Hand knitting
Posted by: shorty
23rd Nov 2010 09:01am
Is there anyone out there that knits by hand?
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Comments 118
aussienan
yes i have knitted all my life I knitted professionally once for a shop
srg
YES, YES, YES! I Do. I have a website with my knitting on it. www.homesteadknitsnbits.com I love knitting by hand, it's so satisfying.
srg
YES, YES, YES! I Do. I have a website with my knitting on it. www.homesteadknitsnbits.com I love knitting by hand, it's so satisfying.
Anonymous
sure! I like to knit things like scarf's but i cant do much cause i get really bored
dalix
No I knit really poorly.
littletoot
I cant knit by hand. I have tried many times, but I learned to crochet when I was young and I have been doing it ever since. I also enjoy embroidery and cross stitch designs.
Ram
Yes I come from a longline of knitters whom I guess knitted from necessity originally. I have knitted for my children, husband, self other family members and friends. I haven't knitted for quite afew years until recently a "crisis" arose when my daughter could not find a commercially made scarf for my grandaughter's dress up day. so out came the needles and I got to work . The process became of interest to all watching the scarf grow, questions about how do you knit and remembering Granny's knitting.
The downside to all of this was obtaining wool and in the suitable colours.
A great family afternoon spent .
Ram
Chopper
i usedto before my mum passed as she taught me out to knit both needles and by hand for somthing to do when i got really really bored . i forgot how to do it now its been quite a few years
willscarlett
I can do it, and I do it occasionally when I have time.
Maddyv
No but i want to learn
Anonymous
Yes my mother does
Anonymous
Yes my mother does, blankets, slippers.
Anonymous
Yes my mother does, blankets, slippers.
Anonymous
Yes, I have but just started
Anonymous
Yes, but I'm not very good. Have only ever made scarves but would love to learn how to knit other items - time is the problem and I need someone to teach me. I've never tried following a pattern. I envy those that can knit actual clothes to wear. I think they are very talented and it's great to wear clothes that you have actually made yourself
Anonymous
i have tried but cant do it however i know people who can.
Jeski
Yes and in winter we get a group of family and friends together and sit around in front of the fire and knit while taking turns to read through the Narnia series of books...it is slow going but sure makes for a nice night.
Anonymous
Just look at Etsy, online handmade crafts galore!!
Mikaren
I love to knit and the best time is in front of an open fire in the winter. Time is very short but when sitting down at night I get out my knitting and do this for about an hour. It might take longer this way but it still gets done and I find a sense of achievement that I made it. I can't do many things well but knitting gives me a sense of accomplishment.
starfish
I like to knit but try to keep it small like toys. It took me 3 years to complete a topsy turvy doll for my grandaughter.
astarte50
Yes I both hand knit and crochet. I hadn't done any for a while but the impending birth of my first granddaughter 2 years ago saw me get back into it. It is a relaxing pastime,and a rewarding one
penny farthing
Yes, I still hand knit, have been knitting since early childhood and am now 67 - you never lose this skill!
julie6130
yes i still hand knit ,crochet,needlework and most crafts i love working with my hands. my whole family does that's what cames from being brought up with no TV,OR COMPUTERS, we had to make do with what we had.
julie6130
yes i still hand knit ,crochet,needlework and most crafts i love working with my hands. my whole family does that's what cames from being brought up with no TV,OR COMPUTERS, we had to make do with what we had.
julie6130
yes i still hand knit ,crochet,needlework and most crafts i love working with my hands. my whole family does that's what cames from being brought up with no TV,OR COMPUTERS, we had to make do with what we had.
Alpaca
I love knitting and crocheting. I have some alpacas and will be spinning their fleece and knitting it up. Have so much fleece I would never get it done before it is shearing time again.
Mem
I love to knit but I'm not very good yet. I'm still looking for inspiration for my next knitting project.
momo23
I'm in my 20s and have been knitting since I was 11. I've made scarves, a jumper and teddy bear.
EileenW1
I have always knitted but no-one wears handknits or wants knitted baby clothes anymore. I used to design and knit sweaters when I lived in UK but now knit toys which children love. I have my own little charity which equips a kindergarten in Bali and so my knitted toys are sold or used as raffle prizes to help my fundraising. I also take orders from friends and others who see and love them. It keeps me busy and is for a wonderful purpose.
simla
i`m a visual artist. A few years ago, whilst living on top of a mountain,snow in winter, I became possessed with knitting. I knitted 33 meters of curtains, which started out in the house,giving it a lot of curtains ,and a lovely warm feel to the house.They migrated to become.firstly,wind-breaks on the fence, and lately are taking part in various art installations!
