Introduce Yourselves

[MoonShadow]

Hi All -

My name is Bobbi and I live in Ohio. My grandmother taught me to knit 50 years ago, but I never did too much with it. In the past couple of years I have made 3 or 4 scarves...too easy to move on. Last year I started a poncho, which is still on the needles, and a couple months ago I started a small baby blanket.

I am currently doing a lot of cross stitch, so don't have a lot of time to get too sidetracked with knitting, but this group seemed to call me. I would like to make a felted purse and some socks. My 20 year old granddaughter recently took up knitting and has made some socks and some small projects, so I feel like she is way ahead of me already!

I read two knitting novels over the summer, both of which I really enjoyed: The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood, and the Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I think I enjoyed them equally.

I look forward however this group plays out!

Bobbi

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Welcome, Bobbi! My mother cross-stitches very intricate things - she has several projects framed and hanging around the house including one that's matted to look like you're looking out the window - but she doesn't knit (anymore - she claims to have once made a sweater for my dad, but he disavows all knowledge of said sweater).

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MoonShadow wrote:
Hi All -

My name is Bobbi and I live in Ohio. My grandmother taught me to knit 50 years ago, but I never did too much with it. In the past couple of years I have made 3 or 4 scarves...too easy to move on. Last year I started a poncho, which is still on the needles, and a couple months ago I started a small baby blanket.

I am currently doing a lot of cross stitch, so don't have a lot of time to get too sidetracked with knitting, but this group seemed to call me. I would like to make a felted purse and some socks. My 20 year old granddaughter recently took up knitting and has made some socks and some small projects, so I feel like she is way ahead of me already!

I read two knitting novels over the summer, both of which I really enjoyed: The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood, and the Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I think I enjoyed them equally.

I look forward however this group plays out!

Bobbi

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[MoonShadow]

I've done various types of cross stitch over the years, and for a while I did none. Just got back into it about 1 1/2 years ago, and have met and joined a really nice group of stitchers. I played at making quilts for about 4 years, but have left that behind for now. Would like to do more knitting, but there is only so much time available!

[kimmer67]

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BookClubEditor wrote:
Reply to this thread to introduce yourself to the group! Let us know what you love (or hate) about the fiber arts, and share some of your favorite ideas, as well.

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Hi,

Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a knitter but, I do crochet. I have been for about 30 years. My grandmother started teaching me when I was 10 years old. I tried knitting but, I could not catch on to the two handed thing. I guess it was from crocheting too many years. I have never really made any garments excepts hats and scarves but, I have made lots and lots of blankets. I make blankets for Projet Linus in my area.

I hope to make a few friends in this club. Everyone have a great day.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Welcome Kim! And a big hand to you for your work with Project Linus; that's such a wonderful charity.

[longlegs52]

HiEveryone!

My name is Beth W. I live in a very small town in rural MN. Our town's population is about 400. I live 10 miles from a larger town where there is a really nice Ben Franklin store that carries a large variety of yarns, fabric, and other crafting supplies. I am 20 miles from a specialty yarn shop that carries a large variety of yarns. Also, there is the town of Alexandria, MN which is about 40 miles away and they have many stores which carry yarn.

However, my hubby and I both agree that I have lots of yarn in my yarn stash. LOL

I wrote in Holiday Knitting about what I am currently working on. I am knitting and crocheting some Christmas gifts.

I learned to crochet when I was in 3rd grade. My grandmother gave me a Crochet book that year and I still have it. Then, in college, I took a Community Ed. class on crochet and learned a lot there and crocheted a lot in the next years and I still crochet.

My grandmother also taught me to knit when I was in 3rd grade. She taught me how to knit and purl. She was a prolific knitter and made some really nice items. She was a left-handed knitter. So, it was a challenge for her to teach me to knit right-handed. But, she was successful. At that time, I knit squares and rectangles----things like potholders etc.

