The Knitters Thread

SIRENS

Well I am pleased ds asked for a Santa hat on his Christmas list and I've managed to order the yarn and finish it in plenty of time for Christmas. Dh Star Wars scarf will not make it though as I have more than half to still finish, my first attempt at double knitting and I am finding it rather tiresome, I keep tangling the 2 colours.

nursemaggie

When you are doing colour work SIRENS it is much easier if you just do little balls of wool or wrap it round a card. It does not get tangled up so much.

SIRENS

nursemaggie wrote: »

When you are doing colour work SIRENS it is much easier if you just do little balls of wool or wrap it round a card. It does not get tangled up so much.

Thanks for the tip, I'll wind up some yarn and try that x

PipneyJane

nursemaggie wrote: »

When you are doing colour work SIRENS it is much easier if you just do little balls of wool or wrap it round a card. It does not get tangled up so much.

SIRENS wrote: »

Thanks for the tip, I'll wind up some yarn and try that x

I just wince at the thought of all those ends to weave in. (When I do colourwork, I carry my unused yarn up the side off my work, until it is needed again.)

My tip, Sirens, is to alternate the direction in which you turn your work at the end of a row so clockwise at the end of a knit row, counter-clockwise at the end of a purl. That should stop the balls tangling up. I frequently do my sleeves in-the-round, two-at-a-time and place a marker to remind me to turn my knitting the other way when I get to "that end".

HTH

Pip (current WIPs need 1 sleeve, 2 collars, a couple of seams and 2 cuffs completed and then there would be 4 new jumpers to wear.)

hiddenshadow

If you can do double knitting with 2 hands, it's much easier as you keep each colour on one side of you (colour A on left, colour B on right).

This shows how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN73tSv_xQs

PipneyJane

hiddenshadow wrote: »

If you can do double knitting with 2 hands, it's much easier as you keep each colour on one side of you (colour A on left, colour B on right).

This shows how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN73tSv_xQs

Yes, that's true. If you knit with one colour in your left hand and one in your right, it makes your tension far more even. If you can't cope with that, then try tensioning the yarn across your right hand with one colour on your index finger and the other on your middle finger. That statement probably doesn't make a lot of sense, so let me explain how I hold my yarn. On my right hand, I usually wrap my yarn around my little finger, then under the next two and use the index finger to drive it; when working with a second colour in my right hand, I'll use the middle finger to drive the second colour.

HTH

Pip

SIRENS

Thank you all for the tips, I'm going to try them all to see which suits me best xx

Seakay

madlyn wrote: »

I am thinking of taking up Knitting, my Mum showed me how to knit many years ago, but the thought of sitting still and having to concentrate put me off.
But Knitting seems to be a trendy thing to do now and having looked online at "celebrity" Knitters I have found a couple of beginners kits.
I know the initial outlay is not really money saving but I have to start somewhere.
I also want to get Myself sort of hobby and have lost my Mum last month I would like to do something to take my mind off the doom and gloom.
Any Knitters out there with any advice would be very well received.

local charity shops often sell needles and ends of yarn, also patterns. Ask at the counter as some keep the needles off the shelves for safety reasons.
Community newsletters, parish magazines, noticeboard at the local library are all good places to look for local knitting clubs or knit 'n' natter groups
Look for free beginners patterns online - there are lots out there - check that you look for UK sites as American needle sizes and some knitting terms are different and you don't need that complication when you are starting out.
You tube videos are great if you want some instruction on your own - seeing a demonstration alongside instructions is easier than instructions alone.
Good luck with your new hobby!

wondercollie

Anyone have any success with mitred squares done in stocking stitch?

I've a bag of ends of sock wool and decided to use them up this year for portable projects.

I've tried the garter stitch version and didn't like the finished square. The variegated colours get lost and stocking stitch shows the colours/patterns better. BUT stocking stitch just doesn't like the square .

So any ideas or ??? I'm off to do google fooo

nursemaggie

This looks quite effective in squares It is less stretchy than than stocking stitch.


DEWDROP STITCH PATTERN (multiple of 6 +1):

Rows 1 and 3 (Wrong Side): K2 *P3, K3*, end with P3, K2

Row 2 (Right Side): P2 *K3, P3*, end with K3, P2

Row 4: K2 *YO, Sl 1-K2tog-PSSO, YO, K3*, end with YO, Sl 1-K2tog-PSSO, YO, K2

Rows 5 and 7: P2 *K3, P3*, end with K3, P2

Row 6: K2 *P3, K3*, end with P3, K2

Row 8: K2tog *YO, K3, YO, Sl 1-K2tog-PSSO*, end with YO, K3, YO, SSK

Repeat Rows 1-8 for Dewdrop Stitch pattern


Looks nice on a blanket or a scarf. I have another one if I can find it.