Knitting… how hard can it be?

If you're a blogging knitter, I have probably left a comment on your site at some point to say something along the lines of "how lovely, so jealous that I can't knit".

Well the time has come to do something about it. I have to say, the thing that has spurred me into action is Julie's blog, Little Cotton Rabbits. Her things are so gorgeous and she has a free pattern for some mini-stockings which I can picture on my mantle.

So desperate was I to own one, that I had my mother show me how to cast on. I knit a square, which seemed OK ...

So I decided I needed to try a stocking. Unfortunately, my Mum had to go home before she could explain how to slip, knit 2 together, knit through the back, pick up stitches or anything else useful to know. So it was just me and some fairly dodgy Internet knitting tutorials.

I will show you if you promise not to laugh. Bear in mind that at 2pm yesterday, I could not knit, but I am now the proud owner of a too big, slightly holey, backwards in places mini stocking from the pattern. And no, you can't see the other side, because there is a really big hole there.

Am I a knitter now then?

Comments

[raspberryfairy]

Wow, that is great, and much much more than I could do!!!! Well done!

[Renee]

Holy moly! You are, indeed, a knitter. Most people embark on miles and miles of garter stitch for scarves as their first project, and I've always said that something smaller and more complicated (er, interesting) is a far more suitable first project.

Congrats!

[Amy]

GOOD for you! I've left those same comments on people's site, except I really don't mean it. I'm leaving the knotting arts up to others for a while :-)

[kirsten]

hooray for you! i have knitting-envy, too - but i just can't take that on right now.

are you going to knit a mate for this sock?

[Alicia A.]

Yes. Yes you are.

I think it looks fabulous! Way to go. I'm also guilty of leaving those comments. You've given me hope...

[Heels]

THAT is what you knit after making the test square? Wowsers! I have yet to turn out a sock for any size foot, but I hope to have a pair soon.

I have found the website knittinghelp.com very, very helpful. It has weensy short videos of all the stitches and I watch them over and over again when I need a new stitch.

Keep it up!

[Julie]

Well done Ali, I'd say you'd mastered the pointy sticks. I'm very flattered that it was my pattern that prompted you to give it a go - as Renee says it's usually miles of holey scarves that get embarked upon as first knitting projects. The question is, do you ever want to see a pair of knitting needles again?

[madmommy]

Now I can visit your site and say things like, "Wow, I wish I could do that!" because I'm still trying to figure it out. And crochet, which I thought would be easier since it's only one needle. Hooray for Ali!

[capello]

I would most certainly say you can knit now.

And now I'll tell you what I tell all the other knitter... "kinda jealous over your awesome knitting skills!"

[joanna]

No doubt about it, Ali! You ARE a knitter. What a brilliant first attempt; it looks like a bona fide stocking to me :)

[lera]

at least you've made something!!!

i started teaching myself to knit the day before my baby was born (3 wks ago) and haven't touched it since ... and i only have a square to show for it.

good job on your stocking!!!!

[elizabeth]

i think you did and AMAZING job. i can only knit a scarf!

[nuttnbunny]

Rock on!

[tiel s-k]

I too cannot knit, so I think you have done a marvelous job. A sock for you first attempt is very brave. You'll never look back now.

[kirsty]

You sure are a knitter! I wouldn't have a hope in hell of knitting a stocking. Man, I am impressed.
BTW, holes, schmoles.

[bigbucketgirl]

Seriously impressed with that! Well done you. Socks are on my list of presents to make for Xmas! No pressure..Xmas 2009 will be fine! What next?

[Soo]

You are now officially a knitter and the sock looks so cute! Aren't small things a lot trickier to make? I think you did a great job! (coming from a someone who would love to knit but doesn't know how to!)

[Sal]

Well done they look fab, I took several more squares to advance to shaping when I started!

[RANDI]

You are definitely a knitter now! I couldn't seem to progress past the scarf stage--socks were way to hard for me!

[monica]

bloody hell! excuse my french here, all that in a day? hat off my lady!!

[donna]

Oh wow I am so impressed! I have tried knitting but am not very good at it. My baby's mittens came out looking like rockets and could fit an 8 year old, hahaha!

Oh I'm Donna by the way, thanks for visiting my crafty blog :-)

[Sarah]

Do you still want to swap with me? What do you need me for now? You can knit your own scarf. Today socks, tomorrow lace.

[Candlestring]

As someone who knows how to knit, but does not call herself a knitter, I would say VERY nice job, Ali, and if you *want* to call yourself a knitter, you ARE one IMHO.
Personally, I like crochet better because it goes faster and then I have a chance of actually getting something finished (gasp). I learned to do both knitting and crochet from computer CDs from Coats&Clark.
Depending what the project is, I found that using nubbly yarn hides a multitude of sins - but the trade-off is that you sometimes can't count your stitches as easily and therefore make more mistakes!
Keep it up - stellar results for a first (and complicated) project!

[jen]

i think it was meant to be! you did a great job on the mini stocking for a first time knitter! i love that pattern and think i might give it a try. by the way, i love your blog! i am a new blogger, having a hard time getting started, but working on it.