Anyone want to start a KNITTING thread, too????

[sparrow]

I finally finished my mitered scarf this evening. I think it turned out well. It's narrow, and I plan to wear it with a black turtleneck come fall. I am working on a Linus blanket in knitting, another one in crochet, and finished my 28th preemie hat Thursday. Preemie hats are great for doctor's office knitting. And for my next project (insert trumpet fanfare): a bunny rabbit!

[Suzee]

Alright...BUMP BUMP BUMP...How are those knitting projects coming along?

[Suzee]

Okay...confession time. Picked up the dog sweater again, recently and am working diligently to finish it. Also have that mitered purple throw in progress. AND...have now added three dishcloths for a dishcloth exchange. Kind of fun as a diversion from the other projects.

Now WHAT are you all working on? Or should I say what yarn are you PLAYING with now?

[Suzee]

Alright...BUMP BUMP BUMP...(again)...How are those knitting projects coming along?

[dearduckyducky]

I'm attempting socks! I've made it past the heel on the first one, now just getting some length done before I can work on the toe.

[Suzee]

DDD...YOU GO GIRL!!!

[sparrow]

I had to start my sweater over ( sniff ). I have now done the mindless first three rows, and it's counting carefully from here on out. Wish me luck?

[Suzee]

Sparrow's sweater is a lovely deep type of turquoise and she knits beautifully. Don't let her tell you otherwise. I got a peek at it today and it will be lovely.

[dearduckyducky]

Do you use markers to keep track of your counting? I know when I'm havin a hard time keeping count (can you say ADD?) I put markers on. Sometimes I'll have markers every 10 or 15 stitches, just so I know where I am. I even use colored ones to help me remember what the pattern is! (Red marker first...slow down and purl! Green marker first...buzz through with knit!)

First sock is done! So exciting! I accidently put a hole in the top (didn't think first, made a mistake, tried to fix with a YO). I'm still excited with my first sock though! Looking forward to working on the next one. Actually, looking forward to the next pair and changes I'll make to the pattern. But I'm being forceful with myself. I must finish the second sock of this pair before I move on!

[Suzee]

Congratulations on your first sock!!! YOU GO GIRL! Sounds like you may ave acquired the "sock addiction" that people speak of. Have fun with it!

[Queenbrea]

WTG, Ducky!

DH gave me my birthday present early so I could use it before Christmas and Dsis's baby shower - IT'S A ULTIMATE SWEATER KNITTING MACHINE! It is sooooooooo cool! I knit a whole scarf in about 3 hours (maybe less)! Umm, DS8's knitting it by hand took a LOT longer as you probably all well know! I have never actually learned how to knit besides the two basic stitches - and I can't mix them or I really get screwed up. I love how fast this machine makes it although my shoulders and neck are aching from working the carriage. There is a definite learning curve to it as I had to restart the scarf 3 times because of dropped stitches.

So, questions since I don't really know much about knitting.

1. DS8's scarf is still on regular knitting needles. Umm, I don't know how to get it off! How do I do a bind off?
2. What do I do about curling? DS10's scarf I made on the machine is totally curled up. How do I get it flat or can I get it flat at all? I've heard about blocking. Is that what I need to do? My understanding for that is you wash the item and then pin it onto the ironing board or something flat to dry. Is that right?
3. Do you put fabric glue or something on the ends of your yarn to keep them from coming undone? I have a sweater I crocheted for DH that I have been wearing because he never does. All the ends are sticking out all over now. How do I prevent that from happening with my knit and crocheted items? I've always had a serious issue with that.

If I think of any more questions I'll be back. Thanks, ladies!

[dearduckyducky]

1. DS8's scarf is still on regular knitting needles. Umm, I don't know how to get it off! How do I do a bind off?
2. What do I do about curling? DS10's scarf I made on the machine is totally curled up. How do I get it flat or can I get it flat at all? I've heard about blocking. Is that what I need to do? My understanding for that is you wash the item and then pin it onto the ironing board or something flat to dry. Is that right?

Binding off...
Step 1: Knit the first 2 stitches; insert left needle into stitch you knitted first, and pull it over the second stitch and completely off the needle.

One stitch is now bound off.

Step 2: Knit one more stitch, insert left needle into first stitch on right needle, and pull it over the new stitch and completely off the needle. Another stitch is bound off; don’t work too tightly.

