Any knitters out there? (1 Viewer)

Dawnbreak

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Any knitters out there, just picked up the sticks again in the last two years after a ten year hibernation. Knitting went out of fashion don't you know...but:Smile: its back in a big big way...beautiful yarns, lots of independant retailers/dyers and the like and of course there is this place. A knitters heaven, honestly if your into this you could just sit and drool all day...go check it out.:thumb:



https://www.ravelry.com/account/login
 

6pm Cowboy

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Dont know about making ME drool but the wife used to do it lot when she was younger. Then there were shops just selling knitting wool. Dont see them any more.
 

Geo

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Mum was a knitter, you should have seen some of the eyless balaclavas and 3 sleeved jumpers i went to school in:ROFLMAO:
A good freind of ours now living in France took knitting to the extream buying sheeps fleeces and spinning her own yarn, investing later in computerised knitting machines she is now able to produce some quality garments for only 40 times the price available in ASDA:Eeek:
I dont see the point in it these days
is it really a labour of love, it cant be viable financialy any more, but when mum did it, it was to save money, a bit like darning socks, who does that nowadays:Doh:
interstingly two replys to a knitting post,both by blokes

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Dawnbreak

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:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:No its not at all viable..........:Eeek:Oh dear giggling my head off here...bothblokes replying eh! £10 to knit a pair of socks...£1 Primark...there you go but your forgetting its a HOBBYYYYYYY!.....now of course mens toys...trains, and that includes darling hubby. Hes after a mini grandfather clock kit to make...goggled the price of those £600 eeekkkkkk!....me thinks he can dream on that one. Oh and out of interest I too have done the fleece thingy and have my own spinning wheel. The experience with the fleece was by far too messy but an experience non the less.
 

johnsandywhite

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:roflmto: Hi Dawnbreak. I think you could say that SANDY does a little knitting. Some to special order one offs:-

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scotjimland

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Recently I was looking for a hand knitted pure new wool Aran sweater .. now scarcer than hens teeth, found a couple of internet shops, prices starting at £160.

Got talking to an assistant in The Edinburgh Mill shop and she said they had stopped selling as no one wanted to pay the premium for hand knitted goods.. they only had machine made in acrylic.. yuk ..

According to her, the average jumper takes about 90 hours to knit.. so even at £160. how much was the knitter paid per hour .. about 50p .. ?

So I'm still searching for a shop that sells them or someone who makes them to order .. any takers ?

Jim

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johnsandywhite

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So I'm still searching for a shop that sells them or someone who makes them to order .. any takers ?

Jim

:RollEyes: Sandy does it as an hobby and enjoyment. Then again, I've now bought her an Acer Aspire One and she is hooked on that now. Maybe the knitting will take a back seat? :Eeek:
 

hilldweller

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:RollEyes: Sandy does it as an hobby and enjoyment. Then again, I've now bought her an Acer Aspire One and she is hooked on that now. Maybe the knitting will take a back seat? :Eeek:

Do you have grandchildren Amber and Lilly ?

We have Amber and Lily.
 

Randonneur

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I have two knitting machines and hundreds of cones of yarn which I brought with me when we moved to France in Dec 2000. I have to admit that I haven't used them much but would hate to part with them. My Husband has been trying to get me to get rid of them for the past 5 years - no chance.

:winky::winky::winky::winky:
 

johnsandywhite

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That's a posh site. €600 for a month isn't bad for that quality.

:Cool: It could have been 13,000 Euros a year. But now I pay 2,800 Euros for 8 months. It is ONLY 11.98 cents a night plus IVA (VAT) for long stays. I pay 50 Euros a months for storage while we are not there. :thumb:

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hilldweller

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:Cool: It could have been 13,000 Euros a year. But now I pay 2,800 Euros for 8 months. It is ONLY 11.98 cents a night plus IVA (VAT) for long stays. I pay 50 Euros a months for storage while we are not there. :thumb:

You do a full 8 months at a time ? Do you get any flying in down there ?

( Hint: hold down ctrl alt then $ = € )
 

johnsandywhite

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You do a full 8 months at a time ? Do you get any flying in down there ?

( Hint: hold down ctrl alt then $ = € )

:roflmto: Thanks for the tip on €. But my keyboard is Finnish.

