Another tip I would add: make a copy of your pattern. That way you can write all sorts of notes and row counts to it without worrying about "ruining" the original pattern. Also good to do if the pattern is in a book, because who wants to lug around a heavy book everywhere? ;)
Regarding guideline 2, my knitting teacher's mantra was "stop and admire your work often", which was a positive way to say smooth out your knitting and fix any glitches before knitting on!
All good advice. After 50+ years of knitting I have learned to do all of these things most of the time. I usually keep a dish cloth or towel going that is straight garter stitch so I have something I do not have to follow so diligently when I tire of the item that follows a close pattern . Thanks for all the tips.
I still need to develop habit No 5 even after 40 odd years of kniting! Once I knitted three sleeves on a cardigan because after a year I had forgotten I had already knitted two.
I’m going to buy a yarn tote bag. I have been using old gift bags I hate to throw away. If the gift bag falls off the chair or table, everything in the bag goes everywhere. Doggies think it for them when it’s on the floor, new toys, (little chihuahuas). I do always put a sticky note on my pattern and complete the full row of knitting. Forgetting resulting in frogging to the end of the cuff and needing to knit the main part of my project again. Hard lesson to learn. I don’t do that anymore. I appreciate your reminders and information so much. It is very important.
I use graph paper to keep track of where I am in my knitting. I write down the number of rows and check them off as I go. If it is a project that has "sections, I write down the section number and the number of rows and check off as I go. Works really well for me.
Thank you for the reminders! Even tho I've been knitting all my adult life, it is good to be reminded of these simple habits...especially taking note of where we are in the pattern when we put our project "up" for a little bit. Also, to remember to take a look at our work.
Thank you, I'm the culprit of making all those mistakes in early years but not anymore, but the only thing I can't choose is yarn. I live in a country where we had summer almost all year round and animal yarns are not for us, I love to have alpaca, or wool but it's impossible to wear those here, like it or not we here only use mostly cotton. Really admired people who can enjoy knitting with animal fibers. But I still bought those yarns because well, I can't resist myself to have a few.
Ha! I'm sure you could find a lot of wool knitters who would gladly trade places with you to live in warm weather year-round! 😉 Other fibers that will work for you are linen, bamboo, and silk. You can also look for yarn blends such as silk/wool, linen/cotton, and cotton/wool.
Thank you for your good tips. Yes I have done most of these, but having a reminder is super. I really enjoyed your tip about the numbers yarn now comes with on its packaging. In years gone by we had to guess at thicknesses. A double knit in one make wasn't necesssrily the same in another make, so thank you so very much for explaining this. Yes and I subscribed.🥰
Hi Greta, I'm so glad you found the tips helpful. I agree with you, it's so helpful the CYC came up with the number system! Thanks for becoming a subscriber! 😀
I like these videos. They are reinforcing and enjoyable. Its sad that some people do a thumbs down. IMHO if thats your intent, why watch? I don’t get it! Thanks for your guidance its been spot on. I 100% agree that remembering where you are in a project it so important and it is a very good habit to get into. I’m not a monogamous knitter and I tend to have many project bags and if I don’t keep patterns, labels and notes I’ve had to (rarely) but a few times…I’ve actually had to frog projects that were going quite well but I got out of the mood for it. In particular a complex lace pattern and I needed a simple garter project. So I put it down and then I loose my place. I learned the hard way. So keeping yourself organized with project bags, notes and a simple summary sheet that calls out your needle size, pattern of all the main components of your project together your project bags the best purchases you’ve acquired to help you stay organized. My husband has even said I’m so glad you keep your projects separated in bags because it keeps your mountains of projects at bay. There was a time when he questioned “another project bag?!?’ Now he gets it. Yeah!!!
I'm gonna use the "S" word here - Swatch! I find the Council's yarn weight numbering system an educated suggestion. All 4 worsted weight yarns are not created equally.
