Knitting - help and advice super thread!

janmaree · 09-07-2015 9:04pm

Thanks so much for the advice, I'm really looking forward to it now, rather than that butterfly feeling! I actually bought everything from their UK site so I've been there already but didn't think of a catalogue. I think I'll get this one under my belt and then take a closer look afterwards, although I've promised myself a project from Brooklyn Tweed next, love their patterns, especially their mens collection. Anyway, fingers xd and wish me luck! Thanks again, you're a star.

aknitter · 07-08-2015 9:12pm

I'm just looking for suggestions....
I'm off on holidays and will have a bit knitting time (yeah). I would like to take something with me - but something portable, easy and taking one or two balls. BTW I'm no sock knitter! I don't mind something that I could do duplicates of. Any recommendations?

ABajaninCork · 07-08-2015 9:15pm

A cowl? Plenty of nice patterns on Ravelry. In fact I'm doing the same myself. It'll be the first time I've picked up the needles in months!

aknitter · 07-08-2015 9:20pm

I just did one! That might be a bit bulky, I'm doing a cardy at the minute and think it'll be too bulky to bring (and will annoy me too much if left behind or the kids get hold of it). What are you doing?

ABajaninCork · 07-08-2015 9:31pm

I've got some Debbie Bliss DK silk yarn - So I'll be taking that and a circular...

aknitter · 07-08-2015 9:33pm

OOHH fancy!! I'm not confident that I could do it justice! Maybe another 10 years of practice!

ABajaninCork · 07-08-2015 9:59pm

Not really - bought the yarn from Deramore's in a sale!

TreasureBin · 08-08-2015 2:18pm

How about a shawl (basically a big triangle) with one of those 2 ply mohair type yarns, but knit on big needles (6mm upwards) to look lacy.
I did one as a present for someone last Christmas and only used 50g (well, a fraction over).

duckling10 · 08-08-2015 7:46pm

@aknitter, I agree with TreasureBin, a shawl. I've just been on hols and I knit a shawl, and I knit one last year as well, my first shawl actually.

Not sure what level of knitting you are at, so here's the link to the pattern for the first shawl, Winter Sunrise Shawl, which leads to this blog.
I modified it, the pattern is every line Purl, I did every line Knit.
The triangular shape is made by the increases, which are created by Yarn Overs, 4 YO on every second line, spread out, 1 at each end of the line and 1 on either side of a central stitch which gives a wonderful spine effect to the shawl.
It was very simple to master and no pattern as such to remember, just Yarn Over after first stitch of every second line, then knit to centre, yo before centre stitch, K1 then yo again and knit to last st, yo, knit last st. You can stop when you have 200 sts. You can also knit more if you want if you are tall and want a bit more length.
You can choose any wool you have and needles just a little bigger than the wool would usually have so the knit is loose-ish. I used circulars, not joining the work just knitting over and back. Circulars are great (cheapie Lidl ones) because you don't run the risk of losing a needle and neither do you drop stitches when you leave down the work, you just push all stitches far back onto the loop and then roll up the work and it makes a small bundle until next time.
If you want a more complicated shawl you can look at this one,
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lalas-simple-shawl
it has mixture of garter stitch, stocking stitch and rows of eyelets created by YO, K2Tog, repeated across one line, very simple and very effective.

2 or 3 balls, pair of circs, printout of pattern, Bob's your uncle!

aknitter · 09-08-2015 8:13pm

Thanks duckling10, I've rethought the shawls and it maybe a runner! I've just started buying Knitpro circs and I'm a convert on the 4mm or bigger, I broke the 3.25 one I got so not impressed with the smaller sizes! Now I just have to go through the stash and see if I've anything suitable otherwise it'll be a trip to town!!!

iguana · 19-08-2015 10:23am

Aaargh! I was crocheting some little cardigans and after I finished the first, one of my fingers was feeling irritated and I dealt with it by moving my finger closer to the hook. Then I continued on and did two more cardigans. I just looked at the three of them together last night and was left nearly in tears. Moving my finger placement somehow completely and utterly changed the size of my stitches and now I have one big cardigan and two tiny ones. Hopefully, what I have is two newborn cardigans and a 3-6 month sized one. But I fear I have one newborn cardi and two only fit for dolls.

TreasureBin · 19-08-2015 11:44am

If they're very tiny, they might suit preemies and you could maybe donate to your local hospital?

iguana · 19-08-2015 9:00pm

ln an amazing coincidence one of the babies I was making them for was just born quite a bit ahead of schedule and will, I'm sure, be in need of a teeny cardi.