BTW. SORRY TO GO OFF THE TOPIC OF KNITTING. But while SANDY is KNITTING, I am usually flying my helicopters and Aeroplanes. There has been several flying sites around Benidorm over the years. But they have disappeared via new BUILDINGS. They KNIT buildings just about everywhere nowadays. Have also flown aeroplanes at the beaches while Sandy has Sunbathed or KNITTED. :thumb:
 

jomel

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Hi Dawnbreak,
Yes I love to knit, and I have packed me needles to go with us in our MH.
I find it relaxes me and I would rather be doing something than just watching tv.
When my mum got parkinsons a few years back I tought her how to do continental knitting as one of her hands was weaker. Since she tought me to knit as a child, it was a kind gift to give back to her.
I found the instructions for it on you tube.
Its a great skill and I have tought my Grandkids how to knit too.
I also crochet a little and sew.
Years ago I was in a queue at a supermarket and was amazed to see a lady deftly knitting, with one needle tucked under her arm. I asked what she was knitting and she said that she was knitting socks on 2needles, for her husband. She scribbled the pattern name down for me but by the time I got home I had lost it:Sad: I have spent ages off and on the web, and asking at wool shops but havent been able to find the pattern.
Awww johnsandywhite, they are so cute!

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Dawnbreak

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Jonel...... off you go and create an account here....... https://www.ravelry.com/account/login

its easy, its free, and you will certainly find lots of patterns for socks, lots of them free downloads....also some tutorials.....also lots of forums. Also when googling knitting socks try "knitting socks on circular needles".....there are tutorials there as well (forgive me if am wrong but am assuming not done socks before.....if wrong apologies). Then of course one can do 2 socks at a time on circular needles. Oh in the world of knitting the worlds our oyster.:thumb: Get back to me if you don't have any joy and will track down my instructions and pattern and find them online
 

staging lady

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Any knitters out there, just picked up the sticks again in the last two years after a ten year hibernation. Knitting went out of fashion don't you know...but:Smile: its back in a big big way...beautiful yarns, lots of independant retailers/dyers and the like and of course there is this place. A knitters heaven, honestly if your into this you could just sit and drool all day...go check it out.:thumb:
https://www.ravelry.com/account/login

My daughters are into knitting in a big way. But not the wool we used to use.
No, today it is hand dyed, specialist alpaca,lama,cashmere wool - huge prices!!
Debbie Bliss, Noro, beautiful but expensive...

But as the girls say, if you are going to invest so much time in making a jumper,blanket,socks etc., you want it to be something you cannot buy in the shops.

I've started again and am making socks in 2 ply very fine merino and cashmere wool. Great for doing in a motor home as they are small to carry round.:thumb: I've thought about a craft weekend rally, (knitting,sewing,scrapbooking,wood carving etc etc ) but probably there would not be enough interest?
Lucille

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.................... the average jumper takes about 90 hours to knit..

Jim

Sounds about right for a quick knitter - takes me weeks. :roflmto:

I used to do loads before the kids were born - haven't had the time since (nearly 20 years ago!)

I did some arans for friends, (after they admired the one I had done myself), and they just paid me for the wool - but it was acrylic, not real wool, as they wanted to be able to wash them in a machine - and bought me a pint.
 

johnsandywhite

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::bigsmile: We created rather a stir wherever we went on our USA tour. Eveyone was asking where they could buy our (Sandy) knitted jumpers:-

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jomel

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Thank you for the link Dawnbreak:thumb:
Staging lady, I think there would be some interest in a craft weekend. Definately from me anyway ::bigsmile: I intend getting back into my crafts when we are settled into our new life.
I was looking for my tatting shuttle I bought years ago and have a horrid feeling himself threw it out along with a bag of wool etc :Angry: Tut! men! woe betide us if we suggest downsizing their cluttery jingbang eh? gruh!
I love learning new crafts. The nicest and quickest form of knitting I have learned is Tunisian crochet, using a long crochet hook, the end result is like a large strong stocking stich and is great for mats and cushion covers etc.
Embroidery and cross stitch are another fave. I get inspiration from all sorts of things but my latest craft that I am hooked on is stumpwork, or raised, 3 dimensional embroidery. Keep us informed of any plans for a craft weekend and if we are close by I would love to attend:thumb:

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staging lady

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Thank you for the link Dawnbreak:thumb:
Staging lady, I think there would be some interest in a craft weekend. Definately from me anyway ::bigsmile: I intend getting back into my crafts when we are settled into our new life.
I was looking for my tatting shuttle I bought years ago and have a horrid feeling himself threw it out along with a bag of wool etc :Angry: Tut! men! woe betide us if we suggest downsizing their cluttery jingbang eh? gruh!
I love learning new crafts. The nicest and quickest form of knitting I have learned is Tunisian crochet, using a long crochet hook, the end result is like a large strong stocking stich and is great for mats and cushion covers etc.
Embroidery and cross stitch are another fave. I get inspiration from all sorts of things but my latest craft that I am hooked on is stumpwork, or raised, 3 dimensional embroidery. Keep us informed of any plans for a craft weekend and if we are close by I would love to attend:thumb:
Wow. You are very talented. I love the look of stumpwork but have never tried it.

