Monday, February 9, 2015

Knit and purl

My recent foray into knitting with the arm knitted blanket has me wanting to do more. I have an addiction, hoarding problem, love for blankets and in my Pinterest-ing I came across this blanket

photo from LynneKnowlton.com
 
I think I actually drooled on my ipad!

I linked through to her website (www.lynneknowlton.com) and read this how to blog post and some of her other posts. She is adorable. I want to stay in her guest treehouse. I want her to adopt me.

This blanket is considered a beginner knitting project. Ok, that makes it even better. BUT, it requires using NEEDLES! Eek! Needles are scary!

It's supposed to be really easy, she says.  Just 4 knit stitches and then 4 purl stitches, Repeat, repeat, repeat and you'll have this gorgeous blanket.
She got the inspiration from an Etsy seller who made this version with even chunkier yarn
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/193555528/thickest-softest-chunkiest-yarn-merino?ref=shop_home_feat_4&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=ca_location_buyer&utm_content=220707
(link to Etsy from picture)
I almost had a heart attack when I saw how much this yarn cost.......$50.....per skein! Just a throw sized blanket would cost $200 to make. Not in my budget, besides the fact that I don't even know how to knit. Luckily Lynne gave much cheaper yarn options and I actually like the thickness and look of Lynne's blanket much better. 

I decided I'd better learn to knit, so while DD and I were at the craft/fabric store Saturday I bought some knitting needles and the cheapest skein of yarn I could find - for practicing. 

(DD picked out the color and said once I learned I could make her a mug cozy out of it)

And last night I practiced.......and practiced and practiced. I am not good at this........yet. First I did a bunch of rows of the knit stitch. That wasn't too hard but still had my share of goofs. Then I tried to learn the purl stitch. That one was harder, but I finally got a few rows of it and seemed to get in a rhythm. So then I got brave and tried to do 4 knit stitches and 4 purl stitches and repeat. Ya.....didn't go so well. I tried and pulled it out, tried and pulled it out. Either I'd forget which stitch I was supposed to be doing or just completely do the stitch wrong. Back to watching the videos.

I am bound and determined to figure this knitting stuff out! That lovely blanket will be draped over the corner of my sofa one of these days come hell or highwater.  Hopefully, I don't drown in the process.....and hopefully it will turn out looking somewhat similar...I should probably just hope it at least ends up looking something like a blanket!




10 comments:

  1. can't knit for toffee here, wish I could though.

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  2. You sound like me when I was trying to teach myself to crochet.

    Have you looked at local Adult Ed classes? Around here they have them for beginner knitting and then you have a person there to help!

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    1. I haven't checked at this time. I just hate going somewhere in the evenings after I've worked all day. I might check out our local Joann's and see if they offer a class.

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  3. You can do this especially with large needles. Any one at a yarn store can help you, start simple and then get it right with practice. We will talk spinning your own yarn later! Hee, hee......

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    1. I ordered the large needles today so I can practice with them, too before I start on the actual blanket. Spinning?! Are you trying to freak me out? LOL

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  4. I am not a knitter - tried and tried and tried, but I can crochet with the best of them. Good luck!

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    1. My grandma loved to crochet and I still have a few things she made me.

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  5. You are way more ambitious than I, I'm pretty crafty but knitting was something I never learned. My grandma knew how to do everything ... & I mean EVERYTHING. Wish I'd asked her to teach me. Be sure to keep us updated! PS I love that blanket too!

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    1. Well, I've got the two stitches down with practice now, but I'm sure it's a whole other story to actually try to make something real and have it turn out right. Haha!

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