TreasureBin · 20-08-2015 12:41pm

ElizaK · 31-08-2015 11:23am

Hello,

Would be grateful for any advice...

Is there any where online that I could buy knitting wool, reasonably priced? I'm looking for Cascade Yarn and it seems to working out quite expensive in my local shop. I'm just a beginner and was wondering if there was any particular place that seasoned knitters buy their wool?

Thanks in advance.

wmpdd3 · 08-09-2015 10:02am

For brand names, no there isn't really a cheaper way to buy, you might get 20%of now and then but that's it. There a 'wool for sale' group on Facebook that's good.

Is there any reason why you want that yarn? Is it for a pattern? If so you can replace the yarn with any yarn as long as you achieve tension.

Say if I was choosing a sweater in size 14 in 600g of 100% wool, my options are:

My local shop, 12 balls of Rico wool @ 49 euro.

A 800g cone of 100% will from Bedford on ebay at 36 euro.

2x 400g packs of wool from yarn paradise, total 30 euro.

It's up to me to then make sure that the yarn I use will suit the pattern.

Of you post your pattern details, I can cost it for you.

Hope this helps.

sashafierce · 08-09-2015 5:13pm

This post has been deleted.

janmaree · 08-09-2015 5:57pm

I would think about a mohair type yarn that knits up quickly on large needles, that way you make progress at a good rate and end up with something quite glamorous for the winter. If you knit it in some kind of a rib stitch it would be reversible rather than having a right and wrong side and would look really nice without much finishing to be done. Just a thought but they can look really nice. The main thing is to have fun and see results, you'll enjoy it more and be keen to do something more challenging after that. Good luck, whatever you decide to make!

Meant to say that if you find a pattern you like, it will give you the needle size, etc. Perhaps do some "window shopping" on google first, see if a pattern jumps out at you and take it from there.

P.S. http://www.knittingbrain.com/lace-pattern.php
Here's a link to a pretty pattern (and it's free!), you could use a slightly bigger needle than the 5mm specified, for an even softer scarf. Anyway, I hope it all goes well for you.

ElizaK · 09-09-2015 10:09am

wmpdd3 wrote: »

For brand names, no there isn't really a cheaper way to buy, you might get 20%of now and then but that's it. There a 'wool for sale' group on Facebook that's good.

Is there any reason why you want that yarn? Is it for a pattern? If so you can replace the yarn with any yarn as long as you achieve tension.

Thank you so much for your advice. The wool is for a baby blanket I'm knitting. I bought a pattern book and it specified Cascade yarn wool. Had a chat with the lady in our local shop and went for a less expensive type of wool.

Thanks again for your help.

Neyite · 11-09-2015 4:10pm

Hi Knitters, your mods kindly permitted me to post this here.

Myself and some boardsie friends who knit/crochet are planning to contribute to Woolly Hugs, a UK organisation that provide charity knitted items to various people in need. The campaign we plan to contribute to is the current refugee crisis for Syrians - the details are below.

http://beta.woollyhugs.com/index.php...eed-your-help/

We can get woolly warmth to families in refugee camps in Kurdistan, thanks to the amazing charity Knit for Peace. There are 1.8 million refugees trapped there, most have fled civil wars and ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Winter is coming, it will be even more desperate and absolutely freezing. We are also developing links to get resources to children and families elsewhere, and on their arrival in the UK. We just want to help keep folk warm. We know we can’t help everyone, but we can some.

We really need your help, here’s how…

* We need 12 inch, or six inch squares. Knit or crochet both equally welcome.
* Yarn to be used - any good quality acrylic DK, for example Stylecraft special DK
* Any colour, any style, it is all good.
* Squares equally welcome if made by beginner or expert. Truly.
* No one think their's wouldn’t be good enough. They will be.
* We'd love to receive whole blankets, but absolutely understand time constraints.
* We’d also love to receive hats and gloves/mittens for any age, baby sized through to adult, the same for jumpers. But appreciate that is a very big ask.
* If you’d like to donate yarn or funds, let us know - we’d absolutely LOVE to hear from you, we need you too. This will be a real team effort
* If anyone would like to join in crafting but can’t afford to, please PM us, we can help.

One square, one blanket, a pair of gloves, one warm hat, one step at a time, really every little thing will help. Together we can make a difference.

