The Knitters Thread

mannie

Hi all, its the first time i've posted on here. I used to be an avid knitter, but somewhere along the way I stopped

I have just rediscovered my love of knitting and can't put it down ! I'm busy knitting baby clothes for my niece due in january.

Its great to see what others are busy knitting.

Memory_Girl

I am on a mission - been buying quality mens trousers form the Pound rack in local Charity shop and DS2 nw has trousers and Bermuda shorts in sizes 3, 4 and 5. I am now knitting myself through a stack of Freegled wool (mostly DK) to make knits that match to create nice outfits. But I have lost my vavavoom!!!

Gran has done the Arans - I have done a plain bottom, aran yoke. I have done a self coloured fisherman's rib, and a offset rib with fancy edging. Just finishing up a chocolate, lime and white stripe cardi.

So now looking for interesting boys patterns to use up random balls - stripes or textures are nice because he is really not a "picture on the front" kind of kid. I've looked on Ravelry but not inspired - any suggestions or cool pictures to look at ladies??

MG

OrkneyStar

OrkneyStar wrote: »

OrkneyStar is still not well, been to see docs, and am advised to take it very easy. Not even been knitting. Hope to be back proper soon x

Ditto again today, thanks for the nice thoughts folks......I so wish I could knit but can barely type .

PipneyJane

Orkney Star, hope you feel better soon. If you're so tired you can't knit, holding and focusing on a book to read is probably too exhausting, too, so try some PodCasts or audio books for entertainment. You can get free ones at www.podiobooks.com (I've not used that site but heard good things about it) and at www.librivox.org (for classics/public domain stuff).

Mumof2 wrote: »

Can I ask, when you do a swatch do you always do the size they suggest or do you do it smaller and work out if it would be the required size if scaled up iyswim?

Always do a swatch of about 6 inches or at least 2 inches larger than the size quoted in all directions. The reasons are a) because our tensions change between narrow turn-often knitting and wider turn-less-frequently knitting and a larger swatch will be more representative of your tension when you knit the garment; and b) because you need to add a couple of edge stitches to stop the swatch curling up (a couple of rows of garter stitch at each end and knitting on the wrong side for 3 or 4 stitches at each end when doing stocking stitch). The edge stitches can't be included in your counting of rows/stitches. (I'd give a couple more stitches on either side, too, because tensions change when we switch between knit and purl.)

Also, if the pattern is knit in the round, you'll have to swatch in the round - use a circular needle, knit your 40 or so stitches, slide them to the other end of the needle, leave a big trailing loop of yarn and knit the next row. It is common to have different tensions between knit and purl so a stocking stitch swatch will not be representative of one that is knit in the round.

And, finally, wash your swatch before measuring it, using the method you'll be washing the garment. Even synthetic yarns have been known to stretch or shrink after contact with water. It'd be a great shame to knit an entire garment and then discover that the stitch gauge changes dramatically after you wash it so that it becomes far too big or shinks to only fit a doll.

HTH.

- Pam

Mumof2_2

Wow, I had no idea you have to do all that - many thanks Pam

Kaz2904

Mumof2 wrote: »

Wow, I had no idea you have to do all that - many thanks Pam

Ah but you can make a blanket from all of the different swatched squares you make

Melody_Lee

OrkneyStar wrote: »

OrkneyStar is still not well, been to see docs, and am advised to take it very easy. Not even been knitting. Hope to be back proper soon x

Get well soon Orkney Star xx

I've not been able to knit much lately..my hands keep locking up and I have to keep swapping to reading specs to see what I'm doing!

My lovely chap made me a large butterfly loom recently, so I've been making lots of pompom squares for a throw. Not exactly knitting, but a heck of a lot easier and quicker for me at the moment!

Wishing you good health and hope you're up and about soon xx

lynseydee

NualaBuala wrote: »

Wish I had someone on standby to save me when I drop stitches etc - I end up ripping back cos I am no good at fixing knitting.

You're right Mikazaru, the new one is a red one and the star pattern is done with purling on a stockinette background by the looks of it. I was going to start with it but went for the original instead ... or my attempt at it. This is where I'm at so far except I have got to pick up now, just frogged back to my last "save" strand as the raglan shaping wasn't quite right. In fact the whole thing is not quite right but I have an urgent sense of just wanting to get it finished, never mind the lack of perfection!






Just added you too Smiler/Mum!
Oh you lucky ducker, I would love to be watching the whole thing for the first time. I only saw it for the first time when BBC4 repeated it in September and I was glued to it ... and also stayed up way past my bedtime! :rotfl: By the end, I was obsessed with The Jumper and the plot was secondary to that! Enjoy your DVDs and stand by for The Killing II in 2 weeks! :j



Oh that's great cos I bought Lidl sock yarn in blue and if it knits up like that I will be very happy! It was great value, wasn't it.

What I bought wasn't specific sock wool, I think it's just a 3ply wool. It came in a 400g ball and does knit up well for socks.

Kaz2904

I finished my cardigan! Pics to come later on this afternoon when I get up and am having my breakfast. About 5ish?
So happy

PepPop

Kaz2904 wrote: »

I finished my cardigan! Pics to come later on this afternoon when I get up and am having my breakfast. About 5ish?
So happy

congratulations Kaz. Can't wait to see the pics.

I had a stupid moment last night. I decided to make a mug hug using DPNs - did some rib for the bottom, st st for the body of it, then rib for the top. I remembered to leave a hole for the handle but forgot the fact that it needs an opening at the top cos it won't stretch over the handle to go on the cup... D'oh!! Need to rip out the top ribbing tonight and make a button hole - eejit :rofl: