Help a novice knitter!

[Tee2072]

I have literally just started knitting thanks to the lovely MNetter who sent me needles and yarn.

First question: my book says to have a 12 inch tail. Which keeps getting wrapped up in the rest of the damn yarn. Does it have to be that long?

[goodjambadjar]

Tee How is the ribbing going? Any luck?

[monikar]

Allalonenow I made a baby jumper with different 'stripes' of sample stitches and I was really pleased with it - my mum gave me a really old book with all different stitches in it and it was a good excuse to try some of them out.

Woolly sorry your DS has rejected your knitted hats. If you bide your time though he may be keen again - DD17 thinks home knitted hats on boys are really cool so he may want them later on .I make quite a lot of baby hats as they are so pretty and are easy and quick to do. I have more hats than I have recipients though, so end up donating them to charity. I love making them though.

[TheWoollybacksWife]

Allalonenow If you need to refresh your memory there are YouTube videos for casting on.

I like knitting baby stuff and hats. They knit up quickly and there is minimal making up.

monikar I always have something on the go - either knitting or crochet. I'm currently knitting hats for my nephews. DS (6) has asked me NOT to make any for him this year as none of his friends have home knitted hats .

[Allalonenow]

I might do some hats for Innocent smoothies, a friend is doing them ATM, or maybe just sampler of stitches to see how I get on!

[monikar]

Allaonenow I knit a lot of baby stuff - I like it as it is quick to do and often the small things only take one ball. I buy a lot of my wool in charity shops where only a single ball is available so it works well for me.

I expect you will remember how to cast on - it all came back to me. What are you going to start with as your first project?

[Allalonenow]

I've not knitted for many years, but used to do jumpers, cardigans, baby stuff too. Suddenly thought it would be fun to try again, so bought some needles yesterday, and will have a go at the weekend. Hope I can remember how to cast on
Nice to see this thread full of encouragement.

[monikar]

Girl pleased it all came back to you - I knew it would .

Knitting is totally addictive - a few years ago at the height of my knitting-mania I knitted continuously for a whole weekend, only stopping to eat and sleep and gave myself an injury, so watch out ladies! My ring finger on my left hand swelled up where I was gripping the knitting too tightly and I thought I would have to have my rings cut off as my finger was so fat around them. It took several days to go down - I think it was repetitive strain. I have better balance now as I have a ton of other commitments so although I knit most days I don't fear doing myself another injury .

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

I started last night after this thread gave me the push to do so! I am pleased to report that you were all correct and it sort of 'came back to me' quite easily I knitted a couple of odd pieces just to practice and remember the basics.

I've joined ravelry too, thanks Woolly! Not got a pattern or yarn for a scarf yet Monikar but I've seen a few nice ones I might try now!

I think I'll have a look at those online yarn places you've mentioned next and also keep my eye open when I'm out and about. I know a few shops that seem to have baskets of wool reduced down etc.

I may have lost my evenings to knitting this winter, it is quite addictive isn't it?

[monikar]

My mum has given me some patterns and I often have a look in charity shops for patterns - people seem to donate loads!

Girl what colour are you doing your scarf in, and what stitch?

Tee how is the hat coming along?

[TheWoollybacksWife]

For patterns I look online at Ravelry. (Ravelry.com) where I can search by all sorts of parameters including FREE my favourite price

I am very lucky in that I have a local wool shop with a lovely chatty owner and can flick through pattern books to my hearts content. I also buy from online yarn shops such as Kemps and Deramores who often have good deals on yarn. John Lewis also stock patterns and yarn.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

That's good to hear thanks everyone My mum did say it's like riding a bike, but she is a very crafty type person whereas I am not!

I loved knitting as a teen though, dropped it when I changed schools for 6th form I think.

I'll get myself a night on you tube soon and then just go for it! I've bought a big box of assorted needles from a boot fair so I'm hoping to find a naice scarf to do first!

Where do you all get patterns from these days as woolworths is long gone?

[monikar]

Girl yes I agree with the others - you will find it all comes back to you. I had a break of about 20 years with no knitting at all, and it all comes back.

And the best thing is - now you can start building up a lovely new stash of wool .

[TheWoollybacksWife]

I agree. It sounds like you have the knowledge and were confident about shaping and following a pattern. Have bit of a practice and you'll be grand. YouTube has loads of knitting videos to refresh your memory if needed.

Then come and join the Woolly Huggers

[goodjambadjar]

Girl, I knitted when I was in the brownies, then stopped. I picked it up again about a year ago, it was fine after a few false starts! And I'm 35! it sounds like you had more skills to start with, so you should be fine.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

Can I ask a mini thread-hijack question to Moaning or Monikar or Woolly please

I used to knit as a child/teen and got quite good I think! Batwing jumpers on different size needles sort of thing back in the eighties

Will I have to relearn from scratch or will it come back naturally if I start again?
Has anyone done this?
I've had about 23 years of no knitting at all but I've bought a box of needles and some cheapo yarn to try and teach myself again.

Fab scarf by the way Tee that's the sort of thing I was thinking of starting on, after a practice of course

[goodjambadjar]

I've not tried ribbing, you're braver than me. I managed a rib when I tried to do moss/seed stitch but it was an accident, so wouldn't know how I did it!

Tee as you're a novice, do you unravel the skein and roll it into a ball before you start, or do you knit straight from the skein? I've read you're supposed to unravel it.

[Tee2072]

I am sooo frustrated. I can't seem to do single rib! It doesn't stack, it alternates. Or something. ::and breathe::

Thanks for that hat patter, Woolly. I think I'm probably going do make that!

[TheWoollybacksWife]

Tee - take a look at the link I posted earlier in the thread. It is for a really simple hat knitted in garter stitch. I knit it flat on two needles and sew it up the back. If you leave off the flowers it makes a lovely hat for a baby boy. I can make one in an evening and it works really well in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino.

Even when he was very small I loved my little boy in bright colours - orange and lime green mixed with navy but I have no sense of style Do you know if she has got a winter coat or snowsuit for her baby? I would choose a colour to contrast or tone.

[Tee2072]

I haven't decided on colour yet. She's having a boy but I know I got sick of blue when my son was a baby!

[monikar]

That scarf looks great and you have finished it really quickly .

A hat makes a lovely gift for a baby. What colour are you doing? I made one for my friend's baby and made a little bobble for the top and I was ever so pleased with it.

[Tee2072]

Thank you!

Now I am learning to purl and I am going to make a hat for my cousin's baby that is due in about 6 weeks.

[TheWoollybacksWife]

Lovely knitting - fab scarf and it looks very stylish on

[Tee2072]

I finished the scarf!

Scarf!

[MoaningMingeWhingesAgain]

Have a look through the groups I am in - some of them I think you will like. IMHO Remrants and LSG are quite mumsnetty in spirit. Some groups are quite sarky and funny, some groups unbearably twee/ultra conservative. Some are fairly dry and factual.

The main rule is the 'always be excellent to each other' so if someone posts a picture of a hideous monstrosity that they made - don't laugh when someone says it is absolutely darling , just smirk and move on If you look at someone's project and think it is fab, leave a nice comment - you get an email and it gives you the warm fuzzies.

Just dive in. You can edit your posts on there, but they show as having been edited. You can't namechange though, so bear that in mind. It's just as addictive as here.

[Tee2072]

I just found you anyway. I mostly annoyed that I couldn't figure out where it said you had added me. Some of Ravelry doesn't make much sense, IMHO.

But now I've added you to my friends.

::prepares to stalk::