Sadly we cannot accept items other than home made woolly ones at the moment, if this changes we will come back.

If any of you would like to join us in our project, then please pm me.

wmpdd3 · 11-09-2015 4:10pm

Yep, well worth talking to the people in knit shops, a wealth of information. Anyone with a knit addiction will know all the short cuts as you would be broke otherwise!

@ Sashafierce.

If you can source 'bit fab' and a set of 10mm needles, you will have a snood very quickly. The pattern (knit a bit rectangle and sew the ends together!) is on the back of the ball band.

http://www.purplelindacrafts.co.uk/patons-fab-big-colour-094-tropic-color-13861-p.asp

the snood is pictured above on the ball band.

OffalyMedic · 11-09-2015 9:20pm

I have 3 little cousins (6mths,5mths and 16mths) and I want to knit them all a Christmas jumper. Was wondering if anyone here has a nice pattern of a simple jumper I,e just a christmass tree. Not great with designs so don't want to be swapping colours too much. All help appreciated

Gormal · 09-10-2015 2:21pm

I have yarn that is 75% wool but superwash. Never used before, so my question is does it stretch? As it has knitted up a bit small, but is quite stretchy. I was planning to block it to the right size, but wondering how it washes.

Jellybaby1 · 17-10-2015 12:52am

It's gone a bit quiet here so I hope someone can help me. Is Lion Brand Homespun Wool available in Ireland. I have Googled a few Irish shops but it's not on their lists. Maybe I might get it at the RDS next month? Also if necessary, what could I substitute for it? It is 98% Acrylic and 2% Polyester.

mmg0305 · 19-10-2015 10:14am

I'm not aware of anywhere in Ireland that has it but you can get it from the UK http://www.deramores.com/lion-brand-homespun

Jellybaby1 · 19-10-2015 3:36pm

mmg0305 wrote: »

I'm not aware of anywhere in Ireland that has it but you can get it from the UK http://www.deramores.com/lion-brand-homespun

Thank you. Haven't come across them before. Checking it out now.

diomed · 19-10-2015 4:47pm

I have a black woolen jumper (Doogan, Donegal) that has a small tear in the front.
Is there anywhere in Dublin (southside) where I can get it darned?

wmpdd3 · 21-10-2015 9:52pm

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

It's gone a bit quiet here so I hope someone can help me. Is Lion Brand Homespun Wool available in Ireland. I have Googled a few Irish shops but it's not on their lists. Maybe I might get it at the RDS next month? Also if necessary, what could I substitute for it? It is 98% Acrylic and 2% Polyester.

I'm not sure, I'd say you could pick it up on raverly de-stash alright. I have seen some items made from the varigated version, it seems to be just a chunky aran. Its splits easily as its roving with a poly thread holding it together. I think it around 14x20 tension so any yarn that knits good and close on 6mm needles should suit the pattern. Try stylecraft chunky.

http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/lion-brand-homespun

janmaree · 26-10-2015 12:25pm

diomed wrote: »

I have a black woolen jumper (Doogan, Donegal) that has a small tear in the front.
Is there anywhere in Dublin (southside) where I can get it darned?

I have never heard of a darning service on offer but if there's a decent yarn shop anywhere near you, they might be able to suggest something for you. Failing that, there are a lot of youtube clips showing how to make different knitwear repairs, if you're not a knitter then it's double-dutch to you but maybe you know a knitter who might watch a few (Carol Brunnette is good to learn from) and then take it on for you. A lot depends on how big the tear is, what kind of pattern the sweater has been knit in, that kind of thing. I've done a lot of darning in my time but mostly for myself and I would not be as skilled as others but I'm sure there's a solution for you, one way or another. If you have no luck at all, maybe PM me and I could take a look at it for you. I hope this is some help, good luck.

katie1212 · 30-10-2015 1:54am

Im recovering from an illness and cant go out. Just wondering if anyone has oldd balls of wool they would like to get rid of. At least i can knit and be doing something constructive. I would appreciate it. Katie

conandoyle · 02-11-2015 12:15am

Hi
I was really hoping some one could help with this question. I am looking for a knitting group in Cork city. I was a given a few names and events by people but they all seem to be either disbanded or relocated. I basically looking for a bit of knittting and and natter. Any one out there that could help it's very much appreciated.

thanks

OffalyMedic · 02-11-2015 12:03pm

conandoyle wrote:

Hi I was really hoping some one could help with this question. I am looking for a knitting group in Cork city. I was a given a few names and events by people but they all seem to be either disbanded or relocated. I basically looking for a bit of knittting and and natter. Any one out there that could help it's very much appreciated.

