[Nfb-krafters-korner] ways to cast-on and knit

[Cathy]

Hi needle knitters, 

I remember us discussing the different styles of knitting in terms of both
casting on as well as knitting styles months ago and it was fascinating to
learn how each of us did it. what I learned from the discussion is that I
should do what works for me and that there is no one "right" way. This was
freeing for me because I tend to want to do things "properly" and hearing
folks share allowed me to do what worked for me without feeling badly about
it.

Another thing I learned from teaching a beginner crochet class was that the
technique is less important than doing the stitch properly, meaning that as
long as you understand the goal, then how you accomplish  the goal is less
important than accomplishing that goal. So when I taught beginner crochet I
describe what to do, not how to do it, and folks seem to learn better that
way. I was so thrilled that I was able to teach some folks to crochet who
never understood how to do it!

 

 

Anyhow,  for cast-on, I use either the one we learned in Annette's class
last year where you cast-on and knit the first row simultaneously, or I will
cast-on a row with my finger like a chain stitch kind of thing, and then
knit that first row. I tend to lose track of counting stitches, so the
second method is better for me because it is faster and I have less chance
of losing track of my stitch count. <smile>

 

My knitting style is, hmm, modified English. I hold both needles and never
let go of either needle while knitting. I throw the yarn over using a finger
on my right hand and hand it over to a finger on my left hand and the left
hand finger then winds it around the needle and then I knit it. in this way,
I save time by not letting go of the needles and am less likely to drop a
stitch which can happen if I let go of a needle. If I remember rightly, I
believe it is LM who also uses this method, and I did not use this method
till I read about it and tried and liked it. just another wonderful thing I
learned from this group. <smile.)

 

So anyhow, I will put the short row shaping class on my calendar and look
forward to participating.

 

Cathy