Anonymous
yes, I have knitted all my life and enjoy it.
Joydy
Keep knitting folks - I get wool from the op shops and knit scarves & beanies for Knitonegive one - keeps my fingers nimble and keeps me awake while watching the tv. A great winter pastime!
Anonymous
I moved in with my boyfriend and his parents about a year ago and his mum taught me how to crochet beanies and scarves things and I love it!
I'm currently learnIng how to crochet and knit little jumpers, hats, socks and pants, and really cool blankets :) its hard to learn though!
Stinky
Knitting keeps me sane.
Dee
I have just taken up knitting again after not doing any for about 20 years! I started with squares (noted Jen's reply below about knitting for Africa) and have progressed to blankets and little vests and hats for tiny babies. Also pencil cases and toddler jumpers. At first I found it difficult to sustain interest but now am obsessed! I have started to learn how to finish things properly, e.g. how to pick up stitches to knit necks and borders. I love designing colours and patterns and knowing that these items are helpful for people in need.
s
I knit scarves and make up my own patterns usually I do this all year and hope to sell them in the end as I have given one to my daughter to place on ebay.
I also like to knit them with Australian wool or thick wool on on large needles it does take a lot of patience!
victory
Yes I used to knit all my children's jumpers, nowadays I only knit squares (10cmsx10cms) for the 3rd world children I enjoy knitting it is good therapy.
Amy Audrey
I am currently kniiting 2 scarves...one for my daughter and the other for myself. I have fond memories of my grandmother teaching me how to knit. This is why i still choose to hand knit, especially as presents for people.
julie6130
yes i love to hand knit, i have made every thing from soft toys to jumpers.
Anonymous
Yes! I'm sixteen and last year decided that I wanted to learn to hand knit. I think it's so rewarding and relaxing. My great-grandmother taught me and it was also a great excuse to hang out with her :)
s
My nanna taught me how to knit, too in the 1970's and I still knit today.
I have knitted scarves for my children in the last 6 years and beanies for my grandchildren. And I always take a photograph of my grandchildren wearing what I have made them and I hope one day to have a photoalbum of all the things I have made including an embroidered dress which my mum sewed together. And two 2 boy's outfits I also embroidered and my mum also sewed together, also.
dave
no im a male
Amanda
I really wish I could. I was shown when I was a child but I wonder if I still could. I almost felt inspired when a friend knitted an awesome woollen skirt - so original!!
Captured
My Nan taught me to knit when i was little and a couple of winters ago she taught my daughter too. My son wants to learn how to knit as well so i think we'll try to teach him how to knit this coming winter.
I'm only a basic knitter though, i usually just knit scarves. I used to knit quite a few teddy bears but i think i've forgotten how to do that. Maybe when my two youngest kids get a bit older i'll be able to sit dpwn and concentrate enough to follow patterns again.
nusanan
yes I hand knitted for my 3 children 11 grandchildren and am now knitting for my 2 greatgranddaughters and all nieces and nephews.I also knit for lifeline they send all the well loved barbie dolls to me and i clean them up and knit new clothes for them,i have been asked to knit football beanies for the womens auxilliary at the hospital i cant find my pattern so if some one could supply pattern for adult size beanie in 8ply with 2 needles i would appreciate it patterns are very expensive and there are not many decent beanie patterns on line hope someone can help Jan
Anonymous
I love knitting! But all I can make is a scarf..
Carmel
I used to knit, and quite complicated patterns, but haven't in a long, long time. I have now given up full time work and am considering starting again. I think I will start with something simple though - pearl one knit one, and a scarf, just till the memory comes back
RainbowC
I still love the handcrafts, knitting and cross stich. I stitch in the hot weather and knit in the cold. My kids wear my hand knits. (I'm still wearing my 20 year old ones.) They last so much better than bought stuff!
mum
My Nana taught me to knit at the age of 6. I have 2 daughters who i attempted to pass this skill on to but they were not interested. But I still use my skills for relaxation. If I could pass my skills on to keep age old tradtions going would be ncie. I feel advancements are killing hand craft and the cost of materials.
s
Teach whoever wants to learn to pass down your skills. My oldest daughter learnt to crotchet via the internet !!! And made a lovely baby shawl for her neice and is in the process of making another one for another neice in another colour.
I try and purchase wool on special at Spotlight when they have their knitting party and sometimes they have some on special throughout the year.
