll have to order another, better pair

Lantern moon needles intrigue me. HAte metal, love bamboo...but which wood is the nicest to knit with?

Message withdrawn

Oh Lulabell, nooooo The same thing happened to me actually, I think some of them must have some kind of weakness, like a fault line. You'll just have to go for you know what.... By the way, I was teasing on that thread- you know I couldn't care less whether you've got children or not, don't you?

mousiemousie, I would love to suggest you get several types of LM and try because they do 4 different types of wood, but FWIW I like ebony best though they are pretty similar generally. I also loathe metal, so we are clearly like-minded

Oh hurrah Pruni, well done (did you like my pathetic attempt at preserving your anonymity BTW?)

ooooh thanks tamum, will give ebony a try!

Message withdrawn

Pruni

Funnily enough ds says the same- he says it always gives him a "cosy feeling" when I'm knitting. Just as bloody well frankly...

mousiemousie, do report back won't you?

hi all - haven't seen this thread before, haven't been around much at all tbh

anyway, now I've found you....

just wanted to let Marina know I've finally finished the "lucky" cardi for DD2 which she kindly sent me the pattern for a long time ago now. It is truly lovely (even tho I say so myself)

I also blame (thank!)Droile and her blanket for getting me hooked again. It's great. Am now embroiled in a hat for DD1 on dpns which is great fun as I haven't done that before

went to a cast off knitting workshop at the fashion and textile museum a couple of weekends ago and learnt the dpn thing (also how to crochet which so have been making tonnes of little flowers as they are the only thing I can do at the moment)

am also hooked on needles and especially wooden ones - have got a few birch ones and lust after the lantern moons

buying up the vintage stock on ebay too as they just look so gorgeous (and are very cheap compared to LM - will prob never actually, you know, knit, with them though)

think that's my report for now

oh yes, visited Liberty knitting dept today for the first time. it was ok only - loads of Rowan and all the books etc - but so lovely to wander through liberty to get there, and looking at all the gorgeous fabric right next to the knitting dept makes me want to make a zillion knitted bags just so I can line them....

hey ho...gotta go, DD's hat is calling me....

Have finally been inspired to start again after reading this.For ages couldn't find anything I wanted to knit. Yesterday got wool and pattern for a fitted cardi thing and came home to find I didn't have big enough needles....So today zoomed into John Lewis (bamboo as good as they have and couldn't wait for delivery!) The joys of knitting with big needles- 9mm and 10mm- its zooming up after only an hour after dinner- at this rate it'll be done by next week. And dd already put order in for one for her( different colour tho' mum- noway am I dressing like you!)

So thank you all inspiriees