General Knitting Questions

[hollye]

I think this might be the second thread I've started regarding knitting, but I'm just fascinated by it as of late.

What projects go best with each size of needles? Meaning, are large needles for large projects?

What's the difference between bamboo, plastic, and aluminum, aside from the obvious?

What's the fundamental difference between knitting and crochet, in terms of appearance?

I'll probably edit this with more questions later.

[knittykat]

The size of the needle, as in the diameter (size 6, 8, 10, 15, whatever) depends upon the yarn rather than the size of the project itself. A thin, sock weight yarn will use maybe a size 2, whereas a thick, chunky poncho yarn might use a 15 or even a 17 or bigger.

The length of circular needles depends upon the size of your project. If you're knitting an afghan back and forth on circs, you will need a long one to fit all the stitches on it. If you are trying to make a hat, then you will need a much shorter length so that the stitches can join without stretching.

Bamboo, plastic, and aluminum all have their benefits/drawbacks.

Bamboo are lightweight, warm, and have a higher coefficient of friction, meaning things will not slide as easily on them. In some cases, that translates to better control (like with socks with tiny stitches). In other cases, that can be a pain in the ass (like trying to knit cotton on bamboo). Bamboo are, however, more expensive and easier to break.

Plastic are relatively lightweight but heavier than aluminum or bamboo. Exceptions would be the Denise interchangeable needles, which are lightweight and flexible. Lion Brand plastic are heavier (and also rattle). Plastic is not as inexpensive as it would seem to be--it is comparable to bamboo. They are more slippery than bamboo, less slippery than aluminum.

Aluminum are the cheapest and are quite lightweight. They are extremely slippy--meaning that your stitches will just fly--which can be a negative (if you're always dropping stitches) or a positive (if you wanna knit like the wind).
Aluminum, however, is also quite rigid. This means they're impossible to destroy (I have bent one to a 45 degree angle and bent it back and it's fine) but they can be hard on your hands--cold and unyielding.

Knitting in general makes a lighter, more flexible fabric. Knitting also requires less yarn--a consideration if you're paying $15 a ball. However, knitted garments take longer to produce and require more planning to get the shape right. Knitting is great for lots of things, especially garments.

Crocheting makes a thicker, less flexible fabric. A general rule of thumb is crochet requires 30% more yarn than an equivalent knitting project. Crocheting is faster (at least most people think that) and you can more easily see shaping changes as you make them, rather than having to wait until the item is finished or worked further. Crocheting's thickness and warmth make it good for things like scarves or afghans.

(of course I'm talking in super general terms. A crocheted doily is lighter than air and thin as a dime)

Ask away--I love to talk about knitting and crocheting both.

[knittykat]

Okay, are you asking for info because you're trying to figure out which one to take up? Or just general curiosity?

If you are thinking of taking up either here is what I would suggest. If you are the type of person who learns best from a book, pick up Stitch & Bitch (the first one). Also get a pair of knitting needles in size 7 or 8, and a skein of worsted weight wool (or acrylic if you're on a limited budget). The keyword here is *basic* or *boring* if you will. Don't pick something fuzzy or loopy or funky. No fun fur, no Lion Homespun, no boucle. A skein of Lion Brand Fisherman's wool, a skein of Red Heart classic, or a skein of Cascade 220 would be right on the money. Don't pick black--it's too hard to see your stitches. You will be doing yourself a favor by learning on a very basic, smooth yarn.

If you need demonstration, take a basic class. Any knitting shop, and even your local Michael's, will have beginning knitting classes. With a knitting shop you will need to purchase the yarn from the shop, 9 times out of 10.

If you wish to learn to crochet, pick up Maggie Righetti's Crocheting in Plain English, also a skein of simple worsted weight yarn, and a hook of an appropriate size--probably about an H.

[hollye]

Okay, I've had time to think of more questions. :oops:

How many stitches exist? As in, how many types of stitches?

If I were to make a scarf, would it be okay to go ahead and get hand spun wool and big needles for a first time project?

I'm overwhelmed by the possibilities. I'm not sure if this is good, or bad. :)

I'm also not sure if I'll be able to benefit from stitch n bitch. I've heard great things about it, but hopefully it will be detailed enough to turn me into a knitter.

[sarabande]

How many stitches exist? As in, how many types of stitches?
In knitting, there are 2 stitches - Knitting and purling. Anything else is just a combination of those 2. In crocheting, there are many more stitches, but they just add on to the basic single crochet.

If I were to make a scarf, would it be okay to go ahead and get hand spun wool and big needles for a first time project?
I would reccomend something plainer for the very first. Buy some cheap acrylic or Woolease and just knit for a while to get a hang of it. Once you've got the stiches down, then go for the handspun scarf. Many people's very first endeavor is a weirdly shaped blob, so you wouldn't want to waste your pretty yarn.


I'm also not sure if I'll be able to benefit from stitch n bitch. I've heard great things about it, but hopefully it will be detailed enough to turn me into a knitter.
I personally couldn't learn to knit from a book. I tried, then made a friend teach me. Is there a Stitch n Bitch in your city? If so, show up with yarn and needles, and someone will teach you.

