determined to knit

1 March 2014


I'm not a 'knitter' I'm more of a weaver. so to speak...I just don't have enough patience to be a proper knitter and I find it very complicated. I like to start and complete a project within the same day otherwise I lose interest, such a bad habit!

But I really fancy the idea of sitting down and making something whilst on the train or watching telly, which you can't really do whilst weaving. So I have been starting some really basic knitting, and as you can see, I mean REALLY basic! I made a neck warmer (?) out of some very soft wool with mohair in it. I'm quite chuffed with myself!


I also made a small collar and a scarf for the nipper, out of this amazing coloured stripy wool.

An now, I am very determined to make a nice long scarf for my mister's birthday pressie (below). I really hope I can get it made in time, I calculate that I will need to do at least 20cm per day. Wish me luck!


I do prefer the look of knitting more than crochet, but I might give that a go too...one day ; )

p.s. why do I get funny looks from people when I knit on the train, do you get that too??

29 comments

  1. Good luck with the scarf gift, I love that yarn. Can't wait to see the finished article!

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  2. Lovely scarves, and your lil girl looks absolutely adorable! The rowan yarn looks so good knit up. Yes, I do get looks when knitting on the train and people have also asked me what I am knitting :)

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  3. Knitting in public used to be intimidating to me, but after years of train knitting now I enjoy the starring, because every now and then there's a kid who's NEVER seen knitting before and it's almost magic to them. It's nice to be doing something that is more interesting to them than whatever colour saturated noisy thing is blaring at them from a screen they're usually glued to. I'm happy you're knitting on the train, Go Artemis! P.s. I love that red and white yarn, it's so lovely.

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  4. they probably just wish they were knitting too

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  5. Wonderful start to a new skill! I was fortunate enough to learn knitting from one granny and crochet from the other. Love both and it's nice to be able to choose either depending on the project or fiber or actually combine the two (crochet inset or trim on a knit project). KIP (knitting in public) stares are fairly standard - just smile back and get to your 20cm/day ;-). Aah, Rowan . . . Liberty . . . British wool . . . makes my Austin heart happy.

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  6. I take my knitting everywhere and I do get some funny looks and usually a question or two like, "Now is that what you call crocheting?"

    Lovely yarns! I love everything from Rowan. Happy knitting!

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  7. I wish I knew how to knit! Your lovely, simple projects are inspiring me to learn!

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  8. definitely try crocheting! it's much easier than knitting and it seems like you get more done faster :)

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  9. Lovely yarn :)
    The picture of your little one is very cute!

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  10. My male colleague knits on the bus, can you imagine the looks he gets?

    Good luck with the scarf.

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  11. Oh I do love knitting but have never been brave enough to do it on a train. Best of luck with the scarf xx

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  12. Artimis it looks lovely! Don't worry I get the odd funny look when I'm knitting on the train but more often than not it's a conversation starter and people always ask me what I'm knitting.

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  13. you can do it, you can do it :) xxx

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  14. Ah I wish I could knit! Well, I can do one type of 'stitch' (I don't know what you call it in knitting terms!) but have never been able to make much with it. I get stares whenever I do any kind of craft on the train but I think that most of the time it's bexause people are interested to see what you are doing, but never feel brave enough to ask! I think people are also surprised to see relatively young people crafting as well. I couldn't help stare at a lady once who was doing the most intricate embroidery once, and just had to tell her how beautiful it was! Lovely post as always x

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  15. I am the same with knitting, it usually ends in tears for me! I keep thinking about collecting up all of my mums dog end rolls of wool and making a blanket out of lots of squares that way I can just make a square at a a time and there's no commitment to a major project. Methinks it would take a long time to do a blanket though...

