The Knitters Thread

homealone_2

kittie wrote: »

I am making socks and fingerless gloves for christmas presents and am well on the way. I did a practise pair of socks for me first and `ironed` out my mistakes. The next pair is going really well, using drops fabel yarn via garnstudio. Fantastic yarn and each pair will cost only £4.50

I also hate sewing together so will explore using circular needles to cut down on edges. I have made 5 baby tops but sewn them together quickly, the type of sewing that just will not do for better garments. I used to have 2 knitting machines and explored sewing together on a sewing machine. It can be done but requires feeder feet top and bottom and copious use of pins. The best way in the old days was via the hague linker but I gave that away when I downsized. I might possibly investigate sewing together with a crochet hook as that should give a very neat finish

I have also done bands with crochet. Very easy and gives a lovely finish

a recommended book for finishing is `finishing techniques for hand knitters` by jane crowfoot

sewing together with a crochet hook sounds like a great idea, will have to try that. have recently thought about updating a few jumpers by adding a simple crochet edging to them, anyone else tried this or similar?

Peem

I've used crochet to "sew" together a few jumpers. It gives a nice stretchy finish like the knitting.

I also used to find making up a real chore. But then I discovered mattress stitch. It's great, I like the way the finish is invisible, you get to work on the right side of the work so you can see exactly what the end result will be like, and it appeals to the "anal" bit of me (ooh that doesn't sound quite right:D ) that likes to ensure each row matches it's partner on the other piece of the garment.

[Deleted User]

I did crochet bands on a baby jacket and it looked really good. Gave a nice firm edge and was SO much easier and neater than picking up along the edge. Knitting the 5 stitches as an add on is also a good idea and moss stitch gives a very nice edge

I am making a determined effort to use up yarn that I have in so am now making a baby jacket in sirdar snowflake chunky. It is looking very nice already but is HORRIBLE to knit. I cannot tell what stitch I have done and I cannot see the rows to count them and it is hot and sticky to handle. Ah well at least it knits quite quickly

I finished a pair of garnstudio drops fabel socks last night and they are really really nice. Very cosy with good stretch and lovely colours. They were fine to make using 5" dpns by brittany birch.

I have also got 22 balls of debbie bliss merino aran and I have managed to find a pattern in an interweave magazine, so it is stylish rather than full of cables and bobbles. I have dutifully made the tension square and washed it as I would the garment. Rolled it in a towel and it is drying, ready to measure tomorrow. I don`t really bother with the square for baby garments as the size isn`t that imprtant. I knit loose and always have to go about 1mm lower

Peem I am pleased to hear about the crochet sewing. The stitch would be like that on the hague linker

libra10

moanymoany "...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?"
_______________________________________________________________
If crocheting front bands I think I would do more than one row, two or three would be a firmer finish (as mentioned above). It all depends whether you can get your tension correct. Too many crochet stitches and the fronts will droop, too few and they will pull up slightly.

I prefer adding the front band stitches to the pattern and slipping the first stitch of the front band. This keeps it tight and ensures the fronts don't sag.

Good luck.

conradmum

Peem wrote: »

I've used crochet to "sew" together a few jumpers. It gives a nice stretchy finish like the knitting.

I also used to find making up a real chore. But then I discovered mattress stitch. It's great, I like the way the finish is invisible, you get to work on the right side of the work so you can see exactly what the end result will be like, and it appeals to the "anal" bit of me (ooh that doesn't sound quite right:D ) that likes to ensure each row matches it's partner on the other piece of the garment.

That sounds cool - could you explain how it's done or know any websites that explain it. I learned lots of stitches as a girl at school but I've forgotten how to do them now.

Littlebean_2

Thanks for the 'mattress stitch' tip Peem, I've seen this mentioned in a book I have so I'll try and give it a go. The sweater I'm doing has broad stripes so this would be ideal to make sure that they match up properly.

Bit of a knitting nightmare yesterday and had to pull back about half of the front of a childs jumper I was knitting. I hate pulling work back, it seems like such a waste of time but there's no point in making something that will be the wrong size.

Olliebeak

At last the treasured knitting patterns have materialised - they had accidentally been taken to bf's flat when he moved (1 month after I moved!). He arrived here weighed down with a tightly sellotaped box in his rucksack, demanding to know what the hell was in it as it had my name on and not his! I must have been storing them in his flat before we moved -so they went with his stuff.

Another matinee coat more than half finished yesterday evening - one of my favourite silver label Paton's ones. Going through those yesterday afternoon brought back so many memories - I could see each of my children in the items as I came across each pattern !

Katgoddess

Can anyone recommend some Christmas yarn? I want to make some stockings on my knitting loom. Red, green, and white/cream colours would be good.

Ishtar

Sorry KatGoddess, nothing springs to mind at the moment - but what a fantastic excuse to get down to the wool shop

I've finally finished the st st on DDs Thomas jumper, starting the motif this evening when she's gone to bed. It's a surprise you see....

Of course, now that I have nearly finished that I'm looking around for something else to knit. I had no joy with the Moiselle for children, there was one pattern for a jumper, but this was not really what I wanted, so back to the drawing board on that one. Might just have to give in for now and *shudder* buy the jacket....

I found this interesting hat calculator here so will whip up some hats for DD (and OH too, if he's not careful!). Seems like they are for simple beanies - and it's an American site, so terminology might be a bit challenging...

Have a great day, all.
D.

Peem

conradmum wrote: »

That sounds cool - could you explain how it's done or know any websites that explain it. I learned lots of stitches as a girl at school but I've forgotten how to do them now.

This site http://www.domiknitrix.com/howtos/mattress_stitch.cfm

has a video on Mattress Stitch. If DD lets me I'll try to scan in the pictures I have in my "Finishing Techniques for Handknitters" (I'm sure someone else mentioned this book) it's really good for hints and tips.

I'm sure we're all the same, when mum (or whoever) was teaching us we didn't pay attention to the boring bits like making up. Mind you, my mum is atrocious at making up - doesn't stop her though!:rotfl:

Actually - I've had another search and I think this is clearer

http://www.yarn-store.com/technique-seaming-row-to-row.html