The Knitters Thread

lambanana

Rowan big wool is LOVELY. It's so divinely soft and snuggly, I have a hat knit in it and it was super quick to knit up, maybe 2hrs? I knit on 10mm needles but could have knit on 8mm for a tighter knit (though that'd mean more stitches and more time )

Errata

lambanana wrote: »

I have fallen out with the cardigan I was knitting, I thought I had been making good progress on my left front and had finished the first lot of decreases only to noticed I'd miss-crossed my cable rows back and it looks a mess, also I'm using Patons Pompero which is a 'mare to frog as the fibres all stick to each other. The cardigan is now in the naughty corner thinking about what it's done whilst I knit other things and build up the strength to rip back!

Been there, done that ! Here's a tip to make it easier. Before you start ripping it back, pick up all the stitches in a row or a couple of rows before the mistake with a No 14 needle (sorry, can't do metric) then pull it back.

NualaBuala

Oh all right lambanana, I won't sue you for my growing addiction!
:rotfl:at your cardigan in the naughty corner! That seems to happen to most thngs I knit at some stage!

I am just about to start Turning the Heel on my sock and I have a sense of impending doom. My sock might well be joining your cardigan!

lambanana

Errata thanks, I usually do this when I pull back...just hoping I can get between the stitches correctly, it's like velcro the way the stuff sticks to itself and it is quite splitty too...frustrating but looks pretty and feels snuggly soft when knit up.

NualaBuala what's going wrong with the heel? Anything we can help with?

NualaBuala

lambanana wrote: »

NualaBuala what's going wrong with the heel? Anything we can help with?

Nothing .... yet! :rotfl:
But I am scared to start it cos this looks like a complicated bit on Silver's tutorial and she warns that I must pay attention carefully!
Thanks a mill for the help offer, you're a star! x

lambanana

It isn't too complicated, I managed it easily enough when I knit my first sock and I hadn't really knit anything complex before that, like with all knitting just keep count of where you are and keep checking the pattern.

NualaBuala

Thanks, that's good advice. I'm going to read through and get my head around what I have to do before I even start.

Keiss_21

OrkneyStar wrote: »

Lovely socks Keiss- what wool is that ? It looks like crofter but thinner ? .

Yup Crofter DK - Bracken

Kay_Peel wrote: »

Pure Cashmere and alpaca have very little 'give' in them. They tend to stretch after a while and don't spring back into shape. I've made a lot of hats and fingerless gloves with both alpaca and cashmere and they don't keep their shape well.

I would go for aran, double knit or 4-ply weight blend of cashmere and merino wool. It's sometimes called cashwool, cashmerino, cashsoft and other variations, and is made by Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Sublime or from independent wool mills like Kingcraig Fabrics that sell on Ebay (Kingcraig does a merino/alpaca blend too). The merino blends are a joy to knit with - beautifully soft and springy.
Good luck!

Thanks for the info about wool, Kay...very useful. Knowing the yarn thickness is one thing, but how it behaves can be crucial too. I ordered some 4-ply from Kincraig on Saturday, my first time...lambs wool/silk...would that be OK for socks too?? I hope so as I have ordered a 900g cone!!! Otherewise...jumper-knitting here I come! Had to laugh though...discovered that Kincraig Fabrics are based in Brora...only a few miles from my dad...who I am flying up to see in 12 days time!!! Wonder if they have a shop so I can see what the yarns look like "in the flesh" as it were. Might just drop them an email.

NualaBuala wrote: »

Nothing .... yet! :rotfl:
But I am scared to start it cos this looks like a complicated bit on Silver's tutorial and she warns that I must pay attention carefully!
Thanks a mill for the help offer, you're a star! x

Hope the heel has gone well. I followed Silver's tutorial too and had no problems either...just take your time and read all the instructions!!
My latest socks are a different pattern, but the stitch numbers are the same, so I keep referring back to Silvers tutorial which I printed out and has pride of place at the front of my knitting folder .

Not too great today...had two asthma attacks this morning and still quite short of breath atm. Waiting to hear from the doctor who is ringing me at home...hopefully I will get some steroids to help clear this chest...been rubbish for the past week or more....should probably have seen a doc last week...but I thought I was improving!!

Oh well...I'll just have to sit quietly...and knit, shame!!!

Have a great day everyone.

NualaBuala

Thanks Keiss, I have put it off, been pottering around doing anything but pick up my knitting! Am well-impressed at how organised you are with a knitting folder and printing things out. Take care pet and hope the chest is better soon. x

Keiss_21

Well...I tend to bookmark/save patterns I like,and then when I have a project to do, I trawl through them and print off the one(s) I want to use...then I can easily refer to it from the comfort of my chair.

Took ages at the weekend to find a pattern for a beanie hat for DS2 that he approved of!! I went onto Ravelry...oh my - 100s!!! Found one eventually, so now waiting for some black wool (ordered on Sat) to use for the stripes....the main colour is to be red...college colours.

Off to sit down in my comfy chair....and get knitting!