Knitting - help and advice super thread!

Tiriel · 28-02-2011 4:58pm #1

With a great community of knitters here on the forum, I thought it may be good (and it has been suggested to me by some of the users also!) to have a dedicated knitting thread.

So please post your questions, advice and general discussion here if you wish.

Remember the forum rules and happy knitting folks!

wmpdd3 · 28-02-2011 10:50pm

Great idea I also think you need to add pics if possible, they make a big difference, especially if asking for advice or help.

muireann50 · 05-03-2011 6:10pm

Hi Knitters,

I just decided to take up knitting. I'm still learning the basics and trying not to get ahead of myself because I keep seeing patterns online that I want to start straight away. I'm just hoping to find out where is the best place to stock up on supplies, e.g wool, extra needles, bits of lace, etc. Will it be cheaper to do it online or am I better off going into a shop seeing as I don't know exactly what i need? I am in Dublin by the way.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have!

Das Kitty · 06-03-2011 8:56am

Woo hoo! Knitting thread!

I have been knitting for about 3 years. It's my passion now. I sit at work dreaming of being home with my needles!

Muireann, I buy most of my yarn on eBay, there are a good few UK shops on there that have a massive selection. I started with a scarf as most people do as when you start your knitting is usually looser and gradually tightens over time. This would ruin most garments but not a scarf!

After that I started buying sirdar baby clothes patterns and the recommended yarn. Baby clothes are great for beginners as you're never too long knitting the same thing and you get quick results.

spinandscribble · 06-03-2011 12:45pm

I've just started knitting and I'm making a hat. I'm hoping to purchase some nice yarn because while theres a shop near me that sells amazing stuff, its a bit steep. Anyone recommend any good ebay sellers?

wmpdd3 · 08-03-2011 12:55am

I would say when you starting off to buy in a local shop as you just need a set of needles and 1 ball of wool for a scarf.

Once you choose the correct wool for the needles you'll have an idea when buying wool online whether it will be bigger or smaller than the wool and needles you have.

Another tip is to do a lap of all the 2nd hand shops in the town and ask if they have any knitting needles. I've trebled my stash of needles by doing this since Jan and it cost me peanuts.This means I have the needles for what ever bargain wool I find.

If you can't be bothered knitting a scarf, knit a rectangle 13inches x 6 inches and sew up the side to make a childs hat.

Doesn't really matter about stitch etc

like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/4204891442_9da674c066_o.jpg

spinandscribble · 08-03-2011 1:26am

wmpdd3 wrote: »

I would say when you starting off to buy in a local shop as you just need a set of needles and 1 ball of wool for a scarf.

Once you choose the correct wool for the needles you'll have an idea when buying wool online whether it will be bigger or smaller than the wool and needles you have.

Another tip is to do a lap of all the 2nd hand shops in the town and ask if they have any knitting needles. I've trebled my stash of needles by doing this since Jan and it cost me peanuts.This means I have the needles for what ever bargain wool I find.

If you can't be bothered knitting a scarf, knit a rectangle 13inches x 6 inches and sew up the side to make a childs hat.

Doesn't really matter about stitch etc

like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/4204891442_9da674c066_o.jpg

I'm nearly finished the hat which I made on a circle needles (needles connected by a long bit of plastic. Sorry for not making it clear that I already begun.
I did purchase the stuff at a local shop (who include a beginners class in the kit, hence why i'm making the hat for myself, their decision) but the one I have found is a bit fancy and expensive so thats why I was looking for cheaper alternatives now.

Das Kitty · 08-03-2011 9:38am

You could search for the brand you liked on eBay. I usually only buy from top rated sellers and use the buy it now options.

My favourite eBay seller (mainly because I knit a lot of sirdar things) is The Woolly Jumper Craft Company.

spinandscribble · 08-03-2011 9:47am

Das Kitty wrote: »

You could search for the brand you liked on eBay. I usually only buy from top rated sellers and use the buy it now options.

My favourite eBay seller (mainly because I knit a lot of sirdar things) is The Woolly Jumper Craft Company.

Thanks i'll look at that seller, I'm too much of a knitting noob to even know what brand to search for.

duckling10 · 08-03-2011 11:38am

Hi Spinandscribble,
am i correct in my inderstanding that you are based in Edinburgh?
I have just gone up on www.ravelry.com and searched for knitting groups in Edinburgh.
Here's a little clip from a group called City Knitty in Edinburgh:

City Knitty We have a blog with more info is at http://cityknitty.blogspot.com
Meets at Caffe Lucano on George IV Bridge from around 7.30 every Wednesday.
And at double dutch, 27-29 Marshall Street, on alternate Saturdays and Sundays from 2.00pm
Borders @ Fort Kinnaird
Stitch and Bitch Club
Come along every Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm and join in our knitting club. Held instore at our new events area - we provide the tea and coffee, you provide the gossip.
A Right Bunch of Knitters
Meets every Wednesday from 7pm in the Black Bull Inn, Mid Calder, West Lothian.