Jules
I have knitted by hand most of my life, now in my 50's. I have in the past knitted many jumpers for my three children when they were growing up from babes to mid level school - or until they chose more shop bought articles, lol. I knitted a lovely fairisle jumper fo my son that I was most proud of as it was an extremely complex pattern, but I struggled through, whith teaching myself how to knit and a little help from my mother, who knitted plain items. I loved knitting but while I have been gaining life experiences (getting older, lol), I have become arthritic and find it more difficult to knit for long sessions. I have also found last year while undertaking a crop jacket for my daughter and trying to finish it before winter, I obtained tennis elbow. I know that you are saying 'Tennis Elbow' from Knitting?. Yes apparently knitting is similar to tennis in the movement of the elbow. So I had to stop that project due to pain in the elbow and arm. I am now trying to do the circular looming or larger rings of French Knitting. Then I don't have to hold onto the Knitting Needles and do small movements with my arms at my waist. Anyway, good luck with what you are doing.
Lilibet
I can't sit and watch TV without my knitting or crochet in my hands, even in the middle of summer. These days though most of what I knit I give away to charity. I do have grandchildren who will wear hand-knitted garments, but after all the effort and money spent on making these clothes, they are tossed into the washing machine with all sorts of other clothes and come out matted, shrunk and unable to be worn again. I know that the charities appreciate the gifts.
victory
Hi Lil, Agree, so true Lil our own children don't seem to appreciate the things we make either, at least someone does.
Trushka
Yes, were are not a dying race! At present, my knitting is scarves on very large needles while watching TV/a DVD. I cannot resist beautiful Australian wool - especially mohair and alpaca.
katmeow
wow, alot of people are doing it, some of my friends are just taking it up, I've knitted since I was a child, it feels good to have a skill that you can do with your hands, I very much like the idea of a knitting group, my last project was a groovy tea cosy with roses and wiggly bits, I shall teach my children to knit too
shelly47
Yes I love to knit and have always knitted for family and friends. I am very interested in the post by Shirley - she says she knits beanies for premature babies. What a great idea. I have been wanting to do something like this for ages but not known where to begin or who to approach. Wouldn't it be good for a lot of enthusiasts to get on board with knitting more for charity! Enjoy the knitting Shorty!
Thunderful
Yes, i'm not very good at anything but a basic or purl stitch (none of those awesome elaborate swirl designs) but i find it very relaxing. I'm thinking about trying out some new stitches though.
dragonlady
I love to knit -mainly baby out fit's i don't knit much now becase i get pin's&needle's in my hand's.
sherri
I used to love it - but with grandchidren living in WA there is not much point! I particularly like doing fine knitting, and the more complicated the pattern the better! - making old patterns from the 40's and 50's ideal...gotta love those lacy baby shawls.
I have found some wonderful old treasures on the internet.
kitekat
I love to handknit, I appreciate something for a gift that someone has made. It goes both ways, its also rewarding giving.
Cassa
Yes
I am knitting a shawl for my friend. Cant wait to finish it and see her face when I give it to her.
Anonymous
I do, but so far I've only been brave enough to knit scarves :D
wykesk67
Hi, I love to knit socks in 4 ply yarn, they are the warmest socks I have ever worn. I used to knit for my kids when they were little but they are much older now and it takes too long to knit a jumper for them, I lose interest now if things take too long.
Doobie
Yes i knit & crochet & have done for a very long time.
I enjoy making scarves for my daughter in NZ
candrew123
I have knitted by hand but I have stopped.
julie6130
yes there are still people who knit by hand i am one and my mother is another one and hows this my father also knits
Lilibet
I always get out the knitting in the cooler months. I knit when watching TV. Its a shame these days that there is not much cal for handknitted garments - my children tell me it takes too much effort to keep them looking good. That said, I do knit for some of my grandchildren who love the jumpers Nanny knits. Their mother however has no idea about handwashing, and I am sorely disappointed when I see how matted and shrunken the jumpers become in a very short time. It make me wonder if it is really with the effort after all.
Raksha
Yes I love knitting. Have done it since I was a child and my mother taught me. I also crochet. As Iam now in my late 60's and have osteo in my hands I find it harder to knit for a long time but still manage to knit small items, beanies, gloves, socks, scarves etc for me and my family.
Margotjune
Yes - I do it all the time! I'm also a sucker for wool that is on "special" so I have enough put by to last me the rest of my life - and then some! It's a very relaxing pastime, especially as winter draws on.
Kez
I certainly do. Have knitted everything from baby clothes to rugs and even little kackets for little dogs. You name it, and I have knitted it.
Anonymous
Yes I love knitting and Crochet. At the moment just knitted a teddy bear for my new neice and now going to crochet a leg blanket over winter. Knitting is so relaxing and great for presents. I have taught my girls to knit too. They like to make toys like me.
