"Lady Emily was making a khaki scarf, had been making it for nearly a year, and was likely, as far as anyone could see, to finish a few days after the end of the war, if then.... What she achieved in the way of adding stitches, of losing stitches, of inventing stitches that no one had ever met before, of finding a long ladder where none had been five minutes earlier, of discovering a peculiar knotted lump twenty rows back and insisting on unravelling at that point because nothing was good or good enough for the soldiers and picking up her row with double its number of stitches, only those who have tried to guide a mother's early steps in knitting can understand."

Anyone who tried to guide a child's early steps in knitting would understand this as well. Recently, I got a girl started on a scarf, sent her home and have heard since that the thing was widening in weird ways that she could not understand or control. Similarly, my return to crocheting after decades created monstrosities; I did not seem to know when a row ended and it was time to turn around; I just kept adding stitches. The learning curve for making can feel steep at times.

By the end of this passage in Angela Thirkell's Marling Hall from 1942, we learn that Lady Emily's scarf varies in width from 9 to 19 inches, is 5 feet long, and she thinks she only half done with it. This is one of the funnier passages in this novel which can seem a bit impatient with humankind at points. But it was 1942 and the country was struggling desperately and I can understand how Thirkell's tales of life in the English countryside would be less cheerful than her pre-war works. Although they continued to turn on making sure that people married the right spouse who would make them happy, and not the wrong ones who made parents clutch their hair.

You can find these works at Virago Books: https://www.virago.co.uk/?s=thirkell

Have you tried casting on your knitting project using the crochet cast on method? It’s easier than you think & makes a nice clean edge that matches the look of a standard bind off. Start with a slip knot on the crochet hook. Cross the crochet hook and the knitting needle to form a T with the hook in front. Pull the working yarn around the back of the T formation & up over the top of the knitting needle. Pull the working yarn through the stitch using the crochet hook. The important thing here is to bring the working yarn back around back of the T formation again by crossing it BETWEEN the hook and needle. Watch me a few times & you’ll see what i mean.

Are you ready to give the crochet cast on a try? Follow me @yarntreatsdesigns - I’ve got a new Reels knitting tutorial every day in June! And be sure to check out my knitting patterns on Ravelry

#handknits #knitting #knittingtips #knittingforbeginners #learningtoknit #yarntreats #handknit #yarn #learntoknit #knittingtutorial #knitwithme

We have an arm!!!! I’m very impressed that I’ve managed to get this far and not gotten bored of it and started a new project already 🙈 I need to finish this for my daughter now though

#knitting #learningtoknit #knittedsweater #knittersofinstagram #circularknitting #beginnerknitter #beautifulyarn #hobbiiyarn

Continental Knitting

So I figure after I am done with the 2 knit projects I currently have in my bin of #wips, I will focus on learning continental knitting. Does anyone have any advice? Me being a crocheter aka hooker tends to affect my going back and forth and I have been told that continental knitting would be better for me.

Pictures are of my 2 remaining knit projects.

After watching a bunch of videos and looking at lots of diagrams, I'm finally starting to get the hang of this knitting thing. After I do a few more rows and get more practice with getting things even, I'll start an actual project. . . #knitting #LearningToKnit #maker #QuarantineCrafts #ApocalypseSkills https://www.instagram.com/p/CB3xW7MBRSJ/?igshid=1kiuwru3d0hml

I feel like a proud momma bear with this. Three weeks ago I started teaching @phoenicks_seiuli how to knit. Today while we were at the Birkenhead Artisan Market, I taught her how to purl. For her first time purling she has been doing amazing! This stockinette stitch is on point! Hopefully this piece will go towards the blanket of learning pieces that she is making with the help of Nan. #knitting #learningtoknit #whatagreatteacher #teachertobe #learntoknit #wool #yarn https://www.instagram.com/eccentricnincompoop/p/BvEdKAQABtE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nyveng0p6lla

Finished the first panel of Hollys Christmas jumper, yay!! #knitting #learningtoknit #crafty #ilovemydog #westie #westiesofinstagram (at Mallow, Ireland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqdQXPrlCtkrgdJPfL9-ToycsAIAIMy5qJvJ_c0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mjqp0ussk25p