When you see yourself motivating others, it has a strong impact on your own motivation. When you seeing yourself helping others and making a difference in their lives, you feel that you’ve received something bigger in return.
I found you through Google News on my phone. I'm so glad I did. I haven't knitted in a long time and I want to get back to it. With your help, I believe I can. I'm subscribing. xo~linda
Hi Linda, I'm so glad you discovered me! You might want to start with some easy and relaxing knitting projects and I've got LOTS of ideas for you! ua-cam.com/play/PLtK6f0cHnIH006_l2_Ebg5bmB2zkifTni.html In addition, I have hundreds of project ideas on my website: blog.nobleknits.com/ Welcome back to knitting! 😀
Hi Nancy. Great tips! I just finished the first 2 Knitty Kitties Mysteries and will start the 3rd one today. Such fun reads! I’ve also ordered the first in the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery Series. Im really enjoying these! Thanks so much for the great suggestions!🌸🌺
I use sticky notes to help me mind my place in a pattern. I isolate sections on charts with them so my eyes don’t wander to another part. I don’t like to write on my patterns but I don’t mind writing on sticky notes. Another thing I do is to put the pattern in a sheet protector and out the sticky notes on the sheet protector which keeps the printer ink from being pulled off the paper and keeps me knitting and doing less fussing. While I’m on a roll, I’ve “had it” with patterns printed in ink colors that don’t contrast well with the paper. It might give your book or leaflet an “edgy sexy” look but if I can’t read it easily, then I can’t knit it.
As for #1, finish the row. Ok, except when you are doing two sleeves at a time. I always stop in the middle of one of them. Then, with yarn at back of right hand needle, on I go.
I am somewhat experienced, I have tips and tricks I use too. I have colored tags I use for my side and beginning. Blue is the first side. B comes before any other color name. I always finish a project befor starting another.. just my way of doing things.
Oh I remember at time I stopped in the middle of a row to let my dog out. I got distracted and by the time I picked up the baby blanket again, I started knitting the wrong way. It was a mess for a while!
Hi Marie, That is an excellent question! You're right, silk is an animal fiber but it has all the properties of plant fibers. I usually treat it like a plant fiber when substituting yarn. 😀🐛
Hi Nancy,,, excellent advice. On that first point, when you talk about your knitting being wonky and uneven, can't it also be suggested to make certain that your working yarn is always in your right hand? Know what I mean? My twin is left handed knitter, and she just works from her ball of yarn from her left side? Does that make sense? Love your vlogs..
Do you mean that you are right-handed and your twin is left-handed? Does she knits left-handed or does she just want to guide the yarn with her dominant hand although she knits the same way you do, which can make for really wonky knitting unless she learns to knit Continental style. There are different ways to knit-I knit Eastern European style, not English style, which is the way most people in the US knit. My yarn is always coming from the left, guided by my left hand. .
Hi Jan, I completely understand! I'm a lefty knitter but I also know how to knit right-handed. I'm a much faster lefty knitter but sometimes I even get confused...especially if I'm flipping back and forth for videos! Thanks for the great tip! 😀
@@lindamorris6620 Yes, she's left-handed and I'm right handed..And, I might add that she's a wonderful knitter..lovely projects from socks to sweaters and piles of fish rags.
It happens to one of my friends all the time. I think it's easier to mistake with certain yarns and when you're knitting in the round especially - if you're not paying attention.
Hi Professor R., Yes it can easily happen to a beginner knitter if they set the knitting down in the middle of a row or round. Or if they put it in a bag...when they take it out, they accidentally knit the wrong direction.
Hi Nancy, I'm at an age where being fashionably isn't a high priority to me any longer. I'm really interested in making things for babies and young children to donate to young mothers. Babies born out of wedlock; to Christian organizations who talk moms out of having abortions. We as Christian women need to support these young mothers in their choice to have their babies. We also need to support adoptions...
Another tip I would add: make a copy of your pattern. That way you can write all sorts of notes and row counts to it without worrying about "ruining" the original pattern. Also good to do if the pattern is in a book, because who wants to lug around a heavy book everywhere? ;)
That's an excellent tip, Michelle! 😀
The best habit I ever got into.
