This month’s Love the Moment Challenge is all about thinking a little differently. One way to do this is to pretend you’re an expert at something. It’s not a silly as it sounds. You see, every Winter, I knit a scarf. I can’t knit anything else, but I get a lot of satisfaction from making something with my own hands. Here’s my progress so far.
This venture has challenged me to think about life and and how I live it with my family. This is what I’m pondering:
If you want to knit a scarf and are not sure how, let the blind (me) lead the blind (you)…and if you are a knitter, just don’t read any further because I’m probably doing it all wrong. HA!
How to Knit a Scarf
Wool: You can use any wool you like but if you’re a novice like me, I (very strongly) recommend feather wool because mistakes are hard to see. Thick wool can be easy to use too; ideal for children.
Needles: I use 5 mm needles for feather wool.
How much wool: 4-6 rolls
How many stitches to cast on: It really depends on how wide you want the scarf and what wool you are using. When you cast on, stretch the stitches out so you have an idea of how wide it will be. I’m knitting a child’s scarf and it’s 25 stitches across. For an adult scarf, you would probably to 35 stitches.
1. Cast on
Cast on with these simple instructions: Casting On Knitting Video Tutorial.
2. Knitting
Knit using the basic knitting stitch: Basic Knitting Stitch Video Tutorial.
3. Finish
Knit until you have the desired length of scarf and then cast off: Cast Off Knitting Video Tutorial
French Knitting
While I’m in knitting mode, I’m teaching my kids how to French Knit.
How to French Knit
1. Tape 4 paddle pop sticks evenly spaced around a toilet roll.
2. Feed the wool inside toilet roll and allow approximately 20cm hanging out the bottom of the roll.
3. Cast on by twirling the wool around a paddle pop stick twice in a clockwise direction.
4. Move to the next paddle-pop stick and repeat, this time in an anti-clockwise. Repeat until you have completed the last paddle pop stick.
5. Lift the bottom piece of wool over the upper piece of wool and then carefully up over the paddle pop stick (leaving the top piece of wool on the stick). Repeat on all four paddle pop sticks.
6. Using your wool, wind around the top of the paddle-pop stick and continue to lift the bottom piece of wool over the wool and up over the paddle pop stick.
7. Use the wool hanging out the bottom to tighten the project.
8. Once your project is the desired length, cut the string off the ball of wool and feed through the loops that are left when you lift the wool from the paddle pop sticks. Tie in a knot at the end and the project is done!
I adore this picture of my two girls french knitting on the trampoline. This is not posed shot; I was just watching them. Gorgeous.
Are you going to pretend to be an expert at something this month? This is my attempt. If you’re as crazy deluded game as I am, I’d love to hear about it.
Can you link an activity you’re doing with a variation with your kids?
Living life together: it’s what family is all about.
Be A Fun Mum Links
Slow Life Down Without The Need to Be Less Busy
9 Comments
Kathryn Rodda
June 6, 2011 at 7:53 amI have just taught myself to knit and am loving it! Through my early years I had many try to teach me – Grandma (a fabulous knitter still!), school, Girls’ Brigade etc. But I just didn’t get it. But now I have wanted to and I think that’s the difference! I love sitting down at night and doing something while watching tv. It used to be cross stitch, but little fingers get into my stuff all the time. I am just knitting coat hanger covers, and have just bought some kids size ones to cover with bright and sparkly wool. Stay tuned! My next step is to teach myself to crochet (bought a book last week at Spotlight) so I can crochet gorgeous booties I found 🙂
Kelly B
June 6, 2011 at 7:58 amThat is fantastic Kathryn! My Grandmother too, is an amazing knitter!
I love the sound of the needles as they slide over each other. There’s something very soothing about it.
Crochet is such a beautiful craft…I look forward to hearing more about it!
Kathryn Rodda
June 6, 2011 at 9:08 amMy Grandma used to be able to knit a jumper in a day when I was a kid, she’s got arthritis nw and is a bit slower. She knits great kids bubble scarves that I sell through Kathryn’s Creations – she can knit one or two a day – still faster than me!
Mandy
June 6, 2011 at 11:27 amWell done, very brave of you, maybe that might be on my to do list next year! My daughter sat with me and watched this, quite intrigued, so I guess we do life together too.
Jackie
June 6, 2011 at 11:29 amKelly, Thanks so much..
Ive been reading your blog a bit lately and have printed out the love the moment calanders and crossing things off as we do them. Made a massive difference to the way I live my life with two babies. Thank you so much! I really loved your vlog today too. I love ” capturing the moments without needing more time”. BEAUTIFUL. Thanks so much.
Love the Moment Challenge — July
June 28, 2011 at 11:22 am[…] been knitting a scarf for my daughter. I don’t really know how to knit anything else but it’s fun to take my […]
Bells
July 3, 2011 at 3:41 pmhey kelly, seriously you can knit more than a scarf! Really. You already have all the skills you need. You can knit. The rest is just learning to read patterns and following instructions. There’s a whole world out there!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
July 5, 2011 at 9:57 amThanks Helen. I did once tried to knit a vest but found reading the pattern really hard. HA! Knitting is such a beautiful skill though. And I love the rhythm of the sliding needles.
Feature Home: A Sea Change
July 7, 2011 at 12:29 pm[…] What stood out to me about Haidee’s story was the “living life together” concept she is creating with her family. This is something I want to incorporate into my own family (I talked about in this post). […]