Knitting - help and advice super thread!

paulaa · 11-03-2014 10:39pm

Thank you. I have been knitting for years and I wanted something different. I saw these looms, which I thought at first were toys, in a craft group. The members who used them were coming up with all kinds of projects. They made toys, socks, scarves, blankets, hats in all different sizes, bags etc,etc.

This is what mine look like but there are long ones, wooden ones and figure of 8 ones (to make afghans and shawls )too.

http://www.ebay.ie/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=knifty+knitter+looms&LH_PrefLoc=2&_arm=1&_armm=63&_ruu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ie%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3Dknifty%2Bknitter%2Blooms%26LH_PrefLoc%3D5%26_arr%3D1

wmpdd3 · 13-03-2014 12:01am

When we were in school, we used something like this:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/131125786181?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

So easy to use, I have seen basic loom knit packs in toy shops but never the proper ones like your one.

I tried to make one once with u nails from Woodies and I bent the tip of a punch, also from Woodies.

It worked really well but I didnt space the nails perfectly enough, a mm out made a big difference to the tension of the stitch.

I used really chunky yarn to make a dress.

paulaa · 13-03-2014 12:37pm

I've never used one of those wmpdd3. How did your dress turn out ?

wmpdd3 · 14-03-2014 11:04am

Great, it was when I didn't have a chunky machine, so it was the only way I could knit quickly, I have no patients.

tension was an issue, you have no way to control it really, either make a bigger loom or use a thicker yarn, that's it.

I still had to join the the panels as my loom was only about 12 inches long.

krankykitty · 15-03-2014 12:58am

Well I've just bought this rainbow yarn (pictured). Going to make a baby cardigan and hat - any other ideas of what might work?

wmpdd3 · 15-03-2014 1:10am

Of what you could make or if you could use a different yarn?

krankykitty · 15-03-2014 2:04am

Sorry, any ideas how to use it, other than baby hat and cardi. Would a plain stitch work best?

kandr10 · 15-03-2014 9:30am

I've done this dress before. If you're knotting for a boy mightn't work so well though!!

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/easy-baby-knitting-patterns5.htm

Works well with coloured yarn like yours. Can't go wrong with a cardi though. I think stokinette works best to show off the colours and make the colour the focal point of the pattern . It's beautiful

wmpdd3 · 15-03-2014 12:28pm

Yes, many stocknet really shows off the self stripping. If its a little girl, once they reach 3 they seem to be obsessed with knitted bags! Maybe try one of those.

paulaa · 16-03-2014 1:46pm

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Great, it was when I didn't have a chunky machine, so it was the only way I could knit quickly, I have no patients.

tension was an issue, you have no way to control it really, either make a bigger loom or use a thicker yarn, that's it.

I still had to join the the panels as my loom was only about 12 inches long.

You were brave to tackle a dress !!

krankykitty · 16-03-2014 8:45pm

kandr10 wrote: »

I've done this dress before. If you're knotting for a boy mightn't work so well though!!

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/easy-baby-knitting-patterns5.htm

Works well with coloured yarn like yours. Can't go wrong with a cardi though. I think stokinette works best to show off the colours and make the colour the focal point of the pattern . It's beautiful

Thank you! That pattern looks gorgeous. Have a little girl to knit for so it might do the trick.

wmpdd3 · 16-03-2014 9:01pm

paulaa wrote: »

You were brave to tackle a dress !!

Not really, I just had crap loads of the same chunky yarn!

Gatica · 19-03-2014 3:20pm

This is a great thread! I've had a read of a few pages but it's quite some number to get through...

Just wondering if anyone has done lace-shawl knitting. I'm trying to pick a suitable yarn but can't seem to find one. I'd normally get stuff off springwools but they don't really have nice lace-weight yarns, they're either synthetic or too bulky. I want to get one of those hand-spun/dyed batches...

ABajaninCork · 19-03-2014 4:15pm

Try these Gatica! Some beautiful yarns on there. I've just bought some of this in Natural to make a scarf.

Although the yarns seem expensive, it does go a long way. The Fyberspates is 1km per hank. Took me over an hour to wind into a ball...

Gatica · 19-03-2014 4:42pm

oops, I think the links are modified as they come up with:
We're sorry the page you tried was not found.

PS: never mind, I just dropped the http bit at the end...

Gatica · 19-03-2014 5:04pm

oh, wow these are beautiful! I might get one of those!

janmaree · 19-03-2014 6:12pm

Elann.com also do beautiful yarns and they're big into lace knit shawls, I get their preview emails and they have quite a selection of those multi-coloured yarns. I've bought from them a few times at this stage, their prices are brilliant and they have a huge free patterns section that just requires a free registration to access. Would be worth a look at their site just for the window-shopping, even if you never buy anything.

Gatica · 19-03-2014 7:05pm

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know whether you'd be paying customs on that? Cheaper shipping is quite long, so I'd probably need to plan way ahead

Gatica · 19-03-2014 7:40pm

From another post on this thread, had a look at a site and found a lovely blend with very good value for 1kg:

http://www.theconstantknitter.ie/shop/yarn/lace
Their shipping was only 4 Euro, plus I also got some Baby Merino for making a baby hat.

