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Arts and crafts

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Original poster

More knitting chat ...

473 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 27/01/2006 10:28

Ok, new pictures, photobucket.com/albums/c176/NotQuiteCockney/?sc=6 . I like both new hats, although the photos are rubbish. (Am I not holding the camera still?)

Not sure what to do next, am slightly uninspired. Thinking about tubular knitting? DH has a colleague whose wife is having a baby, so I should do one for them ...

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Lulabell · 19/02/2006 11:58

Could someone help me with something reallyt basic that im stuck on please. In stocking stitch, if my last row is purled, to i turn my knitting and bind off purlwise or knitwise? And vice-versa? I've just finished a big section for a bag and the last one i did looks really wrong so i want to check. Many thanks

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2006 12:08

You always cast off "in pattern". So, in stocking stitch, if your last row was purled, you cast off with knits. If you last row was knitted, you cast off with purls. Essentially, you just do what you'd normally do, and cast off with those stitches.

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Lulabell · 19/02/2006 13:03

ok, great, thanks for that. That's how i've been doing it but the last thing i bound off looked a bit odd. Also, I'm doing a 2x2 ribbed scarf so do i alternate the bind off for that?

Thanks very much

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2006 14:16

I find my bind offs often end up too tight. So binding off with a bigger needle may help? Also, there are subtler bind offs than the standard one, I'm sure. (I have a book with lots of bind offs, but haven't read that bit really.)

Yes, for a 2x2 scarf, you bind off in rib.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2006 19:17

Oh, and rubygsmum, I still find myself reasonably obsessed. I only have one project on the go at a time these days, keeps things simpler. I do think about knitting a lot. And I find myself looking at people's knitwear while out, to figure out how things were done (machine and hand knitting). It's a bit embarassing, coming out of a movie wanting to discuss all the knitwear, particularly if the folks you're with aren't knitters!

I made a cabled hat (crowns) for the baby next door to my dad's house, while in Mexico. I asked Dad to give it to the baby's parents, as a "handmade in Mexico" product. I think they liked it. I nearly used up a ball of grey with it.

And now I'm doing another butterfly hat, but in the green. I am nearly done my first ball of the albatross yarn! One down, 50 to go!

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rubyGsmum · 19/02/2006 20:07

Well, I'm glad it's not just me who eyes up other peoples knitted (and crocheted) garments NQC! I noticed that on Emmerdale they have loads of crocheted blankets and cushions around and I was so intrigued, I taught myself how to do some basic crochet, just to find out how it's done. How sad! Still prefer knitting though. I'm dying to do something with chunky wool soon, since it knits up so quickly. It's nice to know I may calm down at some point then. Probably once the summer comes in I'll do a bit less, (or simply switch to more cotton-type stuff)

I had a peek at your hats earlier on in the thread. They're lovely! It must be very satisfying to design your own stuff.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2006 20:25

It's really easy to design your own stuff, well, particularly hats.

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KBear · 19/02/2006 20:35

At the risk of making myself look like a complete amateur (well i am!) - how on EARTH do you keep your place when following a knitting pattern? Tips please!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2006 21:18

I think Montse recommends keeping a piece of paper at the relevant bit? Or you could write down what you've done, as you do it?

What sort of thing is catching you out? Row counts? (There are row count thingies ...)

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KBear · 19/02/2006 21:32

Just looking at them makes my head spin. The different number of stitches for the different sizes of garment for example (haven't tried anything yet just looked at a pattern at my mum's and it looked soooo complicated). Can you tell I'm new to this . But I'm dead keen to create!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2006 21:34

If all that is freaking you out, you could write out the pattern with just your size's instructions? Then you could cross things off, or check them off, as you do them?

I've only once followed a complicated pattern, for a sweater, and it was ok, although the final product didn't work.

It's normally possible to work out what you've done by looking at the product, iyswim, anyway.

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KBear · 19/02/2006 21:42

Ok thanks NQC - nice to see you're back!

fishie · 19/02/2006 22:07

hi NQC nice to see you back. like the 'made in mexico' hat - did you go to the knitting district?

now, i am still struggling with the lovely noro in horrid tangles, has come in skeins. in the end last night i spent more than an hour untangling one and have wound another into a ball (had to put it round my feet as dp said would rather die than do that on a saturday night, fair enough really).

but is there a better way of doing this as is all very time consuming??

fishie · 19/02/2006 22:11

meant to add, kbear i find following a pattern really difficult. postit notes, recording exactly where i am and making sure that i won't be dragged away half way through a very difficult row helps me. that said, have got to unravel loads as i thought it was in pattern, but frustratingly it just ISN'T.

