K3tog: ILx Knitting 3

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Nath you could try one of those row pendant things, you stick it round your neck and click it at the end of each row (if you remember - I suspect personally I would feel a) silly and b) forget to click it ANYWAY) grr.

― Sarah, Monday, 16 April 2007 14:32 (nineteen years ago)

xpost :-( I really don't think so. Maybe I set my expectations way too high. I always feel abit of a post-knitting depression when I finish something.

Sarah, I'm very good at keeping row counts: I scribble more than I knit. heh

― nathalie, Monday, 16 April 2007 14:38 (nineteen years ago)

Nath here is my question. I went to Brussels. There was stuff in French. There was stuff in ANOTHER LANGUAGE. Was that Dutch or Flemish? A 'friend' thinks the opposite to I. Can you confirm?

Also I found no yarn shops in Bruxelles. Plenty of lace (PROPER lace) shops. However I don't give a fig for lace. I was disappointed, I wanted to come back and get you to translate incomprehensible instructions for me.

HOLIDAY YARN SHOPPING I HAVE DONE = a bunch of random market stall acrylic to make katamari prince with, erm... well I looked in ONE yarn shop in erm, Limoges?? maybe, it wasn't very good, and, er... hmm! I should try harder...

― Sarah, Monday, 16 April 2007 14:47 (nineteen years ago)

Nath, I think the post-project letdown is understandable. Sometimes it's hard to get started on something new. but this hardly means you're not a comptent knitter.

I've been having general project let-down all around not just with yarn. General malaise and ickiness. might be chemical/medicine related. *sigh* Whatever it is my sewing room is a mess of unfinished crap and balls of yarn languish throughout the house.

― Ms Misery, Monday, 16 April 2007 14:52 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.pacificwoolandfiber.com/images/Knitting%20Needles/rotally.jpg

I must have about ten of these.

I scribble more than I knit

Haha, me too!. My knitting notebooks is 95% lists of numbers.

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 16 April 2007 14:55 (nineteen years ago)

this is the one I use, mostly b/c the click is rewarding:

http://www.angelyarns.com/images/access/clover-counter.jpg

― Ms Misery, Monday, 16 April 2007 14:56 (nineteen years ago)

Sarah, Flemish is a dialect, very similar to Dutch. Dutch is our official language. So if it's something you saw printed then it most probably was Dutch. (Only very few texts are in Flemish.)

I showed the marine sweater to my teacher. Everyone admired it... Except her. She said the finish was crap (not in so many words, actually in more words:"This shouldn't be done by someone who's taking a knitting course). I then asked her if the problem could be that the front was longer than the back and she said yes. Ah well. A pro will be able to tell the mistake but I doubt anyone else could (even if you're a bit more advanced).

I just need to persevere and get a row counter. :-)

― stevienixed, Monday, 16 April 2007 19:46 (nineteen years ago)

Oh yeah, that row counter for the needle is crap, btw. I have one but it's neglected. :-) I need a bigger one. Or just scribble like I'm used to. :-)

― stevienixed, Monday, 16 April 2007 19:46 (nineteen years ago)

:-( I did very well on a Lana Grossa cardigan until I had to knit the front and back together. :-((( I used a needle which was much too thin. I dropped one of the double stitches (it's made with a double thread) but I fixed that more or less. But it looks a bit off, I think. Also I think I did wrong when I cast off the back part of the collar. *sigh* Please tell me that you girls also had such setbacks. I really feel like giving up even though I realize I'm probably setting my standards way too high. It's just... When I listened to the teacher I felt as though I was a complete klutz and I am very ~~scared~~ nervous about showing it to her. She's really a great teacher but seems a bit strict. :-( LE FRIGGING SIGH.

That said, I ~~can't~~ give up since I received a massive amount of Debbie Bliss yarn. I think I'll need a talk with my teacher about how crap I am and if she's willing to guide me. :-) Then again the course is almost finished! Two months and it's finito (until september.... if I enroll in the second year, but I think I will). :-)

SEND ME SOME GOOD VIBES and tell me I'm being silly. :-(

― nathalie, Thursday, 19 April 2007 08:30 (nineteen years ago)

(man)It's probably your hormones luv(/man) :)

Nath, you are way more advanced than the rest of us and all your photos have seemed great! And you're ALWAYS going to pick your projects apart way more than anyone else does. I've made a cardigan where the left front and right from turned out to have about two inches difference, and the back was longer than the front, and the sleeves got twisted somehow... it's all part of the process innit.

