knit? crochet? pre beginner questions

[karika]

Hello! We are a low income family for now and I want to make some clothes for the children, and maybe for us adults too. I don't really know how to sew and have never knitted or crocheted at all. I did do a bit of cross stitch while pregnant so I know I have the patience and dexterity... I just don't know anything and want to know some things before going to the store to buy anything. I was given $100 for my birthday, and I haven't had any money in so long I just don't know what to do with it. I thought about sewing to make clothes, but a real sewing machine costs more than that, and I have been told the cheap little ones are useless by a few people, so I thought maybe I can knit or crochet some things? Mostly sweaters and maybe leggings for my ec toddler. We shop at the thrift store for any 'new' clothes we get, but I really don't like GMO anything and so much stuff is made from GMO cotton now. I don't really like wool because it makes me itch, the old scratchy sweaters make me itch too... so

1)where does one that doesn't have a clue get started?

2)what kind of yarn could I use that would not cause bad reaction on my skin, or is there one?

3)what do I need to buy? as in what kind of needles, how much yarn, any other thingies I don't know about yet... etc

[zebra15]

I prefer crochet, its less complicated for me. Check out youtube and the the library for books. Also there are tons of 'help' websites out there... google is your friend.

It all depends on how you learn best... some people can follow a book or instructions and some learn via youtube by watching.... I had someone show me at work one day and I picked it up in about 2 mins.

I stick to making blankets, scarves, hats, towels, SQUARE things. I recommend starting with a basic item. I dont feel comfortable making a sweater or anything like that, even now about 3 years into this.

I get yarn at the massive local craft store. They have 4-5 rows of yarn. I am on the mailing list so I get notification of the sales and coupons. Some people order online but I prefer to 'see' it in person.

[Jaxinator]

I just started knitting, and yeah... it seems to take a *long* time to get anywhere close to making a sweater.
I'm working on scarves and blankets right now
Definitely google "learn to knit" or "how to knit", there are so many resources online for the "how" part. On videojug.com there is a woman whose videos I really like.
Here's the first one, "how to cast on"
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-cast-on-2

For practice at first you can go to a store with knitting supplies and pick up a cheap ball of plain, lighter colored, acrylic yarn. Lighter colors make it easier to see your stitches.
On the back it will tell you what size needles you need.
I started with size 8, not too big nor too small.

Lionbrand.com has a lot of good advice too.

You could also ask on Freecycle for supplies
Good luck!

[MamaWolfe]

If you're looking for ways to make inexpensive and quick clothing, I think your best bet is sewing. Knit and crochet projects are very time consuming, and very yarn consuming. It can be very expensive. I would go to a local "sewing and vacuum" place and talk to them. They may have used machines that you can get that are decent. I bought my sewing machine, very basic, but supposedly good quality from one. Mine's a Janome and was less than $150 new (on sale). That's been a few years, seems like you should be able to find a used one for under $100. Craigslist maybe? You can buy fabric ultra cheap from places like Joann.

That said, I would learn both crochet and knitting. Knitting looks better (IMO), is simpler (only two stitches to learn), the patterns are much easier to understand or get clarification on, and are more readily available. Many knitting projects either ask for or give you the option for crochet edges. I taught myself how to do both via the Internet. Knittinghelp.com is where i started, then Youtube, then taping knitting shows on TV, then Googling whenever there was something I wanted to learn or didn't understand, running into yarn stores to ask locals, then asking in places like this! Crochet and knitting are amazing hobbies, but not very practical for clothes making. Most people don't feel comfortable knitting or crocheting much more than a scarf for a year or so. If you push yourself (I did and was successful at it) you *might* be able to knit one sweater over the winter, but it will take a lot of time, frustration, frogging (ripping it out and starting over), and a lot of yarn!

Good luck!

