About a year ago I started knitting. Well, I can’t actually call it started as I knit several scarves and hadn’t picked up the needles since. Earlier this fall I decided to get back into it as I had been wanting one of those really long stocking caps for some time and decided it was time to make myself one. Several weeks later and I had my Cat in the Hat looking scarf. It is about 5 feet long and the tail doubles as a scarf. I haven’t taken a photo of it yet but will post one once do.
I am a lefty and was taught to knit by a right-handed individual. I suppose that is why I put the needles down last year. Knitting right handed just didn’t feel right. This time when I started on my hat, I decided to try to figure out how to knit left handed. I’ve come up with something that is a combination of continental and knitting back as far as I can tell from the online videos. The stitches are worked from the right needle to the left with the leading leg of the stitch on the back of the right needle. I knit into the back and purl into the front. My stitches aren’t twisted like some have asked and look right to me. The only problem I have run into is that reading charts I have to go in the opposite direction, and decreases are different. I taught myself to do cables and believe I have figured out the alterations needed to get things looking like they should.
I got really brave after the hat and knit a couple of sets of fingerless gloves. I decided to go all out and knit a pair of socks. I used the first pattern in the book Knit Socks by Betsy McCarthy
I followed the pattern as listed but since I hadn’t mastered ssk lefty style I just did a k2tog for both decreases in the heel. One side looks a little different but they wear just fine.
I used Lion Brand Wool Ease worsted wt yarn so they are very warm. Historically wool has irritated my skin but this yarn is only 20% wool and is very soft.
I had never tried felting anything and when I found a pattern for felted slippers I had to try. I’ve made two pair using two different patterns and both were super easy to knit.
These were knit using the pattern found here.
This pair used the pattern found in vol 5 of Craft Magazine.
The first pair were put through the wash only once and ended up looking like ‘Elf Lord’ slippers according to the recipient. I offered to wash them again but she likes the look. I washed the second pair twice and they lost most of the pointiness of the toes and heel. Both patterns are basically 8 squares of x stitches by 2x rows. (ie 20 stitches by 40 rows) and were knit using Patons Classic Wool Merino yarn. There is a YouTube video that describes how you put the latter pattern together to get a slipper. I left the tails long and just used those to sew the slippers together. I think I like this pattern more and will probably stick with it for future pairs.
Your knitting projects look wonderfully comfy, especially the beautiful socks. Congratualtions on figuring how to do it all “backwards”! Very smart. Do you have any tips on knitting blind? I know it can be done, but darned if I can make it hapen. I have made sweaters and a dress, doll knitwear, and the usual hats, scarves etc. No socks or mittens, though. Baby booties were not the howling success I had hoped but everything else looked good. But this was all done when I could see what I was doing. Try a test piece with your eyes shut and see if YOU get how to do it. Or maybe one of your fellow bloggers may have a suggestion?
Your garden photos are beautiful. Spring is coming!
Hi Carole,
Sorry it took so long to get back here. It has been crazy busy at work and I am exhausted by the time I get home.
After reading your msg I did try knitting with my eyes closed and I was ok but not great as long as I was just doing knit stitches. I was able to do a row without adding or dropping a stitch. I know that isn’t knitting blind but it is as close as I am able to come. I would imagine the hardest part would be starting out and casting off. If you figure this out please let me know.
Hi, I have been looking for a easy knitted bedjacket.They are very hard to find,maybe you can help me.Thank you. C.
have you signed up over at http://www.ravelry.com? Some of my patterns have come to me via a post or pattern on that site.
I did find a couple of blind/vision impaired knit/crochet/craft groups on Ravelry.com
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/visually-impaired-kintters–crocheters
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/crafting-with-visual-or-perception-differences
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/blind-webs
Perhaps the members there can give you tips to get you going. You will have to create a free ravelry account first. Let me know how it goes.