Knitting Question

[Kano]

Kaybee, I think you'll love the circulars, especially as your project gets heavier and heavier! I've gotten very fond of them over the years -- got rid of most of my straight needles long ago, when I stopped knitting for a while, and haven't bought any of that kind now that I'm getting back into it all again.

My newest circular needle experiment -- socks done with what's called the "magic loop" method, where you use a very long circular needle. I like it LOTS, especially for the socks I've been making for my two month old grandson!

Karen in Boise

[margo49]

Yeah, Lisa that tight British and colonial knitting is particularly obvious in the fishing jerseys and guernseys. The wool had to have a wind-breaking effect as well as being warm in the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the Roaring Forties . None of this arty farty loose knitting on big needles that gets you finished quicker. Even the yarn was thin (4 ply at most). I can remember my grandmother thinking my mother was being lazy using Double-knitting (8 Ply) on our jerseys (sweaters) as children.
Oh, Duck-ie ; I have seen that round-your-finger thing. It is soooo inelegant.

Arrgh... this is making my fingers itchy

[Bikingmomof3]

Margo,
My largest size needle is a 4,0mm. Mainly I knit my sweaters on 3,0mm and 3,5mm. The majority of my knitting is sweaters, mainly Norwegian patterns or guernseys. I only use Addi Turbo circs, except mittens and socks (1,75mm-2,0mm), where I use short dpn Addis. I cannot imagine knitting with a needle larger than a 4,0mm.

My friend decided to knit and her smallest needle is a 15.

[Haudlady]

Hello all you knitters! I've got a question for you... I have been a weaver for many years, and am just now getting into spinning too (ha! I mean spinning yarn here, not spinning bikes! ).

Anyway, the yarns I am spinning (charitably called "novelty" - I don't have even tension yet) are really not suitable for weaving (or at least not for the warp), so I am afraid that I will have to try knitting too!

Does anyone have any recommendations of good books that I could learn from? I can't afford a class right now, so will need to borrow a book from the library. Anybody have a favorite?

Thanks so much... and I apologize if this is too far off topic.

[Bikingmomof3]

I took one class, almst 2 decades ago, and it was to knit a gansey. This is my all time favourite book: http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Ganse...e=UTF8&s=books

[kaybee]

HL, I don't know if you want a book that starts you off with the very basics or something more advanced, but if you do want a very basic, never-knitted-before book, look for "I Can't Believe I'm Knitting," published by Leisure Arts. I picked up a copy at Wal-Mart for about $7, and have seen it in most craft stores. If you don't want or have time to shop, Amazon.com has it. You can also do an internet search for "knitting instructions" and find lots of free instructions.

KB

[Bikingmomof3]

HL,
Here is a free online tutorial that should easily get you started.

http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/

[SadieKate]

I posted this last year in another thread. I think the links still work.

Mel, I'd go buy a book or two because you'll want the pictures. You could be downloading and printing out directions forever and ever and ever if you try to do it from the 'net. You can find the info but you have to know what to look for and put it together piecemeal. At least, I would find it frustrating to do it that way.

Here are a few books I'd recommend:

Sally Melville's Knitting Experience Series starting with the Knit Stitch:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189...lance&n=283155

Stitch & B**tch has some funky projects
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...lance&n=283155

Good basic book by Debbie Bliss with a more traditional theme
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157...Fencoding=UTF8

Of course, a beginner's class at your local shop is great because they'll help you decipher the confusing world of needle size and type, yarn type, gauge, etc., etc., etc.

[KnottedYet]

I had a great book of Bliss's patterns for kids sweaters, and checked out her other books from the library.

[Duck on Wheels]

Yeah, Lisa that tight British and colonial knitting is particularly obvious in the fishing jerseys and guernseys. The wool had to have a wind-breaking effect as well as being warm in the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the Roaring Forties . None of this arty farty loose knitting on big needles that gets you finished quicker. Even the yarn was thin (4 ply at most). I can remember my grandmother thinking my mother was being lazy using Double-knitting (8 Ply) on our jerseys (sweaters) as children.
Oh, Duck-ie ; I have seen that round-your-finger thing. It is soooo inelegant.

Arrgh... this is making my fingers itchy

That wind-breaking effect also comes from getting the garment wet. Wool retains its insulating properties when wet, at least until it's absolutely saturated, and wet wool is denser (i.e. more windproof) than dry. In sports sailing this is used to add weight when you need to counterbalance the boat by leaning out off the gunnels (so long since I've sailed that I've forgotten what that's called). Also, wool that's been repeatedly soaked and then worn wet will also felt, making it denser still (remember that sweater you mistakenly put in the washer or dryer and that came out doll-sized and stiff as a rug?). Or you can knit loose and oversized, then felt the garment down to size. That's what Norwegian fishermen's garments often went through, especially mittens. They're knitted very big and fairly loose, then felted. Multi-colored knitting also makes the fabric denser, since you're running extra yarns along the back between stitches where they're used, and so effectively getting a 2-layered fabric. I have a North-Norway pair of slippers that are bi-color knitted loose, then felted -- very cozy! And then there are the cable and knot patterns that also thicken the fabric -- plus providing an identification key if a drowned body floats ashore. In other words, lots of techniques for staying warm and dry out on the North Sea that are have now become fashion choices because they're also ... dare one say it? ... pretty.

But now it's time to stop dreaming of knitting and get back to work. I have a project proposal deadline looming

[kaybee]

Thanks for the needle advice, ladies. I've started the shawl using the metal circular needles, and it actually looks like it's supposed to! I never thought I would be able to do it, but I can. If you're interested, here's a link to the pattern, with a picture:

http://www.pagebypage.com/fiberhug1.php

I'll post a picture of the finished product when it's done (maybe by Christmas).

KB

[Bikingmomof3]

Basketweave is a nice repeat pattern. Enjoy the knitting process. It is so relaxing. Please do share a picture when you are finished. I am glad you went with circs.