[Nfb-krafters-korner] learning to knit

[Ramona Walhof]

Deidre, for some people casting on is the hardest part of learning to knit. 
Since you have somebody to help you with that, just go ahead and get the 
knitting stitch under control.  It takes practice to get the tension right. 
Some people knit tighter than others, and some can vary it with different 
projects.  Try to follow Annette's instructions, because that will helpp you 
in that class.  But by all means, do not give up. When you get to the point 
of picking up your own stitches, it will be easier if the knitting is loose. 
I keep my stitches quite close to the ends of my needles, but that does make 
it easier to drop a stitch.  Your first attempt does not have to be a work 
of art.   All beginners drop stiches from time to time, and some get 
confused about knitting the same stitch twice, especially at the end and 
beginning of rows.  Just keep asking questions, keep working at the 
knitting, and don't worry about it.

Ramona
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Deidre Muccio" <deimucc at verizon.net>
To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2013 3:30 PM
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] learning to knit


> Hello Annette and others
> I was eager for the first beginner's knitting class to happen yesterday. I
> felt sure that I could learn. Right off I lost my slip knot off the needle
> several times. I never successfully casted on. I was also totally 
> perplexed
> because the motions described for knitting were not what I had been shown
> several times before by a neighbor. It turns out I had been shown English
> not Continental, which is what we did yesterday. Btw, probably many of you
> have taken this with Annette before, and you know she gives her all.
> Today my neighbor came back over to try to help me get the hang of
> Continental. I still didn't manage to cast on a first row of stitches, so
> she did it for me. I can't wait to hear the recording to see if at some
> point before the next class, I can figure it out myself.
> I now see the difference between English and Continental, it's the
> same, except for where the long strand of yarn gets placed or picked up. I
> can do that movement now except that a problem I'm having is that the
> stitches get so tight that when I need to pick that stitch off that left
> needle the stitches on both needles have to be right up near the tip and I
> risk their sliding off. I was told the reason things are getting so tight 
> is
> that I am putting too much tension on the strand of yarn that is resting 
> on
> my pointer finger. I was also told that it is good for there to be tension
> as the two needles are inside the stitch on the left needle, but I suppose
> that is easy for a sighted experienced knitter to say!
> I can't believe everyone in class yesterday was able to knit a few
> rows without dropping stitches. At least 3 times I dropped stitches off 
> the
> left needle and my neighbor had to put them back on. I felt them and she
> told me what to do to get them back on the left needle but I'm not 100% 
> sure
> I would have done it perfectly. I am not always even sure when I've  made 
> a
> mistake, so to speak, though often I can tell when something happens that
> didn't feel right.
> What do you other beginners do if no one is around to help remedy
> the kinds of problems I'm talking about? Start from the very beginning
> again?
> This process of learning is quite remarkable. I'm trusting that I'll
> get the hang of it, but I will surely need more help. I'm not willing to
> give up yet.
>
> Deidre
>
>
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