The Knitters Thread

OrkneyStar

Just finished these for DH.
More detail on ravelry if anyone interested.

PipneyJane

kettlenic wrote: »

Hi

I am VERY new to knitting and was given needles and a how to guide for my birthday - I live in southwest London and I want to buy wool

when I google it suggests John lewis!! I am looking for somewhere cheaper - any tips?

Firstly, I think you need to grope yarn before you buy it. How it feels makes a big difference to whether you enjoy knitting with it. If you're practicing, you can buy one or two balls of the good stuff, knit to the end of the ball, rip it out (a.k.a. "frogging"), and start again. Once you're happy with your tension and your stitches, you can knit up your two balls into a scarf or hat you want to wear.

Don't let the name "John Lewis" put you off - they have some very reasonably priced yarns and the John Lewis at Kingston had a good selection last time I was in there. In addition, they have some very helpful, skilled staff who can give you tips and pointers. They may also have a knitting group (the Reading branch does).

Other shops in your general location are Mrs Moon in Twickenham and Pandora in Guildford. Both are on the web. Mrs Moon has a knitting group that meet in the evenings. Very friendly staff (I've not been to the shop - I've met them several times at the Knit & Stitch Show). There's also a yarn shop in Carshalton Beeches, but I don't know it's name.

Price is also relative. It depends on what you want to make and the weight/thickness of the yarn, as well as its composition. You can make a jumper from 2 or 3 balls of sock yarn (4-ply weight yarn sold to make socks - usually 400+ metres per 100g), so that could cost as little as £15. It'll take a couple of months, but you'd still get as much knitting pleasure out of making it as if you did something in thick yarn on bigger needles. It'll just take longer to execute.

kettlenic

PipneyJane wrote: »

Firstly, I think you need to grope yarn before you buy it. How it feels makes a big difference to whether you enjoy knitting with it. If you're practicing, you can buy one or two balls of the good stuff, knit to the end of the ball, rip it out (a.k.a. "frogging"), and start again. Once you're happy with your tension and your stitches, you can knit up your two balls into a scarf or hat you want to wear.

Don't let the name "John Lewis" put you off - they have some very reasonably priced yarns and the John Lewis at Kingston had a good selection last time I was in there. In addition, they have some very helpful, skilled staff who can give you tips and pointers. They may also have a knitting group (the Reading branch does).

Other shops in your general location are Mrs Moon in Twickenham and Pandora in Guildford. Both are on the web. Mrs Moon has a knitting group that meet in the evenings. Very friendly staff (I've not been to the shop - I've met them several times at the Knit & Stitch Show). There's also a yarn shop in Carshalton Beeches, but I don't know it's name.

Price is also relative. It depends on what you want to make and the weight/thickness of the yarn, as well as its composition. You can make a jumper from 2 or 3 balls of sock yarn (4-ply weight yarn sold to make socks - usually 400+ metres per 100g), so that could cost as little as £15. It'll take a couple of months, but you'd still get as much knitting pleasure out of making it as if you did something in thick yarn on bigger needles. It'll just take longer to execute.

wow thanks!!! I went into the Sue Ryder and they had acrylic yarn which I bought two balls of - started last night and it took and hour to cast on and knit two rows - I am a bit OCD about it looking nice....have no idea how I would 'move on' to the next ball...youtube is a lifesaver so far in terms of learning what to do...

will try post a picture once I have done a few more rows...I learnt this as a brownie but it has all flown out the window....

cuddles123

Have been making more squashed rats / mice

Couldn't resist taking this picture of Three Blind Mice :rotfl:

moo2moo

A ridiculously quick one week knit from Boo! Knits and a slightly more ridiculous pumkpin hat. The OH is now politely enquiring when I intend doing some housework.

Raksha

Just back from B & M (Milton Keynes) and noticed they had some knitting wool - DK in a limited range of colours, and some cream Acrylic Aran. I can't remember the prices, but I wondered if anyone here had used their yarns and how they found them?

cuddles123

Raksha wrote: »

Just back from B & M (Milton Keynes) and noticed they had some knitting wool - DK in a limited range of colours, and some cream Acrylic Aran. I can't remember the prices, but I wondered if anyone here had used their yarns and how they found them?

Hi,
As acrylics go I've found this yarn OK.
Knitted this last Christmas with that yarn, but have never seen that shade of red again :mad:

janb5

Hi,

A few weeks ago someone called Lou said she did knitting for her charity as someone wanted an Aran made. Has anyone contacted her. I did but havent got a reply.

jessie15

Hi, I have been looking through here and have been inspired to knit some socks, I can knit but have never knitted socks before. I am hoping to get everything I need today or tomorrow but really don't know where to start ie what kind of needles do I use? (ordinary, double ended, or circular?) I fancy some self stripping wool, can anyone recommend some? (I have taken a fancy to Noro silk but rather pricey...) also is there a particular pattern I should begin with? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Sorry for all the questions.

cuddles123

jessie15 wrote: »

Hi, I have been looking through here and have been inspired to knit some socks, I can knit but have never knitted socks before. I am hoping to get everything I need today or tomorrow but really don't know where to start ie what kind of needles do I use? (ordinary, double ended, or circular?) I fancy some self stripping wool, can anyone recommend some? (I have taken a fancy to Noro silk but rather pricey...) also is there a particular pattern I should begin with? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Sorry for all the questions.

You can knit socks on Double pointed needles, a very small circular, two circulars, or a large circular (magic loop method)
It's very confusing when you start!

I use DPN's and I started with this online tutorial

http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/

My first pair used DK yarn as it knits up quickly and it's easier to see what you're doing. I use these socks inside boots.
I now use a much smaller size needle and sock yarn, which is finer and generally a mixture of wool and acrylic (for warmth and wear)

I would suggest looking at the tutorial and choosing what you want to start with. Go along to your shop and ask advice.
If you go for sock yarn there are lots of specialised brands like Regia. The staff should advise you.

Well done on tackling socks. Please come back with any questions (others are far more knowledgeable than me) and also come back and show us pictures when you finish.

Good luck!