Knitsters Meet Here! [Archive] - Page 2

Sweet_Thang

02-03-2006, 12:48 PM

Ladies,

I am a newbie knitter here and I have a question for you..

I want to knit a baby afghan. I have a pattern and I was all ready to get the yarn when I hit a snag.

the pattern calls for "double knitting weight". It also says Any yarn that lists gauge on the labe as 5 1/2 stitches = 1" in stokinette stich may be used.

I looked through three aisle at Hobby Lobby and could not find any yarn that said "double knitting weight" or anything on the label that would lead me to see the 5 1/2 stitches. I was so frustrated, I left.

I have my knitting lesson tomorrow and was going to take those with me to get started; and it looks like now I am going to have to buy the yarn at the specialty store that I am taking my lessons. (which I really didn't want to do, but will have to).

Can someone help me out in understanding what is needed? I saw medium weight, sport weight, worsted, etc.. no double knitting weight.

Am I missing something???

Thanks in advance,

lexie

:confused:

aprilshowers

02-03-2006, 03:05 PM

I think "double knitting weight" (aka "DK weight") is an English term. I believe it is somewhere between sports weight and worsted weight. It doesn't really matter as long as you are close to the gauge of 5 1/2 st/inch. And frankly, on a baby blanket, that doesn't even matter all that much since it's not like it has to fit someone!

Okay, just found this chart which might help: http://www.yarnstandards.com/weight.html. Keep in mind that sometimes yarn labels give the gauge as stitches per 4" so you would just multiple the 5 1/2 st/inch to get 22 st/4". There is usually a little box which gives the gauge and a recommended needle size. Looks like the second box here:
http://www.yarnstandards.com/logos/label.gif

HTH! Let us know if you're still confused and need more help!

Sweet_Thang

02-04-2006, 03:38 PM

Okay, just found this chart which might help: http://www.yarnstandards.com/weight.html. Keep in mind that sometimes yarn labels give the gauge as stitches per 4" so you would just multiple the 5 1/2 st/inch to get 22 st/4". There is usually a little box which gives the gauge and a recommended needle size. Looks like the second box here:
http://www.yarnstandards.com/logos/label.gif

Thank you SOOOOO much for the link. It really helped me in understanding what I am looking for. It also helped me when I went to my lesson today and the instructor helped me with my afghan project. Of course, I found out that buying yarn from her is expensive!! Now, if I was adept at what I was making, then I might spend $40 for 8 skeins of yarn, but not right now.

I am about to start the baby blanket here soon, so I will hopefully take pictures along the way to show.

Thanks again for all the help!!

Lexie

ejs

02-06-2006, 04:50 PM

young lioness

02-06-2006, 05:11 PM

I took my first knitting class today. Yay!

We are being taught the English/British method. After class, someone said that they think the European/Continental method is easier.

Which method do you use? Thanks!

I knit English, because that's the way I was taught. But I want to learn Continental because I've heard that it's faster. I can believe that it would definitely be faster for me because your left hand holds the yarn, and as a lefty that would probably come more naturally to me.

littlecindy

02-06-2006, 06:29 PM

We are being taught the English/British method. After class, someone said that they think the European/Continental method is easier.

Which method do you use? Thanks!

i started out crocheting before knitting, so it was natural for me to knit continental since you hold the yarn in your left hand when crocheting. i can't imagine doing it the other way. it seems like your right hand would do all the work & your left hand does nothing. continental feels more balanced for me.

strwbrygirl

02-06-2006, 07:02 PM

littlecindy

02-06-2006, 08:14 PM

Anyone here participating in the Knitting Olympics (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html)?

i would but i'll be in vegas for half of that time (2/13-19)

Sweet_Thang

02-06-2006, 09:46 PM

Anyone here participating in the Knitting Olympics (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html)?

I'm still trying to decide on a pattern... but my LYS is offering 10% yarn for participants this week- and 15% on Opening Day!

I am!!! I am making a frilly scarf.. not much for a friend of mine. (Made with the funky fur stuff). As part of my knitting lessons, I had to make one for myself. I just finished it tonight and so I will start the next one on Friday night. Just have to get the yarn ready to "cast on!".

Lexie

lisainpink

02-12-2006, 05:42 PM

bumpity bump bump bump for Smiles...:)

smiles

02-13-2006, 10:22 AM

thanks!

I've been knitting for just a bit over a year now. I'm currently working on a blanket for my son and a small purse, though I still need to buy some fabric to line the purse.

thyme

02-14-2006, 01:23 PM

I am what they call a "combined" knitter. I don't know how this happened. I taught myself from an old Vogue knitting book when I was a kid. It is very fast though. videos on knitting styles (http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/knit.php)

ejs

02-14-2006, 07:11 PM

Is anyone going to the Stitches West show this weekend?

lisainpink

02-15-2006, 06:20 AM

I am very jealous of any of you who do!
Are you going EJS?

mili04

02-15-2006, 06:57 AM

I have a question for all of you knitsters....I've been wanting to learn how to knit for a while now. What do you suggest for a true beginner? Classes or a book? I do know how to crochet a little bit. Also, what kind of materials should I buy to start out?

Thanks so much for your help!

Sarah6690

02-15-2006, 07:42 AM

I taught myself how to knit using this book.
http://www.michaels.com/online/images/product/preview/nw0029.jpg

I also used http://www.knittinghelp.com/ which has online videos. My first project was a scarf which was pretty easy. But if you can take a class, I would probably recommend doing that. That way if you are making any mistakes, there will be someone to show you the correct way to do it. For me, it was kind of a guessing game. Good luck!

lisainpink

02-15-2006, 03:02 PM

I second the site- knittinghelp.com. I also taught myself from a book.
I would also suggest the Knit Knack Kit. It has a great instruction book- which is small enough to toss in your knitting bag, some great patterns, and some starter essentials. I would not use the needles that come with it- they are way too blunt.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0811838579.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

ejs

02-15-2006, 09:34 PM

I'm dragging DH to Stitches West for a few hours on Friday. He's so not thrilled. I really only want to hit the Marketplace to buy some yarn.

mili, I tried to teach myself using a book and completely failed. I started a class a few weeks ago (we've had two sessions) and I've learned so much already!

Sweet_Thang

02-16-2006, 04:44 AM

If you are like me, a book just won't do it. I have to have "hands on" lessons.

I contacted a local specialty yarn shop about lessons. I never could find a class at Michaels or Hobby Lobby that would fit into my work scheudule (they were always in the morning during the week!!). Luckily, the shop is not too far from my home and I can go on Saturday Mornings.

Do a google search for knitting classes in xxx(your city name) and you might have luck there; that's how I found mine.

Good luck. I have been knitting for only a month and a half and I am loving it... even though it can frustrate the you know what out of me sometimes!!

Brandles

02-16-2006, 05:11 AM

I learn better hands on--so I would suggest a beginner's class. The instructor would be there to correct any mistakes and show you how to correct them. I learned from ladies at church in the Prayer Shawl group and continued with "Stitch-N-B!tch" and then took a beginner's class and then an advanced beginner's class where I learned how to do different stitches (and put a button hole in!) and I have samples and simple directions. Good luck! :)

mili04

02-16-2006, 07:15 AM

Thanks for your suggestions! I bookmarked the website. Since I have an order ready to go with Amazon, I'll probably add one of the books to it also. If all else fails, I'll find a class to take! I already bought some yarn to make a scarf, but it's been sitting in my closet. Hopefully, I'll be able to start working on it soon!

beetle

02-16-2006, 09:56 AM

Hi, everyone! I'm new to these boards (thanks to lowcountrywed for clueing me in!), and a new knitter as well. So far, I've knit several scarves, a hat, and I'm now nearly finished with a felted bucket purse. A friend has been teaching me, but I feel like there's SO much I don't know.

There are some gorgeous finished projects in here. I'm looking forward to learning from y'all. :)

looch

02-16-2006, 06:16 PM

I am in need of a project! I am a beginning knitter, and i don't want to do a scarf, purse or a blanket. any other suggestions?

lisainpink

02-16-2006, 06:50 PM

My favorite quick and easy projects are:
*cell phone/iPod cozy
*hats for babies
*bookmarks
*koozies for beear bottles (yeah- I'm a classy dame)
*headband thingies (I use them to hold my hair back when I wash my face or run- DH wears plain black ones over his ears when he plays golf in cold weather.)
*pot holders
*dish rags (I buy yarn for this purpose- they are the best rags ever!)
*pillow covers for my bath pillow

looch

02-16-2006, 06:57 PM

ahhh hats for babies! the people upstairs are expecting a baby boy at the end of march. that's perfect!
Thanks!

ejs

02-18-2006, 08:10 PM

Knitters: what's your favorite way to cast on?

thyme

02-19-2006, 10:33 AM

If I am impatient, or knitting something where the edge doesn't matter, I do a single cast on (backwards loop). For gifts, and other things where I plan to invest more time or $$$, I go with a continental/long-tail method. I learned the single first.

Brandles

02-20-2006, 05:34 AM

I've really been working on DH's socks this week and plan on working on them more when he leaves today. I'm getting closer to the toe! :) I worked on my own socks last night when he was here and I still have a LONG way to go on those!

Sweet_Thang

02-20-2006, 07:30 AM

Ladies,

I can use your help please. I am learning how to knit and I learned this stitch this weekend during my class, but when I did it, I think I might have done something wrong.

Little Background

I cast on 89 stitches with two colored yarns

rows 1-13: K1, (P1,K1) across
change to the larger needle

rows 14 - 17: (K1,P1) 4 times, knit across to last 8 sts, (P1, K1) 4 times

Here's where I belive that I messed up

row 18: (Right side): K1, (P1,K1) 4 times, K2 tog, YO; repeat to last 10 sts, K2, (P1, K1) 4 times.

I know that when you K2 tog, you are decreasing and when you do the YO, then you are increasing. correct? so If I K2 tog, and then YO even though I am taking away a stitch, I am adding it back in correct? So, when I am done with that row, then I should still have 89 sts on the needle, right?

When I did it.. I ended up with 86 stitches.

Thanks for your help in advance!!

