Knitting wisdom

studentsaver166

Hello Old-Stylers!

I'm seeking some of your endless wisdom for a little craft project.
I really want to make a cable knit throw blanket, like this one:

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-cable-knit-blanket/p292166?colour=Cream

Full disclosure: I cannot knit. I knitted a couple of scarves when I was a teenager, but that's about it. I can't remember how to do it! I am, however, quite crafty and creative, so I'm pretty sure I can learn. I've been learning to sew over the last year or so, and I seem to have an affinity for it, so maybe that will help!

Do any of you know, realistically, how complicated something like that is? Do you think it would be possible to learn reasonably quickly? How would one even go about starting it?! Any tips and tricks?!

Like most of us, I don't have a lot of spare pennies so not sure I could afford to do a lot of practice projects. Just wondering whether this is a realistic aim or whether I should just abandon the idea!
I thought I would come to the font of wisdom for answers

Mags_cat

You Tube is full of "How to knit" tutorials. They're great because you can pause them as often as you need so you are "knitting along" with the video.

I think that blanket might be ambitious all in one piece - but I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to knit squares of cable knit that you can join together. That way, you could also teach yourself different stitches and make something totally unique.

studentsaver166

Good point! I was thinking I would have to buy books but of course, I am the YouTube generation! Will see what I can find.

I really just don't even know where to start. I don't know where I would find a pattern for something similar (does knitting have patterns?!) or what kind of needles etc I need...

I was also wondering about how one would make something that size. I was imagining having to do pieces and stitch them together, as you suggested. How is it even possible to make it as one piece? I don't quite grasp the physics of how you do that if your needles aren't as wide as what you're making!

Mags_cat

studentsaver166 wrote: »

Good point! I was thinking I would have to buy books but of course, I am the YouTube generation! Will see what I can find.

I really just don't even know where to start. I don't know where I would find a pattern for something similar (does knitting have patterns?!) or what kind of needles etc I need...

I was also wondering about how one would make something that size. I was imagining having to do pieces and stitch them together, as you suggested. How is it even possible to make it as one piece? I don't quite grasp the physics of how you do that if your needles aren't as wide as what you're making!

I think the blanket in your link must have been machine stitched - mass produced products are, in the main.

You can get "circular" needles which are basically a set of tips of the correct size for your pattern connected with a bendy loop of plastic / wire that can be any size.

https://www.efcouk.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2003580_A_1.jpg

So - in theory, you could knit a huuuuuuge thing on these - but I bet it'd be heavy on your lap and carrying it round!

I think your best bet is to search "How to knit" on You Tube til you find someone you like (their voices can be *really* annoying!:rotfl:) and get yourself a ball of wool and some needles and try a few squares.

Mags_cat

Oh, forgot to add - yes, knitting does have patterns but if you're going for types of cable stitch you should be able to find lots of free ones on the net. It's all about learning the basic stitches then combining them in new and interesting ways

studentsaver166

That circular needle lark sounds desperately complicated! You're right, I should probably learn to walk before I run....

It looks like the weekend will be spent on youtube! Thank you, Mags

joedenise

I would suggest buying your needles in your local charity shop - they'll only cost you about 50p a pair but they're quite expensive to buy new.

Denise

crumblepie

a quick google came up with this http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/patternbook/bernhard34

lots of squares to choose from!

studentsaver166

Thanks, joedenise - I'll go hunting through Cancer Research at the weekend!

Thanks, crumblepie - that's brilliantly helpful! Not sure I'll be attempting square 23 anytime soon!

DollyDabbler

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/718513

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/718513

These two forums have lots of ideas for knitters, beginners and experts:)

meritaten

and avoid Utube tutorials from America! they use totally different terms from English, or rather UK knitting! the methods are the same but the names of things are different! Their needle sizes are different and they use different ways of identifying yarn. so if you learned by using 5.5 needles for 'worsted' yarn and needed 2000 yards - you wouldn't be able to find this in uk - instead you would want 5mm needles and Aran yarn and ...............oh - I don't know how to convert yards into Grams! see?