Knitting - help and advice super thread!

Gatica · 24-08-2014 10:57pm

Dots it give you a stitch count?
It sounds to me like you were knitting back and forth because the suit had an opening on the front (for buttons or zip or whatever) and then separated out the front right to create the arm hole finishing on the WS. Now you need to create the arch for the neck starting with the RS.
Just a guess but the cast off 2 at the beginning of the row is to do a reduction - is there any indication they're trying to get you to slip stitch over the cast off stitch thus reducing by 1? Otherwise I don't see what else you could be doing with those cast off stitches on the end of the next row..
Alt row, could it mean every alternative row, i.e. every second row?

kandr10 · 25-08-2014 5:21pm

mrsmiawallace6 wrote: »

hey

ye it was the 15 i needed to work.
The next bit has me stuck too

Cast off 2 st at beg of next row
Dec 1st at neck edge on next 2 rows then foll 1 alt rows

Do i dec the 1st stitch on the end that I took the 2 prev from.?
Then what does what does 1 alt row mean?

I am going mad i am stuck lol, when i picked up pattern i thought i could do it

I'd say when you cast off two stitches that shapes the side. The decreases should be the other end of the row to shape the neck.
Foll 1 alt rows means following 1 alternate row.
It makes a difference whether to do the cast off and decrease in the same line. When it says to cast off does it say to knit to end or anything or as Gatica said is there a stitch count?
With the neck decreases, work the decreases on two rows, then knit the next row without decreasing, then the 4th row will have the decrease again and that will give you the alternate row.

So it could look like this:
Row 1: cast off two and decrease at end of row.
Row 2: decrease at start of row
Row 3: knit
Row 4: decrease at start

Or, if you don't work the cast off and decrease in the same row it could look like this:

Row 1: cast off 2
Row 2: decrease at neck edge (start of row)
Row 3: decrease at neck edge again (end of row)
Row 4 knit
Row 5: decrease at neck edge

Does that help at all? Kinda hard to explain!

Ashereene · 31-08-2014 7:36pm

Hi everyone, hope its ok to post this.
Im trying to knit the legs of a teddy bear pattern.
The pattern at 'Shape Foot' is confusing to me.

So working off 16 rows of 6 sts it then says:
Cast on 12 sts at beginning of next 2 rows.

I cast on at the row start and then knitted across the row (18 st)
I then cast on another 12, which would be at the other side
However, then once I knit across again I have one extra row on the first side of 12 sts

I cant find any videos that could help me, so I hope this makes sense.

If anyone could let me know, thanks!

kandr10 · 31-08-2014 9:17pm

Ashereene wrote: »

Hi everyone, hope its ok to post this.
Im trying to knit the legs of a teddy bear pattern.
The pattern at 'Shape Foot' is confusing to me.

So working off 16 rows of 6 sts it then says:
Cast on 12 sts at beginning of next 2 rows.

I cast on at the row start and then knitted across the row (18 st)
I then cast on another 12, which would be at the other side
However, then once I knit across again I have one extra row on the first side of 12 sts

I cant find any videos that could help me, so I hope this makes sense.

If anyone could let me know, thanks!

What you did sounds fine. I'd say once you continue with it the difference won't be visible. I don't know how else you could follow that instruction.

mrsmiawallace6 · 03-09-2014 10:01pm

Hey peeps

I am not a fan of using circular needles but want to make this pattern

http://http://www.instructables.com/id/Jaynes-Cunning-Hat/?ALLSTEPS
EPS

Am i right in thinking i can just knit it with normal needles and just sew up the seam myself?

ABajaninCork · 03-09-2014 10:06pm

Can't see the webpage...

