K3tog: ILx Knitting 3

I crochet a row of stitches and then knit into them - never managed to get the hang of "Judy's so-called magic cast-on". Although tbh I had always tried it with dpns and just ended up with tangles everywhere.

I don't think my tension is particularly loose, but I always get some sort of ladder, even if I really heave on the stitches. TBH the ladders aren't *huge* and they disappear once you wash the socks anyway; what I like is that there is way less poking yourself in the tummy with a needle and the stitches are far more secure - you can put yr knitting down w/o losing stitches all over the place.

xpost! ooh like ilx used to be! Anyway, yes - short row heels! They are so easy I've never actually tried another method (will do some day though). This is a very good tutorial w/ loads of photos:
http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/as-promised-a-short-row-heel-tutorial/

She does lots of wraps, I'm not sure if I always do these as I don't really find I get holes if I only wrap the once.

It's very very easy to make the heel larger or smaller just by doing a few more or a few less wraps, it's a very flexible method I think.

Think of it like this - you do a toe (using short rows), when you get to the heel you pretty much just do the same thing again!

oh ok, i'll try it on my next pair.
i used this to do the cast-on http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com/2005/10/knitting-made-easier-turkish-cast-on.html
and this to do the heel (PDF) knotanotherhat.typepad.com/toe_up.pdf

Toe up w/ magic loop is great. I do two at a time, w/ short heel rows and Judy's magic cast-on. The best thing is how simple it is to try them on at every point, so you can fine tune the fit.

Oh I nearly bought the book, "2 socks at a time, magic loop style"*, just the other day. But then I realised it was £11.99, and for £11.99 I could buy a lot of brightly coloured acrylic to make mittens, so I did that instead.

I am going to start some bee gloves tonight using yonder chart:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-bumblebee-socks

£12 for gloves in accessorise? Methinks not...

* = possibly not real title

No intention to derail this thread from its proper business, but my wife has expressed an interest in learning to knit so I'd really appreciate any pro-tips on possible gifts for her with this in mind ie. books, yarn, knitting kit essentials etc.

How did you all learn? Any things to definitely try or avoid? Advice would be *much* appreciated - thanks!

I learnt from an old Readers Digest manual myself, not so sure on beginners books, but I heard this one is good:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knitty-Gritty-Knitting-Absolute-Beginner/dp/0713685425/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1291123719&sr=8-2

(Are you in the UK as this is a UK book. Warning - the 'stitch and bitch' books are good, but can confuse beginners as you need to translate US terms, which are often confusingly similar to UK terms - also yarns they use are often not available here and beginners will find it difficult to subsitute - in fact I still find it annoying myself)!

A knitting kit isn't a bad place to start! Here's a Rowan kit:
http://www.celticove.com/acatalog/Rowan_Knitting_Kits.html

Or a load of chunky yarn (it'll be called 'chunky' - Sirdar "Big Softee" is a good one) - like 3 balls, and 10mm needles will get you a nice big scarf!

Has she hinted she'd like to knit anything in particular - like bags/hats/scarves/socks/toys etc?

Yeah, we're UK based so I'll bear that in mind, thought there might be some systemic differences.

>Has she hinted she'd like to knit anything in particular.

I think the initial aim is serviceable hats and scarves and then moving on to other knitwear if she enjoys it and the skillz develop. She waivered over whether to try crochet instead, but wasn't sure if this is "useful" for clothes etc? No real aim to knit toys and such (currently at least).

(thanks for the info, those Rowan kits look nice too)

There's loads of those sort of things out in the run up to wobs so just have a look around - I know John Lewis stocks a few for example.

For a fun novelty scarf I actually quite like the Sirdar Snowball:
http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=332807

They're so squishy!

nearly bought the book, "2 socks at a time, magic loop style

Same here, when I wanted to try it. But figured if I could manage a single sock toe-up magic loop, I could maybe sort out doing 2. Get the longest, most flexible circular you can find. It helps me to think of it as working the 4 "sides" (front and back sides of each sock). Managing the 2 balls of yarn is the worst part.