― Sarah, Thursday, 19 April 2007 09:00 (nineteen years ago)

"This shouldn't be done by someone who's taking a knitting course

I think you need a teacher. Why in the hell is she discouraging you from trying to move and ahead and explore new things? Usually that kind of enthusiasim is something a teacher loves.

I've never finished a sweater. I suck. My knitting and sewing have ground to a halt the past couple of weeks.

― Ms Misery, Thursday, 19 April 2007 13:51 (nineteen years ago)

(pls note that my lack of sweateryness is mostly due to the very limited wear they get here vs. the effort they take. I'm still hoping to do a short-sleeved, cotton, Quidditch sweater by July. Hold me to it, ILX KnitWits)

― Ms Misery, Thursday, 19 April 2007 13:52 (nineteen years ago)

Oh no! She meant the way I had finished it! The way I seamed it together. I then told her that maybe it was due to the fact that the front and back were different in length. She's actually a good teacher, but in a way she's not always right for me as I'm much too sensitive when it comes to criticism. I take it all too seriously. :-) Ah fek, I think this is part and parcel of my upbringing: my mother always said she was crap at doing things and I more or less mirrored that. I still feel taht deep down I'm just not a craftsperson. But when that thought pops up in my head I tend to *slap myself* (figuratively speaking naturally!) and remind myself that this (and every other craft) has to be mastered.

I am finishing the sleeves on the cardigan and I'll bring it to her and show what I've done. I think I also need to learn to *unravel* or frog things. Usually when I have finished my knitting, I just want to get it over with.

God, I'm a nag. ;-)

― nathalie, Thursday, 19 April 2007 14:40 (nineteen years ago)

I've been knitting baby presents like a fiend for friend's upcoming shower. Thus far, I have one burp cloth, and one bib finished. Burp cloth #2 is almost done, as is BABY KIMONO which I whipped up yesterday, as a result of a bummer of a sinus headache and lack of energy. It's turning out pretty well. It's the pattern from the Mason Dixon book (which brings me lots of joy). When it's done, I'll post pictures. Devil baby pants are for a 6 month old, and both friend and her husband average around 5'2, so I figure I have time to get those bad boys finished.

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 23 April 2007 15:55 (nineteen years ago)

Also, has anyone ever done any rag knitting? I have 3 pairs of jeans at my house, which have died a slow death and are beyond repair, and some old bedsheets given to me by various relatives where the corners have blown out, etc. I'm thinking bathroom rug here, folks.

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 23 April 2007 18:52 (nineteen years ago)

I've got some sheets and old t-shirts set aside for a rag rug. I think it's easiest to do with crochet, but I was going to try for some bathmats too. Any new project will have to wait until I'm moved at this point!

― patita, Monday, 23 April 2007 20:14 (nineteen years ago)

Class was awesome. We did <a href="http://www.breienmetplezier.nl/images/ajour1.gif">Ajour</A> which noone was good at save a few. But I brought my cardigan and she unraveled it so I could redo it. It's PERFECT now. She said everything else (about the cardigan) was perfect. YAY! I did the stupid mistake of making a swatch and binding off without noticing which needle I had used. hahahahahahahah So now I have to guess which one and redo the gauge. hahahahahahahah Stupid? Me? Oh yeah. But I'm persevering. Oh HELL YEAH. :-)

― stevienixed, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 06:27 (nineteen years ago)

shit. Well, click the linky. :-)

― stevienixed, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 06:27 (nineteen years ago)

Would you all call that lace knitting? I don't think so. We tend to call lace knitting, kunstbreien. I'm not sure about Ajour. It's typically knitting which includes knitting together and doing an "omslag" (making an extra stitch by turning the thread around the needle). The latter I don't know exactly how to do. :-( I need to practice.

― nathalie, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 09:55 (nineteen years ago)

I don't think that's the same as lace making but I think it qualifies as lace knitting. That's kind of the stitch I've been using on these hats I've been making yarn over, K2together, repeat for the rest of the round. then next round just K.

― Ms Misery, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 13:43 (nineteen years ago)

I just had a knitting lesson with an 80 y/o librarian. It was fantastic. She brought in this BEAUTIFUL afghan she knitted ages ago, and showed me how to dissect what you're knitting with a crochet hook to fix a stitch that needed to be knit and not purled (in this case).