*****************
I also spotted this discussion in their forum, a lady has been spotted selling wool at a market and car boot sale...
"Just back from the flea market in the old drill hall (now known as ‘out of the blue’) in Dalmeny Street, where a lady had boxes of wool. She says she got them from a shop that closed. It’s all on cones of various amounts, lots of 4ply, some aran. It’s mostly wool/acrylic blend and some of the labels say shetland. Absolute bargain for what it is. I think I came away with about 800-900 grams and she only charged me £4.
She said she has more so I suspect there will be more to see on another saturday too. Not been kept in a smoke free environment though !

"
"I saw her too at the car boot sale on sunday mornings in the st. james’s shopping centre car park if people are looking for her."

if I've misunderstood and you are not based in Edinburgh, sorry about that.
In general my hints would be to shop around for wool, lots of discount shops and some supermarkets sell acrylic if you want to buy wool relatively cheaply, also I would check the charity shops regularly in your area for wool, Lidl regularly have wool on sale, you just have to watch their weekly offers.

eBay can be expensive, but keep an eye on other sites,

such as freecycle.org for your area where people give away their unwanted stuff. gumtree, and craigslist maybe for your own area.
On www.ravelry.com there are forums where people are selling off wool from their own stash, this is called destashing, and the price is given as opposed to ebay where you have to bid,
there is a UK Classifieds forum on ravelry, a European destash, an INternational destash, spinners marketplace, you name it, it's there....

going to a local knitting group is a great idea to get hints from other people in your area.
there are also sites that sell wool online, Colourmart is based in UK, colourmart.com, supposedly good value for wool, if you know what you want.
Hope that helps
d

Das Kitty · 08-03-2011 1:11pm

Here's my latest finished object, not the best photo but it's hard to take one of your own head!

It's a lacy beret made from Sublime Kid Mohair.

Here'e the ravelry link for more details on pattern etc.

http://ravel.me/DasKitty/oll2

attachment.php?attachmentid=150840&d=1299586161

attachment.php?attachmentid=150840&d=1299586161

wmpdd3 · 08-03-2011 4:46pm

Oh my god thats brilliant, was it knit on circular needles or flat.... The kid mohair is great, I think its not even slightly itchy but warm and really easy to work with.

Did any one see circular needles sizes 6mm + but connected with a 12" piece.

All the needles I have, the connecting thing is too long for a hat, they must be made for sweaters.

Das Kitty · 08-03-2011 4:56pm

I knitted it flat but on circular needles as that's what I mostly use (because they're light and you can put big things on them). I'd love to be able to modify flat patterns to in the round. I got a set of bamboo circulars from a seller on eBay a few years back, possibly from Asia but I'm not sure. Their feedback was great and the price was better so I went with it. They've lasted well but are starting to get a little brittle now around the joins so I'm thinking of replacing them with KnitPicks if I can get someone in the US to take delivery of them.

wmpdd3 - have you tried the magic loop method of knitting small things on long circular needles? I know someone who threw out her Double pointed needles after mastering it. I haven't had a lot of luck with it myself though.

wmpdd3 · 08-03-2011 6:57pm

Wow, I never heard that but I just did a few rows of baby socks and it works fine. Much easier than the 4 open ended needles.

My 4mm circular needles are the stiffest ones so I'll steep them in hot water before I knit the other sock! You really need them to be very flexible.

tishandy · 08-03-2011 7:06pm

Ive started knitting again recently and found my local library great for reminding me of different types of knit.
When my daughter saw me knitting she wanted to try. I found her a kit from Smyths toy shop ,huge chunky wooden needles which knit fast and give quick results, much easier for her than the usual 4mm short kids needles.

tishandy · 08-03-2011 7:14pm

Thanks, I'd never heard of Ravelry and found it now through this thread.
Can we all post our favorite knitting sites too?
Its not soley dedicated to knitting but I like Threadbanger , just put knitting in the search facility http://www.threadbanger.com/post/12543/weekly-diy-roundup-funny-knit-patterns

wmpdd3 · 08-03-2011 7:20pm

tishandy wrote: »