From what you've said, the hat's knitted in one piece? Can you use double points? Or a shorter circular needle?

mrsmiawallace6 · 03-09-2014 10:09pm

the only place that has the size circles i need only have one kind. It is only one piece its an easy patt with just some dec and inc

ABajaninCork · 03-09-2014 10:12pm

You can get short circulars on eBay. That's where I got mine. Or use DP's...

wmpdd3 · 05-09-2014 12:19am

After years of being afraid of circulars I bought some off ebay and mastered the 'magic loop' from youtube. Since then I havent bothered with seams or DP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC7f9fn9wfk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mqIqRdJc68

Really, trust me just have a look at youtube before you start the hat, if you can get it at all, it will result in a much better looking hat.

But yes looking at the link, you could knit this hat flat.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Jaynes-Cunning-Hat/

Gatica · 05-09-2014 8:37am

Have attempted to use the magic loop with limited success. All it did was damage the plastic cable on my circulars when turning knitting sides

I switched back to DPNs after that. I dunno, but I just find DPNs easier.
As long as you mark your first stitch and maintain it on every row, after the first 2 rows, knitting in the round becomes quite easy.

ABajaninCork · 05-09-2014 11:32am

I can't get on with the magic loop either, and prefer to use DP's. It's tricky when joining in, but after the first row, it does get easier. Just remember to mark the beginning of the row!

LoonyLovegood · 05-09-2014 1:47pm

I love magic loop compared to DPNs! DPNs are so finiky for me.

cofy · 06-09-2014 12:21am

wmpdd3 wrote: »

After years of being afraid of circulars I bought some off ebay and mastered the 'magic loop' from youtube. Since then I havent bothered with seams or DP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC7f9fn9wfk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mqIqRdJc68

Really, trust me just have a look at youtube before you start the hat, if you can get it at all, it will result in a much better looking hat.

But yes looking at the link, you could knit this hat flat.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Jaynes-Cunning-Hat/

Thanks, like you anytime I see a pattern that involves a circulars I normally shy away from, but last year I knit a scowl and realised it is a lot easier, but I am still nervous about circulars:o

genie_us · 10-09-2014 3:46pm

Hi all

hope I'm in the right place!

I am looking to buy a present for my mam for her birthday, she absolutely loves knitting.
I would love ideas from people of knitting related things I could get her - I'm thinking of say a good storage type bag to put all the bits and pieces in? She has just bought herself some wooden needles I think which she is delighted with, are there more things along those lines that might be considered good knitting presents, things she may not necessarily need but would still be helpful to her or a bit of a treat to have?

Any ideas would be hugely appreciated!

ABajaninCork · 10-09-2014 3:59pm

A nice case to keep the needles in might be nice. Or you could get her a knitting bag. eBay has a very good selection.

mrsmiawallace6 · 10-09-2014 5:04pm

A row counter is a must and a stitch holder. Oh and a good little scissors and I would also agree with a good case to keep her needles in .

Gatica · 10-09-2014 6:53pm

Do you know the kind of knitting she usually does? If she uses circular needles for example there are some lovely interchangeable bamboo sets you can get. You'd need to check if she has that sort of thing already, if she's a big knitter she may already have the most useful stuff..
I got these:
https://www.springwools.com/index.php/bamboo-interchangeable-circular-knitting-needle-set.html
They've been amazing. I even switched to them from 2 straight needles when knitting a scarf.

kandr10 · 10-09-2014 8:17pm

I agree that stitch holder and row counter would be useful. Also bobbins and the large sewing needles and place markers. All the kinds of things that I try to make do without and improvise but would be handy to have. No harm getting more even if she already has some as the little bits and bobs are inclined to go missing easily. A bag for organising stuff would be great too cos it's not the kind if thing you'd run out and buy for yourself. I like when people pick me up yarn that they think I'll like too. Hope she likes the present

genie_us · 11-09-2014 9:00am

Thank you all for the suggestions, really helpful!
Much appreciated

She mostly does blankets, fancy looking scarves and things but I'm expecting my first now next month so she's gone into baby clothes overdrive!!

Thanks again, if anyone thinks of anything else to add please let me know!

Edited to ask is there a particular site online that people recommend buying stuff from?

