Handknitting and the cost of yarn

ampersand

peachespeaches wrote: »

Anyone do crochet?

Ive been a knitter on and off for many years, but recently found it gives my shoulder a bit of gyp, so I tried crochet. I could crochet already, but only make squares, so my first project was a dishcloth. Then I got a pattern for a shopping bag and made that. Flushed with success I bought a pattern from ebay for a crochet jacket/cardi and bought some Sirdar wool fairly cheap on ebay (Denim aran weight). Well, I cant believe how well Ive got on with it and I now love crochet better than knitting.

I have bought wool recently from McA and Kemps and found them really good and really cheap for quality stuff like Sirdar which Ive always liked. I am joining a local knitting group soon, and their is a sub group on our local forum for knitters too. They dont discriminate against crochet!

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Yes, I crocheted soooo much in the 60's(self-taught teen then). Even the same styles are back again now. Being left-handed, knitting for me is a labour of love, holding wool in left hand as I do. Although I worked out purling by knitting backwards and never turning the needles, for ribbing, moss stitch etc. this is not an option.
It's a struggle - now to try and find the missing wool I need.

meanmarie

Peachespeaches...I knitted winter jackets for my 2 eldest daughters in Sirdar Pullman about 30 years ago, it was very thick and washed well....how much you would need for a project I have no idea but maybe superchunky ( this is a category isn't it???) would be the best place to get an idea of quantity needed...especially if its got to come all the way from Australia. I think that I would prefer to find a similar wool at home...something that knits to the same sample measurement.

Marie

ampersand

thriftmonster wrote: »

Whenever I have run out of wool to finish something, Sirdar etc always recommend Bobby Davisons in the Sunderland area - you could Google them - and they have always come up with the goods, down to the dye lot.

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Thankyou thriftmonster - thought you'd like to see the main result of my googling for Bobby Davison, Sunderland.
http://www.derbycounty-mad.co.uk/news/loadroll.asp?cid=ED31&id=52483.
Given that Ruggery!!!!!!y is my hemisphere's glory.
Shall keep trying and check BT directory, too.
Ah, but now find this:
http://www.peterleemail.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?
And this:
http://www.woolsworldwide.com/contact/
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Bobby Davison Wools - 01429.861300.
No-one answering yet.
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What wonderful people at Bobby Davison wools! -
No joy for my missing one, but long helpful talk from Jane and from Vivienne Chandler, owner and subject of the article above. Such wonderful service -at their insistence I'm sending a sample up for them to try and match, otherwise to work out a no-join grafting method.
They couldn't have been more knowledgable, interested and sharing.
Thankyou again thriftmonster.

SallyUK

Oooh just found this topic, what a delight!

I adore knitting and cross stitch, although haven't picked up the knitting needles in a long time - (no time really) - everytime I read about knitting though, it makes me want to do it again!

I used to knit Aran sweaters etc, so would love to do something again - maybe I'd better start with scarves seeing as it's been a while! lol

Desperate Housewife - thanks for the link for the Mill, I live near to there, so will pay a visit soon!

Sal
x

mocolo

What's happening about the sub forum? I have had to really search for this thread- page 10 or something.

come on crafty forum, where are you?


mocolo

Littlebean_2

I asked the moderators and put a question on the 'feedback' forum but didn't get enough responses to form our own sub-forum.
One solution would be to start a new thread in the manner of the Daily Thread to which we could all add our comments/questions.

I must confess that I haven't been online much this last week or so. My knitting addiction seems to have taken over LOL!

donny-gal

Sorry conradmum, I while appreciate the quality of the wool, how many of us today would think that something made 17 years ago doesn't show its age in the style (though it may have come round again), and how can we be sure a garment made for someone else would be loved for that long?

In simple terms all patterns give a tension you should check this regardless of whether you are using the same wool or an alternative. Obviously if it say XXXX Double Knitting than the alternative should be a Double Knitting weight, etc., but we all knit differently, some looser, some tighter, and you need to change to needles to get the correct tension over the test piece accordingly. Luckily my knitting is usually to tension, but my crocheting is looser, I need a smaller hook.

I have loads of knitting/crochet patterns in my loft, one day I will get them out and see what I can get around to again.

I have rarely used the specified wool I'm too tight!
Take care
DG

Sagaris

peachespeaches wrote: »

Anyone do crochet?

Ive been a knitter on and off for many years, but recently found it gives my shoulder a bit of gyp, so I tried crochet. I could crochet already, but only make squares, so my first project was a dishcloth. Then I got a pattern for a shopping bag and made that. Flushed with success I bought a pattern from ebay for a crochet jacket/cardi and bought some Sirdar wool fairly cheap on ebay (Denim aran weight). Well, I cant believe how well Ive got on with it and I now love crochet better than knitting.

I have bought wool recently from McA and Kemps and found them really good and really cheap for quality stuff like Sirdar which Ive always liked. I am joining a local knitting group soon, and their is a sub group on our local forum for knitters too. They dont discriminate against crochet!

I do!!!!
I knit but much prefer crochet as it's quicker - 2 of my daughter's freinds are pregnant so I'm just making baby shawls for them both - in 3 ply, which would take forever if I knitted them (plus I haven't got the patience!) I also find it's easier to put down and pick up again - only one stitch to drop at a time!

conradmum

donny-gal wrote: »

Sorry conradmum, I while appreciate the quality of the wool, how many of us today would think that something made 17 years ago doesn't show its age in the style (though it may have come round again), and how can we be sure a garment made for someone else would be loved for that long?

I am glad I checked back on this thread!

The cardigan I knitted is a very simple one size box shape, not really a strongly defined style, so has never really been in or out of fashion.
Obviously, we can't guarantee anything we make for someone else would be looked after well, but as I was making it for myself, I knew I would look after it. All I've ever done is wash it carefully, though (probably not as often as I should, I admit! :rotfl:). It goes in the machine on a 30 degrees wool wash and survives it pretty well. That's one of the advantages of good quality wool, that it washes and wears well. Cheaper yarns often show their age quickly and it's a shame to put a lot of effort into making something only to have it look tatty after a few months.
I might post a photo later so you can all judge whether my cardigan isnt trendy!:rotfl:

mocolo

Littlebean wrote: »

I asked the moderators and put a question on the 'feedback' forum but didn't get enough responses to form our own sub-forum.
One solution would be to start a new thread in the manner of the Daily Thread to which we could all add our comments/questions.

I must confess that I haven't been online much this last week or so. My knitting addiction seems to have taken over LOL!

oh- I didn't realise that it meant that we had to put somehting there- doh! How about we keep it live and post about what we have made etc to generate interest-people love piccies (well i do) You never know, we might have a sub forum yet. I would have thought that the question would have been better responded to if it was posted on the moneysaving board. Oh well, on with my knitty teapot cosy. Thanks for trying Little bean,

mocolo