More Tips
Here are some tips for beginners that will be helpful
HAVE NO FEAR
Don't be afraid to experiment with patterns, colors and different kinds of yarn. Don't think that you always have to follow a pattern or use the exact yarn that a pattern calls for. You can make your knitted items in your own way. They might not look like you thought they would, but I've found that mistakes usually lead to successes and the best way to learn what you like to do and how to knit in a way that expresses who you are is to try new things and not be afraid of experimenting. You can always rip itt out and use the yarn for something else.
KEEP YOUR LIGHT COLORED WORK CLEAN
When you're working on something in a light color here's a way to make sure it stays clean. Put the knitted work into a pillowcase as the project gets bigger or longer and keep it on your lap as you knit. When your knitting session is over the work will be wrapped and safe from animals, babies or whoever else might, by mistake of course, spill something on it.
SMELLY YARN
If your yarn smells musty there are two methods I use. One is to put 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball, wrap it loosely in a little plastic and put it in your yarn bag with your yarn and your work. The other is to keep a bar of soap in your yarn bag. Both will make it all smell good. TIP: any oil or soap of your choice will do.
DON'T FORGET TO TAKE PICTURES
When you first start out you'll want to take a picture of your first completed project, but don't stop there. It's really fun to look back over your work and since just about everyone now has a digital camera it's gotten quite easy to take the picture and get it onto your computer. If you don't have a digital camera use a regular camera and when you get the film developed, have the pictures put on a CD. Then you can e-mail them, print them or make an online photo album. For storage and organization and easy e-mail I use Picassa, which is free, (for PC's only) and to order prints, calendars, albums, etc. I use Shutterfly but there are many other photo web-sites to look into.
LOOKING FOR BARGAINS OR WHERE CAN I FIND CHEAP YARN?
Knitting supplies can be found anywhere from high end Yarn Stores to low end craft and fabric stores. All of them have sales, some more often than others. There are also several Online Discount Sites where you can find Sale Yarns and knitting needles. They sometime offer reduced or free shipping. TIP: Be sure to sign at all these places to receive promotional discount codes by e-mail.
Here are some online discount sites:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home
http://www.supercrafty.com/
http://store.knitting-warehouse.com
http://www.smileysyarns.com/
DISCOUNT COUPONS
Check your Sunday paper for coupons or sales. Michaels has a flyer in the newspaper at least once a month and the flyer is in the stores too. The coupons usually allow up to 40 percent off one item. Check out the store's Web site for additional savings on knitting supplies.
Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts Stores always have a sale going on . Sign up at the store to receive up to 50 percent off coupons in the mail. The same discounts can also be e-mailed to you if you sign up through its Web site.
DON'T FORGET THE THRIFT STORES
There's always something there for me when I go. It might be just one odd needle, but I buy it anyway. You never know when it might be needed. And sometimes there's some nice yarn, buttons, or some other items that will come in handy some time in the future.
GARAGE SALES
In the East they're Yard Sales, in the West they're Garage Sales, in certain areas they're Estate Sales. Whatever they're called it's usually worth it to get up early on Saturday morning to check them out. The early bird gets the worm. I've found miscellaneous knitting supplies that people just want to get rid of for next to nothing. Sometimes they even give it away.
E-BAY
I have sold pounds and pounds of yarn on E-Bay in the past so I know for a fact that it works. I have such a stash after over 50 years of knitting and I'm often looking to get rid of some of it just to make room for more. If you're looking for a certain yarn, go to e-bay.com, type in the name, or the fiber and you'll be amazed at what you might find. Also try half.com for knitting books.
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