DH asked me to teach him to knit

pinktoque · 05-07-2009, 05:29 PM

I asked DH at lunch today what he thinks I should knit for our dads for Father's Day. I'm trying to start ASAP because I was thinking a pair of socks for each, and with as slow and noobish as I am with socks, I wanted as much time as possible.

He suggested socks again and when I brought up my concern that I may not be able to get 4 whole socks done by the end of next month (I've only knit a single sock just past the heel turn so far -- so I know the basics and can do it, just not very experienced and worried about my speed), he proposed that I teach him how to knit, and together we'd knit our dad socks for Father's Day.

My jaw dropped.

He then said, "If your new needles (I *think* my KnitPicks nickel-plated interchangeable set will be waiting for me when I get home tonight, the tracking thing says "Out for delivery") are there when we get home tonight, maybe we can spend the evening with them and you can teach me how to cast on, knit and purl."

My jaw dropped again.

Not only does he want to spend the evening snuggled with me and my KP needles, he knew all of the basic terminology for the techniques he needs to know and wants to learn them!

*swoon*

Dare I say my husband may turn into a knitter?

My mind fast forwards to him having his own Ravelry account and uploading FO pictures and asking me what kind of yarn he should use for his next project. And shopping the LYS together. And how many more things we can knit for our future kiddos if there's two of us knitting for them...

I think I just died and went to heaven.

Do you think I can teach him magic loop? If we just start out with the basics on straights this evening and then get into magic loop -- perhaps if I found a good "man sock" pattern that is basic stockinette on something like size 5 needles with some slightly heavier (DK? worsted?) yarn than fingering weight this could work?

MrsWildchild · 05-08-2009, 12:04 AM

I'm so jealous...

globaltraveler · 05-08-2009, 12:08 PM

Sounds like a great time! Good luck, make it fun, make sure there's beer available, I'd go with worsted and a simple pattern so it's fast, and show him how to knit while swatching (and I'd just start on your straight swatch on the circulars), making sure he knows how important swatching is to the final product. Oh, and plenty of stories of how men used to be the knitters and weavers, fishermen with their nets, etc.

Mike · 05-08-2009, 01:54 PM

Speaking of beer, beer cozies would be faster than socks.

Or you could make them each one sock and give them the second later.

margz3 · 05-08-2009, 02:00 PM

OMG - I am SO jealous! That is so cool for you!

I keep suggesting it to my DH, but I just get that look

pinktoque · 05-08-2009, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Speaking of beer, beer cozies would be faster than socks.

Or you could make them each one sock and give them the second later.

A beer cozy would work well for my dad, but my FIL doesn't drink. However, you just gave me a grand idea for a gift for hubby LOL <3

So... I wanted to update everyone on DH's progress. I am so proud! He really got into it and learned very quickly.

After some work in garter he wanted to attempt stockinette so I taught him to purl:

He did such a great job!

He even wanted to try my ball winder. *swoon*

I am a lucky, lucky girl. I think tonight we'll play with circulars and I'll get into showing him how to alternate k and p for ribbing, since most sock patterns start with some form of ribbing on the cuff. I'm spending my down time at work searching for a good plain stockinette worsted (or DK) weight man's sock pattern to attempt magic loop style

If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to shoot them my way! <3