Episode 17: Sticks Are For Kids!

Episode 17: Sticks Are For Kids! (36:24)

This week we share the last listener destash tips, our experiences with teaching people to knit, and our first knitting books.

Destash Tips
The last batch!
Other ways to give your yarn away...

• Host a podcast in order to get rid of stash- who would do that?
• Secret pal exchanges
• party favors
• giving yarn to your cat- a bad idea
• giving yarn to birds- a good idea
• Nashville Stitch and Bitch's bird story
• Feral cats versus birds in Golden Gate Park
• 'a learn to knit' gift basket with yarn and pattern
• Jenny's vintage velvet II for Harold (finally finished!)
• raffling off the yarn- some hoop jumping involved
• send random balls of yarn to people who don't have access to it (country specific)

Toss it!
(though pet blankets out of acrylic are useful...)
Take it on the road, but sit in the back per Pixie (from the WEBS podcast)!
Reward yourself for FO's with cash! Though- will that just result in more yarn accumulation?

Teaching the Youngsters
The Waldorf School and knitting
homemade needles
Sugar n Creme cotton
finger knitting
Crochet first?
Giant posters for visual cues (a tip from Vietnamazing)
Video help from knittinghelp.com
video chat?

Our First Knitting Books
Lily Chin's Urban Knitter
Pam Allen's Knitting for Dummies
Debbie Bliss' How to Knit
How to weave in ends, courtesy of Aija
The Vogue Bible
Stitch ' Bitch! Thank you Debbie Stoller!
Stitch 'n Bitch Nation
The Happy Hooker
Flipknit! from Annie Modesitt

Thanks for listening! After next week's episode, we're heading off for summer vacation for two weeks. We'll be back July 3 for more podcasting fun!

Music
Dig Me Out: Sleater Kinney
Electric Princess: Jennifer Gentle
Australia: the Shins
Breaker: Low

Comments

[Tanya]

Lay-tays - Haven't listened to the 'cast yet, but my dad bought me Knitting for Dummies when I was "reteaching" myself after 15 years of not knitting. It's still my go-to. And I'm a left-handed (mirror) knitter. I do have the Vogue Bible, too.

I give my cat Koigu that I have leftover from the store - is that bad?!

(PS: Thanks again, Nic, you know what I mean!)

[Steph]

You guys should host an international yarn exchange - that sounds like so much fun! Not something I would start on my own, but I would DEFINATELY join!!

I also tried to teach some kids. . .not so successful. But I only had one session. . .
I don't think that qualifies!

[Emily]

I also love the Stitch 'N Bitch books! They really are great references. I learned to crochet from the Happy Hooker, which is just as good as Debbie Stoller's knitting books. I definitely recommend trying it :)

[Leslie]

As always, another great Tuesday morning run down California and up Lake streets listening to Stash and Burn! :) I am eager to teach my 4- and 5-year-olds to knit but I think they're too young. I wonder what the optimal age is... Incidentally, I have frequently referred to the online knittinghelp.com videos -- they are great. You inspired me, by the way, to purchase The Happy Hooker. I love the SnB books (still use them for reference occasionally) and my crochet skills are nonexistent. Finally, would you consider reviewing some other knitting podcasts on a future episode? I'll need something to tide me over while you guys are on vacation! :)

[Lain]

Hey ladies!
Just discovered your podcast... where have I been? Under a rock?? I am LOVING it. So great. It's the only two-person podcast that I enjoy -- usually they don't "work" but you gals have mojo!

How about a SF get-together? I'm in the San Jose area but would gladly make the trip.
xoxox
Lain
http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com

[Mike]

Any chance you can put up a link to Asia's post about weaving in ends?

[Casey]

Great cast. I personally dont like the STB books, it just didnt hit me.

But books I recomend to newbies is the Sweater Workshop, as if you make the sample you will never need another pattern again.

Also any of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books and Knitting the old way.

All of these teach and liberate the needs of patterns.

Love the cast .... Are you guys going any where good for vacay?

Casey

[Glenna]

Great show yet again! I'm sad there will be a hiatus again but obviously you folks need a break to recharge :)

Thanks for posting the toonie/$5 destash tip! I can report that after about 8 weeks doing this, my grand total is about $35. ;) That seems like not very much, but my goal is generally to have some monetary accumulation each week - either not-buying, or by finishing. So far this week is the only one that looks like it might be a goose-egg, unless I'm reeeeeaaaallly speedy with the project I'm on now! I'm enjoying the challenge, though. And I think I'm making peace with the fact that I will never not have a stash.