― molly mummenschanz, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 19:40 (nineteen years ago)

The crochet hook trick is so awesome. It's saved me many times, especially when I've realized 10 rows past where the bad stitch is!

― patita, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 21:03 (nineteen years ago)

I've used a bent bobby pin when lacking a crochet hook.

damn, I need to get a knitting project going.

― Ms Misery, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 21:03 (nineteen years ago)

I'm a complete dimwit. I started that Debbie Bliss sleeveless sweater but I mixed up needles! I noticed after the first time so it wasn't that bad, but god damn it I'm crap at being consistent and disciplined. BUT I have started to jot down every single row I'm doing. Hopefully that'll work. And now with every project I am taking my gauge (and everything else) to class: this way I can learn measuring (and everything else). I feel more positive about it. But I do need to finish that Lana Grossa cardigan and that Sublime marine sweater. I can't let it be ignored because it's not perfect. :-)

Going to Ghent so I'm hoping to visit a knitting shop or two. :-D

― stevienixed, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 07:07 (nineteen years ago)

Also, I think I finally realized how you need to make an extra stitch (not one by picking up the bar between sts, but when turning the yarn over the needle). :-D

― stevienixed, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 07:08 (nineteen years ago)

Ok, ladies, I've probably asked this a million times, but are knitting socks difficult? I need some encouragement. I don't know why I am afraid of trying more ambitious projects, and stick in my safety zone. However, knitting the baby kimono made me realize, "Hey! I actually *do* know how to do this!" Also, I mastered the buttonhole. So, with this boost in confidence, I shall try some socks.

What's your favorite yarn to use for socks? Preferred needle size? I have a great book at home, which I've never even used, and it's high time I learn, and force more handknit goods on my loved ones.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 15:52 (nineteen years ago)

I've never gotten socks. :( I just need to try some that aren't on tiny dpns.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 15:58 (nineteen years ago)

Molly, I took a socks class a few years ago and it was really cool; socks are fun to do because they are so small that you can finish them quickly. Of course, I've only made extremely basic socks. The one thing I would say is that it took me a while to really understand what I was doing wrt short-rowing while turning the heel. Apparently I need to really let simple stuff percolate into my brain.

I love the socks I made - much warmer than cotton socks from the store - and perfect for winter when my toes are cold.

― Sara R-C, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:04 (nineteen years ago)

Socks! You should definitely do socks! I was scared, and kept going "oooh should I should I", until I actually saw some my friend made, and it went home that - dude, this is TOTALLY possible! And then I just blazed ahead with the pattern.

I suggest find some awesome looking sock yarn first - there is SO much good sock yarn out there that you willbe utterly spoilt for choice. I also say go toe-up, this might be personal preference but gosh, I wish I'd STARTED toe-up, the principal angsts just WENT AWAY. You can't really knit socks on anything much bigger than 2 or 2.5mm needles I think - for everyday sort of use. If you want to make ooh, like spa socks, or snuggly at home socks, something a bit more EARTHY (even hiking socks) you could go up safely to DK weight I 'spect. I'm going to make some spa socks soon! They are well cute.

If you already have a smallish long circular needle you could try that magic loop method I spose. Me never tried it, but I don't have a long circ needle, and I DO have dpns so...

OH also, I would recommend getting something that is SUPERWASH! Socks will clearly have to be washed a lot, and you're a better person than me if you can bear to handwash each time!

You could always start with BOOTEES :)

― Sarah, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:10 (nineteen years ago)

Oh! Excellent suggestions all around! And thank you for the encouragement!

I wouldn't have even thought about SUPERWASH! I'm excited! I'm going to go to a new yarn shop this weekend and poke around.

The sock pattern book I have gives you the pattern for whatever type of needles you want to use (be it dpns or circs). The problem is, I'm not sure what to use!

There is a patter for baby bootie socks that they recommend doing first. My friend's child will be SHOWERED (ugh, pun) with knit gifts.

Also, I HATE saggy socks. Is this a common problem with handknit socks, or is there a yarn I should gravitate to, to avoid the SAG?

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:15 (nineteen years ago)

Awesomest thing EVAH! A knitted umbrella!

