The Knitters Thread

nursemaggie

8 sts and 12 rows = 2 inches in Basketweave pattern

Make Blanket:

Cast on 92 sts. Knit 8 rows.

Begin eyelet section:

Row 1: K4, *YO, K2tog, repeat from * across, to last 4 sts. YO, K4. (93 stitches on needle)

Row 2: K4, P across to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 3: K4, YO, ssk, K across to last 7 sts. K3tog, YO, K4. (92 stitches on needle)

Begin Basket-Weave Pattern (12 rows)

Row 1 (Wrong side): K4, P2, *K4, P4, repeat from * across to last 6 sts, P2, K4.

Row 2: (Right side): K4, YO, ssk, *K4, P4, repeat from * across to last 6 sts, K2tog, YO, K4.

Rows 3 & 5: Repeat Row 1.

Rows 4 & 6: Repeat Row 2.

Row 7: K4, P2, *P4, K4, repeat from * across to last 6 sts, P2, K4.

Row 8: K4, YO, SSK, *P4, K4, repeat from * across to last 6 sts, K2tog, YO, K4.

Rows 9 & 11: Repeat row 7.

stitching_witch

wondercollie wrote: »

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

There is a lovely pattern on Ravelry by Plymouth Yarns but sadly it’s not a free pattern. It’s stocking stitch with garter stitch ridges. Perhaps with a bit of experimenting you could try it.

madlyn

As suggested I have tried charity shops for needles and odd bits of wool. Now my local town has 5 charity shops, none of which have any needles of wool. May give Ebay a go for needles, what size for a beginner? My plan is to knit 6 inch squares that can be sewn together to make a blanket, that way by doing small bits I wont get bored and I would like a chunky blanket.

Savvy_Sue

I'd say 4mm for DK is the default option. A real shame nothing in the local charity shops. Have you found your local wool shop, they may have links to knitting groups?

Just wondering if you have a local FB group? We have a knitters group for our postcode, I know if I posted on there for spare needles and wool I'd be sorted in no time.

I found I liked knitting on circular needles once I started doing garments rather than squares, I got a set of bamboo circular needles in a full range of sizes, probably from Ebay or Amazon. They would have been very reasonably priced because I wasn't sure if I was going to persist. I've now upgraded to KnitPro with the interchangeable tips, which is a bit more pricey. Then I'm adding odd sets of double ended needles. Going to have to make myself a better case soon ...

madlyn

Found plenty of 4mm bamboo on ebay, just need to source some wool now.
My local town does not have a wool shop and I have not looked on FB for local knitting groups

Savvy_Sue

Great. Freecycle or similar in your area?

Seakay

madlyn wrote: »

As suggested I have tried charity shops for needles and odd bits of wool. Now my local town has 5 charity shops, none of which have any needles of wool. May give Ebay a go for needles, what size for a beginner? My plan is to knit 6 inch squares that can be sewn together to make a blanket, that way by doing small bits I wont get bored and I would like a chunky blanket.

Sorry you've had no luck so far with charity shops.

Needle size depends on the thickness of the yarn you want to knit with, Chunky yarn usually uses something between 5mm and 6.5mm.
If you look on the ball band of a ball of wool you will see a crossed needles symbol; the numbers written above the cross are the needle size (you will use half a mm or a mm smaller if you want a ribbed cuff etc)
a pattern will suggest a needle size but more importantly tell you how many rows and stitches comprise a specific sized piece of knitting.
It's a good idea do a test swatch to check your tension.
eg if the example gives a certain number of stitches and rows and you get more then that then you need to loosen your tension by using a larger needle
conversely, if you get fewer then you'll need a smaller needle

needle sizes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmHVeH3id5E

THIRZAH

Do you have a branch of Hobbycraft nearby? They sell yarn . Wilkos usually have DK for £1 a ball. I don't like their yarn much as find it's a bit floppy but it would be ok to practice with. Poundland and Poundstretcher often have yarn too

Happy_One

Nice wool in Poundland, Seakay.three balls for £2. They have some very nice Rainbow coloured ones which is fun to Knit with
4mm or the old size 8 as I still call them because I never went metric! Is the best size to learn to Knit on

You will soon get the hang of it with a bit of practice and it’s such a great hobby plus your Mom would have been very pleased to know you have taken up knitting again. My Mom who I lost in 1995 was a wonderful knitter, she taught me to Knit when I was five years old won’t tell you how old I am now! but I’ve never stopped knitting since my Mom first taught me.
It has got me through many times in my life when times were tough, something to concentrate on, to take my mind off other things.

madlyn

We have a Poundland, Wilko's and Pounstretcher near me so will give them all a go.