Lexie

aprilshowers

02-20-2006, 08:23 AM

Knitters: what's your favorite way to cast on?
I believe the one I use is called the cable cast-on. It's when you pick up the next stitch from between the two previous stitches. Nice and stretchy and fairly attractive.

Sweet_Thang, your logic sounds right to me. Can you look at your stitches and see if you dropped a couple YOs somewhere? Those would be easy enough to pick up to get to the right number of sts.

Sweet_Thang

02-20-2006, 11:01 AM

Sweet_Thang, your logic sounds right to me. Can you look at your stitches and see if you dropped a couple YOs somewhere? Those would be easy enough to pick up to get to the right number of sts.[/QUOTE]

Well, being the newbie that I am, and trying to fix what I screwed up.... somehow I wrecked it and just ended up having to pull it all out and start again. Sigh... a lesson learned.

Oh well, I think I had the sts too tight anyways so redoing it would be better. But at least I know that I should always still have the 89 sts.

Thanks!! I appreciate it.

Sweet_Thang

02-21-2006, 10:24 AM

This appears in the Houston Chronicle today. It's a great read about knitting

http://tinyurl.com/hjzgq

Enjoy

Lexie

diedra1027

02-21-2006, 12:30 PM

Knitters: what's your favorite way to cast on? Ditto the above poster...cable cast-on is my favorite. It looks nice and doesn't require twisting all the stitches in the first row like the knit-on method.

Sweet_Thang

02-24-2006, 07:23 AM

UGH... so frustrated.

I am a newbie knitter; and I am working on my first baby blanket. I get about 18 rows into it and notice that I dropped a stitch... some how, some way. Last night it was so obvious that I did it, there was nothing I could do, but rip out what I had done and start over. Luckily, it's really an easy pattern, but I am getting so frustrated. I wanted to just cry.

I just have this feeling that I am NEVER going to finish this project and I don't want to fail on my first try at a new hobby.

Any words of wisdom to keep me from going insane??

Thanks

lexie

lisariv

02-24-2006, 12:58 PM

Sweet_Thang - hang in there. It takes some practice. And even with practice, we all drop a stitch here and there. I'd suggest at least for a little while, stopping and counting your stitches or looking for dropped stitches every few rows. At least that way, if you have to frog it you won't lose to many rows. Also, have you tried to pick up the stitch with a crochet hook? It's pretty easy to do that and could save you from loosing any of your work. Check out the http://www.knittinghelp.com - I'm pretty sure she has a video on picking up a dropped stitch.

---------

Does anyone here keep a knitting blog? Also, do you have any favorites that you keep up with? In an attempt to keep some sort of record of my knitting I've started one. There's not much there now and I'm trying to figure out how exactly I'll use it, but if you want to check it out it's at http://knittingmess.blogspot.com . I hope to add more pictures once I get a chance to take them and upload them. I'd also like to keep a better record of them as WIPs. We'll see if I can keep this up.

Sweet_Thang

02-24-2006, 02:19 PM

At least that way, if you have to frog it you won't lose to many rows.

OK.. dumb question.. what's frog it?

Lisariv, I am using markers and counting just about every other row... it just gets frustrating somethimes. I will get it someday!!

Thanks for the links!! I appreciate them.

Lexie

Sarah6690

02-24-2006, 02:29 PM

Lexie,
I'm too lazy to do it, but I have seen people do this... every few rows you can thread a tapestry needle (can't think if that's what's it's called) with a different colored yarn. thread it through the loops on your needle that you have the stitches on. Leave it hanging there, that way if you need to undo some of your work, you can just pick it up there, instead of undoing the whole thing. I don't know if that makes sense. If not let me know, and I'll try to explain it better. Hope that helps!

Etoile

02-24-2006, 06:18 PM

frog it means unravel it!

Lydia

02-25-2006, 05:55 AM

Frogging is what happens when you "rip-it, rip-it"

Sweet_Thang

02-25-2006, 04:14 PM

Frogging is what happens when you "rip-it, rip-it"
:eek:

that makes sense!!! Of course, I heard the "rip-it" today during my knitting lesson.. and it didn't "click"

Thanks ladies...

I am having to start another project for my knitting class. She wants me to do something wearable (not a scarf) to help me in other stitches.

Well, I am not too terribly big on wearing sweaters; however I found this pattern that I think that I am going to try.

http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/panobo/panobo.html

what do you think? I love the look and it would be PERFECT to keep in the office. But do you think that I really have to use the Ultra Alpaca?? I am not terribly fond of wool at all. And honestly, I bet the yarn is expensive, since I would probably need 10 hanks of it.

Your thoughts??

Thanks again...

Lexie

littlecindy

02-25-2006, 04:26 PM

http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/panobo/panobo.html

what do you think? I love the look and it would be PERFECT to keep in the office. But do you think that I really have to use the Ultra Alpaca?? I am not terribly fond of wool at all. And honestly, I bet the yarn is expensive, since I would probably need 10 hanks of it.

Your thoughts??

Thanks again...

Lexie

i love that look too. the yarn they're using is pretty much worsted weight so you could substitute pretty easily with something cheaper. or something not wool. though you'd want to make sure what you used had some "drape" in it i suppose. places like knitpicks.com have cheaper yarn that's got a good reputation. http://www.knitpicks.com/

Sweet_Thang

02-25-2006, 07:23 PM

i love that look too. the yarn they're using is pretty much worsted weight so you could substitute pretty easily with something cheaper. or something not wool. though you'd want to make sure what you used had some "drape" in it i suppose. places like knitpicks.com have cheaper yarn that's got a good reputation. http://www.knitpicks.com/

Thanks for the website!! I will look it over and see what I can find!!

I am so excited. The more I look at the pattern, the more I can hardly wait to start next weekend!!

Again, many thanks!!

Lexie

Brandles

02-26-2006, 05:12 AM

I'm about 1/4" away from starting the toe shaping for DH's first sock. I hope to have these finished by his birthday in May!

xine

02-28-2006, 11:22 AM

Hey knitsters!

I'm pretty new to the world of knitting with a pattern (grew up with a knitting-genius grandma who'd always just tell me when to bind off, decrease, change stitches, etc.), and I was wondering if there's anything I need to watch out for if I'm substituting yarn in a pattern.

I want to try out this baby bootie pattern:
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/beths-booties.html

It calls for worsted weight yarn on size 8 needles, but I have a stash of baby sportweight that I'd rather use. (Besides, it feels nicer to me than worsed weight.)

So if I'm using a thinner yarn, should I be using a smaller needle (size 6?) or adding more stitches (32 instead of 28? more rows?) or anything like that? I know that adjusting a pattern also has something to do with gauge, but I've never used gauge and don't really know how to work with it.

Advice? Ideas?

Scooter

02-28-2006, 12:07 PM

The gauge will tell you what size needles you need to use. If it says for example:
"Gauge: 18 sts in pattern for 20 rows. 4inches square."
That means you cast on 18 and jump straight into the main pattern (look at the directions, skip any border, and look ahead to see what the main pattern is going to be). Then you knit that for 20 rows. When you finish, the little square that you just knit should measure 4 inches across and 4 inches high. You can play with the needle sizes to figure out how their size compares to how you personally knit. And also adjust for yarn size difference with the needle size. It's MUCH easier to knit a few little swatches to figure this out than to start on the pattern and have it be way off.

If your swatch is way off, you also have the option of doubling up the yarn. That would make it closer to worsted weight, and would be closer to their gauge. Do the exact same pattern, but use two strands of yarn at once. Either use 2 balls of yarn at once, or use both ends of the same ball of yarn. Since you're just knitting booties, I'd use both ends of one ball of yarn.

Scooter

02-28-2006, 12:19 PM

So if I'm using a thinner yarn, should I be using a smaller needle (size 6?) or adding more stitches (32 instead of 28? more rows?) or anything like that?
I meant to add, if this is your first time knitting something like booties, I wouldn't mess with changing the pattern. (adding rows or stitches) It will make the pattern much more complicated! With most patterns you can't just add a few stitches, you have to read through the directions and carefully calculate out how many stitches are needed for that pattern and what multiple to increase by if you're adding (or subtracting) stitches. And what effect adding or subtracting stitches would have. Adding rows isn't such a big deal.

With that specific bootie pattern, the decreases would be the only problem, because they are forming the toe and instep. If you add decreases it may change that a little and be a tighter curve. If that makes sense. And if you add in decreases at another point, to spread them out more, it will make the bootie pooch out there a bit. I'd try to stick to the pattern, at least until you're more comfortable with it.

Sweet_Thang

03-02-2006, 08:35 AM

http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/panobo/panobo.html[/url]

I need ya'lls help on something.

If you can look at the pattern on the above link. I am starting on the left sleeve. I have the circular needle and I have cast on the 181 sts. My question to you is do I need to be knitting in the "round" so to speak or flat? The pattern says:

With larger circular needle, cast on 181(205) sts. DO NOT join. Knit 16 rows (8 Garter St ridges), end on WS.

When I look at the picture, it looks as if I would be knitting in the round, yet the first line says "do not join".

I am so confused. It's bad enough that I using the circular needles... (I much rather prefer the other needles...

Any insight would be appreciated. I don't want to get too far and then have to "frog it".

Thanks in advance

Lexie, lost in the knitting world, wandering around, looking for guidance!

lisariv

03-02-2006, 09:12 AM

Sweet_Thang - It looks like you should be knitting back and forth, not in the round. And I'm guessing that you'll really appreciate the circular needles as the piece continues to grow. HTH!

Sweet_Thang

03-02-2006, 09:59 AM

Sweet_Thang - It looks like you should be knitting back and forth, not in the round. And I'm guessing that you'll really appreciate the circular needles as the piece continues to grow. HTH!

Thanks.. that what I was thinking, but just wanted to make sure. It's hard for me to get to the shop to ask my teacher during the week since she's only open 10 - 5 and I work all day long.

Now, of course, I have to go back and recount my stitches to make sure I didn't add to many!!

Thanks!!

