Knitting - help and advice super thread!

em_cat · 16-12-2018 9:28pm

Graces7 wrote: »

Knitting somehow is more flexible? Shaping wise?

For me the great drawback to crochet is that I cannot crochet and read at the same time, whereas I CAN and do knit at speed and read etc. I knit constantly ./ a nervous tic!

I was always watch in amazement at the speed people can knit, I find I pick up speed but can’t for the life of me flick. It’s odd because I knit & crochet primarily with my left hand but hold the tension in the left when I knit & in the right for crochet which I can do while reading or watching the tele. But can’t leave home without either!

Today I realised I was holding a hook in my right while knitting the body of Mr C’s jumper. I was subconsciously picking up drops as I was going along.

ShaShaBear · 16-12-2018 9:55pm

Graces7 wrote: »

Knitting somehow is more flexible? Shaping wise?

For me the great drawback to crochet is that I cannot crochet and read at the same time, whereas I CAN and do knit at speed and read etc. I knit constantly ./ a nervous tic!

I'm the other way, can find and work any stitch in crochet without looking but would never attempt to do that knitting! In saying that, I'm a complete beginner knitter - know most stitches and basic techniques but have no experience!

Starting the front panel of this knitted jumper, very excited as it's non-uniform week for pre-school and I want one of the wee ones to wear it in if I can get it done on time!

now online · 16-12-2018 10:55pm

I watch tv and crochet! I definitely couldn't read. I keep saying one more row and I'll go to bed and end up crocheting till silly o clock. Them I go to bed and read I wonder why I'm wrecked!
My son is always asking me to make something for him I somehow think crochet looks good on girls but it has to be knitting for a boy an I the only one that thinks this?
I've a few projects lined up for the next few weeks and after that I might look for an easy knitting pattern for a boys jumper.
Any suggestions?

ShaShaBear · 16-12-2018 11:38pm

now online wrote: »

I watch tv and crochet! I definitely couldn't read. I keep saying one more row and I'll go to bed and end up crocheting till silly o clock. Them I go to bed and read I wonder why I'm wrecked!
My son is always asking me to make something for him I somehow think crochet looks good on girls but it has to be knitting for a boy an I the only one that thinks this?
I've a few projects lined up for the next few weeks and after that I might look for an easy knitting pattern for a boys jumper.
Any suggestions?

I 100% get you. The lacy/holey effect of most crochet doesn't quite look as good on a boy as a girl. I'm currently knitting a free sweater called "CHILD’S KNIT CREW NECK PULLOVER" from Ravelry. It's definitely easy, I've never in my life knitted a sweater and I'm 3 inches into my second panel with no issues!

Graces7 · 17-12-2018 7:57am

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I'm the other way, can find and work any stitch in crochet without looking but would never attempt to do that knitting! In saying that, I'm a complete beginner knitter - know most stitches and basic techniques but have no experience!

Starting the front panel of this knitted jumper, very excited as it's non-uniform week for pre-school and I want one of the wee ones to wear it in if I can get it done on time!

I used to knit Aran for the export industry in Scotland... when you are being paid by the garment, it speeds you up wondrously

A big sweater in 4 days was my norm... The pay was .... well peanuts would have been better. :rolleyes:

ShaShaBear · 17-12-2018 2:03pm

Graces7 wrote: »

I used to knit Aran for the export industry in Scotland... when you are being paid by the garment, it speeds you up wondrously A big sweater in 4 days was my norm... The pay was .... well peanuts would have been better. :rolleyes:

I definitely get that. Have been selling on Etsy and got absolutely BOULDERED with orders two weeks ago and saw myself finishing full scarves that normally take me 3 days in about 9 hours :pac:

If I was making the same scarf for a personal gift here at home I'd probably still be at it in February :pac::pac:

looksee · 24-12-2018 12:18pm

I was at a social knitting group and one lady round the table had a large heap of crocheted squares that she was adding a cream coloured rim to ready for stitching up. I watched mesmerised as she picked up a square, joined the thread, crocheted all round, fastened off and put the square on the 'done' pile, all the while chatting and looking at people and paying absolutely no attention to what she was doing as one pile went down and the other went up at astonishing speed!