Can't wait to get started on the shawl and hat when they arrive!

Was trying to buy the CindyLou Hat pattern someone had posted here but vendor site is having problems with their paypal account so I've got a combo of a swirl hat pattern and a gnome pattern, which should make something similar.

janmaree · 19-03-2014 8:29pm

Gatica wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know whether you'd be paying customs on that? Cheaper shipping is quite long, so I'd probably need to plan way ahead

I haven't had to so far, I think if the purchase value, including shipping, is under €150 then there's nothing else to pay.

Mozzeltoff · 24-03-2014 8:17pm

Hi guys!

My mother broke her ankle last week and she's asked me to knit her a sock that she can put over her cast. Would any of you guys have such a pattern or know where to look? I have tried ravlery but nothing so far

kandr10 · 24-03-2014 8:23pm

What about doing a leg warmer instead? Might have a bit more stretch?

Mozzeltoff · 24-03-2014 8:26pm

Good idea, I'll look into that

kandr10 · 24-03-2014 8:30pm

Mozzeltoff wrote: »

Good idea, I'll look into that

I'm sure I've seen some on ravelry. Only thing is your mams poor toes will still be frozen! It's rubbish when you break your ankle :-(

Mozzeltoff · 24-03-2014 10:40pm

kandr10 wrote: »

I'm sure I've seen some on ravelry. Only thing is your mams poor toes will still be frozen! It's rubbish when you break your ankle :-(

That's the thing. It's specifically for her toes that she wants me to knit the sock..may just see if there is any patterns for oversized socks and see what turns up!

wmpdd3 · 25-03-2014 12:33am

YOu could try a xmas sock! seriously!

If it for over the cast, a long tube may work as the bend at the ankle is reduced.

TreasureBin · 25-03-2014 4:52pm

Could you do a regular sock pattern and then switch to bigger needles and chunky yarn for the ankle? Or an eyelash yarn, to look like a fur cuff?!

ABajaninCork · 26-03-2014 10:04pm

I just had to share this:

I've been looking around for some short (24.5cm) bamboo single point needles on eBay. Found an 18 piece set for which bids were being accepted. So I put in a bid with a maximum ceiling of £4.50. I wasn't going to bid much more than that, as I know I can get a set for about £5-6. Got a notification from eBay I'd been outbid. The needles were won with a price of £19.01 :eek:

The kicker? The same seller has the same set of needles for sale. The Buy It Now price? £5.99 and free postage! I just hope whoever the Muppet was who bought those needles at £19.01 doesn't decide to take a look at the seller's other items...:D

Some people really have no sense.

ABajaninCork · 28-03-2014 1:17pm

I always have problems with space when blocking my pieces before making up.

I've seen a blocking kit (mat, pins, etc.) on eBay for £22. Seems like quite a lot to me, but wanted to ask:

Are these kits worth it?
What's the easiest way to block? I don't have the space (or the patience!) to pin out the damp pieces and wait for them to dry.

Can you share any tips with me, please?7

TIA

Gatica · 28-03-2014 3:27pm

Bump, ABajaninCork! I've the same questions on blocking too. I see lots of info on it but it's always using some kind of proper kit, which I'm not 100% sure I want to invest into. I've thought of doing steam-blocking with the iron, but I'm a little afraid of frying my knitting.

PS: Got lovely manos del uruguay maxima and drops lace yarn off www.theconstantknitter.ie and some drops baby merino from Winnie's Craft Cafe online. thanks for the info though, janmaree!

looksee · 28-03-2014 5:40pm

I have a wooden ironing board which was made for me (in Kenya!) over 40 years ago. The top is rather wider than standard boards and it is covered with a random assortment of fabric and blanket which gets changed every few years. It is very suitable for pinning both dressmaking and knitting to the top with angled pins and then steaming/blocking/pressing is easy. Admittedly not everyone has this facility, but that's my secret, no special kit at all! (My eldest daughter has claimed that she is to inherit the board, its still in perfect condition and solid as a rock, so she might even get it!)

duckling10 · 29-03-2014 12:40pm

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I always have problems with space when blocking my pieces before making up.

I've seen a blocking kit (mat, pins, etc.) on eBay for £22. Seems like quite a lot to me, but wanted to ask:

Are these kits worth it?
What's the easiest way to block? I don't have the space (or the patience!) to pin out the damp pieces and wait for them to dry.

Can you share any tips with me, please?7

TIA

I see some people use the foamy ABC jigsaw floor mats that you can get in toy shops, or maybe you have one in a cupboard somewhere?
easy to use, and then when you're done, easy to put away...

LoonyLovegood · 29-03-2014 1:57pm

My American housemate is the one who showed me how to block properly, I just do it on a towel. Lay the garment down, pin into shape, spray with water, leave to dry.

cofy · 29-03-2014 8:05pm

For blocking I use an old matress from my sons cot. When the garment is pinned I just stand it up in the hot press.

kandr10 · 29-03-2014 8:19pm

I never blocked my things before!! I'll add that to the list of things to get better at. Does it make a big difference?

janmaree · 29-03-2014 8:39pm

I've heard of using large sheets of styrofoam board, you see the white sheets of it being applied when a house is being built. It's a clumsy size but very light and easy to push pins into, I guess it could be stored under a bed when not in use. I don't really block things either unless it's fine thread crochet and then it's a must or the pattern doesn't show to best advantage.

