Just wondered if anybody was interested in designer knitting?

And I don't mean pastel pink matinee jackets....

... I mean multicoloured, patchwork, Over-the-top colours and designs.....

Hi Lottie - I reguarly go through a great knitting splurge and I'm on one at the moment. A huge amount of my pleasure in knitting is in choosing the pattern and the yarn, so I always have too many projects waiting! I love many of the Rowan designs, except that they keep discontinuing colours and yarns, and I've just bought some lovely yarn by a company called Mirasol that is working in Peru and has used part of the profits to found a school for the farmers' children (so I can feel good while I knit). I couldn't afford to buy the yarn for the jacket I wanted to make, so I just bought enough for a pair of socks - something I've never knitted before, so it could be interesting. I've just completed my first pair of gloves, but am going to have to redo them I know where I went wrong, so the next go should be OK. They're lovely, with big cabled cuffs and buttons. I'm also trying out felting, because I have some patterns of some gorgeous bags that I want to knit.


I saw this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Folks-Hats-Knittin...8234&sr=8-2 on holiday and was very tempted, but knew there was no way I could persuade my sons to wear any of them, even the Samurai hat!


The only down side is that it's very hard to do other things when I'm knitting. I definitely can't play the piano! I can just about watch the television, but I can't read, and I need a very long straw so that I drink my gin and tonic and knit at the same time.

I can't knit, so if you want to knit me a hat, I'll wear it
Bev

Yes, me too. Actually I can knit but don't very often as life gets in the way. If anyone would like to knit a green dragon headdress for a Mummers Play in December I would be most grateful.

I can knit and currently have plenty of time on my hands! Only snag is..I don't have a pattern for a dragons headdress! If you can find one, I'll do it for you.

Great stuff. I'll see if I can find something.

I used to knit as a teenager and was advised recently to try it again (therapeutically - don't ask )

So I went to http://www.thewoolshed.co.uk/ and was AMAZED at the beautiful yarns and patterns - there were so many utterly gorgeous colours and designs!!

I bought a simple cardigan pattern and some 'Noro' wool which is all the colours of Autumn; browns, golds, purple and pale sky blue.. all in one yarn!!!!

Very slowly I'm knitting a 'back' and it looks so rich. I don't hold the wool properly but I'm getting there.

I also bought some Kaffe Fasset yarn in a 'sock kit' but I don't understand the instructions and there are FIVE needles!!! I'm going to have to ask someone at The Wool Shed to help. I'd love these spangly coloured socks.

Cable looks so scary

But it has eaten a little into violin practice although I can do it while the TV is on.

i can knit, and fast lol...
Dont tell anyone, i dont usually advertise i can knit... being a boy 'n' all...

I spend all my knitting time practising the piano

Noro yarn is gorgeous. I've got a couple of hanks that I picked up in a sale. It's all peacock blues and greens. I've seen some of the more autumnal ones - your cardi back must look lovely.

I'm progressing with my sock, using 4 needles. I couldn't see how it would work at first, but it does.

Cable is straightforward once you get started, and gives a lovely effect with just one colour. I can't be bothered with too many colours all at once - I forget to change over when I should, and get irritated with lots of bits of wool getting tangled up with each other.



Good for you Kaffe Fassett is a brilliant knitter and designer and his work is lovely. My son started to knit a beanie hat about 2 years ago - he's knitted about 10 rows so far and it's still around somewhere!

Yes - I have two of Kaffe's books. Really inspiring. I've made a couple of his designs.

For the very first time I tried a sock.

I had my four needles but couldn't even cast on - how on earth do you do it on four needles?
I kept dropping them and it was all wobbly tension too... how does it all join up?

What a nightmare. I'm going to ask someone I know who is an expert when I see them on Sunday.

Until then.....grrrrrrr it's so frustrating to feel so clumsy! (but the cardigan is progressing - I'm on a 'front' now!)


