Since I can't seem to actually sit down and write something when I have time on the weekends, here's the promised notes from my experience with making the Milk Maiden pullover, plus some other observations.
The Sweater
Well, it was an interesting knit. It came out nicely, but I ended up winging a lot of little changes, despite the fact that I actually took the time to sit down and plan out how I was going to shorten this sweater. This is because it has an odd construction in the sleeve area and is shaped. I don't have much of an issue with shaping. I was worried about screwing up the sleeve construction, having never done something like it before (it involves doing half the sleeve, and then attaching the sleeve to the sweater by decreases, which creates the sleeve cap. It also means that the sleeve width is the height of the sleeve, something I figured out a tad too late). However, I did manage to get the sleeves on mostly right. Yay me.
Oh, and while I was stupid and didn't write every change I made down, I did get a good chunk of them onto my Raverly for this project (the details may be a little lacking, but heh). But since I'm being lazy, I'm not linking. My profile link's on the side bar if you're really interested.
The Yarn Used
Madelinetosh yarn....oh, I love your colors, I love the way the color looks in this sweater, but you bleed, and bleed, and bleed! I set you in vinegar three times, I put so much into the water that it had to be half vinegar, but every time I took you out of the vinegar, you still bled! How do I set your pretty colors? How? Three times I've had to block projects made out of you, and all three times I couldn't stop the yarn from bleeding. Oye.
Other Observations
1) I actually saw someone knitting on the subway a week or so ago. I've never actually seen someone else knit in public, and here was this woman sitting on the crowded subway, merrily knitting away. I tried taking a sneaky picture (yeah, I know, it's a little creepy), but the camera in my phone sucks and the subway was too crowded. (I should note that I don't knit on the subway since I have a very short ride on it).
2) I then finished a hat (it is a present) and a short scarf (probably will be a present) with the alpaca from Rhinebeck. I now have another hat to do (another present), maybe another project that will also be a present, and a bunch of baby stuff since I now have another relative that's expecting. I would usually be 'yay' happy about the baby stuff, but I was kind of hoping to start on a cardigan for myself. You know, so I stop wearing the same store-bought one to work every day. Oh well. It'll give me a chance to clear out some of the baby yarn in my stash, given that I'm not over-estimating my knitting abilities again (Which I am. Can I really do two sweaters after a hat and [retracted] before buying some nicer yarn to make a nicer baby sweater?).
3) I really want to know where the phrase 'sharpen your knitting needles' came from. My mom said it to me when announcing the baby news. I've never heard that before, and I've never heard of being able to sharpen your needles. Probably because I use metal ones. A web search for another day.
November 15, 2011
November 6, 2011
Knitting vs Crochet, Part 1: Tools and Notions
For my first serious post, I'm going to start a series comparing knitting (which is what I mostly do now) and crochet (my first love). This one will be about the tools requires for the trade, and how they compare to each other. And I have pictures, since earlier today I decided to re-organize all my craft tools.
But first, I would like to announce that I finished this:
I'll go over my final thoughts on it in a write-and-dash post later. Now, to the comparison.
Knitting
To knit one simple project, you really only need two needles of the correct size. You may also need something like a stitch marker or a counter, but I won't count those because you need them for both crafts. That's it. Simple, right?
Nope. Not in the slightest. One of the more shocking things to me about knitting was how may damn needles you need to do all the projects you want to do. Want to knit a sweater? Depending on the sweater, you may be able to get away with a set of straight needles in the correct diameter (if knit flat or a cardigan), or you may need one or a couple of circular needles in the correct size and length, and a set of DPNs or longer circular needle to do the sleeves. If it has ribbing, you usually need another set of needles a size down. If you do hats, you usually use 16" circulars and DPNs, or a longer circular to Magic Loop the whole hat, presuming the hat's worked in the round. For socks, you'll need tiny DPNs or long circulars that you most likely wouldn't be using for other projects. I could go on and on. The thing is, if you knit anything and everything like me (well, not everything. I haven't gotten to socks yet since I don't usually like to wear them, but I will eventually) in any and all yarn weights (I've knitted everything from super bulky to light fingering), you end up needing a lot of different needles. If you're a person who prefers straight needles (not me), you're going to need a whole set of straights, a whole set of DPNs, and some circulars for those random projects that need to be knitted in large rounds. If you like circulars like me, you maybe could get away with less needles, assuming you prefer magic loop as well and don't buy a whole set of DPNs before you realize that.
