[NFB-Krafters-Korner] cast-on needle knitting next Thursday, March 26, 9:30 eastern time

Sun Mar 22 15:56:22 UTC 2020

Ari, you can use no. 10 straight needles, especially for learning to cast on. But I think you will like something smaller for many things. The garter stitch which is the first one to learn is pretty bulky with no. 10's. If you can actually get to a yarn store, you can feel the yarn. Hobby Lobby "I love this yard" is soft, but it splits easily. Lion Brand Simply Soft is soft and a bit glossy (I like it a lot), but lighter weight than ideal for beginners. Red heart makes a yarn somewhat softer than its normal, but I don't remember what it is called. Generally, the scratchier yarns are not good for clothes, although they may work fine for table runners or place mats, even bags. Most yarns also get softer when washed and dried in a dryer.
Like Tracy, I rarely use straight needles any more, but they can be good for casting on. I find the circular needles nicer to work with and easier to keep from letting stitches fall off the end if you have to put something down unexpectedly. They are also easier to pack in a bag when carrying projecffs around and better in a crowded seating area to keep from bothering your neighbor. I would avoid fancy yarns at first. While learning, you can get a lot of mileage from one skein of any four-ply yarn. Larger and smaller yarns seem harder for beginners to work with. In time when you get so you feel confident and knitting is relaxing, you will accumulate several kinds and sizes of needles and yarns. But right now while we are staying home, we will use what we have or is convenient to get. You can also accumulate a lot of other stuff which can be useful or fun. For example, I did not say that you need a tape measure and you don't, but I would hate to have to do much without one.  
Ramona

On Mar 22, 2020 4:53 AM, Ari via NFB-Krafters-Korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I'm excited for this class. I only have straight needles, and the smallest size I have is 10 U.S. Is this okay? I can also try to pick up some thinner yarn--I have yarn with a six on it. what's a nice acrilic yarn people would recommend? My problem with that type of yarn is that it always seems to be rather scratchy or itchy. I'm talking about the kind of yarn that school teachers typically get for hanging projects, like paper Christmas tree decorations. I'm trying to avoid that. :) Maybe I can get something shipped to me from Amazon?
>
> Thanks,
> Ari
>
> > On Mar 21, 2020, at 5:53 PM, Ramona via NFB-Krafters-Korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > 
> > I think we have it all straight now. I am offering a cast on needle knitting class at 9:30 eastern time next Thursday evening, March 26. Anyone wishing to learn it from scratch or to review is welcome. Experienced knitters are welcome to sit in. If someone is having trouble following one explanation, a second description might help. I do not plan to go beyond casting on in that first lesson. We will talk about  two kinds of cast on, but one is very simple, and we will spend very little time on it. For simplicity, I will try to complete one explanation before we take a second one.
> > 
> > The following week I will offer a knit stitch class which will include changing rows.
> > 
> > You need a circular needle; size 6, 7, 8 or 9 would be my recommendation. The easiest length to find is 29 inches long which is good. If you have straight needles in any of those sizes, they can work, as long as they are not double pointed. I would not recommend double points for beginners. You will need some worsted weight yarn, I recommend acrylic, and a pair of scissors. That's it! If you will be tired, try to get a nap in the afternoon. For many casting on is the hardest part of knitting, although you forget that after you learn. I recommend you take a week to practice and make it smooth. That will make the knit stitch seem easy. We will talk about how to keep it loose and even.
> > 
> > After the second class, which is the knit stitch called garter stitch,  students will be asked to make something, a scarf, a table protector or pot holder. You will not need a pattern for this. Then someone will teach casting off. We can do this individually or in a class. Students will not all be ready to cast off at the same time. My thinking is that beginners should complete at least one project using the garter stitch before learning to purl, increase and decrease or anything else. After casting off, the next thing is purl and learning to make designs. Someone else can do any of these things, although I am willing to continue. If we are all still spending a lot of time at home, chances are we will have lots of time to knit and learn.
> > 
> > Just in case you are interested, I just completed a lilac sweater yesterday, knit down raglan. The only hard part of this is sizing, another lesson for later. So let's start a knitting frenzy! We will all have new things for next winter or for presents. 
> > Please email me at walhoframona at gmail_com and let me know whether you are brand new, trying for a second or third time, doing a review or something else. It might also be helpful to know what time zone you are on. 
> > Teachers who wafft to be there should also let me know. If you want to teach a later class, I would like to know, but I think you should clear it through Tammy as well. I know there are quite a few experienced knitters in this group, and it is good for beginners to get to know us, probably one at a time. 
> > Dixie put the phone number out earlier this week, so we will use it. If anyone doesn't have it, please let me know. 
> > Ramona   
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