Support thread from Arts & Crafts for the blankets

[tribpot]

We've been talking quite a lot on the main thread about getting the stitches right for a particular square with a lovely heart design in it. You need to be registered on Ravelry to see it here or with the designer's website (also free) to see it here.

The race is on to see whether any of us can complete it without going completely insane at the difficulty of some of the patterns, so we are having a (supportive) 'heart-off' this weekend to try and get it done without flooding the main thread with messages about it.

On the cast list so far are: GleamingHeels, MinnieBar and me, but all are welcome - beware though, you have to supply your own valium.

I've just recharted it to get it down to a size that will knit out to (about) 6", so have chopped out 4 rows of border from the bottom, 2 stitches of border from the sides and 2 stitches of the plain bit between the outer and inner border. So I'm starting with 29 stitches. I'd prob prefer to have 3 rows of border and 3 side stitches of border too, but as the square is going to be put into a larger blanket (unless rejected by our Blanket Mistresses Pistey and Knotty) I thought a slightly scrappy border would probably be okay.

I mean, in their picture it all looks beautiful and just goes raised-flat-raised. Mine goes raised-slight vertical line-flat-slight vertical line-raised.

Er, kind of... [sleep-deprived from the 3 am vomiting emoticon]

Minnie post a picture of yours tomorrow - I'll give it a go and then we can compare notes and slightly vertical bits

I frogged the rose but I've got a teddy bear that's got the same ishoos - tbh it seems to happen to me with a lot of patterns!

Oh yeah, you did say you'd frogged the rose, sorry.. I am sure the patterns have ishoos not you

Right I popped in to the Hobbycraft yuk near the station in Aberdeen before I caught my train. I am now in possession of 4 DPNs and a crochet hook as a just in case!

I think I get the icord from your fab links Trib! Off to give it a whirl!

Hope it makes sense, Glaikit - I realised in my description I was talking about the 'right hand needle' still when you've put it in your left hand already, so here is my revised description.

You have two DPNs, A and B. A is in your left hand, B is in your right. Cast on 3 stitches and then knit them. Now you have Needle A with nothing on it, and Needle B with 3 stitches on. Swap the needles over and then push the stitches from one end of Needle B to the other. Now knit the three stitches again, pulling the yarn from the left hand side to the right to start knitting. Just keep doing this over and over and soon you will have a fantastic little tube or cord of knitting.

There - I feel better knowing I've written it without ambiguity :) (At least I hope so).

Minnie I will have a go at knitting a bit of it today to see how it looks.

I've put a pic of one of the squares that I've had edge-issues with on my profile - a troublesome teddy from Ravelry, here

It's not that easy to see in the picture, but definitely on the right-hand-side, where his tummy meets the stocking stitch bit, there's a vertical line. And it's like that wherever reverse meets s/stitch. And on every pattern I've ever done.

So, either I'm doing something a bit odd, or that's just the way it goes

I see what you mean, Minnie - on the right hand side of teddy's torso, between his leg and his arm? (Well, I suppose leg and 'other leg' really but you know what I mean).

It's hard to tell because the MN pics are so small, but does it look like a more pronounced version of the line you can see in the Ravelry picture also?

Yes, I thought there was one in the Ravelry pic. So maybe it is just what happens when you go from one stitch to another.

It does only seem to happen in patterns where it has one row of 'pattern' IYSWIM, followed by one row of all-one-stitch. If every row is pattern it doesn't seem so marked.

Also, anyone have any ideas as to why my mitred squares are 6" on the first two sides and 7" on the final two?? Tension looks generally even.

Poor Knotty, she's going to have her work cut out with my 'squares'!

Minnie I'm sure she'll be fine! She has dealing with my squares quadrelaterals od varying different sizes so your will be a doddle!

I worked out what you meant Trib, so fear not. Here is a photo to prove I am learning! First panel finished with it's icord and second panel started! I really liked doing the icod for the handle. I've been thinking of things I can make cords for so I can make more. So far I've though of a tie back for my kitchen blind and a rope for bunting I made ages ago for DSs room.

I finally told my mum I'm knitting. She was in shock as when I was about 10 she tried to teach me during a school holiday. How either of us survived without being stabbed in the eye with a knitting needle still amazes us both!! She'ls a proper knitted though. Can do fairisle and bobbley jumpers. We all had matching family arans when I was younger too It was the 80's!

Oh no have I killed it

No, don't worry Glaikit, I was just lurking waiting to have time to have a look at the rose problem Minnie has mentioned.

Really good work on the bag so far - you've cracked that i-cord bind off now! One thing I thought you might like (the weather has made this seem like a more seasonal suggestion than earlier in the week) is the advent garland - I might do one this year. Although probably not for a few months . I really like this designer's stuff, this is her latest ten-stitch blanket.

Glad you've 'come out' to your mum - mine isn't very interested in my efforts, despite being a champion knitter herself. Although she did like the vintage knitting book I got for her, so that's something!

I'm on the fourth panel of the bag, I was going to do it stripey, but I think I'l just do it plain.

I like that blanket. Maybe my next project. I am becoming slightly addicted to knitting.

Ah, this is the curse/blessing of Ravelry - all of knitting life is there. You could look every day for a natty new pattern and there would be something you fancied doing. On the other hand - it's a relatively cheap, stress-busting hobby (if you don't go mad buying needles and yarn .. like I have ) and you can make stuff exactly to suit yourself.

Btw I love the idea of matching family arans. Perhaps a tradition you won't be resurrecting immediately?!

Finished! Photo on my photo bucket link posted before.

Happy Easter [bugrin]

Well done Glaikit! Did you decide to do the last panel stripy after all?

Yep stripey! Edges are a bit wonky looking. I had ti frog on of the icords as it was on the wrong corner. but got it fixed! Will have a snooping on ravelry later fir my next project t!!

m1171.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/glaikitfizzog/2012-04-06104919.jpg.html?o=0

Well, you've raced through that one! Do you want to try something a bit bigger? If you fancy another bag I have the garter square one in my queue, although it doesn't seem to be getting any closer to the top at the moment Looks a bit faffy to sew up, through.

I'm quite fancying one of these 'knit from one side to the other' cardigans like Elysium as a bigger project, although still have an endless backlog of baby knitting.

It looks fab Glaikit!

I'm going to try this ten stitch blanket next I think for DS. Not that he will appreciate it, he's only 11mths! His room is red and cream with cars boats and trains.

Do you think 4mm needles be ok for it? It says to use any needles and yarns but I would hate to buy stuff and for it not to work out!

Yup, will be fine. It literally does mean use whatever needles and yarns you like or that go together nicely (i.e. DK and 4mm needles) - you just make the blanket as big as you like. I'm sure ds will appreciate it in his own way :)

I might stick with the Patons 100% cotton then in Red and cream. Nice wool to knit with.

Fab bag Glaikit

I've been instructed to knit one for DD in some orangy shades (her choice, not mine). How many stiches did you cast on for yours? 20 seems like it would make quite a small bag.

No I used 20 too! I thought it would be tine, but because the bottom of the bag iseffectivley 40 stitches square.

For scale wise I could wear in on my head like a hat ans it would keep my ears warm I did not do this, no siree