ABajaninCork · 11-09-2014 10:02am

I use:

Love Knitting
Deramores
Black Sheep Wools

All have fantastic ranges and reasonable prices. Postage costs to Ireland aren't too bad either. All charge about £5 for delivery. Black Sheep is particularly good for their clearance ranges. You can get really nice yarns for buttons!

genie_us · 11-09-2014 10:06am

Thank you so much, I'll get looking now

TreasureBin · 11-09-2014 12:25pm

If she's doing a lot of baby clothes, she might like wee buttons and ribbons.
For aran designs, a cable needle is very useful - personally, I prefer the "cranked" kind with the bend in the middle.

kandr10 · 11-09-2014 3:13pm

Thewoolshop.ie are brilliant.

louised88 · 18-09-2014 10:20am

Hi all,

I'm desperately seeking three/four balls of this in colourway no 3 (dark brown) as I bought enough for a scarf, but the intended recipient has let me know she wants the scarf twice as wide and after frogging and re-knitting, the stupid thing is only about 3.5ft long.

The original stockists have sold out and aren't getting any more in, I can find it online, but I need to have the scarf finished by Wednesday and would prefer to do it over the weekend, does anyone have any of this wool lying around? I can reimburse you or replace it next week, whichever is preferable! Failing that, does anyone know of any wool shops around the Dublin/Leinster area that may stock this?

Iyaibeji · 18-09-2014 11:31am

You could ring around a few of the wool shops and ask?
Loza wool in clondalkin,
Springwools in walkinstown,
Aimee rose in citywest shopping centre.
This is knit in the powerscourt townhouse centre.
There's one in santry but I cant think of the name of it right now.

louised88 · 18-09-2014 11:42am

Iyaibeji wrote: »

You could ring around a few of the wool shops and ask?
Loza wool in clondalkin,
Springwools in walkinstown,
Aimee rose in citywest shopping centre.
This is knit in the powerscourt townhouse centre.
There's one in santry but I cant think of the name of it right now.

I have and no luck unfortunately, even if they stock Rico nowhere seems to have the style/colour! One place who got back to me let me know that apparently the Rico rep has left and it's been tricky to get since, but I don't know. I was hoping someone would know a few places within driving distance of Dublin I could try but I think I might need to just order online and hope it arrives on Monday so I can speed knit it before Tuesday!

kandr10 · 18-09-2014 2:34pm

Sorry I don't have any. Thewoolshop.ie do next day delivery. They might be worth a shot.

wmpdd3 · 18-09-2014 11:55pm

my local shop has load of rico, but not that...sorry, I'll keep an eye out.

aidanmckeown · 21-10-2014 4:10pm

duckling10 wrote: »

ps I have the name and number of the man in Shannon if anyone needs help with a machine, he has done this kind of work all his life!

Hi Duckling could you pass me that on please? Many thanks.

kit3 · 07-11-2014 12:30am

Hi. Anyone know where I can get James C Brett Monsoon yarn in Dublin please ?

Trevaskis · 09-11-2014 10:07pm

So I'm not much of a knitter in fact I don't knit but I have requested a 4ft knitted ostrich for my 18th in February... My mother said she will knit it for me once I get a pattern of course knitting patterns for 4ft ostriches are not in great demand therefore I must write it myself and as I don't knit I am finding this very difficult could anybody give me some advice/tips it would be greatly appreciated ☺

looksee · 10-11-2014 9:45am

Hi Trevaskis. I suspect you have been a victim of Mother-speak!

Conversation: You: Mum, for my birthday...I'd like if you could knit me something special.
Mum: yes sure, what kind of thing?
You: a knitted ostrich, a big one, about 4 ft high?
Mum: ok, no problem, you get me a pattern and I will knit an ostrich.

Mum goes off wondering about an Amazon voucher, or a sweater for your birthday.

If you are not much of a knitter, you are not going to invent a pattern. Even if you were a knitter, creating a pattern for someone else to knit without doing it yourself first is a bit of an impossibility.

