The Knitters Thread

angel81uk

Hello everyone, another newbie knitter here. Well, I say a newbie,
my Nan taught me to knit as a child and I picked up the needle every now and then through to my teens but she only ever taught me the very basics and I never progressed beyond scarves. That was a good ten years ago but I've decided I want to give it another go as an adult. I'm saving up for my wedding at the moment so I'm hoping it will give me something to do instead of going out and give me the added bonus of having lots of warm things come winter so I don't need to have the heating up so high!

I'm just waiting for the needles and yarn I've ordered to arrive so I can start knitting a scarf to get back into the swing of things and then I hope to make some blanket squares so I can try out the more advanced stitches. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here considering my supplies haven't even turned up yet, but I'm a quick learner (and used to be a fast knitter) so I'm looking ahead to my first "real" project already, but I don't really know where to start. What would you all suggest a novice knitter moves on to after scarves? I'd like to knit something that I can actually wear or use rather than just for the sake of it. I don't have kids (or have friends or family with babies) and I'm a reasonably fashionable 20'something so the traditional cardigans and sweaters aren't really my thing. Any ideas?

TIA

RiaAnn

angel81uk wrote: »

I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here considering my supplies haven't even turned up yet, but I'm a quick learner (and used to be a fast knitter) so I'm looking ahead to my first "real" project already, but I don't really know where to start. What would you all suggest a novice knitter moves on to after scarves? I'd like to knit something that I can actually wear or use rather than just for the sake of it. I don't have kids (or have friends or family with babies) and I'm a reasonably fashionable 20'something so the traditional cardigans and sweaters aren't really my thing. Any ideas?

TIA

I would recommend a shrug or bolero, the advantages being it is a small garment so less time to make and less yarn so therefore cheaper and less of a disaster if it doesn't turn out quite how you would like. My first "big" project was a shrug by Debbie Bliss, the pattern is available free online:

http://www.prima.co.uk/index.php/v1/Shrug

hev_2

Have a wander to your local wool shop and have a look at some of the patterns for fancy wools. There are shrugs, wraps, jackets, that are absolutely gorgeous. Don't be ashamed to buy the pattern there & shop around for wool, as the gorgeous wool usually has a gorgeous price.

Anyway, I can't believe that you never need a nice sweater, in the right colour for you and in a style you like... I live in baggy sweaters, so I always have a goal.

Also, on OS (rubbish at finding threads) there was a thread about knitting little hats for premature babies for Save the Children, honestly, it took me an afternoon to do one. Some children's wards or children's charities would appreciate hand knitted stuff (not charity shops, people just don't seem to buy them, which is weird to me). Also, if you fancy a bigger project I once knitted a sweater to give to a homeless shelter for Lent. They seemed very happy to get it.

I just knit for therapy anyway, so I just keep clicking away - but I can feel the switch starting to flick over to cross stitch, so I had better get busy.

sunflowergirl

Hello,
Has anyone here ever made a knitted wool nappy cover called a 'soaker'? I have found lots of free patterns for them but want a very simple one as I am not a very good knitter and slow.
My baby girl is a very chubby 18lbs and the elastic on her nappy covers are making nasty red marks in her thighs!
wool covers are meant to be good and waterproof so I am willing to try.
I would be gratefull if anybody has any advice, thanks

katiepops_2

I'm glad to find this thread, I didn't realise there were so many knitters around.

I hadn't knitted for years, but I saw in Aldi a few weeks ago a kit for a wrap knitted with eyelash yarn, and it was dirt cheap ... so it came home with me and I knitted it up in a couple of hours - the only thing is I have worn it only once as I am constantly trying to extract it from the clutches of my 6 year old son!

Then decided that I fancied having a go at some socks (for youngest son - no-one else wanted any), so got myself some bright and colourful Opal yarn (which came with a free sock pattern) and finished the first sock just before easter, and got as far as casting on and doing the rib on the other. Since then I've been too busy, but have had it out today and done a few rows ... the thing is, I love the idea of knitting, but I find that it bores me to tears to actually do it ... ho hum. Depending on how these socks turn out though, I might do some for myself. Or maybe start knitting some for Christmas pressies for friends (no point in leaving it until the very last minute otherwise I will never make them at all).

Anyway, I have managed the temptation up to now to join Ravelry (I have an American friend who is a member who has knit up some fabulous socks (hence piquing my interest in knitting them myself) ... but I can feel my resolve wavering.

phizzimum

hi angel

at the moment i'm making arm warmers...they're like a kind of fingerless glove that come half way up your arm (or as far as you like!). they're very easy and quite quick to make - the trouble with making scarves is it get's pretty boring after a while!

tracey29

Hello

This is my first post here so sorry if i've got this in the wrong place or something!

I haven't knitted for ages but would like to start again and have been given some oddments of baby wool.

Does anyone have a pattern for a jumper or cardigan that i could use this wool with?

Also, I'd like to give whatever I make to a charity of some sort, does anyone have details of charities in need of knitted stuff?

Thankyou

angelatgraceland

greenpixey wrote: »

After reading this thread I got inspired to learn how to knit. I've started with the basics and have done a couple of bobble hats for the age concerned http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/thebigknit/?Page=how_to_knit
The problem I got now is to make the bobbles. I've done these before when I was younger and know how to do them but never so small.
Is there anyone here who knit the bobble hats as well and got suggestion what size to make the inner and outer circle and also what material to use for the frame for the bobble. I've tried a couple of times but end up with too big bobbles or the circled frame breaks before I finished. I got 20 bobbles to make and would really like to finish these so I can go onwards to my next knitting project.

Hi
Ive knitted bobbles in the past. I used 2 or 3 layers of cardboard(old cereal box or whatever)Put the layers on top of each other.. Cut circles approx 2 1/2 inches (maybe the size of the top of a cup or a glass) use this as a circle to draw around. In the centre, draw another circle-maybe with a 2pence piece?I think that should be about right.
Tie the wool to you "polo"(your cirles of cardboard) and keep winding it until almost full.
Tie it off. Then you need to snip the edges to remove the cardboard and tie very sucerely so it doesnt fall apart. If I can find anything online I will let you know.
Hope Ive not made that sound too complicated!

Here you are! Ive found a great link! http://www.kid-craft-central.com/pom-poms.html

Seakay

The bobbles for Innocent Drinks hats need to be quite small - I'm makeing them myself with small remainders so that they are ready for the next time they are requested.
Anyway, the way that I do these small pom poms is to wrap DK wool around forefinger and middle finger 30 times, cut the end. Poke a 6" piece of wool between the fingers so it is in the middle of the loops, ease loops off fingers and tie 6" piece around then very tightly, leaving one end long enough to sew with. Snip loops and fluff out ends, trim ends to make pom pom even

MsChazzer

Another knitter saying hello, someone mentioned the Prima site for free patterns, they have some gorgeous ones from Debbie Bliss on there. I'd also recommend signing up to join Ravelry, it's a fantastic resource. It's great for seeing who is working on the same projects as you and if they have any tips or good amendments. I've helped a couple of people who were knitting things I already had.