The Knitters Thread

redballoon_2

Hi all. I have just brought the Rowan Uban Streets knitting pattern book off ebay as I already had 10 x 100g balls of the wool.

The tension is 9 sts and 11 rows = 10cm

The wool is discontinued but there is a few patterns in the book i would like to do.i have seen Sirdar Big Softie which is 9 sts & 12 rows to 10cm. Would this be ok to use?
or can anyone else suggest alternative wool?

Thanks

prfungi

Hi redballoon,
the wool used in the book you bought is a "super bulky" so the sirdar wool should be ok. If you do a tension square first just to check - you might need to change your needle size.


x Pam

plumduff55

Hi all, first time I've posted here 'tho I regularly read your posts.

I am an experienced knitter but always have problems when knitting cardigans. After completing the fronts, the edges always turn outward, after sewing on the bands (although slightly better) the edges still turn outward. Result, I always have to wear cardigans buttoned up!

I am a slightly slack knitter so always reduce needle size to correct tension.
My last effort, I slipped the first stitch on every knit row but this has made no difference.

I am starting to knit another cardigan and am hoping to solve this problem especially as this one's a present for my mums christmas.

Hope someone has the answer, many thanks

ktpie

plumduff55 wrote: »

Hi all, first time I've posted here 'tho I regularly read your posts.

I am an experienced knitter but always have problems when knitting cardigans. After completing the fronts, the edges always turn outward, after sewing on the bands (although slightly better) the edges still turn outward. Result, I always have to wear cardigans buttoned up!

I am a slightly slack knitter so always reduce needle size to correct tension.
My last effort, I slipped the first stitch on every knit row but this has made no difference.

I am starting to knit another cardigan and am hoping to solve this problem especially as this one's a present for my mums christmas.

Hope someone has the answer, many thanks

I'm not very experienced so probably a ridiculous comment but are you blocking them?

plumduff55

ktpie wrote: »

I'm not very experienced so probably a ridiculous comment but are you blocking them?

Sorry, don't understand what you mean ? I am a self taught knitter of more than 30 years - have I been missing something ?

misskool

plumduff55 wrote: »

Sorry, don't understand what you mean ? I am a self taught knitter of more than 30 years - have I been missing something ?

To get the best 'shape' for what you're knitting, it's best to block them. Normally, it's a wash in shampoo (or other wool specific detergent) and then lay flat to dry, pinned to its right shape. you can steam them as well.
this site tells you a bit http://crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Blocking_Knitting


That should get most things lined up correctly (unless you knit like me and miss a few rows on one side... )

ktpie

misskool wrote: »

To get the best 'shape' for what you're knitting, it's best to block them. Normally, it's a wash in shampoo (or other wool specific detergent) and then lay flat to dry, pinned to its right shape. you can steam them as well.
this site tells you a bit http://crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Blocking_Knitting


That should get most things lined up correctly (unless you knit like me and miss a few rows on one side... )

Yep this is what I'm talking about. I've found it makes a massive difference to the overall shape of the knitted item. You can really tweak the final look and measurements, plus stops all that curling. I guess for things you wash regularly it is probably important to dry them in such a way that they retain their shape as well.

ktpie

This all reminds me I have a crocheted cardigan waiting to be blocked, will add it onto my list of things to do!

plumduff55

Many thanks ktpie and misskool, I have just finished an aran cardigan for myself so I shall unpick the bands and try to steam block the fronts without taking completely to pieces, I like many others hate sewing up!

At the moment I am knitting a scarf in Sirdar Zanzibar (69p from Kemps) for a christmas present, then I will start on the aran cardi for mum.

Thanks very much.

ktpie

plumduff55 wrote: »

Many thanks ktpie and misskool, I have just finished an aran cardigan for myself so I shall unpick the bands and try to steam block the fronts without taking completely to pieces, I like many others hate sewing up!

At the moment I am knitting a scarf in Sirdar Zanzibar (69p from Kemps) for a christmas present, then I will start on the aran cardi for mum.

Thanks very much.

Hang on! I do it once it is all sewn together! But maybe I'm doing it wrong! I've never tried it with steam either, just wet the item then lay it flat on a towel and get it to the right shape then leave it to dry.
You could also try reshaping whilst damp some of the ones you've already made, that might help with the way they hang.