The only thing I can suggest is that you find a fabric ostrich soft toy pattern, photocopy it to the correct size and ask your mother if she can knit shapes the same as the pattern, then sew it together.
https://www.google.ie/search?q=ostrich+soft+toy+pattern&rlz=1C1AVNC_enIE603IE603&espv=2&biw=1108&bih=596&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=cHpgVLakHeGM7AakuIDwBA&ved=0CCsQsAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Ygq0_9yV97T81M%253A%3B5yuMBDIZnTXFAM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmedia-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%252F736x%252F12%252F56%252F32%252F125632ed91202c67482d3886206d6595.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.pinterest.com%252Fpin%252F401946335465568148%252F%3B650%3B919

dee_mc · 10-11-2014 9:52am

It may or may not be 4 foot high, but here's a pattern for a knit ostrich. Assuming it's smaller, if your Mum is an experienced knitter she might be able to scale it up a bit. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stuffed-ostrich

janmaree · 10-11-2014 12:51pm

kit3 wrote: »

Hi. Anyone know where I can get James C Brett Monsoon yarn in Dublin please ?

I couldn't see Monsoon listed on their site but you could call them and ask, you never know. Otherwise, Deramores is the best online option that I have found, orders arrive very promptly and shipping is reasonable. Good luck.

Sean's Wool Cabin

Phone 0868931392

Unit 234,

Omni Park Shopping Centre,

Santry,

Dublin 9.

Call us on 0868931392

duckling10 · 11-11-2014 4:11pm

sorry for delay in reply aidan, sent you on details of knitting repair man in message

veggie newbie · 13-11-2014 7:27pm

I'm due a baby in 11 woks and would love to try & knit a blanket. Problem is, I haven't held knitting needles in approx 25yrs (yes, an older mum to be here). I was hoping for some advice re what wool type is best for baby & machine washing, what size needles & are there any particular knitting sites that you would recommend with nice patterns for basic knitters... Reckon it'll be a plain & pearl job for me to refresh... Can remember just about that much! Thanks in advance for any tips.

ABajaninCork · 13-11-2014 7:35pm

Aran or Double Knit would be best. I've done blankets for my nephew and friends children using patterns I've downloaded from the 'net. But I can't remember where!! Drop me a PM with your e-mail addy and I can send you the patterns. Alternatively, just google 'Baby Blankets' and you should get a slew of nice, easy blankies!

Good luck with the little one!

The_Morrigan · 13-11-2014 7:37pm

veggie newbie wrote: »

I'm due a baby in 11 woks and would love to try & knit a blanket. Problem is, I haven't held knitting needles in approx 25yrs (yes, an older mum to be here). I was hoping for some advice re what wool type is best for baby & machine washing, what size needles & are there any particular knitting sites that you would recommend with nice patterns for basic knitters... Reckon it'll be a plain & pearl job for me to refresh... Can remember just about that much! Thanks in advance for any tips.

I used some Debbie Bliss baby patterns and wool to knit baby blankets for my sis in law and her sister. I took up knitting just to do those blankets and they were very easy. Haven't stopped knitting since.

ABajaninCork · 13-11-2014 8:12pm

DK cotton is also great for blankets. I've used King Cole Bamboo as well as Stylecraft DK cotton. Washes beautifully in the machine, keeps colour well and doesn't shrink.

Cotton's great for Spring and Summer babies.

wmpdd3 · 14-11-2014 1:08pm

Usually baby blankets are 36x36".

If you are using 4mm needles, that could mean a very full needle.

I'd look for a yarn that knits on 5mm or 6mm needles.

If you can use circulars, it will be much easier and more portable (handbags size for endless hospital waiting queues!) , but not essential.

Try use colours that will either match your travel system or your nursery. I've often done a blanket for someone only for them to ask for another one for the travel system.

