Podcast 238: Handmade is Love

The Knitpicks Podcast has changed a bit! With Kelley’s retirement, we’re taking on a new format. In this episode, we explore the question “Who taught you to knit?”. Hear from the Knitpicks staff and members of the general public, as they share stories of love transferred through knitting and crochet lessons, gifts made, and time spent together.

Hear about Hannah’s first boucle scarf:

hannahs_scarff

And Stacey’s mom’s crocheted giraffes (pattern HERE):

giraffes01

Who taught you to knit, and what was your first project? Let us know in comments below!

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7 comments

  1. Kristine / May 24, 2014

    Neat idea for the podcast, though the sound was difficult to hear in many places.

    I taught myself to knit, from a children’s book. I found podcasts that connected me with other knitters…one reason I fell in love with Kelly’s podcast. She opened up and let us into her life, just a bit, both professionally and personally. Even though I finally know other knitters, I will always be grateful for podcasts–my first knitting teachers and knitting friends.

    Getting to know you as a knitting individual and feeling like we are part of your conversations, while at the same time learning a bit here and there is a great way to make a podcast that reaches out to knitters.

    • Kristine / May 24, 2014

      Oh yes…my first project was a bitty coin purse made from the acrylic purple yarn in the kit. Filled with quarters, it made a neat gift for my young niece. I followed that venture with a sunglasses case made from the same purple yarn…and it still proudly sits in my car holding my sunglasses.

  2. gail / May 14, 2014

    Happy for the new media person doing podcasts. Congrats! I know it will get better, but it seemed as though it was being read. Just talk to us, that’s all we need. 🙂 One more thing please, please listen to the podcasts before you make them live. It was very very hard to listen to all the people in the library talking. The sound factor was all over the place,…too loud, too soft. I ask you please to take the podcast to your car and listen to it before you send it out. Just my two cents.
    Thank you!

  3. Kathy Huckabay / May 12, 2014

    My grandmother, Mama Jean, taught me to knit (cast on and knit only) and crochet (I’m left handed so I sat in front of her). My first project I remember was a purple makeup bag I crocheted for my mom. I lined it and hand sewed a zipper into it when I was about 10. In my mid 30s I bought a book at WalMart”I Taught Myself to Knit” and I did each exercise in the book. I then knitted my 2 year old daughter a boatneck sweat vest in yellow. My next project was a blanket for my 2nd daughter that I finished when she was 8. The pattern was a little too difficult for my experience level.

  4. Dianne Vallejo / May 9, 2014

    I tried knitting 20 years ago and could not get the hang of it. I could crochet anything, but wanted to knit. Three years ago, I was determined to learn, so I looked up tutorials on the net. I had no needles, and used colored pencils as I starred at the computer. It did not go well. I called my sister, who came to my rescue, with a pair of needles and patience. After I completed a nice swatch, I found Knit Picks tutorials. I learned the magic loop method, and now knit all my own socks.

    • Kathy Huckabay / May 12, 2014

      How long does it take you to knot a pair of socks?

      • Dianne Vallejo / May 13, 2014

        One week, if I really work at it. A simple stockinette goes quicker than a more decorative pattern too.