Ive started knitting again recently and found my local library great for reminding me of different types of knit.
When my daughter saw me knitting she wanted to try. I found her a kit from Smyths toy shop ,huge chunky wooden needles which knit fast and give quick results, much easier for her than the usual 4mm short kids needles.

this one?

http://www.toys.ie/My-Chunky-and-Funky-Scarf-!E04510-prod.aspx?qwSessionID=d276b310-d7c5-4022-9b69-b5d9ad0eba02

this looks great well worth 9 quid.

tishandy · 08-03-2011 8:56pm

wmpdd3 wrote: »

this one?

http://www.toys.ie/My-Chunky-and-Funky-Scarf-!E04510-prod.aspx?qwSessionID=d276b310-d7c5-4022-9b69-b5d9ad0eba02

this looks great well worth 9 quid.

Thats the one. Lovely yarn with it . I was a bit jealous. Ill definately use the needles again myself.

Cows Go µ · 09-03-2011 1:09am

I've just started knitting, started as soon as the shops opened after christmas. First I made a scarf that actually turned out to be a small blanket for my puppy (I was making a silly mistake at the end of each row which made it get bigger all the time) after that I made a Gryffindor scarf which I wear every day and I'm exceptionally proud of even though it was really quite simple. Then I made a scarf using the basketweave stitch, at least I think that's what it was called.

I made a pair of fingerless gloves that were just a rectangle and sewn up the side with a hole for the thumb, really simple to make and I put heart on them, so did my first multicolour knitting that wasn't just strips. I've now moved on to socks and actually feeling confident enough to actually knit something and give it to someone. I've really enjoyed knitting, I get to be kind of creative and I feel really proud when I wear something I made. Plus I get to make things that are uniquely suited to me and match my personality as well as being really cheap!

I found knitting.about.com really helpful. I taught myself from the internet and they were helpful because there were loads of pictures and I can't learn from videos. Also Silver's Sock Class was really good for socks. Again lots of pictures and once I got past the whole 4 needles thing, they really weren't that bad!

scapegoateire · 11-03-2011 12:04am

Hi all.
I'm another new knitter and need some help. I have been looking online, ebay etc for some yarn and tbh my head is wrecked! There's just so much choice to trawl through. I'm just a beginner so I would rather not spend much on yarn right now while I practice. At the same time, I hear that acrylic can be dodgy even though its cheaper. So I'm looking for inexpensive but nice yarn I guess! If anyone could point me in the right direction when it comes to brands or shops on ebay I would appreciate it so so much.
Cheers

wmpdd3 · 12-03-2011 4:28am

scapegoateire wrote: »

Hi all.
I'm another new knitter and need some help. I have been looking online, ebay etc for some yarn and tbh my head is wrecked! There's just so much choice to trawl through. I'm just a beginner so I would rather not spend much on yarn right now while I practice. At the same time, I hear that acrylic can be dodgy even though its cheaper. So I'm looking for inexpensive but nice yarn I guess! If anyone could point me in the right direction when it comes to brands or shops on ebay I would appreciate it so so much.
Cheers

i would say use the acrylic and knit some thing like bag. The acrilic would be hard wearing and very suitable. Your right id never wear acrylic but i often use it for trims as is much easier to get good colours.

Das Kitty · 21-03-2011 3:45pm

My cheap-as-chips bamboo circular needles (which I use all the time) have started giving up on me, my 3.25 has given up completely and even my superglue fix didn't work

So last night I ordered the needle set I have wanted for ages, the Knitpro (KnitPicks) Interchangeable circular ones. Can't wait for them to come.

wmpdd3 · 22-03-2011 8:09pm

Do they deliver to Ireland now?, always wanted them.

Das Kitty · 22-03-2011 9:39pm

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Do they deliver to Ireland now?, always wanted them.

See that's the impression I was under and was lamenting to my husband and he did a search and found that they're called KnitPro in Europe. I found an eBay seller in the UK that I had used before. www.thisisknit.ie has them as well.

wmpdd3 · 24-03-2011 10:30pm

Oh brilliant, m next treat when I have money!

Poppadoc · 30-03-2011 11:46am

Hi was was wondering if someone can advise me as to where i can find a tutorial to knit a k3b stitch. Thanks

wmpdd3 · 01-04-2011 5:40pm

I know you are probably looking for a video, but I'll try help.

It there supposed to be a ripple in the pattern?

It usually means knit 3 stitches using the bumps from the row below. It will make a little ripple or dart.

Is it an edge or a seam?

Das Kitty · 06-04-2011 9:47am

Finished up a few objects over the last few days.

