The Knitters Thread

dizzy_lizzie

moo2moo wrote: »

Why is knitting so relaxing? It was blowng a hoolie last night, the rain was battering the windows and I was sat knitting in front of the fire. Random thoughts pootled around in my head and before I knew it several hours had passed by and several inches of knitting had appeared on my needles. Unfortunately what appeared on my needles had little in common with the pattern I wasn't following and so my rib is more than a little offset. Will be starting tomorrow by pulling back to something symetrical

moo2moo that did make me chuckle. But it does sound like you had a cosy evening. Hope you manage to put it right.

Orkney your beaded socks look very chic.

Cuddles, fabulous monkeys.

x

NualaBuala

euronorris wrote: »

Hi Ladies,

Circular knitting needles. I know this was discussed recently, but I don't have a lot of money to spend on them and was just wondering if it is possible to get a decent pair from Ebay or the like? I can't remember the name of the recommended ones, sorry.

So many patterns call for them, or DPNs and I have neither. Sigh.

Thanks in advance xx

I've bought from an Ebay seller called Adam Venture twice now. Here's a link to their circular needles. They have their own website as well as selling on Ebay. The first needles I got were 2.5mm dpns and had a wee splinter in them and they issued an immediate refund with no quibble. I got a circular needle from them which seems fine to me and was shipped quickly. The needles are nice to hold and the join is quite smooth. It's not as quite as nice as the KnitPro interchangeable needles that were recommended here and that I later caved in and got a complete set of (you can get them individually too). I paid around €54 for the set (including a discount) but I justified it by telling myself I won't need to buy needles again as I'll use them for straight knitting too. That's if I ever do straight knitting again - I have fallen in love with knitting in the round, especially the magic loop which these are great for as the cable is so flexible.

GlasweJen

Hi everyone, not an old styler by any stretch of the imagination but I've got 2 weeks to kill and my friend has bought me "knitting for dummies". Do you lovely ladies have any hints for a first time knitter? Also is it possible to learn from a book/the Internet?

wm3010

Hi everyone, I am a first time poster but long time lurker here! I saw GlasweJen's question and thought I maybe should take the leap and contribute! Glaswejen, I think it is definitely possible to learn from a book - I had knitted about twice when I was 8 and that was it until about 7 years ago when I decided I wanted to learn. I bought a copy of Simply Knitting and followed their instructions, that might be worth it as I sometimes find it's better to read a couple of different "how tos" for knitting as some just "click" and others don't. The Simply Knitting instructions are now available on their website so you don't have to buy a magazine. Get yourself some wool for a scarf, something dead easy, then practice away - it's always easier with the wool in your hands in my opinion. The only other tip is to start with easy stuff, I made the mistake of trying to jump to a fancier pattern too soon (with some lace-style pattern) and scared myself off for a while! Enjoy it!

wee_postie

hi all im desperately trying to find patterns for baby girls cardigan iv knitted a lot of matinee coats for her and they are too small she was born on friday and is a biggy
iv been all round the shops and cant find any to suit .
any advice would be grateful

Mikazaru

GlasweJen, I think it's definitely possible to learn like that, You Tube has some really good videos for showing how to do certain stitches, sometimes I found it easier to be able to watch it being done.
Wee Postie - Have you had a look on Ravelry? You have to register but someone may have a pattern on there which will be of use.

Apollonia

GlasweJen wrote: »

Hi everyone, not an old styler by any stretch of the imagination but I've got 2 weeks to kill and my friend has bought me "knitting for dummies". Do you lovely ladies have any hints for a first time knitter? Also is it possible to learn from a book/the Internet?

I've just helped a friend get started knitting (she sort of remembered how to do a knit stitch but that was all she knew!) and I gave her this pattern to follow:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reindeer-dishcloth

I don't agree that a scarf is a good project for a beginner because they take ages to knit. A cloth like this with a picture and only 48 rows can be completed quickly and gives more satisfaction for a beginner. There are lots of free 'dishcloth' patterns on ravelry and YouTube is good for tutorials.

I printed off the pattern instructions for my friend without the picture so she has a surprise to look forward to when she finishes.

Mupette

GlasweJen wrote: »

Hi everyone, not an old styler by any stretch of the imagination but I've got 2 weeks to kill and my friend has bought me "knitting for dummies". Do you lovely ladies have any hints for a first time knitter? Also is it possible to learn from a book/the Internet?

i've been wanting to learn for a while, my nan taught me as a child she was the only one who could (we are both lefties)..

anyhoo i tried last night, your post prompted me to look around the net..

but tonight after failing to even cast on last night i found this site...

http://www.angelyarns.com/instructions/cast-on.php

I've managed to cast on (with one needle - didnt know about that)
knit and purl a few lines just to get the hang of it, first few rows was very slow but picking up speed with it now.

decogecko

Hi all :hello:

I can normally be found on the flylady thread but mainly lurk!

This year I have got back into knitting and am attempting to knit my first jumper. The pattern requires the lovely click chunky wool as main and crofter chunky wool as the contrast.

After changing to the contrast I realised that I'd brought crofter dk not chunky! Is this going to ruin the look of the jumper or will it be ok?

Thanks in advance.

x

wm3010

Apollonia, those dishcloths look fantastic! What kind of wool did your friend use? It says worsted on Ravelry but I am not sure what that is... I would be keen on doing some myself to use up odds and ends of yarn.

Decogecko - I am no expert but I think if you use DK instead of Chunky it won't work very well, particularly as the rest of your yarn is Click Chunky. It would mean you would have some bits that were very thin by comparison and you might even be able to see gaps as presumably the needles your pattern uses will be too big for DK if you see what I mean.