I have taught a lot of people to knit and crochet while only producing very limited quantities of finished garments myself (I don't think I have ever finished a knitted garment

), I love the satisfaction of seeing someone who didn't have any idea they could do something creative and crafty learn to make things! I suppose its the original 'those that can, do, and those that can't, teach' situation!

ShaShaBear · 24-12-2018 12:40pm

looksee wrote: »

I was at a social knitting group and one lady round the table had a large heap of crocheted squares that she was adding a cream coloured rim to ready for stitching up. I watched mesmerised as she picked up a square, joined the thread, crocheted all round, fastened off and put the square on the 'done' pile, all the while chatting and looking at people and paying absolutely no attention to what she was doing as one pile went down and the other went up at astonishing speed!

I have taught a lot of people to knit and crochet while only producing very limited quantities of finished garments myself (I don't think I have ever finished a knitted garment ), I love the satisfaction of seeing someone who didn't have any idea they could do something creative and crafty learn to make things! I suppose its the original 'those that can, do, and those that can't, teach' situation!

I tried to teach my sister how to crochet a few months back. 3 hours in and it eventually occured to me that she was left-handed :pac:
Definitely not much of a teacher, me!

lulu1 · 24-12-2018 9:13pm

Might put learning to knit and crochet on my to do list this year . I'm not bad at the sewing and the machine embroidery but these to crafts are another story

melsmum · 27-12-2018 9:43am

I never could master crochet. Never seem to understand which way my row is going, and couldn't "get" where my next stitch is. I knit, but am quite slow, and I certainly couldn't read and knit! In a hospital clinic waiting room last year, I watched in awe as a woman chatted away to her companion, and, with no pattern, was churning out what looked like yards of very fine knitted lace! Right now, I'm trying to finish a jumper for a grandson. It has a cartoon character knitted into the front. Boy, that was slow, with about six different colours hanging down, being worked in! Now, I'm finally on the neckband, knitting in the round, but that's going slowly, because the only circular needle I had in the right size seems to be three miles long! Makes it very awkward, as you can't just keep knitting, you have to stop and pull the excess "needle" through.

looksee · 27-12-2018 11:45am

I think crochet is harder to learn, and patterns harder to follow than knitting, but once you have figured it out it is much easier to crochet 'freehand' than to knit.

melsmum · 27-12-2018 5:11pm

looksee wrote: »

I think crochet is harder to learn, and patterns harder to follow than knitting, but once you have figured it out it is much easier to crochet 'freehand' than to knit.

You may be right. My daughter learned to crochet from Youtube while she was pregnant, and has made some lovely stuff. She can't master knitting though. I think part if my problem with crochet is that I'm ambidextrous, and have issues telling my right from my left with everything "Wedding ring is on my left hand!":rolleyes: It's easy to tell which direction you are going with knitting. But I just can't figure it out with crochet!

now online · 27-12-2018 5:29pm

I'm a leftie and I've learned to crochet right handed. If you've never done it before it's just as easy to learn right handed because most of the tutorials on you tube are right handed.
I'm picking up my current project right now for the first time in a few days, I'm itching to finish it!

Graces7 · 29-12-2018 2:52pm

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I definitely get that. Have been selling on Etsy and got absolutely BOULDERED with orders two weeks ago and saw myself finishing full scarves that normally take me 3 days in about 9 hours :pac:

If I was making the same scarf for a personal gift here at home I'd probably still be at it in February :pac::pac:

Is it easy to set up etsy please? I need an outlet as all I earn goes to the work my faith family do overseas rescuing abandoned babies. Cannot do markets any nore but am still crazy to knit..

ShaShaBear · 30-12-2018 12:30am

Graces7 wrote: »

Is it easy to set up etsy please? I need an outlet as all I earn goes to the work my faith family do overseas rescuing abandoned babies. Cannot do markets any nore but am still crazy to knit..

It's very straightforward. They essentially hold your hand through the whole thing but optimising your listings to ensure you are found can be a bit of a challenge to start with!

Graces7 · 30-12-2018 9:39am

ShaShaBear wrote: »

It's very straightforward. They essentially hold your hand through the whole thing but optimising your listings to ensure you are found can be a bit of a challenge to start with!