Good luck to your wife, Bill A! You might also point her to Ravelry.com - there are lots of resources there for newer as well as experienced knitters, links to videos, free patterns, info on various yarns, etc. If there's a local yarn shop around, they may offer beginning classes.

Jaq, superpitching, this is all gold - thanks v. much.

I wouldn't really go for very chunky/super chunky yarn as it is quite difficult to handle. Yes, it knits up fast but you can get cramps quite easily. Even I did when I tried Umaro (by Jared Flood). Go for some DK or worsted yarn.

I did like Stitch n Bitch (lol typed Butch first) but; yes, Debbie Stoller uses american terminology. I don't mind really, I think eventually you'll have to learn it once you get hooked to Ravelry (<- great website) and various books 'n' patterns.

Youtube's great too actually. :-) But like Jaq said, Rav is a GREAT place. You can find patterns, people,... Anything really.

What she might also try is a stitch n bitch group in her neighborhood. I think having people to "bitch" with is a great thing. That has really made me a better knitter. :-)

Just got some negative criticism from my teacher cause I never use her *advice* (tubular cast-on and elastic cast-off). I guess I will need to start that sweater with an italian cast on huh? She was so adamant that top down knitting was horrible. lol. My friend next to me kept saying the patterns in Cathy Carron's book were top up. HHAHA It's called "Top Down Sweaters." And honestly if you notice, you are looking too closely. ;-) I like top down. And seamless.

Knitted this in less than a week. No wonder I forgot half of the button holes. HAHAHAHAHA
I also knitted a second Merry Go Round hat (like posted above) in less than a week. I AM A FREAK.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5216094684_580c8c4781.jpg

by the w

oops, i meant to say that so many people are taking up knitting and crochet! so great! YEEHAA!

Nath, it was the memory of your super owl detail sweater (ie. the photo of it in the 'things you notice about owls' thread) that brought me to this one! thanks for yr additional thoughts and comments, the knit group suggestion is A+ and I'll see what exists like that round here; Tina's pretty dextrous and determined but I imagine the social/guidance element is good for motivation.

>Knitted this in less than a week.

Awesome :)

knittinghelp.com is good for beginners as well--i imagine youtube could be overwhelming if you're just starting out and don't even quite know how to start.

i started with bulky yarn and sz 10 needles--it's encouraging to see progress more quickly that way.

don't buy her plastic needles--yes, they're cheap, but they SUCK.

nath, you're insanely fast if you knitted a sweater in less than a wk! you've developed some amazing skillz and speed.

*Nothing* helped me learn to knit better than two hours of in-person lessons. A local yarn store would be able to guide you to some beginner's lessons. I tried for years from a book and got nowhere.

JuliaA, Abbbottt - thanks! Looks like the Christmas list may now include several items from these suggestions, including some lessons. If I'm not kitted out in finest hand-knitted breeks by this time next year I'll be *very* disappointed.

(just found a local course, three sessions of two hours, in January - EXCELLENT)

A turban! Hurrah this is genius and I am so making one:

http://www.pickles.no/winter-turban/

Nice! What colour will you go for?

Nath, it was the memory of your super owl detail sweater (ie. the photo of it in the 'things you notice about owls' thread) that brought me to this one!

Oh wow, that makes me very happy! :-)

Julia, yes, I am insanely fast so it seems. My teacher was amazed that I made it in a week. I said I was able to cause I didn't use her tubular cast-on. lol. She's very angry that I haven't done it. :-(

My tension is becoming quite loose so it seems! Woha.

Started another hat. Gave my lacy rib hat to my friend (in my knitting class, she thinks she sucks at making hats). So she'll end up getting the terra too most probably. :-) In the same yarn, you see. :-)

that turban is awesome! i took a brioche class from nancy merchant (?). bought the book as well. she's such a classy lady. love her. one of her brioche designs is on knitty!