I started seaming the Lana Grossa cardigan last night. I casually mentioned to my mom that I had told the teacher it was for her. It was said half-jokingly. My mom laughed and then asked if the cardigan is meant to curl up at the bottom. Hah! Family being critical? Oh yes! They don't shy away from letting you/me know if they think it's wrong. I said I still needed to make a collar and *stuff* and that the bottom would, as a result, not curl up anymore. She said she'd LOVE to have it. I told her that if she didn't like the finished *product*, I wouldn't be offended if she didn't want it or wouldn't wear it. She said again she'd LOVE it. See, I don't like giving presents as it puts pressure on the recipient: they gotta wear it even if they don't like it. So I always make sure I tell'em that if they don't like it, I won't be offended. It reminded her of autumn in Japan (with all the different coloured leaves). So now I need to make sure it's done well. :-) I am a bit hesitant: The pattern said I had to crochet the edge but the teacher said that picking up the sts and knitting the edge would be better as it would avoid tiny holes. I'll probably need to get some more yarn or rip the bag I started making with the second ball of yarn. heh. My mom said: "You seem this with the right side facing up??????" Uh yes, mom. :-) I think I'll also measure her so if I want to knit some more for her, I can do this whenever I want without having to ask for her measurements.

― nathalie, Sunday, 29 April 2007 08:14 (nineteen years ago)

How can I not knit teddy bears for this?

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 30 April 2007 19:23 (nineteen years ago)

Re THE SAG: I quite like them being a bit loose but if you want them tighter then I'd just suggest knitting some elastic in (just weave it in as you go along like you would in intarsia I guess) - or you could sew it in after the fact but I think that would be mroe faffy.

I've undone my 1st sock's too tight cast off and I'll be trying a stretchier one soon - there's a good link but I don't have it immediately to hand. Sewn cast off looks good too, but more complex and I don't want to ruin the socks. I might try it on the second sock after putting in the all important lifeline first (although this is SO much harder on small dpns than it is on 5mm straights).

― Sarah, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 08:19 (nineteen years ago)

There's a great bear knitting pattern in one of the Noro books that is made with Kureyon and looks SO FAB! I nearly spent the wedge on the book just for that pattern; then I thought, tbh it will probably look as good with any generic teddy pattern and saved myself the cash phew. Tho it was close.

I crocheted an elephant and finished him yesterday! However I mistakenly used a 4mm hook and DK weight so now you can totally see the stuffing inside, despite me running a length of thread round his insides a few times. It has helped a bit but not much. The plan is to now crochet him a jumper.

― Sarah, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 08:21 (nineteen years ago)

So, I'm taking a break from my spiral rag rug, as it's quite the workout for the arm, and giving the socks a go. OH ME. I must just sit and practice on the beginner's sock, as holding the needles IS A BITCH.

Please tell me it gets easier.

― molly mummenschanz, Sunday, 6 May 2007 15:24 (nineteen years ago)

I love you, Kaffe Fasset.

I think I need to get the Rowan catalog.

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 7 May 2007 19:50 (nineteen years ago)

Urgh, I'm in a dilemma: I can't knit something on my own (well, most of the time anyway) and I can't show it to the teacher because she fuxors up the dimensions. I did a Debbie Bliss sleeveless sweater for Ophelia but it's *just* right and I wanted one that's a bit larger. Grrr @ teacher. She's a GREBT teacher but doesn't know sh#t about child sizes. :-( I also managed to do the collar a bit wrong. I say a bit cause I need to pick up the sts and work out of it looks right or not.

As I couldn't attend the class on monday, I couldn't reseam the Lana Grossa cardigan (for my mum) and pick up the sts. I finished all I could and got so fed up, I started a pair of trousers (for Ophelia). I think I'll fuck up again: I still can't work out how to measure the gauge properly. Tell me it gets easier. PRETTY PLEASE.

Even though I have so much yarn,I still crave more. hah.

When I'll be in Japan in two weeks, I might check out more pattern books and maybe more material. Yarn? Meh, it's too expensive (for a beginner like me). :-)

― nathalie, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 11:52 (nineteen years ago)

Oh! And I started a thread on the knitlist and it got ALL OUT OF CONTROL: I asked people how/when they started to knit. It was a total blast reading all the post... well, most cause my inbox was FULL of replies. Still fun to read though. one lady is 85! Can you imagine! How totally COOLIO! 85, knitting and being on a mailing list!!!

― nathalie, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 11:53 (nineteen years ago)

Does the pattern not come in larger sizes?