Shall we see if anyone else shows any interest in a Craft meet?

Could we mix it with a boules competition or with the fishing meet
that already takes place? What do you think?
Lucille
 
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Dawnbreak

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Wow. You are very talented. I love the look of stumpwork but have never tried it.

Shall we see if anyone else shows any interest in a Craft meet?

Could we mix it with a boules competition or with the fishing meet
that already takes place? What do you think?
Lucille

Oh defo would be interested in craft meet .....I also do spinning and have a gorgeous wheel by Lendrum made in canadian maple.....mind you will not have motorhome for about 15 months yet until hubby retires.
 

Myfanwy

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Sandy, the picture of the cape shawl made me nearly cry. I have one of those (all yellowy with age (46 years in fact) my mum knitted it for me when my first son was born. Of course I still have it as I say but it is in no state to pass on to my granddaughter who was born in May - I think my new daughter in law wouldn't approve - I believe the pattern mum used was from good old Woolies! Thanks for the memories. :thumb::thumb:

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jomel

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There are some great books out there, just have a go I say:Smile:
When we decided we were going on...as our grandson calls it 'an incredible journey', I had to get rid of all my craft books, and I had a vast amount too. I couldnt, just couldnt part with 3 and their titles are: Omayage- japanese small gifts, Painting with thread, and a glossary of embroidery stitches.
Mum was a keen crafter and had collected hundreds of craft books over the years. I didnt realise just how many books she had been collecting until she passed away last year and we had the task of sorting through her belongings. She had bags and bags of wool too, as well as woven fabrics, some of which she had made when she worked in a textile mill many years ago. I decided to donate and distribute to charity's that were close to her heart.
The fabric went to craft circle that made items to sell and raise money for a hospice. The books went as a job lot to another craft project, and the wool was advertised on the freecycle network and was equally distributed to all kinds of knitting circles:RollEyes:
Their gratitude was overwhelming and we saw some of the things they made at last years xmas craft bazzar. I was chuffed to bits.
 

baldybantam

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Hand knitted sweaters

Recently I was looking for a hand knitted pure new wool Aran sweater .. now scarcer than hens teeth, found a couple of internet shops, prices starting at £160.

Got talking to an assistant in The Edinburgh Mill shop and she said they had stopped selling as no one wanted to pay the premium for hand knitted goods.. they only had machine made in acrylic.. yuk ..

According to her, the average jumper takes about 90 hours to knit.. so even at £160. how much was the knitter paid per hour .. about 50p .. ?

So I'm still searching for a shop that sells them or someone who makes them to order .. any takers ?

Jim

Just for interest, my OH and I were in the designer knitwear business for over 30 years, now more or less retired. We used to have handknitters until one day the Inland Revenue dropped in to a factory in Fife, Scotland. They specialised in hand knit Aran sweaters and supplied other outlets, and yes, probably were only paying about 50p per hour but the women were delighted to receive it as they liked to knit and you can't keep knitting items for yourself, family. The women actually complained to the IR about their work getting stopped, made no difference.

Result of this visit was that the IR said that the handknitting outworkers were to be paid the minimum wage for their handknitting. Well, at 90 hours at £5 or so an hour, your garment would be totally unsellable. So, the factory went into liquidation, all the women were out of a job and the factory arose phoenix style with their Aran sweaters being hand knit by ladies in India.

That wasn't us by the way, we paid a decent rate for the knitting, we couldn't pay the minimum wage though so stopped selling handknits after we heard about this ruling for fear the IR could visit all knitting businesses. We've been retired for a few years now, all I can say is thank goodness!

We also know of one or two other firms who stopped their handknitting businesses because of this.

Just thought I would pass on this little gem of useless information :thumb:
 

sedge

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I've got a ' cyberfriend' on another Forum (health-related) who is a hobby knitter and has started an email business for knitters as a side-line (she happens to be a structural engineer by profession and married into hubbies family firm, I mean she worked at the co and married boss's son! - they do industrial surveys at old hospitals, dunno what that's got to do with knitting!)

She's about dunno. late 20's? got a lad of 2 and is pregnant with her second - so I reckon knitting does have a future.

I think it was the late 70's it stopped being a cheaper option.

I quite like knitting and perversely quite like fair-isle, aran etc but my very very favourite thing ever is picking up stitches and knitting on 4 pins round v-necks and polo-necks and suchlike. But I positively loathe the sewing up!

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PamandKeith

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We were in the Outer Hebrides last October/November and I bought some wool from a local shop in Plocropool in Harris. The lady there made the wool into skeins from wool spun in Lewis from local sheep. It cost £18 for 32oz which is more than enough for a jumper. In fact we went back after visiting Lewis and bought another 32oz. The wool was still drying on the fence when we drove up!

Pam
 

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