Another Historic "First" In My Knitting Adventures

Hi all! I'm sort of using this blog as a way to document my adventures in yarning, be it knitting (which I am loving even more than crocheting) or crocheting.

Previously, I posted a squeeful post about locating a local LYS in the same city in which I teach. Well, I'm a bit less squeeful about it now. Not that it's bad or anything. The reason is because it is located in someone's basement and I think it's by appointment only. Well, as some of you already know, I'm more of a whimsical person. So, that didn't really work for me. However, I did hear that the LYS owner offers classes. This thrills me more than you can possibly know! If I have time (IF being the key word), I would love to enroll in one. Then again, they have a knitting group that meets at the branch of the county library about 5 miles from my house, so I'm thinking I might learn just as much at that, and there's no fee to join. Plus, I think they do lots of 'donation' things, like hats to maternity wards and stuff. Anyway, I'm checking into it.

Well, today I did something that was a 'first' in my knitting journey. I actually ordered yarn online! I was very nervous about it at first, but I think I'm okay with it now. Here are some pics of what I ordered.

I ordered #'s 1932 & 1935 (I wanted 1930 & 1934, too, but they were out of stock...bummer).





They were all at greatly discounted prices, too, so I feel pretty good about it, even though I didn't expect to ever spend so much to make socks. I'm trying to justify it with what someone else told me: hand knit socks are 'luxury items', so I'm totally justified! LOL

I'm anxious to try the pattern, which uses three DPs and a fourth one to knit with. This is great as the DPs I ordered come four needles of the same size.

I've Found an LYS!

Woohooo! I just learned that there is an LYS very near to where I teach! WOOT! This is terrible news for my budget, but wonderful news for me!

I have found a pattern for socks using 3 DPs. So, tomorrow I am going to the LYS to get some nice sock yarn. I am not at all pleased with Hobby Lobby. Not to mention that I can't even find anything in there. The way they have their yarn set up is horrid. I'm not even sure they have someone setting up the shelves that knows what they're doing.

The yarn I am thinking of is what they pattern creator suggests. She originally suggested either a worsted weight or a blend of wool/acrylic. Then, she came back and suggested sock weight yarn, 75% wool/25% nylon blend, on 2.25 mm needles for a gauge of 9 stitches per inch.

So, either one of these will be great. I'd sort of like to be able to wear these socks in cooler spring weather, so wool seems a bit much to me, but maybe it won't be. I will speak with the LYS owner about her recommendations after I show her the pattern. Of course, she will know as soon as I walk in that I'm a total novice and totally unsure about what I'm doing, but I don't care. I might also scam to see if she offers any classes. That would be so fun!

Anyway, hope everyone else is doing fine and knitting right along!

My DPs arrived today! WOOT!

They came at last! I'm so excited!

I've found the yarn I adore, but I'm still searching for a pattern.

YARN GODS! WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? *whines* I finally find the yarn I adore and it's sold out! Isn't it gorgeous, though?

http://www.thesheepstale.com/herbstmelodie.html

If anyone has an idea of where I could find this same yarn at the same price or cheaper, please post!

I can purl!

I've mastered purling! Wooo hooo! I practiced knitting one row, purling the next. The only problem I have is the knitted fabric curling up while I knit. I don't know if that means my stitches are too tight, or if that's something that would work itself out as the fabric grew or after blocking.

Anyway, I'm a bit confused because I read a sock pattern that required fives sets of the same size DP needles. Good grief. Does that mean I need ten needles of the same size to knit a simple pair of socks? That's crazy! Is that standard for sock patterns? Any advice would be adored.

Sorry there isn't a pic of my work, but I'm too lazy to take and post one! LOL

I am home tomorrow with a sick child, but after I finish disinfecting my house I'll hopefully have time to knit! WOOT!

I'm Getting Ready to Learn How to Purl...

Exciting, eh? LOL Probably not to all of you, who already do it. I, however, am thrilled! Here is a picture of my practice knitting! I can see a couple of places where there was either a dropped stitch or just a loose stitch, but I don't know if they are visible in the pic or not.

I'm loving the feel of the bamboo needles! They feel like silk in my hands! I got inspired and filled out the needle/hook chart on Ravelry! I'm loving that place!

Anyway, as soon as I master purling, I'll be on here squeeing once more!

Peace.

Progress!

Well, I'm officially knitting! Only the basic knit stitch, but I'm knitting! Woohoo! I'm very excited about this. I think it's actually easier than crocheting for some reason.

I can now cast on using both loop and slingshot methods. I can do rows of basic knit stitches. All I am doing is practicing.

Updates my eBay auctions are good. I won the set of bamboo crochet hooks, and the large set of bamboo SP knitting needles. Then, I got goofy and won a large set of 6" bamboo DP needles. I'm excited about this.

I am looking forward to working with smaller needles. I think my stitches will be tighter then.

I would highly recommend the CD-Rom "Knitting Made Easy". This is from the same people who made "Crocheting Made Easy". I'm telling you, this video is wonderful. The angle from which it is filmed is perfect.

Well, that's all the progress for now! I'll keep you posted and as soon as I have a nice sized piece of fabric, I'll post a pic!

Yay for eBay!

Thanks to winning a brilliant auction on eBay (two actually), I'm not the proud owner of a set of bamboo crochet hooks, and a set of 13 pairs of differently sized bamboo knitting needles; all for the price of $25.00 including postage! WOOT! This makes me extremely happy, because I noticed in Hobby Lobby yesterday that one pair of bamboo needles could run nearly $10.00! Go me.

I also purchased the knitting CD-Rom tutorial. I am sooo ready to go with learning to knit! I will be posting pictures of my attempts and early work. I am doing this for two reasons. One, feedback. I will need tips, hints and comments to help me improve. Secondly, documentation. I want a visual of how I have improved, so when I get discouraged I can remind myself of how far I have come.

I want to get basic stitches down so I can move on to a simple pair of socks! I'm so excited at the prospect of knitting socks!

Numbers on my C2C group are lower than I'd like. A paranormal group started up after me and they have three times as many members. I wish there was a way to offer an advertising exchange with the other group. Maybe I'll check into it.

Hopefully I'll have some 'starting' pictures to show you by the end of the weekend!