Monday, July 26, 2010

Strangling Yarn....

Yep, I started strangling yarn again last night. That is how knitting feels to me, as if I am strangling yarn....

I can cast on really well...but the actual knitting part is coming s-l-o-w-l-y and I like more instant gratification projects. One of the reasons I rarely make afghans....

A little over a year ago, some online friends decided to do the Learn To Knit Afghan book together...At the time, I had no desire to learn to knit, so I didn't join....

Well then I started seeing some really cool knitted sock patterns and decided to learn. So I bought the book. I've also taken the first part of a class, and will take the second part at some point....

I went yesterday and bought the needles used in the book and started to strangle yarn.

I think I am a tight knitter, my hands cramp and the needle is hard to get into the loop of the yarn....

Last night I got this far...

But then realized I had a really loose stitch I couldn't fix and ripped it all out...I restarted and worked on it a bit this morning and I am now here (sorry it's dark)

I stopped and crocheted a bit, as it is more comfortable for me...I am actually crocheting up the yarn the Hubs bought me for the knitting class, as I ripped it out so much, it was starting to look ratty.... So it looked like this before I ripped it out:

and now it looks like this:

QUESTION: When I cast on (I use long-tail) I have a stitch on the needle, then it said to cast-on 39 - does this mean then I should have 40 stitches altogether or just 39???

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

First of all, welcome to the darkside. ;-)

I've always counted the slipknot as my first stitch because this was how I was taught to knit. This could vary, though.

Where the nodding violets grow said...

I am glad that you are having a go at knitting. I too use the slip stitch as my first stitch. Hope this helps.

Sherri said...

Having finished the LTK, the slip stitch is counted as your first stitch. And your knitting looks just fine :) I too had tight stitches and hand cramps at first. As it becomes less awkward your knitting will loosen up a bit.

Unknown said...

Strangling yarn?!? LOL!!!!! TO funny!!! That first slipknot counts as your first cast on stitch. If you are a tight knitting, you might want to go up a needles size when following a pattern. I have had to do that a few times:)

Slicer said...

So glad to hear you're trying knitting again! It comes and goes with me. It will get easier and more fun as you practice! Keep it u!