A Car Coat and Hat for a friend's little girl

And a Jumper for my baby man

I also finished something for another boardsie, but I won't post it here. It just needs to be washed and dried flat before sending out.

beeftotheheels · 06-04-2011 6:34pm

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Oh brilliant, m next treat when I have money!

Not a treat, a necessity (once you've had them)

The different cable lengths and the fact you can use the cables as stitch holders while knitting up the front and back/ travelling is brilliant.

Also the fact that you can rib on one size and then just change the points to increase the needle size for the body rather than trying to knit off one circular needle onto another. Makes me wonder how I ever managed to knit on circular needles before I had them.

I gave all my old needles to my Mam once I got my knitpro kit (I bought it from thisisknit back in January).

Now, if only some one could figure out how to make a small enough circular needle so I could retire my sock needles I'd be in heaven.

wmpdd3 · 06-04-2011 9:51pm

Oh, Das Kitty they are brilliant, I love you little mans sweater, no tight neck or fastenings, perfect.

I have used the yarn you made the little hat and coat from it is a dream to work with but works out expensive enough when you go up in age. But it is really hard wearing, I have a hat I made in it and it must be 3 years old, looks like new.

beeftotheheels · 03-05-2011 3:53pm

Anyone any experience of knitting on Ryanair? I have wooden interchangeable tips on a circular needle so even if they confiscate the points I can keep the knitting but if anyone knows that it is a no no then I won't bother risking the tips.

Das Kitty · 03-05-2011 3:57pm

I've seen them confiscating needles from knitting, personally I wouldn't risk my interchangeables.

wmpdd3 · 03-05-2011 10:52pm

I had my 2 plastic crochet hooks confiscated, mortifying! It was on BMI.

beeftotheheels · 04-05-2011 8:17am

wmpdd3 wrote: »

I had my 2 plastic crochet hooks confiscated, mortifying! It was on BMI.

I shouldn't laugh but seriously what damage can be done with two plastic crochet hooks? I'm trying to picture some sort of Lara Croft character choosing the crochet hook as a weapon of choice....

Banning metal needles kind of makes sense, hence I thought wooden tips may make a difference, but if plastic hooks got taken???

wmpdd3 · 05-05-2011 7:25pm

Funny considering I had a metal nail file and toe nail clippers in my hand luggage! Its a big no no, any kind of needles, they just approach you when they see the wool.

Das Kitty · 05-05-2011 7:50pm

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Funny considering I had a metal nail file and toe nail clippers in my hand luggage! Its a big no no, any kind of needles, they just approach you when they see the wool.

Sucks for finger knitters! :pac:

wmpdd3 · 05-05-2011 9:34pm

I would if I thought finger knitting would occupy me for 1.5 hours.

Groom! · 12-05-2011 9:56pm

I would have thought having a knitter on a flight WITHOUT her knitting would be far more dangerous!!

wmpdd3 · 12-05-2011 10:18pm

Does anyone have an online pattern for baby boy booties, I need a pair made for Saturday night.

I have every thickness and size needle I will need, just need something that will work. I have a few but they are more girly 'Mary Jane' type ones.

beeftotheheels · 12-05-2011 10:50pm

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Does anyone have an online pattern for baby boy booties, I need a pair made for Saturday night.

I have every thickness and size needle I will need, just need something that will work. I have a few but they are more girly 'Mary Jane' type ones.

If someone finds you a pattern it will be a lot easier than taking the leap of faith required to follow my pattern here but just in case no one responds with a link I thought I'd pop this up, they are really simple plain ones and I did them in Peter Pan dk for my nephew which worked up beautifully (I'll recheck again for typos) and took a couple of hours.

Plain bootees in DK on 4mm for a newborn.

Cast on 23 sts loosely like for a sock.
Knit
K2 m1 K9 m1 k1 m1 k9 m1 k2
Knit
K2 m1 K11 m1 k1 m1 k11 m1 k2
Knit
K2 m1 K13 m1 k1 m1 k13 m1 k2
Knit
K2 m1 K15 m1 k1 m1 k15 m1 k2
with 39 sts do 6 rows of ss before shaping the instep

K22 s1 k1 psso turn
p6 p2tog turn
knit 6 s1 k1 psso turn
p6 p2tog turn
knit 6 s1 k1 psso turn
p6 p2tog turn
knit 6 s1 k1 psso turn
p6 p2tog turn
knit 6 s1 k1 psso turn
p6 p2tog turn (29 sts)
Knit to end increasing 1 stitch in center of the row

Change to 3 1/4 for the start of the rib
6 rows in 2 x 2 rib on the small needles then back onto 4mm. Continue until the rib is 7cm. cast off and sew up.

wmpdd3 · 12-05-2011 11:46pm

WOW, thanks a million, hope you were able to copy and paste that!