Someone told me you need a credit card so no go! Ditched mine. ah well! Thank you

ShaShaBear · 30-12-2018 6:58pm

Graces7 wrote: »

Someone told me you need a credit card so no go! Ditched mine. ah well! Thank you

Well, I just have a regular Visa Debit - no credit cards here!

yellowlabrador · 30-12-2018 9:40pm

you need an ordinary bankaccount. That is to trace earnings for income tax purposes .

Graces7 · 02-01-2019 7:37am

Well, family in Canada have asked for legwarmers as they should sell well there; worked out a pattern of my own in cream with cables so well occupied again....will leave anything else a while now..want to get prototypes off as asap ...

Graces7 · 02-01-2019 7:38am

yellowlabrador wrote: »

you need an ordinary bankaccount. That is to trace earnings for income tax purposes .

give my love to dunmanway; lived nearby for years and used to trade there

ellee · 22-01-2019 3:26pm

Hi, my daughter has been learning to knit in school and I've been helping her (dusting off some very unused distant memories!) and it has piqued my interest in trying my hand at it again.

Is there a shop in Dublin I could pop into for a bit of advice? Online is all very well but I have not a clue where to start, what I need etc?! Would like to try something simple to work on the basic purl/knit skills. I was thinking a baby blanket as my sister in law is due in a couple of months.

Any shop, website, YouTube recommendations very welcome! Thank you.

em_cat · 22-01-2019 7:23pm

ellee wrote: »

Hi, my daughter has been learning to knit in school and I've been helping her (dusting off some very unused distant memories!) and it has piqued my interest in trying my hand at it again.

Is there a shop in Dublin I could pop into for a bit of advice? Online is all very well but I have not a clue where to start, what I need etc?! Would like to try something simple to work on the basic purl/knit skills. I was thinking a baby blanket as my sister in law is due in a couple of months.

Any shop, website, YouTube recommendations very welcome! Thank you.

I find This is Knit in the Powers Court Centre great but also Rosemary at the Constant Knitter on Francis Street is fantastic. I’m sure there are other fantastic shops around Dublin, but these are both near to me.

Toots · 22-01-2019 7:30pm

I find Springwools in Ballymount are very good. They're a bit off the beaten track, but they've always been very helpful any time I've been in.

ellee · 23-01-2019 9:46am

Thank you guys, this is knit is handy enough, I might try that or springwools at weekend.

PhoenixParker · 23-01-2019 10:32am

Trimmings on capel street too.

iamwhoiam · 23-01-2019 10:35am

ellee wrote: »

Hi, my daughter has been learning to knit in school and I've been helping her (dusting off some very unused distant memories!) and it has piqued my interest in trying my hand at it again.

Is there a shop in Dublin I could pop into for a bit of advice? Online is all very well but I have not a clue where to start, what I need etc?! Would like to try something simple to work on the basic purl/knit skills. I was thinking a baby blanket as my sister in law is due in a couple of months.

Any shop, website, YouTube recommendations very welcome! Thank you.

I went back to knitting after 30 years and even back then I had only very basic skills ! I found the Knitting for Dummies book very helpful for the simple questions and advice .I am now flying it and a list of requests in my note book for all the babas in the family .

Rancid · 23-01-2019 11:23am

Sean's Wool Cabin in Omni Shopping Centre, Santry.
Think they do evening classes or knitting get-togethers.

Vetch · 23-01-2019 9:20pm

ellee wrote: »

Hi, my daughter has been learning to knit in school and I've been helping her (dusting off some very unused distant memories!) and it has piqued my interest in trying my hand at it again.

Is there a shop in Dublin I could pop into for a bit of advice? Online is all very well but I have not a clue where to start, what I need etc?! Would like to try something simple to work on the basic purl/knit skills. I was thinking a baby blanket as my sister in law is due in a couple of months.

Any shop, website, YouTube recommendations very welcome! Thank you.

