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Original poster

Novice knitters and those who can help us, over here!

315 replies

OracleInaCoracle · 21/03/2011 10:23

ok, I am a very basic knitter. I cant read patterns and can do a basic row, but want to knit a square of edgar (as Im sure lots of others do) so it was suggested on the other thread here that a thread was started for the less confident where we can collate advice and help without feeling a bit dim and where the more advanced can help us out a bit!

OP posts:
KnittingRocks · 25/03/2011 21:11

Just knitted four rows and it's too big!! Blush

Back to 33 stitches - but trying the heart pattern from earlier on the thread.

purplepidjin · 25/03/2011 21:32

6" total, please Smile

If they're all (roughly - like within 1/2") the same size, i can do a nice easy straight line of crochet down the back

MinnieBar · 25/03/2011 22:29

I did the heart-shaped one from earlier (one colour) and it starts off 7" but ends up 6" Confused So perhaps I'm just getting better as I go on??
I'll look up casting on on YouTube as I don't understand the diagram in my book Blush and I think my schoolgirl method isn't the best.
Other than all that, I find it v comforting to think of all you ladies doing this too IYSWIM. I hope my effort will pass muster, and I really want to do the best I can.

florenceuk · 25/03/2011 22:42

If its a bit smaller you can always block it a bit bigger. Once you've knitted it, soak it, squeeze the water out and put it on a towel or foam block (those foam squares for kids playrooms are perfect), then pin it so it's exactly 6inches square - it will stretch a bit. Then let it dry and voila, perfect square. But this wont work for a square that's too big. For the ones which are too big, you will need to go down another needle size or cast on fewer stitches.

JulesJules · 26/03/2011 09:25

My yarn and needles have arrived this morning in the post - but one of the needles is broken!

Arghh!

I really wanted to do it this weekend, so I'll have to borrow needles from my Mum.

The yarn is beautiful, very soft feeling and a gorgeous petrol blue. (Debbie Bliss) Can't wait to get started.

purplepidjin · 26/03/2011 10:59

Jules try your local charity shops. You have to ask because theyre classed as an offensive weapon but most keep them under the counter Smile

ClaireOB · 26/03/2011 12:06

Mine has come today - the rowan kingfisher shade, lovely. Pixie I have posted a ball to the address you sent. I ordered extra, so if anybody else wd like a ball, pm pixie. Hope I'm not being presumptous Pixie but thought it best if all coordinated through you.
Thanks to LadyWellian for the tips and instructions!

magicOC · 26/03/2011 12:32

Been workking all wk so only just got to shop. Needles at the ready when babysittin toniht. :-)

KnittingRocks · 26/03/2011 12:55

It's going well Smile but my 2 year old DS has been 'helping' hold the wool while I'm knitting which is slowing things down somewhat!

It seemed fitting somehow given what we're knitting it for though Sad.

PrettyCandles · 26/03/2011 13:24

Pixie, am I being sent any more yarn? I've finished a square (LEO and a heart - hope that's not too cheesy) and am ready to crack on with the second one, if still needed.

morsbagmum · 26/03/2011 13:26

Ok I'm back with you all, had to abandon efforts on thursday as DD was ill which ended up in a visit to A&E, she is a lot better today so I'm going to get back to it whilst she has a nap.

LadyWellian I did the one coloured heart as my first square - thank you the pattern. 2nd square was stocking stitch, just trying a moss stitch one... I am a very slow basic knitter but I'm enjoying being part of this and hope the Edgars get some comfort from it.

purplepidjin · 26/03/2011 14:12

Morsbagmum, a blanket would be everso fussy and itchy if every single square had some bit of fancy work. Plain stitch among the ornate is so much more tasteful, dahling

Wink
maclover135 · 26/03/2011 14:51

Ok, two squares now completed and time to block. Which method have you used? I've seen two different methods posted (pin the square first and then spray or soak and squeeze the square before pinning and leaving to dry). Which works best?
Agree with all of the posters above who have commented on how lovely the wool is - so soft - the blanket is going to be beautiful (a most fitting tribute to Edgar's beautiful DS) so am anxious not to spoil my contribution at the last stage.

Many thanks

BornToFolk · 26/03/2011 15:07

maclover, I think either method would work fine in this instance. I usually wash things and pin to dry just because it seems easier and I like the fact that the thing has had a thorough wash but pinning and spraying would be equally as effective.

Someone posted to a Ravelry group that knitted blankets for bereaved parents. One of their tips was to make the squares too small rather than too big as this makes it easier to sew. Plus, it's easier to stretch a piece during blocking than make it smaller.

My lion square is coming along nicely but I'm not convinced it looks like a lion! We'll see...

I think I'll do a plainer square next, maybe double moss stitch or something like that.

Albrecht · 26/03/2011 15:39

Still no wool here!

Been to three shops but northing doing so ordered online. I was really hoping it would come today so I could get on while dh was home to look after ds.

Ho hum, hopefully Monday...

thefirstMrsDeVere · 26/03/2011 17:00

I am really confused now. I had some numbers for Rowan DK and Debbie Bliss. Went to Hobby Craft today and they had none of them.

I can go to local wool shop on Monday but I want to make sure I am buying the right thing.

Would someone mind just confirming what we are using? The wool shop is quite good but tends to stock the acyrlic lime green stuff so I may have a job!

Sorry to be dim. Are we using DK? the Rowan numbers I have are all in the 500s but I dont know what colour they are. Can you tell me and if I cant get them can I substitute a Rowan or DB in a toning colour?

I want to get it done this week. Ta

PrettyCandles · 26/03/2011 17:05

Can anyone explain how to make a square like these?

BornToFolk · 26/03/2011 17:27

PrettyCandles, those are Mitered Squares. They are formed by casting on a large amount of stitches, then doing a double decrease (slip one, k2tog, psso) in the centre every other row until you end up with 1 st left, and it's magically formed into a square!
The cast on edge forms two edges so you need to cast on about 12" of stitches. It needs to be an odd number of sts so you end up with a centre stitch.

Does that make any sense at all?! If you Google "Mitered square" you may find some help...

zisforzebra · 26/03/2011 17:29

Pretty They are called mitred squares and there's an instruction video . I also have written instructions in a book which I could type out for you if that's easierSmile

zisforzebra · 26/03/2011 17:32

MrsDeVere I ordered mine online from Get Knitted. They were very quick and, although they were out of stock for the first shade I chose, I sent them the list and they chose one they had in stock for quickest delivery. Smile

PrettyCandles · 26/03/2011 17:48

Thanks! Do I need to do anything special about tension, or do I just use my normal tension and cast on 12" + 1stitch?

magicOC · 26/03/2011 18:21

MrsDV where are you located?

magicOC · 26/03/2011 18:25

MrsDV just read your profile says your in london. I bought Rowan 508 dk in peter jones sloane square this morning. They had lots in. HTH

thefirstMrsDeVere · 26/03/2011 18:36

Thank you Magic. I was going to try and go up to JL this week and I know they will have it there or in Liberty. It will be handy if I can get it in Leyton so might try there first. Or I may well go up on Monday because I need to get measured up for post baby bra Smile

Thanks for the online tip zebra

BornToFolk · 26/03/2011 18:37

Nothing special about tension. It's all in garter stitch.