[Lou]

hi knitters-
i just started knitting, and can knit and purl. i made a couple of rainbow knitted balls that are pretty cute. now i want to try something more challenging, and would LOVE to do some soakers and longies for the new babe. my question is- should i jump right in with circular knitting or should i just knit it flat and sew the seams up at the sides?? i really really want to do socks and hats too, so maybe i should just jump right in with circular knitting? is it as complicated as it seems???

another question-
the soaker & longie pattern at Fern & Fairie looks pretty good, but are there options to make the longies without feet, if anybody knows?

 

[Kristeen]

Circular knitting is so EASY! Don't be afraid to jump right in. It's also faster because you're not turning your work all the time. I say jump in and try it-- after all (as my mother says) you're not going to learn any younger!

(no experience with any F & F patterns, sorry!)

 

[puddingpop]

No experience with the F&F pattern here, either, but I second jumping right in with circular knitting.

It's so much quicker than having to turn your work all the time, and you hardly ever need to purl (except for ribbing) in soakers. (Major bonus!)

 

[gottaknit]

I have the F & F pattern. When you buy the soaker pattern, you get patterns for "briefs", longies, and footies in one booklet. So you can do whatever you want! Also, since it's sort of a create-your-own pattern thing, you can use whatever size needles and type of yarn you want. (Don't worry, it tells you how to do all the calculations - it's super easy.) All you have to do is make a gauge swatch first.

Knitting circular is SOOOO much easier than knitting flat and sewing up, and it looks better, too, IMO. I try to do everything circular these days - I hate sewing up! You should see my big basket of unfinished projects that only need to be stitched together!

:

Good luck and happy knitting!

 

[pageta]

I taught myself how to knit and started out in the round. It really is easier than knitting flat. The circular needle holds your work nicely, and you don't need tons of elbow room since everything is in a circle on your lap.

 

[Lou]

great!! i'm so excited about starting to knit in the round! i'm on my way to the black sheep gathering in Eugene, ORegon which is a really awesome fiber festival, and i hope to find some nice yarn for longies there...
thanks for all your advice, and i just may have to ask for tips later on!

 

[gottaknit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou great!! i'm so excited about starting to knit in the round! i'm on my way to the black sheep gathering in Eugene, ORegon which is a really awesome fiber festival, and i hope to find some nice yarn for longies there... thanks for all your advice, and i just may have to ask for tips later on!

Is the black sheep gathering this weekend? Dang, I always seem to miss it!

 

[Lou]

yeah- the black sheep gathering is on till sunday. it was great! a lot of beautiful fibers.. i got a nice bag of thick handspun yarn in beautiful colors, some mohair & wool, a beautiful alpaca... i can't wait to start knitting!! i ordered the pattern from F & F, but it isn't arriving til next week!

do y'all have any links to free patterns on the net using circular needles, for a beginner? i want to get some practice over the weekend!

 

[mamaofthreeboys]

Thanks for posting this

I put my knitting needles down for 2-3 months & picked them back up tonight to start the F & F pattern (well my gauge swatch right now :LOL)!

Also Lou (Carrie Lou) may I ask how you do rainbow knitted balls? I need to make some type of ball for my almost 1 year old.....he was stalking my yarn ball tonight when I started to knit~

 

[Lou]

this weekend i started working on a pixie hat pattern, and used my circular needles instead of regular ones, and i'm loving it! i'll be flying out to texas with my f & f pattern next week, my project during the vacation! yea!

rainbow knitted balls are SO easy and SO cute! basically, you make a rectangle of strips of color- alternate between garter stitch and stockinette stitch for variety in texture, and then stitch up the end to make a circle. gather and bind off the top & stuff with wool, add a wee bell in the middle if you want, then gather & bind off the bottom.
REAL nice way to use up all these bits and pieces of yarn!

 

[twouglyducks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou yeah- the black sheep gathering is on till sunday. it was great! a lot of beautiful fibers.. i got a nice bag of thick handspun yarn in beautiful colors, some mohair & wool, a beautiful alpaca... i can't wait to start knitting!! i ordered the pattern from F & F, but it isn't arriving til next week! do y'all have any links to free patterns on the net using circular needles, for a beginner? i want to get some practice over the weekend!

http://www.fernandfaerie.com/freesoakerpattern.html

 

[UmmSamiyah]

Thanks Davina!!I too am a new knitter, I was afraid to buy a soaker pattern and then it turn out badly!!

 

[Lou]

has anyone tried that free soaker pattern? it looks like the same thing i would do to make recycled sweater soakers, so i figure why take all that time to knit it??

i ordered the F & F pattern, and just realized i'd need to use double pointed needles to do the leg cuffs. i hope i'm not getting in over my head!
wish me luck mamas