This is one of the few homesteading skills that I still have yet to have mastered. However, I have spent the past several weeks (almost months) searching for the "One" wheel that screams at me to "buy me!!" and find that in the process I am learning more about wheels and fiber than I ever really knew existed. Of course, I am a connoisseur of wool yarns. During my time making wool baby pants I managed to accrue a rather extensive and vivid array of types and color variations. I could tell you straight off that a mohair blend would wear longer, but was a little rougher on the skin. That Blue-Faced Leicester had a great sheen and durability. That Merino was ultra-soft, but tended to pill much more severely. Yet though my search for the perfect wheel, I am also learning about alternative fibers.
The one I am most anxious to try is Alpaca, yet there is also yak, silk, angora, mohair, llama, bison, qiviut, and so many others. Even dog hair can be blended and spun, a tribute to a favorite pet. Natural fibers tend to come in a variety of un-dyed colors, from white and silver, to browns and black. Of course, I have to be difficult and look at raw fiber that will require a certain amount of processing to get it to the point of being able to spin. The way I see things, I may as well start at the beginning. While I am not able to keep any fiber animal larger than an Angora rabbit, I am determined to start with fiber as close to the animal as I possibly can.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Crochet or Knit?
I have discovered over the years that generally most people excel in one of these two forms of thread art. They can knit with skill but have a tough time figuring out crochet or they love to crochet, but have a hard time understanding knitting. So the great dilemma for a new homesteader is which of these would be the more useful one to try and knuckle down to learn. Unfortunately, the decision is not as simple as it would at first appear. Both forms are portable and can go with you anywhere. Both require minimal attention once you have mastered the technique. Both have a rather small investment cost. Both can be very useful in many ways. Therefore, the real question should be: why do you have to choose at all? Regardless of what anyone tells you ("once you learn to knit, you really can't crochet." or maybe "you'll have an easier time learning crochet, knit is so much harder, so don't bother.") a person can learn both methods and perform them well. It requires perseverance, diligence, determination, and sometimes: a good teacher. Also, I don't recommend teaching yourself through books, but there are some excellent video tutorial sources on the 'net.
Most patterns for knitting require the user to master only 2 basic stitches: the knit and the purl stitch. Knitting on the flat you would need a pair of straight needles, for small circular you need double pointed needles (DPN's - socks and the top of hats), for large circular you need circular needles (sweaters, pants, sometimes socks). You would also need to have yarn of your choice. Knitting will yield a fabric that have a significant amount of stretch in it, ergo it lends itself very well to apparel such as: sweaters, socks, children's skirts/pants, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, and similar. You could make toys, misc household items, dishcloths, afghans, shawls, or bags. Though sometimes too much stretch in these is not good.
Crochet on the other hand will yield a fabric with much less stretch or flexibility. Depending on the thickness of the yarn and smallness of the hook, you could actually make rigid containers that have only a little flex to them. Crochet requires only a hook and yarn. Because crochet can be a little less flexible, it lends itself much better to items that require less flex in the fabric, such as: afghans, household items, dishcloths, shawls, bags, and toys. You can still make apparel however: sweaters, socks, children's skirts/pants, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, and similar items. It really depends more on the skill of the person and not the limitation of the form.
There are some additional tools that make each form easier or more interesting. For instance: stitch markers for either form or a cable needle for knit. Whatever you decide to learn, have fun! If it isn't fun to do, you won't stay with it.
Most patterns for knitting require the user to master only 2 basic stitches: the knit and the purl stitch. Knitting on the flat you would need a pair of straight needles, for small circular you need double pointed needles (DPN's - socks and the top of hats), for large circular you need circular needles (sweaters, pants, sometimes socks). You would also need to have yarn of your choice. Knitting will yield a fabric that have a significant amount of stretch in it, ergo it lends itself very well to apparel such as: sweaters, socks, children's skirts/pants, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, and similar. You could make toys, misc household items, dishcloths, afghans, shawls, or bags. Though sometimes too much stretch in these is not good.
Crochet on the other hand will yield a fabric with much less stretch or flexibility. Depending on the thickness of the yarn and smallness of the hook, you could actually make rigid containers that have only a little flex to them. Crochet requires only a hook and yarn. Because crochet can be a little less flexible, it lends itself much better to items that require less flex in the fabric, such as: afghans, household items, dishcloths, shawls, bags, and toys. You can still make apparel however: sweaters, socks, children's skirts/pants, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, and similar items. It really depends more on the skill of the person and not the limitation of the form.
There are some additional tools that make each form easier or more interesting. For instance: stitch markers for either form or a cable needle for knit. Whatever you decide to learn, have fun! If it isn't fun to do, you won't stay with it.
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