It looks really good, Im running up a test 1 of these before bed but I'll try your tomorrow night.

Das Kitty · 12-05-2011 11:56pm

I've made something very close to these before and they were fab.

http://fuzzygalore.biz/patterns/cbbooties.shtml

beeftotheheels · 13-05-2011 12:10am

wmpdd3 wrote: »

WOW, thanks a million, hope you were able to copy and paste that!

It looks really good, Im running up a test 1 of these before bed but I'll try your tomorrow night.

They're cute, and a bit different. The one I posted is very much the vanilla traditional bootie.

Actually having followed the pattern once I did the pattern with super chunkie on 8mm needles to make adult booties which required a little fiddling at the instep as I went along but actually turned out quite nicely. I stopped the rib short and put a ribbon in.

beeftotheheels · 13-05-2011 12:16am

Das Kitty wrote: »

I've made something very close to these before and they were fab.

http://fuzzygalore.biz/patterns/cbbooties.shtml

They look really cute and with another nephew or niece due this week I am thinking that maybe I should give them a go (but I'm kinda hoping for a niece so I can do some mary jane style ones with flowers that I have a pattern for).

I have never knit a flower although armed with my hook I can crochet a pansy or rose or whatever with my eyes closed (significant risk Beef will cheat and get the hook out when it comes time for flower production methinks)

wmpdd3 · 15-05-2011 10:26pm

Finished my 'shot-gun' boots at 12:30am the day before the Baptisim. Had no time to get a pic. I did the ones above but in aran cabel stitches and a higher ankle. They stayed on for a while anyway.

I'll get a pic next time I see them orf I might make a set for my little one in another colour, I had to try them on her to see if they'd fit and she got attached.

Any way anyone got a pattern for a girls sun hat in debbie bliss dk cotton or similar?

CiaraCulkin · 26-05-2011 11:29am

Join the mile high club for knitting? Sure have! First was last year on Ryanair! Took my pink furry case of needles in my hand luggage, and wool and knitted on the flight, same on way back. Then this year did same on Lufthansa and Belavia... Then again I was on the security station and saw a guy with a pocket knife being investigated. The officer examined all of the attachments to the knife and proceeded to hand the knife back to the gentleman who went on his way!!!:mad:

:eek:

casiof91w · 27-05-2011 11:27am

Hi

I am hoping someone will be able to knit me a jumper of an american stars and stripes design. Willing to pay of course.

Anyone know someone who could do this or direct me somewhere.

Thank you
Stephen

Hoof_Hearted · 30-05-2011 8:33am

casiof91w wrote: »

Hi

I am hoping someone will be able to knit me a jumper of an american stars and stripes design. Willing to pay of course.

Anyone know someone who could do this or direct me somewhere.

Thank you
Stephen

Most wool shops will be able to get someone to knit this for you, especially the smaller owner-run shops. If they can't do it they'll certainly know some good knitters.

DEEMAR · 31-05-2011 5:36pm

Hi All, Its great to see a thread like this one. I love knitting and go through phases, both hand and machine knitting. I find that wool is very expensive,but haven't bought online yet, so its great to hear of online sellers. I'm in the Limerick area and wonder if there are any knitting clubs in the area?

deepeedublin · 31-05-2011 10:40pm

not sure if there is a stitch and bitch club near you, but I hear they are grrrreat

duckling10 · 31-05-2011 10:40pm

Hi Deemar,
I am in the Limerick area and have just bought myself a secondhand knitting machine. I also love hand-knitting and have started spinning a bit too. There is a knitting club called Rainbow Stitch and Bitch which meets every Wednesday afternoon in Limerick City Centre at a pub called The Old Quarter, here's their info:

We meet in The Old Quarter bar just off Denmark Street in the city centre on WEDNESDAY afternevenings at 5.30pm.
If it’s warm, we’ll be sitting outside, and if it’s gloomy we’ll be down the back in the comfy chairs! If it’s your first time joining us, I recommend turning up a wee bit late so as to be sure that we’ll be there!

May I ask you about your knitting machine, what type do you have, how much do you work with it?
I am rediscovering machine knitting, but taking it very slowly, due to family and work and fact that the machine needs servicing! I learnt to use my mother's machine in the 1970's and 1980's, but haven't used one between 1989 and this year.
looking forward to hearing about your knitting adventures!
duckling

Knitting - help and advice super thread!

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