On average, how long does it take you to knit a dishcloth?

[Michelle]

I know I'm probably the slowest knitter in the world, but I'm wondering if that's because I'm a newbie or if I'm just incompetent.

On average, how long does it take you to knit one, and how long have you been knitting?

[YankeeMom]

It depends on how complicated the pattern is, but on average 1-3hrs per dishcloth. I've been knitting about 5 yrs now. I think if I could make a dishcloth out of wool, it would be faster. Cotton is very hard on my hands, so it makes me slower.

[Teresa T]

Michelle, I'm a slow knitter too. I have never completed one in a day I don't think. Look into some of the thinner cotton yarns also. They are so much easier to knit than the sugar and cream type yarns. I knit them on size 4 or 5 needles.

The thinner yarns can also be used for some of the cloth patterns that use more than 40 cast on stitches as they will come out pretty big with those sugar and cream yarns.

I also just bought some organic cotton yarn. It's on the thinner side too. I have yet to knit them up though. And of coarse they are more expensive.

Oh forgot the mention. I've been knitting about 40 years. Not that I'm so good at it. I just started some of the more advanced knitting techniques about 4 years ago.

[monkeywrangler71]

About 4 hours, and it's the only thing I know how to knit.

[nandmsmom]

Usually about an hour or 2. The cotton is hard to work with.

[Michelle]

Well I spent about 5 hrs on mine, and then I screwed it up somehow, tried to fix it--and that screwed it up beyond repair. At least by me anyway. I'll ask my mother to look at it when she comes up for Christmas.

I really should learn Continental knitting too...I hear it's much faster than the English method (throwing the yarn).

[YankeeMom]

I'm a "thrower". I can knit continental, but I'm faster at throwing.

[Jamauk]

I was taught throwing many many moons ago when my grandmother taught me how to knit when I was a young child.

Just recently in my classes I was taught Contintental and I can't seem to even get back to throwing ~ I'm all thumbs. I guess I'll have to practice a little more. I'd like to be efficient at both.

I haven't tried dishclothes so I can't answer your question, Michelle. But I did just finish a "four hour hat" in a little over a week

[miss_thrifty]

with my half a day with cotton. if easy no pattern 2 -3 hrs.

[pat in east texas]

I've nevertimed it, but I'm a slow knitter, too, even though I've been knitting a loooong time. Recently learned to knit continental, but if there's any purling involved, I'm better off "throwing".

[peanut]

It takes me 2-3 hours to do one without a pattern. I've been knitting 40+ years, and I only 'throw'. Continental is too slow for me and it ruins my tension.

Jean

[AuntSissy]

I AM IN AWE!

Not attempted a dishcloth, but I have created some lovely knot-art (clods of yarn that end up in the bottom of my needlework basket, 'cause I still cannot seem to grasp the process).

::
One of my Goals for 2009 is to go to the local Nursing Home and ask if there's a Granny who wants to teach me...I reckon we'll both make a Friend - - and will have some lovely scarves to sport around!

Anna (who bought, "I taught my child to knit" - - and still makes a mess!)

[Teresa T]

Keep at it AuntSissy. Have you tried using a book just on your own. That is how I learned to crochet, from a library book. My mother had tried to teach me and my crochet always turned into those clumps of yarn! Somehow though using the book with good visual pictures worked. Perhaps try that with knitting. Don't give up. I never thought I would learn to crochet but I did.

[YankeeMom]

I wasn't able to teach myself with a book. I had to watch videos online before I actually "got it". Try the videos at KnittingHelp.com They are wonderful.

[Lady_V]

no pattern dishcloth... about an hour

as soon as there is a pattern and *gasp* I have to pay attention and COUNT

I can not do Continental to save my life... literally. I have tried books, videos, even asked the woman from Russia if I could watch her for a few hours