'Newbie' knitter- which pattern?

[Erebus]

I am keen to knit a shawl neck cardigan and have found the following:

this

or this

or this?

Can you please cast your eyes over each and tell me which you think would be the most straightforward to knit? I knitted a plain batwing jumper when I was 16 or so but nothing since!

I prefer the first two to the last, incidentally

Thanks

[TheWoollybacksWife]

I like the style of the first one best and I think it would be more straightforward to knit than the second one.

The last one looks to be the simplest knit and would knit up faster than the other two as it is knitted on bigger needles with chunkier yarn but I agree that the others are preferable.

[Chocolateteabag]

I like the Berroco one (3rd) the most (sorry)

The first one looks easier out of the two to knit

Are you on Ravelry yet?
one
top down in one go so no seams

free pattern
another free one


Sorry not helping am I

[Erebus]

chocolate- you're helping enormously! Thanks!

I like the patterns you've suggested and funnily enough, after checking in at MN, I was about to join up to Ravelry!

I've started on pattern one (of my original OP) but the tension's a bit rubbish, but I've kept going for the practice- and it's growing quite quickly which is an encouragement. I expect I will unravel it and start again so am still on the lookout for other patterns.

[Chocolateteabag]

I am half way through my first cardigan (it's "caramel" - free on ravelry just search patterns) after years of knitting odd hats and dodgy toy jumpers

Ravelry can be addictive though - I get stuck browsing and don't actually knit anything

(I'm CtB on there too)

[roguepixie]

Like the first one but seriously love the third one. Don't like the second one at all.

Think the third one would be the most straightforward.

Just seen your most recent post - you've started the first one. Can I ask...did you do a swatch? It's just you mention that your tension is a bit "rubbish" - if you haven't done a swatch then do one - it will help you sort your tension out and is a good habit to get into.

Good luck with your cardigan. I also suggest Ravelry - a wonderful site.

[Erebus]

I did do the 4" square and had to adjust my needle size accordingly! My problem is uneven tension- I tend to get 'looser' as I go, so tighten up. I recall when my mum finally taught me how to knit decades ago, a nightmare as she is a southpaw and I'm not- I used to knit so tightly that you'd have to stand on the knitted piece and haul at the needle with both hands to pull it off . I suspect that with some practice, I'll improve.

Also, I'm using up some old wool and it's black chenille. Black is a bit of a bugger to study closely- it hides a multitude of sins but really, I should be correcting sins at this early stage, not hiding! I managed to 'create' a stitch somewhere along the line which would have been obvious with a pale colour of say 4 ply!

Just signed up to Ravelry. I'm 'miljee'.

[Erebus]

Ravelry question:

When you're searching for patterns, you get all those choices to narrow it down along the left hand edge, but when you select a pattern to view, the pattern has a load of other tags such as 'long sleeve' 'shawl collar' etc in green oblongs.

Do you know where the 'advanced search'- maybe- is, where I can input that stuff myself to narrow down further?

TIA

[roguepixie]

Hi Ere, on Rav you should have a tag at the top called 'patterns'. If you are in that section you will then, on the top left hand side, have a 'search patterns' box underneath of which is an advanced search ability.

Regarding tension - it will improve over time. However, you might like to try continental knitting which provides on-going tension. If you are happy as you are then, of course, over time it will improve. Black, however, is the spawn of satan as far as knitting is concerned (in my experience) and chenille...well, you are braver than me.

I will add you to my friends on Raverly - I am doodiepixie. Add me to yours if you'd like.

[TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission]

you can search by tag at the bottom of the patterns tab, there's a link

I'm now off to waste even more time looking at the ravelry links

[Erebus]

rogue - so, with black, am I going Off Piste?! Am I being Rad? Down, wiv the Kids? Might I be a Ravelry Outcast for my presumptuousness?

But as for chenille- well, it's easy enough to knit up! Is it being tricksy, though?!

Thanks for your "R" name. Will add! Once I know how to!

[roguepixie]

Oh goodness, no Erebus. You knit away with black - I just find it hard on the eyes. Amazing really as my own mother used to call me the merry widow when I was a teenager because I only wore black . I love the greys now. I can honestly say Ravelry will welcome you with open arms .

Chenille... well I suppose I just have an aversion to it. You will find that every knitter has their favourite yarns and pet hates. I pretty much only buy all natural yarns (wool, silk, cashmere, angora etc, except sock yarns that have some synthetic in them (mostly). You will meet others for whom this is an unnecessary extravagance and others again who love other yarns for their own reasons. And then there are the spinners - those amazing souls who knit with yarn they themselves have spun!!! >

Have you tried crochet yet?

[Erebus]

I must say I'd prefer it if the yarn stock I have was something other than black chenille, that'd be good- a nice wool, in grey flecks, I was thinking!

There are some amazing yarns out there, aren't there? Not cheap but you itch to get your hands on them!

I'll let you know how I get on with the Merry Widow costume