Scooter

03-02-2006, 01:51 PM

Sweet_thang, Recognizing all the hints a pattern gives you can be hard at first, but I thought I'd write some out for you so they'll be more obvious next time. :)

Some other ways to tell it's not knitted in the round (besides that "do not join" instruction) is that the pattern says "Knit 16 rows (8 Garter St ridges), end on WS." If you were knitting in the round it would say "rounds" instead of "rows." Also, if you are doing garter stitch, you'd need to purl every other row, so it wouldn't say knit 16 rows. Which would also mean you'd need to know where to change stitches--so there would be an instruction to "place marker" where you joined. And the final bit is "end on WS." Knitting in the round means you are always on the same side of the work. Since you don't switch from right to wrong side, you can't end on WS.

A lot of sleeves are made flat and part of the finishing is sewing up the seams. If you look ahead in your pattern to the finishing instructions, you'll see it tells you to fold it in half and sew the edges. Once you start noticing all the hints like this it'll get much easier, I promise.

Sweet_Thang

03-03-2006, 01:42 PM

Brandles

03-06-2006, 04:15 PM

I'm excited that I finally finished DH's first sock! :D I started on the 2nd one today and so far, I have 1/2 an inch knitted! :D

Sweet_Thang

03-07-2006, 04:29 AM

I am not sure if I like these Circular needles that I am working with on my new project. Despite that they feel "short" to me, the stupid little cord gets twisted.....

I know once I use them for a while, that it will get easier.... I hope.. heehee

Brandles

03-07-2006, 03:32 PM

I subbed in music today and I got another inch knitted on DH's socks because we watched "Fantasia"! ;)

Sarah6690

03-08-2006, 07:19 AM

I need a little help with this pattern I'm working on. I didn't get very far...

CO 60 sts

Rows 1-2: K
Row 3 (RS): buttonhole row
for boy, K 2, yo, K 2 tog; work to end
for girl, K across to last 4 sts, K 1, yo, K 2 tog, K 1
Rows 4-5: K
Row 6: (WS) K 4, P across to within 4 sts of end, K 4
Row 7: K
Row 8: K 4, P across to within 4 sts of end, K 4
Row 9: K 4, *increase in next st, K 2, * repeat between stars across, end K 4 (78 sts)

I'm stuck on row 9... I don't know what they mean by increase in next st.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

xine

03-08-2006, 11:22 AM

Hey Scooter -

Thanks for all the good advice and help! I actually dug up some worsted weight yarn and decided to work the pattern as it was specified to get a feel for it before messing with any changes. And a good thing too, since I ended up not liking the shape of it in the end and went with a different pattern!

Sweet_Thang

03-09-2006, 10:15 AM

I am working on my shrug which, once I get past the 181 sts that I casted on and Knitted for 16 rows, I get to the lace pattern. I can do, and understand the first and second rows; it's the third row of the pattern that throws me. here's the lace pattern:

LACE PATTERN (Multiple of 12 + 1)

Row 1 (RS): * K1, yo, k4, sl 1, k2 tog, psso, k4, yo, rep from * across, end k1.

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: * K2, yo, k3, sl 1, k2 tog, psso, k3, yo, k1, rep from * across, end last rep k2 instead of k1.
Row 5: * K3, yo, k2, sl 1, k2 tog, psso, k2, yo, k2, rep from * across, end last rep k3 instead of k2.

Row 7: * K4, yo, k1, sl 1, k2 tog, psso, k1, yo, k3, rep from * across, end last rep k4 instead of k3.

Row 9: * K5, yo, sl 1, k2 tog, psso, yo, k4, rep from * across, end last rep k5 instead of k4.

Row 10: Purl.

Rep these 10 rows for Lace Pat.

there are "15 sets of 12 sts" on row one. After doing the 15 sets, I yo and I am able to K1. What throws me is row three. If I repeat the pattern, as indicated and get to the of the 15th multiple and yo, I am still left with 1 sts left. how can I K2, when I only have K1 left?? (the subsequent odd rows, this will just increase.)

Am I missing something????? UGH....

Any help would be appreciated.

Scooter

03-09-2006, 12:01 PM

Sarah, there are several ways to increase. The easiest one is a yarn over, but that produces a hole and sometimes you don't want there to be a hole in the work. So in that case, you can do an increase. You can knit or purl twice into the same stitch. Check the pattern instructions to see which it wants you to do. If it doesn't say, you can choose which one looks best. If it's stockinette stitch, knitting twice should be fine. So here's how: put the needle in to knit the left stitch as you would normally. Wrap the yarn, pull it through--but DON'T slide the left stich off the needle yet! Now, put the right needle back into the BACK side of the left stitch, and again wrap the yarn and pull it through. It may take a few practices to get the technique down, and to do it right. You should end up with two separate stitches on your right needle, that branch off the same stitch on the row below (the one that was the "left stitch" a minute ago.) I hope that makes sense, I'm going from memory. That's an easy way to do it, if you want more options, check out Knittinghelp.com's increase pdirections (http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/increase.php).

Xine, you're welcome, I'm glad it worked out for you! Sometimes patterns seem a lot better than they end up coming out. ;)

SweetThang, how funny, I just made a baby gift for another CCer that had a similar lacy pattern--all those PSSOs & YOs.

I just made a little swatch of your first 3 rows. I have to say that the pattern ended up being right (sorry!). First, after you finish row 2, count your stitches. Make sure you haven't dropped any. When you end up a st or two short in a pattern, dropped stitches or a pattern mistake are the first suspects. If you have the right number of stitches going into row 3, but at the end you dont, leave the work as is and go back over the row to check that you've knitted the pattern correctly and haven't forgotten a stitch or something. This pattern should work as written.

I'm sure you notice the change in pattern from row to row 3. Stay with me, I'm going to try my best to put this into words. What is happening is that the YOs & PSSOs in row 3 are not on top of the ones from row 1. They've moved over a stitch to the right, so they'll come out on a diagonal. Rows 5, 7, and 9 will each have those moved over one from the RS row before them, too. Do you see what I mean? So what happens in row 3 is, after you get the pattern going, you're really knitting this pattern: K3, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k3, yo.....etc. So that when you come to the end of the row, you really will have 2 sts left over. Why? Because, in row 1 you were doing all those k4s, and now you're doing k3s. So in that repetition of 12 sts, it ends up giving you an extra st at the end. Instead of doing the repetition with a k4 in there, you now do it with a k3 and that extra st has to be somehwere--so in this row you find it at the end. I hope that makes some sort of sense, it's how I visualize it myself.

Sweet_Thang

03-09-2006, 01:10 PM

SweetThang, how funny, I just made a baby gift for another CCer that had a similar lacy pattern--all those PSSOs & YOs.

I just made a little swatch of your first 3 rows. I have to say that the pattern ended up being right (sorry!). First, after you finish row 2, count your stitches. Make sure you haven't dropped any. When you end up a st or two short in a pattern, dropped stitches or a pattern mistake are the first suspects. If you have the right number of stitches going into row 3, but at the end you dont, leave the work as is and go back over the row to check that you've knitted the pattern correctly and haven't forgotten a stitch or something. This pattern should work as written.

I'm sure you notice the change in pattern from row to row 3. Stay with me, I'm going to try my best to put this into words. What is happening is that the YOs & PSSOs in row 3 are not on top of the ones from row 1. They've moved over a stitch to the right, so they'll come out on a diagonal. Rows 5, 7, and 9 will each have those moved over one from the RS row before them, too. Do you see what I mean? So what happens in row 3 is, after you get the pattern going, you're really knitting this pattern: K3, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k3, yo.....etc. So that when you come to the end of the row, you really will have 2 sts left over. Why? Because, in row 1 you were doing all those k4s, and now you're doing k3s. So in that repetition of 12 sts, it ends up giving you an extra st at the end. Instead of doing the repetition with a k4 in there, you now do it with a k3 and that extra st has to be somehwere--so in this row you find it at the end. I hope that makes some sort of sense, it's how I visualize it myself.

Scooter.... will you be my new best friend????? please?????

I truly appreciate the help. I understand where you are coming from and I guess I go so frustrated with row 3, that I just frogged it all out and I started over again. I am about to begin row 1 of the lace pattern. I will count carefully again at each row to ensure that I still have the 181 sts.

Again, thanks so much!! you are the best!!!!

Lexie

Sarah6690

03-09-2006, 01:47 PM

scooter-
Thanks so much! That's kind of what I thought I should do, but I wasn't sure. That really helped!

aprilshowers

03-09-2006, 01:58 PM

Sarah, I think I'm working on that exact same pattern right now! I increased exactly as Scooter described and it came out fine.

Sarah6690

03-09-2006, 02:54 PM

April- is it this one? http://www.extremezone.com/~binky/graphics/babyswe9sm.jpg

aprilshowers

03-09-2006, 06:35 PM

Yup, that's it!

ejs

03-09-2006, 10:25 PM

Ack. What have I done? I took a beginning knitting class and learned the basics. I decided to knit a 2x2 ribbed scarf. I've completed about two inches of it and have decided that I am sick of ribbing!! So here's my question: how lame would it look if I just garter stitched the remainder of the scarf except for two inches of ribbing at the other end? I will never get this thing done if I have to rib stitch it all.

lisainpink

03-10-2006, 05:24 AM

EJS I think it would be so cute that way. Most of my sweater patterns call for ribbed edges- even if the body is garter. Just make sure you rib the same number of rows. Post pics when you are done... please!;)

young lioness

03-10-2006, 05:43 AM

Just so you know what to expect, the ribbed part won't be as wide as the garter stitch section. Part of the purpose of ribbing is that it's stretchy. That's why it's popular for the ends of sleeves and at the bottoms of sweaters...it tends to scrunch itself in so your sleeves and hem don't gap.

littlecindy

03-10-2006, 07:05 AM

but you can "block" the scarf when it's done. you pin it on a towel on the carpet & wet it a bit & let it sit. it will make the scarf lay flatter. just stretch the ribbed part out before you pin it down & it should stay close to as wide as the rest of the scarf when it's all blocked.

Sarah6690

03-10-2006, 07:38 PM

Help Please!

Here's where I'm at...

