The Knitters Thread

psso

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=handwarmers%20free%20knit%20flat&sort=best

I just typed in knitted flat and these came up. Any use ?
I don't like using dpn's or circular needles so always opt for flat projects.

Fay

Fab thank you

mardatha

I'm another one psso. I'm an exp knitter, have been doin it for years but I just don't like circs at all. Use DPNS though.

iQueen

Fay wrote: »

I want to make my husband a pair of fingerless gloves or wrist warmers but most the patterns I can find on ravelry are knitted in the round, how easy/hard is this? And could this be a solution to your dislike of sewing things up downshifted?

Well done working out the mitt pattern!

I learned to knit on 4 pins at school in the 1950's, but got back into it 62, with the new revolution in knitting.

I knitted my oldest friend a pair of socks for her birthday, and because she loved them, more for Christmas. The following year she got more socks, but I was behind with the Christmas knitting, so I gave her some DPNs, sock wool and my basic socks pattern. She doesn't like change and was dedicated to flat knitting! After 50+ years of knitting, it took her about 20 minutes to get the hang of DPNs and by Boxing Day was on her second sock! She hardly knits anything but socks these days and keeps her local woolshop in profit.

Check out knitting with DPNs on YouTube. Look at several videos - some are clearer than others. It really is easy, once you've got the idea. It's also very portable knitting, for journeys and waiting rooms! And NO seaming. :j

Tip: If you do have to seam flat knitting, use Mattress Stitch - it's virtually invisible.

iQueen

downshifted wrote: »

Just a line to say that at the ripe old age of 59 I've just taken up knitting! So far I've made a Teddy from the book by Val Pierce (20 to Make - knitted Bears) and I've started a penguin which was a kit on the front of a knitting magazine. I've started on small things because I don't have a lot of sticking power at big projects - I get bored.

I'm finding the knitting ok, but am getting help with the sewing up as I'm not neat enough.

I do enjoy reading this thread - I may have mitten envy but that will probably have to wait for next winter!!!

Welcome to the knitting thread! And congratulations on knitting the Teddy!

I hate knitting toys - too fiddly for me!

What I like about knitting is that it's an excuse to sit down, guilt-free, because it is productive and relaxing.

If you want small projects, you could make some scarves for Christmas presents - there are loads of really attractive or manly ones - free patterns on Ravelry, including very easy lacy ones. If you want to have a bash at 'knitting in the round' there are also simple mitts, wrist/ankle warmers and cowls on there too. And you wouldn't get bored learning to knit socks.

I pick up my yarns in online sales and my Christmas present budget works out at £50-60 for five adult children and their partners! (Might be a bit higher this year, since I have acquired a grandson!) :rotfl:

psso

Used dpns at school many moons ago for mittens so I can use them, just prefer not to.
Think it's because I like to tuck my needle under my arm.

mardatha

psso - I'm an oxter knitter too. I buy long Shetland needles from Jamiesons in Lerwick. Think 40cms (?) I not sure but they tuck under yer arm fine.

Fay

Gosh, just watched one video...mind blowing but maybe I'll try at some point!

nursemaggie

I think it is those who like to tuck the needles under their arms who find a difficulty with dpns.

I learned to use them at aged 6 when our teacher decided to teach us to knit. I had my square finished before she had taught everyone to cast on so she gave e a set of dpns, wool and a pattern to knit gloves. I spend the next two or three years knitting them for friends and family and got fed up with them. I can't remember using them again but I did have several sizes.

I have bought 1 circular needle rather too big for all I have needed so far. There is only the stall in the market in my area and they do not sell any other size.

I gave not found any patterns I fancy yet for a circular needle. I bought some self patterning wool last week, came home there was a newsletter from knitpickypatterns.com with the perfect cardigan pattern for it.

Almost verything else I have knitted since the hoodies for my grandson I have made the pattern up myself. I do not know where to start with a circular needle. Most patterns I look at are for chunky yarn and I don't like knitting with such thick yarn. I dislike wearing it even more.

I am presently looking for a pattern for a plain sweater for my grandson for Christmas. He will only be 18 months old at Christmas. I think chunky is far too think for little ones. Can't seem to find anything but cardigans in DK. I will have to try Ravely but so far they are all chunky.
I don't fancy all the maths to work it our from chunky.

psso

Get yourself a cuppa and browse through these. I haven't actually checked but the search I did was for child's sweater dk. Hopefully you'll find something suitable.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&query=sweater free dk child

Just had a quick look and although a lot of them are cardigans or for girls, there are quite a few boys ones as well. Happy hunting.