[Nfb-krafters-korner] learning to knit

[slerythema]

Deidre,

Good news, you are a beginner and you are doing typical beginner things!
Now, take a breath and hold it . . . now, let it out. You can do this.
First, don't try to think that you are making anything and that it has to be
perfect, simply make a square/rectangle that you can undo (or put in a
drawer) and just practice the motions. If you drop a stitch, that's okay,
keep going for a few more rows before you decide to either start over or cut
the yarn and put that one aside. Second, you will either remain a tight
knitter and learn how that effects your work or learn to loosen it up.

The reason blind knitters like to use a version of Continental instead of
English is because you keep your hands on your work and you do not have to
worry about what is happening when you are picking up and wrapping that
yarn. 

You are supposed to have your stitches close to the tip of the needle when
you are working them. At some point, you'll be able to pick any dropped
stitches back up and go right on knitting. Because it can get frustrating
when you are just learning, try practicing for ten minutes three times a
day. This will help keep your stress level down but allow you to get in the
practice that you need.

Also, I think you are the one that order Zephyr needles from Knit Picks. You
might want to try a pair of metal needles since you are working tight. Just
buy a cheap pair from Walmart or a hobby store to try them out. Now, with
metal needles the yarn can slip off easier but it also allows your tight
stitches to move easier. Your cheap metal needles will not have as fine a
point as Knit Picks nickel needles, but just give them a try to see if it
helps.

I have remained a tight knitter so I love my Knit Picks nickel needles with
their fine tapered point. Even though I am a tight knitter, I have learned
the proper tension that allows my stitches to move appropriately. While
Continental gives beginners a tighter tension, it does help you maintain
tension through out your whole project since you are not letting go of the
yarn all the time.

Just remember you are a beginner, however, you are off to a good start since
you actually know when you make a mistake. Most beginners do not realize
their mistakes when they are just starting. Plus, you have a whole list of
blind crafters just waiting to offer tips and cheer you on!

Cindy S.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfb-krafters-korner 
> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Deidre Muccio
> Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2013 5:31 PM
> To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
> 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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