Anonymous
Yup....and it is really relaxing
frilly
I used to knit everything also and was a wool hoarder, I still have many many balls and skeins of wool and silk. I can no longer knit I have shocking osteoarthritis in both hands. My fingers tie themselves in knots. Also I an odd complaint my internal temperature gauge does not know how to turn itself off. When Iknit I become so hot, the sweat runs down my face, into my eyes, my hair becomes very wet around the scalp and worst of all my hand sweat too.
My needles sort of stick together and squeal.
I have a lady I met who has some of the same illnesses as me but who lives in Malta. She was going to opshops to buy cardigans and jumpers. Unpicking them washing the wool and reknitting.
I felt so guilty having so much wool, I parcelled up some and posted it. Not until hubby came home from PO did I find out how expensive was the postage. Still she was so thrilled.
I have bundled up all my patterns, that almost broke my heart my son has just turned 50 and I even had some of his baby patterns. I had to do it as I kept starting something and just could not get beyond a few rows. The Salvos must have wondered where it had all come from and why. My husband said I collected patterns as other collected books LOL
Ambercol
Hi frilly that was lovely of you to send your patterns to the salvo. If you were wondering what you could do with your wool. You could donate it to the Hospital Auxiliary as you will find many of those ladies knit items for babies and teddy bears for the children who stay in the hospital while they are ill. LoL about collected patterns as other collected books. :)
kate460
i will start doing some knitting once it gets cooler - wau too hot for knitting at this time of year.
i am planning to knit a jersey for myself - just need to get some more wool, plus knit a hat for myself. i will also do some knitting for my youngest niece who is 2 and a quarter years old, as mum is not around anymore to do any knitting for her lookalike granddaughter - especially when mum was young.
Anonymous
i just knit bootees and bonnets for babies but not in really hot weather
Arrochoyle
learned to knit at six, made dolls clothes to my own designs till 14 when mum made me knit for myself. most proud of: the circular shetland shawl that took me 17 years, mostly in a cupboard because it was so difficult, completed in six months, in the end.
Anonymous
Yes but I have became very slow at finising some things
janey
Yes I do but not enough as it is very relaxing. I try to get my grandchildren to learn as it would be sad to see the art dissappear and have computer games take its place.
suzieq
Yes I used to hand knit all the time, making jumpers and scarfs for my kids and husband, even used to darn woollen socks can you believe it. Now I don't seem to get the time and things are so cheap these days, it's easy to buy them.
Q1zMasta
I've done a lot in the past, and am now teaching my teenage daughter to knit
Anonymous
I tried hand knitting a jumper for my new husband. It turned out to be a disaster. It would have fitted a man with two metre arms.
Raksha
Yes I love knitting. My mother taught me to knit and crochet when I was about 5 or 6 years old. Problem now is that at 65 I have arthritis (Osteo) in some of my fingers and can only knit for a short time which is so frustrating. I still have a couple of projects on the go though.
Anonymous
I am trying to learn to knit and so far can make basic things like patches, scarfs and a teddy (sort of). I am finding it hard to find a book to teach me the basics in a way I can understand. My daughters teacher in the last year had parents go in to teach the students, after many parents etc promising only one mum turned up regularly and I tried to get in as much as I could (even lacking in experience). I thought it was great for them to try.
shaper
yes, I knit although with the price of good yarn now it can become a bit too expensive. The cheap stuff is not a lot of good as it seems to often run on washing and also the item's stretch. Quite a few years ago when he was younger, I taught my son to knit when he was ill and not allowed outside to play. Its very relaxing too. I have also found that a lot of my friends don't know how to knit as they were never shown? , what a shame I hope its not going to become a lost craft.
phoenix
I knit beenies. squares scarfs and i also crochet. I'm learning to do patterns but make up my own in the end. I do get funny looks from people when I tell them i knit and crochet (as being a guy, most think I'm not supposed to lnow how)
angelbits
good on ya mate glad to here it and im a female and i get strange looks too cos its a dieing art form. keep up the great work and ur grandma would be very proud of u.:-)
sarah
I still love to hand knit sarah
ValmaL
Perhaps I did not make myself clear you can buy knitting wool from Bendigo Woolen Mills. They fill orders quickly and if you ring them or get on the computer they will send a colour chart. Orders over 30d postage is free.
sarah
yes I love to knit - however now-a-days the wool is expensive and it is easier to buy ready made
ValmaL
Sarah I purchase my wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills and it is very good quality and economical.
