The Knitters Thread

Littlebean_2

I know what you mean Whatatwit - I've had to seriously curb my ebay habit in the last few weeks. I'm in the process of setting up a wishlist for myself. That way my family will know what to buy me for Christmas/birthdays etc. There are just so many tempting things out there to try.

Getting fed up of the eternal stocking stitch, I decided to try doing a pair of socks as a kind of 'filler' between other projects. I battled with double pointed needles for about 10 rows and found them really fiddly - they seem to have a life of their own and its like knitting with cocktail sticks! Then I bought a small circular needle from ebay - joy - so easy to use and helps you really fly round the rows. Only problem is that there is no natural break at the end of a row - so I kind of forget to go to the loo or get up to stretch my legs - LOL. I'm almost at the 'turning the heel' point though so things might go seriously pear-shaped.

whatatwit

Having read about socks on here, I too am tempted to have a go.
But my OH already thinks I have too much spare time on my hands when he finds me knitting a bobble hat for a smoothie bottle.

Ishtar

Littlebean wrote: »

Getting fed up of the eternal stocking stitch...

Me too - can't abide it. I've mentioned before that I'm doing a Thomas the Tank jumper for DD but as a 'treat' I've left the front until last. This way I've done the boring stocking stitch and now I've got the interesting motif to look forward to.

My sister knits on dpns all the time...I suppose it means she doesn't have to sew anything up! She mainly knits toys though, so its all quite small. Me, I can't really get on with them at all.

I saw a lovely knitted jacket in Adams yesterday costing £12, so I'm off to search the internet for a pattern, as DD seems to have grown out of a lot of her cardigans. It's in a yarn similar to Wendy Moiselle (I have one ball of this in my stash....:D), so I'm off to see what I can find....

Have a good day all
D.

Olliebeak

I've always envied ANYBODY who can knit 'in the round' either with double-pointed needles or circular needles. As I stick my right needle under my armpit - this makes dpn's painful and cn's downright impossible!

I still have a cn needle that I bought once for doing a knitted shawl that had over 300 stitches - I thought it would be useful but used as 'ordinary needles' ie turning at the end of a row! Unfortunately my 'underarm needle habit' means I found it impossible to hold it steady .

Amethy5t

Hi! Hope someone can help me out! I noticed some of you have mentioned knitted bags on here. I would like to 'graduate' from the fluffy scarf brigade and branch out into bags. Does anyone know of any fairly easy patterns or web resources that could help me?

Please be gentle with me!!!

InTheRed

Hi Amythest!

Try the web site I recommended on Page 2 for free patterns, they are easy to use as well.

Good luck!

InTheRed

moanymoany

libra10 wrote: »

Yes, I add the stitches for the front bands (say, for example, an extra 9 stitches) and rib the band stitches, working the pattern for remaining stitches. That way the front bands are growing along with the fronts. When buttonholes are needed in - for example - left band, I would work the right front first, counting the number of rows to commencement of front shaping. That way I know exactly how many rows are needed between each buttonhole.

Good luck

Thank you so much libra10. The making and stitching on front bands is so difficult as they tell you to slightly stretch the band while sewing it on. It is so easy for the end result to look - not good.

The other thing is, when the garment has been sewn up a thin band is knitted, stitches are picked up around the whole front of the garment and then one row knitted and then cast off. I've made a cardi with this kind of finish and it really isn't as good as I want.

I've thought of crocheting just one row, do you think this is a good alternative?

moanymoany

Don't buy knitting needles from ordinary shops, go to charity shops, you may have to ask as some keep them hidden away. You should only end up paying pence and you might work a deal and buy their whole collection, including a needle sizer.

If you find a shop that has a good selection buy lots of sizes while you are there, you are sure to need them as the modern funky yarns need different sizes to the more conventional dk, 4ply, aran, chunky - whatever.

Given the price of knitting needles in regular shops a trip round the charity shops in town is worth a special trip. If you buy 10 pairs for 20p each you could save £20 - 30 pounds.

Now that's moneysaving...... :j

Amethy5t

InTheRed wrote: »

Hi Amythest!

Try the web site I recommended on Page 2 for free patterns, they are easy to use as well.

Good luck!

InTheRed

Hi

This is great! And it has felting as well which is something else I want to try!!! Can't wait to have a go! Many thanks for the suggestion.

homealone_2

bertha wrote: »

If you're a frustrated knitter and don't know what to knit, please consider knitting for your local premature baby unit.
There are lots of ideas here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/your_community/ray_of_hope/index.shtml
including patterns for wraps for babies that sadly don't make it.

Once knitted, it seems best to give the items directly to staff in the Labour Ward, not just leave them at the Maternity Unit reception.

this is what i started doing couple of years ago when i became immobilised. they really do appreciate them and having had a prem baby myself it was lovely being able to dress him now and then in the tiny beautiful knitted bits as nothing else fitted. anyone considering it should give it a go most of the things knit up quickly but are used and appreciated for a long time by many