Read the labels...

So you have taken up knitting and now you are very confused trying to read the label try to figure out what yarn is best for your project. Let us start with the weight.

Sometime on the label it will say the weight and sometimes it will be a number. From 1-6 it goes from fine to supper bulky each with its own uses. 1 is fine or finger weight, good for sock, mittens, lace, baby things and if you are crazy very fine sweaters. Knitting using size 000-3 needles or higher if you are making lace. 2 is sport good for thicker socks, mittens, baby things, hats and if you want it sweaters. You tend to use needles size 2-5 when working with this. 3 is light worsted excellent for think socks, sweaters, scarfs, hats and just about anything else. This yarn tends to be 4-8 in needle sizes depending on what you are working on. 4 is worsted perfect for Aran (cabling work), afghans, thick warm hats, mittens and house socks. Needles that work best are 5-10 but you can go down to 4 if needed or up to 12. This is what most people knit with on a daily basis. 5 is bulky good when making thick things, sweaters, blankets, rag rugs and work best with size 8 to 15 needles. Finally there is 6 or super bulky. Thick yarn with large needles equals quick knitting and warm and fluffy things.

Then there will be a small section sometimes that will tell you the gage. A small square, with a number of rows, stiches equaling how big of a square that will make, with little needle or crochet hook inside will tell you the gage. Of course you can change the needle and I recommend it. You can test the gage beforehand if you like too as well, but if you like to live dangerously I say have fun and don’t. Go till you feel it is right, turns out it isn’t take it apart and try again. Experimentation is fun.

Of course there is also direction care. This doesn’t differ from the images on your clothing.

Have fun knitting.

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Cable me up

Probably one of the most iconic types of knitting is Aran knitting. Beautiful, less complicated than it looks and memorable. The term Aran itself denotes the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay, Inishmore (once known as Aranmor), Inishmaan and Inisheer but also the beautiful knitted cable worked sweaters that have become so iconic to time. However as far as knitting techniques go it is rather new. Developed with in the last 100 years it has become a very iconic knitting idea very quickly.

Sweater I made last year with Celtic knot cables on the wrist and front.

By simple twisting of the stitches beautiful cables can be formed. Using a small double pointed and often curved needle you move the stiches behind or in front of the knitted stiches. By doing this you create an amazing cabled stitch and what we today call Aran knitting. Each design could be combined with others to create amazing art that you can wear.

Socks J made last year with simple cables on the top.

It is because of these beautiful combinations a piece can be like no other piece. Hand knitting is always defined because each piece is different, beyond the needles and the yarn, just by moving the needles every piece made is different from the last one, even by using doing it exactly the same from project to project. How knitting works is as you work you make something unique to you with mistakes, messed up tensions, ladders. Some of those things will fix themselves over time but even if they don’t that is ok. Knitting is for life, and Aran I think proves that. Created to make one of a kind pieces that unfortunately may sometimes have been used to identify fisherman lost at sea. Some had flaws but what are flaws when you are venturing out to some new.

Y cable ear warmers audible for sale or my etsy page: GrandmasTools.

I was afraid to try cabling the first few times I did it. It was an adventure but by learning it I would eventually be able to create beautiful pieces that are one of a kind to me. Still working on trying to create one that is just by me but I will get there.

Celtic knot Cable hat going up for sale on my etsy page November 1st. GrandmasTools

What is the point?

I am often asked why, what is the point? I am always asked these questions when I am sewing, knitting, and spinning. I have been asked why I do “old people” hobbies? (A question I find insulting and to you I say phewy). Yes I know I can buy clothing at Walmart (I refuse to even step in that store if I can help it). Yes I know it would be easier if I just bought the clothing but I like creating something for myself. Also I find it away to spend my time wisely I have stated before I keep knitting in my bag so I can work on things when I am in other places, my space in my living room is surrounded by the tools of my trades and it is wonderful seeing the art take shape and become something no one else can make.

Most recently I was spinning in public and a little boy and his mother stopped to watch and I explained how the tuff of wool I was holding was becoming a think yarn. He watched for a minute and then asked “What is the point?” I stopped my spinning wheel and looked at him, and after repeating his question, I smiled and said “You are wearing the point. Everything you are wearing was spun, by machine but before those machines all material was spun by hand on a spinning wheel or drop spindle. It was then taken and woven into cloth. That cloth can be made into your pants, your sweatshirt, or it was knitted like your t-shirt, your socks and the cuffs of your sweatshirt. Today it is all done by massive machines in factories but before the 1800s Industrial Revolution it all had to be done by hand.” I showed him spinning on the drop spindle, knitting a sock I was working on and showed him my sewing basket.

Women in Ireland carrying 30 kilos of peat on their back while knitting. Multi tasking at it's finest.

You see everyone is wearing the past, present and the future. I know it odd to think about but the magic that is making something from scratch can be fascinating. The number of people who just sit and watch whenever I am working, who ask me questions and who say it is like magic. That is our history, everyday life to someone hundreds of years ago. What comes out can be complete magic as a tuff of wool becomes yarn and that ball of yarn becomes a hat, socks or a sweater. Or it gets woven and becomes shirts, handkerchiefs, pants and so much more. So what is the point? I guess it depends on the Artisian you are asking.  Plus what else am I going to do at the doctor's office or while watching documentaries on vikings or the Big Bang Theory.

from http://blog.redheart.com/donnas-dozen-hats-off/