Knitting in the round

582 Views 17 Replies 7 Participants Last post by pageta, Jun 17, 2004

twouglyducks

Discussion Starter · Jun 17, 2004

Okay... I'm going to give knitting another try. But would like to knit in the round. My main question is, what's the easiest way to mark where things start and stop??? I mean, what is something I can use from here and not have to go buy something???
Also, any easy, free online patterns would be good. I have trouble reading knitting patterns though... Is this normal? I feel like such a dope everytime I read a post where people who know what they are talking about are answering knitting questions... I have NOOOO clue what they are saying. I feel like Nemo's dad, Marlin. "It's like he's trying to talk to me, I just KNOW it!" :LOL

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meco

· #2 · Jun 17, 2004

2

Use scraps of yarn different colors than your yarn you are knitting. Paper clips. small hoop earrings. mmm. anything that is small and circular would work.

And then wool_soaker_group on yahoo groups has a list of many patterns. Fern & Faerie has an easy one for free--not custom but still good.

Many different ones F & F

There are more in the links in that yahoo group.

ETA: MY favorite, if you do get a paid one, is the Wooly Wonders ones. I think she is working on a site WW It is easy to follow, has pics and explains every step in detail w/photos

mistyped the link

fixed now

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kerc

· #3 · Jun 17, 2004

a small safety pin pinned to the first stitch works in a pinch too.(and then you don't have to move it each round).

twouglyducks

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 17, 2004

So, do you use a new marker each round? Or does that tell you where it is forever? I'm not seeing how things work like this. I did cast on my 100 stitches. That's it. LOL

CarolynnMarilynn

· #5 · Jun 17, 2004

I am making a hat on circular needles. I have about 100 stiches (my kids have big heads!) on the needles. When I have to decrease eventually, how will it all stretch around the needles? Am I missing something? I am just going around and around, but when there are fewer stitches on the circular needles, how will it fit? Am I being clear enough? Thanks!

Carolynn

twouglyducks

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 17, 2004

Oh, and when knitting in round, which side should face me?? Should I be "inside" the circle or "out"??

ACKKK..and do I have to knit backwards? Meaning with my left hand? I'm sorry, I am sooo lost. Wish someone could stop by and tutor me for a few minutes. :LOL

CarolynnMarilynn

· #7 · Jun 17, 2004

Sounds like you and me need the lesson together!

Sorry if I highjacked your thread...

Carolynn

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pageta

· #8 · Jun 17, 2004

The marker stays on the round - it doesn't become a part of your soaker. So at the end it just comes off. I had that same thought before I got started, but once you get going it will make sense.

The right side faces out. Again, once you get going, it will make sense. You knit just like you normally do - after a while you'll forget that you're going in circles.

I haven't tried a hat on circular needles so I can't help you with that one. Maybe someone else can help you on that one. I'll be checking back to see, since I'm wondering too.

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twouglyducks

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 17, 2004

2

I don't mind you hopping on this thread, carolynn.

And thanks, Pageta... I had to stop thinking and just look at it... I think I have it now. I kept reading that you had to knit left to right and was thinking that meant left to right on the needles.. like reading, then figured out it meant left needle to right needle... At least, if that's not what it means, don't tell me since this is making sense to me. LOL
Now, if i ever make it down to the leg holes how does that work??? Do I just quit going in circles and go the other way all of a sudden???

Seriously, no one is in my neighborhood tonight to help me out???

:

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kerc

· #10 · Jun 17, 2004

decreasing: you need some double pointed needles. when it gets to be too much of a stretch for the circular ones you begin replacing with double pointed needles. spread the stitches out, say over 4 needles. then when you decrease enough that that's a stretch, drop back to 3 needles. remember that you'll need 4 +1 to start with -- the 4 to hold the stitches and the one to actually knit with.

to get help I usually head over to my local knitting shop for some free advice. they are always glad to help.

twouglyducks

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 17, 2004

I looked in our local phonebook and can't find any knitting shops.

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pageta

· #12 · Jun 17, 2004

For a knitting shop, look under yarn.

If you're making soaker shorts, you'll do the lets on dpns. If you're doing a soaker that looks like underwear, when you get to that point, you'll start going back and forth (knit, purl, knit, purl) as though you aren't in the round. Then you'll finish the front (or back, and pick up on the other side and do it.

twouglyducks

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 17, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by pageta
For a knitting shop, look under yarn.

