Dishcloths

I'll have to say though the best way to learn to knit is definitely dishcloths! There are books, pamphlets, and if you search online there are innumerable sites with free dishcloth patterns of various difficulties. I'll have to say though my very favorite - and by FAR the simplest, quickest, most straightforward pattern I've EVER seen is the "Grandmother's Dishcloth" pattern. I did several of this simple knitted dishcloth in cotton using a pair of #8 (US) needles to re-acquaint myself with knitting, in the new way (continental) ... the following pattern is found in various places online - as well as shared below for your enjoyment; the first time I did this pattern was almost 15 years ago off an often-folded, yellowing, typewriter written sheet given to my mom:

Grandmother's Dishcloth

1. CO 4
2. K 2, YO, K2, turn
3. K2, YO, K to end*
4. *repeat #3 until there are 44 stitches on the needle
5. K1, K2Tog, YO, K2Tog, K to end*
6. *repeat #5 until there are 5 stitches remaining on needle, turn
7. K4
8. BO

Knit the dishcloth in 100# cotton (dishcloth cotton, I've found cones of this cotton at 'The Wall-Mart' regularly). One ball of Lion Brand Cotton makes 2 dishcloths, the cones make ... 50+? I can't remember, but it is a LOT of dishcloths!

Anyhow, whether you're just starting to knit or if you've been a knitting fool for years make some for your own use, or as gifts!!

Photos (C)2006 Author: W. Bates. All Rights Reserved.

Just Knitting along ...

Well, I've become a knitting fool, and have decided to add my own little blog to the masses of knitting blogs already out there :) ...

Just a warning, I'll probably be adding other things into this blog besides knitting ... stuff like thoughts, events, and everyday (and not so everyday) happenenings in my life - achievements and frustrations, :) ... sometimes it just is nice to put them down on paper for others to read :D ... I do love writing!

My mother taught me how to knit 'english' style in my youth, but became disillusioned with the tediousness of the 'throw, pick up needle, make stitch, drop needle, throw, pick up needle, etc.', of english knitting and so did far more crocheting than knitting ... but crocheting has it's limitations and tends to be bulkier than I like (clothing garmets - I LOVE crocheted doilies, table cloths, afghans, and similar items).

My mom and I are great pals, and I was chatting with her about how I wished there was an easier way to knit. Little did I know that SHE had seen a PBS (I believe?) show demonstrating Continental style knitting. After some searching, I have discovered that knitting can be AMAZINGLY quick, and FUN!! I'm now completely taken with it.

Had I known the plethora of information on this lovely method of knitting I would have been knitting up a storm YEARS ago! The internet is such an amazing tool and with little effort I have discovered a whole new world of tutorials, patterns, and like-minded knit-aholics like myself little did I know that the internet is so thoroughly saturated with 'knit-aholics' and vast resources of information online about this simple style of knitting.

For (in my opinion) the best online free instruction ( Continental, English, & Combination Methods with videos!) I've found go to KNITTING HELP dot com

After some false starts, I'm currently knitting a simple 44"x60" throw (find the pattern HERE. It isn't quite big enough to be called an afghan, but it IS warm and I am more than 2/3 done with it. I'm knitting faster each pattern row completed, and it is looking lovely ... more on my progress, and the finished design later.

More about me ...

I have found Knitting to be a great therapy and wonderful for stress relief ...

I am married to my soul-mate and love of my life ... we have three dogs (we train in obedience, conformation, and agility) ... no kids, yet (but that is another tale for another time perhaps?) ... I do yoga/pilates ... enjoy the outdoors tremendously ... love to garden (veggies and orchids!!) and cook (and bake) ... and work from home creating true-to-life machine embroidery designs on my computer to stitch or sell (DesignWorks), as well as am a Professional Forex Trader. As you can imagine life is never dull, and more often hectic and crazy :), being able to pull my knitting out of its bag and even do one or two rows really helps me to refocus and recenter.