The Knitters Thread

nursemaggie

Wow basketcase I admire the way you have stuck at it. I find a coloured chart much easier. The symbols are much harder. I gave up on one chart a few months ago because it was coloured but in the opposite colours I was using. It really messed with my mind and I just did not like the colours that way round. I may go back to it.

I have put the highlight tape in my basket. I think I will find that useful.

I can't read lace charts, I have found a way to keep the stitches in sequence. I put stitch markers at the end of each sequence. I don't have any of the fancy stitch markets you can buy I just have a pkt if the elastic bands they used in those kits that were all the rage about 5 or six years back. I cut them out when I have finished with them if it is to mark a row but with a complicated lace pattern your are taking them with you. I won't be doing any lace squares for my blanket I have a feeling DGS will keep putting things through the holes and will end up stretching them.

I think your best bet with the landscape Is to reserve it for when you can be alone and uninterrupted. You will get there in the end.

catherinekate

I'm in awe of you all doing more than one project at a time. I have to stick to one or I get lost! I've got a couple of projects in my knitting bag where I either can't remember which pattern I was using, or can't work out where in the pattern I was. Will be unravelling those and starting again. At least it keeps me busy . . .

I also have to re-write patterns out into coloured charts, otherwise I end up knitting rows backwards or missing ones out.

I've discovered the rabbit hole that is yarn stashes being sold on Facebook Marketplace - it isn't moneysaving if you don't need it, but soooo tempting!

nursemaggie

I would find that tempting, probably as well I don't use Facebook. I have about 20 different Christmas knits I abandoned to do other things. I know exactly which they are. I ought to be doing them now if things like Christmas fairs are going ahead. The only thing stopping me from joining Facebook is the thought of my daughter having to sort it all when I die. I have a big enough stash already. 

meanmarie

The sweater is knitted top down, so I have ripped back to the pocket tops and gone on with stocking stitch and then started the bottom rib.......did I mention that the yarn is a very dark shade of black, so is probably the most infuriating thing I have ever done......but I will get there or die in the attempt!!! Will keep you posted.

Good luck to everyone in a pickle with their knitting.

Marie

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue said:

Then it's back to MY cardigan, plus I may have bought some more DK which I'm not sure what I'll do with it. Won't be enough for a cardigan, but MIGHT be enough if combined with the current cardigan, and I think it will look OK: sleeves in one colour, body in another. 

I was back at the LYS today, and another pack of DK might have fallen into my bag. they're selling off some ends of lines, with a pattern. Saturday's was a t-shirt pattern which I doubt I'd ever knit, let alone wear, but today I was tempted by a wrap, which I might wear ... and the wool was gorgeous!

Savvy_Sue

nursemaggie said:

I can't read lace charts, I have found a way to keep the stitches in sequence. I put stitch markers at the end of each sequence. I don't have any of the fancy stitch markets you can buy I just have a pkt if the elastic bands they used in those kits that were all the rage about 5 or six years back. I cut them out when I have finished with them if it is to mark a row but with a complicated lace pattern your are taking them with you. 

Do you mean loom bands? I swear by them. And they're great for holding knitting needles together so you don't lose the stitches off the end in transit. Although they don't last that long, and it's annoying if they break and you don't notice. 

What I do now is make some loops of wool in a contrasting colour, and use them to mark the ends of every 10th row: I just slip them over the end stitch. I'm rubbish at row counting, so this way I can at least quickly tot up the tens. Helps to match up the seams, and then I just untie the loops, re-tie them and store them on a stitch holder. 

nursemaggie

Thanks Sue I think I may try that for counting rows. I forget to turn the row counter. I find the loom bands are not really strong enough for keeping needles together you need another one after you have used them as they snap when you take them off. Can't complain they only cost 50p for a big bag. They won't last for ever rubber perishes. I may fasten all my bamboo needles together , I have dozens of them but mostly either 3mm or 3.75mm.

Savvy_Sue

nursemaggie said:

Thanks Sue I think I may try that for counting rows. I forget to turn the row counter. I find the loom bands are not really strong enough for keeping needles together you need another one after you have used them as they snap when you take them off. Can't complain they only cost 50p for a big bag. They won't last for ever rubber perishes. I may fasten all my bamboo needles together , I have dozens of them but mostly either 3mm or 3.75mm.

I too forget to turn the row counter! 

Yes, the loom bands aren't that great at keeping needles together, I often use 2 or 3 at once. if it's an issue (lots of stitches!) I'd use a hair elastic, I've got loads of them too - for knitting not hair restraint!

basketcase

Savvy_Sue said:

Yes, the loom bands aren't that great at keeping needles together, I often use 2 or 3 at once. if it's an issue (lots of stitches!) I'd use a hair elastic, I've got loads of them too - for knitting not hair restraint!

Is it sacrilege to just stick the needles into the ball of yarn?  (Prepares to grab coat before being drummed out into the cold...)

basketcase

   On a brighter note, I've finished knitting, stuffing and sewing up Joke-Bunny and have now only to embroider on the eyes, nose and thin blaze. 

   There are whiskers on the pattern, but I can't think of anything that would hold shape and I don't want to embroider them, so think I'll leave them off.

Better dig out the ski jumper now I've got a bit of knitting mojo back.