Support thread for Mumof2TeenBoys' and Expat's Blankets

[tribpot]

Following on from the terrible news of the loss of Mumof2TeenBoys' ds, a new Woolly Hugs project has been started and, as ever, MNers have stepped up to offer whatever little comfort we can to Mumof and her family. We also keep close in our thoughts Aillidh, the dd of expatinscotland, who died yesterday.

We've put together some general info mostly about knitting but with some crochet bits thrown in, which should get you started but please feel free to ask for any help - I'm not sure if the crocheters are going to set up a new support thread but their current one is found here.

Please dive in - we will inevitably end up talking bollocks rubbish at some point but all are welcome aboard.

I've got my topstitcher set now. It's the same as this one hoping it'll work. item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem;PdsSession=7068f9231380a0276c32ef02fff5800d?itemId=140793657775&index=1&nav=SEARCH&nid=03681159056

Triiiiib I need help! Tried the Christmas Stars last night and it was a total dogs dinner. I thought I knew what I was doing with a chart but maybe not. I just couldn't get the stars to stand out and I'm confused as I seemed to be knitting each row in the "background" bit when it looks like stocking stitch in the picture.

Any ideas how I managed to bodge it quite so badly?

Right, Barbara. This has fallen for the same problem as the Tree of Valium in its original chart. When it says 'knit' it doesn't mean 'knit' it means 'do a stitch which will appear to be knit if viewed from the right side of the work'. In other words, if you're doing a wrong side row: purl.

So bloody obvious, innit?

So all you have to do is simply reverse every instruction on every other row. It says purl, you knit. It says knit, you purl.

Et voila - it will look like the picture. Or your head will explode. Definitely one or t'other.

Alternatively I could rewrite the instructions at least as a chart with the right stitches listed on it, perhaps graduating to written instructions if strictly necessary :)

Two lovely balls of wool have just arrived: a cream and a soft mid blue. They'll be great for doing some cabling and Icelandic knitting. [

Trib, you are a star (no pun intended!) Thank you so much.

That's kind of what I felt I should be doing but it so clearly said "knit"

Will print out the chart and scrawl on it accordingly. If I still can't get it done I'll pick up the pieces of my cranium and post for help. Or do another plain and essential instead.

New blanket for Expat

As always, please do not feel you have to sign up. You have all done so much already

Just popping in - can someone knit me a rose square? If you can, could you PM me? I've had a special request Xx

well not knit for me, for the blanket for Eilidh?

PM'd although not knitted...

I'm a slow knitter too - I might now be able to do a very plain square that quickly but it has taken me a year and a half to get there!

That would be me, i don't knit. I take it my guess was wildly inaccurate? :o

Crochet grannies take about an hour if you're slow...

I was also trying to reassure any newbies. I figure if you do it 2 rows at a time while getting on with family life it'll feel like 3 hours...

I can knock out a square in about 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending how complicated it is, but it will probably be full of mistakes - I have never mastered slow and steady at anything, even I know I would benefit from it...

"Wise and slowly, they stumble that knit run fast..." (Check out Dances quoting Shakespeare!!!)

I'm going to start a thread and try and coordinate some meets, i think. Then we can swap wool, patterns and tips - many many new people now

I was assuming garter stitch, actually...

Yay - I like a good meet up! That is how I wound up being a knitter - cos I met Pistey and Knotty at the last Christmas Meetup the one where no-on could hear themselves talk so we drank and danced instead

Help needed

I really want two identical heart squares, that look like Team Heart but have little beads around the edge of the heart, so along the edge of the heart itself.

Anyone help me?

I've sadly forgotten how to crochet granny squares:( I think a meet up would be good I know tribs not too far from me maybe she could show me

I can only think of maybe doing the hearts and sewing the beads on after if that was any good

knotty, can I get back to you about that? I have a pattern for beading somewhere but it may be paper, so need T9 root it out. :)

*to root out
Stupid smart phone

I can do my heart, like the one I did for the last blankie, and sew some beads on. If you were you hoping for someone a little more professional however I understand.