Notes from (and about) knitting

A place I keep notes I learn from/about knitting:

06/15/2017

• I'm teaching myself how to knit without looking at the knitting. It's reminds me how very tactile knitting is, and makes me think that this must be, in a way, how it is to read braille. My guide finger on the feed needle (the left for me), can feel every stitch under it, and this is important to knitting without looking. Feeling that first stitch, separating it from the rest just enough to sneak the right hand needle under through around. Feeling the tension on the yarn on the right hand needle, knowing I was able to catch a loop, feeling that first stitch pull slightly. Such subtle movements, such delicate touch. Finally it takes a bit a of trust. Trust that I feel correctly, and I understand my touch, that it is sensitive enough to know it is all okay.
• single ply yarn is not the best to learn to knit without looking, it doesn't hold its shape as well as poly-plyed yarns. Each loop on the feed needle melts into the next losing definition.

06/16/2017

• Definitely getting better at knitting without looking. I've been practicing by closing my eyes (if i leave them open its hard not to peak).
• Drove 2 1/2 hrs to Buffalo NY and listened to old episodes of the KnitPicks Podcast (I love this podcast)!!!! Some great tid-bits to remember: 
• Always make a pattern swatch when doing colorwork to see how the colors interact.
• \SSK K2tog/ (if you write s.t. the K's are 'touching' SSK is on the left, and that stitch leans left, and K2tog is on the right, and that stitch leans to the right).

06/20/2017

• I am loving taking my time with my knitting these days. I almost enjoy having to frog, or fixing a dropped stitch, etc.... I think this is in part due to the fact that I feel confident enough to do so, and because I care about the end product enough to take the time. Comforting...
• I read and knit for the first time today! You know how waiting rooms are filled with magazines you'd never buy but like reading? Well this morning I found myself in a waiting room with my knitting (of course), and magazines galore, and I didn't have to chose one over the other! I am so excited!!!

06/26/2017

• Two socks at once with self striping yarn, it is hard to get matching socks opposed to sister socks. I had to start over the second sock using Zauberball because they make it such that the foot is all one color (I did not know this). Future reference it is important to research self striping sock yarns and what to look for when making the two balls.

07/05/2017

• Great little ditty to teach kids how to knit: In the front door/ around the back/out the window/ and here comes Jack/ tug-tug. Using that and the throwing method I taught my 10 year old niece how to knit (dish-cloth in cotton is just fine)! I started by casting on and knitting, garter stitch 3 rows. Great way to get a child knitting!

07/07/2017

• Reading from Sheepspot's free lessons "Choosing Breed Specific Yarns": 
• Hand-spinners and mills try to control for [single bias] by spinning yarns more loosely or by starting with crimpier or more elastic fibers... the crimp can absorb some of the twist energy that would otherwise distort the stitches.
• When using singe ply try to use a patter that uses both knit and purl (knit will pull one way and the purl another, correcting for bias).
• 2-ply yarn will not result in great stitch definition (in comparison to single of 3+ ply), since neither round or smooth resulting in an inherent unevenness, but ideal for lace!!!
• 3+ ply is a stronger yarn
• 4-ply good for cable knitting because accentuate the sculptural qualities of the cables.
• Researching cotton vs. linen for my mother:
• Cotton: 
• breathable, absorbent, comfortable. 
• Depending on fiber length can result in different textural qualities from slubby (shorter) to silky (longer). 
• Versatile: can be fine or thick yarns, smooth or brushed resulting in a variety of textures and finishes.
• non-elastic (therefore no memory to garment, must use structure in garment if you want shape)
• weaker when wet.
• good for warm climates (absorbs and dries quickly).
• non-resilient fiber therefore will stretch.
• Soft from first touch.
• Linen:
• absorbent (more so than cotton), very durable, breathable
• thicker yarn than cotton.
• Initially stiff: softens and drapes more in aging.
• this is often why people love linen... the drape.
• stronger when wet.
• can use wet blocking method (whap).
• non-elastic.
• breathable in warm climates and insulator in cool climates (due to hollow fibers).
• World strongest natural fiber (even used in paper money).
• bacterial resistant (hence favored for linens).

07/11/2017

• To repair and graft a piece of knitting watch episode 33 of the Fruity Knitting Podcast

07/20/2017

• From KnitPick podcast episode 39, when picking up stitches for a button band, for example, remember that a knit stitch is ~3x's longer than it is wide therefore you will want to pick up 2 and skip one along the edge (for some reason this is not the case with stranded knitting, this is a 1:1 ratio).

07/24/2017

• Frogging is (almost) always worth it! 
• I just frogged a pair of socks for the 3rd time, and I was past the heal on both socks. I am so happy I did, all the little things that annoyed me are gone and the socks are looking beautiful! I was even able to add a little eyelet detail that makes it slightly more interesting and attractive.

07/31/2017

• When spinning woolen singles, spin in the grease then wash after knitting. This will contribute strength to the yarn for knitting. Then once knit and all the fibers are interwoven it is safe to remove the lanolin and watch the yarn bloom!