October 06, 2005
3,600 sph
Officer, I had no idea how fast I was knitting.
I was composing (in my head of course) replies to the comments I received which asked how I manage to knit so much (along the lines of ‘it’s a combination of the continental technique and a lack of social life’) when I decided to investigate the world speed knitting record. 257 stitches over three minutes (using DK yarn, stocking stitch, 4mm needles, and a row length of 60 sts), or 85 stitches per minute. I‘ve got a sleeve on the needles which was 56 sts wide last night, using DK yarn, and 5mm needles, but I decided that was near enough to do a time trial. I did two trials, timed by the patient Mr Raitte, and both times knit about 180 sts over three minutes. And you know, after the second trial I realised I was sitting differently to how I normally sit, and knit far more fluently (and faster) when I sit ‘up’ rather than leaning back as I had been. But by that time we had realised that I wasn’t presenting a serious threat to the world record holder. However with proper training...
For those who asked: it’s a combination of the continental method (a sexual euphemism if ever I heard one), and neither children nor social life. I usually get in three hours or more a night - that’s nearly 11,000 stitches, I now know - and more on weekends.
Posted by Anna at October 6, 2005 08:24 AM
Comments
i so wished i lived near you...i thought i was the only one without a social life!
Posted by: jacqueline at October 6, 2005 12:29 PM
Wow! That's a lot of knitting time -- and at such an impressively speedy pace. I'm lucky to spend 3 hours a week on my knitting. I should be more diligent about it.
Posted by: Amy at October 6, 2005 03:35 PM
Three hours a night sounds heavenly. I am lucky to get half an hour a day.
Posted by: D R E W at October 6, 2005 03:43 PM
whoa.. I have no idea how fast I knit, but I think you are way faster! With training, I bet you could beat that record!
Posted by: Diana at October 6, 2005 03:58 PM
You are not the only one without a social life ... I haven't gone to any knit-meet around my area and I don't really have any friends here in the States. I always said to my husband I can live like a hermit! ;)
Posted by: Agnes at October 6, 2005 05:12 PM
I am so impressed with your speed. Consider yourself lucky, I'm knit at barely 1/3 of that.
Posted by: Purly Whites at October 6, 2005 06:02 PM
The scientist in me says that what you really need to do is time how many stitches you knit on an "average" project (stockinette is fine) with some increases or decreases, in say, an hour, and then divide from there. But of course, I've thought about this before.
Personally I'm a thrower and a damned slow one at that, so timing is not worth the effort in my case!
Posted by: Julia at October 6, 2005 06:17 PM
wow. that's all i can say!
Posted by: mrspilkington at October 6, 2005 11:10 PM
I've never timed myself yet...sounds like fun. I shan't do it with what I'm working on at the moment, I can imagine getting wound up in yarn and having to be rescued;)
Posted by: Tracy at October 7, 2005 10:26 AM
That does sound pretty fast! I'm nearing the end of Kiri and all I can say is that I spent 1 hour on the train this morning and worked 9 rows. That's not such great progress is it!
Posted by: kerrie at October 7, 2005 03:38 PM
This morning I read your blog. I've been knitting all day today and keep thinking back to this entry of yours about stitches per minute! I'm a pokie knitter. For faster knitting and higher yeild of finished projects: I'll be investigating the "continental position" this season.
Thanks
Posted by: Miss Twiss at October 9, 2005 02:44 AM
i wanted to time myself knitting, because when i am knitting something easy, i go pretty fast. not that fast. is lily chin the record holder? she is the fastes crocheter, also. i will have to have my hubby help me to time myself and keep you posted!
Posted by: natasha fialkov at October 10, 2005 05:35 AM
People fuss about not having social lives. Are you mostly content with what you have? You like your knitting? You'd be sad if you didn't get that chance to bond with it most nights? I'd love to get in an hour a night of knitting, but I spin and read too many blogs and have to do house stuff too.
Now I'll have to time myself. I know how many repeats of this little garter stitch scarf I can do on a train trip ;-) I'm told I am a fast thrower.
Posted by: Lynne S of Oz at October 11, 2005 02:07 PM
Sexual euphemism indeed...giggle! I'm a 'thrower' myself - I've tried new things from time to time but I always come back to it.
Posted by: Vicki at October 11, 2005 08:55 PM
Very impressive! I'm not quite sure how I came upon your blog, probably circuitous blogging, but I really enjoy your eye for fashion and creativity. I book marked your blog. Thanks!!!
Posted by: Laura at October 12, 2005 03:42 AM