Extreme Newbie Soaker Help

[SuperKitten]

Hi, I learned to knit in 5th grade, and really haven't used this skill since, so you could say I basically am a total newbie. I really want to make some wool soakers for my two little ones, but am really confused. Through days of internet research, I have figured out that I might try Blackberry Ridge natural cream Merino wool and will try the Curly Purly soaker pattern. I just have a few questions that I can't seem to find the answers to:

-What size needles do I need. I have one pair, and didn't even realize that they come in different sizes (lol) but I can't seem to figure out what sizes I will need for this pattern. If I could just have someone tell me "Buy these sizes" that would be really helpful. I'm on a tight budget so hopefully needles aren't too costly. How do I know what size I have now? Then maybe I will only need to buy two pairs?

-What weight of Blackberry Ridge yarn do I need? I have gathered that "worsted" is the best, but they have their wools labeled differently on their site. Which of their weights is like worsted?

-Markers? Do they sell markers or is there something I can use as a marker that I might already have?

Anything else I need to know? I have some plain yarn so will practice some basic knitting skills before I start out but am really eager to order my supplies and get started on this. Honestly though, trying to read the Curly Purly pattern it looks like it's written in another language Hopefully I can figure this out.

[JamieCatheryn]

My stitch markers right now are little loops of a contrasting yarn I just tied. You can also get little rubberbands they sell for stitch markers in the knitting section of stores.

That yarn looks nice, and reasonably inexpensive too. Medium is worsted there. It's not a very common one, I wonder how you came across it?

I'd suggest you try size 3 and size 7 circular needles, 16" long sets, for this pattern. Circular needles have a cable connecting the 2 needles so you can make a seamless tube of knitting. Having more sizes would help to get the gauge just right (everyone knits differently, I need size 5 or 6 to do what others do on 7 or 8), but if it comes out too big or small you can always go up or down a pattern size instead of buying more needles. Get good needles, on circulars especially you will hate knitting with bad ones like the cheapest plastic ones. They'll be at least $7 without a great sale. Clover bamboo ones work well enough for me and help me not to drop stitches because of the friction.

Some links:
A site with tons of patterns, info about yarns, a huge forum, and place to keep track of your projects http://www.ravelry.com/
Videos to look up every new knitting skill you need http://www.knittinghelp.com/
About knitting needles: http://buy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_t...itting_Needles

[SuperKitten]

This is very helpful, thanks so much! I found a lot of recs on Diaper swappers for that yarn, and people seemed to think it was soft but didn't pill a whole lot. Do you have any other yarn recs? I have been looking at various types of yarn for the last few days and just settled on that one.

After looking at it again, now I'm wondering if I should try the http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/soakers/pattern/ instead because she gives more detailed instructions and has lots of pictures of the soaker in progress. Her pattern calls for #5 needles so that would be nice to not have to buy several pairs.

The only reason I didn't pick that one originally was because she says the pattern makes a daytime soaker, but I'm wanting one for night. It sounds like it's a daytime soaker because it's not felted. Do soakers have to be felted to work for nighttime? I have an 8 week old and a 25 month old and I wouldn't say they are heavy wetters.

I think I will try the bamboo needles like you recommend because I recall that I used to drop a lot of stitches because they would slip right off the needles.

Off to check out the links you posted more thoroughly.

[JamieCatheryn]

Lanolized wool works pretty well as a wetness barrier day or night without felting, provided your diaper underneath is absorbent enough. You soak it in lukewarm water that has lanolin dissolved in (I just use a dab of Lasinoh for it), and the wool gets re-coated in the waxy oil that fleece begins with before processing.

That pattern looks good for a first project, knitted flat and walked through with lots of photos. I like the tight gauge of it (knit on small needles), it'll be a great wetness barrier. The sewing up the sides might not look great on the finished product so I wouldn't do a lot of them, but as your first it would be excellent.

The yarn there seems very very good, I'm considering getting some myself now. Though the prices on anything but natural colors seem steep. If you decide you want something more mass produced and still a fairly soft wool, look for Paton's Classic Wool online or at JoAnn's for $7/3.5oz.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn

If you decide you want something more mass produced and still a fairly soft wool, look for Paton's Classic Wool online or at JoAnn's for $7/3.5oz.

I use this for all DS' soakers, and it works extremely well, and softens up nicely with washing.

[SuperKitten]

I'm thinking I'll go over to Joann fabrics tomorrow and check out the Patons and buy my needles there. The Paton's wool is on sale now, so it's a good deal and then I can get started right away. Thanks for your help ladies.

JamieCatheryn, the Blackberry Ridge yarn is often abbreviated as BBR so you might have seen it mentioned that way before. I will probably buy some once I try with the cheaper Paton's yarn first, so if I totally mess it up, at least I didn't spend a fortune on yarn.

One more question: If I buy #5 needles, how many inches long should they be? They have different lengths, which is confusing.

[JamieCatheryn]

For regular straight needles length isn't too important, like 12" would work fine, I'd get maybe 14" for a little extra room in case you make a shawl on them one day.

[SuperKitten]

Could I use circular needles for straight projects? I didn't really understand the difference between straight knitting vs knitting in the round, but now it seems like knitting in the round is better and it would be a better investment to buy the circular needles.

Since the Tiny Bird pattern is straight, do you think I'd be better off trying a "knitting in the round" pattern? Or is the Tiny bird better for beginners?
What are your favorite soaker patterns (if you have any)?

I keep thinking of new questions based on the info you're giving me. I really appreciate your help.

[SuperKitten]

Also, on the Blackberry ridge site, what ply yarn is the best? I bought some Paton's wool, but now I'm thinking I should just go ahead and by the BBR yarn, but I can't figure out which ply is best. I'm thinking 3 ply but I really don't know the difference between them

[xekomaya]

You can knit flat on circular needles. I really dislike straight needles because of the way the weight shifts and knit everything on my circulars. I also think they're a better investment since you can work either way on them. If you are planning on knitting soakers and longies in the round for babies, you'll want 16".

The tiny birds pattern is fine to start. You should just have at it with the patons and see how it goes. You'll have plenty of time to try other patterns and techniques once you get going. I do like the sheepy pants pattern to learn to knit longies, but that is the only detailed pattern I have used and I bet there are other really complete ones.