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Beginning knitters support thread - Page 5  

post #81 of 279
9/28/03 at 11:14pm
Thread Starter 
Mia, just make sure it is on the fat part of the needle when you form the stitch- as close to the end that's not on the tapered part.
post #82 of 279
9/28/03 at 11:24pm
Quote:
Originally posted by MiaPia
Ok, I have a total newbie question! I've heard not to work too close to the tips of the needles, as this can make the work too tight. So how far from the tips of the needle are you supposed to keep the yarn?
I have been sticking them through till the tapered part is done. Does that make sense? Work just past the tapered part, at the thick part of the needle.

Monica, I have been having problems w/ k1p1 and k2p2 too... that is interesting what you said about it! I am planning on going to the yarn shop tomorrow for some one on one help and that was one of the things I was going to ask them.
post #83 of 279
9/28/03 at 11:25pm
Thanks you guys! I'll try that and see if it helps!
post #84 of 279
9/29/03 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone else having a problem with their gauge changing? I did a gauge swatch for my booties and the first one is right on, but my second one I was knitting faster on (getting bored with same thing) and have too many stitches to the inch so its going to be smaller. Darn. I have the problem of inconsistent gauge even though I do the darn swatch.

I am annoyed because my dd keeps asking for her booties but I doubt they will fit now. I could rip, but I'm more than halfway and that took me 3 days.

OK- that was my vent. I think if I had more time to knit I wouldn't be so attached to my results but I can only knit when kids are asleep or dh is home.
post #85 of 279
9/30/03 at 3:59am
Ok, today I went to my yarn shop for help... I was having a heck of a time w/ k1p1 and I had no idea what I was doing! The lady was very nice and helpful, but told me I was purling wrong! lol After I showed her what I was doing, she told me she had never seen that before. :LOL Isn't that funny? But we got it all figured out.

I'm working on another dishcloth that is going well and very quickly (the pattern is Chinese waves or some such thing) and I just started a scarf that is k1p1... I kind of messed up some on the scarf, but I am not ripping anything out! Ug... I'm just pressing on.
post #86 of 279
9/30/03 at 4:01am
Quote:
Originally posted by MamaMonica
Anyone else having a problem with their gauge changing? I did a gauge swatch for my booties and the first one is right on, but my second one I was knitting faster on (getting bored with same thing) and have too many stitches to the inch so its going to be smaller. Darn. I have the problem of inconsistent gauge even though I do the darn swatch.

I am annoyed because my dd keeps asking for her booties but I doubt they will fit now. I could rip, but I'm more than halfway and that took me 3 days.

OK- that was my vent. I think if I had more time to knit I wouldn't be so attached to my results but I can only knit when kids are asleep or dh is home.
Sorry Monica. I have not actually done a gauge swatch yet! All the things I've been doing don't really matter if they are too big or small, kwim? I hope you can figure it out.
post #87 of 279
9/30/03 at 10:14am

getting a new addiction!

no, not to yarns (yet)

But, to collecting all these cool knitting websites in my fav places! Especially thank you for posting the one with the videos that show you casting on and off and purl

And, its so nice to know I'm the only one new at this - while I'm trying to be patient with myself and think I"m making more of a big knotted mess than knitting antying, it helps to think of you mamas all over leaning, too.

post #88 of 279
9/30/03 at 10:26am
Lots of you have mentioned the LTK booties; how simple are they really? I'm working on a really simple hat from Kids Knitting. The booties look great for a next project because they're so little and therefore quick to make, right? Just let me know what you think. Sounds like you work them on two needles. And would 100% wool be scratchy on little bare feet? Can they be made in a blend or chunky cotton (is there such a thing as chunky cotton yarn?). Thanks.
post #89 of 279
9/30/03 at 1:11pm
Hello fellow knitters!

I finished my first project, a LTK newborn wool soaker! It is super cute and wasn't too hard or traumatic. Although, I didn't realize that when knitting in the round you don't have to alternate between knitting and purling. : My soaker kept getting bigger and bigger around. It would have fit my 3yo. I asked Theresa about it and she solved my problem. I had to rip out the thing to the ribbing but it was worth it. The kitchener stitch terrified me but it looked PERFECT! I must say though that after I weaved in my ends the soaker didn't look as good. I guess I need to work on that.

Next up: the LTK Pumpkin Hats. I can't find any Cotton-Ease here though so I am getting frustrated.