[Natalie]

Regarding projects from Vogue Knitting: I have actually knit a project from VK where the instructions were fine and I didn't change a damn thing. (Which is odd, because usually I tinker with everything). The project was the Moebius Capelet from the Spring/Summer '06 issue.
I am currently working on another VK pattern where the instructions were totally wrong-- but luckily the magazine itself directed knitters to the website due to the size of the charts, so I had all the corrections from the beginning.

I also used the SnB book to teach myself, and I definitely owe Debbie Stoller a big thanks, because I had tried to teach myself before but it didn't take until I tried it with the SnB book-- and I haven't stopped knitting since!

[Marisol]

Another awesome episode! Its always so delightful to listent to you both!

Keep up the good work!

[Heather]

Hi Nicole & Jenny!! I just listened to your latest podcast and it was great as usual.

I was SO happy to hear your big plug for www.knittinghelp.com You were wondering how long it's been around...I don't know exactly but I do know that I've been a forum member there for over 2 years. So I have to plug not only the videos (done by Amy Findlay, by the way) but the forum is SO FANTASTIC. There are always many many knitters online who are always willing to give a helping hand to the most basic or most complicated questions. It has been my knitting lifeline and an indespensible resource.

Keep up the great work!!

[Janice]

Ahhh, VK. After one bad (baaaad) experience, I'm wary whenever I knit anything from VK. But I can't help myself--if I like the design, I'll take a run at the pattern.

This pattern was riddled errors. I posted corrections on my blog.
http://knitflix.blogspot.com/2005/05/fo-2005-13-vogue-knitting-flame-stitch.html

These patterns didn't have issues, at least none that I recall.
http://knitflix.blogspot.com/2004/06/9999-finished.html
http://knitflix.blogspot.com/2004/10/fo-21-vk-cable-cardigan.html
http://knitflix.blogspot.com/2005/06/fo-2005-16-vogue-knitting-5.html
http://knitflix.blogspot.com/2007/03/2007-03-vogue-diamond-pullover-reprise.html

[Lauren]

I did spool knitting with my daughter's kindergarten class and it went really well. It's basically the same as finger knitting but uses a round spool. These were homemade (packing tape ring with four or five nails sticking out of the top) but there are commercial ones too. My daughter made a six-foot long chain that way but only ever got about three rows of actual knitting done after I taught her.

[sheknits]

I just love Stash and Burn- you both do such a great job. Thank you so much for your effort. I don't know what I will do...sniff...while you are on vaca.!
I just threw my hat in the podcasting ring- literally just downloaded it- www.sheknits.libsyn.com I hope someday to be as organized a smooth flowing as you guys!

[kimberly]

Once again, it was fun listening to the two of you!
I teach 6th and 7th grade math as well as 3rd grade swimming. I think the 3rd graders are so cute that I've decided to teach all 4 classes (50 kids) how to knit. I started by bringing in my wheel to show them all of the stages of making yarn. Then I bought yarn and needles for them and went around to each one during the hour to help them individually. The first thing we talked about was patience and how necessary it is to have in order to learn. I wanted them to know from the get go that knitting is not as easy as it looks. I also had large posters on each table showing pictures of how to make the stitch and the separate steps for those that I couldn't get to right away. On the back of the posters I had the written instructions on how to knit as well. You can find many great pictures of knitting on the net and copy and paste onto poster board. Then laminate it and you're good to go.
Some of the kids picked it up really fast while others where quite frustrated but surprisingly managed with a little help from other classmates and family. I came back a week later and most of the kids from the first class had made some wonderful progress and the best part was that they had asked their aunts or grandparents to help them out. Just one more aspect of teaching knitting is bringing the generations together. I think teaching the first graders would be a little bit more difficult but then again, last year my 5-year-old learned and had no problems. Thanks again for a great podcast!!

[jenfromri]

Another great episode! I'll miss you guys when you go away.

I wa really surprised when you mentioned the teacher had trouble with teaching the kids to finger-knit. I have two boys, ages 6 and 9, and both of them have been finger-knitting for almost a year, and now the older one has started to knit as well. They picked up finger-knitting really quickly and loved it. It goes fast, especially with bulky yarn, so they've been able to make scarves to give to their friends, and a headband for my sister.

Thanks again for an awesome podcast!

[Emily]

Hey ladies! What an awesome "episode"! I cannot get enough of your podcast, and I feel like Leslie - what will I do when you are on vacation? I am trying not to listen to all the old ones too quickly, so that I have them to tide me over. Thanks for producing such an entertaining, funny, informative podcast. Your friendship really shines!

[wildtomato]

Great episode! I'm especially fond of this episode's picture - nothing better than pets modeling knitted goods! That cat is absolutely adorable.

