[Nfb-krafters-korner] continental knitting

Mon May 26 22:43:54 CDT 2008

Cindy:

In patterns where your edges are exposed like on a scarf, blanket, and often 
shawls, slipping the first stitch of each row produces a nicer looking edge. 
If on something you will need to either seam or perhaps pick up stitches, DO 
NOT slip the first stitch since on those items it makes seaming  not only 
more difficult, but just does not look nice.  And, in the case of picking up 
stitches, makes it very, very sloppy looking.  So far as I know, it does not 
make any difference how you hold your yarn.

Most patterns are copied right protected, and it would be in violation of 
copy right law to post to a list-serve like this one, so if you have a 
question on something specific, either send it to me off-list or just post a 
few lines where you have the question.

Eileen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "slery" <slerythema at insightbb.com>
To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 10:38 PM
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] continental knitting

Okay, here is one for you.  I have a pattern that is in all garter stitch
but they recommend slipping the first stitch of the row purl wise.  Does it
make a difference in this situation?  ie as long as I'm knitting continental
and I slip purl wise continental.

I have another question but I'll need to actually copy the pattern here to
get an answer.

Cindy

> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> nfb-krafters-korner-bounces+slerythema=insightbb.com at nfbnet.or
> g
> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces+slerythema=insightbb.com at n
> fbnet.org] On Behalf Of eileen scrivani
> Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 8:22 PM
> To: List for blind crafters and artists
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Friday's questions/
>
>
> Cindy:
>
> If you have knitting questions, just ask.  However, I've seen
> patterns that
> are written  by Americans and others that have been written
> by companies in
> the U.K.  Some of the terminology can be different, but easy
> enough to
> decipher.  Where the pattern is written, though,is unrelated
> to the style in
> which you hold your yarn, i.e. either continental or English style.
>
> I have ordered Braille knitting books/patterns from the Royal
> National
> Institute for the Blind in England and some of the problems I have
> encountered are converting measurements/gauges from
> centimeteres to inches,
> needle size conversions (you can find charts on line that
> will tell you) and
> the English have a way of refering back to points in patterns
> that are
> indicated by varying numbers of asterisks in strings in the
> text.  In some I
> have located on the internet, I've deleted out the asterisks,
> just thinking
> they were a part of formatting to make it pretty, not realizing their
> importance to the pattern directions.
>
> Eileen
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "slery" <slerythema at insightbb.com>
> To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'"
> <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 6:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Friday's questions/
>
>
> Eileen,
>
> I may contact you for pointers on knitting.  I have been
> teaching myself knitting (as a mostly blind person) and the
> continental is the easiest for me to be able to tell exactly
> what I am doing.  Sometimes, I get a little confused, since
> I'm new, when figuring something out on a pattern that they
> are explaining and I know they are using English style
> instead of continental.
>
> Cindy
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:
> > nfb-krafters-korner-bounces+slerythema=insightbb.com at nfbnet.or
> > g [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces+slerythema=insightbb.com at n
> > fbnet.org] On Behalf Of eileen scrivani
> > Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 10:13 AM
> > To: List for blind crafters and artists
> > Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Friday's questions/
> >
> >
> > Hi Laurie:
> >
> > This is so great!! I'm tickled to death!  I have an
> > assortment of colors of
> > size 6 seed beads that are round, a few size 6 bugle beads,
> > and a few drop
> > seed beads that I purchased with the intention of using in my
> > knitting.
> > This was what got me into bead stringing.  The day I went in
> > to my local
> > bead store to get the seed beads and beading needle, is when
> > I was bit by
> > the bug and signed up for a basic stringing class.  Ever
> > since I've been
> > wanting to get into a weaving course, but in addition to
> > never working with
> > my schedule, they are exceptionally expensive!
> >
> > I've read some basic directions of right angle weave on a web