I've never taken a knitting class in my life, but am thinking maybe this one next year:

http://www.loopknitting.com/classes/fairisle_classes.html

Might be a bit too advanced for me though! I can just about stumble along knitting continental style but it still doesn't feel very *fluent* to me. However, I do love the sound of it and they DO say 'you will learn this' rather than 'you need to know' this. I just don't want to repeat the awfulness I had when I went to a sewing class that was way too advanced for me, despite them saying 'you only need know how to sew a straight seam' - sooo not true!

Nath is that the pecan pie hat? I love it, but the pattern terrifies the hadrons out of me whenever I look at it.

(Oh and I don't know what colour turban to make! I absolutely positively can't buy any more wool. I think the only aran I have is plain back Noro. Then again Kylie's turban was black! If she can do it so can I. I am so happy Kylie is going to make us all wear turbans!)

Pecan pie hat? The one with the horses? No need to be afraid! It really is such an easy pattern. I think, like lace, you have to put stitch markers between the repeats. Start with repetitive charts, that is much easier. Also, if it is in the round, you don't need to do purl stranding.

I do have to admit that I don't use the perfect method: I just carry both yarns in the same (right) hand. Ideal would be one in the left and anotehr in the right. But that's for the future. lol

I think one of the best lessons I learned: if it is too hard, too boring or you just don't want to do it... you forget and forget. And best of all you can, mosty of the time, use the yarn for something else. :-)

I meant frog and forget of course.

Horses? Watchoo chatting about?

This one: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTpecanpie.html

I am a bit cross at the moment, one of my knitpro interchangeable needles snapped - grrr :( Am inclined to think wooden needles can sod off - the metal knitpro novas are superb so far.

Currently working on my second mitten w/ bees - the first one was a bit too improvised - the wrist is too large and the body slightly too tight, but I reckon I've got it better with the second. I'm going to try and swiss darn the colourwork as the weather means that I need to have the mittens wearable sooner rather than later! Can't work on them tonight at movie night but will attempt to be in a position to finish them off in the pub tomorrow.

hello guys, this is an amateur with a question:

how do i decrease w/out a lean? like just into a point that goes down the center, like a V. is this a "double decrease"? if anyone can explain simply or link to explanation i would appreciate it. i'm knitting a giant slice of pizza and its time to "get to the point."

I think you'd do a SSK (left leaning decrease) then a K2Tog (right leaning decrease), then pull the end through the two remaining stitches to finish.

I think a double decrease of slip 2, knit 1, than pass slipped stitches over the knit stitch, makes no slant.

I have found another turban pattern.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/13095-popup.html

A girlie on ravelry has done a super 2 colour version.

I dunno about 2-ply on 3mm needles though. I have no 2-ply (unless er I hijack some of the laceweight Wollmeise? it's, well, possible...). I'd like to use up some DK stash though.

thanks jaq and zo!

yall i have vastly improved at knitting in the past few weeks

while i was supposed to be studying for finals i procrastinated by learning new knitting skills. before this month, i could cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. that's it. now i'm increasing, decreasing, cabling, fair isle, the whole nine yards. it's exciting.

I am on the last 5" stretch of a Christmas sock I have to mail out by the weekend, and I have a guest in town the next three nights. It's driving me loco!

I'm doing xmas knitting, too. It's stressful but kind of a positive stress that I like. I'm knitting cable scarves for all the non-sister women in my/my boyfriend's family and a few other little things (toys for all my neighbor's pets, for example).

any good cat/dog toy ideas? i'm running out. i'm making a little egg roll, a fish, a mouse, a sushi roll...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5242076285_cca0fefbf6_m.jpg

Moi. Knitting. Lol.

Isn't Slip 2 K P O a no slanting decrease? Could be wrong though.