Sarah

[knittykat]

Definitely agreed--save your pretty yarn for when you have more confidence in your knitting skills.

Even if you don't learn from S&B (the book) per se, it serves as a fabulous backup reference. Example--I had the HARDEST time learning to cast on. I would manage, then by the time I finished with that project I had forgotten how. A reference is especially nice if you tend toward knitting at 2 a.m. when you can't sleep and other people don't fancy getting awakened in the middle of the night for an impromptu knitting lesson.

And I also second showing up with yarn and needles at an S&B in your area. We FIGHT over the newbies at ours.

[arabella]

[knittykat]

Many people seem to be intimidated by knitting, but it's no harder to learn than any other skill--balancing your checkbook, braiding your hair, planning a meal, baking cookies. It takes some time to learn but it is truly a common peoples' craft, it's not a weird mystical art that only the truly gifted can ever hope to master.

Not very long ago, every young girl learned to knit at the tender age of 4 or 5.

Don't be scared--dive in! Knitting is awesome!

[craftyasschick]

i've only scanned the replies so far so i apologize if i'm repeating what someone else mentioned.

when i first learned to knit (with a book) my project was a scarf. i used u.s. size 8 needles and a yarn recommended for size 8 needles...... i got very discouraged because i thought knitting would go fast. it doesn't......until you get good, but even then it can be time consuming. i've only knitted simple things though.

so, what i'm saying is, all i use now are big needles (size 32) and thick yarn (even if i double up yarns) now (for scarves).......it knits much faster than thin yarn on small needles.


good luck.

[xuli]

[marriedtopotatoes]

I always encourage people to learn on variegated yarn with pretty short lengths of any one color. The changing colors make it much easier to see what you're doing, and the Red Heart rainbow is cheap. I reuse mine whenever I'm trying to pick up a new stitch.

[pixielily]

i've been toying with the idea of learning to knit for several years now, (inspired by all you knitting glitterati!) but, like hollye, i've had a million questions, and no clue where to begin. until today, i thought i didn't even know anyone IRL who knits. then a co-worker brought in a sweater she's working on, gave me & another co-worker an impromptu lesson, and now we're BOTH going to give it a whirl.

i can't believe how awkward it all felt; i kept thinking i needed another hand, and then laughing, because i seemed so unable to use the two i have! casting on was a bitch, until i got in the flow; knitting was the same way. purling was impossible (at least today.) keeping the tension right was hard, hard, hard. but, in spite of all that, it was SO MUCH FUN!!! one of those things that required concentration, and yet was relaxing at the same time. who knew?! (you all did!)

the woman who gave us the "lesson" was VERY encouraging, and said what several others here have said, basically, "it's really not hard, it's actually simple, you just have to learn how to do it. you just have to practice." she also suggested some cheapie yarn & fairly large needles, and said that you can make a scarf without purling at all, which i didn't know.

i know how to do single crochet, but nothing more, so all i can make is miles & miles of chain; could i learn to really crochet at an SnB, or is it only for knitters?

i'm excited! how do i find out if there's an SnB here?
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[sarabande]

Good for you for finally learning! There's a book called "The Knit Stitch" by Sally Melville. All of the patterns in it only use the knit stich. The ladies on one of my knitting mailing lists love it. As for crocheting, you can make many things with just sc. Just crochet across, turn and keep going. Stitch n Bitches won't shun you. But, there's a high chance of just knitters being there. http://www.stitchnbitch.org has a big list of groups across the country.

Sarah

[knittykat]

At my S&B we are all knitters but about half of us crochet as well--some more than others. 2 of us began as crocheters and became knitters.

And there MUST be an S&B in Louisville, pixielily. Go to www.knittersreview.com and enter the forums. Scan the "Seeking Nearby Knitters" area and I'll bet you'll find something. You can always register and post a call for nearby knitters/crocheters as well.

Once you have learned to cast on, you have already passed the hardest part of learning to knit. When I first taught people to knit I would make them cast on, figuring that they had to cast on to knit. Several of them got frustrated by it and were like "and this is only the BEGINNING? Now I have to learn something ELSE?" Now when I teach I start with casting on, but if it doesn't go well I cast on for them and tell them they will have to cast on for their next project by themselves!

[pixielily]

thanks you guys!!!!!!! i looked at both sites, and on knittersreview i found a post from just last month saying there's a group that meets every sunday at a coffee shop that's literally 2 blocks from my house! it's a very cool little place, i sort-of know the manager, they sell record bowls, and my daughter lives right across the street. (all of this just means i'll probably feel really comfortable there...)

i'm SO excited!! so, should i purchase supplies before i go for the first time, just some needles & yarn? yeah, probably, huh? and then what, walk in & introduce myself & say, "i have no idea what i'm doing, could someone please help me?"

i really am excited about this; maybe i'll go this sunday!

the same post mentioned another group, the Louisville SBSTT group (Stitch, Bitch, Show, Tell and Teach), which sounds good too, but they meet on tuesday evenings, across town. i think i'll check out my neighborhood group first.
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