> > site, but am
> > just not getting it.
> >
> > Last year, I offered to teach any blind/visually impaired
> > knitter in NJ who
> > could get to where I live, free knitting lessons, provided
> > they provided
> > their own yarn and needles.  Only 1 person took me up on the
> > offer, but it
> > didn't go well since she knits by throwing the yarn with her
> > right hand (the
> > technique used when she could see) and I use my left hand  in
> > more of a
> > continental style.  While I was able to give her a few
> > helpful pointers for
> > knitting "blind", I haven't been able to give her much advice
> > on how to
> > insure she's actually knitted a stitch before dropping it off
> > the needle or
> > else just slipping stitches from left to right with not
> > working them.  I
> > became frustrated since I could not figure out the best way
> > to explain &
> > instruct her.  To this day, she's still having trouble.  I
> > guess its a good
> > sign that she hasn't given it up.  Just wish I could figure
> > out what she's
> > doing incorrectly  or a method that would make it easier for her.
> >
> > keep me posted when you're ready to give beading a try.
> > thanks again.
> >
> > Eileen
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Laurie Porter" <freespirit1 at tds.net>
> > To: "List for blind crafters and artists"
> > <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:34 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Friday's questions/
> >
> >
> > sure I could do some teaching. I can walk you through some of
> > the basics of seed beading. I can put something together and
> > make it perhaps a combination of live chat, and or email
> > instructions. A few years ago, I took an email beading
> > course. There was no live chat either via phone or computer,
> > but for somebody just starting out, some live chat would be
> > very helpful. I can put some email items together, a list of
> > what you'll need, and some basic stitch instructions that you
> > can refer to as we're talking and that would help to clarify
> > any place where you get stuck. The lessons could either be
> > individual or in a group. It could be one of the things we
> > can do with one of our phone chat nights. Yes, I think I
> > could do this. Thanks for asking. This is a good idea. You've
> > gotten me inspired.  Who knows, maybe this kind of thing can
> > morph into something that others can do if we wanted to teach
> > other things like crocheting, or knitting, etc.  It is good
> > to be able to put your fingers on a finished pieece, but I
> > was mostly self-taught and I found I could learn something
> > without having to see a finished piece. So, I think this
> > could be a good idea if it is organized and mapped out. I've
> > been beading for over 12 years now, and I have taught a
> > basics beading class at a program called "Women's Art Space",
> > and three of the six students I taught are still beading. So,
> > I'll put my thinking caps on and get this thing somewhat
> > organized. I will also have a chance to record confrence
> > calls that can be played back on any computer as an mp3 file.
> > Yes, there is so much we could do.
> >
> >
> > Peace,
> >
> > Laurie----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "eileen scrivani" <etflemin at ix.netcom.com>
> > To: "List for blind crafters and artists"
> > <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 2:22 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Friday's questions/
> >
> >
> > > Hi Laurie:
> > >
> > > i'm wondering if there is any way you could teach some of the
> > > introductory methods/techniques of either doing beading on
> > a loom or
> > > bead weaving. This is something I've been so wanting to
> > learn, but its
> > > very difficult to locate
> > > a person/shop that teaches it.  Please give it some serious
> > consideration
> > > and let me know if you think we could work some way of
> > working this out
> > > long-distance!  I'd be thrilled to learn any basic stuff I
> > could play with
> > > at home.  I have seed beads and a bead needle here now, and
> > am guessing I
> > > could use some sewing thread for starting, but you can let
> > me know what
> > > you
> > > think.
> > >
> > > I'm planning on calling in to the chat later on so hope to
> > get to talk
> > > with you then.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > Eileen
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Laurie Porter" <freespirit1 at tds.net>
> > > To: "List for blind crafters and artists"
> > <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> > > Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2008 10:10 PM
> > > Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Friday's questions/
> > >
> > >
> > >        Yes, I am the one who posed this question. I'll