[Karma]

Hey gals, I listened to this episode a few days ago and felt like it was written especially for me!

I will try finger knitting next for working with second graders.

Also, I knit the Shawl Collar Pullover (my favorite sweater so far) from VK and had a fabulous experience with it. Adrienne Vittadini, you know. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/goodkarma/shawl-collar-pullover

Enjoy your vacay! Woot!

[Nance]

I so enjoy listening to you guys. I've been listening to back podcasts as I ride the bus to work while knitting! I love going to your website and finding links to what you're talking about. And (lord knows why) I got inspired to add a calculation, to my excel spreadsheet, to see how much yarn I have. Let's just say, it's not quite as much as I thought it was going to be, but it's creeping up. I still have some "stash" to locate so I can fill in the yardage. I'm a little over 41,000. I knew I was obsessive, but now I feel as though I've found kindrid spirits! :) Have great, well deserved, vacations and hurry back!

[Lisa Dusseault]

Hi Nicole and Jenny. I knit a wonderful Adrienne Vittadini sweater from Vogue magazine once and it was perfect. I wish I could find that issue again to knit that sweater again in a non-wool yarn -- and I rarely want to reknit the same pattern over again. It was a fitted turtleneck with a simple ladder-y lace stitch all over and beautiful yoke shaping.

My first knitting book was a Vogue knitting book, as it happens. I did a yarn substitution to a bulkier yarn and the sweater turned out oversize even for the 80s. It would be too big for any but the largest men I know. I still have both the sweater and the book.

[Liana]

I enjoy your podcast very much. You are a very cute pair! I was surprised to hear your views on Vogue Knitting. I must say that I knitted almost exclusively from VK when I was teaching myself to knit, and I still consider it to have the most interesting patterns. The instructions are no worse than most, although they're light on charts lately. I even got old copies from the library and knitted swatches of various things from them just to try out things. I wanted to do interesting things, not boring, "beginner" projects. My knitting gallery is at: http://www.pbase.com/lianasews/knitting

[Theresa]

Ladies, your podcast has changed my life. Because of you, I calculated the size of my yarn stash and now have to live with the knowledge that I have 108,000+ yards (plus partial balls, of course). I may never sleep again . . .

But you wanted to know if anyone has knit from Vogue Knitting. I made this lovely sweater (http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com/2006/03/winter-follies-spring-flings.html) from the Fall 2004 issue. It came out great - but only after I realized that all the knits and purls were reversed on the chart. Who edits these things?

[Stacey]

I think I've created a UFO out of this pet blanket! I have to finish it somehow, though, because I've promised it to a friend. The old acrylic yarn isn't pleasant to knit with. I know, I should've tossed it and moved on.

Books. When I re-learned how to knit, I used the Knitting for Dummies book, which is still a good reference. I've also got the Vogue bible, as well as Elizabeth Zimmerman books, etc.

Vogue patterns. One of my first knitted garments was a Vogue top-down short sleeved top. I altered all of the math, but it was still too big and frumpy-looking in the end.

[Sally Villarreal]

Please don't throw away yarn! (Unless it is truly damaged. Someone in my knitting group got bird poop on her wool ease while we were sitting outside. She threw it out, and even I didn't blame her.) Give it to Goodwill. It will be a great treasure to someone.

Also, you missed the obvious: donate to schools. Even if they aren't learning to knit, most art classes do some yarn stuff. I remember weaving on pieces of cardboard and doing some basic macrame (sp?). Someone in one of my groups works with kids, and she collected yarn for a weaving project.

When I was little (about 4) I told my Mom I wanted to learn to knit or crochet. My Mom insisted that crochet was easier. But for years I never got past the crochet chain (We still put the one I made in red, white and green on the Christmas tree every year.) It wasn't until I tried to knit that it all clicked. But I think that has to do with my age. I was in the third grade by then. I think they are both difficult and easy in their own way.

Along with my Mom, I learned to knit out of "The Workshop Book of Knitting" by Ursula Von Wartburg. The first thing I made was a bookmark. I cast on about 5 stitches, knit about 7 or 8 rows and bound off. Then you attach a long piece of yarn that goes inside the book. It was genius! I finshed in one sitting.

You should also try Maggie Righetti's "In Plain English" books.

If you teach more first graders you should try to get a craft store or yarn shop to donate some decent needles and yarn. Then get other knitters to volunteer to help small groups.

You could also try "gateway drugs" for kids, like knitting looms, weaving on pieces of cardboard, crochet chains, etc.

I made a pair of knitting needles as a gift for a friend:
http://flickr.com/photos/22231134@N00/358007263/
I used some sort of wax on them. I can't remember exactly what though.