ABOUT

I love to knit and didn't realize how much until I took up the needles again after a very long break. It is very relaxing and like gardening, very therapeutic.

My mother tried to teach me how to knit when I was a child, not quite sure at what age. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite get the hang of it. The continental method she used was awkward and slow. A lot of stitches were dropped in the process resulting in a few tantrums. It wasn't until our kind next door neighbour showed me the English method of knitting that I fell in love with this craft.

My first knitting patterns were dolls' clothes for the Chiltern twin dolls. These patterns appeared regularly in the Woman's Weekly, a popular English magazine at the time which is still around today.  My dolls, even if I do say so myself, were very well dressed. Any difficulties with knitting patterns were solved by going next door or a quick consultation over the garden fence. I had my own private tutor and still remember those times fondly.

From doll's clothes I progressed to scarves and hats, squares for blankets,  the occasional pairs of socks and gloves, jumpers and cardigans and novelty knits. At first these items were knitted in garter or stocking stitch, but soon I fell in love with a variety of decorative stitches marvelling at how it all works from just two stitches, knit and purl, and wrapping yarn around a needle.

I've been challenged by Aran , Fair Isle and picture knitting and also tried my hand at knitting stitch embroidery. All of which I loved, but the cables, plaited stitches and bobbles of Aran knitting have influenced what I like to knit now. I love patterned knitting and very rarely do I knit a garment in just stocking stitch.

Since I started knitting many changes have taken place. I remember my excitement when I bought my first row counter: no more making marks on bits of paper to keep tally of rows knitted. Now there are so many other little gadgets available: stitch markers, point protectors, knitting calculators, tension gauges, yarn bobbins, to name just a few.

Even knitting needles are made from a variety of materials these days. Where once steel ones were popular, we now have plastic, aluminium, wood, bamboo and carbon fibre needles. You can even just purchase the tips. My preference is for metal needles, long ones, as I'm a needle under the arm knitter and tend to break those made of plastic. Some of my knitting needles I've had for over fifty years. Retired from service now because they're bent and the points are damaged, I'm loath to throw them out. So they remain in my collection, at the bottom of my knittting drawer.

And where would a knitter be without yarn? We are spoilt for choice here, too. Presented with so many different plys, textures, colours, natural and acrylic fibres, that sometimes it's hard to make a decision. Over the years I've used a variety of yarns. Wool is my favourite, but lately I've been using soft acrylics and having good results. Most of my projects are made using double knitting or 8 ply yarn.

Another change in knitting is the biggest of them all - the internet. This has opened up the world of knitting with internet shopping sites, groups and forums, and, of course, knitting blogs. My  blog is just an extension of my hobby. It is a way for me to make contact with other knitters and keep a visual record of my projects. I'm just sorry I didn't start sooner.

Occasionally, I like to crochet: self-taught from a book of doily patterns using crochet cotton and a very fine hook. Now I'm more into crocheting baby blankets and throws with 8 ply yarn. As yet I haven't crocheted any garments, not even a scarf. For some reason this has never appealed to me. Perhaps it's because I love to knit more than I do to crochet.



Yvonne
A Darn Good Yarn