Never knitted before: Could I try to do a sofa throw?

[mumblechum1]

I know I could buy one but just fancy having a go.

what sort of yarn would you recommend, and what sort of needles? I have it in my head that it would be quite big stitches/holy iykwim, and preferably in a sort of speckly yarn which doesn't show up missed stitches quite as much.

any info gratefully required, in particular how can I calculate how much I need? Am thinking about 5 feet by 4 feet-ish.

Standard double knit on large needles, about 8 would give you a lacy effect. You can be lazy and just do garter stitch (I've done two scarves this way, the knit is very loose). I think if you go on larger needles you'll get a string vest effect! Or go for chunky wool on really oversized needles!

If you wanted to try it all in one go, circular needles might be best, as you can get more stitches on them. Alternatively, you could knit squares and sew them together.

As for wool, check out online stockists for colours and wool types (eg speckled or striped) Then find your local wool stockists and have a browse, see what takes your fancy, and just see what feels nice!

Have fun!

I've just finished a crocheted 5x4 blanket (picture on profile) and it used 800g of DK (double knitting weight) yarn. A similar size throw in a chunkier yarn may take more yarn - the yardage might not be as long but the stitches would be wider and higher.

I made my blankets in Stylecraft special - but I don't think they have a variegated yarn in that range.

How would you feel about crocheting your throw? There are plenty of YouTube videos to help you get started and you could work in granny squares which you can crochet together as you go rather than sew everything up at the end. There are a few basic stitches to learn but as long as you know how to make a chain and do a double crochet and a treble crochet then you can produce some fairly complicated looking work relatively easily.

I can knit and crochet but find crochet easier and faster

Thanks, both! I do know how to do basic knit and purl, learned it at school, but have no clue about crocheting. Woollyback, your blanket is beautiful but I can't see myself getting the squares in exactly the same size, as you did!

Chunky wool sounds like the way to go.

Thanks; off to the wool shop at lunchtime now I know what to ask for!

Mumble I've almost finished something similar. I only started knitting at Easter and crochet in May. I think you can see my throw in its earlier stage on my profile. It is much bigger and almost finished now. I decided to use it to try out different techniques so I bought some wool in colours I liked together then I've done lots of granny squares in crochet and lots of single colour squares in different knitting stitches. I crocheted them together alternating knitted and crochet squares and then crocheted a big border before deciding I wants it to be bigger! So now I've almost finished another row all the way round of knitted and crocheted squares. I'm delighted with it and have learnt lots while doing it.

As for sizes of squares I aimed for 15cm / 6 inch squares but there is a bit of variation!

Jayne that's lovey! Looks so cosy.

that's lovely jaynebxi