I can't knit for toffee......honest I can't. Numerous people have tried to teach me over the years with no success. I would love to knit a soft toy or a cardigan for the kids. I have no desire to knit a scarf; I never wear them.
So on Wednesday I popped into the local knitting store to ask about lessons. Very nice lady, explained how I had no talent for knitting and she asked what I would like to knit. Told her about the toys and the cardigan's I'd like to knit for the babies, and she suggested a baby blanket.
Okay, not really what I had in mind, but better than a bloody useless scarf.
She told me when the lesson was and I paid my money.
I said, "well when is the next lesson after that?"
She said, "there isn't one."
I said "you can actually teach me to knit in just two hours?"
She said," no I send you home with homework, you keep popping in to show me how you're doing. If there are any mistakes we will pull it out and you will do it again and again until you get it right." (Or words to that effect)
At this point, I just looked at her and thought, "well that doesn't sound like much fun."
Made her write down what I needed. One of the things was "worsted yarn???" Got her to show me what on earth that was.
She then said,"It has to be a light colour."
I said, "Why?"
She said, "it's easier to see all your mistakes."
okay.........
At this point I saw a lovely knitted doll. So I walked over to it and said:
"Do you think I will be able to knit something like this?"
She said, "No."
I then saw some knitted sheep toys, "This?" I said.
She said, "No."
She didn't even say, "Well maybe some day." It was just NO.
She did say, "She thought it may be a challenge teaching me to knit."
Dear, there is no MAY about it, IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE!!!
Between me and you, I think I should have someone film the lesson and put it on Youtube, I bet I could make millions.......as I have a feeling it may not go quite as smoothly as she anticipates!
Should mention the lesson is on March 12th from 12 noon until 2pm. Thought that was a bit of a daft time personally, as that is right when I have my lunch??
29 comments:
I understand your frustration. The lady in the shop wasn't too helpful, but I have to say she was right.
Until you have the basics in knitting you won't be able to just jump straight in and knit a doll or a toy, well not without great frustration that is. These small items may look easy but they usually contain some quite complicated techniques.
I can see you are dead against knitting a scarf, but really something like that is the ideal starter project, because you get into the 'flow' and 'rhythm' of knitting and can practice different stitches as you go. Why not make shorter practice pieces and instead of a scarf use them for place mats or coasters ? that way you will experience casting on and off as well.
Get yourself a good book, like a beginners guide to knitting, You Tube is brilliant too, but usually for special stitches or techniques.
I love knitting and can't imagine life without it, so please don't give up, but I'm afraid there are no short cuts as with everything, it's practice, practice, practice.
Good luck and above all, enjoy it.
I love a giggle first thing in the morning! I'm sure you will do just fine. My Nanna taught me how to knit when I was a tot, I didn't knit for years after that but once you have the basics you'll do fine ~ and don't listen when that woman says 'No!' Never say Never! If all else fails, you can crochet.
~~~Deb in Wales
I think the conversation was hilarious! Probably a bit discouraging when she repeatedly said NO, but she could be wrong?! :)
lol Gill there is something to be said for honesty! good luck!
Good luck. I think the YouTube might be a good idea. I have the same blank about waltzing. Cannot count the number of times I've been shown how to do three simple steps. Nope. Nothing.
Are you left-handed? You are so clever about other things so I'm wondering why you find it hard to knit. I will confess that although I can knit, I cannot crochet worth beans! Oh, I can make granny squares...but that's about it. ;))
My mother tried to teach me to knit when I was a teen but I never took an interest in it. Good luck with your lessons! Check out videos on YouTube. I bet there are plenty to watch on knitting.
I have a fab knitted toy book from when I started knitting. All the toys are made some knitted squares sewn together. Pop me your address via email and I will post it to you x x x
This post made me laugh :-)
I think knitted toys are quite fiddly, never tried one but a very good friend has been knitting for donkeys years and is brilliant but she just can't get toys right.
A blanket would be an easier start, no shaping and you could practice knit and purl stitches. I tried teaching my eldest daughter a few years ago, like you she just couldn't get the hang of it, lol.
Then again I had never done any crochet and i leaned the basics in a one day session and went from there, so the same can apply to knitting :-)
Good luck, i will look forward to hearing about your adventure :-)
That is a good day ... my birthday ... hope the lesson is a success. If someone told me no, I'd be more determined to do it just to prove them wrong :)
That's me, too! I bought some needles, but never got around to having a lesson. Good for you!
My daughter knits and crochets, she's age 35. It skipped my generation!!!!
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!