I am doing that also :)
Regarding guideline 2, my knitting teacher's mantra was "stop and admire your work often", which was a positive way to say smooth out your knitting and fix any glitches before knitting on!
Hi Karen, She was spot on and had such an elegant way of presenting it! 😀
i enjoy watching your videos
@@debracoulter7089 Thanks so much! 🥰
All good advice. After 50+ years of knitting I have learned to do all of these things most of the time. I usually keep a dish cloth or towel going that is straight garter stitch so I have something I do not have to follow so diligently when I tire of the item that follows a close pattern . Thanks for all the tips.
I still need to develop habit No 5 even after 40 odd years of kniting! Once I knitted three sleeves on a cardigan because after a year I had forgotten I had already knitted two.
Hi Clifton, ROFL! 🤣
Very helpful tips. And you really make that short, white hairdo work!
Thanks so much, Alisa! 🥰
Yay!! I am almost doing all the habits you suggested! :)
I’m going to buy a yarn tote bag. I have been using old gift bags I hate to throw away. If the gift bag falls off the chair or table, everything in the bag goes everywhere. Doggies think it for them when it’s on the floor, new toys, (little chihuahuas). I do always put a sticky note on my pattern and complete the full row of knitting. Forgetting resulting in frogging to the end of the cuff and needing to knit the main part of my project again. Hard lesson to learn. I don’t do that anymore. I appreciate your reminders and information so much. It is very important.
These are so true. I did not do these when I began knitting.
Ilo, many of these things, I didn't do either and had to learn the hard way. Hopefully, I can save others from our beginner mistakes! 😀
I use graph paper to keep track of where I am in my knitting. I write down the number of rows and check them off as I go. If it is a project that has "sections, I write down the section number and the number of rows and check off as I go. Works really well for me.
Hi Joyce, Thanks for sharing your tips! 😀
I just use a ''A4 white paper" LMAO.
Great Tips Nancy, I actually do most of them now. However, I did not as a beginner and soon learnt from my mistakes. Thank you for sharing 🇬🇧😊
You're welcome, Linda! I'm glad you enjoyed the tips 😀
Thank you for the reminders! Even tho I've been knitting all my adult life, it is good to be reminded of these simple habits...especially taking note of where we are in the pattern when we put our project "up" for a little bit. Also, to remember to take a look at our work.
Thank you, I'm the culprit of making all those mistakes in early years but not anymore, but the only thing I can't choose is yarn. I live in a country where we had summer almost all year round and animal yarns are not for us, I love to have alpaca, or wool but it's impossible to wear those here, like it or not we here only use mostly cotton. Really admired people who can enjoy knitting with animal fibers. But I still bought those yarns because well, I can't resist myself to have a few.
Ha! I'm sure you could find a lot of wool knitters who would gladly trade places with you to live in warm weather year-round! 😉 Other fibers that will work for you are linen, bamboo, and silk. You can also look for yarn blends such as silk/wool, linen/cotton, and cotton/wool.
@@nobleknits Thank you. yea, I do have some of cotton/silk and bamboo. Ha ha we always find the grass are greener on the other side.
You are just so good with all your helpful hints.
Thank you for your good tips. Yes I have done most of these, but having a reminder is super. I really enjoyed your tip about the numbers yarn now comes with on its packaging. In years gone by we had to guess at thicknesses. A double knit in one make wasn't necesssrily the same in another make, so thank you so very much for explaining this. Yes and I subscribed.🥰
Hi Greta, I'm so glad you found the tips helpful. I agree with you, it's so helpful the CYC came up with the number system! Thanks for becoming a subscriber! 😀
I like these videos. They are reinforcing and enjoyable. Its sad that some people do a thumbs down. IMHO if thats your intent, why watch? I don’t get it!