Edited to say: I've just found this amazing site http://www.royea.net/sockdemo1.html

There's hope for my socks yet....

I used to love knitting tube socks on four needles. You use the short sock needles of course, the ones with points at each end and then think of them as long needles that are broken in the middle! If you let each row overrun by a few stitches each time the joins are far less obvious as they come in a different place with each new band of sock knitted. I remember seeing a fantastic sock knitting machine on television many years ago, still in working order knitting socks in the round. It looked rather like one of those old bean slicing machines.

I cast all my stitches onto one needle and then shared them out over 3 needles into the distribution required by the pattern.

I found this when I ran into trouble with my heel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NQMGCo_mXY...feature=related There are about 4 separate videos, dealing with different parts of the sock (part 3 was my life saver - well, sock saver).



I've just finished my first sock. It's not toooooo bad, but very definitely a first attempt, and I think I need to knit the second one a bit tighter (though I'm not usually known for the looseness of my stitches). Knitting the heel was a bit traumatic (that's when I found the youtube videos). I loved doing it, but sometimes forgot to use my fourth needle and found I'd knitted straight onto one that already had its share of the stitches on it - though now I see your advice about letting a row overrun I could've pretended I meant to do that My elder son was very impressed and wants a pair of bedsocks. He gets very cold feet at night and I'm always nagging him to take his socks off (the smelly ones he's worn all day), so he'd love them.

I'd like one of the machines!

I've recently developed an odd habit of crocheting shopping bags from old carrier bags - the plastic ones from the supermarket. If you cut the bottom seam off you can cut the whole thing into a very long spiral about half an inch wide and this then makes excellent crotchet yarn. Use a 5.5 hook.

I've been knitting a teddy bear for a couple of years. Well, I finished the knitting bit ages ago, just can't be bothered to sew all the bits together. Maybe oneday I'll finish it though I'd have to find all the stuff first, I have a feeling its been put away somewhere

What a brilliant idea. I keep trying to teach myself to crochet. I can do long lines and I managed a square that I suppose could be a coaster, but I don't seem to be able to retain the knowledge of how to do it and have to learn anew each time. I've got a 5.0 hook - would that be too tight?



Poor unfinished bear My mother would never sew anything up - she always passed to her mother or grandmother to do.

ooh im quite a good seamster? (insert noun for male seamstress here)
Infact, this year i made new bedcovers for some loungers on vacation, i used beach twoels.
I dont have any pictures

Dunno - It might need to be a thinner strip with a smaller hook and it might be more prone to breakage - you could give it a go. I found that I needed to cut much thinner strips with Primark than Tesco/Morrisons as Primark is thick polythene.

I gave my last bag-bag away and am only halfway through the latest but I'll try to get a photo on here tomorrow.

i bought some nice new crochet hooks this summer, i cant remember how to do it though.
I have a TON of knitting needles... 70 pairs i beleive.

I have a collection of my mum's old knitting patterns dating back to ? probably 1930s.

Can you still get 2-ply wool ? ??

i would LOVE to knit. Seriously I could knit myself all my scarfs but I can;t.

I can only do one row and not sure how to go on to the next lol.

My mother can knit though. Used to knit all my family baby clothes and stuff =)

I can only do one row and not sure how to go on to the next lol.

OK - then you put your RH (full) needle into your LH and your LH (empty) one into your RH with points facing. Wool in your RH and start again. * Does that help ? Good luck with those scarves!

* I don't know if left-handers knit the opposite way round - do we have any LH-ed knitters around?

I am assuming 'RH holding yarn' hold, but some of the others are fun - has anyone else tried the 'wool in LH /RH moves needle round wool' hold?

I was spurred on to give it another go yesterday, but after about an inch of trying to sew together great big fluffy bits, i quickly realised why I'd decided against it before and put it all back under the wardrobe. I am NEVER making anything out of fluffy wool ever again - it's a nightmare!!