I started back knitting last year, not having knitted since national school, which is long time ago! Ravelry is good for patterns as you can filter for beginner level ones. The baba in my family got a few things made for him - the great thing about knitting for babies is there's not so much to rip when you make a mistake although a cardigan did nearly bring me to tears!

ellee · 24-01-2019 1:17pm

Thank you everyone! Have joined Ravelry now and managed to pop into This is Knit yesterday. Really looking forward to having a go now over the weekend!

ellee · 10-03-2019 4:52pm

Any tips for searching ravelry for patterns? I can’t seem to find much I really like... plus the same stuff shows up all the time even though there are 000s apparently?!

ShaShaBear · 10-03-2019 5:36pm

ellee wrote: »

Any tips for searching ravelry for patterns? I can’t seem to find much I really like... plus the same stuff shows up all the time even though there are 000s apparently?!

You can hit a dropdown to change the order. It automatically shows the most popular patterns but you can change it to show you the most recently added ones. Then you can filter for the yardage, yarn weight, design elements, craft, the item itself, what fibre is used, what sizes it comes in, how many colours are typically used etc.

ellee · 11-03-2019 3:00pm

Ah thank you! That's immediately thrown up a lovely bobbly cardigan

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/noisette-cardigan-2

Though I think I will leave out the bow!

ShaShaBear · 11-03-2019 4:59pm

ellee wrote: »

Ah thank you! That's immediately thrown up a lovely bobbly cardigan

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/noisette-cardigan-2

Though I think I will leave out the bow!

It's gorgeous! Makes me jealous of knitters when I see things like that! Ravelry is a gem, but it takes some getting used to! The amount of filters is mental, but I usually log on once a week with a cuppa while the kids are in school and just look at all the patterns in my craft starting with the newest, to see if there's anything interesting :cool:

pearl787 · 13-03-2019 11:52pm

Can anyone help me with this pattern: it says "turn work, cast on 10 stitches, turn work, knit 8" what does this mean?

If I cast on 10 stitches there are only 6 stitches left not 8. Is it meant to be a hole in the work?

Thanks

Gatica · 14-03-2019 9:40am

it sounds like it's creating some kind of a loop or hole design. I'd follow it as it says, turn, cast on 10. turn again and when you're knitting the 8, you'll be knitting 8 of the 10 cast on stitches. There should be 2 cast-on stitches from previous round left on your needle.

pearl787 · 14-03-2019 11:35am

Gatica wrote: »

it sounds like it's creating some kind of a loop or hole design. I'd follow it as it says, turn, cast on 10. turn again and when you're knitting the 8, you'll be knitting 8 of the 10 cast on stitches. There should be 2 cast-on stitches from previous round left on your needle.

Thanks. I thought it meant to cast on 10 to the right needle. So you can’t knit them. Does it mean cast on to the left needle? Sorry this is confusing

Gatica · 14-03-2019 11:46am

Usually you cast on onto the knitting needle, e.g. right needle if you're right handed. These stitches become part of your stitch-count and for all intents and purposes are considered part of your normal stitches unless told otherwise.
You're probably forgetting to turn your work, if you cast on 10 and then turn, then the 10 stitches will be on the left needle and you have to use them with your right needle when you start the next row.

pearl787 · 14-03-2019 1:03pm

Gatica wrote: »

Usually you cast on onto the knitting needle, e.g. right needle if you're right handed. These stitches become part of your stitch-count and for all intents and purposes are considered part of your normal stitches unless told otherwise.
You're probably forgetting to turn your work, if you cast on 10 and then turn, then the 10 stitches will be on the left needle and you have to use them with your right needle when you start the next row.

Just to clarify, it says “knit 9 turn work cast on 10 and knit 8”. So if you turn work after knitting 9 you cast on to your left needle (from the back view) when you turn back you have 10 new stitches on the right needle. So how can you knit them? Unless you cast on to the left needle

Thanks for your help !

Gatica · 14-03-2019 1:35pm

pearl787 wrote: »

Can anyone help me with this pattern: it says "turn work, cast on 10 stitches, turn work, knit 8" what does this mean?

sorry, in your original post you said the instructions require "turn work" between the cast-ons and the knit 8.