[MamaWolfe]

Oh, and as far as what type of yarn to use, that's such a personal preference. Acrylic is easy, can be soft, usually washes well, and is usually the cheapest. That said, many of us don't like using manmade materials (chemicals, melts, bad for the environment, etc). I prefer wool. Many people who are "allergic" to wool are really allergic to the chemicals they put in wool. If you are allergic, you could try a small amount of organic wool and see how you do. It is much more expensive, but you can wait for sales, Joann 40% coupons (if you're on their mailing list you get them all the time), some other smaller stores and chains will honor Joann coupons, you can always call and ask. It's also the easiest to work with because it doesn't slide off the needles easily, is super pliable, and just feels great to knit with. You can get "superwash" which will not shrink or felt when washed and is very durable. Sheep's wool (other animal fibers can be different) is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It allows you to breathe, but will keep out the cold, and repels water (and pee, for the babies). You can also dye it with cheap white vinegar and food coloring or Kool Aid! Unbelievably simple, child friendly project. You can dye your own wool, make your own colors. I use Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...PRODID=prd2701), using a Joann coupon, and hand dye it. I just buy one skein at a time, don't have to worry about dye lots. It's amazing. It is not high quality wool and I think is slightly thinner than regular worsted, but I still swear by it. It felts really well, which is great if you want a felted project, if not, you should wash very carefully and never let your husband near the laundry again (speaking from personal experience on that one). Cotton is another natural choice, but can be far less expensive. You can get the "dish towel" cotton yarn for very cheap, but it isn't very pliable and will slow you down considerably while you're knitting (Lilly Sugar and Creme is an example). You can get some very nice cotton yarns to knit with, but they tend to be very expensive. I troll my local craft stores and wait for yarn to go on clearance. The good thing with that is you can get yarn at 70% off. The bad thing is there are usually not very many skeins of the same color. Great for small projects or if you wanna do stripes, but not a practical plan of action for an adult sweater.

The other, but equally important, question you didn't ask is the size of the yarn. You can use bulk weight (thick) yarn to knit up quicker projects. You can use lace weight yarn for delicate and time consuming projects. Then there are some in between. The "standard" is worsted, and is somewhere in the middle. The good thing about worsted is that the majority of patterns call for it and IMO it's the easiest to work with, thick enough to be easy to see stitch definition, easy to catch the stitches, etc, but not so thick that it's bulky and hard to maneuver around. So, I would start the first few projects with worsted, then try out bulky/chunky. Definitely stay away from lace for a very long time! I'm an avid knitter and have never completed a lace weight project ;-) The great thing about bulky is that you can knit things up twice as fast.

Hope that helps!

[MamaWolfe]

Oh, and the library! Our library has hundreds of knit, crochet, and sewing books. All for free! Many of them teach you the basics. I would get several because one author's teaching method might make more sense to you than another.

[*farmergirl*]

i think you should look into sewing. once you get a sewing machine cheap fabric is easy to get and then you can sew all sorts of clothes etc for all seasons relativity quickly. knitting or crocheting on the other hand take longer to get a finished object and it takes lots of yarn which can add up. especially if you don't like cheap yarn aka acrylic crap. i recently learned to knit- started in april. i taught myself from a book and then different techniques from youtube. there are some really good videos plus you and pause and rewatch as many times as you want. if you do decide to knit or crochet (check out ravelry you can see finished projects and how knitting and crocheting look different plus there is a forum board with lots of help and tips. you can make lighter weight knit items but this requires using fine yarn which is harder all around - starting out you're best using bulky or worsted weight yarns. i don't think it's necessary to start with scarves. that idea put me off until i decided to just make things i want now. i initially made a medium sized rectangle (to get knit vs purl down) and made that into a bag for my LO then I made my other LO some legwarmers then i went for it and made my three year old a pair of coveralls (so cute- http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/L...224_medium.jpg that took me about a month (I got a bit of knitting time in on a trip (taking along your current project is one benefit of knitting) then i made some socks now i'm 3/4 done on my first sweater and i've only knit for 4 months.
go to ravelry- it will help you get started and understand all the different kinds of yarn etc... find a project you like and see what it calls for. one common needle size is 10 with worsted weight yarn. at first you have to keep buying needles in different sizes.also check out knit picks they have yarn at a good price. including nice machine washable mixes. hope that helps.

