(member)

31/12/2008 09:52

Knitting Knovice

I want to knit a scarf for 2009 as I have lots of projects and this is one of them.

I went to the craft shop and found a lovely wool in 3 or 4 sludgy colours which is lovely but qute fluffy and thick - how much do I need and what size kneedles for knitting?

TIA!

(member)

31/12/2008 10:27

Re: Knitting Knovice

Ozzie seems to be the queen on this sort of thing. Me I can knit but need to follow pattern for all instructions on amounts and size of needles.....

(member)

31/12/2008 19:57

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Mrs T.

If you look on the label on the wool there will be information which will tell you what size needles you need. I am knitting a scarf at the moment, using Kaffe Fawcett wool. It is fairly thick and I am using 7.00 mm needles.

If you also look on the label there will be a little tension square diagram. This will tell you how many stitches and rows you need to knit to produce this. I would recommend you do this. If you are a tight knitter you may need to switch to a larger size of needles and if you are a loose knitter you may need a smaller pair of needles. This will help you decide on the width of your scarf. I wanted a narrowish scarf which would be long. I have 35 stitches on the needle and my scarf measures 10 inches across. I am knitting in plain stitch and have bought 3 balls of wool 100g each. The first ball knitted 28 inches of scarf. I am going to put some tassels on the ends too, so I estimate the final length (excluding tassels) will be about 78 inches. I want to be able to wrap around my neck several times.

I knit between posts while I am waiting for the forum to reload.

Good luck
Foxie

(member)

01/01/2009 08:29

Re: Knitting Knovice

When you buy the wool, make sure that if you buy too much that it can be returned. I would be very surprised if they won't do this. Also talk to the lady in the shop. They are always so helpful and very keen knitters themselves.

(member)

01/01/2009 10:16

Re: Knitting Knovice

Have you started yet Mrs T........NO but it is the New Year and you did say this was the year you would learn...... hahahahahaha bet you are still abed!!!

No ...... not our Mrs T...............twiddling to her hearts content............

I looked on your personal site last night and thought it was great and full of good ideas........perhaps you should think about writing a book.............

Mrs T's guide to housework and household chores............would be a best seller to us ladies.

anyway ................. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL...

(member)

01/01/2009 13:56

Re: Knitting Knovice

Thanks so much for your advice! No, I haven't started quite yet Thimble but I am at least awake, glad you stopped by my website, it was nice to see you!

Thanks for the details Foxie! I'll post a pic when I'm done x

(member)

01/01/2009 14:35

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Foxie, your Kaffe Fawcette wool sounds fab - where do you get it from?

(member)

01/01/2009 15:02

Re: Knitting Knovice

Guess what I am about to start doing..............I have realised that I have a nice summer top that I started knitting 18 months ago. My interest has been sparked by all this talk of knitting and craft so am about to get it out and start it off again. Have done front now going to start back. It is sleeveless so won't take long. I will just get the nice rice pudding on the go (comfort food for this bitterly cold day) and then get started.

Will sit this evening with a nice glass of white wine, music on stereo, curtains closed, all cosy doing my knitting.

Thank you girls one and all for resparking my interest.

(member)

01/01/2009 15:25

Re: Knitting Knovice

At risk of sounding 'know allish' I think the correct name for the wool Foxie has is....Kaffe Fasset. I mention this in case anyone goes looking for it! Spelling/typo error I axpect Foxie! K.F Is a well known knitting designer. I often look at the designs but gave away all my needles years ago and keep 'thinking' about starting again.....that is as far as it gets!!!! Am inspired by the picture of you, Foxie, sitting in front of lap-top with needles and wool in hands!! Am away for the w/end so I won't start yet!!!

(member)

01/01/2009 19:17

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Chelsea
I bought the KF wool at JL at Bluewater. There were several colours ways to chose from and it comes in 100g skeins. It is 100% lambswool so is lovely and soft and easy to knit with.

(member)

01/01/2009 19:36

Re: Knitting Knovice

All this talk about knitting has reminded me of all my attempts at knitting that were never fully realised. You know what, I might just knit a scarf for myself before this winter ends if someone dares me to do that. I need to prove to myself that I can do it. Just need to find an easy pattern that requires thick wool and big needles.
Tals

(member)

01/01/2009 19:39

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi tals
You don't need a pattern to knit a scarf. I just had a look in Topshop and found one I liked, had a good look at the scarf and then started knitting.