I am an avid knitter, Gill, and it is so enjoyable once you "get it". Getting it however, can be tricky and really takes perseverance. So my advice to you is to stick with it. A baby blanket is nice, but a really simple and useful project is a dishcloth. It is completed quickly, is not a big deal if you have to pull it out and start again, and will give you lots of practice at the basics. Good Luck! Niki
I don't knit or crochet...I worked at learning to crochet when I was older, say in my mid 40's. I did get till I could do the stitches and half follow instructions. I was just sooooo slow that I felt my time would be spent better elsewhere.
I have wondered if lessons would help me with either of them. Then I think I spend enough on quilting and think I don't need any more hobbies.
Although the store owner wasn't the best sales lady she was definitely right. Repeat, repeat, repeat until you get it right. Just like quilting and HST's. You do them over until you get it right. I found knitting easy. When it came to crocheting, that was a different story.
I am surprised the store owner has anyone taking a class if she has that attitude. I tried to teach my eldest daughter to knit, it was a useless exercise, she never did get the hang of it.
Good luck, it might be easier than you thought!!!!
Patricia
Just don't look at me to be a knitting buddy,OK? The lady in the shop wouldn't be able to cope!
Jane x
I am like you. I have never learned even though several people have tried to teach me. Good luck!
Funny how we when we least expect it we become entangled in a bizarre conversation. I hope she turns out to be more helpful than she sounds. I'm taking up knitting and crocheting again after decades.
lol! Sounds like a scam! To give someone money to keep ripping apart what I'm attempting to create! :)
Good luck! My daughter taught herself how to knit for a Talented & Gifted project at school. I cannot tell you how many scarves we have...
Can I sit in a corner and watch? LOL - I think it will be very entertaining! :)
My aunts knit a lot. My mother knitted occasionally, but arthritis slowed that down.
I absolutely love knitting ( ehm..just simple things ). Actually the lady was not so kind, I think that it's all about exercise. Good luck! And, if you do not want to post on Youtube, please post a photo of your work when it's done :)
Well she could of been a bit more polite about it regardless ! I mean how does she know whether you will pick it up or not . I think you will do fine , I cant knit to save my soul but that's ok I don't sit still for long anyways lol ! Good luck and knit her a gag lol ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
I agree with starting with a dishcloth. It would teach you the basics: how to cast one, how to knit, how to purl, how to cast off, and that can take you quite far.
I've knit scarves, hats, and mittens. Some of my hats were a bit scary insofar as the kinds of heads they would fit, and while you may find scarves bloody useless, they're a good starter project because gauge or tension doesn't matter, and if you can knit one for a small child or toddler, the project can be even shorter. For something like a cardigan or a small toy, you do need to be able to have a consistent gauge or tension for the item to be a success.
If you are left-handed, it can be a tough row to hoe; a friend of mine is left-handed and although she finally got the hang of knitting like a right-handed person, she crochets with her left hand.
Light colours are easier to work with when you need to find your mistakes; please don't make the mistake of picking needles the same colour as your yarn. I did that once.
Have fun with it, Gill!
Lol, I can't knit for toffee either! but hey...you go girl! I'm very sure you'll make it and be "a knitter", and then you'll reach those elevated standards of "knitter bloggers", join ravelry, start sharing your patterns, showing your lovely, delicate shawls, and intricate jumpers, and then (gulp) you might not even talk to us non-knitters. :( NO! DON'T DO IT!
I don't think I like this teacher. Not very encouraging I use you tube to learn to knit and crochet. Go to your lesson but really I think She will do more harm than good. I can see you knitting something wonderful and taking it back to her and saying hahaha I did it
I can't knit either and I did take lessons with my grandmother once. I can't macrame either. I do have some knitting looms and am going to try to make some dishcloths -- I am so bad at it I am surprised I can tie my shoes.
She wasnt very encouraging was she ?
I just saw a pattern for a shrug and thought of you as it is all garter stitch
http://goinggreyandslightlygreen.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/easy-knitted-shrug-in-garter-stitch.html
Too bad you aren't closer. I would totally give you a hand. Have you ever thought of a knitting book for children? Not because I think you are simple :) but they have LOTS of pictures and better descriptions. I have this book for Ella and it has lots of very simple toys http://www.amazon.ca/First-Book-Knitting-Children/dp/0946206554/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425320797&sr=1-2&keywords=knitting+for+children). Or even start with dish/face cloths. That way it doesn't matter how they look and they don't take long. Here's a cute bunny you can make with just a square of knitting (and some worsted yarn). https://josoandsew.wordpress.com/tutorials/knitted-bunnies/
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