Place Markers (WS): Work 26 (30)sts, place marker; work 26 (27) sts, place marker, work 46 (54) sts, place marker, work 26 (27) sts, place marker, work last 26 (30)sts.—(150)(168) sts total
Increase Row: *K to within 2 sts of marker, increase in next st, K 1, pass marker, increase in next st*; repeat between *’s 3 times (8 sts added)
Next Row: K 4, P across to within 4 sts of end, K 4

Repeat these two rows 4 (5) more times. (190 )(216) sts, putting sleeves on holder on the last (WS) row. Count ridges. 3rd buttonhole is coming up!

I'm purling most of this row. Do I purl the stitches and then put them on the stitch holder? Do I slip them on first and then purl the rest? Or do I purl them onto the stitch holder?

Like I said before, this is my first sweater, and I'm increadibly confused. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

littlecindy

03-10-2006, 09:07 PM

i finished my sweater. just thought i'd share: http://littlecindy.livejournal.com/74301.html

lisainpink

03-11-2006, 06:15 AM

That is FANTASTIC!!! Sooo pretty. It fits you great too.:D

aprilshowers

03-11-2006, 03:08 PM

Sarah, I'm not there yet but I would purl the stitches first and then slip them to the stitch holder (since you'd have to get the yarn over to the next section anyway). Hope that makes sense - let me know if you have more questions.

Sarah6690

03-11-2006, 04:21 PM

Thanks April! I just took a guess and that's what I had done. Happy to know that I haven't screwed it up yet! :rolleyes: But of course... I am stuck again!!!

Next Row (RS): *Work to within 2 sts of marker, increase in next st, K 1, remove marker, CO 4 sts under arm, remove marker, increase in next st*; work across the back and repeat between stars (130) (150) sts

I have no idea how to cast on in the middle of a row. Sorry to be such a pain... maybe I shouldn't have attempted this sweater. Thought it would be easy, but it's just a lot of things that I haven't done yet. Help again? Thanks!

aprilshowers

03-12-2006, 02:17 PM

No problem. If you didn't work on projects that push you a little bit, you'd never learn anything new, right? :) Anyway, the way I cast on in the middle of a row is similar to a cable cast-on: put your left needle in between the last two stitches on the right needle and pull up a loop of yarn, then transfer that loop on to the right needle to add a new stitch. I couldn't find any video of it and I'm describing it blind so hopefully that makes sense.

Sarah6690

03-13-2006, 07:40 AM

Yeah, that makes sense. I think I got it. Thanks! I read through the rest of the pattern, and I think I understand the rest of it. Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it!

Brandles

03-15-2006, 04:48 AM

Last night I began my spring scarf. I picked up this yarn in the fall from Hobby Lobby. It's soft and furry and is light yellow, lavendar and mint green varigated. It will make the perfect spring scarf! :)

I bought a pair of size 9 walnut needles with round fimo beads on the top and I've been wanting to use them since October (when I bought them). So far, I have 4 inches of it done...I would've done more, but I was falling asleep while knitting last night.

It's in my bag to sub today. Though, I have 2nd grade, and that means I won't have much "down time". The younger the grade, the more I'll be on my feet! ;)

Sweet_Thang

03-15-2006, 01:07 PM

Are circular needles supposed to be easy to work with? I have I believe the Addi turbo's. and I feel like that they are twisting themselves silly. I am not knitting in the round, but it's aggravating to me to say the least. I feel like I am fighting them to keep them from "bunching" up.

Is there something better to use??

Thanks

lexie

Brandles

03-15-2006, 04:11 PM

Sweet_Thang

03-15-2006, 08:05 PM

I have a question. On the label for the yarn I'm using (Yarn Bee's Frosting) from Hobby Lobby), there are 6 symbols. I can figure 5 of them out. The first one in the whole series is a picture of a skein of yarn with the number 5 on top of it. Does anyone know what that means? Thanks! :)

Check out this link,

http://www.yarnstandards.com/label.html

The symbol you are referring to is the weight of the yarn.

GL

Lexie

Brandles

03-16-2006, 04:49 AM

Sweet Thang--

That's it! Thank you! :D

Funny, I really didn't think the yarn was that thick (it was a 5).

bluhimmy

03-17-2006, 01:26 PM

Sweet_Thang

03-17-2006, 02:45 PM

I've been wanting to knit for years. Wish I could join you ladies here, but first, I need to learn how to knit.

Just wondering if you had suggestions on which type of needles I should start out with: plastic, bamboo, aluminum, cicular, straight, etc...

I'm looking into taking a class at a local store, and also might pick-up a book or two. Would love to hear suggestion on books too if you have any.

Thanks!

My local yarn shop class started me with the Bamboo. Which I really really like alot. I am using, though, for my shawl, the Addi Turbo circular needles and they are metal. And I like those as well. I do have one pair of metal needles for my afghan that I am not in love with. I got them, mainly because on the bamboo, I had my stitches too tight. But that's a learning thing for me. I have only been knitting since January.

GL !! I can't recommend any books since I am a "hands on" learner!!

Lexie

littlecindy

03-17-2006, 02:46 PM

i personally think plastic sucks to work with, and i'd try straight needles at first before using circular. i *heart* bamboo the most, but metal is nice for some yarns as they are more slippery.

diedra1027

03-17-2006, 03:44 PM

Bamboo is my favorite too and it's easier on the hands since it 'grips' the yarn a bit. I do find that I tend to knit tighter on bamboo (probably also due to the grip factor).

Books - for beginning, I actually like the Vogue 'on the go' books (I think that's what they're called). I taught myself from the beginning knits book in that series. I did end up having my Mom show me a few things that I just couldn't seem to figure out on my own, so you might find that you need guidance from a live body no matter what book you use :).

Brandles

03-18-2006, 09:47 AM

I, too, like bamboo needles--especially for socks! I can really tell the difference when I knit on my metal needles for my socks--the yarn is more loose and it tends to want to slide off!

Photobug

03-20-2006, 07:15 AM

Does anyone know of a site or database where you can search for patterns by needle size? Kind of a weird question, I know, but it seems like everytime I find a pattern I like, it's for a needle size I don't have and I already have what seems like a million. I just want to use the ones I have! LOL. Even if I found a way to convert the pattern to a needle size I have (I assume there are charts out there) I'm not advanced enough to be able to picture the final look. Just curious if such a thing exists!

looch

03-20-2006, 08:39 AM

I finished my cellphone cozy, now i am on to the next project. I am taking a class at the high school, I think i might try a baby hat or booties! do you all think that is too ambitious for a beginner?

Scooter

03-20-2006, 11:51 AM

Photobug, I've never seen anything like that. There are a few sizes that are the most common, though, so if you have sizes 5-9 you should be able to make yourself a ton of different patterns. And that's only 5 sets of needles! Plus, the needle size in the pattern doesn't matter as much as the gauge you knit at naturally and the type of yarn you use. If a pattern says "size 6," depending on the yarn I choose I may use a size 3 or 10. And also depending on how tightly or loosely you knit, even with the yarn they are calling for you may need size 5 or 7.

Looch, are you really confident with increases and decreases? If you are, then a hat or booties would be great for you at this point. If you're not, it may be fairly challenging. Do you feel comfortable with DPNs, too? Baby hats usually need to be knitted on those. But you can always try it out--what's the worst that can happen? It's too hard so you rip it out and try something else! ;)

looch

03-20-2006, 12:33 PM

Thanks Scooter! I am good with the increase and decrease, but I have never used the DPNs. I believe the knitting teacher has a pattern for a hat that is done on regular straight needles, we'll see though. I will find out tonight!

Scooter

03-20-2006, 01:14 PM

Looch, if you're good with increases & decreases, then learning DPNs isn't a big deal. Honestly I don't think they're much more difficult than any other kind of needle, once you get the knack down.

Photobug

03-21-2006, 06:07 PM

Sweet_Thang

03-22-2006, 04:43 AM

Thanks for the advice... I'm such a coward when it comes to not doing exactly as a pattern says. I am that person who has to find the exact brand and weight of yarn that's on the pattern. A marketing departments dream. LOL. I guess I'll just have to break out of my comfort zone and experiment a bit!

Photobug, you and I are alike. I thought that maybe I had to have the exact yarn for my shrug that I am working on from a popular, expensive, yarn company. Until I saw how much it was going to cost to do it!!! I am like , uh, NO, because this is my second project ever!!!! I am NOT going to spend $200 on it! Heehee....

But I do like to spend $$ on books, and needles!!

AttyGrl74

03-22-2006, 08:49 AM

Hey Denver-area knitting-fiends - the Aurora Yarn Supply store is going out of business - everything is on sale.

I spent $150 on Debbie Bliss cashmerino, denim and some funky scarf-making yarn. I took home a 1/2 a garbage bag full.

bluhimmy

03-22-2006, 06:31 PM

Thanks ladies for the suggestions. Unfortunately, the Michael's near me ran out of the bamboo needles in the size I need, so I just got aluminum ones for now. I also signed up for the beginners knitting class at Michael's, so I'll be off and learning how to knit finally.

Etoile

03-24-2006, 09:37 PM

Attygirl--is there anything good left at this point?

BTW, if you have a deadline, even if it's far in advance, do not attempt to knit a cabled baby blanket with tiny yarn on tiny needles. Man is it taking forever. I have given up on getting it done before the baby is born.

Sweet_Thang

03-30-2006, 10:00 AM

AttyGrl74

03-30-2006, 10:57 AM

Attygirl--is there anything good left at this point?

I went the first weekend - which was just before I posted (way back when) and they had a TON of stuff - but it was going fast. Plus the markdowns weren't fabulous yet. But good enough for me to spend WAY too much!

They had a zillion spools of yarn for knitting machines - but nothing that I loved enough to buy and then have to hand-roll into balls.

Sweet_Thang

04-04-2006, 12:44 PM

I am so excited. I found some Addi circular needles on ebay for 1/2 of the store price, so I bought me two of them!! I can't wait for them to arrive.

and then, because DH gave me some $$ to cover the needles and I had some left over, I decided to buy me a ball winder!!! Yippeeeee...

I am so like a kid in a Candy Store right now!!!

Yay... I got my ball winder the other day!!!! It's sooooo cool. I was winding yarn last night for entertainment!!!

Now, if those turbo's would come in, I would be happier!!

looch

04-04-2006, 06:51 PM

You guys all seem so advanced, I am almost embarassed to post that I finished my first pair of knit in one piece baby booties! It only took me 5 hours LOL!

