Intro + ideas for small non-wearable items

[pebblerocker]

I've just re-learnt how to knit, having made nothing since the ghastly scarflike object I made at age 8 and then bootees for three newborn relatives at wide intervals over the next couple of decades. I'd bought some hand-knitted socks and I love them so much I want to make myself some more, so in the last week I've been learning the magic loop method and making a pair of toe-up heelless spiral ribbed socks which I'm extremely excited about. Yay me!

Having used up that wool, though, I'm keen to keep knitting. I'm staying with my mother-in-law for a week and she no longer knits, so she gave me her leftover wool to do what I like with. However everything she had was acrylic and I'm somewhat rabid about only wearing natural fibres, especially on my feet, so socks are out. Can anyone point me to some patterns for non-wearable items I can make out of the acrylic? Maybe tea cosies or, I don't know, ipod cosies and things? Something fast and fun.

I don't know much about wool weights (DK, 8-ply, worsted... it's all Greek to me) and there are no labels on the balls, but it looks fairly thick. My only available needle is a 3.5mm circular so I hope it'll work for what I have to knit with. And I'm at pretty basic skill level: I can knit, purl, increase, decrease, and look up stitches on Youtube. What things can I make while I'm staying here?

ETA: vampirefan suggested toys -- I have a half-grown cat who will bite and fight my fluffy scarf any chance he gets, so I'll try making him a cat toy or two! Even I should be able to make something up without a pattern: magic loop method, little ring, increase, decrease, stuff and add tassels. He'll love it.

Comments

[vampirefan]

Maybe a small lap blanket? Tiny satchels for small gifts? How about a toy? Or even simply practice techniques? That way you won't have to worry about stretching out good yarn?

Also, if you havent already, join ravelry.com and you will find thousand of free patterns there!

Have fun!

[pebblerocker]

A toy is a great idea -- specifically a toy for my young cat, who loves fighting anything made of wool. And I have rather a fondness for small bags of any kind! Thanks for the ideas.

And now that I knit, joining Ravelry is something I should do :o)

[vampirefan]

Oh! And forgot, some people are allergic to wools,etc, so acrylic gifts are usually perfect for them!

[jumpuphigh]

I don't really have any patterns for this but a bag for an ereader is pretty easy. It's just a really long rectangle that you fold in half and sew together with another long rectangle for a handle.

Also, tissue sweaters are fun and fast.

[pebblerocker]

Great ideas, thank you! Those tissue sweaters are just adorable.

[liseuse]

I feel like if you have mastered magic loop then you get to say you're a bit beyond being a beginner! (It took me aaaaages to get the hang of it.)

[pebblerocker]

Haha, I spent a while fighting needles that wanted to sproing away from me in every direction and cable that wanted to twist right into the way of the needle tips -- and this was while also re-learning how to cast on and how to hold the wool! I threw myself in the deep end a bit, but it worked out. This is the best feeling of accomplishment I've had for years.

[untonuggan]

I've seen some people make small pouches for their double-pointed sock needles, and embroider a french knot (or several) to indicate the size. They were really cute. The ones I saw were felted, but I'm sure you could do it with acrylic yarn. They were basically just small tubes with a top that folds over. Plus a buttonhole, or some other way of securiting it closed. (Like this: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-point-needle-case)

If you're going to use circulars for your knitting, I'm sure you can find other needle case patterns on Ravelry. Just do a search for "needle case".

Also, you can always make a knitting project bag!

[untonuggan]

Also, sometimes I go to Barnes and Noble or other bookstores and peruse their knitting books. I get a lot of ideas that way, and it's more tactile than browsing Ravelry. Your local library may also have some good knitting books if you like the paper route.

[pebblerocker]

My library has plenty of knitting books! I got out a sock knitting book and copied out the easiest heelless sock pattern as my first project; now I've had success with that I'll be going back to grab more books and try more stuff.

I like those needle cases, I'll have to make some, especially if I get right into making socks.

[vilakins]

Hello, you! Welcome to knitting (comm and hobby)!

Do you have a Spotlight where you live? They have reasonably priced yarn and lots of needles. I use magic loop a lot though and for that I buy the interchangeable circs online (Knitworld or the Yarn Queen, both NZ) so I only need three lengths of cable and as many points as I want.

Acrylic is fine for toys as you suggest and also wash cloths (something Americans seem to knit a lot), soap holders, pet mats (because easily washable) etc.

Yes, join Ravelry! (I'm there as Vilakins.) Their advanced search function is great. If you're not sure of yarn weight, there's probably a needle size given and you can search patterns with that as a filter. Also, all needle sizes and yarn weights are given in US/metric or US/UK so that makes it easy for us non-Americans.

[pebblerocker]

Hi! I think your posts about knitting helped to wake my urge to start knitting again.

Spotlight isn't too far, so I definitely plan on going there to build up some supplies and paw at balls of wool in pretty colours. These interchangeable needle points sound like a brilliant invention! My mother never used circular needles so there's a lot out there I've never heard of.

I'll look you up when I've joined Ravelry. Glad to know you don't have to translate everything into American terminology and back again to use the site :)

[vilakins]

I buy mainly from Spotlight and the two sites I mentioned:

Knitworld - you have one in your city! The one in mine is too far away.

The Yarn Queen - where I bought my circs

Spotlight can be a pain because they often just get a yarn in once. Are there any knitting shops near you? I found one close by, full of amazing stuff, but horrendously expensive (and with a rather snobby owner). :-( I should see if there's somewhere near work.

[pebblerocker]

I go past Knitworld often but haven't been in there yet. And there's a fabric and curtain shop in my town which I know has some knitting stuff -- I've only gone there for buttons, but it'll be worth checking out even though it's small and it's good to support local businesses.

[vilakins]

It's certainly worth checking out Knitworld. I wish there was one closer to me; way out west is just too far. I hope your LYS (local yarn store) is better than the pricey one I found.

I've also bought the occasional bargain on TradeMe.