Knit, Crochet and Natter 5 - the roadmap to MORE YARN!

[lazylinguist]

A thread for knitters, crocheters and yarn crafters of all kinds. Total beginners very much welcome! Previous thread here

Thanks! I suspect my tension is probably too tight based on your image InTheNight my stitches don't look like those, they look more stretched and tight or something. I will go up a hook size or two and shake it out lucysmam will get me some extra steps on my Fitbit too probably

Ooh, interesting Dead thanks!

I've had that hat in my queue for ages Highland, it's such a nice pattern, yours looks really good!

Hmmm, so, first thougts on the light up hook are mixed.

The handle feels quite bulky so will take some getting used to, the light's nice and bright though. I think I need to drop .5mm of a hook size to use it - the couple of rows I've done with it are a bit looser than with the 4.5mm knit-pro hook I've been using. & it squeaks a bit - I'll have a google tomorrow to see if there are any remedies for that but think it's because the hook's made of plastic/acrylic.

Whoops this fell off my active list again! Some amazing projects going on here!

I’m having another attempt at a jumper except this one is in mock crochet stitch so it’ll be light and airy. Not sure the best way to sew it up as sewing is my downfall so I’m going to make a few squares in the same stitch to practise on first.

My amigurumi is always really tight and hurts my hands after a while. Doing YU rather than YO gives a tighter stitch without hurting so much.

@lucysmam I read that running a plastic hook through unwashed hair can help with squeak. Never tried it myself though.

I've just frogged one of my pattern tests back 4 rows as my stitch count was off. Re did row 12 4 times. Couldn't get it right. Messaged the pattern creator and she'd miscalculated the numbers so I was right all along. Annoying but that's why they get pattern testers!

This is what mine looks like

@DeadButDelicious, with the grooming brush, do you just brush the yarn like hair to make it fuzz?

I make the piece and then brush it with the slicker brush and it fuzzes up quite quickly, for example Ludos head, body, arms etc are all separate pieces so I made them, brushed them out and then attached them, once the piece is complete I will give a gentle once over to fluff out places that need it.

I can't get a grasp of YU...it baffles my brain .

I'll try the hook through unwashed hair later on, since I wasn't going to wash it tonight, and see if it makes any difference.

I think I need a grooming brush & something fluffy to make, just to try it out

It took me ages to work out yarn under. Although I'm still not 100% I'm doing it right as I don't get a nice straight line on a colour change like some of my patterns seem to have.

@highlandcoo those hats are stunning! And the headband looks great! I have one of those headbands on my long list of to dos ☺️

@lucysmam ooh a light up hook! What a great idea! Certain yarns make some of my hooks squeak (that are metal and not even acrylic/plastic)! Your blanket is looking so good! How long have you been working on it now? It feels like it's come together really quickly!

@FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack when I do amigurumi it really hurts my hands! I know that I crochet far too tight though I just can't break the habit of doing it! I agree that yarn under does help though and I prefer how my stitches look with that method too!

@CrochetBug I've had a couple of patterns in a row where I just couldn't work out a certain part! And both times it turned out to be a problem with the actual pattern and not me! Its so annoying! But like you say, you are the pattern tester so I suppose it's understandable even if it is frustrating!

@sophs29 I've been working on the blanket for just over 6 months, in between other projects.

Finally finished it & sewn in the ends today. I'll give it a wash tomorrow morning, since the weather's forecast to be hot, then pop up pics of the finished article :)

I think I'm going to make myself some yarn bobbins for the scarf I designed next, then start that over the summer holidays alongside the wrap cardi I've been making.

I've got a pattern cut & fabric ready for a sewn top as well so might do that too. It's a pj top pattern but I've chosen a fairly heavy fabric in navy blue so I think it'll work well for a daytime top. & I'm on the hunt for a pattern to recreate a Ralph Lauren top one of our TA's has...think I'll be fairly occupied for the next six weeks .

I should get back to hunting for a new job too but am lacking the motivation atm. One of my work contracts is not being made permanent, even though they said when I took it on that it would be, & I'm quite gutted about it :( Time to move on.