(member)

01/01/2009 19:48

Re: Knitting Knovice

Go on tals I dare you.......we won't take your word for having done it though we need to see a picture of you actually knitting it and then one of the finished article.

Foxie....you must be very clever. I can knit, crotchet,sew, do cross stitch etc BUT I cannot do any of them without a pattern. Except cross stitch and I have designed pattern for this and transferred it to graph paper and then made it up. As for the rest..........forget it..........I need a pattern otherwise goodness knows how they will turn out.

(member)

01/01/2009 21:17

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Thimble
It is not difficult at all. I like things how I like them so I make them how I want them. Trust me, the more you do it the easier it becomes!

I will post a pix of my finished scarf and you will see how simple it is.

(member)

01/01/2009 21:36

Re: Knitting Knovice

Do I need a pattern for a scarf? I figured keep going until it's long enough. Obviously not!

(member)

01/01/2009 21:39

Re: Knitting Knovice

No, I wouldn't bother Mrs T. There were some scarf knitting sets for sale in JL but I didn't like the wool or the colours very much. It was also cheaper to buy the needles and wool separately.

If you feel you need a pattern there are lots of free patterns on knitting websites. Try Loop for example.

(member)

01/01/2009 21:42

Re: Knitting Knovice

Thanks Foxie, you're very helpful!

(member)

01/01/2009 21:51

Re: Knitting Knovice

Glad to be of help Mrs T. My own scarf is getting really long and Foxie Jr says it looks as if it could belong to the man on TimeTeam who wears those stripy jumpers!!!

(member)

01/01/2009 23:22

Re: Knitting Knovice

No pattern necessary for a scarf - I did one last year (the only thing I've ever knitted) and just cast on enough stitches to fill the needle and then knitted until I thought it was long enough - think it took about 2 balls of wool. Even put contrasting coloured tassles - very proud of it and still wear it now...

(member)

02/01/2009 00:29

Re: Knitting Knovice

good luck ! I started knitting again a couple of yea rs ago when i had to have a hysterectomy and needed to take things very easy following surgery ,i made so many scarves as i found it was a way to sit still without feeling guilty !I tend to do 30 stitches and the needles advised on the band .you can always do a bit and if not to your liking pull it out and start again ,happy knitting

(member)

02/01/2009 01:17

Re: Knitting Knovice

I love that man on the time Team's jumpers!

(member)

02/01/2009 08:27

Re: Knitting Knovice

Do you mean Mick Aston, Ozzie? If I remember rightly he said years ago that viewers made his jumpers...

(member)

02/01/2009 09:14

Re: Knitting Knovice

Steady on Ashbee, let me do a scarf first before I start doing jumpers to order

(member)

02/01/2009 14:39

Re: Knitting Knovice

Mrs Twaddle,

Just cast on about forty stitches (depends on width you prefer, obviously not so wide, less stitches, and do stocking stitch, thats what I do, I always knit with big needles and wool, and hey presto before you know it you have a lovely self knit scarf - easy peasy.

Plasmo x

(member)

02/01/2009 15:16

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Mrs T.

Have you ever thought about running a Mrs Twiddle's Knitwits thread along side the Mrs Twiddle's Twenty? I think it would be really popular!

Foxie x.

(member)

02/01/2009 15:45

Re: Knitting Knovice

Haha Foxie, you made me laugh out loud! Knitwits indeed! H

I just got back from buying Sirday Juniper wool - 3 balls and a pair of size 7 needles. Yikes, now I have to follow through!

(member)

02/01/2009 15:45

Re: Knitting Knovice

Thanks plasmo!

*off to see what stocking stitch is and how to cast on*

(member)

02/01/2009 16:51

Re: Knitting Knovice

Thanks for the shopping advice Foxie I will have a look at the KF wool next time I am in BW...busy working out how I am going to knock up a Princess Leia dress out of an old sheet for my D at the moment!

BTW I knitted a 'Tom Baker' style scarf in pastel colours for said D a couple of years ago - I am sure I just did it in stocking stitch. However, a very basic garter stitch can be very effective especially in chunky wool and nothing could be easier.

(member)

02/01/2009 17:24

Re: Knitting Knovice

A lovely lady called anita stopped by my blog earlier and left me a link to www.knittinghelp.com - what a great website!

