A new hobby...

[wildeabandon]

...because that's definitely what I needed, what with all this copious free time I have.

Although actually, I think in the long run it might work out okay. The new hobby in question is knitting, which I took up partly because I wanted something that I could do to fill little patches of time where I don't have enough brain to read, and so had been ending up playing silly games on my phone, or futzing around on the internet.

At the moment of course, it's a new shiny thing, so I am spending basically all my time on it and staying up far too late and neglecting my sleep and correspondance and exercise and so on, but that should pass once the initial flush of enthusiasm wears off. I have found that it takes exactly the right amount of brain that I can do other things in the background that I find not diverting enough to do by themselves, but tune out if I'm doing something mentally demanding (e.g. listen to French podcasts, or have music that I'm supposed to be learning playing on repeat), So ultimately I think that the combination of allowing me to multi-task on these things, and reducing the amount of time I spend on my phone it will actually leave me with more productive time in the day.

Whom else do I know who knits? Do you have ravelry accounts? Tell me about your favourite yarns and sources for patterns and techniques and discussions and articles and so on :)

Also, I need projects. Obviously there is no guarantee about when (or even if) I will get round to it (especially if you only tick the "big things" option), but would anyone like anything knitted for them?

Poll #23207

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 11

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Yes, I would be delighted if you were to knit me a(n):

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hat
4 (36.4%)

scarf
6 (54.5%)

pair of gloves
4 (36.4%)

pair of socks
3 (27.3%)

item of baby clothing
1 (9.1%)

stuffed toy
4 (36.4%)

bookmark
4 (36.4%)

big thing like a skirt or dress or jumper
4 (36.4%)

thing that isn't listed here
3 (27.3%)

Let me tell you relevant things like my favourite colours and any fabric allergies

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Comments

[wildeabandon]

Bah. I forgot to put "hot water bottle cover" on the list, which is silly, because I already have one planned...

[atreic]

This is the pattern I have lusted after for far too long. I don't have any realistic expectation anyone other than me will ever knit it for me though!
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/equatorial-nights

[wildeabandon]

That is an excellent pattern, and beadwork would be an exciting new thing to learn. I'm not making any promises, but do let me know if you decide to start making it for yourself, just in case :)

[atreic]

You glorious tease :-)

[juliet]

That is pretty much what I find knitting good for, too -- occupying brain whilst doing something else or otherwise sitting around. Also for doing something that isn't chewing my fingernails whilst watching TV.

[safetythird]

I started knitting a couple of years ago, didn't get much further than being able to do basic stitches. Started a scarf, put it away because life things then just found it again recently. I find I can't have anything in the way of noise, tv etc on when knitting because it's distracting and I lose my place. I'm sure if I were better at it, it would be easier, so I need to practice more. I lost the pattern to the scarf I was working on so may unravel it and start something else.

[wildeabandon]

Yeah, I can't concentrate on other things if I'm doing something fiddly and trying to count stitches. That only works during the bits where I'm knitting mostly in a straight line. It'd something I find quite soothing though, so it might well be worth you picking it up again if you can find a moment.

[wildeabandon]

If you fancy doing a scarf that's not too fiddly, but more interesting than just row after row of garter stitch, I've just started this one, and I'm really liking how it's coming out. I cast on 40 stitches instead of 20, so it's about 8" wide.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scarfy-come-home

[kaberett]

yes I am on ravelry! kaberett.

I am allergic to animal fibres so unfortunately I am Somewhat Limited in what I can work with for myself, which is deeply frustrating, so I mostly get other people to buy me nice stuff for me to make them things out of. ;)

[ludy]

I'm always happy to talk knitting (though i don't do quite so much as i used to - which thinking about it may be part of why i've been meepy lately)
I'm ludypobble on Ravelry but i don't use it a huge amount (i mostly knit socks for myself and Close People so i'm not very adventurous at chasing down new patterns)

[wildeabandon]

I enjoyed reading your post about knitting during December days, but was being particularly useless at replying to things then.

Do you usually make socks with patterned stitching, or fairly simple ones? What sort of heels do you generally do? I've made a couple of pairs now with heel-flaps and gussets, but I've just cast on a pair that I intend to use this "Fish Lips Kiss" heel that my Mum recommended.

[ludy]

I tend to knit very simple plain socks in interesting colourways* because that's what i mostly wear. I have made fancier ones that have been interesting challenges - particularly for presents but they just aren't what i (or the people i knit for) reach for everyday.
I've tried various techniques (not the fish lips one - though i have used other short-row methods. They make a nice sock for a lot of people but don't particularly suit my foot shape - i do better with a heel flap) but these days i almost always use one of Cat Bordhi's variations of her New PathWays for Sock Knitters


*i'm very fond of Zauberball and am trying to move towards using the 100% wool version rather than the kind with nylon to cut down on laundry mircoplastics, though unfortunately that's only currently only available in the thinner version and sometimes here by the sea with it's occasional wild weather i need chunky socks!

[rosefox]

I'm also rosefox on Ravelry! (Does rosefox work? Ooh, it does!) My favorite yarns are mostly Lion's Brand—inexpensive, good quality—and my favorite pattern source is the Ravelry pattern search with "show only free patterns" checked. :D

[the_alchemist]

I'm Goldengame on Ravelry. I don't use it very much at the moment.

[doseybat]

Why knitting rather than crochet? Crochet has so much more easy flexibility of shape, and folds up better for transport. No lifelong prejudice here or anything.