Xmas Knitting!?!

Ally

Ho ho ho everyone :snow_grin

I need help (again:rolleyes: ). I would like to knit the girls some Xmas stockings/Sacks.

Does anyone know the best place to get Knitting needles and Christmas patterns? I am noooo way an expert at knitting, I used to do it when I was a kid (was pretty good at it too until my Mum told me to calm it down ... went a little OTT when I knit her a pair of knickers and my Dad some boxers ). I have recently taken it up again with really really chunky kiddies needles that were given to my eldest:D And I can now cast on, cast off and erm ... there was something else .... oh yeah ... do the knit Thanks to youtube.com:T

I have called a couple of charity store to see if they have any in stock and was told that they are no longer allowed to sell them I looked on JLewis site and they are going at £10 a set:eek: Ok, so it isn't that bad, but I am trying to learn how to be tight :rotfl: and I am really enjoying it so far, so don't want to spoil it:D

Any help appreciated as I need to get them soon so I can get started asap with the kids stuff and also wanna make a baby blanket for a friend ... which also reminds me .... anyone know where to get fabric lables that say "hand made" the JLewis sets come with them. Would try a haberdashery if there was one near me:rolleyes:

TIA

Blairweech

Ebay usually have loads (not the same as going out and having them now though) Do you have a market near you, or a fabric/craft shop that would sell them?

Charity shops technically can't sell them because they are deemed a dangerous weapon (like you can't take them on planes). I've found though, that if you go and ask the lady behind the counter, occasionaly they have some in stock which they will fish out for you.

'Fraid I don't know where to get labels though. Hope you find some - knittings great!

just quickly done a google - Dragon Yarns sells them for about £2.50-£3.00

Mariel

You should be able to get knitting needles in single pairs, try ebay. There are hundreds of free knitting patterns here - http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/ or http://www.lionbrand.com/ (you have to register). I have vowed never to buy another pattern again, don't know how long it will last!

lswwong

I will happily send you a pair or two of knitting needles that I have somewhere! Just looking for them now .....

They are:
3mm
3 1/4mm
4mm

Perhaps you would like to send me a PM?

Ally

Thanks guys!

Just tried calling some more charity shops ... one lady was very rude ... another said they no longer bother to keep them in stock 'cos noone wants them anymore ... another said they don't have any 'cos not one wants to give them away anymore ......

BUT .... I got a result:j One store has some .... they keep them in the back, lady checked and said "you're in luck my love":D

Also, signed up to lionbrand too! .... doesn't make too much sense to me at the moment though .... never have been one for following instructions ...:o .. I like to watch ... learn ... make mistakes .... hopefully learn some more:D

morg_monster

Hey guys - regarding the knitting needles in charity shop thing - I believe the law (or regulations or whatever) has changed and they ARE now allowed to sell knitting needles. I have seen plenty of charity shops recently selling them and some have a great selection, for literally pennies (25-50p a set). My parents live in wokingham, and I know that a month or so ago the Wade shop on Rose street had a massive drawer full of them, in case you are nearby...!

If you really can't find any, well in John Lewis stores they do sell cheaper sets, you can get a plastic pair for probably £4. Hobbycraft also sells them. I have also seen them in some pound shops along with balls of 100% acrylic, so might be worth a look if you've got some close by.
You've got the right idea with using youtube to pick up your rusty skills. the internet is FULL of knitting resources and free patterns it seems! Definitely no need to buy a book or anything.

By the way i cracked up at you knitting underwear for your parents... so funny! Sitting in our cold flat the other day my bf asked if I could knit him some trousers...! I can't even imagine the itching!

Ally

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I think it is a great thing to do ..... keeps my hands occupied and I don't smoke when I am doing it ... RESULT:j

Ok, a question for the knitters out there;) I am going to pick up some wool ball thingies today (hopefully Woolies sell them!) ..... what should I be looking for to make the stockings/sacks with? And what type should I be looking for to make a baby blanket with? I want the blanket to be soft and safe

Thanks again in advance all:)

evie451

Ally I bought a pair of 4mm in Au Naturale yesterday for £1 they had cheap wool as well. its worth a look if you have one near you. :j

morg_monster

For the stockings and sacks I'd go for plain old 100% acrylic. Means you can stick it straight in the washing machine no probs and sometimes the tumble dryer too. In Hobbycraft they have big balls of 100% acrylic in LOADS of colours (think they may be 100 or 200g) for just £1.25 (6 months ago anyway)!!! Bargain!

As for the baby blanket, hm. Washable is a must because well we all know babies are messy and mum's don't have time to handwash. You can buy 'baby' type wool, usually in pastelly colours, this is usually 100% wool treated to be washable, or wool with a bit of acrylic. It is usually softer than plain old 100% wool, too, so won't irritate baby. Again you should be able to get this in hobbycraft or anywhere, but it won't be quite as cheap as the acrylic. They should also stock some random other soft washable yarns, so that could be suitable too.

I don't know what woolies stock but I would guess acrylic would be most likely and might be some other bits and bobs.

If you are wanting to knit with chunky needles you'll need thicker yarn than the above - the acrylic will only really look decent up to about 5mm needles I guess, baby-type wool probably only up to 4 without looking a bet mesh-y. Again, hobbycraft and anywhere with a reasonable wool section will sell chunkier yarn in all types and colours, acrylic and wool. They often sell chenille-y type stuff which would be good for baby.

John lewis shops can be good for their yarn remnant bin if you aren't too fussy about what exactly you want, sometimes you get some real bargains, but sometimes its empty too, so don't make the trip especially!

helenstuff

One more place for cheap knitting needles is The Range. All sizes they sell (I think they're just 'full' mm sizes up to 9mm - if you see what I mean) are 99p. They're sometimes not the greatest quality, but I would recommend just taking them out of the packet and feeling them to make sure there aren't any burrs. I've got lots from there.

culpepper

You might find nice wool in charity shops too.