(member)

02/01/2009 17:28

Re: Knitting Knovice

Mrs T - I can see Mrs Twiddle's Knitwits appearing over the horizon!

(member)

02/01/2009 17:29

Re: Knitting Knovice

LOL Foxie, I'll soon be taking over the world!

(member)

03/01/2009 08:36

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Girls
I'd been reading through all your posts the other day and they gave me an idea, I'd knitted a chunky scarf on big needles 2 years ago it was far too long really and so I unravelled it and knitted it back up into a shawl, admittedly it only goes half way down my back but it fits round across the top of my shoulders and best of all it is sooooo! warm. I'm wearing it now whilst on the computer gives a lovely cosy feel. Well I've got the bug now so I'm going to do one properly out of a soft merino and cashmere mix in creamy white ready hopefully for wearing with a nice summer's dress on a balmy evening whilst sitting in my garden as the lights fade with glass of wine to hand. Happy knitting Billie

(member)

03/01/2009 09:45

Re: Knitting Knovice

Billie, that sounds lovely! Glad we inspired you

(member)

03/01/2009 15:53

Re: Knitting Knovice

Billie - welcome to the Knitwits! Your shawl sounds lovely and cosy.

(member)

03/01/2009 17:23

Re: Knitting Knovice

Uh-oh! Just watched 4 different videos on how to cast-on and I can't do it. I'm all fingers and thumbs so I give up for today. I'll try again tomorrow

I think it's because I have a very bobbly wool so I can't see what the stitch looks like when I've done it

(member)

03/01/2009 17:57

Re: Knitting Knovice

Mrs T, have you got some old, normal wool you can practise on? Might save you tears ...

(member)

03/01/2009 18:05

Re: Knitting Knovice

Thank you marymary, I'm so new to all this I don't have any other wool but I can buy some to practise on. Good thinking!

(member)

03/01/2009 18:10

Re: Knitting Knovice

Thanks for the welcome girls I really enjoy reading all your knitting posts

I've been having a look at your web page Mrs Twiddle and it's fascinating have to say I'm going to study it a bit more when I get 5 mins. I'm wondering where all this twiddling comes from ? was there a book involved somewhere with household tips or something?

Billie

(member)

03/01/2009 18:32

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Mrs T, are you left or right handed? I am left handed, but have always knitted right handed (mainly because that is how my mum showed me).

What exactly is your difficulty? To cast on, make a loop and then put it on your left hand needle. Put your right hand needle through the loop and hold the needles at right angles to each other. Wind the wool so it goes under the right hand needle, over the right hand needle and under the left hand needle. Keep the left hand needle still and draw the right hand needle slowly towards you. You will see a stitch appearing on the right hand needle. Transfer it to the left hand needle. The next stitch you make in the same way, except at the beginning you put the right hand needle between the two stitches and not through the stitch loop. Continue until you have enough stitches. Keep an eye on the tension, not too tight and not too loose. The stitches should move easily on the needle.

If you are really stuck, can you ask a neighbour or someone in the craft shop to help you out?

Good luck. Knitting is one of those things that once you can do it, it seems so simple so do not give up.

Foxie x.

(member)

03/01/2009 18:34

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi billie

Welcome to the forum! All the twiddling comes from the champion of twiddlers Mrs Twiddle. She is showing us all how to get organised in our homes without having to spend hours and hours cleaning and sorting. We have had a Christmas break but Mrs T. will have us all back on track next week, so do join us.
Foxie

(member)

03/01/2009 18:48

Re: Knitting Knovice

Mrs T - go back to the wool shop and ask them to cast on for you. Most wool shops are delighted to help. If you do manage it, don't cast on too tightly.

I'm trying to learn to crochet, and finding it very difficult. Knitting I can do, but crochet...aargh. I can't seem to hold the yarn correctly, so the tension is all over the place

..wisps

(member)

03/01/2009 22:15

Re: Knitting Knovice

Foxie, I have watched 4 videos about 'long tail cast on' and I'm in a tizzy. Yours sounds easier! I promise I won't give up! i'll keep trying

Billie - nope, there's no book, I'm just on a mission to organise the forum! Stick around, we're decluttering from Jan 5th

(member)

03/01/2009 23:23

Re: Knitting Knovice

Wispa - I just read your comment about crochet, hang in there, because it suddenly all makes sense. I got Erica Knight's book as the illustrations were really helpful to keep reminding me what to do. I'm an experienced knitter, but crochet just didn't make sense for a while and then all of a sudden it did. It's really enjoyable as you get results a lot quicker than knitting.

