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DailyKnitter

Caron Simply Soft Brites Yarn

Price: $2.49

Care:Machine wash and dry * 100% acrylic * 6 ounces 315 yards * 4""=18 stitches on size 8 needles * Suggested crochet hook: H8 * No dyelot.

They carried quite a good selection of Bernat yarns, and I really liked Bernat Chunky.  So I found one in a nice bluey-gray colour called True Denim.  The pattern is only called "knit blanket" but it turned out really pretty. It's almost like a basket weave pattern, so it took a lot of counting between purls and knits.  I worked on it every day (even when I was at work) from November to January. I'm really disappointed that I don't have a finished picture to show you, but Grandma loved it.

I've only been knitting since November of 2007. We had a friend over to dinner one night and she brought her knitting with her. I asked her to show me what she was doing and how to do it. My grandmother had tried to teach me to knit when I was younger, and it just never caught on, but this time when my friend taught me, it just kind of clicked. She started me out with a basic diamond-shaped dishcloth pattern, using a cheap acrylic yarn in a pretty eggplant and royal blue color. All in that night, she showed me how to knit, purl, yarn over, increase & decrease stitches. She raved that I was the quickest student she had ever had! Plus, she told me that my stitches were surprisingly even (not too tight or too loose) for a beginning knitter. I still use that first dishcloth - in fact, it's draped over my kitchen faucet as I'm writing.

Since that fateful evening, I have become addicted to knitting....finding out about different types of yarn, different stitches, etc. I still haven't ventured into the world of cable knitting yet (frankly, it scares me) but soon I will attempt it, and I'll share my trials with you all. On my next post, I'll tell you all about my first large and rather ambitious project, considering I had only been knitting for 2 weeks......

For all the procrastinators out there, here's how you can get started with your Christmas knitting projects.

1.  Decide who you will knit something for.  Keep in mind that even though you love knitting and spend a lot of time doing it, some people just won't appreciate it and buying them a gift might be better.

2.  Decide on the yarn color and then get to work trying to find a good place to get some discount yarn.

3.  Make sure you have the appropriate needles and anything else the project requires.

4.  Start.

It's not really that hard, is it!  Just get started; The sooner you start, the sooner you finish.

In the past decade knitting has had a rebirth, which I never saw coming.  We can all likely remember our grandmothers knitting us some really bulky and somewhat ugly sweater for Christmas and have thought that the end of knitting was close.  I might have thought that too!The truth of the matter is, knitting is hotter than ever.  Young women in their early twenties have starting knitting, but with some style mixed in.  No more ugly colored sweaters!  Younger knitters are opting for trendy patterns with fresh colors and textures.

So why does knitting make a great hobby?  Here's 3 reasons why I think knitting is a great hobby:

1. Knitting is a relatively inexpensive hobby compared to many other hobbies.  Once you've purchased some needles, many yarns can be purchased at discount prices, making many projects very low cost.
2. Knitting is a social hobby.  Many women get together to knit and talk about things that are happening in their lives.
3. Many young women have lost touch with the past due to increases in technology.  In the past, women sewed, knitted, crocheted and quilted, both out of necessity and hobby.  Because we no longer need to do some of those activities, a part of our heritage has passed away.  Knitting is one way to keep that heritage alive.

If you haven't yet started knitting, give it a try! Start with a  simple pattern, some knitting needles and some discount yarn and you're ready to go.

enjoy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jYa_rJyG18

One of the best ways to keep your costs down is to find a consistent source of cheap knitting supplies, especially knitting yarn.  Depending on the type of yarn that you knit with, some yarns are VERY expensive.  Consider more quality yarns like Alpaca yarn or Cashmere yarn.  Although they do put out a very great product, making a project out of one of these types of yarns can be expensive.

Finding a store to buy yarn online is important.  You'll save a lot of money by buying yarn on the internet, but watch out for the shipping costs or your great deal might not end up being that great.

Part III-Learn to Knit Series

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZhD_3R68Oo

Part II - Learn to Knit Series

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri9784dMlJk