The Knitters Thread

westcoastscot

Mar tube socks are great for wellies and boots, less great for fitted shoes where you really need a heel. I use a spiral pattern - there's loads on ravelry, and they do cling to your feet and legs well. I think they're probably a better fit than the "wrong" sized ones with heels, iykwim.

Following on from issues with arthritis and knitting, I'm test driving some cubic needles as they're supposed to help. I'm currently on 2mm ones and suspect that it won't make much of a difference with tiny sizes - might try some 3.5's or 4's, see how they are??? Still haven't tried crochet socks but found loads of patterns.

twiglet98

Dipping a toe in here tentatively as I'm NOT a knitter... I used to be a knitter, 40-plus years ago, simple knits in one colour and strictly only two needles - pride and joy was a chunky polo-neck jumper for myself, knitted entirely during my commute to work by train. Last time I knitted it was a pair of white mittens on the evening that I was in labour with youngest DD... almost 25 years ago.

Now my eldest DD and SIL are expecting (my first grandchild HURRAH!) and someone at work has lent me a book, Baby + Toddler Knits Made Easy, and there are such gorgeous blankets and toys and little things, I'm looking forward to starting again. I'm not at all sure DD would welcome knitted clothes, but we'll see.

I've found a pair of No 4 needles tucked in a drawer, and nothing else, so I'll be shopping for supplies. Does anyone buy yarn etc online? I can get to all the big supermarkets in a half-day out, and department stores incl J0hn Lew!s in town - is there anywhere the experienced and current knitters particularly recommend to buy, or crucially, to avoid?

I actually still have my very ancient Ladybird book of knitting, and am remembering my first squares knitted as a little girl. I hope it's like riding a bike, and it all comes back quickly with practice!

mardatha

Speaking personally I find a far greater choice online, I use Loveknitting.com mostly. John Lewis wool dept has shrunk lol. So many woolshops have closed.

lynseydee

Kemps woolshop online is a good place that has previously been mentioned. I have only used them once but found them to be ok.

lynseydee

Dustyblinds wrote: »

Hi ladies, I've been asked to knit some socks for the local homeless charity. I can vaguely remember my nana knitting socks when I was younger but I have never made them myself. I've thought about trying before but usually end up making them hats and buying socks, but one of the ladies that organise the outreach says woolly socks are more beneficial for warmth at night. Can I just ask how easy these are to knit? Is it better to use a circular needle or a set of double ended needles? I have no problem with buying either as I will just get them from the charity shop. Also, if anyone can point me in the direction of a free pattern, either Pinterest or google, I did a search and most say they're easy, but I would like a recomendation from anyone that's actually tried them and can say they really are easy :rotfl:
Many thanks

mardatha wrote: »

Dustyblinds Here is a good absolute beginner sock page with full instructions and pics:
http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/SockClass_Start.htm
Also if you're on Facebook then look for Winwick Mum Sockalong group.
I don't like knitting socks but it's the only thing I knit nowadays since my family inc GK are hooked on handknitted socks. I use DPNS but as WCS says there are also patterns out there for 2 needle socks. I personally hate circular needles but everybody is different. I've not tried tube socks WCS are they a decent fit?
spirit I love really good wool, the difference in feel and look is well worth it!

Dustyblinds, I would second the page that mardatha has recommended. I used this pattern when I made socks for the first time and, although I've not followed any other sock pattern, found it to be a really easy pattern to follow.

RicardaRacoon

Afternoon everyone

Feeling very organized at the moment as I wrote down my to do list for the weekend and also added how much I want to knit until Sunday evening :-) Sounds silly but I just have to get myself to knit instead of just pottering about all weekend... If I won't finish the jumper until Mid November it will have to hibernate until I have done all the Christmas pressies and the baby blanket... So I'm knitting as fast as I can. Unfortunatelly the yarn is a bit uneven, so I struggle to get it as neat as somehow possible...

Twiglet, as much as I love a nice yarn shop I often order online as I find it so much easier to find something when you're looking for a specific type of yarn, plus if you need bigger quantities it is more likely to get enough.
If you want to knit baby things the Nr 4 needles might be a bit big.. Unless you want to knit a very warm jumper in which the baby will not be able to move :-) I would recoment buying a cheap-ish pair of needles and see how you go on with them and if you find you don't like them too much try out a different material.

so, I think I should knit instead of hanging out online :-) Have 1 1/2 hours left do do something before meeting my sister.

Have a nice Saturday eveyone!

cheekyweegit

Hi folks,

Just a quick note for those who buy wool from Hobbycraft, their 3 for 2 on Sidar and Hayfield wools ends today.

Also check your emails if your a member of their loyalty club there is a code for £5 of a £35 spend, £10 off a £50 spend and £15 off a £75 spend.

You can either print the voucher or show your voucher code in store.

Sorry for the late notification, but it's been a while since I dipped in here. I will really miss the wool offer, especially for their aran and bonus chunky wool (then again will probably save a fortune too and will be forced to use some of my stash!)

plumduff55

Hi, I mostly buy my wool from eBay. I'll know which wool I want then I save a search in eBay and whenever that wool is added I get an email. Stack em High is a great eBay shop for wool as the prices and postage is very reasonable.

I also buy wool when I go to the Hobbies exhibition - can't remember the proper name and I go twice a year :rotfl:
Black Sheep Wools have a stall there and it is absolutely brilliant. The wool is mostly sold in kilo or 500gram bags and they're all lying on the floor. It's like wading through a sea of wool - HEAVEN !!!

The exhibition is on in Glasgow next weekend and I'm going on Friday. I'm not supposed to be buying wool as I'm using my stash BUT my excuse is that it's only on twice a year.

I'm still knitting the red mohair scarf as I've been out and about a lot and too tired when I get home to knit. I'm going to my sons dogsitting till Tuesday so will surely finish the scarf then.

Happy knitting xx

mardatha

Is there anything on in Edinburgh like that Plumduff? I'd go if it was good and in Edinburgh. And I never thought of ebay for wool. that's a good idea! I have also used Wee County Yarns after meeting the lovely ladies at a meetup once. They are very reasonably priced. Well the wool is, I dunno about the ladies lol

THIRZAH

I went to the Wool Gathering in Bakewell yesterday. There was some lovely yarn but DH was with me and it was very busy so that stopped me spending too much. If I'd known how much DH was going to spend in the Whisky Shop afterwards I might have felt less guilty about how much I did spend!