I normally really like sewing though, just not this sort.

are there any art shops in Cambridge, other than the one in the grafton do you know Sarah?
I searched for hours yesterday but i couldnt find one.
And Ken Stevens/Millers sale rack was full of rubbish
I was so bored... had to meet mom to go clothes shopping ... needed to pick up my cyanide rescription.

That has closed down now. Have you tried:

Heffers Art And Graphic Shop ( It may have changed it's name )
15-21 King Street
Cambridge CB1 1LH
Tel: 01223 568495


Brian Jordans secondhand department is much more interesting.

Val

Heffers is the only other art shop I can think of off the top of my head, but I'm sure there must be others.

Was there any piano music in the Millers sale? I was in town yesterday, right next to Millers but didnt have time to go in

Wooo hoooo I finished my first cardigan

I even managed to sew it together properly... well, on the second attempt.

BUT I made an 'extra large' because I thought the pattern looked wee, and my knitting is quite loose, so it's HUGE! Oh well. Just helps me look 'arty' I suppose (it's a lovely variated wool -all autumn colours)

And there's enough left over to make a matching beanie hat

Well done Lottie!

You've given me another idea to pass the time while I'm home.

*Goes in search of knitting needles and wool*

My late mother used to do tatting as opposed to crocheting. This seems to be a dying art.
Can any of you do this ?

My nan (mums' mum) used to do tatting! She also taught me to crochet, but I don't do that so much now.

I nearly took a library book our on crocheting, but I would then have needed to purchase a hook and some wool.

I used to be able to crotchet so it shouldn't be too bad getting back to it.

I do knit when I have time. I have a nice Debbie Bliss Pattern for Baby Cardigans worked in 3 ply.

If you want wool in Cambridge you are better of Going to John Lewis. Alternativly take a bus to Burwell and visit Tina's in North Street.

I finished a sock!!!!

I didn't have 'stitch markers' so tried to use thread and that didn't work so tried to rely on my memory.. which didn't really work either. So my sock has the toe on a bit skew-iff...

However, I now own some little markers in the shape of podgy little robins and have started the second sock. Beware .. there may be photos if I finish this one and it looks like a SOCK!!!!!

Congratulations Lottie

Only just picked up on this thread:

I can knit, which is pretty unusual for a bloke!

About 20 years ago my mother-in-law, knitted my then baby son a cardigan (he's 20 now). Alas, I washed it! A veil is best drawn over the result, except that my only way back in to the good books of my wife and her mother was to replace it. I went into a wool shop, explained my predicament and emerged 10 minutes later with instructions, wool, needles and a pattern, which included all sorts of fancy bits I can't remember the names of and was really rather nice. It took me about 3 months to complete and fitted perfectly for about a week.

It was a true labour of love because I can honestly say that knitting is, without any exception and indeed without anything else coming close, the most boring thing I have ever learned to do!

Same here Rob.
A friend had a baby, and I thought that I would knit a cardigan. So I did. Took me ages and I said never again.
I'd much rather sew a garment or a patchwork quilt.
Bev.

I know that this is an old thread, but we seem to be turning the Random Comments thread into a knitting thread.

So what are all you knitters or want-to-be knitters doing?

I have 4 projects on the go at the moment, which is a bit greedy. They are all different though.

I've been making slippers over the holiday - and very cosy they are.

I made a scarf for my son's girlfriend in blue and green zig-zags.

Currently knitting a bag and going to have my first go at felting.

ps thanks to Flossie for finding this thread - I'd forgotten it was there.

I am doing a toddler's Cardigan. It's only the 2nd thing I've knitted so I'll be pleased if it turns out even close. I expect it's a really simple pattern as they go, but for me, I'm having to concentrate. It's the picking up stitches to knit onto knitting I'm finding really hard - I suspect I'm doing a version of, rather that the real method..
I would love to try socks or gloves, but they look really difficult

Great! A knitting thread! I learnt to knot as an arts student as part of my course on textiles. I knit a lot these days. If you see a bearded man on a bike wearing a knitted cape give him a shout because that will be me.

