Knitters and Crocheters: Post-Apocolyptic Life Skills Group Meets Here!

[DoubleNegativePanda]

I've though Mumsnet needed a "yarn group" rolling thread, and now I'm tired of thinking it so I'm doing it. Share your projects, ask for help, show us amazing new stitches you just learned or post your disasters for commiseration before frogging the whole thing!

First things first, do you knit, crochet or both? And because we all need to share the dirty laundry in our yarn bags...how many WIPs do you have going?

I've knitted for three years but crocheted for about 30. I've got:

-A knitted scarf for myself Scarf Pattern
-One knitted sock done for myself (but I hated the pattern so much I doubt I'll do the second one) I heavily modified a pattern and it didn't work out well.
-One knitted sock for DD (but I will finish those, they're just on the back burner) DD's Socks Pattern
-A half done crocheted scarf for my BIL (I'm going to finish that one on a plane next week) Not using a pattern...he wants super simple so that's what he's getting.
-And 1.5 of fingerless mitts that a friend asked me to make Fingerless Mitts Pattern

That's kind of sick and insane when I put it out there. I jump from piece to piece a lot. I'm at work (I know, I know) but I'll post a pic of the mitts when I get home. I'm feverishly trying to finish those.

Love this thread & the shared enthusiasm Thanks for starting op. Cannot crochet for the life of me (grrr) but can sometimes knit. Squares. In total awe of all your projects.

@QueenOfOversharing sorry to hear that, poor mental health is so crap. You've made 3 of those hats?! Wow. If it's simple, please can you share the pattern. You know, just in case I develop brains & co-ordination

@CourtOfProtection it really is - I am by no means a proficient knitter! I knit it on circular needles & it's easy.

It would be lovely to see if anyone else tries it. I did two in this really bright orange/pink - one for my closest friend who died in July (so it's bittersweet knitting another one).

I can attach the pattern, but it's copyrighted - is that a huge no no???

I'd love to join! Signed up for a beginner's crochet class on my birthday this year and have since been able to crochet for the Woolly Hugs crew. I've bought a few books so have taught myself some new stitches, but still not so confident.

I've got tonnes of yarn (don't like paying postage at Wool Warehouse so I spend over £25 when I place an order ). I'm making blankets for the local animal rescue at the moment, just granny squares of 35 rounds each! Here is my first attempt, and I finished the second yesterday.

I can attach the pattern, but it's copyrighted - is that a huge no no???

Yes, that's a huge no no.

zucchinicourgette I've been a fan ever since getting the "last minute gifts" book. What the Internet has done for solitary and local crafts like knitting is really amazing. I was going to say a small Midlands industrial town is a long way from NY but we have an excellent art and craft scene.

LeftoverTurkey if you can describe where the pattern can be bought that's fine.

I mean that to Queenofoversharing

Thank you @DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn

@NotMeNoNo it's called Norie by Gudrun Johnston - I think I found it through Ravelry.

It would be fine to lend a pattern or book to someone but not to copy it and give the copy away.

I know Ravelry are very hot on this.

That's a really nice hat :) Thankfully for my vast array of WIPs, I can't knit though!

One WIP finally done.

Christmas present for a friend. Got a bigger version of the chameleon I did to do and a half finished Shaun the sheep.

Loving all the works would love to see more. I've a crochet Christmas butterfly collection going to give as gifts. I'll pop a pic up shortly. People love normal butterflies sy hoping they go down as well. I'll only give them to people who will appreciate them! 😁

Hi all.
I have, in the past, tried most crafts I've been able to get my hands on.
However I had a long break during a busy period at work and I'm trying to pick things up again.
I finished this scarf for my dad made from Debbie bliss cashmere yarn.
Which kind-of dates my stash.

I used to go to woolfest and everything.

I love the title of this thread. I think planning for a post-society society was what got me into crafts in the first place.

Just finishing these off

@DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn I only have it as a pdf file.

Aha! Couldn't figure out how to upload the photo for some reason, but here's the wip I finished today.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norie - link for pattern of hat posted by @QueenOfOversharing

Pattern sharing etiquette doesn't just come down to copyright, there's a whole host of reasons as to why a link to a pattern should be provided, particularly bought patterns - these are extremely time-consuming to produce for little financial gain. I remember seeing a blog about it that really went in to detail over what it takes to actually produce a pattern. A real eye opener. If the pattern is worth having then it's worth paying for, and a free pattern should always be credited imo.

@beldaran that is beautiful!

@Myshitisreal those butterflies are lovely!

For one reason and another I didn't manage to get any further with my projects last night, but I've caught up a bit tonight and I'm optimistic about finishing everything in time. Will try to post some pictures over the next couple of days.

Thank you @hookiwooki - I'm very new to any knitting thread, so thank you for your help.

Can anyone recommend beginners books/resources?

I can knit a simple scarf but that's it. Would have to check how to cast off. Have never crochet-ed. Am very keen on the textures and colours so want to do more but am totally clueless

@PurpleFrames when I wanted to learn new things, I found it helpful to google them. There are loads of videos on YouTube or written instructions online too - I used a mix of both.

The book I first bought was Stich n Bitch - but tbh I think I found most stuff online.

@PurpleFrames I can't help with knitting, I'm equivalent to you in how far I can get except mine would have a few ladders and unravel itself For crochet, I recommend Bella Coco's YouTube videos. To practice playing around with stitches I would start with a DK weight yarn and a 5mm hook. Most DK projects require a 4mm hook, but to start with a 5mm would help you see the stitch loops more easily.

@QueenOfOversharing Of course. I'm glad the information was useful. I've found the blog if you are interested: www.threadandladle.com/blog/2018/4/23/the-true-cost-of-a-knitting-pattern

@PurpleFrames I would recommend YouTube - just type in what you want to learn and there is bound to be a video. BellaCoco for crochet gets lots of recommendations from MNers who are beginner crocheters.

I've finished my baby jacket and I made a garter stitch hat to go with it. I'm going to sew it up this morning and put it in the post to my niece. Then I'm going to make the same set again but in pink for different baby.

@DoubleNegativePanda I'm sorry I didn't reply to your earlier question. I hold my yarn in my right hand and I 'drop and throw' when I knit. I know that continental is faster but I've tried to do it and just can't get on with it. I'm hopeless at colour work too 🤷🏻‍♀️

Only just noticed this thread - great idea, OP! I'm mostly a knitter. I can crochet, but I find it much harder. I only learnt to knit in my 30s and always have a tendency to try and run before I can walk!

Atm I'm making loads of socks (from a book, after totally failing to get the hang if it from a ravelry pattern). I love making socks now! Current project is a pair made with beautiful Debbie Bliss Rialto Luxury sock yarn (see pic).

I'm also trying to make a 'Whigmaleerie' (stranded bauble type thing) from the lovely Kate Davies 'Buachaille' book, but I find fairisle really hard!

Most ambitious thing I've attempted was a jumper with the tree of Gondor from Lord of the Rings on it .

Hi everyone. Loving seeing everyone's work.

I've finally finished one of my projects. A chunky merino wool hat as a present for my friends birthday.

@hookiwooki thank you - yes, I'm really interested in this. Off to read.

For some reason the books I found most comforting as a beginner were by Elizabeth Zimmerman. She seemed to be able to anticipate the things I would worry about and reassure me.