Knit - Valentine Monster & Heart KAL

[karenarp]

So how are you all doing on your monsters? Getting them done?

I appreciate your kind words about knit, I had tried knitting pretty seriously awhile back. I made maybe a dozen dishcloths. Found patterns for letters and other fancy looks and went ahead. My problem ended up being I just cannot figure out how to hold my yarn and use my hands. All the videos I can find on how to knit are in so tight I cannot see how they are holding it. I know I am holding it wrong, I hold it as if it were crochet. Since I know no one live who also knits I can't even ask their advice. I was pretty proud of my earlier accomplishments, but knitting hurt my hands so much I had to give it up. I have several dozen knitting needles, I was obsessed with buying them back then! If you know of a good video that displays how to hold the yarn and the needles and how to wrap the yarn please share!

[Shandeh]

So how are you all doing on your monsters? Getting them done?

No more progress yet, because I was busy with piano lessons and choir practice for the past two days. But, I'm hoping to get a lot done this weekend.

If you know of a good video that displays how to hold the yarn and the needles and how to wrap the yarn please share!

Do a search for "continental knitting" and "english knitting" and "portuguese knitting". There are other techniques as well. I knit in the English style myself, because I have arthritis and weakness in my left hand. My right hand is strong, and much better at handling all the wraps and needle grabbing in the English method. I have tried Continental, but it is very slow and painful work for me.

[zhanie]

I am hoping to get my monster done this weekend too. I can't wait to see our pictures:)

[zhanie]

now i have to find out what ssk means. I know I have seen it before but i"ll have to look it up.

[zhanie]

I just found a terrific website called knittinghelp. I learned that kks means knit knit slip and then saw an easy to understand video clip of the stitch!

[Shandeh]

I just found a terrific website called knittinghelp. I learned that kks means knit knit slip and then saw an easy to understand video clip of the stitch!

Yeah, ssk is not hard at all. Just slip two stitches to the right needle, then stick the left needle back through them, and knit through the back loop with the right needle. It sounds more complicated than it is...especially after you do it once.

[zhanie]

[zhanie]

This "blanket" is my new favorite stitch. Some people call it a crocodile, aligator or dragon stitch because it looks scaly. I'd love to make something with this stitch.

[mittenmaker]

Hi zhanie, thank you for liking my flowers! I'm flattered. The monster and heart and blanket are Great! I really like that blanket with the alligator stitch!!! Your family will love the slippers -- the gift of warm feet is precious! Have fun with the CAL!

[mittenmaker]

Hi Shandeh! I just had to post a comment on your tight knitting remark! I am a recovering tight knitter and have to remind myself constantly to be a little more loosey-goosey! It's nice to share our experiences and it's even nicer to know we aren't alone in our knitting trials and triumphs. BTW I worked all yesterday afternoon on my right and left twists and front and back crosses. I am doing OK, using a book, but I have found 3 or 4 different techniques for working a right cross! Guess I'll have to check out a video, which is where I learned to do my KFB--I must have watched the video over and over, 40 times. Practice really does make "perfect" Knitting has really taught me a lot of patience and determination. Have a good day, everyone--I have to grocery shop then my husband and I are going to see Star Wars 3D.