Etoile

04-23-2006, 11:43 AM

the new knitty is up!!! www.knitty.com
some cute new patterns there!

Brandles

04-23-2006, 05:12 PM

You guys all seem so advanced, I am almost embarassed to post that I finished my first pair of knit in one piece baby booties! It only took me 5 hours LOL!

I can't do baby booties. I can do scarves and large retangle ponchos. And socks...but it's taken me awhile (I've done 4 socks).

For the second sock for myself, I'm just beginning the heel turn. For the second sock for DH, I am ready to begin the heel turn. I'll probably have time to work on it tomorrow when I'm a "floating sub" at an elementary school.

On Tuesday, I'm going to try to get my cheap plastic size 13 needles on a plane at Columbus! I have an already posted bubble wrap envelope with me in case I have to send them home! Wish me luck! :D

ejs

04-23-2006, 05:37 PM

On Tuesday, I'm going to try to get my cheap plastic size 13 needles on a plane at Columbus! I have an already posted bubble wrap envelope with me in case I have to send them home! Wish me luck! :D

You CAN take knitting needles on planes. I've taken metal and wood ones. They are not on the list of banned things.

lisainpink

04-26-2006, 05:07 PM

Even though they are not on the list (I print it off and take it with me)- I had a pair of turbos taken away from me in Feb. I was flying from Huntsville, AL to LA. I tried to show them the list and the TSA guy told me it was up to the TSA workers. I ended up mailing them home.
I have had no problems with my bamboo needles (which and longer and larger- goofy TSA people...:rolleyes: )

ejs

05-01-2006, 06:03 PM

That's so odd. I've flown quite a few times with my needles and never had them taken away. What a pain!

Etoile

05-16-2006, 10:30 PM

Well I've finally decided to put aside the baby blanket project for a while as I was dreading it so much that I hadn't knitted in over a month.
I started Josephine from Knitty.com this evening--it's rough!

curlyjr

05-17-2006, 02:43 PM

i haven't read through this whole thread so I apologize if there is already an answer, but I really want to learn how to knit, can anyone reccommend a good book for a complete beginner?

lisainpink

05-18-2006, 05:48 AM

Curlyjr The question has been asked before- and I am lazy- so I will re-post my response from before. :D :p

I would rec the site www.knittinghelp.com. They have free videos you can download that are awesome. After one starts, you can go back a few seconds and repeat something until you have it. I also love the book that comes with The Knit Knack Kit. It is sold at lots of book stores and a Sam's Club. At sam's it is only $10-$15. The kit comes with a great instruction book, some circular needles (that I don't really use unless I have to- the points are too blunt), yarn needle for finishing, stitch markers and GREAT patterns. The patterns alone are worth the money.
For a first project, I would suggest a scarf- or something even smaller. A bookmark is a great first project- because you could finish it in one sitting. A dishcloth is another great first project. Baby hats and scarves also make great beginning projects. Let us know if we can help!
__________________

I hope that helps. Come back if you need more info or help.

Etoile

05-18-2006, 12:02 PM

I just came up with this genius idea that I"m sure everybody else already figured out but I'll post just in case you are slow on the uptake like me. :D

If you want to keep stitches from sliding off your needle if you stop halfway through a row, and you don't have any needle caps, wrap a rubberband several times around both needles like a figure 8.

looch

05-21-2006, 12:04 PM

I tried to learn from a book, and i found it very difficult. The pictures are very confusing.
I highly recommend the videos that you can find on the internet, or a class, either in a local yarn store or an adult education class. I just took a class this winter at my local high school, and it was so helpful. I knew the basic knit and purl, and learned how to increase, decrease, yarn over, pick up and knit stitches, and very importantly, how to tink (knit backwards) when I made a mistake. All this for $70, 8 lessons! I will be back this fall to learn how to knit cables!

ETA: Whoops! I came in here to ask you all what your favorite yarns are! I just found Bernat's Cottontots, which is a pleasure to work with. At under $3 a skien, it's perfect for my small projects. I don't think I will ever knit a full size sweater, but it is has a nice feel for a baby layette.

Brandles

05-31-2006, 04:45 AM

I guess I never did come here and give ya'll an update on the plastic needles getting through security! We were flying Southwest I was able to get them through at Columbus and then again coming home in Las Vegas!!! :D :D I knitted about 7 inches of Prayer Shawl! I'm still not finished.

I'm also still working on DH's 2nd sock. I'm on the home stretch--the foot part. I'm still working on my 2nd sock--I'm on the heel flap of that one.

Lydia

06-07-2006, 06:12 AM

Rejoining after a long knitting hiatus...

I am about halfway through a baby sweater for our second baby and I want to make one for DD as well in a different color. Hopefully it will knit up a little easier the 2nd time. I'm going mental knitting on size 2 and 3 needles!

After that, my next project is a felted bag. Does anyone have any tips for felting with a front-loading washing machine?

Brandles

06-07-2006, 04:42 PM

I did a lot of knitting on DH's last sock yesterday. I got about 3 inches done! :) I think I have about 3 more inches to knit and then I start on the toe and it's done! :D

diedra1027

06-10-2006, 09:49 PM

After that, my next project is a felted bag. Does anyone have any tips for felting with a front-loading washing machine? I've felted in my front loader before with no problems. I used hot water and I put my knitting in a pillow case in the machine. If I remember correctly, I had to run it through 2 times (it was a big bag!).

Brandles

06-15-2006, 04:11 PM

Last week, I finished DH's sock and gave them to him! He really liked them--liked the colors! :)

Today, I finished my 2nd sock (I think I began these back in October or so)! I now have a new pair! :D

I'm continuing to work on the prayer shawl now. I've been working on it for about a year. I put it away to do the socks. I wanted to do a second pair right after I finished the first so I wouldn't forget how to do it.

Sweet_Thang

06-16-2006, 05:43 AM

I finally finished my first baby afghan and gave it to my new nephew. Everyone loved it. I learned an important lesson; never change needles types in the middle. I switched from the bamboo's over to the circular needles and that really messed up my tension. (I get everything way too tight on the bamboo's). It still turned out great, but you can see the difference in the tension from the top to the bottom. OH well, lesson learned.

Right now, I have gone back to working on my shrug that I started. I stopped working on it so that I could finish the blanket before memorial day. I need to learn how to really balance my time and projects as I have another blanket that I need to do and right now, I don't think that I will have it done before the baby arrives in August.

But, at least I can say this.. I love to knit....

Lydia

06-16-2006, 06:48 AM

I've felted in my front loader before with no problems. I used hot water and I put my knitting in a pillow case in the machine. If I remember correctly, I had to run it through 2 times (it was a big bag!).

Some sites recommend taking out the knitting before the spin cycle starts. Did you have to do that? I have no idea how to stop my machine once it's started. Although I suppose I could wet the bag down and re-shape it if it got too dry.

solongtogo

06-18-2006, 08:30 AM

I'm fairly new to knitting and my first project is a baby scarf. Can anyone tell me why the heck I started with 20 loops and am now up to 30+??? WHat the heck did I do?

lisainpink

06-18-2006, 10:24 AM

Most likely you are re-knitting into your first or last stitch. When starting or finishing a row, be really careful not to knit into the little loop just hanging off. I would frog it out until I got back to my 20 stitches- and count to be sure I stay on track.
I strongly suggest www.knittinghelp.com for the quick videos.
I hope that helps. (by the way- we have all done that at least few times!:p )

diedra1027

06-20-2006, 02:54 PM

Some sites recommend taking out the knitting before the spin cycle starts. Did you have to do that? I have no idea how to stop my machine once it's started. Although I suppose I could wet the bag down and re-shape it if it got too dry. I don't think I took it out before the spin cycle, but I don't really remember. With my machine, I found out the hard way that I can interrupt the cycle (by pressing a 'pause' button and opening the door), but in order to use it again I have to let the machine continue the current cycle until it finishes. I can't just stop/restart!

Etoile

08-05-2006, 07:16 PM

my goodness all us knitsters just dropped off the face of the earth.

I have picked my knitting back up, it had been a while but while I was sick this week I started working on my sweater coat again. (I'm making Josephine from knitty.com), and I also picked up my 2nd Christmas stocking (fair-isle in burgundy, hunter and ivory). I am almost done with the foot of that one and then I can start on the 3rd. (one for me, one for hubby and one for doggy).

I spent the afternoon organizing my yarn, rolling skeins into balls and unravelling a project I gave up on...

When it starts to get cooler in September I'll be more excited to knit :)

Sarah6690

08-07-2006, 07:52 AM

Wow! Where DID everyone go? Not very good pictures, but here is the baby blanket I finished not too long ago.
http://images1.snapfish.com/3477%3B9456%7Ffp347%3Enu%3D3246%3E688%3E56%3A%3EWS NRCG%3D323398%3C24%3B769nu0mrj

http://images1.snapfish.com/3477%3B9456%7Ffp348%3Enu%3D3246%3E688%3E56%3A%3EWS NRCG%3D323398%3C252326nu0mrj

Right now, I am just working on finishing up some old projects that I have laying around.

Brandles

08-07-2006, 05:19 PM

I know--it HAS been a long time!

Since my last post in June, I've done a few things:

--I finally finished Prayer Shawl #2 and turned it in to be blessed and given.

--I began Prayer Shawl #3--a rainbow varigated. I've knitted a skein of it so far. It was soft and had the white cat (TLC?) on the label. It was on sale for $2.00 a skein at Jo-Ann's, so I bought them out. I have knitted about 1 foot of it so far.

--I began pair of socks #4 in June. I didn't want to take the big (and hot) Prayer Shawl #2 to the family reunion, so I began this. It was small and easy to carry. And I got a lot of comments on my sock cuff! ;)

I haven't had time to knite lately--I've been working on finishing a wedding cross-stitch for a friend. I finally got it done so I can go back to the Prayer Shawl.

Sweet_Thang

08-08-2006, 10:07 AM

Sarah6690

08-08-2006, 10:41 AM

I think that I have tried that pattern!! It looks great!!!

Thanks. My mom had asked me to do one for one of her friend's daughters. I wanted something quick and easy and this worked out great.