Brian

Picking up stitches to knit is fiddly. I did it totally wrong the first couple of times I tried, but both jumpers are still perfectly wearable.

My first ever knitted garment (other than scarfs) was a jumper knitted on 15mm needles in very chunky wool. It said it was ideal for beginners. It only ever comes out when it is really cold because it is very thick...

I've done socks. They aren't as difficult as they look, but they take ages to do because the wool is so fine. *remembers that she also has two unfinished socks on the go*

I've never had the courage to try gloves. They look difficult.

Hi I'm a knitter too!!! Working on a lace wrap at the moment, got the last 18 rows to do, but they are getting very long now (500 sts) and so I managed just 6 last night - with a fair amount of cussing too...

Flossie, gloves are easy - if you can do socks you can do gloves. Hardest part is the length of the fingers.

I've also got a pair of socks on the go - diagonally stripey socks http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTskew.php
I'm just turning the heels on them now.

I take it everyone here knows about www.ravelry.com ....a huge pattern source and forum - and also www.knitty.com

Wow, Dawnmc, that's really impressive!
I haven't done changing colour or cabling or any of the posh stuff yet. But I'm beginning to figure out what is actually happening when I do stitches, so now if I make a mistake I can undo it. I even picked up a dropped stitch from further along - I know it sounds very basic, but before I start playing around with 500 stitches like you, I need to be understanding the process.

LOL Not really - I've only been knitting for 3 years, then I found out it helps my thumb joint (I was in a splint before) so I keep going as a therapy LOL Only really took off when I joined Ravelry and learned so much!!

And being able to "read" your knitting and correct mistakes is probably as important as being able to sightread!

And I stopped last night when I realised I had made a mistake - now I have to read it and try to find the mistake - or unknit 250 sts....not sure which will be quicker.

And don't be scared of stuff - cabling sounds far more scarey than it is. And I'm always happy to help - PM if you need me!!

Oooh I remember starting this thread

I stopped knitting to concentrate on my degree (I stopped everything - including my music ).

At the moment I think there is part of a sock in a bag somewhere so I must look it out. I'm sure it's a Kaffe one

Yes, Ravelry is great, isn't it? I joined only this year - and have found a whole new source of inspiration.
Dawn - I'm arcm on Ravelry.

Knitty also has some good patterns. That's a fun sock! I made a mini-version of this
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTwisp.html and turned it into a lightweight cowl.

LOL yes Rav is great - if a huge time suck!! I'm Dawnmc71 on there too...
I just finished Corsica....but it's too hot!!

I love knitting! My grandmother taught me when I was about seven. In year 5 in primary school we used to have 'silent reading' time, but were allowed to do other quiet activities too, so I taught the rest of my table basic knitting
I made a jumper a few months ago but I couldn't use the circular needles properly for the neckband.
Most of my close friends own at least one scarf made by me as a Christmas or birthday present!

Can anyone suggest any websites with free patterns for sweaters that look nice and aren't too difficult? I can cope with patterns made up of knit and purl, but get confused with things like 'sl st' and 'psso'

I started knitting again about two months ago and resurrected a cardigan I started knitting in June 2006! I then found out the wool would cost me ?50 today so thought I had better finish it. This is a charted pattern which I had never done before and I kept making mistakes, hence the reason it never got finished - I seemed to take it out more than I did actual knitting. I am now on the collar - dead easy double moss stitch and have even made a mistake with that so have just sat and undone ten rows.

Here is a link to the pattern. It is the second one down 'Broadway'. Probably won't even fit me now

http://www.englishyarns.co.uk/ryc_classic_cafe.html

Ravelry!!! Best free pattern source ever!!
Again, just ask if you need help with thing like sl st & psso, its not difficult - and again on Rav there is an unlimited supply of help!

Secret with circs is to tug the stitches at the join tight to avoid ladders. I use them all the time now, even for straight knitting, as I find them easier on my wrists.