The Knitters Thread

Katzen

Thanks Nursemaggie.l that's exactly the idiots guide I needed! Never thought about stretching the wool, may well have done that when I wound it back originally oh well, only time will tell. I assume I can then follow the same process if I make the garment then want to change it next year, say?
Fortunately I know a friendly yarn shop that will let me use their ball winder so no need to do it entirely by hand.

nursemaggie

A ball winder is useful.

I was born just after the war so we were used to having to pull stuff out if we wanted a change. Everything we kids grew out of that was hand knitted was pulled out and knitted again. I wore things first then my brother and then they would be pulled out for things like hats, gloves and scarfs.

I did it with my kids too. I once made a jacket with a collar for my DD. When I washed it it stretched. As she grew it stretched with her. After about five years it had stopped stretching so she grew out of it.

It was in a nice bright royal blue with white flecks in it. After 5 years the flecks had also become blue so I pulled it out and knit a jumper, hat, and two pairs of mittens for my older DS.

Katzen

Thanks Nurse Maggie. I remember my mum saying that Nana used to knit all of their school jumpers etc and would then unwind and re-knit but I wasn't sure if that was really a thing you could/should do or just something my Nana did in desperation (8 kids and not much money).
The yarn I've got is the beautiful Wensleydale Sheep Shop aran and it's been sat in a bag for literally years as I'm frozen with fear over knitting it into something I don't like again. Knowing that I can start again if necessary is making the decision easier! Plus, it appeals to my OS frugal side.

Margaret52129

Hi everyone. Sorry to butt into your conversations, but wondered if you could help me out here.

I knit lots of different things in different plys but recently I've been having a tingley (pins & needles) feeling in my left first finger. Someone told me that it might be the way I hold my needles and that using bamboo needles might help as they are really comfortable.

Before shelling out on a set, what's the verdict out there amongst you regular knitters?

I go to a knitting group, and run another and the ladies all have lots of varying thoughts on the matter!

Thanks for any thoughts.
Margaret

nursemaggie

Do you knit tight or loose. It could be you have started kitting tight lately.

It could also be nothing to do with your knitting.

I would try all their suggestions and if you are getting no relief go to the doctor. It could be a number of different things, some minor and some serious.

Have you changed your chair it could be to do where your arms are?

[Deleted User]

me too Margaret, re the tingly fingers. When it happens then I change position, knit lower or sitting sideways and sometimes it helps my shoulders if I just flatten myself against the back of my chair. Different needles do help, I am finding that the most comfortable are metal chiaogoo circulars, even better than wooden but it is trial and error. With me it all the fingers on my left hand and/or aching shoulders and only when knitting with thin needles and only sometimes

Margaret52129

Thanks for your suggestions, It could be a change of needle sizes as I have lots of different projects on at the same time. It could also be the weather - very changeable, cold then warm and back to cold again. No snow here in Yorkshire yet!

I've just finished a chunky jacket for my grandson, and at the same time, my group have been knitting Snugglemuffs, which uses chunky. In between these, I have been knitting hand/wrist warmers in DK a set on DPN and 2 needles, both of which are shorter than the normal ones, and am about to start a cardigan for myself in Alpaca Arran!

There is also 3 lots of chairs, my own home chair, chairs at Sainsbury's cafe (where we have a knitting group), and my own craft group at Church!

I might try the bamboo/wood as a friend says they are lovely to knit with. That would be another change, but it might be a good one!

Like lots of comments on here I've read, I don't know how I found time to work with all these things and the knitting groups I'm going to! All good though!

plumduff55

Hi Margaret, I used to have awful problems with my shoulder and changed to bamboo needles. I've never had a problem since and they are lovely to knit with. Several years ago I bought a full set of needles from size 3.00 up to 7mm for £14 inc postage from EBay, I see that they are under £10 now. I would recommend buying these and if they do not solve the problem you've only lost a minimal amount. Buying bamboo needles individually from a wool shop will cost about £5 per pair.

I'm knitting loads at the moment so that I have reduced my stash a bit and don't feel guilty when I buy more wool at the SECC Hobbycraft show I am going to on the 3rd March.

There's method in my madness - Happy knitting xx

plumduff55

Hi, anybody living near Glasgow ???

Watt Bros on Sauchiehall Street is holding a Knit & Natter Event on Monday 27th February at 10am. Tickets costs £5 and needs to be booked beforehand. There is a speaker from Ramsden Wool (Peter Pan, Wendy and Robin yarn) giving a talk. You also get a goodie bag and tea and cakes - it's being held on the third floor of Watt Bros in the Willow Tea Rooms and by experience I know they have beautiful scones and their meringues are to die for 😀😀😀.

Phone number to book tickets is 0141 204 5242. I can't wait.

Happy knitting xx

plumduff55

Hi everyone, I'm just back from the Knit and Natter event in Watt Bros, Glasgow and I am super happy because I won the main prize in the raffle which was a £50 gift voucher to buy wool in any of their stores.

I never win anything - well, I did win a Christmas cake about 15 years ago after I had just baked one !!! But to win wool is the best thing ever :j :j :j

Watts have a store about 7 miles from me which has a better wool dept than Glasgow so I shall go there to spend voucher.

The best tip of the day was to.... WAIT FOR IT ........... vacuum pack your wool so that it takes up less storage space. WOW why didn't I think of that. Seemingly Poundland sell the bags for a pound - of course 🤑.

Happy knitting from a very happy knitter xx