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

[OracleInaCoracle]

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!

How do you do basket weave, please?

I have cast on 36 stitches on 3.75 needles and am ready to try it.

Otter I found this on google but haven't tried it. I have instructions in a book somewhere though (just can't be arse to get off the sofa right now!) if you need me to post it up for you.

I am really SORRY but I have been having trouble getting the wool. I went to my local today and they looked at me blankly when I gave them the numbers.

Please tell me exactly what to ask for when I go to John Lewis tommorow.
Is the DB DK cashmerino or baby cashmerino? What colours are we going for. The swatches they showed me were pink. Is this right?

Sorry to be dim but I am getting a bit stressed and I want to get started on this asap.

I know its either DB or Rowan. But everything else is a mystery to me.

Debbie Bliss DK Cashmerino or Rowan DK Cashsoft.

Don't worry about numbers, just pick your favourite of the blue-grey-lilac-green colours. I have one that's just a touch darker than a kingfisher there's also a gorgeous deep indigo, or a couple of silvery-lilac-greys...

I think there was a basketweave pattern on the original thread ? am on phone and about to go to bed so I won't retype it now but can do in the morning if you still need it? It looks good!

I went into my local knitting shop and the woman had continental size 3.5 needles in stock so I'm going to give that a go. She made me knit a few rows to see, felt quite silly standing in the shop tongue sticking out in concentration!

Thank you.

mrsdevere we were originally told either Debbie Bliss cashmerino double knit or Rowan Cashsoft double knit in blues, greens, greys and creams but Leo's parents have since said he liked bright colours so I think as long as you get either make you can get whatever colour you like!

Basket weave pattern:

Cast on 33 stitches (again size 4 I think

R1-3 K
R4 P3 K3 P3 to end
R5 K
R6 P3 K3 P3 to end
R7-11 K
R12 K3 P3 K3 to end
R13 K
R14 K3 P3 K3 to end
R15-16 K

Repeat 1-16 and then repeat 1-9

manage to get some DB cashmerino in a lovely heathery shade. Went all the way 'up town' to get it so it better be ok

Managed to do 4th square today, I got 3 squares out of one ball.

marking my spot x

Hi guys. I had planned on sending the squares yesterday but decided to do a couple more as got more out of one ball than i thought i would. In post thurs the latest.

So ... two squares knitted, blocked and ends just woven in. Will be in the post tomorrow. Have posted pictures for posterity

Thank you. It comes together really beautifully.

I will post my squares tomorrow.

My square is coming out only 13cm wide. If I make it 13cm long as well, will it block out to 15cm? Or should I knit it rectangular, 13cm wide by 15cm long? I'm not a tight knitter.

I really do not want to undo it and start again! If 13cm is too narrow, I will knit or crochet a border to bring it up to 15cm.

PrettyCandles I'm not an expert blocker but I'd say try to keep it square - then either you will be able to block to it 15cm square (not impossible IMLE) or you can do an equal border.

For my part, I've received my SAE (thanks Pixie) and have darned in all my ends. Still have two squares to block and some leaves to applique but hope to have it all in the post by the end of the week.

Must try to take some pictures.

Thanks LadyW. As it happens, I had no choice but to make the piece slightly rectangular, otherwise I would have finished in the middle of a pattern repeat and it would have looked very wron g. But it seems to have blocked to 15cm quite easily. Fingers crossed!

My envelope has also come, thanks Pixie.

Pixie, would this be a completely mad idea: if you end up with zillions of squares, to use the plain squares as backing for the granny squares? Granny squares can be a bit drafty in a single layer.

My 3 squares are blocking! They all came out just a bit over 6" but I'm hoping blocking will fix that. Should have them in the post Friday latest (I have my envelope, thanks Pixie!)

I have just completed my 1st knitted square using the lovely basket weave pattern. Only had to re-start it once which is pretty good for me!

It is looking more oblong than square TBH but I am hoping blocking will sort that.

MrsDV if you go upthread I think there is a link from GentleOtter.

For some reason having made a dinner DH didn't like on Mon I have made two of his time-consuming favourites yesterday and today so my second two squares are still unblocked. I will attempt to get up in time to do it in the morning (though my record on mornings this week has been atrocious) so they will be dry by Friday, when I am not working and should be able to get everything finished and in the post.

Haha, epic fail on the getting up this morning. Had half an hour to get me and DD out of the house .

I have blocked and also noticed that I appear to have reversed patterns half way down the square. I am not suprised, this is why I gave up knitting a while ago. I can never follow a pattern without making a mistake. When you do that in sewing or cross stitch its easy(ish) to fix. I cant do that when I knit.

BUT I think it looks ok and can still be used. Just thought I would share my utter rubbishness (knitting wise) with you all.

By some miracle my squares have come out exactly 6" x 6", do I still need to 'block' them (not really sure what this is!) or can I just run the iron over them so they're nice and flat?

Don't want to stretch them out of shape now!

1MDV, why do you think I crochet?

Knitting, ironing is fine

I didn't block mine as they were exactly 6 x 6.