Lydia

08-08-2006, 11:28 AM

When it starts to get cooler in September I'll be more excited to knit :)

Me too.

luvnbeng

08-09-2006, 01:44 PM

It's a little hard to concentrate on knitting in this heat, but I just finished a baby blanket for my cousin (she gave birth to a little boy yesterday). I'll try to post some pictures later if I remember. :)

Brandles

08-11-2006, 09:12 AM

When it's too hot, I knit something small, like socks. When it gets colder, I knit the bigger things. Though, since I'm in AC, I've been knitting my 3rd Prayer Shawl and I've knitted over 10 inches in the last few days. I've already knitted two rows this morning!

Etoile

08-21-2006, 12:25 PM

I have gotten totally into knitting podcasts! My favorites are Lime & Violet, and The Knitting Cook. Good stuff.

Oh, and also, here is the progress on the Josephine sweater I am working on:
http://static.flickr.com/83/221233310_fc9ecd13a6.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/76/221233309_8b5436d76d.jpg?v=0

Etoile

08-23-2006, 08:41 PM

I just finished this hat for my darling Finley (best friend's baby boy)!!
http://static.flickr.com/82/223361308_a73158eb7d.jpg?v=0

Etoile

09-07-2006, 08:37 PM

Nobody at all interested in knitting... so sad...
:(

Pineknot

09-07-2006, 08:50 PM

Etoile,

I'm soooo interested in knitting. I taught myself to knit almost 20 yrs ago.:o and now I have forgotten how to.

I have a friend who is having a baby and I would love to find a really easy pattern so that I can knit her something while I'm relearning.

Unfortunately, I'm totally lost. :(

btw - love that little hat.

Etoile

09-08-2006, 11:43 AM

Pineknot--if you check out knittinghelp.com there are videos on there that are really easy to follow--when I started back up again I had not knit since I was 7. It was easy to pick back up.

kemaji

09-08-2006, 11:54 AM

I'm interested in knitting! I just finished clapotis (no pics yet), just have to weave the ends in and I am knitting a baby blanket for my cousin's new baby.

looch

09-08-2006, 06:17 PM

I am knitting for charity right now, some scarves in pink for breast cancer awareness.
I just finished a baby soaker in varigated yarn that knit up in the most interesting stripes!
Next project is a cable knit purse!

luvnbeng

09-08-2006, 07:34 PM

I'm just starting a sweater tank top (the "boobalicious tank" from big girl knits). Once I make some sort of progress I'll post some pictures here.

If any of you are from the New York City area, Amy Singer (editor of knitty.com and author of Big Girl Knits) is appearing at The Point on Friday night for a knitting wine & cheese event. For details go to http://thepointnyc.com

Brandles

09-17-2006, 01:39 PM

I finished Prayer Shawl #3 and after it was blessed, it ended up going to my Great Aunt!!! :D I was so glad she got it. She's been through a lot in the last several years with her eyes and knees!

I'm working on my 4th pair of socks. I'm using a self-striping yarn. I finished the first sock last week and then, I began sock #2. I have almost completed the cuff!

Brandles

09-18-2006, 05:41 PM

I don't know if there is anyone here who remembers that I posted a pattern for a "beanie" toboggin back in the first few pages. I finally dug that pattern out last night and began to knit my first one. I used an old green and white varigated. I plan to knit a matching scarf. Then, next year, enter them in the fair as a "hat and scarf set" and then in Christmas 2007, donate them both to the hat and mitten tree at church.

Janey

09-18-2006, 05:52 PM

Knitsters - I hope you don't mind me butting in on your thread (my mom knits; it confuses me) ... but I saw this today and just had to come share it with you just in case someone was looking for a Halloween hat:

Free Pattern: The Leia Hat (http://bleuarts.blogspot.com/2006/09/free-pattern-leia-hat.html)

Photobug

09-19-2006, 08:56 PM

LOL! That Leia hat is too funny!

I'm nowhere near as practiced as most of you ladies, but I'm pretty darn proud of myself for getting through one of my first non-hat projects. I just finished a pair of fingerless gloves in a ribbed pattern, and they came out pretty good if I do say so myself. I'm thinking of trying my hand with socks next, but I'm a little nervous. Any tips on who might have a really (really) simple beginner sock pattern?

Scooter

09-20-2006, 12:04 AM

LOL at that Leia pattern!

Photobug, The first sock pattern I tried was the "Fuzzy Feet" pattern over on knitty.com and it's very simple. It's knit in the round on dpns in a solid color in stockinette stitch. Doesn't get easier than knit every round, right? ;) And in case you mess up, surprise, it's felted! So your mistakes probably won't even show. :) You can also knit them on chunkier wool because they're not meant for inside shoes--they're slippers. I made the ILs each a pair of them for Xmas a few years back and they were a big hit. Just pick some brightly colored (feltable) wool. The pattern makes it easy for you, explaining things like how to do a heel turn (aka make "short rows"), so I think it's a great beginning pattern that knits up quick.

Photobug

09-20-2006, 08:27 AM

Thanks Scooter! I was looking at the patterns at knitty, but there were so many, I didn't know where to start! Lol. I'll give the "fuzzy feet" a try.

Lisa

09-20-2006, 11:10 AM

I'm really interested in knitting but don't know what to buy, how much or even way to start. Can anyone direct me? Thanks

luvnbeng

09-20-2006, 03:52 PM

I think that the book Stitch-n-Bitch by Debbie Stoller is a great resource. I also think the videos on http://knittinghelp.com were really instructive.

Have fun and good luck!

Sarah6690

09-21-2006, 06:55 AM

I taught myself from the book "I Can't Believe I'm Knitting" It gives you a pretty good start. I would recommend that along the videos that luvnbeng suggested. I wish I had those when I started. Good luck.

Txfish

09-22-2006, 10:12 AM

Yay! My new home!! :)

Re-learning to knit, after my Nana taught me when I was 10. I did some random practice swatches, just to get the feel of it again (also working out of the I Can't Believe I'm Knitting book), and then went straight to a baby afghan.

My stepgrandmother used this "fan afghan" pattern to make baby blankets for everyone -- and has now reached the point where her hands can't take the knitting, so she's passed the circular needles on to me. So far I'm not having trouble following the pattern, although I'm afraid I'm not knitting tightly enough -- cast on row is kind of odd looking and my garter stitch rows are a little uneven. Luckily there are lots of YOs and so it kind of stretches out and hides the tension flaws. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

This is the "professional one" -- I love how it scallops the edges.
http://static.flickr.com/81/249819767_facae1f80e_m.jpg

What I've done so far:
http://static.flickr.com/84/249819774_7735fa75c2_m.jpg

I LOVE some of these patterns you all are doing! I think I'll have to give that Wavy scarf a try for one of my sisters (no need for scarves here in Houston LOL).

Anyway, HI!

Brandles

09-23-2006, 02:45 PM

Mommy to E&L--

Is there a yarn store near-by that offers a beginner's class? I would take that. I took one even though I'd done some scarves...I wanted to learn how to do other things, too. There was even an "advanced beginner" class I took. For all types of knitting, I was to knit a little swatch and then staple it onto a 4x6 index card with the name of it at the top so I'd always have that as a reference.

Also--start with a light colored yarn--it's easier to see the stitches.

"Stitch & B!tch" can also be a little intimidating. I'm not too keen on their patterns and I've knitted shawls, ponchos, socks, hats and scarves. I do like the beginning of it, though.

looch

09-23-2006, 05:17 PM

Txfish, that looks great! Do you mind sharing the pattern?

Txfish

09-23-2006, 08:13 PM

Thanks Looch! You know, I just noticed it's copyrighted -- don't know the deal on that. Is it I can't share it at all, or just can't share for commercial purposes/ sell it myself?

Brandles

09-24-2006, 02:48 PM

I just finished felting the brimmed hat I've been working on since 9/20! It was really easy to knit! The hat is now out on the driveway, sitting on a styrofoam hat drying! :)

Last night it was all big and floppy! I put it on and it was so big I looked like "Dumb Donald" from Fat Albert--the one with his hat down so far and his eyes in the hat! My DH said it scared him. He swore it had teeth inside it! :p

He didn't know I was going to felt it and he's been at work all day. He'll be surprised when he comes home and it's no longer big, floppy and scary! ;)

granada

09-30-2006, 12:34 PM

Not sure if I've posted here yet. I recently got this book:
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1579903533.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

And I'm knitting this afghan from it:
http://pics.livejournal.com/granada/pic/0006105r/s320x320

So far, this is what I have:
http://pics.livejournal.com/granada/pic/0006296w

I'm a little concerned that it's not wide enough. I did do a gauge, and I thought I was good to go. Hopefully, when I block it, it will reach its full 36-inch potential. :cool:

Scooter

09-30-2006, 09:46 PM

TxFish! How funny, I have that same pattern! It comes out so pretty that I've used it to make blankets for a couple friends. And I finally made one for my own baby last winter while I was pregnant.

(I just layed it down on the floor to take this pic, so if it's uneven looking it's just me not laying it down very carefully ;) )
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/dasmud/IMG_1191.jpg

closeup:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/dasmud/IMG_1190.jpg

Sweet_Thang

09-30-2006, 10:54 PM

Hey there! It's been a while since Posted.

Took me forever to finish my first baby blanket that I started in January, when I learned how to knit. Finsihed it in May and gave it to my baby nephew.

Then I started on another baby blanket for my niece. It's an Oat Couture pattern, Heritage. I don't know what my issue is, or what, but I Have only had to rip out three to four rows, the same ones, at least twice. It's probably due to all the stress of buying a new home, etc. (of course we are still newlyweds - until October 15th then it will be one year). I just cant stay focused. Of course, my niece is now two months old and she might see this blanket by the time she's 18 yrs old.

Hopefully, once we are fully moved into the new house, I can focus back on getting my knitting done.

:) Hope everyone is doing well.

Lexie

Brandles

10-03-2006, 05:41 AM

The felted hat is now nice and dry and it looks pretty! I started on some mittens. I took a class for the hat and mittens and decided to go advanced on the mittens and do a pair with a design in it. I'm going in today for some help on the thumb.