Thanks for your guidance its been spot on. I 100% agree that remembering where you are in a project it so important and it is a very good habit to get into. I’m not a monogamous knitter and I tend to have many project bags and if I don’t keep patterns, labels and notes I’ve had to (rarely) but a few times…I’ve actually had to frog projects that were going quite well but I got out of the mood for it. In particular a complex lace pattern and I needed a simple garter project. So I put it down and then I loose my place. I learned the hard way.
So keeping yourself organized with project bags, notes and a simple summary sheet that calls out your needle size, pattern of all the main components of your project together your project bags the best purchases you’ve acquired to help you stay organized.
My husband has even said I’m so glad you keep your projects separated in bags because it keeps your mountains of projects at bay. There was a time when he questioned “another project bag?!?’ Now he gets it. Yeah!!!
the last one is prime!.... I need to keep track as I go....
Great advice! Thank you so much!
I'm gonna use the "S" word here - Swatch! I find the Council's yarn weight numbering system an educated suggestion. All 4 worsted weight yarns are not created equally.
Hi Karen, You are absolutely right - swatching is key! 😀
I am not an English speaker. Does ''Swatch" mean ''Stop and Watch"? Thx
@@winkiho6162 to swatch is to make a small practice piece no smaller than 10cm x 10 cm. I hope my explanation helps you.
Good tips to follow….thank you Nancy
I have knit the wrong direction before and it's so aggravating. :)
I feel your pain! 😀
When you see yourself motivating others, it has a strong impact on your own motivation. When you seeing yourself helping others and making a difference in their lives, you feel that you’ve received something bigger in return.
So true! 😍
I've experienced these issues too, so this is very good advice.
Thanks, Mary! Do you have any other good knitting habits that I missed? 😀
Thanks for sharing. These are great for all skill levels. Take care🌻🌻
I'm glad you liked them, Susan! 😀
I found you through Google News on my phone. I'm so glad I did. I haven't knitted in a long time and I want to get back to it. With your help, I believe I can. I'm subscribing.
xo~linda
Hi Linda, I'm so glad you discovered me! You might want to start with some easy and relaxing knitting projects and I've got LOTS of ideas for you! ua-cam.com/play/PLtK6f0cHnIH006_l2_Ebg5bmB2zkifTni.html
In addition, I have hundreds of project ideas on my website: blog.nobleknits.com/ Welcome back to knitting! 😀
Excellent Tips! Thank you so much.
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Beverly! 😀
Just found you in perusing videos...I like your ideas!
Hi Kelly, I'm so glad you discovered me! 🥰
argh! #5....why didn't I remember #5 as I'm struggling to get back on a project I set down to do another in the interim!!
Oh no! Hopefully, you'll figure it out soon. Or maybe start another project! 😉
Thank you so much for the tips.
You're welcome, Dorcas! Happy knitting 😀
I'm glad I've developed these habits - re:#5, I use highlighter tape (SUCH a fun tool to let me know where I stopped)!
That's a great tip, Janet! Thanks for sharing! 😀
Hi Nancy. Great tips! I just finished the first 2 Knitty Kitties Mysteries and will start the 3rd one today. Such fun reads! I’ve also ordered the first in the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery Series. Im really enjoying these! Thanks so much for the great suggestions!🌸🌺
Hi Thea, Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed the knitting mysteries - I've got a new list coming soon! 😀
Awesome! I can’t wait! I Thanks!💕
I use sticky notes to help me mind my place in a pattern. I isolate sections on charts with them so my eyes don’t wander to another part. I don’t like to write on my patterns but I don’t mind writing on sticky notes. Another thing I do is to put the pattern in a sheet protector and out the sticky notes on the sheet protector which keeps the printer ink from being pulled off the paper and keeps me knitting and doing less fussing. While I’m on a roll, I’ve “had it” with patterns printed in ink colors that don’t contrast well with the paper. It might give your book or leaflet an “edgy sexy” look but if I can’t read it easily, then I can’t knit it.
