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!

A lot of sock knitting happening! I really don't like knitting 4 ply, I'm very impatient. And find dpns fiddly.

At the moment I'm knitting hats and gloves on 2 needles. Struggling to find patterns though. I knit a beret style hat that I really like in a variegated wool but it's a bit big. I'm tempted to knit another but smaller, but I guess would need thinner wool and needles. Anyone seen some nice soft variegated wool in dk, preferably turquoise/blue?

Yay - lots of socks! Glad the Ann Budd book is going down well.

Thanks Clinky I got the toe bit sideways on which wasn't very clever, was it? I can't stress this enough - if any of you have young children I suggest you cover their ears while you 'pick up and knit' the sideways stitching for the gusset or they will learn some new swear words.

I ended up buying those tiny zing circular needles specially for socks, and resorted to the dpns for the toe.
I have one more sock to do for dd, and then a nice quick chunky hat for her and maybe a pair of thicker socks for ds maybe although i have got some nice 4ply for socks for him and his huge size 10s

ginghamtablecloths - yes, the picking up of stitches for the gusset is the hardest bit imo! Once I'd made my first pair of (sacrificial) socks, I decided to make socks after socks after socks for a while, to cement the method into my brain. I think I've made 8 pairs and really find it pretty easy now!

I hope I’m not being rude asking here but I’m a bit out of my depth without advice on this one! My husband is a nightmare to buy for at Christmas etc. but he’s recently taken up crocheting - from a bit of noseying he likes Amigurumi crochet. Would anyone be able to suggest some nice things for him he might not get himself?

Is he into anything in particular ie marvel, starwars etc Slothkin.

Not as such @bruffin; he loves Firefly if that helps! But he’s not really geeky about shows in the way I am (I’m the nerd in this house). He’s mentioned to me he enjoys the maths of crochet, the patterns. I’m totally fine with him wanting to choose any big gift I’d just love to be able to give him a little surprise on the day.

Lots of industrious sock knitting. I’m on my third pair the first were for me (which is perhaps as well as one sock is definitely much bigger than the other!) the next ones are for my DDs for Christmas and the last one should be finished this weekend. I think I’m socked out till next year but then when I have these to knit up.

@Slothkin how about some nice hooks, clover amour are meant to be really comfy. (I've got a cheap version of them)
Funky stitch markers. A selection of cotton yarn (cotton is best for ami imo)

@Slothkin

A selection of Ricorumi yarn in different colours? www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/rico-ricorumi-dk-all-colours

Thank you so much for your help @CrochetBug and @SoupDragon! I’ve ordered www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00GURQRAO?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image&tag=mumsnetforu03-21 and www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07DK9P8R2?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image&tag=mumsnetforu03-21. I could easily have spent that panic-buying a jumper so thank you both so much!

Will you adopt me? 😂

@SoupDragon

Will you adopt me? 😂

Me too

My lovely husband is currently crocheting a Harry the gecko for me from Death in Paradise just because I said I’d like one, so I’ll do absolutely anything to make him smile this Christmas. I’m a very lucky duck. @SoupDragon and @CrochetBug if you like tea please come round! My husband only likes coffee so a lovely pot of tea goes cold!

he loves Firefly if that helps!

😍 Who doesn't?! There's a Jayne Cobb hat pattern from Firefly on Ravelry!

Oh @lazylinguist my husband would love that! Thank you!

Right, time to settle down with my knitting in front of The Mandalorian. Tomorrow we will be focussing on other crafts though. Off to gather foliage for some wreath-making - an annual Christmas activity chez lazylinguist (well, only since we started doing it two years ago!).

Oh wow, slothkin very generous.

I love those clover hooks and ricorumi yarn. I normally buy from wool warehouse but resorted to buying one of the smaller packs of amazon mid lockdown 1 when the delivery times on wool warehouse were ages.

I've finished binge watching Ozark whilst finishing Christmas gifts, now to find something new. I have a few more bits to finish off this weekend that require posting then the pressure is off.

@CrochetBug i started off with a cheap multipack of crochet hooks in a similar style to the clover ones but the clover ones are really a lot nicer. The cheap ones were good for working out what sizes i actually use though

Lovely crochet hooks!

I've treated myself to a pair of Knitpro coloured wooden needles 4m, because I seem to use that size most. They are sooooo beautiful. Also ordered a few balls of yarn in various colours for more gloves, hats etc.

I'm currently knitting a beret in a beautiful turquoise chenille, but it's a nightmare to knit with, keeps getting twisted.

That sounds tricky, NowImmeagain - I've never tried knitting with chenille.

Has anyone ever knitted Christmas stockings? There are patterns for amazing ones on Ravelry, with all sorts of complicated-looking motifs and Fairisle patterns on. I've always fancied making a couple for the dc, though maybe they're a bit old for that!

I’m getting a book of fairisle sock patterns so the hopefully has some nice not too complicated ones for me to have a go at @lazylinguist.

Finally finished the two pairs of Christmas gift socks.

A whole book of Fairisle sock patterns? Sounds fab!
I love your sock packaging! I've never thought of doing that - might make some for MIL's Christmas present socks!

I saw the packaging idea on a Facebook page @lazylinguist. There were some that you could print out. I’ve put the washing instructions on the back.

@SoupDragon @CrochetBug @tizwozliz would you like a sneak peek? The yarn in particular is packed beautifully!

I’d also like to be clear that this will be my husband’s big gift this year, I’m not able to be quite that frivolous yet! I’m just so pleased to be able to surprise him with something for once! (His other hobby is flying aeroplanes and it turns out they’re really quite expensive).