[lynsage]

I agree with the other posters that sewing is the way to go if you want finished garments quickly. Try Craigslist or Freecycle for sewing machines. You could also make a request on Freecycle for any knitting, sewing or crochet supplies that people might be looking to get rid of.

PPs all covered my knitting suggestions

[MamaWolfe]

Farmergirl- those coveralls are adorable!!! What pattern did you use?

[karika]

thank you all

Good advice and steps to get me doing instead of thinking... and yes those coveralls are adorable! I am going to go to the library soon and I am going to start checking CL for a used sewing machine. I am really interested in us wearing organic cotton items. Sounds like I want to learn all three things! Thanks again for being lovely and writing to me ladies!

[*farmergirl*]

it's a free pattern of of ravelry called on the go-veralls. i followed that but added a gusset as someone else suggests.

[karika]

Wow I just joined ravelry. That is an awesome site! I went to the library today and got a few different books, including "Crocheting for Dummies". I found two used sewing machines on CL, but having no basis I am not sure what is a good deal, yk? I posted in the other subforum, but no one has answered. Maybe someone here can help me decide?

One is a Singer 3116, 3 yrs old with owners manual. She said she made a few halloween costumes and light sewing like hemming. She wants $50. I saw the same model advertised new for $100 with an instructional DVD.

The other is White (brand name) 212. She said she had never used it because she didn't like how the bobbin was threaded. I had asked her if it was easy to learn on, and she said because of the bobbin she wouldn't exactly call it easy. She wants $35. Is this bobbin thing really that important? This one is much closer to where i live, and has never been used. Oh she did say it was missing the accessory tray, which got lost in a move, would that be important?

So which would you recommend? I want to spend only $35, so I can use some of my bday money to get yarn and hooks and cloth and thread probably (and needles too maybe?)

I plan to go out tomorrow and get some hooks and yarn to do some crocheting- this is gonna be my first project http://vallieskids.blogspot.com/2009...-hook-and.html , after I do my test square of course (the book says you should...). My daughter has strabismus and sometimes it is more comfortable to patch her and let her take her glasses off.

[*farmergirl*]

Personally I would go with the Singer. You could always offer her less and see if she takes it. It's great to have a manual- it will show you so many things and is great for troubleshooting. Singer is also a brand with a great reputation and is pretty standard so it's easy for people to help you. the bobbin is important- very important- you can't sew without it. the accessory tray isn't important at all more of an extra to hold some stuff you can just put elsewhere.
i think the eye patch will be a nice quick pattern - but don't be surprised if it takes you much longer. the test square will also be good practice and is to make sure your gauge right. gauge vital when it needs to fit. if your gauge is off you'll end up with either a larger or smaller finished product which could be unusable.I'm thinking of teaching myself to crochet. I'd like to make some nice colorful embellishments for projects and there are lots of hats I'd like to make for my dreads but they're mainly crochet patterns.
i love ravelry! i'm lizzylynn207. also there is a MDC group too i you search in the groups.

[MamaWolfe]

Thanks Farmergirl, I think I'm gonna make those go-overalls for my toddler!

And I agree with Farmergirl, I would get the Singer. Good name, good reputation, and the bobbin is crucial to a working machine.

[karika]

I got the machine!

so excited to figure out how to operate it! I am reading the manual now... I have no clue so this should be fun. What a good month for me! I got yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles and now a sewing machine. I have figured out basic knitting, I can't say the same for crochet, still trying to figure out how you make the hook pull back through without using both hands to physically manipulate it through. I like that ravelry site for yarn crafts. Is there a similar site for sewing with free patterns?