Over the weekend, I also started a Christmas gift--a soft scarf made out of that "Cha Cha" yarn. I thought about starting another Prayer Shawl, but I already have too many knitting projects going right now. I'm still working on my 2nd sock and I'm working on a beanie hat.

And I need to do a wedding cross stitch and a baby cross stitch.

Photobug

10-10-2006, 06:27 AM

Help. I'm attempting to make my first pair of slippers and am using the 'fuzzy feet' pattern from knitty. I'm confused by the directions for the heel turn - I've been working the heel for 23 rows with 22 stiches on the needle. At the heel turn it says "continuing on heel stiches" and then p13, p2 tog, p1, turn. Am I reading it wrong, or it that only 16 stiches? And if so, what do I do with these other 6 stitches? Ack! It was all going so well! Any advice greatly appreciated!

Sarah6690

10-10-2006, 07:25 AM

Photobug I'm pretty sure that you just follow it exactly as it says, p13, p2 tog, p1, turn... ignore the rest of the stitches, just turn where it says turn. It should all work itself out.

Scooter

10-10-2006, 11:11 AM

Photobug, funny you should ask, because I just finished the heel turn on that same pattern. (Making a pair for FIL for Xmas because his last pair wore out.) There are 44 total stitches, so half of those are the instep stiches--the ones you're not working on--and the other half are the heel stitches. Just keep following the directions exactly and you will use up all 22 heel stitches. Turn the work whenever it tells you to--when you get to the end of each row, you'll actually be doing a "knit two together" to pick up one more heel stitch each row. It will make the work start curving, and by the time you're down to eight stitches the heel will have magically formed. :)

Photobug

10-10-2006, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the reassurance, I've never done anything stocking-like, so I'm worried I'll screw it up. It seemed weird to go from working with 22 stitches to 16 suddenly. Thanks for the encouragement - I'll give it a go when I get home tonight.

Scooter

10-10-2006, 12:50 PM

Photobug, to make it worse, it's not even really 16 stitches, since you P2tog it turns into 15 sts, and then after that you only have 8sts per row until you finish the heel! Believe me, after you've done a few short rows you'll be able to see the concept. ;)

ejs

10-10-2006, 01:42 PM

Does anyone have a good pattern for an EASY baby blanket? One that a fairly new knitter can handle? Thanks!

kemaji

10-10-2006, 03:23 PM

ejs -- I'm in the process of knitting this one: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/baby.html

The pattern is easy to follow, however it is knit in strips and then you have to sew them together which is annoying and time consuming. it would be very easy to modify the pattern to knit it all the way across (just do line 1 X number of times, etc.), then all you have to do is sew the edging onto the body of the blanket. If you were to make it that way, I'd suggest using stitch markers so you don't lose your place.

lisainpink

10-10-2006, 04:10 PM

EJS For quick baby blankets- I like to knit plain squares in a garter stitch. I buy a few colors of the same yarn and knit plain squares. Then, I stitch or crochet the squares together to form a blanket. A nice size blanket is 4 squares wide and 5 squares long. You can make patterns with the different colors- and it is about the easiest project ever!

Scooter

10-10-2006, 06:08 PM

EJS, the one I posted the pic of up above is incredibly easy, if the knitter can do a yarn over increase and a knit two together decrease. Let me know if you want me to post the pattern.

berry

10-11-2006, 07:46 PM

Hi there! I'm not a regular poster here. I usually knit scarves, hats and baby blankies, but I think I'm up for a challenge.

I'd like to make a felted purse or handbag. Something with handles and larger than a clutch.

Has anyone done a project like this? Can anyone recommend a good pattern?

Thanks in advance!

aprilshowers

10-12-2006, 08:35 AM

berry - I've made this purse a number of times: http://www.magknits.com/warm04/patterns/sophie.htm It's a relatively easy knit and so cute! I used Lamb's Pride which felts well without too much danger of overfelting. Good luck and have fun! Like socks, felting can be addictive :)

berry

10-12-2006, 04:56 PM

aprilshowers Thanks so much. That bag is really cute!

granada

10-30-2006, 04:10 PM

A couple of question for you knitsters:

1) How do you store/organize your yarn and in-progress knitting stuff? Right now, my yarn and current project is just sitting out in the living room, and I'm looking for a way to be able to put it away and be able to pull it out again with relative ease.

2) If you travel with your knitting, what do you store you knitting stuff in? We're taking a trip during the holidays, and I want to be able to bring my knitting with me on the plane, and I don't want to get into a big tangled mess.

aprilshowers

10-31-2006, 06:49 AM

granada - stash yarn is in a plastic bin. Current project[s] live in a basket in the living room. It just fits under our coffee table so can be relatively out of the way when need be. I actually have a really nice bag DH bought me a couple of years ago which keeps all my tools and such and I throw the project in there when I'm taking my knitting out of the house. But if I'm trying to pack light I just pull out the things I need and put tools in some sort of plastic case so they don't get lost and put the project itself into a plastic bag so it can be stuffed into as small a space as possible in whatever bag I have on the plane. Planning which projects to take is always one of the first things I do when packing for a trip ;)

paulinaaa

10-31-2006, 09:53 AM

1) How do you store/organize your yarn and in-progress knitting stuff?

All my stuff is in a huge Rubbermaid storage bin. It's big enough to hold all my yarn, current projects, and hooks/scissors/other supplies. The hooks/scissors/other supplies are kept in a little pencil/pen pouch, though.

2) If you travel with your knitting, what do you store you knitting stuff in?

I've yet to travel with my supplies or unfinished projects. I have a few canvas totes, though, so those should work if I ever decided to take my show on the road.

young lioness

10-31-2006, 10:13 AM

1) How do you store/organize your yarn and in-progress knitting stuff?

Projects that I'm working on go into a basket that fits under one of our side tables in our living room. (That's where I tend to do most of my knitting.) I have a little Altoids tin where I keep stitchmarkers and tapestry needles. I also keep my interchangeable needle set (in it's case) and some scissors inside the basket.

Right now my stash of yarn for "future projects" (which is way more than I should have allowed myself to accumulate) is in shopping bags in a closet. I keep meaning to get a rubbermaid container and then put each type of yarn in ziplock bags in the container to keep things separated.

2) If you travel with your knitting, what do you store you knitting stuff in?

I have a great travel bag that I got from JoAnn Fabrics.

http://www.joann.com/images/assets/product/artbin_nwyarn_tote_1.jpg

The main part of the tote can hold a lot, plus there are lots of small pockets on the sides for tools and stuff. The needle case shown in the picture comes with the bag and can fit inside it.

maybebaby

11-03-2006, 12:34 PM

I'm making my first baby sweater--a garter stitch simple one and am wondering how to increase the knit stitches for a funnel neck. Any tips on sites that explain it?

Scooter

11-03-2006, 01:06 PM

knittinghelp.com (http://www.knittinghelp.com) is a great site for various techniques, including different increases you can do.

Etoile

11-04-2006, 04:30 PM

I have a large basket that I keep most of my yarn/knitting projects in. It's laundry-basket sized. The rest of the yarn is kept in a plastic bin. My patterns are kept in a manila folder in the basket and all my notions are in an old bank deposit bag. Each project I'm working on is in a seperate bag that I can tote places--I have several bags with handles from Indian basmati rice (they're burlap and quite cool looking) and then a couple of other small fabric totes.

APCullip22

11-04-2006, 08:38 PM

Alrighty, I just started a new project...my first non-purse or bag...I picked up the book "Saturday Sweaters" and got started on one of the pullovers :) I realize that it will probably take me until this time next year to have it done, but this is progress for me and oh so much fun :)

Lisa

11-20-2006, 08:07 AM

Okay, I like to make a baby blanket but I've never knitted. SOmeone suggested 10 1/2 size needles but how much yard and what kind? I like this one soft fuzzy one but I heard fuzzy might not be good for me? Oh and where do I buy all this from? am I starting with something to big? Sorry for all the questions! TIA!!!

looch

11-20-2006, 06:12 PM

Hi Knitters! Whatcha knitting?

I have a couple of projects going on: a simple garter knit scarf in eyelash yarn for MIL, a hat on circular needles and a baby blanket in the basketweave for a friend's baby due at the end of April.

Lisa: I would get a pattern for a blanket. It will tell you exactly how much yarn and what size needles to get.

Scooter

11-21-2006, 12:34 AM

Hi Knitters! Whatcha knitting?I'm working on a sweater with a matching skirt for my DD's 1st Xmas outfit. It shoudl be adorable, if I can figure out these instructions. I've got hte sweater almost done, but can't figure out the collar directions. It's a British pattern, and I wonder if I screwed it up because the British instructions are always so much more confusing. :( I think I need to take it in to a yarn shop & ask for help!

Lisa, If you choose a blanket pattern that requires big needles (like size 10), it goes faster and you can see what you're doing better, for a 1st project. Fuzzy yarn...well that could be ok or not. Fuzzy as in a thick woolly yarn is one thing, but fuzzy as in a thinner yarn or novelty yarn (like fun fur or eyelash) would make it really hard to see the stitches as you go. Especially for a beginner. What is the fuzzy yarn you have? Do you have any baby blanket patterns? Patterns specify the type of yarn and the size of the needles necessary. If you just use big needles like that on any old pattern, you may end up with a couch throw instead of a baby blanket! :p It changes the gauge of the whole thing when you change needle size.

young lioness

11-21-2006, 06:50 AM

Hi Knitters! Whatcha knitting?

I'm done doing gifts for a while. I finished a tablerunner as a wedding gift, and now I'm ready to be selfish about my knitting for a while.

I recently finished my first pair of socks and started my second pair this weekend. But I didn't do a gauge swatch first and the sock was turning out a bit small, so I frogged it last night. I was knitting on size 1 dpns and now I'm swatching with #2's, but I think I might need to ge 1.5s to get it right.

