The Knitters Thread

rosy

Vixstar wrote: »

Rosy I have the American Afghan book and am in the process of knitting it with my mum. H ave decided not to do all the squares as we don't like them. Not encountered too many problems with the instructions but have only knit a couple of squares so far - some are pretty complicated. I am having a problem with the squares working up smaller or larger than their supposed to so having to undo quite a bit. Hope this helps

Thanks Vixstar, I've now started knitting a square from a free set of 12 I found on ravelry ( search for o-wool.com to see the ones I mean).

There's one pattern a month & I think it started in August so I've got some catching up to do!) I've found a mistake in the first pattern I'm doing ( as well as the self-made mistakes due to me not concentrating hard enough when knitting it!:o) but it was easily sorted. Again I don't like all of the squares but it looks as if they are all written by the same person and all done with same size of needles. I think somewhere on ravelry it says that the American Afghan ones need different needles for different squares and I was bit concerned that it might be hard to get the tension right so what you are saying confirms that.
I read on a blog (cant remember where) that someone had knitted a jumper where the sizes of the front& back didn't match and they sorted it by blocking the pieces - would it be worth trying that with a couple of squares to see if it worked to save you all that unravelling?

meanmarie

Hi folks,

DD3, who I barely remember knitting a scarf when she was in school, has asked me if I have a pattern for a sweater she could knit for her bf for Christmas....at least she is starting early! She is very specific about what she wants....mainly plain colour but with a large reindeer head on front and she wants to put a pom-pom on the nose....I rarely do Fairisle as I have to watch it and it slows me up so wonder if anyone would either have a pattern or know where I can get one.

TIA

Marie

Unity

meanmarie wrote: »

Hi folks,

DD3, who I barely remember knitting a scarf when she was in school, has asked me if I have a pattern for a sweater she could knit for her bf for Christmas....at least she is starting early! She is very specific about what she wants....mainly plain colour but with a large reindeer head on front and she wants to put a pom-pom on the nose....I rarely do Fairisle as I have to watch it and it slows me up so wonder if anyone would either have a pattern or know where I can get one.

TIA

Marie

I've just checked Ravelry, but although there are reindeer sweaters on there, they are incorporated into Fair-isle patterns - not the sort of single reindeer with a big nose,.it sounds like the sort of thing Colin Firth wore in Bridget Jones.

The only one I have managed to find is here: http://www.knittingforums.org.uk/post45965.html?hilit=reindeer%20sweater%20pattern#p45965 on the Phoenix Knitting Forum, but you may have to join to see it.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I will keep looking as I know I have seen one somewhere and it is sooooooo irritating because I can't remember where!

meanmarie

Thanks Unity....think that is the kind of thing she wants, no doubt I will be called in as an adviser when she comes back from holidays in US.

Marie

idea

Hello,
I wonder if any experienced knitters can help me as i'm a novice - just managed to finish my first cardigan for my baby daughter. My mum has bought me a Debbie Bliss book of patterns and it refers to a wool called Cashmiro Aran - I have looked on line and it seems awfully expensive! Is there anything I could use instead, preferably something washable as things don't seem to stay clean for long. Or is it best if I use the wool suggested?
Any advice gratefully received.

meanmarie

I have often substituted one wool for another but if you do it is very important that you do a tension square, to make sure that you get the same tension as is set down in pattern, if you have less stitches use a smaller needle, more use a larger needle. Without a tension square you may end up with a larger or smaller garment than you want.

Good luck with the knitting

Marie

Vixstar

idea do an online search for a yarndex you can input the gauge or weight of a wool an it will show all those with similar characteristics. Just be aware it is American so not all yarns available in the UK so further online searching and checking availability will be required.

Kay_Peel

Cashmerino Aran is knitted on 5mm needles and the average knitter will get a 10cm square if she casts on 18 stitches and works 24 rows.

Most 'Aran' yarns will be a suitable substitute. Look on the ball band and you will see some symbols - a crossed set of knitting needles with 5mm next to it, and a square with the measurements 18 x 24 beside it.

There are loads of cheap but stunning Aran yarns available on local market stalls near where I live - perhaps you'll have a market near you. It's worth a look. Then all you have to do is look at the ball band for the symbols and find one with the exact same properties as Cashmerino (5mm, 18 x 24) - and away you go!

good luck

Vixstar

Quite excited as I've just realised I'll finish my first ever piece of lace work this weekend. Does anyone have any tips on how to block it effectively?

karmacookie

I have to confess to someone

I'm supposed to be stashbusting and finishing ufos and have unfinished sewing projects on the go and basically trying to save some money but I've just ordered this, couldn't resist

http://www.valeriandesigns.co.uk/improvers.html

scroll down, cupcake tea cosy. I'm going to make it for my daughter for Xmas, i've been looking for a pattern that I liked and seemed easy for a while. It's knitted on straight needles, I e-mailed to ask. I'd hoped it was in the round then I wouldn't have been able to order it LOL