LoonyLovegood · 29-03-2014 9:04pm

One thing it's made a massive difference to is my beekeepers blanket. I'm not stuffing the hexipuffs, and blocking makes them so much nicer.

tea and cake · 29-03-2014 10:42pm

Hi,
I'm a beginner knitter. I am just starting this sirdar baby blanket pattern 1903.
The pattern says to cast on 3 stitches(this bit I can do!) and
row 1- yfwd, k3.
Row 2-yfwd, k4 and the pattern continues like this. While I know what yfwd is I'm not sure how to do this stitch at the start? I can do it if I k1 and then do yfwd,I'm just a little confused.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ABajaninCork · 29-03-2014 10:46pm

Sounds as though you're making a blanket corner up. The yfwd will in fact increase the stitches. Are you doing this pattern every row, or are you purling alternate rows? Post up the pattern, and we can take a look...

tea and cake · 29-03-2014 10:48pm

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Sounds as though you're making a blanket corner up. The yfwd will in fact increase the stitches. Are you doing this pattern every row, or are you purling alternate rows? Post up the pattern, and we can take a look...

Thanks for the reply!
The pattern looks like this...

tea and cake · 29-03-2014 11:02pm

It's ok,I figured it out!!Thanks so much for your help!ðŸ˜႒

duckling10 · 29-03-2014 11:52pm

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I always have problems with space when blocking my pieces before making up.

I've seen a blocking kit (mat, pins, etc.) on eBay for £22. Seems like quite a lot to me, but wanted to ask:

TIA

just adding that I was in Aldi today and, for 19.99euro, they have packs of 6 large foam pieces that make a floor mat, each one of the pieces are large enough to use as a blocking mat, so one pack could be shared between 2 or 3 knitters. (6 pieces for 19.99 altogether)
And the pieces have small circular holes in them, which would also help the damp knitted piece to dry.
Apparently blocking really does help to get a knitted item into the right shape and size, and is very important if one knits lace.

kandr10 · 30-03-2014 12:25am

Great idea on the foam mats! Thanks.
Can I ask, if you have, say a sleeve, that's all curled up at the edges, would you press it first and then block it or just block it?

LoonyLovegood · 30-03-2014 4:56pm

Just block it, and then see if it needs pressing afterwards

Gatica · 31-03-2014 4:13pm

duckling10 wrote: »

just adding that I was in Aldi today and, for 19.99euro, they have packs of 6 large foam pieces that make a floor mat, each one of the pieces are large enough to use as a blocking mat, so one pack could be shared between 2 or 3 knitters. (6 pieces for 19.99 altogether)
And the pieces have small circular holes in them, which would also help the damp knitted piece to dry.
Apparently blocking really does help to get a knitted item into the right shape and size, and is very important if one knits lace.

LOL! I was just pulling up the thread to put up this exact info! I picked up the mats in Aldi for blocking - not realising they were 20 quid

til I was up at the til, I dunno, I just assumed they'd be cheap like everything else in Aldi, i.e. about a 5er, in any case, I didn't want to put it back then and got em anyway. However they'll be handy for blocking a shawl I'm knitting at the mo as I can't see any other items at home being large enough.

kandr10 wrote: »

Great idea on the foam mats! Thanks.
Can I ask, if you have, say a sleeve, that's all curled up at the edges, would you press it first and then block it or just block it?

I just uncurled the edge of a cardigan on Sunday. I used some muslin to cover it (bought it in Mothercare and following instructions for the wool yarn, used setting 2 on the iron) then with the steam on ironed over the muslin and it stretched out the curled up edge really nicely for me.

wmpdd3 · 02-04-2014 9:51am

I use an old changing Mat too, it lives under the bed!

I have a wool acrylic mix scarf, 20 / 80 , and it will not lay flat, I have blocked it twice with steam, then wet it and left it for 48 hrs, still it curls, what's the next level of blocking?

janmaree · 02-04-2014 1:55pm

Would your scarf lend itself to being folded in half and stitched up? It would be narrower of course but narrow scarves seem to be very popular these days, judging by all my pattern browsing! Just a thought because it seems you've done what you can already.

Gatica · 02-04-2014 2:06pm

From what I understand natural fibres "relax" when soaked and lend themselves to being reshaped, i.e. blocked. I'm guessing then in that case that unnatural or acrylic fibres won't cooperate as well.
If your blend is only 20% wool, then I would suppose that the 80% here is the uncooperative type of fibre that would be difficult to force into a different shape after knitting. I stand to be corrected by someone more expertly though...

LoonyLovegood · 02-04-2014 3:32pm

Well the steaming works for 100% acrylic items...Maybe pin it, spray it with water, let it dry and see how it goes?

Gatica · 02-04-2014 3:48pm

ok, then how about curling it in the opposite direction?

Knitting - help and advice super thread!

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