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  16. I know what you mean : the best looks I get are when we are driving our vintage VW camper : Lexie : on the motorway & the husband is driving and I am knitting : Lexie is left hand drive hence where you should normally see the driver there is a random blonde thirty something fully concentrating on her knitting : haha x

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  17. Gorgeous knits, i wish i had train journeys just so i could try it! I can't knit very well either, like you being more of a weaver, but your knits are beautiful. There is something else you could try on the train.."redwork", it's sewing but just as easy to transport. Have a look at Nina's blog (http://ornamental.typepad.com/ornamental/2014/01/redwork.html) she describes it beautifully, it inspired me to try it and i love it. Well done with your knitting, hope you get the scarf finished too. xx

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  18. I've never knitted on a train but I crochet at work and get called an old fart. My knitting is terrible anyway and like you I find it complicated, crochet is much easier I find....I've got two projects on the go just now. Your snood looks great, I love the yarn. Good luck with the Mister's and keep knitting on the train.

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  19. Ah, I totally know what you mean about starting a project and finishing that day... I'm not the most patient when it comes to being excited about stuff. I did a scarf last year – the secret was big wool to make it fast! ;)

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  20. I am a seriously addicted knitter! there are amazing patterns everywhere! have you seen brooklyn tweed's website? they are my favorite yarn producers as well as pattern designers! brooklyntweed.com

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  21. They look great! I'm the same way... I like more immediate gratification but can't exactly bring a sewing project on the train, so knitting is good for those times. I also get frustrated with knitting and become impatient, but I'm getting better slowly. I'd like to knit Andrew a pair of socks one day. Do you know of the Purl Bee? They have some really great simple but beautiful beginner knitting patterns online. Here are some: http://www.purlbee.com/beginners-knits/

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  22. Anonymous2.3.14

    I don't mind the looks that I get on the train (and in the cinema, on the bus, etc) but I hate it when people think it's ok to come and touch the knitting. No no no!
    Top tip for a successful scarf: make it as long as the person is tall. Then it'll fit.

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  23. Oh yes! in the train, in the bus... i don't know why.
    Your first knits looks good and pretty!
    Purlbee and Quince&co are better than Brooklingtweed for beginners. And ravelry is amazing.
    Good luck for your mister's scarf!

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  24. There's usually a few events organised every year in most towns/cities for World Wide Knit In Public Day (http://www.wwkipday.com/) and it's hilarious when you all get together and everyone stares like you're doing something completely mental. It really does give a new meaning to waiting rooms and long train journeys though! Your first projects look fab and I hope you stick with it :) Oh and you're very lucky having Loop in London, it's in Islington and well worth a visit...

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  25. They're just jealous they can't do it! ;)

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  26. Pehr's scarf is beautiful, where did you get that wool? I used to knit years ago, and even managed to sell some to a small boutique. I used graph paper and each square represented a stich, so I would draw out designs on the graph paper and knit with different coloured wool. Sadly, I have not knit or made anything for a very long time, but reading your blog is giving me inspiration! Best of luck with Nao's scarf, I bet you will get it finished no problem! All the best. Ruth.

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  27. Just discovered your blog - very enjoyable! We have a little knitting boutique in my small town and this has inspired me to go check it out - they offer some intro courses, too. The moccasins are so cute - what a interesting project. And, your baby girl is adorable!

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  28. I'm not brave enough to knit in public yet! I don't know why. But my train journey to work would be the perfect place to do a row or two of knitting. I'll have to get brave! Haha. I love the look of the yarn for Pehr's scarf :)

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  29. I have always been the same when it comes to knitting- too impatient to finish a project. I have recently gotten into it though for the exact same reason- something to do on public transport! I love it. You might like this little project for a tea cosy I found. I have made two of them now and they are very satisfying, and rather cute! I found the instructions easy to follow for a beginner, and they knit up in no time. Unfortunately you have to pay for the PDF, but its not too pricey: http://garmenthouse.bigcartel.com/product/small-large-teapot-cozy-pattern-booklet
    I also get strange looks when knitting in public by the way, but I don't let it stop me. Last Friday I got a good few rows done while we were at the pub! :)

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