Wednesday, August 16, 2006

My history with needles

I've knitted a bunch over the years. I first learned when I was about nine. My mum cast on and taught me how to do knit stitch so I just knitted a bunch and didn't know what I was making. I sent away for Larry's Learn To Knit book, which was more of a 10 page pamphlet than a book, but it taught me how to cast on, purl and bind off, which was good value since the "book" was free. I made my sister a glasses case and a scarf for the cat, but that's about it. I didn't really understand what purling was for so I didn't use it for years.

About 12 years went by and I got a bug to knit my dad a scarf. It started off messy with some added stitches, but I eventually got the hang of it and had my first decent complete piece! My husband got a scarf soon after with a few little mistakes which I concealed, and all in garter stitch.

A couple of years after that, I decided to knit my sister a scarf. No-one told me, but I thought I'd see what happened if I knitted a row and purled a row, and low and behold: I had discovered stockinette! I didn't make a single mistake and it was a perfect scarf (though it curled into a tube as stockinette does.) I made a matching hat by knitting a rectangle and sewing it together. Not ideal, but I didn't know what else to do!

That was about four years ago and I hadn't knitted anything since. Then few months ago, my friend E suddenly got into knitting and took to it very quickly which inspired me to take it up again. She knitted me a Harry Potter Gryffindor scarf for my birthday which I loved! I thought those kind of scarves were made by machines! She was making another one for someone else and I eagerly offered to help with it. Once I was done knitting part of the scarf, I quickly bought myself some new needles and have found myself busy with some knitting almost always since March!

I also work for a fabric designer and manufacturer which has inspired me to learn to sew. I got a machine for Christmas and have since made two skirts and three purses. I will also feature my sewing efforts here!


Here I am in the Gryffindor scarf made for me by E which re-sparked my interest in knitting!

3 comments:

Hasan ÇINARLIK said...

çok güzel örmüşsün
helel sana kızzzz ??

SplungeForMe said...

Wow, Simone, I had know idea you liked to do all these crafty sewing things! Very cool! My mom knits and has done so for years. She gets on these "knitting binges" where she'll knit just about anything, so I've asked her to knit me crazy stuff, and she has: a toaster cover, a can opener cover, a blender cover, elf shoes and a bikini. LOL I never used the covers, wore the elf shoes around the house as slippers, and the bikini made us both laugh so hard, well, I've kept that put away and only bring it out when I need a good laugh. She's taught my daughter how to knit but I've never been able to sit still long enough to really give it a try. You've inspired me now that I guess I better get busy and make something. I love sewing, but have not had time to do that lately. I've made pillows, skirts, aprons, and purses too. I love sewing and really need to get a new machine. Again, you're inspirational so I better get busy! LOL Nice stuff my friend! x

Simone said...

Hey Robin,

Thanks for checking out my stuff! All it takes is a little inspiration. That's how I got started. I haven't knitted in quite a while, but I've been sewing along the way.

Keep me posted with what you make!