Knitting

dollydrops

I am reading a book at the moment called the Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs and it has really got me interested in knitting.

I think I would like to take this up as a hobby.
Does anyone have any advise on where to start?
I had a look on ebay for needles and wool and there is loads there but I think I need a starter kit or something because I really don't have a clue!
Any ideas?!?

Calina

Well, actually, if you have a yahoo id you might look into joining stitchnbitchIE yahoo group and find out where your nearest meeting is.

I don't know if you are based in the Dublin area but at least two of the main wool shops (This Is Knit and Springwools) have lessons from time to time. If you are in Cork, there is a wool shop in the Market Parade and it would be worth going to them to ask advice.

It's worth having someone show you rather than trying to figure it out from a book. Plus, if you can get out to any local knitting club you'll find a social aspect to it which is great.

looksee

You don't need a lot of fancy equipment or kits to start knitting. If there is a knitting shop near you go and buy a ball of double knitting wool from the odds and ends bin, cost you about a couple of euro. Ask in the shop what size needles you need and just get one pair of metal needles. If there are no wool shops near you try the sewing/craft departments of some of the bigger department stores.

Be careful of buying off the internet, a lot of the US stuff is different from the Irish yarns, needle sizes etc.

If you can't find a knitting group or a friend to show you the basics, go to the library and find a book with basic instructions, though it is much easier to have someone show you. When you have had a bit of practice knitting a simple square you can buy an easy pattern - then you will probably need different needles to match the wool you buy. They are not expensive and you will eventually build up a stock of different sizes.

Yarn is expensive so don't start your knitting career with a huge sweater, do something small and easy like a hat or a child's jumper. Scarves are easy but very boring - I think! Also get a bit of practise with plain yarn before buying any of the gorgeous fancy yarns.

Do join a group if you can find one locally, it will make learning much easier.

mrs munch 2000

Have a look at the Olann Ban website to find shops and knitting groups in your area.

This site has instructional videos, if you can't find any classes or groups in your area.

If there is a group near you - do go along, anyone that I've met through them has been lovely and very helpful.

Boppers

Hi I am new to this forum and I need help. I having taking up knitting and am teaching myself from the net, doing good considering I haven't knit since I was 10. My mother passed away a yr ago and she is the only one I know that could have helped me so I am hoping there is someone on here that can do the same.

My problem is I have started knitting a cardigan and have the back and fronts done and they look fine, my sleeves are causing me the problem they seem to be too long and when I sew them on there is this big flap left at the top. Can someone read the pattern for me and let me know how many rows they are getting for the sleeves. I have calulated 100 but I think I am wrong. I have attached the website with the pattern. Please help me.
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babysweragcard2.htm

ms. pitstop

Thanks so much for this info Mrs Munch - I've been looking for knitting supply shops in Dublin without success, the Olann Ban website is really helpful.

Das Kitty

Boppers wrote: »

]Hi I am new to this forum and I need help. I having taking up knitting and am teaching myself from the net, doing good considering I haven't knit since I was 10. My mother passed away a yr ago and she is the only one I know that could have helped me so I am hoping there is someone on here that can do the same.

My problem is I have started knitting a cardigan and have the back and fronts done and they look fine, my sleeves are causing me the problem they seem to be too long and when I sew them on there is this big flap left at the top. Can someone read the pattern for me and let me know how many rows they are getting for the sleeves. I have calulated 100 but I think I am wrong. I have attached the website with the pattern. Please help me.
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babysweragcard2.htm[/FONT]

I think this is the bit that could be tripping you up:

Cont in St st and dec 1 st each end next and every 4th row until 7 sts rem as follows:
K1, sl1, psso, work to last 3 sts, K2tog, k1.

So after the purl row you decrease one at the end of the next row, then every 4th row.

As well as that on every ling you're decreasing 2 stitches after the first knit and before the last.

So every row you're decreasing by two except for every 4th row where you're decreasing by four.

You should have in or around the 80 rows in total for the sleeve, I worked out 82, but I didn't check it.

Boppers

Stephen you are a star. Thank you very very much.

Boppers

Sorrt ment to thank DAS KITTY. Don'y know where I got Stephen From

Going home to finish this Cardigan if it kills me.:D

Das Kitty

Boppers wrote: »

Don't know where I got Stephen From

I do! Look down!

Are you on ravelry.com? It's a great place to get a dig-out when it's needed. I like you picked up the needles again recently, I'm doing my first baby cardi at the moment, it's coming out nice I have to say. It's satisfying seeing them come together.

Boppers

Ok trying to make sense of what you were explaining on your last message (sorry to be a pain in the ass) but really would like to finish this cardigan. Promised my sister and she is ready to pop. Hear I go with what I am getting.

16 Rows Ribbing (33sts)

36 Rows St St (39sts) have to add in 6 sts along the way

BO 4 sts beg next 2 rows (31sts)

54 Rows so far

Next

Row 55) dec 2 (29sts)
Row 56) dec 2 (27sts)
Row 57) dec 2 (25sts)
Row 58) dec 4 (21sts)
Row 59) dec 2 (19sts)
Row 60) dec 2 (17sts)
Row 61) dec 2 (15sts)
Row 62) dec 4 (11sts)
Row 63) dec 2 (9sts)
Row 64) dec 2 (7sts)


You don't have your workings handy as to where your getting 80/82 rows cause I think your right. I could then work off your calulations

Das Kitty

Boppers wrote: »

36 Rows St St (39sts) have to add in 6 sts along the way

Yeah, I read this bit wrong, added way too many stitches in my head.

Work 36 rows St st and AT THE SAME TIME inc 1 st each end of Rows 3, 11, and 19 - 39 sts.

It says to start your start and end of row decrease straight after the purl row after the bind off. So it would be more like:

Row 55) purl row
Row 56) dec 4 (27sts)
Row 57) dec 2 (25sts)
Row 58) dec 2 (23sts)
Row 59) dec 2 (21sts)
Row 60) dec 4 (17sts)
Row 61) dec 2 (15sts)
Row 62) dec 2 (13sts)
Row 63) dec 2 (11sts)
Row 64) dec 4 (7sts)

Yep, I'm confusing myself too :P

Boppers

ok its making sense now. Wish me luck. Will let you know on Monday if sleeves turned out ok. Why do they make patterns so hard to read:mad:

Thanks again Das Kitty

kavanagh_h

Boppers wrote: »

ok its making sense now. Wish me luck. Will let you know on Monday if sleeves turned out ok. Why do they make patterns so hard to read:mad:

Thanks again Das Kitty

Dying to hear how you got on in the end. I am thinking of taking it up too. haven't yet looked at the websites from mrs munch. I hope they tell you how to read patterns!

H.