[NFB-Blind-Crafters] Hints for beginner knitters

[blindhands at aol.com]

For keeping track of rows:  I like to use safety pins.  When I finish a row
I take a safety pin ]you can use different sizesm, but have them at least 1
½” long.  I pin it to my shirt and then add another one each time I finish a
row.  I do not take the safety pins off mmy shirt until I am finished
working on counting.  So if I get up to do anything the pins go along with
me.  They are easy enough to recount  I also take a pair of scissors –
holding sciissors work well – use elastic cording or ¼: elastic use like
24””  tie it to the scissor handle & knot the elastic & then with a safety
pin any size pin it to you pants pocket.  Again if you get up it is with you
and easy enough to find it.  Grandma always had a small pair of scissors
dangling off her garment.If you are right handed hang it to your pocket on
the right & if you are left handed hang it off your left pocket.

 

Joyce 

 

From: NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2024 4:40 PM
To: 'List for Blind Crafters and Artists' <nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org>
Cc: carcione at access.net
Subject: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Hints for beginner knitters

 

I was doing my homework for the square we’ll be knitting, and I thought of 2
hints I’d give beginner knitters.

The first is to figure out a way to keep track of what row you’re on.  I use
my abacus, but there are other ways I’ve occasionally used.

If I’m reading the pattern on a braille display, I know from the display
where I am, because it keeps my place. 

Or, if I have the pattern in a PDF or email, I copy it to Windows Notepad,
so I can edit it.  Then I can put an X where I am, or, if I just move down
for each line, I put an X where I finished.

I know other people have other methods, and I hope they will chime in.

 

The other hint is to use stitch markers.

I put a different stich marker at the beginning of an odd row than at the
beginning of an even row.  That way, I always know what kind of row I’m
working, without having to feel for the bumps. 

If I have a lot of stitches, or more than a couple pattern repeats in a row,
I put a marker every couple repeats, or every 20 stitches.  It saves me
counting lots of stitches, and inevitably losing my place near the end and
having to start over.

Also, if I’m working a pattern and come to a marker when I wasn’t expecting
to, I know my mistake is somewhere between where I am and where my last
marker was, so I only have to go back a little bit. 

I also like to have some locking stitch markers on hand.  They look kinda
like safety pins, only roundish.  They’re handy if I decide I need a marker
after I’ve passed the spot where it should go.  I also stick one on a
dropped stitch, so hopefully I can work it back up next time I come around
to it.

 

Lastly, there is a class for beginner knitters on the first Thursday of the
month, and anyone can sign up for it.

Tracy

 

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