Knit, Crochet and Natter Thread

[lazylinguist]

I was hoping to join a local rl knit&natter group, and then lockdown happened. But knitting and crochet are keeping me cheerful during lockdown and as the nights are drawing in!

There seem to be quite a few ongoing chat threads on other MN boards, so I wondered if there might be any interest in a rolling knitting and crochet thread, for anyone who fancies chatting about knitting, crochet and life in general of course! Total beginners and scarily experienced needle-wizards and everyone in between, all welcome.

Share your projects, yarn stash confessions, pattern niggles or newbie questions. Not sure if it will fizzle out after a few posts, but hey ho, worth a try!

Forgot the photo ....

Thanks @petridishmystery

Out of interest, do you have any idea where this snobbery against loom knitting comes from? I know nothing about loom knitting, but can’t imagine why anyone would look down on a craft!

If it makes you feel any better, I used to be part of a group of water colourists on social media, and the level of snobbery against people who paint with acrylic paint, or shock horror use some fine liner pens on their watercolour painting was unreal. I don’t really understand why anyone who creates would be snobby about someone else’s craft, but it seems some people just can’t help themselves 🤷‍♀️

That sock looks great Crazzzy - I have a bit of trouble with cables sometimes - I find I knit them too tightly. I made a cable hat and it ended up too tight to get on my head! I frogged it and remade it on bigger needles, but it was definitely my cabling that was the problem- I'm not an especially tight knitter normally. Here it is - I bought a job lot of (fake obvs) furry bobbles, so I need to make more things to put them on!

Cute hat, NowImmeagain! I wish I had some little people to knit for. Things for adults and teenagers take too long!

That hat is lovely lazy 😍

I’m a ridiculously tight knitter and it’s even worse with cables! I think that might have been why my sock ended up too small last time. So frustrating when you have to frog things ☹️

Afternoon!
I'm 38 weeks pregnant and my nesting has turned into a frantic race to complete a million craft projects. Please can I join as I knit a small teal dinosaur for my son who will be three soon and can I share this recently completed beauty with you: a faux taxidermy ram head (shown next to Des so that you can appreciate its full size and majesty!)

@Crazzzycat

Thanks *@petridishmystery*

Out of interest, do you have any idea where this snobbery against loom knitting comes from? I know nothing about loom knitting, but can’t imagine why anyone would look down on a craft!

If it makes you feel any better, I used to be part of a group of water colourists on social media, and the level of snobbery against people who paint with acrylic paint, or shock horror use some fine liner pens on their watercolour painting was unreal. I don’t really understand why anyone who creates would be snobby about someone else’s craft, but it seems some people just can’t help themselves 🤷‍♀️

Loom knitting is significantly quicker and easier than needle knitting unless you get into the more complicated patterns, so a lot of people see it as cheating or not being “real” knitting

@Crazzzycat that sock looks great! Where did you get the pattern from? I'm an avid sock knitter but only ever use 1 v simple pattern and am on the lookout of other ones.

Also, sock yarn- I love Crazy Zauberball by Schoppel-Wolle. Any other recommendations?

Ravelry has literally millions, many free. Just make sure you set a time frame to find something otherwise you'll end up spending days :)

Can i show a few things from this year or would that be boasting?

a faux taxidermy ram head (shown next to Des so that you can appreciate its full size and majesty!)

Most impressive! And hello to Des from Loki.

Can i show a few things from this year or would that be boasting?

Boast away The more lovely pics the better.

Thank you! :) Hope I reach the bar of lovely

An old one from 5 years ago. Since then the lovely kid is a lovable, but grumpy teen :) some cottons
Last year's xmas present for my mum - malabrigo rios
And a dress that I finished this summer. Before blocking it was a pullover :) yes: swatch... bilum - snek + yellow is pure cashmere

None of them followed a specific pattern

And another old one: it's great when your kid has a broken arm, need this sling, but only after 1 week it looks like shite. Thankfully school colors yarn and a crochet hook solved that problem.

@Crazzzycat

Thanks *@petridishmystery*

Out of interest, do you have any idea where this snobbery against loom knitting comes from? I know nothing about loom knitting, but can’t imagine why anyone would look down on a craft!