Current project... about little over halfway finished. #knittedshawl #knit #beginner #knitting #learningtoknit #shawlinaball #lionbrandyarn #yarn #craft https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnw_UyZHqw1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6tqlic2ul8ew

#halloween costume is pretty much done. Need some goat feet To complete that Mr.Tumnus look. #handmade #knitting #learningtoknit #mrtumnus #chroniclesofnarnia #faun https://www.instagram.com/p/BobZPzrnp8-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qcnieiqmv1ml

I’m knitting a triangle shawl with my hand dyed yarn! 🧙🏻‍♀️🌿🧚🏻‍♀️🌱 (with lots of help from the live stream community!- thanks friends!) I am loving how the yarn is working up! What do you think? 🌿🌱☘️🌱 #handdyedyarn #yarndye #yarndyeing #knittedshawl #stockinettestitch #knitting #learningtoknit https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFxqV3uhB9/?utm_medium=tumblr

Circular Knitting Workshop by Margaret Radcliffe

I am a fan of Margaret Radcliffe's books because she explains technical details in order to allow you to master what is needed to create knitting patterns on your own. This was also true of vintage knitting books which assumed we would and could change up stitches, details, etc., as we knitted. So a good artisanal tradition to keep alive. Of course, if you are feeling wary, you could just knit any of the handsome projects included in the book.

This book is a workshop because it builds on the knowledge it imparts, working its way up through simple to complex projects in order to allow you to master one technique at a time. So, after a section on the basics of casting on, and the various ways to work circular needing, you get applications of techniques. First, a project, like simple tubular scarf, plus some other options, then the helix hat, (which is working two spirals and which you see here in the pinky colors), circular shawls, etc. She works you all the way up to a sweater. For all of these projects, she has a section called "Any Size, Any Yarn" to explain the calculations you will need in order to launch yourself into a different version with confidence.

Radcliffe also notes common problems and their solutions along the way. An appendix illustrates all the basic stitch techniques used. She is fair enough to acknowledge the pros and cons of knitting in the round even while she explains how you can convert a flat pattern to a circular one. There is a lot of information in here, but you can easily skip to the section which most interests you, or to a project that highlights the technique you especially want to learn.

Find it at your local bookstore, yarn shop, or online here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/radcliffe%2C%20Margaret

https://www.ravelry.com/designers/yarn-treats

Have you wanted to give Continental knitting a try? Watch me in slo-mo to get the hang of how to knit Continental style.

I have the working yarn almost parallel with the back of the left hand needle. My index finger is pushed through to open up a space between the working yarn and the needle, while the other three fingers just hang on to both the needle and the yarn. I don’t feel I need to, but if you prefer, you can wind the working yarn around one or more of your fingers to get a little more tension. When I make the knit stitch, I’m inserting the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle & using the needle to scoop that working yarn. I pull it through and swipe the stitch off the left needle. Are you ready to give Continental style knitting a try? Some find it to be faster & less stressful on the hands and wrists.

Follow me @yarntreatsdesigns - I’ve got a new knitting tutorial coming every day in June!

#knittingreeels #handknits #knitting #knittingtips #knittingforbeginners #learningtoknit #yarntreats #handknit #yarn #learntoknit #knittingtutorial #knitwithme

Making good progress with my first ever knitted jumper and almost first knitted anything!! I love this yarn!!! #knitting #learningtoknit #knittedsweater

Current wips and another finished baby blanket 💕

I have all the panels done for one the sweaters and part of it sewn together. Cannot wait to finish the fae scarf and my madeline tosh yarn shawl.

Found this awesome little pictation of learning to knit Halloween style off @slippedstitch facebook page. Thought it was an easier way to explain to someone who hasn't knitted before how to do a simple garter stitch. #knitting #learningtoknit #wool #knit #knittingfornoobs #slippedstitch https://www.instagram.com/p/BpaSsvTgJ7w/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3ed7zwk5dsu

If you have an ugly baby, that you hate, but you need to buy a present for, no worries, I got you covered. Since it took me 6 hours and a lot of swearing it will cost you $78.00 plus tip. #learningtoKnit #knit #pandemichobby https://www.instagram.com/p/CLDZljGl3Gv/?igshid=xgbi4vzl7429