Thanks for all your helpful knitting tips, Ruth! 😀
All excellent points. Thank you.
Thanks, Rose! I'm glad you enjoyed them 😀
How are you doing 😊😊👋👋😊
As for #1, finish the row. Ok, except when you are doing two sleeves at a time. I always stop in the middle of one of them. Then, with yarn at back of right hand needle, on I go.
I mean on the same needle.
Great tip, Janet! Thanks for sharing 😀
Great simple tips. 👍
Thanks so much, Maria! 😀
I am somewhat experienced, I have tips and tricks I use too. I have colored tags I use for my side and beginning. Blue is the first side. B comes before any other color name. I always finish a project befor starting another.. just my way of doing things.
Hi Cynthia, I love your tips! Thanks for sharing! 😀
Thank you so much, great reminders🧶❣️
You're welcome, Ginnylynn! I'm glad you enjoyed them 😀
Great habits👍
Thanks, Linda! 😀
Same goes for Crochet as well.
You are so right! 😀
Oh I remember at time I stopped in the middle of a row to let my dog out. I got distracted and by the time I picked up the baby blanket again, I started knitting the wrong way. It was a mess for a while!
Oh boy, it's so easy for that to happen!
Does silk count as an animal fibre or as a plant fibre? Usually, I find that animal fibres are very stretchy and silk is not stretchy at all.
Hi Marie, That is an excellent question! You're right, silk is an animal fiber but it has all the properties of plant fibers. I usually treat it like a plant fiber when substituting yarn. 😀🐛
@@nobleknits That helps a lot, thanks! 😁
Finishing the row is the first thing you learn.
I am a beginer kniter what type of yarn to to use for a shawl
Hi Nancy,,, excellent advice. On that first point, when you talk about your knitting being wonky and uneven, can't it also be suggested to make certain that your working yarn is always in your right hand? Know what I mean? My twin is left handed knitter, and she just works from her ball of yarn from her left side? Does that make sense? Love your vlogs..
Do you mean that you are right-handed and your twin is left-handed? Does she knits left-handed or does she just want to guide the yarn with her dominant hand although she knits the same way you do, which can make for really wonky knitting unless she learns to knit Continental style.
There are different ways to knit-I knit Eastern European style, not English style, which is the way most people in the US knit. My yarn is always coming from the left, guided by my left hand. .
Hi Jan, I completely understand! I'm a lefty knitter but I also know how to knit right-handed. I'm a much faster lefty knitter but sometimes I even get confused...especially if I'm flipping back and forth for videos! Thanks for the great tip! 😀
@@lindamorris6620 Yes, she's left-handed and I'm right handed..And, I might add that she's a wonderful knitter..lovely projects from socks to sweaters and piles of fish rags.
@@nobleknits Thank you, Nancy.
Never knew that knitting in the wrong direction was even possible. It seems pretty obvious where the already worked stitches are.
It happens to one of my friends all the time. I think it's easier to mistake with certain yarns and when you're knitting in the round especially - if you're not paying attention.
@@coffy1990 ah, knitting in the round..had not thought of that... that is more likely than straight needles definitely. 👍🏻🤟
Hi Professor R., Yes it can easily happen to a beginner knitter if they set the knitting down in the middle of a row or round. Or if they put it in a bag...when they take it out, they accidentally knit the wrong direction.
Oh yes, it happens to me now and again and I have been knitting for 71 years and achieved a certain standard, but there is always something to learn.
💕💕
As soon as I started taking better notes while knitting I started frogging less.
Wash your hands before knitting to prevent getting it sticky or dirty.
Hlo
Hi Nancy, I'm at an age where being fashionably isn't a high priority to me any longer. I'm really interested in making things for babies and young children to donate to young mothers. Babies born out of wedlock; to Christian organizations who talk moms out of having abortions. We as Christian women need to support these young mothers in their choice to have their babies. We also need to support adoptions...
Wonderful suggestions… thank you.
Thanks, Lee Ann! 😀