Stitches

I'm a guy but want to learn various kinds of needlework...what would you recommend me to try learning ? ?

knitting,needlepoint,etc.etc....

Public Comments

1. If your a guy i'd recomend Tattooing as a good type of needle work but whatever floats your boat. Good luck!!
2. How about: cross-stitching (counted/non-counted) needle felting wet felting
3. Originally all the fiber crafts were MENs jobs. Tatting and macrame were sailors techniques for making fishing nets. Knitting and Crochet were mens and were taken over by women. Spinning and weaving were also guilds of mens jobs. My son learned right along with the girls how to do all of the above, but he got into spinning and weaving long before the girls and I did. He showed me how to do the spinning of wools. He warped my loom for me the first time too. I have lots of his embroidered and needleworked items on my walls for decorative items. You can do anything you set your mind to do. My husband's cousin went to heaven at age 98 and was still doing needlepoint the day before! Just go get a beginner kit of any thing you want to do and make it up. Next time get a different one. Try out all of the decorative fiber crafts and you will know which you prefer
4. My husband enjoys counted cross stitch. There's lots of patterns and kits that are aimed to men, so there's obviously lots of men doing it! Right now he's working on a long wall hanging that has different steam engines on it. Knitting is also great for guys. There are projects, patterns, and yarns in colours aimed to the male market. You can make sweaters for yourself, maybe even one like this, which was designed by a guy: http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/PATThardcore.html and let everyone know that cool guys knit. Knitty has several projects that are for guy or for anyone. http://www.knitty.com/archiveMENSWEAR.php http://www.menwhoknit.com/community/ http://www.menknit.net/ Some guys also enjoy sewing clothes. You can make outerwear, backpacks, undies, or you can get into tailoring and make suits, coats, and pants. Some guys like to make custom fitted shirts. David Page Coffin has an excellent book on how to make men's shirts called "Shirtmaking" and it's available through Amazon. When I teach sewing for guys we always start with a simple pair of pyjama pants and a pillow, then we make a t-shirt in the summer or a polar fleece pullover in the winter and then we make a casual short sleeve shirt. Patchwork and quilting is a favourite with mathies and engineers because of the often complex quilt block patterns. I live in one of the world's biggest quilt areas and there are quite a few male quilters. Experiment with several facets of needlework. There are beginner kits that allow you to try out a new skill. These will allow you to experiment and to gradually learn what you enjoy the best. My hubby tried many things, from cross stitch to pillow lace to tatting to crewel embroidery over the years and he gradually realized he enjoyed cross stitching the best. And for anyone who says real men don't do needlepoint: ex football player Rosy Greer would like to have a word with you: http://cathyofcalifornia.typepad.com/cathy_of_california/2007/06/rosey-griers-ne.html and http://www.flickr.com/photos/69799427@N00/sets/491625/
5. I would say try doing cross final h first, in a hooby lobby or micheals, you can get the small one real cheap, but get one with little color and a simple one stich, they are easier. My grandmother does this and taught me, how, it can be fun and the final product is AWSOME!!! but youe need patience. good luck hope it helped, let me know.
6. Totally crocheting. I crochet, and all you need is scissors, yarn, and a special crocheting needle (Which a single on costs only about $1.40) and it's so simple but useful and beautiful! I learned how only 2 days ago (friend taught me) and I already have made 1 stuffed animal leash, 3 bookmarks, and I am finishing up a scarf today. It's that quick, that easy, that fun!
7. I'll hop on the Knitting train. Socks, knits, and hats are always nice things for guys to knit for themselves. It's a good way to guarantee that you won't get something that isn't within your tastes for the winter months. :) A really good book for men to learn from is written by a man. It's called Knitting With Balls.
8. You can do anything you like. All of them require a bit of learning, and lots of practice to get really good at it. Cross-stitch is probably good since you can do that with little space. The tools are small. Knitting also required little tools -- just two sticks and some string. Other crafts require some equipment: weaving needs a loom and other tools, spinning requires a wheel, felting requires some space. Whatever you can get your hands on is a good place to start. As you work, you will discover other people that do other kinds of work with fibre and you can try it as well. Soon you will discover what really gives you pleasure.
9. You should try quilting. A lot of men quilt. You can do it by hand or machine. For more information go to http://www.appliquequiltdesigns.com
10. Nice to hear a guy pose this question! I am a regular needleworker and love quilting! I have a great quilt group that nurtures each of our own creative spirits! Quilters are wonderful because they love to get together and have fun either by quilting, telling stories, and eating! Start a begining quilt class at your local quilt shop. Your local yarn shop could point you in the right direction as well..many times there are sit and stitch meetings where you can meet others and get help. Cross stitch is getting harder to find, if you want a class and to learn, but it is easy and you can pick it up on your own. I used to teach counted cross stitch...it is fun and rewarding, but sewing is too. I guess it depends on what you want to make! If you want to be part of a group, I definately suggest the quilters and knitters. The idea that "a lot of men knit, or quilt" is a shame. I think we are at a point in history where anyone can and should do what ever they want. Be warned though, I get LOTS of attention from my quilt/knit/sewing gals! We have so much fun together! Each group is different in its own way! I am always the only guy and often the youngest so consequently everyone knows me! I don't mind! I love them all! Be yourself, do something you like, and HAVE FUN DOING IT! Good Luck!
11. Knitting has many male designers and crafters. Plus, there are plenty of useful things that you can make for yourself and others. If you're worried about how it makes you "look", which I'd guess from your stating that you're a guy, I'd say knitting can provide you with some handsome and masculine hats, scarves, sweaters, gloves, lots of things, and of course, any significant other melts at the idea that you spent hours crafting her a gift from scratch! Knit away! (I also recommend joining the Ravelry.com website, so that you can see what other people are making and have access to free patterns from all over the web. If you decide to do so, look me up as NeedleNerd, I'd be happy to help get you started.)