ValmaL
Hi am a selfconfessed knitterholic and have over many years collected a huge stash of wool and patterns. We have a knitting group at our local bakery and have been meeting for over 6yrs. A wonderful hobby or is it an addiction? Valma
cas
I have been knitting for what seems like aeons. Something of a dinosaur I guess. My great grandmother taught me, then my grandmother and my mother. All the women in my family seem to knit. (Does that tell you blokes something about the brain?) All sorts of things from hats, gloves, scarves of course, gloves, jumpers with cable stitch (there I do have to keep an eye out) and of course, scarves. I also have knitted layettes for my daughter and many friends. I find it really relaxing - particularly in winter with a nice
cup of cocoa beside me.
blueyes
Yes I do hand knit and love it. I used to knit much more a few years back but now just knit now and again. I even knitted library bags for my daughter when she was in primary school. She still keeps them! :)
Anonymous
I finger knit but thats all i can do.
Jules
Its easy to transfer that to knitting with needles. If you wanted to give it a try, I would suggest that you started with very large needles, that would give the same result as your finger knitting.
Anonymous
Yep, hand knitted a bunny rug for my son when he was born, that was 33 years ago, I have forgottem how to do it now, what a shame, I really enjoyed it at the time.
shelly47
you never really forget how to knit! that is the great thing. If you pick up some wool and needles I'm sure you will remember how it goes again. If you don't have anything in particular to knit why don't you do something like Shirley Fowler and knit for charity. It is very worthwhile. I hope you give it a go again and enjoy knitting once more.
Shirley Fowell
Yes I still hand knitting. My latest project is knitting beannies for premmie babies. I can knit these easily while watching TV
jjdrer
Did you know that some ambulances have trauma teddies to give to babies/toddlers they are transporting to hospitals. It makes it easier to treat patients, it helps to calm down and also their little hands are occupied holding their teddy. I know that the SA Ambulance Service uses them constantly. My Mum and I did them together for many years. We were fortunate in that we at one stage had a Paramedic living next door to us and he took them for us. My Mum is no longer with us but I am still doing teddies. I prepare a lot before I fill them as it is a messy job.
Joydy
Yes I love to knit - mainly scarves & beanies but have managed a jacket for the grand daughter and am attempting a shrug for the 2 year old. I also give many of my efforts to Knit One Give One - they will accept any hand knitted garments and give them to chariites here in Australia. You can donate at many Pharmacies - have a look at the web www.knitonegiveone.org - its great to think all the scarves knitted while watching the tv go to a good cause!
shelly47
Thanks Jen,
I think this is such a great idea too. Happy knitting!
Jen
You can also knit small squares that are then used by the Midwifes association to join together to make balnkets for the women and babies in Africa.
shelly47
Yes I also love to knit. I have just finished knitting a beanie and scarf for my daughter who is living in London and its been snowing there, so much appreciated. I am also interested in doing some knitting for charity but have not known where to begin. Your post saying that you knit beanies for premmie babies is wonderful. Did you approach the hospital? How do you get involved with this cause as I would like to help!
CAT17
You are wonderful to spend your time knitting for premmie babies. My sister knits trauma bears for the children's hospital, I so admire her and you. I love knitting and always knit in winter, find it is good for stiff fingers. I believe knitting is the "new yoga"! Happy knitting everyone.
shorty
i donot watch tv but i still knit.
annajoyct
I have attempted to knit several outfits of the last few years, however because I have the attention span of a gnat - I lose track of which stich I should be knitting or in the case of trying to knit a pair of gloves ended up with 6 fingers. Have learned to turn a heel on a sock however, ran out of interest before completing the 2nd sock
elle
good
angelbits
lmao ya trippa :-)
annajoyct
i went the way of stitch counters and row counters and writing rows down on the pattern but all to no avail - reckon I will just stick to knitting scarves, fairly good at that
shorty
consence trate thats all you have to do
rustyoz
Yes I learnt to knit from my nana when I was younger as she was knitting all the time jumpers, booties, hats, beanies, scarfs, blankets and lots more. Unfortunately all I remember from her is how to knit the basic a square or a scarf. Still trying to learn how to master the knit 1 pearl 1. One day I will get it.
angelbits
join the club mate that makes 2 of us. :-)
shorty
yes its good to knit and i do it every day. At this moment i am knitting a carrigan but i am turning it into a jumper and being up the size too.
Anonymous
I can hand knit - but don't do it very often. Time poor - but I do still like to sit and knit in front of the tv during winter months. Hang over from childhood I think.
shorty
No good, I to have knitted Dresses (6) two Piece suits (2) jumpers, cardigans (30) Belts (10) and bits and pieces. I too love knitting And it Keeps me out of Mischief.........
Jenny
Yes I have been hand knitting all my life. I love it. I have knitted dresses, jumpers, scarves.
elle
great fun