That's the other thing, though. If you're new, you're usually directed to the straight, cheapo needles and set to go (unless, of course, you learned from someone who preferred differently and/or knew better). That's what I started on, having learned out of a book bought at a big-box craft store. Then, if you expand your horizons beyond scarfs, you'll mostly likely find your way to DPNs and circulars when needed. If you don't hate circulars and/or don't absolutely love and can't deal without straight needles or just prefer circulars, you would be smart to sit back, realize that in order to do all the things you want to do, you'd need to buy not only a different size needle, but 3-5 different lengths for the circulars, so it'd make sense to invest in a interchangeable set now, before you buy all those needles. You'd be really smart to realize that you prefer magic loop before you buy all the DPNs, but hey, it's the price I pay for learning without another knitter around.
Anyway, here's all my current tools:
I was lucky and realized I preferred circulars and things knitted in the round early, so I went and bought the interchangeable set from KnitPicks, which definitely has saved me money and kept my needle count down. I chose this one because I prefer metal needles and decent prices, and the other two metal sets in existence didn't fit both criteria (Boye's is cheap, both in price and quality, and the other one (I'm blanking on the brand) was more expensive for less sizes). I've had a couple of issues with the cables popping out of the metal screw top, and needles becoming unscrewed despite being tightened, but nothing major or constant (and KnitPicks did replace a cable for free when it broke on me the first time I used it. They're pretty good about that). And I have to say, I love the sharp points. My right index finger will beg to differ, but that's all right.
Oh, and I still need more needles if I ever get around to that sock, since the smallest interchangeable head is a US 4, and I don't own a solid US 0, 1, or 2 in a length above 24".
Also note the notions in the right hand corner. Needle caps, cable needles, stitch holders...all notions unique to knitting. Even with the interchangeable set keeping some of the cost down, I'd have to say that all those tools in that picture are worth around $200 US dollars (still need to actually tally it). Not counting the purple holder at the bottom, which has the straights I bought before I went circular and interchangeable:
That's probably another $40-$50 there.
Crochet
So, what do you need to crochet anything and everything? This:
That's it. Well, it's not all the crochet hook sizes you can get (I don't own my own Q or M hook, nor all the 'steel' ones), and I managed to lose my G hook when it fell out of a hole in the plastic bag I had a project it (which, ironically, was a knitting project. I was carrying it around to pick up stitches if I needed to), but that's all the crochet hooks I've ever used. I've crocheted everything from super bulky yarn to crochet thread as well, so it's a good range. That whole thing cost me around $40. If I got the rest of the set, it would cost me around $60-$70. Of course, this presumes you get the same hooks I did, which the cheap Boye ones (which are fine since I prefer metal hooks, and all a crochet hook has to do is hook the yarn through a loop. I also prefer the hook shape on the Boye's; there's another cheap brand that does a different style hook, and I don't like it. That's probably what the green, extra K hook I have on the left is. I never use that hook). If you go to a mid-upper-level style of hook, it may cost more more like $100 (though I just looked, and you can even get a Clover soft set for $40, though you may need a couple extra sizes).
