34 replies to this topic

[Jori]

I'm looking for thoughts and opinions. I haven't decided on my birthday gift but have found a class for beginner quilting and one for knitting for beginners. I can only take one (unless I can find a creative way to get both). I really want to be able to knit and quilt but can't decide which is going to be the better one to take right now. Thoughts, please.

[indy gal preps]

I do both and they both are good=with quilting you can do decor items(wall hangings) and of course quilts.Do you need a lot of bed covers? With knitting you can do clothing items,afgans and such. I would start with the knitting.and maybe someone can teach you the quilting-try to find a quilt club or home makers group in your area.

[montanamom]

I think both are very valuable skills. I learned how to knit from my grandmother. The thought of having to learn knitting from a book seems very difficult, however; that is how I started to quilt. Now I wasn't very good until I took a class on quilting, however; I was doing it. I don't know how well I would be at knitting if I only had a book. My thoughts are maybe take the knitting class and find a second hand book on quilting, something easy, such as log cabin perhaps, and learn as you go. Either class is very valuable though. I have taken four classes on quilting so far and they have made such a difference.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

First - do you sew with a machine already? If not TAKE the Quilting Class as you will learn a lot and you can use what you learn in the class to sew anything.
Knitting is a bit easier from a book then Quilting and if all you paln to do is make scarfs and blankets the 'basic' stitches are easy to learn. BUT if you paln to make things like sweaters and booties you are better off learning the harder stitch right the first time, so take the knitting class!

So take one or the other or vice-a-versa!!!!

[Jeepers]

For me, learning to knit was harder than learning to quilt. It's less expensive than quilting. It's usually just buying yarn and needles. Also a pattern and maybe stitch holders etc. The hardest part is learning to read the pattern instructions and keeping count of which row you are knitting.

Quilting, for me, is just a matter of sewing a straight line to put the pieces together. The actual quilting part was getting the hang of 'rocking' the needle back and forth on top of the quilt instead of punching the needle down through the top and back up from the bottom. Not pretty. The more you do the quilting the smaller your stitches will get. The hardest part of quilting for me is color combinations. Some of the prettiest quilts are just pieces of fabric sewn together using a straight line. It's the color combinations that really make them pop. Applique is harder for me. Quilting can be more expensive. Good fabric is expensive and you will need the batting and the backing. Also, a rotary cutter and mat and needles and thimble. And, quilting thread is different from regular sewing thread. Walmart material and thread is good for beginners and especially for baby quilts etc. I've also used sheets for the backing. If I was selling or gifting, I'd get the good 100% cotton highter count material. Anyway...

If it were me, I think I'd take the quilting class because there is more to learn such as stitches, color combinations and using a rotary cutter. Knitting is basically learning to do the knit stitch and the purl stitch. I learned how to quilt, knit and crochet from books but now with Youtube, you don't really need to take classes although they can be fun.

Really both are just a matter of practice, practice and practice.

[Violet]

Quilt !!! I machine quilt, not hand quilt. That takes way too much time.

Go for it !

[Jori]

DH and I talked pretty in-depth last night and I am going to take both. The knitting for beginners course begins next Friday. As soon as that's finished, I'll take the knit beginner project course and then the quilting (machine) course since it starts the end of May. There will be one week of overlapping in May but I think it is going to be worth it.

[Violet]

You bet it will be worth it ! The more skils you have the better. Have fun !! Post pics of what you make, too.

[Cat]

**Late to the party**


I was gonna say knitting is easier to do with small children, because you can pick it up and go anywhere. And you can do a lot of different things.

BUT HEY... if you can do both... GO FOR IT!!!!


I have my Amish Grandmother's quilting frames, but have never learned enough quilting to use them yet. She was known to be one of the best quilters in this area. (I'm hoping it will rub off on me.... YEAH, RIIIIIGHT! )

[Jeepers]

Hope you enjoy your classes!

Cat, you are so lucky to have your grandmothers quilt frames. Quilting is just like anything else; to be good at just takes practice and jumping in there and doing it. I love to quilt and see the results but I'll be the first to admit that I'm not that good at it. Good enough for me though.

Around here, if you want to sell anything quilted, it has to be hand quilted. Some of the larger relief charity auctions won't even accept machine quilted items. Hand quilting is concidered an art. So...I guess that makes me an 'arteest' (not even close)

[Jori]

I signed up for my first knitting class today. It starts Friday and meets 4 times.

[indy gal preps]

I so enjoyed my knitting classes-told the instructor I wanted to do cables and she said no problem.Believe it or not my first project was a cable sweater! That was back in the 70's and I've been knitting ever since.

[Jeepers]

I remember my first cable too! Who knew something so pretty was as simple as using a third needle!

[kathy003]

How is your knitting class going? I do both, although I seem to knit more than I do quilts. I am glad you had the opportunity to do both, they are both so valuable to know how to do

[Jori]

How is your knitting class going? I do both, although I seem to knit more than I do quilts. I am glad you had the opportunity to do both, they are both so valuable to know how to do

I missed the first one. DS2 had roseola but didn't know that is what he had. I'll go this Friday and make up the first one.

[kathy003]

I hope your son is doing better. Good luck on the class, let us know how it goes.

[Jori]

I hope your son is doing better. Good luck on the class, let us know how it goes.

Thank you! He;s back to normal and I caught a glimpse of the tooth he was working on when he got sick.

[Jori]

I had my first knitting class today and LOVED it!!!!!

We learned long tailed cast on; garter; stockinette;ribbing; graph paper stitch

[kathy003]

Great!! knitted washcloths are the things i seem to make the most, I get the yarn at garage sales,, saves a bundle!

I'm so glad you enjoyed your class

[Jori]

I nearly have DD's scarf finished (finally). I'll post photos when I'm done of the hat and scarf. Will start a set for DS1 next.

I need to decide if I should just bite the bullet and take a quilting class or if I should look at the next knitting classes offered (or a sewing refresher). Taking the kids to the library tomorrow, DS1 wants a book on pirates, so I'll look for a beginners quilting book and see if I can make heads or tails of it.