For me I jumped in and started on a beret as knitting in the round using just two crochet stitches let me get the hang of it. First go I did completely wrong and the hat was really thick as I'd doubled up, but it was tiny and would have fitted a doll. Once I'd made the mistakes it was easier to see what I should have been doing if that makes sense. Hope this helps. Anyway I'm in the next county to you so if you wanted to meet somewhere so I could show you how to do it let me know. I used to teach other mother's to knit while our kids were in nursery so it would take me back in time.
All the best with that hook
Bobo

(member)

04/01/2009 09:00

Re: Knitting Knovice

Thanks for the idea wispa, the ladies who sold me the wool weren't too friendly so too scared to go back but I like the idea of it

(member)

04/01/2009 10:24

Re: Knitting Knovice

Hi Mrs T
Thanks for the info and I will be watching from the 5th I'm always interested in new ideas for the home etc anything to make life more simple and easy.
Just wanted to tell you I learnt how to crochet from a childs ladybird book found it really easy to follow they possible to one on knitting. Billie

(member)

04/01/2009 10:26

Re: Knitting Knovice

Mrs T .... I noted from a recent pm you sent me that you are only about 1hr drive from me. I would be more than willing to meet you next week and show you how to cast on and get started. If you are interested them pm me and we can arrange to meet somewhere.

No problems if you are sorted or can't make it.

(member)

04/01/2009 10:31

Re: Knitting Knovice

That would be lovely Thimble old girl, we can practice our 'meeting other forummers' social skills!!

I'll PM you.

(member)

04/01/2009 10:35

Re: Knitting Knovice

You've been PM'd! Just in case you didn't get it, leave a msg here.

(member)

04/01/2009 11:38

Re: Knitting Knovice

There you go Mrs T! In between twiddling and knitting you will busy next week!
F x.

(member)

04/01/2009 12:02

Re: Knitting Knovice

I have a half knitted jumper for OH sitting at the bottom of my wardrobe - from about five years ago! I can see I'll ahve to get it out!

While doing some long overdue twiddling, I've found about 4 doz balls of wool, some cream, some charcoal+brown that I ad spun from my own fleeces many years ago when I kept Jacob sheep - I think I'm going to get my crochet hook out and make some blankets - lots of little squares sewn together. It's a long time since I crocheted (used to make berets back in the 1970s!) so I'll have to remind myslef of how to do it....

The posts about Kaffe Fassett wool made me smile - I bought myself a book of his knitting patterns many years ago, but they were so complicated that in the end I just used them to make a hot water bottle cover! Knitting is NOT one of my strongest points!

Thank you for the inspiration!

(member)

04/01/2009 12:04

Re: Knitting Knovice

I did get it Mrs T and answered it.....did you receive answer as to where to meet. I am having terrible trouble today with "gremlins" in the system. When I post something before I can press send the b....y system goes back to forum. Then when I send a pm it does the same.....only it then throws me out completely.................I am getting so frustrated..................

(member)

04/01/2009 12:41

Re: Knitting Knovice

Got it Thimble, and sent one back. Sorry for delay, had to drop DH off at the station so he can watch rugby match. Home now!

(member)

06/01/2009 15:42

Re: Knitting Knovice

Well, whaddya know! I'm knitting! YAY me

I couldn't meet up with Thimble as MIL was visiting but it turns out that she can knit and delighted in showing me how to cast on. She showed me and then sat patiently watching whilst I picked it up.

I'm delighted, isn't it great to pass on a skill

Thimble, thanks again for your kind offer, we'll do lunch instead!

(member)

06/01/2009 18:30

Re: Knitting Knovice

Mrs Twiddle - I knew you were really a knitwit at heart!

Foxie x.

(member)

06/01/2009 18:41

Re: Knitting Knovice

Mrs T is the scarf finised yet? Those girls who cannot or do not want to knit Mrs T is taking orders for fairisle cable jumpers in lots of different colours.

I would like a beige one with pastel pink/green blue design. Who else............

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