I just took up knitting again 3 years ago. I copied a page from the internet and relearned how to cast on and to knit. My mother was my Inspiration as she had started to knit again. She knit some beautiful scarves for gifts. Anyway, in the last 3 years, I have made a lot of scarves, dishcloths, doll clothes, knitted coat hanger covers, hot pads (felted those), and a sweater for my 18 month grandson which I will sew together this week. Currently, I am knitting a Boucle Shrug for my daughter-in-law for Christmas. I am doing that on size 10 circular needles. It is really easy. I got the pattern on the internet for free. I already had purchased the yarn on sale. It is fun to knit on.

I need to practice purling. I am just learning how to do that once again. My stitches are uneven at this point. But, I am progressing on this.

I know how to knit the American way. But, I mainly knit the Continental or European way which is faster.

I find knitting and crocheting to be really relaxing. It also gives me a tremendous sense of fulfillment when I can use my creativity and time to make something myself.

I also do machine sewing. Currently, I am finishing up 4 pairs of pants that I sewed for my grandson. If I get time, I am going to sew some simple gun cases for my hubby for Christmas. I knit my hubby a neon orange scarf for hunting this Fall that he really liked, as it kept his neck warm.

Well, that's about it for now. Happy knitting and Happy crocheting, everyone !

[longlegs52]

ps to my self and the whole gang from Beth W. in MN

I forgot to say that I have knit 2 hats. One was a hat for my mother-in-law that matched a scarf that I made here. I gave them to her for Christmas last year. The yarn was Homespun and it was in the purples and teal colors. That matched her Fall and also her Winter coats. She loved them. Then, I knit a hat for my grandson when he was born. That was a challenge on those small circular needles. But, it turned out well. I now have my 3rd hat on some circulars. I have the bottom of the hat done. I am to the part where I start decreasing, now. That is a multi-colored cotton yarn for Spring and Summer. I am making that hat for myself. When I finish that, I plan on knitting a hat for myself to match my winter coat which is black with bronze colored trim on it. I get cold. So, I am going to select a yarn that coordinates that has soft wool in it.

Well, that's about the sum of what I have completed so far in my knitting adventures.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Welcome Beth W

[maxcat]

Hi, I'm Chris and live in N.C. in the piedmont section. I do love to knit and am working on a crocheted round afghan in multi colors.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Hi Chris and welcome! Do let us know how your afghan turns out - for me crochet does not come as naturally as knitting

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maxcat wrote:
Hi, I'm Chris and live in N.C. in the piedmont section. I do love to knit and am working on a crocheted round afghan in multi colors.

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[Intergalacticb…]

Is this group strictly for knitters, or can crocheters join in too? I have been crocheting since I was 8. Judy

[Melissa_W Moderator]

I kind of meant the group for all types of fiber artists (knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, etc) but I can really only knit (can crochet, but not very well). If you've got questions, post away! If I can't answer it I know there are other readers/users who are avid crochet-ers and they might be able to help you out.

And welcome!

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Intergalacticbookworm wrote:
Is this group strictly for knitters, or can crocheters join in too? I have been crocheting since I was 8. Judy

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[Sunltcloud]

Hi everybody,

my name is Gisela and I have been knitting/crocheting/sewing/embroidering for 60 years. Funny thing, it all started with tiny dolls that needed to be dressed and shoebox dollhouses that needed curtains, bedspreads, rugs and wall hangings. Over the years I knitted socks, made rag dolls and stuffed animals, crocheted and knitted afghans, baby clothes, sweaters, scarfs, hats, and everything in between. Then, after I retired, I began to travel and took with me a teddy bear who now owns more than 100 handmade pieces of clothing. And then, just after the holidays I was restless, bought a fashion doll (16") and now I'm back to knitting for small dolls, well, knitting small scale clothing.

I have used every kind of needle, or so I thought, but after I bought the fashion doll I decided to get 0 needles (from one zero to five zero)and yarn that is so thin I actually have to look at the piece while I am working on it. Which means I can only knit the small stuff when I don't do anything else. Usually I watch TV, read, walk, make phone calls with knitting in hand.

