My first attempt at knitting

So my computer is back up and running, with a new, twice as big hard drive, and the new Leopard OS. It's fun to play with!

Monday, before I came home to a zombified computer, I drove down the beautiful Kalanianiole Highway to Hawaii Kai to meet my new friend Opal, from the Aloha Knitters group, at Starbucks. She taught me how to knit, and had me pick up some Sugar 'n Cream cotton and #8 circular needles on my way there. It was a very good day and we had a great time talking. But we did get a lot done knitting-wise. I think I completed two or so rows of knit stitch before we parted. Then I worked on it at home some, so this is how far I've gotten since:



Opal taught me the Continental method, which is what she uses. I think it's similar to holding the hook for crocheting, or at least it feels that way. But I did one row of English style, just to see what it was like. I didn't mind it, but my stitches were a lot tighter. My crochet stitches tend to be larger than gauges say they will be, so I think Continental will keep me consistent across my "yarning."

Here's a close-up of my needles and stitches:



I wondered if perhaps I should have picked a solid yarn, as I do suggest that for beginning crocheters, but because the colors vary here, I've been able to figure out which loops belong to which rows. It's still confusing at times, but so far the variegated yarn is working out for me. Tonight perhaps I'll get someone in the group to show me purling, as Opal is sick with a cold. She wrote about teaching me to knit on her blog, so I had to post this ASAP.