Learning to knit didn't come so easily for me. When I was pregnant with my first child way back in 1986, I desperately wanted to be able to knit a pair of booties. I had no clue how to knit, but my mother-in-law was a knitter, so I turned to her for help in learning. That didn't work. I tried; I really did, but I just couldn't master it. I was disappointed.
Fast forward to the late 1990s, David and I started a charity called Littlest Lambs that gave items to premature babies and babies in need. I could crochet, but my volunteers could do so much more. Two of these volunteers, very sweet and talented ladies named Mrs. Poole and Mrs. Walters, could knit up a storm. They could have a pair of booties knitted in the time it took me to cast on. Though they had their work cut out for them, they took me on. They had a great deal of patience and taught me to knit.
They knitted two entirely different ways. Mrs. Walters did what she called the "throwing method" and Mrs. Poole, from South Africa, knitted continental style. Mrs. Walters got to me first, so the throwing method stuck. She said the reason that my mother-in-law couldn't teach me to knit was *because* she was my mother-in-law. Some things just don't work, no matter how hard either party tries.
I can see that the continental style that Mrs. Poole used would be much faster if I could just master it. With the throwing method, there are all sorts of opportunities for dropping stitches or having the needle just slide right out of everything if I'm not really careful. I am in search of a tutorial or video that can help me to fully grasp the continental style so that I can speed up my knitting. Right now I'm slower than a snail.
Crochet comes much easier for me and I can do it much faster than knitting.
What about you? Do you knit or crochet? Which do you prefer to do? Which comes easiest for you?
Please share your answers in the comment section. A link to your family-friendly blog is welcome!
I loved reading your post about your experience with crocheting and knitting! I love to crochet, too, and am currently trying to use up every drop of yarn I have! LOL! I am making lots of dishcloths to give out for Christmas gifts this coming Christmas, Lord willing. Suzanne, I just had to come here (in case you don't get to read my reply comments on my blog) and tell you how much your precious comments meant to me today. I just have no words to express how much I appreciate you sharing your dear heart there. My heart goes out to you in so many ways, and I truly trust Jesus to ever hold you close. Sending you much love and gratitude for taking the time to reach out to me today. You will never know how much it meant.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Cheryl, for responding to me here, too. I really appreciate it.
DeleteI have never made dishcloths before, but I have recently crocheted coffee cup cozies/coozies and mug rugs. I've seen the coozies referred to as "mug hugs", too. Aside from dishcloths and stash-busting, what are your favorite things to crochet? I sometimes think that stash-busting is like a Monopoly game...it never ends, because we keep buying more yarn. haha
Thank you also for your kind words. It means so much to me to know that you understand where I'm coming from. I will go to your blog now to respond to your comment there. Thanks again and have a most blessed weekend!
I am finally getting to come back here! The other things I like to crochet are baby blankets and grape doilies. They are the larger ones with eight big clusters of grapes. I enjoy making them...it takes about 4 to 6 hours or so. It seems like I tend to enjoy making things that don't take too long...I need to see a quick finished product! LOL! But, I also make large afghans from time to time. Crocheting is very therapeutic for me. Thank you for your sweet comments and kind words. They truly mean so much! God bless you, sweet friend. :)
DeleteYou're welcome, Cheryl. I appreciate you stopping back by here. Your grape doilies sound beautiful. I have never made a doily before, but I am willing to give it a try.
DeleteI have made a few large afghans, but like you, I like the quick projects the best. Sometimes while working on a big project, I break it up with little ones along the way.
You're very welcome. May Our Father bless you and your family, too, my friend. {{{Hugs}}}
I like to CROCHET!!
ReplyDeleteI can knit...I knitted a scarf in 1985 and that was enough of that! HA! I also started crocheting as a teenager, but I bet you are better at it than I am! LOL.
I don't know about me being better than you at it. I bet you do a great job of it. What is your favorite thing to crochet?
DeleteI've knitted several scarves, but have more fun when I crochet them. Crochet goes faster for me on the bigger projects. I like to knit hats better than knitting scarves. The scarves seem to take me forever.
Who taught you how to crochet?
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great day!
I taught myself basic knitting skills in Jr. High after watching my older sister do so successfully. It was harder for me because I am left-handed and there were no You-Tube videos in those days! :-) I taught myself to crochet a bit later, and have made several afghans for babies and gifts in the past, along with snowflake Christmas tree ornaments from heavy cotton thread. I love them but they are hard on arthritic fingers! I find crochet much easier for me to do neatly and evenly, and I think it's a bit easier to do booties and other shaped projects like that. I love the look of knitting though, and the Zen feel of clicking needles and repetitive stitches.
ReplyDeleteJosie, I'm so sorry that I missed seeing this comment! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting very much.
DeleteI am sorry that you are dealing with arthritis, too. It does complicate things, doesn't it? It just plain hurts to do anything some times.
Was your sister left-handed, too? If not, how did you go about "turning it around" for yourself to make it work?
Do you have a favorite pattern for the Christmas tree ornaments? I made thread crosses years ago, but have not been able to find the same pattern again.
We are very blessed to have YouTube videos to run to when we need help with something.
I agree that the clicking needles can be very calming. :)
Have a blessed weekend!