knitting revelations (not that revelatory)

[electricland]

My tension isn't.

I had suspected this before, but my sample swatch was wildly off on the prescribed 5 mm needles and worked out perfectly on 4 mm. I achieved basically the same effect by yanking the yarn really, really tight on the 5s, but I find this tiring. So 4 mm it is. (Even for the ribbing, which should probably be on even smaller needles, but I'll yank and hope for the best.) The yarn is lovely (I think, from the pictures, that I'm using Terracotta but I'm not positive).

I also think I have mastered the long-tail cast-on, although I'm going to need to refer to the pictures for a long time to come. ;)

The only real trouble here is that I find it very hypnotic, and knit when I should be doing other things like putting the dishes away and sleeping. Ah well.

(Hm. I probably need a knitting icon of some kind.)

Comments

[anaka.livejournal.com]

Knitting! Someone else on my list who likes it! Yay! :)

[kaelsu2.livejournal.com]

I find the same problem with cross-stiching. I'm not very good at it.. but when I do it... I get rather hooked.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

tension is a personal thing, and you can't really rely on patterns to be exact. THat's why we do test swatches. Don't beat yourself up!

Also, I cannot recommend THis Book Enough I ALWAYS keep it with my knitting, and it's designed to stand up on a coffee table so you can refer to it easily with knitting-needle full hands. I STILL always keep the long-tail cast on page open in front of me while I do this ;)

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Yes! It's a GREAT book -- in fact you recommended it in such warm terms that Jen got me a copy of it when she put my knitting bag together a few years ago. So very helpful!

[electricland.livejournal.com]

did you mean to make that pun, young lady? *sternlook*

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Yay! :)

I'm still a beginner, but do I enjoy myself.

[anaka.livejournal.com]

So am I. My biggest project thus far is a baby blanket, currently in progress.

[mrs-cake.livejournal.com]

Hehehehe, this gave me a weird stumbling moment. I know nothing, NOTHING about knitting and I certainly don't have the vocabulary. I also habitually neglect to read the subject line of blog posts. So imagine my surprise at:

My tension isn't. I had suspected this before, but my sample swatch was wildly off on the prescribed 5 mm needles and worked out perfectly on 4 mm.

I read it twice in astonishment, not getting a single clue as to what you could be talking about. :) I'm glad it's not sharp needles hon.

And, go you!, with the knitting. I think it's awesome. Unfortunately I lack the patience. :)