While I never use patterns for bear or regular doll clothes I now find myself in search of patterns for a fashion doll that is much more sensitive to proper fit. The first one - a pair of pants - included the yarn and I paid $14.00, a rather expensive pair of pants I thought. I looked online and found a couple of free patterns for tops, and a couple of hats, but other than that I haven't seen much.

So, my question is: does anybody have an idea where I could find patterns or has anybody seen a book on fashion doll clothing? I've looked at Barnes and Noble but haven't found anything. I have also signed up on a yahoo group but they mainly sell their clothes on ebay. I don't want to sell, just knit. And eventually give to needy children. At Christmas I gave away 36 secondhand dolls that I had cleaned, given a haircut, and dressed.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Welcome Gisela! That is such a great way to use your talents. I want to say there was an old book of Barbie doll patterns from about 1950-60. I remember seeing it at my grandmother's house (my mom and aunts all had Barbies from those decades) but I don't know if it's in print anymore so you might check used book dealers (I don't remember if there were any knit patterns but it might give an idea of fit if nothing else). I also thought Nicky Epstein had a book of knitting patterns for Barbie, but I could be wrong since she also has lots of knitted flower books.

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Sunltcloud wrote:
Hi everybody,

my name is Gisela and I have been knitting/crocheting/sewing/embroidering for 60 years. Funny thing, it all started with tiny dolls that needed to be dressed and shoebox dollhouses that needed curtains, bedspreads, rugs and wall hangings. Over the years I knitted socks, made rag dolls and stuffed animals, crocheted and knitted afghans, baby clothes, sweaters, scarfs, hats, and everything in between. Then, after I retired, I began to travel and took with me a teddy bear who now owns more than 100 handmade pieces of clothing. And then, just after the holidays I was restless, bought a fashion doll (16") and now I'm back to knitting for small dolls, well, knitting small scale clothing.

I have used every kind of needle, or so I thought, but after I bought the fashion doll I decided to get 0 needles (from one zero to five zero)and yarn that is so thin I actually have to look at the piece while I am working on it. Which means I can only knit the small stuff when I don't do anything else. Usually I watch TV, read, walk, make phone calls with knitting in hand.

While I never use patterns for bear or regular doll clothes I now find myself in search of patterns for a fashion doll that is much more sensitive to proper fit. The first one - a pair of pants - included the yarn and I paid $14.00, a rather expensive pair of pants I thought. I looked online and found a couple of free patterns for tops, and a couple of hats, but other than that I haven't seen much.

So, my question is: does anybody have an idea where I could find patterns or has anybody seen a book on fashion doll clothing? I've looked at Barnes and Noble but haven't found anything. I have also signed up on a yahoo group but they mainly sell their clothes on ebay. I don't want to sell, just knit. And eventually give to needy children. At Christmas I gave away 36 secondhand dolls that I had cleaned, given a haircut, and dressed.

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[ncgabby13]

Hi everyone,

My name is Shannon. I'm new to the whole book club thing, I'm just looking around. I saw this book club and thought it would be interesting. I don't knit, but I do do cross stitch, and I love it, it's very relaxing for me. I am looking into starting knitting though, it looks like a lot of fun. Anyway, that's it for me, looking forward to meeting and talking with everyone!

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Welcome, Shannon This is a pretty loose-knit group (excuse the pun, ha!) so just throw out any questions you have, etc.

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ncgabby13 wrote:
Hi everyone,

My name is Shannon. I'm new to the whole book club thing, I'm just looking around. I saw this book club and thought it would be interesting. I don't knit, but I do do cross stitch, and I love it, it's very relaxing for me. I am looking into starting knitting though, it looks like a lot of fun. Anyway, that's it for me, looking forward to meeting and talking with everyone!

