I know what you mean about passing a wool shop. I'm terrible with ebay as well. I buy wool cause I like the look of it then try and find a pattern to use with it LOL

I must stop doing that and get a pattern first. I just got rid of quite a bit of wool that I couldt use.

Then hubby said 'I bet you will be back on ebay buying more '

well off to get dinner sorted
Back later
Pam x

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www.pamwest.co.uk

Hi Pam

I have been knitting since I was a younster (can't remember when) and I have knitted on/off for years, I am now 43 years old , for my babies and toddlers (after that they were too big) and for other peoples babies. I had a break for about 10 years when I found cross-stitching and couldn't put that down. But now I am back on the knitting and it is a lovely feeling doing something for others who are less fortunate then you.

Teresa

I've been knitting since I was was about 7 or 8 years old. My mum taught me how to knit, starting off with T bar jumpers for my Sindy Doll and then squares for blanket for Sindy's bed. I progressed on to knitting dolls clothes for my tiny tears and never looked back since. I love knitting anything apart from fair isle. I cant get the tension right. Aran jumpers I love doing and my biggest challenge was when a working colleague asked if I'd knit an aran jumper for her friend's husband in Germany and I said yes, no problem but she didn't tell me it was a 56" chest and he was 6 ft 10 in height!!! By the time I was finished it fitted me as a dress and weighed so much that I buckled 2 sets of knitting pins doing the neck!!!

I now knit because I love it so much and can do it while watching telly or listening to music so, as we woman always do, can do 2 things at once!!

i started knitting in my teens i think i remember making a toy knitted lion for my little brother when my kids were little i knitted loads and used to knit cardis and jumpers for myself and pressies for friends. I stopped knitting for a few years then made a mr bean teddy for my son and another for my god daughter (hers still needs putting together ) then i read the thread on MSE about knitting squares and that started me off again, ive got lots of wool stashed away and go to car boots regularly so often see it cheap there.
Not hopnig for grand children for a while, but i do like knitting baby clothes, i was very lucky to have 5 beautiful healthy children but when mine were little i used to kit a few little prem sets for the local hospital unit as a thank you, i realised no one knows what lies ahead in pregnancy and birth.

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a wooly wooligan

My grandma taught me how to knit over 50 years ago. My first item was a scarf in garter stitch. On the final row you had to drop stitches every 3rd or 4th stich (or whatever) and let it ladder to the bottom. If your knitting was correct it worked..if you had made a mistake it would not ladder all the way down. I think that must have been the only time when I prayed for my stich to keep on disappearing!

I started to knit when I was about 7-8 as well, mainly making soft toys, including one teddy bear that looked more like a cat lol! I stopped when I got older, but started again about 6 months ago (I'm now 29!) as it was suggested to me for relaxation to help with stress etc- and I'm very glad I did, don't think I will stop now

I was 5 I think when I first learnt. Did it at school, but also My Mum and Nan taught me. I remember staying at my Nans and making knitted christmas decorations (lol), teddies for charity and finger puppets! I never had the patience to make anything bigger! And didn't knit again for ages...

Then last year there was a challenge to knit scarves for Samaritans Purse shoeboxes at my church and I got the bug. But my lack of patience meant that I knitted a few scarves, then went onto hats, glove puppets, pencil cases....

Then I found out about Loving Hands thro Lets Knit mag and am so pleased I did. I only really get time to knit in the evening so I can't do much. But every little helps!!

Gosh you have picked the right subject here Pam, obviously everyone's favourite pastime I learned to knit at school, can remember doing a pair of socks and of course turning the heel was the important bit and finishing off the toe with grafting. My Gran had a stash of wool in her dressing table drawer and I was allowed to choose bits from it and she helped with stitches I couldn't do. I can't remember a time when I haven't knitted. My two sons say they used to hate the tank tops I used to knit for them when they were small, but I thought they looked great I taught myself to crochet from a book and have made lots of baby shawls (circular) for my nieces babies over the years and doilies which I like to have for myself. Old fashioned I suppose but I love them Dot

Why do I knit ? Well, like you I have knitted since my grandmother taught me about 60 years ago (is it that long!). I knitted for boyfriends - one of whom I married, the two boys when they were small; my granddaughter when she was small. Then what! No one wanted hand knitted goods only designer labels would do.
So I surfed the net and I found Loving Hands .I had already made some jumpers and didn't know where to send them - so off they went. I usually knit when the TV is on as I cannot sit and do nothing with my hands.
I also 'do'family historyso I try to keep busy by helping at the local toddler group.
Keep clicking as I found there is always a need somewhere in the world.
Judi

I first tried to knit in my teens when staying at my Nana's but didn't start seriously until about 5 years ago when a friend introduced me. I can't just sit and watch telly, I feel too guilty so knitting is the perfect 2 in 1! Darren bought me a set of bamboo needles for my birthday so that they don't clack too much and now I'm totally addicted. Step-Nana gave me a load of odd balls so I'm frantically knitting blankets, scarves, hats anything that uses up a stash! I don't know about anone else but I get a right tickle in the back of my head when I know I have a load of wool to knit up!!

My mother taught me to knit and crochet when I was very young, maybe about 8 or so, but I never did it seriously for years and years. I started to do more crochet in my late teens and 20s, and took up knitting again in a small way in my 30s. Over the past couple of years I have been doing a lot more crochet and knitting than ever. I am a stay at home mum with my 6 year old daughter, and work from home whilst she is at school, doing audio typing for legal firms all over the country. I am still not a great knitter and crocheter. I can do simple things, and have lately been trying to teach myself to do cables, lace knitting, etc to improve my skills. I am in the early stages of inflammatory arthritis, and I find that the manipulation required helps to keep me supple. It also helps me to keep my sanity, and I find that if I am knitting or crocheting or spinning in the evening, I am not tempted so much to snack.

I am really enjoying doing the charity crafts. I did a whole crochet jacket in dk last night (just a little one) but I am very pleased with it, and it really surprised my husband! I hope to get the matching booties and cap done this weekend, but not this evening, because daughter is going to granny's, and hubby and I are going to the pictures! Something that does not happen very often!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

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Karla

I started knitting when I was about five; my Mum taught me and I'm eternally grateful to her. I'm so pleased that it seems to be growing in popularity. I taught myself to crochet and enjoy that just as much. My Mum has tried to teach herself without success so I shall be repaying the favour and teaching her later this year. I find knitting and crochet to be the best way to relax - it's so soothing yet constructive and, to be able to knit for charity is immensely rewarding.

This is a brilliant topic, Pam!

Like a lot of you, I started knitting at a very early age. But then I didn't do any for years. I restarted this past Christmas, when I had the sudden urge to buy myself a knitting kit. I'm always on the lookout for a hobby that I'll stick with, as I usually do things for a short time then get bored with them. I remembered from the distant past having really enjoyed knitting, so thought this might be the hobby I'd end up sticking with.

I also noticed that knitting made me feel relaxed (except for the times I drop stitches of course!).

So, here I am. I've stuck with this hobby (all of 6 months) longer than any before. I show no signs of getting bored, so I think it's here to stay.

I have to say, reading through Emmam's post in this topic, I was reminded of myself. I get that funny sort of thrill too when I have a lot of wool to start, and also when I buy/get given some. It's a bit like that feeling you have when you're a kid and you know Santa will be coming the next day!

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Ange