Repeat Step 2 until one stitch remains; now cut yarn from skein, leaving a 6" end. With needle draw end up and through last stitch to secure it. Thread yarn end into yarn needle and weave end into several stitches to secure it.


Curling...
Are you knitting on one side and purling on the other? If you are you just need to knit a few stitches each way on the edges, that will stop the curling. I don't know how to stop it with a project that is already done.

[I'mTildy]

I can knit and crochet. I learned in junior high when I was in 4-H. I've taught the basics and most just do simple things like scarves, baby afghans, shawls, etc. I just received the Incredible Knitting Machine and got it set up. I'm stumped on getting the row counter to attach but otherwise have been able to do some practice pieces. The worst part of using the machine, which works like a loom and hangs from a table edge, is when a stitch is dropped. I can't fix it and end up ripping everything out. I have the video but still haven't mastered that part. I make a lot of baby afghans out of crocheted granny squares for my pregnant students when they give birth. I think all babies deserve a special handmade item like a recieving blanket. I work in pastels and try to be creative. I think I might switch to knitting with the machine to make small squares about the same size and then stitch them together. I'd also like to make a scarf with the knitter. However, the weights pull down so much on the yarn that it really stretches it and makes it curl more than normal in my opinion. I think if I did it by hand it would be straighter. Has anyone else used one of these contraptions? I know it will take time to master.

I just moved in during the past month. I'm so happy to have an actual craft room. My previous homes just had a corner for the sewing machine and then everything else went in a closet. This room has a love seat, a work table, two wicker chairs, my sewing machine and stool and room for a filing cabinet. It also has it's own closet with room to store supplies. It's nice and light and has a set of windows with lace curtains. I have my radio there and room to spread out. I also have a card table for projects. I put some cute things on the walls including a quilted heart wall hanging and a picture plus a bulletin board to put up patterns. I have an old quilt to cover the sewing machine when it is not in use. I have baskets on top with small supplies handy. I like it because I can leave a project out when it is in progress and not have to put everything away each time. It's upstairs so no one will see if stuff is left out.

[sparrow]

Your room sounds wonderful! I have a bookcase with yarn in it in my husband's workroom and I knit in the living room. Consequently, there are knitting bags strewn all over.

I am disgusted that my sweater needs more yarn. I thought I was being so careful to buy enough. I think I need six more balls, and the local shops are out of the dye lot. I think what I'll have to do is order some more on line and strand it. It's a lace pattern, so it may not be as obvious as it would if it were stockingette.

I am starting my Christmas knitting for 2010 today, making an afghan by knitting a dishcloth pattern (garter stitch on the diagonal) really, really big. I need some mindless knitting at the moment, since I do get really confused if I try to knit lace in company. Ducky, I have stitch markers at every pattern repeat, and it's helping a lot.

I have never used a knitting machine, since I'm more a process knitter than a product one. I need that soothing feeling of yarn slipping through my fingers.

You all have a good time playing with the yarn!

[Queenbrea]

Bumping the thread up. I am dying to using my knitting machine and have been for about the past week. I can't tonight, though, as by the time I get time it will be bedtime. Maybe tomorrow!

[Suzee]

I am currently knitting 12 inch squares for some baby blankets for some pregnant librarians. Also working on a purple throw.

[sparrow]

Oh, ladies! I finished my sock! The kitchener stitch is a bit lumpy, but that's okay. I am so happy about finishing something at last! I suppose I should go and cast on the second sock right now or it won't get done.

[Suzee]

And she wore it today, too! Black sock on right foot and finished sock on left. BTW...it is lovely!

[butterfly]

I love that ! BTW, what color is the knitted sock?

[Suzee]

RAINBOW Stripe!!

[dearduckyducky]

Fantastic Sparrow!

I've just started my pair of socks. I knitted one sock, it didn't fit like I would like (more like a slipper than a sock) so never even made the pair to it. Now I went out and bought sock yarn to actually make a pair of socks. Trying a different pattern this time.

[butterfly]

Very cool, sparrow ! And good luck, ducky!

[sparrow]

Thank you, ladies!

Good luck, ducky! I hope your sock goes much faster than mine did!

[Suzee]

Working on the 12" squares.

[sparrow]

Sock #2 is slo-o-owly lengthening.