Impressionist Afghan

Hi everyone, I am a beginner of sorts.....pick up knitting a year ago after a LONG break. We I purchased on Knit Picks the Impressionist Afghan. Did I get in over my head?

Anyone else buy it?

Rosemary

1 member likes this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cathie Duff on June 2, 2011 at 10:33am

My doctor is in favor of any stretching exercises that don't make me fall! LOL I will give these a try -- thanks! (but the leaning and knitting won't work for sure . . . JK)

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on June 2, 2011 at 10:34am

LOL! I have a hard time doing the alphabet one and knitting at the same time.

Permalink Reply by angelkarhu on June 2, 2011 at 10:46am

Jump into your local swim centers pool, the boincy will hold you up. Our local pool run by Tualiton hills and rec has a class just for this type of thing. I held on to sides and did hip and knee exercises that way. They also have float things that you can buckle around waste so ya dont sink. Before dialysis I'd swim holding on to pool weights to build arm muscle. The stroke where one arm goes over head on side and then back down. Alternating arms. Free style I think. The weights gave resistance as it went through the water.

Permalink Reply by Cathie Duff on June 2, 2011 at 11:00am

I know that yours is great advice -- I do feel better when working out in the pool. Guess it is time to make that time available in the day . . . Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Christiana Shiflett on June 2, 2011 at 10:28am

Yes, I find it fun, just a little fustraiting at times, LOL.

I like that Baby Blanket :) I have to knit Baby Blanket for my Sister-in-Law. She's expecting her first baby in Dec :)

I am trying to Knit without TV, etc. for now, because I am trying to keep count. But once I get better, which I think once I'm done with the Impressionist, I will be good to go, LOL. It does have 422 lines or more :)

I don't know if you got the thread that came with the Impressionist kit. I did. I do love the colors they have, it's just that I don't like the thread itself to much. Even with 2 threads, it doesn't really hold it's shape and rolls in, unlike the one on the Picture on the instructions. That looks like it was make with a thicker thread, or maybe it will get stronger as it gets bigger. (What do you think of the thread that came with it?)

I will be gone for a couple days. Going to see my Aunt in New Mexico.

Take Care, All of you. Enjoy you're Knitting and I will be back :)

Permalink Reply by Cathie Duff on June 2, 2011 at 10:35am

Have a great trip!

If your work is curling in you may be knitting too tight. Try to relax and keep the loops sliding easily on the needles. The yarn in the kit should work out -- I kind love it (especially the color changes) More later -- crafts don't run off when you are gone!

Permalink Reply by Christiana Shiflett on June 2, 2011 at 4:36pm

Yes, I have the bad habit of having tighter stitches do to crocheting in which I could get away with it :) I so have to loosen up a bit. I am just so scared with the thread being so thin that if it's loose, it will lose all shape, in the near future, after using it a lot.

Permalink Reply by Cathie Duff on June 2, 2011 at 8:25pm

Don't worry about working tight to keep the shape of the item. With a afghan you want a drape-y fabric and it the stitches slide easily on the needle it will be just fine. The stitches create the shape, not the tension of the working yarn.

Enjoy New Mexico!

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on June 2, 2011 at 9:02pm

IMO, keeping stitches tight has nothing to do with the shape or drape of the fabric. It has to do with the gauge and the fiber content. Give your hands a break and loosen up. It's not good for your hands to be so tense. If your hands hurt because your hands are so tense, it can make it so your knitting is not enjoyable. We certainly don't want that to happen!

Permalink Reply by Christiana Shiflett on June 2, 2011 at 10:25pm

Yeah, I am trying to keep it loose. I can tell you that with my Fibromyalgia crocheting was making my shoulders in so much pain. Knitting hasn't done this to me. I think it is because, when I crocheted I held on tight and made my stitches firm.

So I would like to let you know, I am almost done first color of the Impressionist Afghan :) The pattern is really cool, seeing it come out as I Knitted.

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on June 2, 2011 at 10:36pm

I agree, since you have Fibromyalgia, it is probably best to loosen up and take the stress off of your hands and the rest of your body. Make sure you are in a comfortable position. I am a thrower [English style. I carry my yarn in my right hand. I find that for me I need to sit in an armchair with my right elbow tucked into the arm of the chair, not on top of it, otherwise I put stress on my back at the right shoulder blade. Experiment to find out what position is best for you. Also, get up and move around at least every 30 minutes to an hour.

Permalink Reply by Christiana Shiflett on June 2, 2011 at 10:45pm

I learned the English style. I need to remember to get up and walk about for a few mins. I have been to enthralled in it and forget to move about. That can get you stiff!

I still haven't gotten my stride, since I am new, but I hear you on getting into a comfortable position :)