The London Lounge

Hi -

I'm about to purchase knitwear from Shetland Knitwear (www.shetland-knitwear.com). I was looking through the colors available and I realized how affordable shetland yarn is. It's affordable enough for me to give it a try myself, and make some mistakes while learning.

Can anyone recommend materials (e.g. books/websites/videos) to learn how to knit? How much time should I expect to put into it, to make a nice sweater (I plan on starting off with a scarf and working my way up to sweaters).

If you knit, any tips for me? What should I expect? How relaxing is it (or does it get frustrating quickly)? Finally, can you fix mistakes, that is, can I unknit (is that the right word?) a mistake once I realize it?

Thank you!

My wife knits.

Here are my observations:

1. You need a hands-on teacher. I recommend this over a video tape. You have to have someone help you at the beginning. If you become proficient you can teach yourself in the future.

2. Check for knitting stores in your area. They all offer instruction. Some offer instruction (per hour) when the store is closed so that you can get full attention. Others will give you free instruction during the day, but the lesson can be interrupted by sales, calls, etc. Of course, you must buy your yarn and supplies at the store.

3. Find a good knitting store in your area. In my area (Upper East Side, New York City), there is Knitting 321 on 321 E. 75th St. I know Valerie well, and I recommend her. She was a clothing designer. There are other shops scattered around town. Typically, the owner is a master knitter.

4. Knitting can be very relaxing and even addictive. I cannot tell you how much surplus yarn we have scattered in the house. Knitters are a separate culture with their own blogs, books, and jokes. E.g., "I have CKD--compulsive knitter's disorder!"

5. As in any craft, mistakes can happen. They can be corrected. That's why you should have a good teacher/mentor.

6. Knitting your own scarves and sweaters will not necessarily save you money. I would not get into it for that reason. Quality yarn is not cheap. Knitting 321 only stocks quality yarns. Figure that a skein of Shetland costs $25 and that you need 8 to make a sweater. That means that the yarn alone is $200. Then factor-in your labor and costs for instruction. My wife once made me a cashmere sweater where the yarn alone cost $600+. On a cost basis, it is cheaper to buy a "Shaggy Dog" Shetland sweater from J. Press than knit your own.

7. However, despite the cost, you can get better quality and variety than you can buy in a store. The yarns will be better quality. My wife's work has won unsolicited compliments.

8. Finally, there is a tremendous satisfaction in knitting your own sweater or gift. Many recipients are thrilled to receive a hand knitted scarf or baby blanket.

Good luck.

I knit. I was briefly taught as a young girl, but I'm reasonably sure I had forgotten everything when I decided to pick it up as an adult. I taught myself from a book called "Stitch n Bitch" (sorry) and found it pretty easy. There are good resources on the web for certain techniques. The first time I needed to turn the heel on a sock, I googled it and found quite a number of instructional videos. There is also Ravelry.com, which is a kind of Facebook for knitters. There is lots of help there as well.

I don't know if it's a growing movement, but I've been running across some male knitters on the web as well. In particular, Franklin Habit has a good knitting blog and resurrects vintage knitting patterns. I'm working on a stuffed elephant (not life-sized) from a pattern originally published in the 1930s that he posted. So don't be shy and jump in! Didn't Cary Grant knit?

The best thing about knitting is that I can take two pointed sticks and what is basically string and make fabric from it. Some find that it calms the mind.

Please feel free to ask and if I can help you I will.

My mother-in-law tells me that knitting was traditionally done by men as it was deemed too complicated for women.

And back in the 30s, the Scottish judge, Lord Thankerton, used to knit while presiding in court. Something to keep in mind, Mark, should you be elevated to the bench!

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Azdak wrote: * * * And back in the 30s, the Scottish judge, Lord Thankerton, used to knit while presiding in court. Something to keep in mind, Mark, should you be elevated to the bench!

Thank you, but I'll stick to more judicial activities, such as dozing-off during trial.