Do you have it in an emailable form? Especially since it's sleeveless, I could probably work something out.

― tokyo rosemary, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 13:24 (nineteen years ago)

Buy some super cute amigurumi pattern books in Japan :)

I bought a Sugar and Cream dishcloth pattern book, and have finally figured out the single crochet stitch. Now I just have to figure out increases and decreases, and crocheting in the round.

― tokyo rosemary, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 13:26 (nineteen years ago)

After lots of angst, I have mastered (well, got the hang of, maybe) dbpns. Also, I have mastered the Continental stitch! The way my aunt taught me was not conducive to purling, so after watching a video on the internets, my knitting life was changed. Hurrah!

Also, my socks are coming along quite nicely. I think I should start the heel soon. What do you think? (My pattern is a bit vague).

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/500874267_5395435d14.jpg?v=0

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 14:26 (nineteen years ago)

Also, has anyone tried dyeing yarn before? What about spinning?

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:05 (nineteen years ago)

Socks = GRATE! My ball of wool got tangly and I have stalled on the nu-rave socks. Have had a general sense of despondency recently so quite a lot of crafting has stalled apart from making a few toys.

Not tried dying or spinning - will I be declared a creative zero if I say I don't really have any real interest? I like my wool already clean and spun! What's so bad about that! I like all the colours wool comes in already! Haha speaking of which, craft group are talking about having a nallbinding meetup - this is FAR TOO CLOSE to "medieval re-enactment" for my tastes. "Ooh I made a Roman sock"! "SHAME THE ROMAN EMPIRE COLLAPSED A GRILLION YEARS AGO THEN, PROBABLY BECAUSE THEIR SOCKS WERE RUBBISH".

― Sarah, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:11 (nineteen years ago)

Nice people I should add. But - yanno. No.

― Sarah, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:12 (nineteen years ago)

Hah! I was reading a book about Estonian sock knitting last night, and there was this freakish wedding sock with a BULGE that came out mid-calf. The caption said (and I'm paraphrasing): "The Estonians thought thick calves were a sign of a lovely bride."

I met another librarian who did her own spinning, and it sounded like so much FUN! However, it seems like it would take forever. We have a cable program over here called "Knitty Gritty" (which I made Tim watch an episode of). It's kind of okay, but yesterday's episode (recorded by the new DVR) was about DYEING. It looked like so much fun! But, knowing me, I'd make a mess and stain everything within a 50 ft. radius.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:18 (nineteen years ago)

It's all about sticking things in JARS as I have gathered from dye guides in Simply Knitting.

OH whilst you're here! Have you seen the new Knit.1? None of the shops I usually get it from have it in and I am starting to become concerned, where is knit mag, I wants one. (Not so new anymore I guess!! Argh, hope I haven't missed the entire thing).

― Sarah, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:49 (nineteen years ago)

This lady on Knitty Gritty had pots, a heat source, dyes and vinegar. One lady dyed her stuff by using Kool-Aid, and claimed it smelled delicious!

No! I haven't seen the new Knit 1 magazine, but in all honesty, I haven't been looking, as I've been raiding the stacks at my public library. If I happen upon one, I shall let you know!

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 16:03 (nineteen years ago)

If you can dye yarn with Kool Aid, imagine what that stuff does to your guts!

― Madchen, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 16:10 (nineteen years ago)

It's all about sticking things in JARS as I have gathered from dye guides in Simply Knitting.

I read the same article! It also mentioned the Kool-Aid. :-) I won't be doing it any day soon as I'm PREGGERS and therefore am not allowed to do this. :-)

Do you have it in an emailable form? Especially since it's sleeveless, I could probably work something out.

No, not really. But I'm done. I mean, done everything except the collar, sleeves (the bands) and some seaming. I figure that if O can't wear it, then the next kid will. ;-)

I can't wait to go to some knit/book stores in Japan and buy a gazillion pattern books (inc amigurumi). :-) I'm also tempted to buy loads of candy coloured plastic needles (which we do not have here). YUM YUM. :-) I also want a knitting bag (those BIG ASS ones). Want want want. :-)

― stevienixed, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 18:02 (nineteen years ago)

The new Knit.1 only came out this week! I am hoping to buy it tomorrow.

I am so jealous of your upcoming Japanese craft shopping trip, nathalie!

― tokyo rosemary, Thursday, 17 May 2007 01:49 (nineteen years ago)

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