> never forget
> > > the day I learned about doing beadwork. I was living in
> > 'chicago and
> > > getting ready to move to Madison wI which is a somewhat
> progressive
> > > town with an insatiable artistic appatite. I bought some yarn and
> > > learned to do a little
> > > cross stitch. I loved walking down state street in my new
> > town among those
> > > who played music, painted sidewalk murals,and the endless
> display of
> > > street
> > > vendors selling everything from handmade blankets to
> > jewlery. I dusted off
> > > my old guitar, and made friends among the strete musicians,
> > played at open
> > > mic's in the many coffee houses. Everywhere you went there
> > was an art
> > > opening of some kind.  One spring day I was on my way home
> > from a job
> > > interview, and I stopped to talk with some of my friends
> > just passing
> > > through when a lady came up to me and asked to do a tarrot
> > card reading
> > > for
> > > me.
> > > She mentioned that the cards showed that someday I would be
> > making and
> > > selling jewlery. I didn't think very much about this. I saw
> > that it seemed
> > > that everybody around me made some kind of jewlery of some
> > sort, and I
> > > have
> > > always had a flare for taking the road less traveled of non
> > conformism. In
> > > other words, just because I'm in Rome, doesn't mean I have
> > to do what the
> > > Romans do. I thought she was nuts,  because I had no desire
> > to be another
> > > jewlery maker.
> > >
> > > About a year later, I met Debbie. There are times in one's
> > life where
> > > inspiration hits you like a ton of bricks with something so
> > small and
> > > so insignificant that it could just as easily be passed by
> > if one is
> > > not paying attention. She had  amulet purse around her
> neck and she
> > > had beaded ornaments and hair extensions. I saw her purse
> > and asked if
> > > I could touch it. She took it off her neck and handed it to
> > me. I had
> > > never seen anything
> > > like it in my life. This was a small purse made entirely of
> > thread and
> > > seed
> > > beads
> > >
> > > there are some people who are so talented that they create
> > beautiful
> > > works of art with little or no effort. I am  not one of
> > those people.
> > > I admire people who can do this. She always wanted to
> learn musicof
> > > some kind, and she had to learn how to listen to music
> > differently and
> > > develop an ear. Concepts were frustratingly difficult
> > > for her to understand. for me, singing and playing
> > instruments came as
> > > natural to me as her art work came to her. I asked her to
> > teach me to make
> > > beaded purses, and we both set onto the task of adapting
> > the patterns and
> > > colors into a word map and enlarging the graphs so I could
> > see them with a
> > > minimm of eye strain. I started out on a beading loom,
> > which, if you're
> > > not
> > > familliar with the technique it is a simple flat loom with
> > bolts on both
> > > ends and coiled springs that hold the worp threads in
> > place. You then
> > > attach
> > > weft or working thread tieing to the left most worp thread.
> > You then put
> > > on
> > > a needle and pick up the beads for the first row and lay
> > the thread across
> > > underneath the worp and then push the beads up with your
> > index finger so
> > > that they pop up between  the worp threads. You then take
> > your needle and
> > > bring it through the !
> > > beads again in the same direction as before. You continue
> > each row going
> > > from left to right and right to left. The challenge for me
> > was what to do
> > > with all the worp threads at thebottom  of the piece.
> This part was
> > > challenging for everyone to do and it is why beading
> > looming isn't the
> > > preferred technique. As a blind  person, I had to figure
> > out the thread
> > > path
> > > for weaving each worp thread into the piece. Once the beads
> > are in place,
> > > it's not possible to feel it  between beads. The path
> > should be as strong
> > > as
> > > it could be which means passing through beads several
> > times. After a few
> > > loomed pieces, I began learning off- loom beadwork
> > stitches. When I first
> > > began learning be    adwork, I had 20/200 vision and at the
> > time it was
> > > enough to match colors that went well together. Now that I
> > am totally
> > > blind,
> > > I was bored with just row after row of the same beads so,
> I started
> > > incorporating different sizes and shapes of beads for
> > contrast. This is
> > > not
> > > as easy to do when you are weaving !
> > > seed beads, because interlocking rows of beads is
> essential for the
> > > structural integrity of the piece.
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
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