They used to do one in vibes and scribes over at the bottom of Patrick's hill, not sure if still in operation though!

conandoyle · 02-11-2015 3:33pm

shaunac93 wrote: »

They used to do one in vibes and scribes over at the bottom of Patrick's hill, not sure if still in operation though!

That's great will give a shout as I'm in cork today.

Beekay · 23-11-2015 9:04am

Hey, just lookin for some advice. I'm not a knitter but my mam is. Where in Dublin could I pick up a nice Yarn Bowl or some knitting accessories? An online option is okay aswell.

Thanks

janmaree · 23-11-2015 11:39am

I honestly don't know where in Dublin they can be found but there's quite a selection available on www.etsy.com/ie.

janmaree · 23-11-2015 11:39am

I honestly don't know where in Dublin they can be found but there's quite a selection available on www.etsy.com/ie.

janmaree · 23-11-2015 11:45am

I don't know where they might be available in Dublin but there's quite a selection available on www.etsy.com/ie.

janmaree · 23-11-2015 11:46am

Have a look on www.etsy.com/ie. I saw quite a selection there online.

janmaree · 23-11-2015 11:48am

So sorry for all the posts! I couldn't complete my replies and thought it was my flaming broadband again so I kept on trying. AAARRGHHHH!!!

Beekay · 23-11-2015 9:52pm

It was etsy that gave me the idea but it seems to be too late to order from most of them as it takes 3-4 weeks until shipping. was hoping there may be another alternative. Is anybody familiar with http://www.thisisknit.ie/? They have a shop in Dublin City. Might take a look in there.

Jellybaby1 · 24-11-2015 11:47pm

I've never bothered to 'block' before. Just knitted a hat so do I block before I sew it up or afterwards?

Gatica · 25-11-2015 1:10pm

hmm... I've actually never blocked a hat before, it usually just stretches over the head

I also knit them in the round.

However, I'd imagine blocking before will make sewing it up easier, and blocking after, will make the fit right ... any interest in doing both? does sound like lots of hassle to me.
I blocked a sweater after sewing the bits together, and found that seams were a little off, and would've helped to have them evened out before sewing.

Jellybaby1 · 25-11-2015 4:47pm

Thank you Gatica. Yes, it does seem too much bother but thought I'd give it a go this time. Think I'll block before I sew as the edges are curling a lot.

TreasureBin · 25-11-2015 6:33pm

conandoyle wrote: »

Hi
I was really hoping some one could help with this question. I am looking for a knitting group in Cork city. I was a given a few names and events by people but they all seem to be either disbanded or relocated. I basically looking for a bit of knittting and and natter. Any one out there that could help it's very much appreciated.

thanks

If you join Ravelry, you can search their groups. Here's link for Cork, but you'll need to sign in before you can see the list.

mmg0305 · 01-12-2015 3:32pm

If you're still looking for a yarn bowl, there are some here

lazeedaisy · 21-12-2015 11:54pm

Hi,

Does anyone have a pattern - tred and tested for a simple dog coat.

Thanks in advance

OffalyMedic · 22-12-2015 11:46am

Making the brim of a hat for a teddy and bit confused by the pattern, whould be very grateful if someone could help.

Cast on 7 sts
K6, turn
K to end
K
K
Repeat these 4 rows 51 more times and cast off.

Basically i want to know, what do u do with the one stitch left on needle in first row??

TOMP · 22-12-2015 2:42pm

shaunac93 wrote: »

Making the brim of a hat for a teddy and bit confused by the pattern, whould be very grateful if someone could help.

Cast on 7 sts
K6, turn
K to end
K
K
Repeat these 4 rows 51 more times and cast off.

Basically i want to know, what do u do with the one stitch left on needle in first row??

After turning, leave that stitch on the right hand needle, and then knit 6 stitches from the left hand needle to the right hand needle. Now work rows 3 and 4, which are knit all stitches to end. The finished piece will be curved to make the brim of the hat. Let us know how you get on.

lazeedaisy · 26-12-2015 5:52pm

Got myself a dog jumper pattern,

Thanks!

tringle · 01-01-2016 11:08am

What type of yarn will you be using for the dog jumper, just curious what would be suitable?

Knitting - help and advice super thread!

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