Really Useful Knitting Books!

Here's some of the books I have found very useful since starting knitting.
We'll start with Knitty Gritty. This book is for the absolute beginner so it is perfect if you're just starting out. However I would say that if you just want to knit for Blythe I wouldn't bother with the projects in this book as they are rather time consuming.
Next is the Ultimate Knitting Bible. If you become a crazy obsessed knitter like me then there is nothing better than browsing through this delicious book. The pictures are lovely, the instructions are clear & easy to follow. In short this is Knitting Nirvana. It takes you through LOTS of knitting techniques rather than going through knitting projects so it's very helpful.
Onto Knitspeak, a handy little tome that lives in my knitting bag. This book is an A-Z of knitting language and abbreviations. It has helped me solve many a knitting puzzle.
And now Knit Aid another handy little book that lives in my knitting book. Despite being aimed at an American audience it is very helpful, with diagrams of techniques, helpful hints and problem solving.
And last but not least one of my favourites How to Knit. This is actually a kids book but I have found it really useful as the diagrams are easy and unlike Knitty Gritty the projects are smaller so much easier to finish.

How I got knitting....Again

My Mum, being the keen knitter that she is, taught me to knit when I was little. I have no memory of this to be honest. I picked up the sticks again as an adult when I was confined to my bed with a threatened miscarriage so I whiled away the hours attempting to knit and watching Pie Griller play space games (he tried knitting aswell and all but welded the knitting to the needle) I didn't pick up the sticks again until after my second child came along and I found myself posessed with the desire to knit again after looking at peoples Blythe Knits online. I was desperate to knit but as my handy knitting teacher mother was busy I decided I'd have to refresh my memory another way. Embarrassingly it was one of my kids books that got me going. As you can see from the picture it's basic but it gave me an actual goal - a finger puppet! This comes from The Rainy Day Book (which is quite handy for kids during holidays in the UK) The finger puppets were chewed up and thrown away somewhere by my small people but the sense of achievement I got from actually finishing something was really inspiring. I ordered myself some expensive custom needles and a fantastic book called Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the absolute beginner. I also joined Ravelry and a new obsession was born. I've been knitting for just over a year now and it has been tremendous fun, I've made some bloody awful things for my girls, frogged some eyewateringly difficult knitting that I'd slaved over and even made up a few very basic patterns. If you're just starting out there are plenty of resources online, I've listed a few in my links section, and I've made up some very basic beginner blythe knits for you to try. The scarf is the best place to start as it is quick & simple to make. Happy Knitting!

Busy weekend!

Phew, with the school holidays I seem to be flat out doing family stuff at the moment. I hardly even got to look at my knitting needles, they're sat looking all sad with a half finished blythe bag on them for my patterns project. My littlest girl also managed to get her hands on some of it & brought it upstairs to me whilst I was in the shower. Needless to say I Was Not Amused. So the plan this week is to finish the bag, draft the hat pattern out and finally post the bajillions of Blythe Shopping Directory posts I've been planning. When the kids go back to school I will be posting more (when I'm not weeping over my first born starting school - kidding.Kind of)
I've actually completed my first hoodie and it looks really cute but I want to add some stuff to it before I show it off, I've even started my second with some design alterations. My Mum made some whilst on the beach and they are really cute! Hopefully I can post pics soon.
We're meeting up for thr Rowan Knitalong at Grassmere this weekend which looks a lot of fun, they will have sheep and actual wool so I may be forced into buying some. Hurray! I haven't bought any wool in, oh lets see, days!

I'm getting there!

After getting the blog set up changed all over again I've started work on my Blythecon UK notes. I'm going to put my scarf pattern & hat pattern up next week as well as other information for beginner knitters. I'll be starting work on video tutorials to demonstrate all the techniques I intend to show at the Blythecon Workshop. Don't worry - they will be basic!
I'm also going to be putting together a print out of the picture tutorials and the patterns. I'll throw in some other helpful info for getting started!
Phew!