Conclusion
So, in terms of tools, crochet is pretty good. Only need a small set of crochet hooks, maybe some shared notions like a stitch marker and/or row counter, and you're set. Knitting requires way more tools and notions, and that costs money. Also, due to the way you use knitting needles, quality becomes a lot more important, also upping the cost. In conclusion, if you're really broke and don't already knit or crochet, learn how to crochet. Or stick to one area of knitting, so you don't need as many tools. Or find a knitting friend that will loan you stuff. They all work. If you're not broke, then just be prepared to spend a lot building up your tool stash if you're learning to knit. Or ignore how much money you're spending on your hobby. Either way works.
But first, I would like to announce that I finished this:
I'll go over my final thoughts on it in a write-and-dash post later. Now, to the comparison.
Knitting
To knit one simple project, you really only need two needles of the correct size. You may also need something like a stitch marker or a counter, but I won't count those because you need them for both crafts. That's it. Simple, right?
Nope. Not in the slightest. One of the more shocking things to me about knitting was how may damn needles you need to do all the projects you want to do. Want to knit a sweater? Depending on the sweater, you may be able to get away with a set of straight needles in the correct diameter (if knit flat or a cardigan), or you may need one or a couple of circular needles in the correct size and length, and a set of DPNs or longer circular needle to do the sleeves. If it has ribbing, you usually need another set of needles a size down. If you do hats, you usually use 16" circulars and DPNs, or a longer circular to Magic Loop the whole hat, presuming the hat's worked in the round. For socks, you'll need tiny DPNs or long circulars that you most likely wouldn't be using for other projects. I could go on and on. The thing is, if you knit anything and everything like me (well, not everything. I haven't gotten to socks yet since I don't usually like to wear them, but I will eventually) in any and all yarn weights (I've knitted everything from super bulky to light fingering), you end up needing a lot of different needles. If you're a person who prefers straight needles (not me), you're going to need a whole set of straights, a whole set of DPNs, and some circulars for those random projects that need to be knitted in large rounds. If you like circulars like me, you maybe could get away with less needles, assuming you prefer magic loop as well and don't buy a whole set of DPNs before you realize that.
That's the other thing, though. If you're new, you're usually directed to the straight, cheapo needles and set to go (unless, of course, you learned from someone who preferred differently and/or knew better). That's what I started on, having learned out of a book bought at a big-box craft store. Then, if you expand your horizons beyond scarfs, you'll mostly likely find your way to DPNs and circulars when needed. If you don't hate circulars and/or don't absolutely love and can't deal without straight needles or just prefer circulars, you would be smart to sit back, realize that in order to do all the things you want to do, you'd need to buy not only a different size needle, but 3-5 different lengths for the circulars, so it'd make sense to invest in a interchangeable set now, before you buy all those needles. You'd be really smart to realize that you prefer magic loop before you buy all the DPNs, but hey, it's the price I pay for learning without another knitter around.
Anyway, here's all my current tools:
I was lucky and realized I preferred circulars and things knitted in the round early, so I went and bought the interchangeable set from KnitPicks, which definitely has saved me money and kept my needle count down. I chose this one because I prefer metal needles and decent prices, and the other two metal sets in existence didn't fit both criteria (Boye's is cheap, both in price and quality, and the other one (I'm blanking on the brand) was more expensive for less sizes). I've had a couple of issues with the cables popping out of the metal screw top, and needles becoming unscrewed despite being tightened, but nothing major or constant (and KnitPicks did replace a cable for free when it broke on me the first time I used it. They're pretty good about that). And I have to say, I love the sharp points. My right index finger will beg to differ, but that's all right.
Oh, and I still need more needles if I ever get around to that sock, since the smallest interchangeable head is a US 4, and I don't own a solid US 0, 1, or 2 in a length above 24".
Also note the notions in the right hand corner. Needle caps, cable needles, stitch holders...all notions unique to knitting. Even with the interchangeable set keeping some of the cost down, I'd have to say that all those tools in that picture are worth around $200 US dollars (still need to actually tally it). Not counting the purple holder at the bottom, which has the straights I bought before I went circular and interchangeable:
That's probably another $40-$50 there.