I have the LTK bootie pattern and it doesn't look too hard. I plan on making some for my little ones for Christmas after I finish the hats. I am waiting on some yarn to make some little longies for this baby too.

Oakdale mama-the pattern says you can use any smooth, worsted weight yarn. Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton is mentioned. I don't think the wool would be scratchy. I guess it depends on what kind you get. : I bought my soaker yarn from Theresa at LTK and I LOVE it!

Monica-Where did you order you good dpn's from? I need some and I don't feel like dragging my kids into the yarn shop. About the gauge, yes, I have to be careful because mine changes as well. Sorry I can't help, only commiserate.
post #90 of 279
9/30/03 at 1:15pm

Re: peeking in to say

Quote:
Originally posted by k4kara
I have these grand ideas of a winter spent learning to knit in front of the fireplace ... my happy toddler gently (and quietly) playing at my feet ... : um, okay, maybe not ...
:LOL

Same here.
post #91 of 279
9/30/03 at 1:32pm
I've got a question about gague swatches... what do you do w/ them when you're done? Do you pull out the stitches and reuse the yarn for your project? It seems like it would be a waste to just cut off the yarn and toss it. :

I am rethinking the scarf I started. I kind of want to start over so it is right... ug! It's good practice though, right???
post #92 of 279
9/30/03 at 1:47pm
Julie-I undid my swatches so I could use the yarn again. I don't know if you are supposed to save them so you know what works for you or what though.

About the scarf-I learned TONS on my first project and I did redo all the mistakes I could find. It took me forever to finish that soaker but I feel really good about it and confident for my next project. Good luck!
post #93 of 279
9/30/03 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 
Aurora- congratulations on finishing your soaker!

I got my bb double points here:double points

the 5" size are great for socks, but you might want the 7.5 inchers for bigger stuff.

I go them 2 days after I ordered online. I ordered needles from Kaliedoscope yarns and it took 2 weeks.

The booties are not hard. Once I figured out what I was doing I could practically knit the last bootie without the pattern. I does take awhile for the larger sizes just because there are a lot of stitches. Still by awhile I mean about 3 days LOL

I figured out my gauge has changed because I learned to hold my yarn differently as I settled in to knitting faster and that changed my gauge. I think it it is settling in to my knitting style and before that I was still experimenting with ways to hold the yarn.

I give my gauage swatches to the kids for dollhouse blankets.

It really does help to make lots of mistakes and fix them- I have learned so much and it really helps build confidence when you recover from errors.

I am going to be so happy to seam up the last bootie today and move on the a new project. I bid on some yarn on eBay to make a simple sweater for dd- won't know if I win that for a week.

I'm eagerly awaiting my longies yarn, too! I suppose I could read the pattern first.
post #94 of 279
9/30/03 at 2:15pm
Monica-THANKS!

So, what size would you recommend for the longies or a hat?

YAY for you about finishing the booties and figuring out your own "style" of knitting! I hold my yarn my own way too.

What color of yarn did you order for the longies? I ordered Natural light and Spice. I hope you win that yarn!
post #95 of 279
9/30/03 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
The 5 " or 7.5 inchers would work for the hat. I'm not sure about the longies- maybe ask Theresa or post on her forum? I'd like to know that, too since I'll have to order longer ones if it takes them.

Your yarn color sounds great! How fun. I got the true blue colorway- I have a boy and decided to stay with a more traditional color.
post #96 of 279
9/30/03 at 5:35pm
I'll ask Theresa and let you know. I figure the smaller ones should be it though because you use them for the legs. :

I LOVE that True Blue! We don't know what gender we are having so I am just sticking with neutral colors untill our sweet babe is born.
post #97 of 279
9/30/03 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
That is so great that you are knitting for your new baby, Aurora!

Here's a pic of dd's finished booties (LT moc booties)- they actually fit, though just barely big enough.

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b32dc22d84d9
post #98 of 279
9/30/03 at 7:44pm
Those are adorable! I can't wait to get mine made for my children. I figured they would make cozy Christmas presents!

Did you use wool?
post #99 of 279
9/30/03 at 9:34pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks!

I used Lion's brand fisherman's wool. I traded a diaper for 2 skeins of it- it's nice to knit with. They are cozy.
post #100 of 279
9/30/03 at 9:49pm
sooooooooo cute!

hi aurora!
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