One of my non-CC LJ friends and I recently started a knitting blog together. It doesn't have many posts yet, but it does have pictures of the table runner.

http://bluethingpie.com/

Lisa

11-21-2006, 10:51 AM

Thanks Guys. I'll remember size 10 needles. I haven't bought anything yet. I figured I ask the experts first;)

Scooter

11-21-2006, 09:24 PM

Lisa, size 10 is just one larger size, but you don't need to stick with that. I knit a shawl with size 17s before, and I've also used 9s & 11s. Just aim for a pattern in the higher ranges, like above 6. Sometimes you have to go up or down a size from the one the pattern calls for, in order to get the guage right, depending on how loosely or tightly you personally knit. Don't want you to get stuck on a number. ;)

Scooter

12-08-2006, 12:49 PM

I'm totally stuck on this pattern, and hoping someone here can help!

It's a sweater for my DD, but it's a British pattern so maybe I'm just confused by the terminology or something.

I'm working on 15 stitches, which make a (small, 2 button) buttonhole band just below the collar. Think polo style. These stitches were picked up so I'm knitting perpendicular to the rest of the sweater, if that makes sense. I have knit the entire buttonhole band, and am binding off this next row starting at the bottom and ending up at the top (by the collar). These are the instructions for the bind off row exactly as written:

"Cast off row Cast off kwise one st, [sl st used in casting off back onto left-hand needle, cast on 2 sts kwise, cast off 4 sts kwise] to end. Fasten off."

Does anyone understand these instructions?? TIA!

aprilshowers

12-09-2006, 12:17 PM

Scooter, this is how I would read it:

cast off one stitch knitwise: I think you know how to bind off and knitwise just means to knit rather than purl the stitches. You end up with one fewer stitch in total and one stitch on the right needle.

sl st used in casting off back onto left-hand needle: move that one stitch on the right needle back onto the left needle.

cast on 2 sts kwise: now cast on two additional stitches. I usually do this by knitting through the first stitch on the needle but instead of dropping the stitch on the left needle, I simply move the new stitch that is currently on the right needle back onto the left. Like you would do with a knitted cast-on. I'm not sure what "knitwise" is referring to here.

cast off 4 sts kwise: same as the first instruction but you do it enough times so that there are four fewer stitches in total (which means 5 knit stitches, right? I always count wrong when I'm binding off).

It basically sounds like with each repeat of the sequence between the [] you're creating 2 new stitches and then removing 4. I have no idea how this is going to end up looking. You might want to try it on a swatch first. I'm guessing it's done this way so that the buttonhole band doesn't end up too gathered at the bound-off edge so if you don't like how it looks you can try some other loose bind-off. Good luck!

Scooter

12-09-2006, 10:31 PM

Aprilshowers, thank you so much!! I was wondering if that "cast on knitwise" was referring to some type of cast on method I hadn't heard of before. And I kept thinking that after I bound off the 1st stitch I was supposed to slip the next one, so it was way more confusing than it needed to be.

Not sure how it'll look, either, it's the weirdest bind off instruction I've ever come across. The collar is picot edged, but has the same instructions as this buttonhole band, so I'm guessing this is just another method of doing picot. I learned it a different way, so it's probably good to learn a new technique. If I can get this to work out, I'll post a pic when I'm done. :)

aprilshowers

12-10-2006, 05:11 PM

Definitely post a picture - I am really curious to see how it turns out!

Photobug

12-18-2006, 05:29 PM

I finally finished the "fuzzy feet" I've been working on for a gift for my mom.
Thanks to all the help from the ladies in this thread, I managed to get up the courage to try my first sock pattern. I think they came out pretty well. :)

Here they are before felting:
http://static.flickr.com/138/326593595_a7f1391921_m.jpg

and after:
http://static.flickr.com/136/326593591_fe1333a309_m.jpg

Scooter

12-19-2006, 01:53 PM

Photobug, congrats on your first sock pattern, they came out great!

Aprilshowers, I finished the sweater, finally. Thanks so much for your help! I took some pics so you could see how the picot edging turned out--it hasn't been washed or anything, and needs two buttons sewn on the button band, but everything else is done.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/dasmud/IMG_1775.jpg

and a close up. Hopefully it's not too blurry--forgot to set the camera to "macro":
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/dasmud/IMG_1776.jpg

aprilshowers

12-19-2006, 06:09 PM

Scooter - it came out great! I love the ruffly effect of the collar too. I bet you can't wait to try it on your little one :)

Photobug

12-23-2006, 06:32 PM

Thanks, Scooter. The sweater looks great! The edging makes it look so delicate and soft. What a sweet first xmas outfit!

Scooter

12-24-2006, 12:07 AM

Thanks you guys! It's so nice to have it finished, you don't even know how confusing that pattern was. There is a fair isle cardigan (with little scottie dogs, very cute) in that same book, and if it is anywhere near as messed up as that pattern was, I don't even want to try it.

That yarn I used is 80% cotton 20% wool, so it feels soft but should be nice and warm, too. *Great* to knit with, so easy--I'd recommend that blend.

young lioness

01-02-2007, 12:28 PM

So did anyone give knitted gifts for Christmas? How did the recipients like them?

I made a pair of Fuzzy Feet slippers for my sister and waited to felt them after giving them to her, so I could have her there to try them on. She was very happy with them. :)

My goal for the end of the year was to finish a sweater that I have been knitting on and off (mostly off) since April 2005. I didn't quite finish by the new year (I'm about 95% done) and I think I might run out of yarn. :(

In case anyone is interested...My friend recently (like within the past few days) started a message board specifically for knitting, crochet, and spinning discussion. Things are just getting started, but I'm expecting it to be a good place to talk about knitting and see what others are up to.

Here's the link --> Get Stitchy! (http://forum.getstitchy.com/)

Sandie78

02-01-2007, 10:50 AM

Can you guys help me? I'm working on my first blanket. I currently have 84 stitches per row. I only really know how to do basic knitting and purling so I'm confused by this instruction: [P1, k1] 3 times, p to last 6 sts, dec 2 sts evenly across row, [p1,k1] 3 times--82 sts. (Bolding mine) How do you do that?
Later I have to [P1, k1] 3 times, p to last 6 sts, inc 2 sts evenly across row, [p1, k1] 3 times--84 sts.

I don't know how to do that either.
Help please...

kemaji

02-01-2007, 11:28 AM

Sandie -- Basically, that means that the pattern is calling for you to decrease your stitch count by 2 in that row. I would do that by purling 2 together at even intervals. For the increasing 2 stitches evenly across the row, it is just the opposite. For that I'd knit into the front of a stitch, then instead of pulling it off the needle, knit into the back of the stitch as well. You'll need to do that twice at an even interval. Does that make sense?

Sandie78

02-01-2007, 11:32 AM

Yes it does. I wonder why they don't just tell me to p2tog though. And since I only have to decrease by 2 I'll just have to purl 2 together twice right? And at even intervals so maybe one near the beginning of the row and one near the end?

Thanks :)

Sarah6690

02-05-2007, 09:11 AM

Can someone help me with this? I just started a baby blanket yesterday and I don't understand what this means.

Where it has the abbreviations it says.
MK= P2tog without slipping sts off needs, then K2tog over same sts.

I took this to mean K2tog in the same sts as the P2tog. But that would decrease by 1 and in the pattern I don't want to do that.

Pattern is CO 181, (ribbing) and then knit 1 row.
P1 MK (90 times)
Knit row

Any help?

Scooter

02-05-2007, 12:03 PM

Question: has anyone out there done the Miss Dashwood hat pattern from knitty.com? I have had to rip out the entire thing like 3 times. The gauge is totally off, and I even redid the gauge swatch to double check it. :mad: It's really annoying because you cast on a pecot edge and it takes forever to redo (and to frog) if it's the wrong size.

Sandie, I'd split the 84 sts in thirds to get 28, and then decrease every 28 sts. That will be two decreases and they'll be evenly spread out across the work.

Sarah, it sounds like you're making a small bobble every other stitch. Have you ever done an increase that is knit and purl into the same stitch? This is the exact same idea, except you are doing it with two stitches together instead of just one. So you put the right needle in, wrap the yarn, and pull it through--but don't pull off the two stitches. Leave them on the left needle, with the new loop around the right needle. Now, put the yarn back (it'll be between the two stitches and the new loop). Pu your right needle into the two sts and K2tog just as you would normally. You'll end up with a little bump from all those sts, but you will not have decreased any.

pocket

02-05-2007, 06:03 PM

I've been knitting for about two weeks, and just last night found out that I am doing it completely wrong! I'm a lefty and I learned from a righty. Someone at my friend's superbowl party corrected me and I can't believe how much more comfortable I am now. Wish me luck - I'm on my very first scarf.

Sarah6690

02-06-2007, 06:53 AM

Thanks so much Scooter! I suppose I should have tried it first before getting too confused. Just reading it, it didn't sound right to me. But I worked on it last night and after your explanation, it makes sense now.

Lydia

02-07-2007, 06:26 AM

I'm working on Knitty's Tubey (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTtubey.html) right now...nice b/c it's a lot of mindless stockingette which is about all I can handle with 2 kids at this point!

luvnbeng

02-08-2007, 08:36 AM

I'm working on Knitty's Tubey (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTtubey.html) right now

A good friend of mine is also working on Tubey!

I'm working on Knitty's Cozy wrap http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTcozy.html, but I keep ripping it out because I keep making mistakes. Hopefully one day it will be finished!

kemaji

02-08-2007, 08:44 AM

I have two projects on the needles right now, a hat for my brother (he requested very specific colors) and a Kiri shawl (http://www.alltangledup.com/movabletype/my_images/my_patterns/kiri.pdf) for my mom. I'm making a smallish version of it because she is more of a scarf person, so this is a triangular scarf in a handspun wool from handpaintedyarn.com.

Brandles

02-13-2007, 07:21 AM

With all the snow days, I've finally finished projects! :D I finished a pair of self-striping socks I began in June. I started to knit the cuff of a pair of jeans I cut the bottoms off of. I have one cuff done. I thought I'd have enough embroidery floss to do the 2nd cuff, but I do not. I have to put it off until I get more.

I also began a scarf I hope to finish today. It's a soft, chunky yarn I've had for about 1 1/2 years and I never got around to making a scarf from it. I did make a belt quickly from it, though, about a year ago.

After that, it's onto DH's Grandpa's Christmas 2007 lap blanket. I'd LOVE to begin that today, since it