If it makes you feel any better, I used to be part of a group of water colourists on social media, and the level of snobbery against people who paint with acrylic paint, or shock horror use some fine liner pens on their watercolour painting was unreal. I don’t really understand why anyone who creates would be snobby about someone else’s craft, but it seems some people just can’t help themselves 🤷‍♀️

I don't actually know what loom knitting is, but will admit to being an embroidery snob. I do hand embroidery. I haven't done a lot but its something I'm hoping to do more of when I can afford supplies. I have a relative who has one of those posh sewing machines which does embroidery. She sets the machine to do the correct pattern and let's it get on with it. As far as I'm concerned my hand embroidery takes far more skill and talent, than her machine embroidery. (Yet she can command higher prices when selling. I guess Joe Public think machine embroidery looks more professional).

Maybe knitters see loom knitting in a similar way?
And just to clarify I'm not saying there's no skill in loom knitting. I'd Google what it actually is but am scared ill want to start another craft if I do

And thanks for the encouragement to show off. I don't mind the lockdowns, am an introvert, so don't mind staying in. But the fact that I cannot show off my things by simply wearing them to work hurts :) oh, yes, I'm missing the small complements... I am sure that I'm not the only one, right?

TheSunIsStillShining 😍 What stunning things you've made! If I were your colleague I'd be giving you massive compliments, not small ones! Beautiful colours. And the dress is amazing! I tend not to make things in bright colours. I'm not sure why really- I always admire other people's brightly coloured stuff.

@TheSunIsStillShining wow that dress looks fabulous! I'm all for the bright colours. I used be a member of ravelry but haven't been on there for years. Time to go back then.

@CrochetBug loom knitting is basically wrapping the yarn on pegs and then lifting them off to make the stitches, rather than using needles. It’s a lot easier and faster than needle knitting but generally tends to be a bit less refined (altho not so much now as you can get much more variety in looms which make for more delicate stitches) so I don’t think it’s quite the same as your scenario. I definitely get where you’re coming from tho. I think with loom knitting, people see it as the more simplistic, childish version of “real” knitting but if you’re good at it you can make some really lovely stuff. I’m not that good tho especially as the finishing touches!

Thank you! :)

@petridishmystery ahh yes of course. I do know what it is. I could only picture a weaving loom

Yes I suspect people see it as a more childish version of knitting, although I've seem some beautiful things made by loom knitting.

I think if you enjoy a craft then that's all that matters!

I used be a member of ravelry but haven't been on there for years. Time to go back then.

I rarely get patterns anywhere else tbh. There is such a mind-blowingly vast amount of choice, even if you only search free patterns. If you can think of it, there will be a pattern for it on Ravelry! I sound like an advert.

I hate grafting stuff. Yuk.

2 finished Woolly Wormhwad hats that just need grafting. And l can’t face it!🙈

@Helocariad the pattern is by someone called Rachel Coopey. She has a LOT of patterns on Ravelry, many available as an individual download , but there’s also a few books available.

Most of her patterns are intricate, but they’re always explained clearly. I’ve tried a few simple patterns from other designers, but always get totally lost, so now I only knit Rachel’s designs.

I’m going to sound like a total fan girl now, but she also does a sock yarn that’s pretty good: CoopKnits Socks Yeah.

I must confess to having a soft spot for ridiculously expensive hand dyed sock yarn though, so that’s what I normally use 😳 I’m using the Knitting Goddess’ Britsock for this pair

I must confess to having a soft spot for ridiculously expensive hand dyed sock yarn
Me too - it's a recent discovery for me. I followed a link from somewhere to an Etsy seller and couldn't help myself!

Much as I'm loving the thread, it's made me more than usually 'aarrggh!' about having tons of projects I fancy making and not knowing what to try first! I'm really tempted by the odds and ends chunky crochet basket posted by Sarahduckobsessive upthread. So practical and useful and will both help use up and house my stash!

Do any of you have favourite japanese knitters? I love the style of layering and boxy, yet stylish fashion they have. (not talking about the manga-style :) I'll leave that to my boy)

(totally irrelevant, but great music