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 hate my row counter with a vengeance, because if you're using thinner needles (which I have to do as I am such a loose knitter) they skid around, losing their count and thus making the whole 'keeping count' concept null and void. And yes, that's with the right sized counter for the needles.

Anyway... I'm so glad to see someone else is coming up with good challenges for Trib. She loves it really

The other thing you can do with row counters (which I have to do when I am knitting in the round) is thread the wool "tail" from where you started through them and knot it loosely, so it dangles at the bottom of the knitting.

Minniebar - they shouldn't lose their count even if they're slipping about. The ones I have need to be turned manually every time I complete a row and are quite stiff

I think Minnie is using a dice

There is, inevitably, an iPhone app for row/stitch counting :o

Oooh, is there? I'll have to put it on to my Touch!

Several, altho the Vogue Knitting one is especially good as it allows you to keep track of rows per section and keeps a list of projects and yarns. Plus has a built-in stitchionary. This is all by way of saying it costs £1.50.

- not sure I want to pay! I've still got c.£22 left of the £25 voucher I got last year for my 50th birthday! miserly Scot me

But come to think about it, it might be a worthwhile investment for me for going on holiday and choosing not to not being able to take my Big Fat Knitting Book with me I think dh would have kittens even though he takes lots of his wine books with him--

Evening all!
I'm away in my hols but I've ordered wool so I can get started on my return on Friday.

Was the lady in Peter Jones me? Short, but chubby and curly dark hair? Might have been .

I'm officially the worst and slowest knitter ever but Pistey has assured me all wonky squares are welcome. I will sign up or expats blanket tonight too. So sad.

bird, it's not the equivalent of a knitting book, so it depends what you'll be doing.

I'll be following some patterns and sometimes I forget what the acronyms are. But if I practices some of the patterns for the afghan blanket in 6" square form, then I'll definitely need a row counter. One of them has a 28 row repeat!

FaceCrack, would this help? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1514861-Blanket-Meet-ups-Sign-in-here

Joining in after signing up for Expat's blanket. First MN blanket for me, Aillidh just reminded me so much of when my cousin was in hospital with cancer.

I have been scouring Ravelry for pretty squares, there are some lovely crocheted flower ones I like and I seem drawn to basket weave knitted ones at the moment.

Evening, have just received my wool, thanks so much to my donor. I have a pattern for a lovely Debbie Bliss Afghan so will choose one of the letter squares from that for my first square I think.

Welcome to the crew

Trib will be along shortly, i hope, she's compiling a guide to squares if you need to waste hours of your life browsing inspiration

Yet, lots of new people, welcome!

Link to the guide for everyone after it. Most of the text is also on Woolly Hugs now as well, in the Crafter's guide.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1514861-Blanket-Meet-ups-Sign-in-here

If you fancy scoffing cake and swapping tips and wool

Yay - my first blue plain simple knitted square for James's blanket is done, ends sewn in so ready to start a more complicated square in green tomorrow. When I say more complicated I mean maybe adding some purl in there somewhere!
redrosie I googled blackberry stitch and it fried my mind . Not ready for that just yet. So wondering about your checked square - if I were to do this...k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5 ( to make 35stitches ) then next row to start with p5, k5, etc.... would that work anyone?

I haven't a clue bobkate, but yaay for finishing your first

Night X

That would work fine bobkate - but after a number of rows (probably about 8 - stitches are wider than they are tall) you need to swap the order in order to make the check effect Otherwise you'll just be doing a broad rib - which I'm sure would be lovely as well!

Hello everyone, it's very cosy and laid back here isn't it?
I've just finished my first smoky blue square, in stocking stitch. I know it's a bit boring but i like the texture and I'm going to work into it with some twiddly bits.
I'm gonna be the cocoa post aren't I.
Night.

So prettybird if I did say
k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5 x 8 rows and then changed to p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5 for 8 rows, then back to starting with k5. hmmm maybe I should just pm redrosie and ask her how she did it instead of trying to guess! Or like you say, do what I put and make a broad rib... thanks though and night for now.

Morning all.

Pitsey - did you get the PM I resent last night?