You could try a colour changing yarn, the colours change you dont have to do anything, just knit.

http://www.artfire.com/uploads/product/3/43/79043/8179043/8179043/large/lords_leaping_three_stripe_sparkle_self_striping_sock_yarn_0d9b025d.jpg

http://knitdivas.com/yarnstore/images/UVYClassicWorstedTapestry_7037.jpg

Not sure how you are with plain and purl, but what about something like this:
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/19thc-baby-blanket.htm

veggie newbie · 15-11-2014 9:49am

Thanks so much for the replies, very helpful and great tips! So excited to get going now. Tnx again.

norman5601 · 16-11-2014 12:42am

Hi all can anyone please tell me if there are any knitting machine classes in the Leinster area.

veggie newbie · 16-11-2014 9:03am

norman5601 wrote: »

Hi all can anyone please tell me if there are any knitting machine classes in the Leinster area.

I don't know myself but was in a great shop the other day who may be able to advise you. 'Love to knit' in Bray were v helpful when I was in and I had a LOT of questions! I think they run classes in the shop, a crochet class was on when I was in. They should be able to advise you re a machine class. Hth.

wmpdd3 · 16-11-2014 9:30pm

I dont think so, the nearest I've heard of is Louth! What machine do you have? I have a zippy 90 (LK100) and a SK280 and a knitmaster 321.

norman5601 · 16-11-2014 11:29pm

Whereabouts in Louth? It wouldn't be too far from me. I have a Brother KH800. I'm very new to this but following the instructions exactly ends up in a knot. It worked the first time but now, I can cast on but the next row starts snagging and skipping needles then the carriage jams and I'm back to square one! All I want to knit at this stage is a plain lap blanket for an elderly friend before the really cold weather sets in.

norman5601 · 16-11-2014 11:32pm

Thanks a mil. I'll phone the shop in Bray

duckling10 · 16-11-2014 11:42pm

norman5601 wrote: »

... I have a Brother KH800. I'm very new to this but following the instructions exactly ends up in a knot. ....

have you the manual for the machine, and read it, carefully following instructions for the cast-on combs, and putting on weights, etc?

when was the machine last serviced and the sponge bar replaced?

have you tried looking at videos on youtube, just search in youtube for brother kh800 and see what comes up, if one video doesn't help you you could try another, people do learn machine-knitting from youtube, or at least aspects of it.
This might just tide you over will you get to some lessons, or it might even see you through.
Final suggestion: sign up for Ravelry, it's free and find their Groups and search for Machine Knitting group and join it! you can read their hints and suggestions about all sorts of machines, and search for brother kh800 if you want to just see what they say about it.
good luck,

wmpdd3 · 17-11-2014 3:25am

norman5601 wrote: »

Whereabouts in Louth? It wouldn't be too far from me. I have a Brother KH800. I'm very new to this but following the instructions exactly ends up in a knot. It worked the first time but now, I can cast on but the next row starts snagging and skipping needles then the carriage jams and I'm back to square one! All I want to knit at this stage is a plain lap blanket for an elderly friend before the really cold weather sets in.

Check your sponge bar and get more weights.

You could have a dodgy needle as you would be using every needle for the blanket.

Google a cast on comb, if you have one, double the amount of weight you are using on it.

Is your yarn on a cone?

Send me a pic by pm, if you like. It could be the settings on the carriage too.

The_Morrigan · 18-11-2014 3:20pm

Hello everyone - looking for a bit of advice on my latest project (linky here)

This is for my Irish-American nephew who is living in a massive sports fan house between the NFL, Baseball and the GAA. As this is baseball jacket, I'd love to put on buttons that have a baseball design on them, but the pattern calls for snap fasteners and buttons to be sewn over them. Any ideas where I could pick these up?
I'd love to be able to physically inspect them for sizing etc.

Any help appreciated.

wmpdd3 · 20-11-2014 1:21am

You need 10mm snaps available at shaws or any sewing store.

Its a safety feature for baby clothing, the button is visible but only as a detail, the snap keeps everything closes.

If possible sew them on with darning thread, also available from a sew store.

EDIT OP, I just re read that, were you looking for baseball buttons? If so minervacrafts or the cork button factory, you may have to request but both companies can source most styles for you .

Knitting - help and advice super thread!

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