Trying my hand at knitting

I’ve been meaning to have a go at knitting for ages and I mean ages. Its something that many people assume I’ll be good at. So far that has not been the case. Whether it is my lefthandedness or my lack of tension control I’m not sure but I’ve always wanted to have another go.

My mum taught me when I was little, yes back in the 80’s when it seemed everyone made everything. I had dresses sewn by my Nana, Cindy dresses made by my Auntie Jenny and knitted jumpers galore. My friend Jane’s mum was well into sewing, she had loads of liberty patterns and rag dolls but my mum was more of a knitter. Back then all I wanted was a batwing jumper, they were all the rage. My mum knitted me a smashing one. It was cream with a fancy pattern, oh how I loved it!

Maybe it was this nostalgia which prompted me to have a go, the memory of mum sitting watching Corrie with the rhythmic click and clack of the needles. It was this along with social distancing and the potential of lock down, I needed something to stop me spending my evenings eating everything in the fridge.

Luckily for me I have a learn to knit book. Hurrah! Its perfect, I think my mum bought it for Amber as it’s aimed a children – perfect for me!! I went to Button Knit in St Neots to see the ladies there. They are so nice and patient and their shop is a treasure trove of wool, patterns, buttons, ribbon and other things which I have no idea what they are for. They set me up with some big needles, some lovely teal wool and a crochet hook (another blog post when I get round to mastering that bad boy).

Now casting on. I really struggled to get that going. My brain just didn’t compute. Here I am, sitting here with two needles, some lovely wool, a book of instructions (aimed at children!) and boundless enthusiasm. I say boundless. Its so frustrating when you can’t even master the first basic instruction!! What a div! After much finger waggling, needle prodding and wool wrapping I actually cast on. I can almost hear the avid knitters laughing their heads off at my ineptitude! I was off!

First line cast on/ off whatever. Now what? I won’t bore you with the ins and outs but its fair to say my first few rows were rubbish and pure genius all rolled into one. The odd dropped stitch (check me out with the lingo!) problems with the tension and starting out with 20 stitches and ending up with 26, I’ve still no idea how I did that.

Its still very early doors but I can already tell this is definitely going to be yet another labour of love. My husband asked me what I was actually making. Is it a scarf? Well until I can work out how I actually stop knitting it’s going to have to be! I’ve added a few photos of my efforts so far. My cousin Rachael is a genius knitter and although she doesn’t know it yet, she is going to be my guru!

Watch this space for lots of brilliant knitted items! Well, one or two very long scarves…..

xx

All the gear, no idea.....

Knitting whilst watching the Crown 

Morphing into my lovely mum, knitting and watching Pointless