That Pecan Pie hat was designed by the fantastic Nancy Merchant! She's a lovely American living in the Netherlands. Great lady. Yes, I love her. lol

Thought my friend how to cast on the Terra yesterday during class. lol. I had already given mine to her, but she wants to knit one for her mom.

The main problem I have: counting the sts in my swatch. When I accomplish that, I'll label myself an experienced knitter. :-)

i did all the increase rows on my lightweight pullover but i broke my knitpicks interchangeable circ! i think i only had one in the extra long length cable. that'll teach me to try stuff on without slipping on to waste yarn (but what a pain). so i'm taking another break from it.

ok i fixed it.
i got yarn to make my mom's xmas present and to make these two hats http://www.knittingschooldropout.com/patterns/skinner_hat/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingschooldropout/5176143716/ i'm kind of out of control

Bought yarn to make a broken rib scarf for bf. Yarn was tricky because dude *won't wear wool* arrrgh. Managed to score nice blue cotton on second yarn store attempt.

I am too full of indie lurgy to knit. I am LOOKING at my knitting. I am adding every knitting pattern to my queue on ravelry but can I actually knit, noooooooo.

I want to start revontuli
(http://www.christinaslattery.com/blog/2008/05/22/presenting-the-revontuli-shawl/)

AND a turban! (I've just realised it's 2ply held double == yeah world of dk!)#

However... blergh :(

My mom-in-law sent this email to my husband and me:

i just wanted to ask is abbott pregnant? just a fleeting thought. (came with your remark that abbott has lots of time to knit). and i wanted to let you know that whatever you two choose to do with your lives (except being crooked politicians) we're behind you all the way. we love you both and are proud of you both, and respect all your choices as grownups.

I knit all the time around her for the past 2 yrs so I'm not sure why now she thinks this means I'm pregnant?

lol abbott!!

i finished the acorns hat over xmas/ny break. i don't even like to wear hats but they are the funnest thing to make and i just want to have a pile of them. madelinetosh vintage is my new favorite yarn, i made this one out of it.

im making a scarf right now, its made up of little individual knitted leaves of different kinds and shades.

Knitting roundup:

1. Ashworth scarf. STALLED. I ph34r the Wollmeise is not the sort of drapey fuzzy yarn that the scarf needs! But can't face ripping back without another proper project for it. SO, grey/white wollmeise, laceweight - any ideas?? I have just under a mile of it. not I am NOT KIDDING.

2. Revontuli shawl - enjoying it, possibly cz after hours of 2.75mm knitting, 5.5mm needle knitting speeds ahead. Very nice so far, and mistakes only add the the pleasure of finished item. My first shawl!

QUEUED TO MAKE:

1. Cityscape cardigan (as mentioned above!) - got pattern for wobs, and am after my pal to dye up some wool for me. We are thinking slate green body and perhaps a faded burnt yellow for the sky? (She has mooted blue for an underwater city effect, but I am not so sure, as the blue would have to be spot on...)

2. ELEPHANTS! ELEPHANTS! ELEPHANTS!
http://knittingbykaae.blogspot.com/2010/04/elephants-in-stripes-test-strikning-af.html

Here is another elephant. He is super:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/holofernes/edward-the-eggwarming-elephant

Oh god, I LOVE those elephants! I should try knitting something like that for my Mom's birthday - she loves and collects elephant stuff, and goes crazy over ANYTHING I make, even if it's, like, a garter stitch sample. Haw.

A question:
What fibers are best for knitting a rug, in particular a bathroom or kitchen rug? I guess I want it to be absorbent, but not too absorbent? Anyone ever made one of these btw?

The first Mason-Dixon book had a log cabin rug made of Peaches & Cream/Sugar & Cream kitchen cotton held triple!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/absorba-the-great-bathmat

There is also the thing where ppl cut up old t-shirts to make yarn which has the whole like '70s rag rug vibe that I kinda dig but OTOH fuck cutting up t-shirts all day imo.