Ooh good idea @lucysmam my washing machine pretty much exploded Monday night and I can't get a replacement until Wednesday 21st so somehow I'm trying to make our clothes last..easier said than done with two mucky pups (DC's) 😂

I've been really into my sewing again recently, another reason I'm annoyed as I have two lots of fabric ready to make dresses for my niece that I can't pre wash! And I don't know if a quick hand wash will do the same thing?
It does sound like you will be busy! The summer hols always fly by for me now!

I'm sorry to hear about your job, hopefully the perfect one comes by soon! ☺️

That's frustrating about the washer. Mine keeps doing funny things & occasionally jumps, which scares the shit out of me 🙄 it's less than a year old but I already can't wait for a replacement!

I'm not sure a quick handwash would do the same as a machine wash - it wouldn't jiggle about as much so might be difficult to rinse too?

The 21st's ages away :( I had to wait a couple of weeks for this one when I ordered it too. Very frustrating when there's uniforms & work stuff to be washed. I ended up getting friends to put washing in their machines on my way to work, to collect wet on my way home 🤷‍♀️

I haven't done amigurumi, but the scrap yarn basket I made was a bit tough on tye hands, as it was crocheted pretty tightly with 4 strands of yarn!

@lucysmam yes ours had been rattling away for a while and the spin was super loud so we knew it would go eventually, typical for it to go the month where it's mine and DP's birthday though 😂 didn't really want to spend my money on a washing machine this month 😂

Yes that's true regarding the fabric! I'm going to look after my mum tomorrow so might take it there with a few other bits and bobs!

Did you manage to wash and hang out your blanket? (The weather has been a bit all over the place here today)!

Ah, the majority of our family birthdays are clumped around Christmas ish (excellent timing there 🙄🙄) so I'd prefer ours to go after the new school year starts, but before then, if it did. Not that we get to pick these things!

Definitely take it to your mum's if she won't mind, then the option to sew is there too, if that's what you fancy doing.

I did get the blanket washed and dried. It's been quite pleasant here today. Warm but fairly cloudy so not blazing & uncomfortable sunshine.

Lovely blanket @lucysmam

Oh no @lucysmam expensive time of year then! That blanket is absolutely stunning, I love that it will grow with your DD, in the sense that she could be 12, 18 or 30 and it would still be suitable! I don't know if I'm explaining that very well but I know what I mean 😂 I want to crochet a blanket next, similar yarns to the CAL I done on these threads but a different pattern!

Thanks @NiceCardigan!

Dd1 keeps stroking & cuddling it . I've asked if she'd like one but she keeps shrugging at me, even though she's trying to claim this one, so I'm hunting for a pattern to make her now.

Sorry to hear about your job @lucysmam. Great blanket though!

So sorry to hear about your Job @lucysmam I'm sure something even better will be along soon! That blanket is stunning!

It turns out DD's last day of nursery is today (she's finishing out the term with some reception transition days next week) so I had a late night finishing this off, DD loves snails and will happily talk your ear off about them given the chance so I thought I'd make her teacher (who's been wonderful this last year) a little snaily something to say thank you.

That's adorable. How clever you are!

Ooh, the snail's pretty @DeadButDelicious!

@DeadButDelicious that is adorable!! Its my DS's last day today- well technically it's not as he's at nursery next year too due to when his birthday falls but I just got a boring plant and made them each a pencil case 😂 your DDs teacher will love that!

lucysmam sorry to hear about your job. Hopefully something better comes along soon. The blanket is lovely, the white border is perfect just to finish it off. I feel you on the birthdays congregated together, expect for us it’s Feb and March, so just after Christmas. Except, we’re now adding little one into the mix with an early Dec arrival, then Christmas, then 95% of family birthday and our wedding anniversary in the middle somewhere. Definitely some poor planning there! I think you’re definitely going to end up doing DD1 a blanket for herself. The problem is you’ll pick a pattern for DD1 and then DD2 will be stroking DD1’s blanket and sighing. You’ll end up in an endless circle of making increasingly nice blankets for one of your girls that the other is envious of!

dead that snail is so cute! I’m sure your DD’s teacher will love it, it’s a lovely end of year present.

I’m trying to finish my dog my friend’s little girl, who were seeing on Sunday. I’ve got ears, legs, snout, nose and tongue to make. Then sewing up and embroidery. So nothing like a bit of time pressure! After this, the current WIPs don’t have a time pressure, so hopefully I can plod along with them. Or maybe pick up a new WIP

Sorry about your job, @lucysmam. Hope something better comes along soon!