Ballet and More Knitting

We went to the spring break ballet that our city's junior ballet company put on. It's only 30 minutes and tickets are $5. They had activities before the show, so a ballerina helped C and L try on different costumes, we got to see and talk to some of the dancers, do an obstacle course, and participate in a trial ballet class. I know it's supposed to be about exposing my children to art and whatnot, but I spent most of the time wishing I had the back and butt muscles those dancers have. They are amazingly muscular, but in a pretty way, not bulky or big. 

I want to give a shout out to waiting with big kids. It's so much better than waiting with littles.

The other night I found E dancing in front of the mirror. She was singing Taylor Swift's song We Are Never Getting Back Together. I did not laugh, but instead showed her how to use a hairbrush as a microphone. I've found myself humming One Direction songs. I think we are officially entering the tween years. (I hate the word tween. I would love an alternative.)

I finished knitting my bag (using this pattern) and bought a matching piece of cloth to line it a long time ago, but this week I finally got around to asking Karen to help me finish. She has a sewing machine and experience whereas I would be sewing all needle-and-thread. She hemmed my cloth and then sewed it into the bag and sewed the bag together. Now I have a bag I made!

Next up: I'm going to finish my scarf (I'm on my 2nd skein of yarn and I am very tired of it) and then I'm going to find a simple bag pattern than involves knitting-in-the-round since most of the cute bags require it. I want it to be EASY. Wish me luck because as much as people rave about ravelry, they have patterns marked "Easy" (1 on a 1-10 scale) that involve a lot of complicated techniques. I find it quite discouraging. Twitter suggested a booga bag. I don't really like the feel of felted bags, but I understood most of that pattern. Reading ravelry patterns marked "easy" and not understanding half of what they tell me to do makes me want to give up. Maybe I should try something easier, but I LOVE bags and want to learn to knit them so desperately.

Here is my knitting question: is it better to get double-point needles and knit in the round that way or to get circular needles and learn the Magic Loop method? Or are there other options? Do you have to do both depending on your project? I am wondering how much money to invest. And if you have a bag pattern to recommend for a newbie, please do. Bonus points if it has simple and clear directions.

Comments

[Christa]

Have you ever knit in the round at all before? I think magic loop or using two circular needles is less fiddly than using double points.
Maybe one of the mellow bag patterns from knitty.com? There are a lot of felted bag patterns because felting gives the bag structure.
What do you know how to do so far?
What's your ravelry name? Mine is periodicmumbling.

[Jody]

Yes, do magic loop or use two circular needles.

I wonder if more and more patterns get that "easy" tag because people can so quickly look up little videos demonstrating new techniques. Also, once I've mastered something using one of those videos, I tend to forget how anxious/uncertain I felt before I learned that thing.

I only did one bag, and it's felted, and I never carry it, so....Ask me for sock patterns and there I can help you!

[Christine]

I can do both but I have a strong preference for double pointed needles. Strong.

Also, I've seen some wicked fights break out over this issue. It's really a personal preference, but whichever way you learn is likely to become your method of choice.

I think Lion Brand's patterns are more accurately marked. I'd go through their free pattern finder. Love the bag; it came out great.

[MomQueenBee]

I love double points, but there is nothing more irritating than accidentally pulling one of the needles out and dropping one-fourth of the stitches in one easy motion. That doesn't happen if you use two circulars, so I'd probably go that direction. Next project for you: socks. I have a little bag in my purse with one always in progress because I am a terrible waiter and this is less mind-numbing than phone surfing when an appointment is running late.

[Sara]

I don't know how to do magic loop, but I think double points are fine, and you will get the hang of them pretty quickly. I'm not sure if these can be used for magic loop (because they are a little fiddly at the joins), but I found this to be a pretty inexpensive way to get MANY sizes of needles--either here or at Joanns with a 50% off coupon. I only use circulars for knitting everything, even flat things. Regular straight needles are too long and difficult to maneuver.

http://www.amazon.com/Needlemaster-40-Piece-Interchangeable-Aluminum-Knitting/dp/B000WURGNC

[Today Wendy]

Magic loop vs dpns: I've used both and have a strong personal preference for magic loop because I'm always accidentally pulling one of the needles out of my work. There is way less potential for needles sliding out and it is practically impossible to lose your circular needle. Also if you're casting on in the round, magic loop is way way less fiddly than dpns.

You can also knit in the round with a short enough circular needle - which is by far the easiest way to go - but I really like the flexibility that I get with magic loop, you don't have to match your needle length to your project size so in the long run I need fewer sets of needles.

Good luck with the bag!

[Kristin]

I think circulars are better for just about everything, including knitting flat.