Crochet
So, what do you need to crochet anything and everything? This:
That's it. Well, it's not all the crochet hook sizes you can get (I don't own my own Q or M hook, nor all the 'steel' ones), and I managed to lose my G hook when it fell out of a hole in the plastic bag I had a project it (which, ironically, was a knitting project. I was carrying it around to pick up stitches if I needed to), but that's all the crochet hooks I've ever used. I've crocheted everything from super bulky yarn to crochet thread as well, so it's a good range. That whole thing cost me around $40. If I got the rest of the set, it would cost me around $60-$70. Of course, this presumes you get the same hooks I did, which the cheap Boye ones (which are fine since I prefer metal hooks, and all a crochet hook has to do is hook the yarn through a loop. I also prefer the hook shape on the Boye's; there's another cheap brand that does a different style hook, and I don't like it. That's probably what the green, extra K hook I have on the left is. I never use that hook). If you go to a mid-upper-level style of hook, it may cost more more like $100 (though I just looked, and you can even get a Clover soft set for $40, though you may need a couple extra sizes).
Conclusion
So, in terms of tools, crochet is pretty good. Only need a small set of crochet hooks, maybe some shared notions like a stitch marker and/or row counter, and you're set. Knitting requires way more tools and notions, and that costs money. Also, due to the way you use knitting needles, quality becomes a lot more important, also upping the cost. In conclusion, if you're really broke and don't already knit or crochet, learn how to crochet. Or stick to one area of knitting, so you don't need as many tools. Or find a knitting friend that will loan you stuff. They all work. If you're not broke, then just be prepared to spend a lot building up your tool stash if you're learning to knit. Or ignore how much money you're spending on your hobby. Either way works.
November 1, 2011
I'm Still Here
It's just that I've been a little busy, and buses have been running a little late recently, so I haven't managed to sit down and write a good post. I'll do it this weekend, I promise.
Well, not doing it last weekend was all my fault. I was too busy trying to make progress on the Crazy Cable Blanket:
In which my brother informed me, after I made the point that I had only done 45 rows out of 420, that he thought I'd have it done by the end of November, and was therefore shocked I hadn't made much progress. I pointed out that I had told him that I wouldn't be done by Hanukkah, so what made him think I would be done by November? Really? It's not that I'm a fast, well, anything, and they know that. It takes me a couple of months at best to crochet an afghan, and that's a not-so-complicated, bulky weight, one. Knitting crazy cabling in worsted weight? Yeah, I'll be lucky if I have it done by the end of the cold season.
Anyway, if you ignore the rather icky cable job in one place, and the day I picked it up, proceeded to make 3 mistakes in two rows, hacked fixes for them, and put it down thinking it would only get worse from here, I'm making progress. Slow progress, but progress. Though I'm not using lifelines anymore, so if I really screw up I'm back to row 20. Yeah, maybe next year he'll get it as a Hanukkah present. Maybe.
Well, not doing it last weekend was all my fault. I was too busy trying to make progress on the Crazy Cable Blanket:
In which my brother informed me, after I made the point that I had only done 45 rows out of 420, that he thought I'd have it done by the end of November, and was therefore shocked I hadn't made much progress. I pointed out that I had told him that I wouldn't be done by Hanukkah, so what made him think I would be done by November? Really? It's not that I'm a fast, well, anything, and they know that. It takes me a couple of months at best to crochet an afghan, and that's a not-so-complicated, bulky weight, one. Knitting crazy cabling in worsted weight? Yeah, I'll be lucky if I have it done by the end of the cold season.
Anyway, if you ignore the rather icky cable job in one place, and the day I picked it up, proceeded to make 3 mistakes in two rows, hacked fixes for them, and put it down thinking it would only get worse from here, I'm making progress. Slow progress, but progress. Though I'm not using lifelines anymore, so if I really screw up I'm back to row 20. Yeah, maybe next year he'll get it as a Hanukkah present. Maybe.
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