Recommended Knitting books?
 

Okay, now that the foggy weather is rolling in and not all my projects are something I work on with the computer, anyone ahve a recommendation for someone who is not terribly dexterious and wants to learn to knit? I'm looking in to chcking out a shop in the bay area with classes, but I wanted to get a head start. Any thoughts?

Well, that's news to me. Seems way more complicated, but maybe that's because I cast on using one needle and the fingers of my other hand, rather than casting on with both needles. Hmmm. When I get to the end, I'll ask for help. Thanks!

I cast on the same way you do, I think - one needle and my other hand. Casting off won't be a problem for you and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Promise!

Snowflake: I learned to knit a gazillion years ago from my mom, so I'm not up on what books would be good. I love my sock books and they seem to have fairly clear instructions, but starting out with a handful of double-pointed needles can be intimidating.

Probably the best place to start is with what you want to make. If what you really want to make is socks, you'll be more likely to stick with it if you try the sock books. If you'd rather make an afghan or scarf, head for those.

Hey Snowflake... there's a place on 18th called ImagiKnit. Heather has taken a couple of classes there (including socks using circular needles). She loves their classes and yarn selection.

Very cool! I wil check them out! Sounds like a perfect fall/winter project for me. Thanks!

Knitting goodness found via a boingboing.net link.
 

I have a sock predicament.

I have a nearly-completed sock on my coffeetable. If I finish the toe decreases as the book says, it'll be way too big; no bother, my toes aren't pointy so that doesn't matter.

I'm not confident that I have enough yarn for sock #2.

The pattern is nice, but it came out thick. I should have anticipated that, but I was being stupid. This is important for 2 reasons: 1. It took up lots of yarn, and 2. I live in Florida.

It took foreverish (though it's been sitting on the coffeetable longer).

What would you do?

1) undo a couple inches of foot length. (I've had to do this.)
2) consider making the toes out of a different yarn for both socks.
3) get more yarn. (I've had to do this, too.)

I'd never find a matching dye lot, and I'm worried that the socks will be too warm. In short, even if I start knitting sock #2 from the other end of the ball of yarn, and even if I finish, I'm afraid I'm not going to be entirely happy. At the same time, I'm just not ready to unravel all that work.

On the other hand, I'd get to knit with this wonderful yarn 50% MORE than I would have if I just finished the pair of socks. (Or is that just rationalization?)

I say start working on the other sock and see how far you get. If you won't finish, even the socks out and do the toes another color.