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[Tallfire2016]

Hi Everyone, My name is Jennifer.
I started knitting about 40 years ago and have been at it on and off since. I used to sit and watch "American Bandstand" or listen to the top 40 hits while I was knitting, it was my escape at the time.
I just learned how to make socks this past year. What fun! I made some caps for premature babies last year, which was lots of fun. And then I made a bunch of hats from a pattern designed for another charitable organization. I never got to donate the hats because my family is so big and I made hats for everyone. It's actually one of the first projects that I've made more than one of the same item!
My husband and I are getting ready to move, so most of my stuff is packed and ready to go as soon as we sell our house, but I saw this book group and thought I'd at least stop in, read messages, and introduce myself. Thanks for the group.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Welcome! I hope your move goes well. I also like to knit while watching TV (but nothing complicated otherwise frogging becomes the main attraction).

[Oldesq]

Hello all,

I am a knitter from northern New Jersey. I taught myself to knit in my early teens. Picked it up again when my boys were little (their heads were too big for normal sweaters- luckily now that they are young men they have grown into them (the heads, not the sweaters!)). I like to knit while I watch TV as it keeps me from feeling like a total vegetable and is very Zen. I usually go in intense spurts and have knit 5 afghans in the past 18 months. I like complicated and challenging patterns so that I feel I learn something new with each project. Both of my boys picked an afghan for themselves for me to knit- one was an Aran sampler and the other was the Lion Brand "Falling Leaves" pattern knit in a deep forest green it looked quite masculine- it currently graces a futon in a college apartment.


I picked up "Cover Up" by Nicky Epstein as a Christmas present to myself. It is a beautiful book but I have been really disappointed by the contents. I knit the Trees Breeze throw and not only is the yarn quantity suggested far too little to complete the project- there are also numerous mistakes in the pattern. I wrote to the publisher's website but have had no response. I also was interested in some of the other projects in the book but have found many of the yarns used are discontinued. I work in New York City but usually buy my yarn online. Just wanted you to know that while this is a pretty piece of eye candy- you might want to check availability of yarn before purchasing this title.

Happy knitting,

Oldesq

Message Edited by Oldesq on 02-09-2008 04:03 PM

Message Edited by Oldesq on 02-09-2008 04:04 PM

[Melissa_W Moderator]

That's unfortunate the yarns were discontinued. Looking through some books I wonder why a particular yarn was used - perhaps there was a contract or something.

Epstien's patterns are so intricate; kudos to you for tackling one! I hope the publisher gets back to you about the boo-boos!

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Oldesq wrote:
Hello all,

I am a knitter from northern New Jersey. I taught myself to knit in my early teens. Picked it up again when my boys were little (their heads were too big for normal sweaters- luckily now that they are young men they have grown into them (the heads, not the sweaters!)). I like to knit while I watch TV as it keeps me from feeling like a total vegetable and is very Zen. I usually go in intense spurts and have knit 5 afghans in the past 18 months. I like complicated and challenging patterns so that I feel I learn something new with each project. Both of my boys picked an afghan for themselves for me to knit- one was an Aran sampler and the other was the Lion Brand "Falling Leaves" pattern knit in a deep forest green it looked quite masculine- it currently graces a futon in a college apartment.


I picked up "Cover Up" by Nicky Epstein as a Christmas present to myself. It is a beautiful book but I have been really disappointed by the contents. I knit the Trees Breeze throw and not only is the yarn quantity suggested far too little to complete the project- there are also numerous mistakes in the pattern. I wrote to the publisher's website but have had no response. I also was interested in some of the other projects in the book but have found many of the yarns used are discontinued. I work in New York City but usually buy my yarn online. Just wanted you to know that while this is a pretty piece of eye candy- you might want to check availability of yarn before purchasing this title.

Happy knitting,

Oldesq

Message Edited by Oldesq on 02-09-2008 04:03 PM

Message Edited by Oldesq on 02-09-2008 04:04 PM

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