Learning to Knit

arkonite_babe

Definately no advice from this corner here, I'm hopless at knitting. I start off ok then my stitches get tighter and tighter. I know it's the tension but no matter how hard I try , I can't correct it. I think I shall stick to cooking instead :rolleyes:

catznine

I've just finished my first knitted hat! It was to go with a very long, very bright pink scarf in chunky wool that I had given to a friend, she mentioned that she would like a hat so I gave it a try and it was easier than I thought. Just follow the instructions completely and you shouldn't go wrong. I agree that a scarf is the easiest to do, but you could also make some lovely knitted bags by knitting a piece long enough to fold in half and stitch up the sides, then add a long knitted strap. You could line it with pretty fabric.

I have recently managed to get copies of Simply knitting magazine (our market sells magazines at 3 for £1.50) only a month or two out of date and they have some lovely patterns in, shrugs, scarfs, bags etc., Also try the charity shops for needles, patterns (my scarf and hat pattern was an original 70's one) and even wool. I am now making little Christmas stockings to raise funds for a local charity. Good luck Nabowla!

cath-w

This is a good site for modern, free knitting patterns. https://www.knitty.com Although as it is an American site there use U.S. needle sizes and abbreviations. If anyone needs the equavilent U.K. info then post and I will do the translation for you.

Click on the archive link for lots more patterns

cath-w

jw1096 wrote:

...

After that - im going to get technical and attempt to make a piece of clothing - probably a jumper or cardigan. I still need to buy that sewing machine too as I want to make a corset (but ill probably ruin it - I think im better at things than I usually am!)

Jo xx

The most important thing with knitted clothing is getting the sizing correct.

Always knit a tension square before you start. Every pattern will give the tension such as 10cm for 28 stiches over 36 rows. This means that if you knit of square of 28 stiches by 36 rows it should measure 10cm x 10cm. If your square is too big then use smaller needles if too small use bigger needles. This way when you actually knit the jumper it will fit correctly.

C.

Chipps

This thread is really interesting. I did start some knitting a few weeks ago - I made a hat & some mittens to go into one of the Christmas child shoeboxes. But I would love to have a go at making something a bit more ambitious - but I am not great at tension and things like that. Another thing I am not great at is finishing things!!! It has been interesting looking at the different websites recommended - some inspiration and encouragement is what's needed here!

nabowla

I found some lovely patterns on the sites that you all recommended. I think I'm going to use furry/fluffy wool for a fancy scarf once I've got the hang of knitting (have got a source of free wool for the practice sessions). Is it cheaper to buy wool over the internet or in a shop?

Jo: I love the sound of the mohair cushions! You'll have to post a piccie once they're done - I might well be tempted to have a go at something similar myself.

Savvy_Sue

Chipps wrote:

but I am not great at tension and things like that.

That's what put me off knitting, my mum is Queen of the Nitwits and both my sisters knit, my brother also knitted all of us lovely long 'maxi scarves' when I was a teenager (I fear that description dates me!)

But I hate the fact that you do all that work, long sleeves, long bodies etc on a jumper - and THEN you have to sew the darn thing up!

It's another good reason for starting with a scarf ...

BWZN93

nabowla wrote:

I found some lovely patterns on the sites that you all recommended. I think I'm going to use furry/fluffy wool for a fancy scarf once I've got the hang of knitting (have got a source of free wool for the practice sessions). Is it cheaper to buy wool over the internet or in a shop?

Jo: I love the sound of the mohair cushions! You'll have to post a piccie once they're done - I might well be tempted to have a go at something similar myself.

Of course - no probs! The wool was actually off ebay and cost 99p for 7 balls, and I can get more if needed. They should look great on my bright red sofa!

Ive found ebay to be a great source of cheap wool as well as the local market - I tend to avoid hobbycraft etc as they are more expensive for what ive needed.

Jo xx

nabowla

I've made a decision. I'm going to have a go at this pattern: http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel172064&rsc=tc16&page=1&site=

It's very simple and should give me plenty of practice with knit and purl stitches.

Off now to see if I can find some nice, furry/fluffy wool on ebay now - question is, what colour? Decisions, decisions!!!

eileenfromplaistow

Once read that hairy (mohair) yarns behave better while knitting if put in the freezer for a couple of hours before knitting up. That could also help if you need to do any unravelling (don't we all?) as the fibres can mat together when knitted together for a while.