If you're making soaker shorts, you'll do the lets on dpns. If you're doing a soaker that looks like underwear, when you get to that point, you'll start going back and forth (knit, purl, knit, purl) as though you aren't in the round. Then you'll finish the front (or back, and pick up on the other side and do it.

Nope, goes from Wrecker to Youth in the yellow pages. I may stop by the quilting shop and see if any of them knit or know where I should go. It's the best I'm gonna get in this town.
ANd see.... this ... It's like you're talking in code. "do the lets on dpns". I SOOO wish I could take a class IRL. :LOL I feel like such an idiot.

pageta

· #14 · Jun 17, 2004

Sorry! dpns - double pointed needles. I know the Hancock Fabrics store where I live is doing a knit-a-dish-cloth class this month. So check out your fabric and craft stores too.

I actually haven't taken any classes. I've been in to the yarn shop a couple times just for questions, but it didn't really help much because I was chasing Ben around and I was so clueless anyway that when I watched them I had no idea what they were doing. I have this book by Betty Barnden called Knitting Basics. I got it at Barnes and Noble. It tells you everything you need to know with drawings AND pictures - each have their strengths, but having them together makes it easy to figure things out. That book is my reference for everything. It will tell you the basics you need to know, and then you can fill in details elsewhere (patterns you buy, things you read in chat rooms, etc.).

gottaknit

· #15 · Jun 17, 2004

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by twouglyducks
Nope, goes from Wrecker to Youth in the yellow pages. I may stop by the quilting shop and see if any of them knit or know where I should go. It's the best I'm gonna get in this town.
ANd see.... this ... It's like you're talking in code. "do the lets on dpns". I SOOO wish I could take a class IRL. :LOL I feel like such an idiot.

My suggestion on where to get help if there's not a yarn/craft store in your town: Look up your local Senior Center. No kidding. (It's not just a stereotype that old ladies love to knit!

) Senior Centers frequently have a Craft Night once a week or a Stitch 'n' Bitch group (although they probably call it something less crass), or even offer classes to members. They love it when younger people come and ask for help. Really. Or at least they can point you in the right direction for help. Good Luck!

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Kristeen

· #16 · Jun 17, 2004

Only use patterns with PICTURES to begin with. I have problems with reading patterns too. (I still haven't managed to do a underwear-type soaker because reading the pattern scares me!) I got a free pattern for baby booties, and I swear to god, if there hadn't been a picture I never even would have started it!

BTW, "lets"= "legs" ???

I bought a bunch of 'markers' from Wal-Mart and they're just little plastic hoops that you put on your needle to mark the begining of the round. Then, when you've finished the next round and you're back at the marker, you just slip it on to the other needle and keep knitting.

twouglyducks

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 17, 2004

3

Quote:

Originally Posted by gottaknit
My suggestion on where to get help if there's not a yarn/craft store in your town: Look up your local Senior Center. No kidding. (It's not just a stereotype that old ladies love to knit!

) Senior Centers frequently have a Craft Night once a week or a Stitch 'n' Bitch group (although they probably call it something less crass), or even offer classes to members. They love it when younger people come and ask for help. Really. Or at least they can point you in the right direction for help. Good Luck!

Hey, that's a good idea! Hmmm... so would I just call and talk to a programs director or something like that? Or just ask if they do crafts? Dh's gma lives in an assisted living apartment... Wonder if she knows anyone??? I know my gma used to knit but she's over an hour away and her house is NOT kid friendly. :LOL Thanks for all the ideas and help.
Double pointed needles... Not sure what those are but they sound intimidating.

Sheesh... LIsten to me, scared of knitting needles now.

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pageta

· #18 · Jun 17, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristeen
BTW, "lets"= "legs" ???

Yes, that would be correct. Sometimes ds likes to help me type and I don't always see how much he helps...

Yeah, I like the senior center idea. And I still think dpns are a pain in the butt, though I have gotten better with practice.

Another idea (along the lines of knitting books)...check out your local library. Don't expect them to have new knitting books or anything (learned that the hard way...) but they should have some basics that might help if you're visually oriented.

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