Miaou · 19/02/2006 22:11

I have a question for those who know their wool. I am going to knit some slippers for a little boy - what do you think would be a good wool to do them in? I was thinking DK with a high wool content, and possibly stitching some suede soles on the bottom. Does this sound like a good idea? Or would cotton be better?

tamum · 19/02/2006 22:13

KBear, you could make a copy of the pattern that you could draw on- circle the number of stitches for the size you want, for example, and tick bits off as you finish them. I think you'll find it's easier than you think though. If you ever buy Simply Knitting magazine they have colour coded patterns.

sammac, let me know when you're next in Edinburgh

NQC, nice to have you back.

tamum · 19/02/2006 22:13

KBear, you could make a copy of the pattern that you could draw on- circle the number of stitches for the size you want, for example, and tick bits off as you finish them. I think you'll find it's easier than you think though. If you ever buy Simply Knitting magazine they have colour coded patterns.

sammac, let me know when you're next in Edinburgh

NQC, nice to have you back.

tamum · 19/02/2006 22:14

Sorry folks, the screen just froze.

motherpeculiar · 20/02/2006 10:01

welcome back NCQ

well, I've just finished my second hat on dpns, for DD1 this one, in rowan all seasons cotton "limeleaf" with a "giddy" star on the front (bright!). It's nice, but as usual my colour work looks a bit wonky at the joins. I just got the stitch'n'bitch workbook and read about blocking for the first time (sounds like something I should have been doing all my knitting life ). Would that help does anyone know? and can I block all-seasons cotton, it does have 40% acrylic in it and Debbie says blocking is good only for natural fibres...

Marina, do you think a yarn shop would do well in SE London? (dreaming of leaving office based job emoticon)

Marina · 20/02/2006 10:22

Hello all, and an especially heartfelt hello to NQC. Good to see you back in one piece. Wondering if you need washing in warm soapy bubbles and being stretched on a soft surface, you poor thing.
KBear, I have been known to scan in my pattern (or photocopy it) then cover it in highlighter and Tippex to make only the required size show. This does get easier with practice, though.
MP, I think it WOULD. KBear says there is a yarn shop in Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath. However, if it is anything like the "yarn shop and oversize fashions" shop in Eltham (the sort you put a coat over your head to enter, and exit three minutes later because they have NO 100% cotton or even wool yarn), then it's probably not much good. There is nothing currently in the bigger Lewisham/Bromley centres and it is a lottery day-dream of mine as well. I'll let you know if the work syndicate delivers the goods and we'll talk leases . SE London knitters need our own Loop. (Althought someone I know said Loop's ambiance was a touch Shoe Brothel of Fry and Laurie fame...you know, one skein of wool posing saucily on a little velvet cushion etc).

Marina · 20/02/2006 10:23

MP, I love All Seasons cotton, it is my favourite not 100% natural fibres, and IMO you don't really need to block it. Well, I didn't!

motherpeculiar · 20/02/2006 11:04

we DO need our own (better ) version of loop!!!

I idly look at all shop leases coming up, just in case....

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 20/02/2006 13:06

Marina, I have not seen that sketch, but by your description, yes, it's a bit like that. It's teeny tiny. I wanted to laugh when I went in. All the stuff they have is good yarn, but sheesh, there's not much there.

Ah, and I was thinking of avoiding Hogtown this summer, but of course I have to go to Romni wools, just to make everyone ! Look , I found a photo. It's bigger than it looks in that photo, but maybe even more chaotic and cluttered.

Seriously, knitting is becoming more and more popular. One of my hat recipients this year (purple triangle and pleat) has decided to start knitting, thanks to the hat! And I think I will teach her German-style, as she is a lefty, and St. Montse says lefties should knit German-style.

MP, I think the fix for wonky colours at the joins is to tighten them up when you do the sewing in, and perhaps fiddle about a bit with a crochet hook, tightening stuff up. Blocking might help - for a hat, you need to block on a bowl.

Oh, and latest hat is a butterfly one in green albatross merino.

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Lulabell · 20/02/2006 13:19

Just thought i'd share. I was indulging a little (lot) and looking at everyone's favourite Lantern Moon and found a site selling them a wee bit cheaper that Get Knitter (where I think Tamum said she gets hers from) and also stocking Lantern Moon dpns here apparently their stock is a bit low at the mo but thought it's be worth noting for the future
they're not the cheapest place for brittany though. Not that i spend loads of time eyeing up needles on line or anything

Lulabell · 20/02/2006 13:24

Sorry about the number of spelling mistakes, was carried away by the excitement