If there is no "turn work" there, then yes, as you say you're knitting 8 of the 9 stitches you knit in the previous round. The 10 cast on stitches must be used somehow for the pattern visually or something functional like a buttonhole...

pearl787 · 14-03-2019 1:44pm

Gatica wrote: »

sorry, in your original post you said the instructions require "turn work" between the cast-ons and the knit 8.

If there is no "turn work" there, then yes, as you say you're knitting 8 of the 9 stitches you knit in the previous round. The 10 cast on stitches must be used somehow for the pattern visually or something functional like a buttonhole...

I guess it is a hole then sure I’ll keep knitting and see what comes out . Thanks

pearl787 · 19-04-2019 11:50pm

Does anyone have experience taking knitting on a plane? Worried it will be taken off me lol. I'm going to bring spare needles in my luggage

ShaShaBear · 20-04-2019 8:30am

pearl787 wrote: »

Does anyone have experience taking knitting on a plane? Worried it will be taken off me lol. I'm going to bring spare needles in my luggage

Not knitting, but crochet. I've done it several times with no issue, although some people have reported their needles were taken off them. The best thing to do is have a live project on the needles so they can see you actually use them. Feed a lifeline through the stitches so if you have to remove the needles, you can just tie the string and put it back on needles when you land

Gatica · 20-04-2019 9:49am

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Not knitting, but crochet. I've done it several times with no issue, although some people have reported their needles were taken off them. The best thing to do is have a live project on the needles so they can see you actually use them. Feed a lifeline through the stitches so if you have to remove the needles, you can just tie the string and put it back on needles when you land

I've taken knitting project on a detachable cable with the needles in a pencil case with pens. So they can be attached or removed as needed. Also, with the pens no one noticed the needles. I didn't use it during flight though

pearl787 · 20-04-2019 2:28pm

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Not knitting, but crochet. I've done it several times with no issue, although some people have reported their needles were taken off them. The best thing to do is have a live project on the needles so they can see you actually use them. Feed a lifeline through the stitches so if you have to remove the needles, you can just tie the string and put it back on needles when you land

I'm using circular needles, as someone said they are less likely to be taken. I have about an inch of work done on it. Fingers crossed!

LoonyLovegood · 22-04-2019 7:44am

I've flown to multiple countries with my knitting, no problems. My bag will usually get taken for a secondary search, cause wires and pointy things, but once they see it's knitting - and I've got a live project and/or yarn, it's find. I need to get a proper size snips though, I've lost four scissors for being slightly too long!

Kewreeuss · 26-04-2019 8:36pm

hi,
head bender here:
Decrease 1 st at end of next and 3 foll 3rd rows.

if 'next' is the first row, are the decreases on Rows 4, 7 and 10?

Thank you

Gatica · 30-04-2019 7:45am

Kewreeuss wrote: »

hi,
head bender here:
Decrease 1 st at end of next and 3 foll 3rd rows.

if 'next' is the first row, are the decreases on Rows 4, 7 and 10?

Thank you

that's what I would do. Does it give you a stitch count at the end of x row?

janmaree · 23-06-2019 2:18pm

Just a heads up for anyone who has bought patterns on Patternfish. They have closed down but are leaving the site open till June 30th so that customers can save their purchased patterns to their own pc rather than lose access to them permanently. I saved mine to my patterns folder as I've bought quite a few from them over the years and some I would definitely knit again. I find it more difficult to keep track of my printouts than a regular leaflet and this way I can keep them.........at least until my computer dies! I'm going to miss them as they kept a brilliant choice of patterns with a really good way of searching for what you want. Anyway, just thought I'd let you all know.

shhling · 15-11-2019 3:05pm

Hi all,
Just wondering if you can point me in the right direction. My mum used to knit when we were little and was quite proficient at it, knitting us clothes and jumpers for herself. I'm expecting my first baby and my mum wants to knit a cardigan for baby, however I ordered a couple of patterns and they are not as straightforward as she would like.
Where could I get or buy a very simple pattern? I've looked but they may as well be double Dutch to me and require skills she has not used in years.

scarepanda · 15-11-2019 3:09pm

Have you had a look at ravelry.com? It's usually a decent place to have a look and there are good few free patterns as well. I crochet rather than knit, but I've always found it handy.

Knitting - help and advice super thread!

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