Learning to Knit

j.e.j.

I'm fairly new to knitting and am finding that wool/yarn shops are very few and far between these days. There's an online shop called McA direct (not sure how they compare to other retailers price-wise).
So far I've been knitting using patterns i've found in library books so maybe if you have a library near you it might be worth browsing the knitting/craft shelf?

Usagi_2

fyimate wrote: »

If I want to knit a larger hat how do I fit all the stitches onto the needle, because knitting just 56 st on my 4mm's is a tight squeeze, I assume larger needles accomadate for this?

To fit more stitches on, you need longer needles. They come in various lengths and also different materials. I find I knit faster with metal needles as the wool slips along them quickly, but wood / bamboo can be easier on the hands - it depends what you like. Charity shops usually have a reasonable selection, or I also order from MCA direct or Get Knitted if you want something more particular (ie bamboo etc).
The diameter of the needle effects the size of your stitches, so 4mm is usually for double knitting (dk) thickness wool. As your wool gets thicker, you need larger diameter needles. Thicker wool & larger needles is quicker to knit (less stitches per inch), but also chunkier to wear so not so suitable for babies.

fyimate

So my 4mm's arent good for baby clothes?
I'm not actually sure if the yarn I have is 2-ply or 4-ply. The magazine I bought it from only says if I am running low I should substitute with 4-ply.
I'm a total newbie at it and am only going by what the magazine says, it's the "Let's Get Crafting" one. I bought it because they supplied the yarn and needles with some patterns etc.

Thanks for all the comments.

zippychick

Hi fyimate

There is a thread about learning to knit, so I'll merge this and you can read back and see the previous advice
Zip

OrkneyStar

fyimate wrote: »

So my 4mm's arent good for baby clothes?
I'm not actually sure if the yarn I have is 2-ply or 4-ply. The magazine I bought it from only says if I am running low I should substitute with 4-ply.
I'm a total newbie at it and am only going by what the magazine says, it's the "Let's Get Crafting" one. I bought it because they supplied the yarn and needles with some patterns etc.

Thanks for all the comments.

The 4mm is the size round the needle (the diameter not the length)...you can get needles which are 4mm diameter but in different lengths, so the distance from the tip to the cap varies ifyswim. Longer ones can be harder to work with but help when you have lots and lots of stitches.
For knitting baby things it would normally be DK (double knit, actually about 8ply) or 4ply. 3ply and 2ply are very thin and normally used for lacier things, fine blankets etc.
For knitting with DK I would use 3.25mm needles normally for borders/ribs/cuffs etc and 4mm needles for the main body of item.
For knitting with 4ply I would normally use 2.75mm needles for borders/ribs/cuffs etc and 3.25mm needles for the main body part.
Some patterns though will specify slightly different sizes depending on the wool they suggest you use, so not every DK or 4ply will use exactly what I said (sometimes 3.75mm needles are used too!).
All the needles will generally come in a size measurement (the diameter, the mm part written on the needle) but will also be available in longer and shorter lenghts!
Just to add American patterns often specify a number for needle size, not mm, and also old British patterns also use a number system (different to the American numbering!!!). Just mention this not to confuse you, but if you buy needles in charity shops they are sometimes labelled in the old British style!
This has the size conversions if you need them.
This is useful too.
hth and please ask any more questions you might have!
x

OrkneyStar

fyimate wrote: »

Thanks, well I wouldnt mind knitting baby clothes, already knitted two baby hats which is simple enough, would like to move onto socks, mittens and small things like that until I feel ready to move onto a baby cardigan etc.
Also wouldnt mind knitting some clothes for my daughter's barbie dolls, I know she would like that

If I want to knit a larger hat how do I fit all the stitches onto the needle, because knitting just 56 st on my 4mm's is a tight squeeze, I assume larger needles accomadate for this?

Actually socks and mittens, although small, imho are harder to knit that cardigans etc, small things can be quite intricate whereas cardigans etc are simple parts that just need sewed together! What about making a blanket of squares....just make sure all your squares are roughly the same size and thickness of wools ? There should be plenty patterns online!

fyimate

Oh ok thank you, I will try the cardigan first, I just have a few more knits to master first

Also how important is it to learn how to knit a gauge swatch? I have read up on it but it's a bit :huh: for me!

OrkneyStar

fyimate wrote: »

Oh ok thank you, I will try the cardigan first, I just have a few more knits to master first

Also how important is it to learn how to knit a gauge swatch? I have read up on it but it's a bit :huh: for me!

don't tell anyone....I never make a 'gauge swatch'......but that is likely bad advice lol.....it is quite important apparently if you are using a wool that is a lot different texture than the one the pattern suggests x

Usagi_2

The point of the guage swatch is to tell you if you are knitting to the right tension - which effects the overall finished dimensions of what you are making.
So, if you are knitting something where you need to be precise about the finished size (ie knitting something for a specific person / size like for yourself) then yes, I would knit one. A couple of stitches out per inch on an adult garment when added across the size of it could make the difference between a size 10 and size 14 for instance. It is pretty disapointing if you have spent ages knitting yourself a cardy and it doesn't fit.

For baby garments, hats etc I don't usually bother as a little bigger or smaller is usually still ok (I knit for a size bigger than the baby for growth etc).

You will get to know your own knitting a little though, so if you usually find that your knitting is coming out a little smaller than specified patterns then get in the habbit of choosing a larger diameter needle, or if your knitting is loose and loopy go down a size. As you get more practiced this might start to change a bit.

fyimate

Oh I see, thank you.
I'm glad I made this thread, it's helping me a lot.
Actually something funny happened today, I popped into a charity shop and asked the lady if she had any knitting needles in store and she said, whatever is out is what they have...but I couldnt stop looking at two 'knitting' needles she had in her hair! :rotfl: