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Hopefully you guys may be able to help me out a bit. I'm a pretty new knitter...been getting my feet wet knitting a *ton* of dishcloths, and finally decided to try my hand at something a bit more complicated.
I've been knitting children's hats with a roll brim with DPNs. Not too complicated, and they are coming along very well. Weeeellllll, my first one was a little messed up :) But the second one is much better :)
My problem is joining the stitches when you switch needles. (I hope this makes since...I'm sure there is a technical word for it, but I have no clue what it is). The stitches are looser when I switch needles, causing a noticeable line up the hat when I'm done. I've tried tightening the last stitch, then knitting 2, and tightening those before continuing on with the knitting- which I read should fix the problem- but the tension is still not right.
I find if I make sure I tighten the second stitch each time I switch it helps. You can get some great tips and video clips at http://www.knittinghelp.com. There are tons of how-to's, tips and a board. It had been a longggg time since I tried to knit and when I found her site she made it super easy to bring myself back up to speed.
Also, have you considered the Magic Loop method? I love making hats this way. You only use two needles with a cord in between (called circular needles). There are several websites that show you how to do it and the best place for needles I have found is http://www.knitpicks.com. Here is a link to knittinghelp.com's how'to's.
What fiber are you using? I find wool much more forgiving than plain acrylic. Like MzzPool, I like using the magic loop method whenever possible - I make my socks that way - two at a time on the needles.
Are you using wood needles or metal? (or something else?) I had a bit of a problem with "ladders" (the technical term - LOL) when I first made socks on 4 metal dpns. Practice will help... the magic loop method might help (or you might get worse ladders on two sides - LOL)... a very springy yarn can help, wood dpns can help... and for me - I tighten the SECOND stitch on the new needle. Elizabeth Zimmermann recommended this and it helps.
I'm using wool, with bamboo DPNs. The first hat I made, I first tried using my circulars (yeah knitpicks!), but I found that the cord was too short. I did not attempt the "magic loop" method since it was my first time...I thought I should get the hang of the DPNs first.
I also hang out at knittinghelp.com- love that site!!! Not knowing any knitters, I've taught myself with that site :) Invaluable.
Diane, I am tightening the last stitch, then the second stitch of the new needle- still getting the ladders (though not as bad as the first one). Perhaps I should not tighten the last stitch, but only the next second one?
Well, I have 4 hats to make- 2 more to go. Hopefully practice and patience will help. I'm really hoping to move to socks soon :)
Oh, here's something that I *thought* might help...is it possible to move the stitches around the needles. If every row (round) or so, can I move 1-2 stitches to a new needle? I thought that might keep the ladders from being obvious, but I've not heard of anyone else doing it, so it may be a very bad idea :)
You can ABSOLUTELY move the stitches from needle to needle to minimize ladders. I didn't want to suggest it because it is a bit more complicated : ) You're obviously an intuitive knitter.
You're using good needles and wool (hurray!) yarn - which are more forgiving. I would try not tightening that last stitch... it makes the loosening of the next stitches more obvious.
Have you tried "tugging" the hats when they are done? Pull them in the up and down direction, and then the side to side direction... Doing that a few times can often make the stitches even up. Washing them can also even up the stitches. Is it superwash wool? Even if it isn't superwash - wool is washable if you are gentle and careful.
I taught myself to knit a few years ago... just so I could make socks (crocheted socks are pretty bumpy) The laddering disappeared over time... and I don't even think about it now when I'm knitting. My fingers seem to do the tensioning all on their own.
I did try tugging. Dave thought it looked better, but I can still see it. The wool isn't superwash, but I do plan to wash them, and was hoping that the washing would help some more.
I'll play with the tightening some one my next one, and try rotating the stitches.
I haven't tried the garterlac dishcloth- will add that to the "to do"! It looks like fun! BTW- I'd already bookmarked that sock tutorial :)
I wish I had more time to knit, but I fit it in while my children are reading to me during the day (we homeschool). That gives me about 30 minutes or so...it'll take me a good week to finish a hat (if I'm lucky!!), so I'll let you know how the next one is going!
Hi Trish! Looks like everyone gave you good advice, the magic loop method is great. I still do a few things on DPNs, but really love the ease of just two needle points (that are connected, like children's mittens, so you can't lose one, lol.) Those Knitpicks Options are wonderful!
When you look at my first hats you can see a progression of the "ladders" slowly closing up until I just don't have them any more, so you will see that happen as well.
You know I've only been knitting for less than 8 months :) I've made about 50 or so dishcloths, trying to get the hang of various technices and tension. I also made a girl's purse, and now hats. I feel like my technique is fairly good, so my plan after the hats is easy sweaters for the children, then moving to socks by new year. After that...well...my "want to do" list is far longer than my "time to do"! *grin*
I do wish I had more time to knit, but sewing takes up most of my "free" time...I have found that I'm getting faster, so that should help get more in!
I've already started hat #3 using DPNs. I tried to do knitting in the round with my Knitpicks circulars with hat #1, but it was so small there was no way that I could figure out how to put it together. I'll look more closely at the magic loop method for #4 and get it figured out. I guess if you can use it for socks, you've got to be able to do it with hats, huh??
Absolutely you can use magic loop for hats... and sweaters, and mittens, and ...
I've heard some people say that you need at least a 40" cable for magic loop projects like hats, but I also heard on the Knit Picks podcast that they find you can even use their 32", since the cable is so flexible (flexible cables, only one of several reasons I love their needles!)
Be sure to post pictures of your hats! (And hey, your dishcloths, too!)
Magic Loop works on anything in the round. Not everyone likes the technique... I guess it is what feels comfortable.
Socks are easy, Trish! There is a great pattern for felted slippers where you make a BIGGGGGG sock and then felt it down. Great fun - I have made several pair as Christmas presents using this pattern: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTfuzzyfeet.html
Have you checked out knitty? If you look through the archives there are lots of patterns.
I'm a knitpicks circular needle fan, too. I got daughter number two lots of them for Christmas and she has put them to good use. For kid's socks the 32 inch is plenty big. I make socks to donate to orphanages in eastern Europe (haven't been doing so lately... need to get busy) through a group called "Children in Common" - it is a great way to practice sock knitting... I think you have built in practice subjects, Trish!
I don't have any really close yarn shops (all about an hour away- minimum) so I tend to order online. Knitpicks is wonderful but elann has great buys, too. I need to work down my stash before I indulge anymore!
The picture is a before and after of the knitted slippers. I felted them separately so I could take the picture.
I cannot for the life of me knit on DPN's. I think I knit too loosely and the needles fall out. I can't seem to master the magic loop either. I can knit on a circular needle though. I would love to be able to use DPN's but I don't think I will ever get the hang of it.
The wooden double pointed needles are not as slippery as the metal or plastic. They are so much easier to use on smaller projects such as socks or mittens or cuffs. My favorite shop sells them in 4 inch lengths, 5 in a package. The shorter length is outstanding !!! Not so much sliding back and forth and back, etc. Since buying my first package of the wooden ones, I am completely converted over to using them and using all 5 needles.
Elsie, I have a friend who knits very loosely, she has the same problem with even the wooden DPN's falling out of her stitches - that's what got her on the magic loop. She has to use US 000's to knit socks!
I like using the bamboo DPN's too, they're kind of a fun treat for socks. But I really do love the magic loop for most everything in the round. Even when I'm knitting "flat" pieces I knit on circulars - only one thing to keep track of, you never lose the other needle, and you can easily slide your work onto the cable when you have to put it down.
But last week, look what was waiting for me in my mailbox! Exquisite rosewood needles, I had to cast on something very nice right away!
So Trish, are you sick of all this unsolicited advice, lol?
Maggiemoo, I agree with you - If I can use circulars I do. Starting on the circulars is still hard for me but once I get a few rows it's much easier. I much prefer to use short needles so the circulars are very comfortable for me. Sometimes I feel like I have 10 thumbs when I am knitting.
Those needles are beautiful! I love that scarf pattern. Hope you share a picture when you are done.
Elsie- Yup, I've checked out that site too ;) Also, I'll try to post pics this weekend.
Diane, Yup, I've checked out knitty.com too! HA! I think I've got about 100 websites under my "knitting" folder.
Maggie- that's what I've been knitting with my circulars- flat stuff :) Isn't that funny. I was using the standard craft-store aluminum long needles, and I hated them. I was drooling over the knitpicks interchangeable one day, and Dave surprised me by buying the set! Love them! Now just to figure out this magic loop business :) The standard set comes with 24 and 32" cables.
LOVE those rosewood needles!! (Great scarf too!!!!)
And no, I'm not sick of the advice, especially since it was solicited *grin*
I began the 3rd hat this week. I didn't have very much knitting time so far, so I've only gotten about 3" done, but so far, I can't see any laddering!!! Whoohooo! I took Diane's advice, and didn't tighten the last stitch, but only the second of the next needle.
So... did the hat end up with less laddering, Trish?
Elsie... the slippers are knit so loosely you might be able to do them on a plain circular (not magic loop)... I wish I was near you and could show you in person - if you see magic loop done it makes a lot of sense.
maggiemoo - what lovely needles AND a great scarf pattern. What wool are you using? I love the shaded look it has.
Have you all seen the brand new multicolored wood needle tips from Knitpicks for their Options cables? I think they are incredibly adorable, and although I don't need any needles I think I am going to get them... maybe just in a size 6... for fun.
They'll be so cool at my knitting circle... pulling out clown needles!
to avoid the 'ladders' keep the tension constant, even go so far as to pull up the yarn snug before doing the first stitch of the next needle... experiment a bit to see what it takes.
that and practice, practice, practice, and more practice.
I know I've ripped out more knitting than I've finished.
The yarn is J Knits Superwash Me sock yarn - 75% superwash wool, 15% nylon. I'm holding two strands together to bulk it up a little, as I want something more substantial than a light, airy type of lace.
I just saw those wooden Harmony needles yesterday, they are really neat! I will probably buy a set of tips too.
I was playing around with a hat pattern, just knitted up one ball of Noro Kureyon, and ended up with this. I draped it over Ella and she fell in love with it. Looks like a little baby stole, lol.
Sorry that it took so long for me to get back to you! Things keep coming up...
So, hat #3 had no problems...I did rotate the stitches twice, just to be sure. Hat #4 came out perfectly. I didn't even rotate the stitches at all. The cause of all my problems seemed to be the tightening of the last stitch. Once I left that off, and only tightened the second stitch on the next needle, I was good to go!
Hat #1 has a couple of holes now...toddlers :) I let him play with it since it was the one that I messed up with the most. I'm at the end of redoing it, so I'll have 4 good looking hats in each child's personal colors :)
Hat #1- blue
#2- pink
#3- red
#4- purple
Thanks for all your help!! I'm excited for my new yarn order to come in, and I'll be starting on sweaters!
I use double points when knitting small things in the round, like socks or the sleeves on baby and dog sweaters. My hands are large (long fingers). I find that the needle part of small circular needles are not long enough for my large hands to hold them without cramping. I need a minimum 6" length on my double points to avoid having my hands cramp or the needle poking into the center of my palm. Most of my double points are 8" in length.
Are you knitting in the round using four or five needles? By that, I'm asking if the stitches are carried on three needles with the fourth as the working needle, or carried on four with the fifth as the working needle. There is more tension between the needles if you carry on three needles rather than four. This makes ladders more likely to occur.
I used 4 needles with the hats. Good thing I started out that way...naturally I lost one of my needles somewhere in the black hole of my van. The set came with 5, so I was able to continue.
I'm pretty sure that I've got the laddering conquered- whooohooo!
Next up is sweaters for the short crew, then I'm going to play with socks. My "want to do" list is much longer than my "time to do" list :) Thus it is with addictive hobbies, though! :)
Maggie, I used Knitpicks Wool of the Andes for the hats, and had bought enough yarn to do the matching sweaters, but really found it too rough for my tastes, so I was sure that it would be too scratchy for the little ones.
I ended up buying some Plymouth Encore for the sweaters. It should be here tomorrow. I heard it knitted up in sweaters nicely from the forms at knittinghelp. I hope so! I ordered from Webs, and of course they had some sells...so of course some other yard jumped into my bag too- including some Debbi Bliss Cotton Angora. Something very small and cute needs to be made of that, I am sure!
Oh, right...the pattern. I got so caught up in thinking about my yarn order...
Trish, did you try washing the hats or the gauge swatch to see if it softens up?
I'm not familiar with the Wool of the Andes from KnitPicks, but I know that other wool yarns I have used will soften up is you wash them in shampoo and put conditioner in the rinse. The Cascade 220 that I used for DH's Dr. Who scarf was a bit too scratchy for my tastes. After the shampoo and conditioner, it was soft enough to wear against the skin.
Worth a try on a small piece to see how it turns out.
Elsie, have you knitted that one? There is a freebie that looks just like it except with color-changing stripes. I need to see if I can find anyone who has actually tested it, though. Being new, I'll never know about a mistake in the pattern or how to fix it!
LLBean sells this exact sweater, and I've bought them for a couple of years in a row...but at around $40 each, I'm pretty sure I'm better off knitting it myself :) I'm cheap...errrr...frugal :)
I haven't tried there patterns yet, but a number of knitting bloggers are having a lot of success. Scroll down at these sites (or use Ctrl+F to find "knitting pure") for some commentary and in process photos on knitting the P&S patterns:
Trish, no I haven't knitted it. The best tip I ever read was to check online to see if there are any corrections to a printed pattern. So it it's a book or magazine check out the publisher's website for corrections. Knitter's Review has a forum on Errata - you can always check there too. I just went to the link that garden mermaid posted. Those sweaters are adorable and the knitter enjoyed making them. Sounds like you have your answer.
knitters are all connected by a common thread. If you run into any difficulty with your sweater pattern, just post a description of the problem (and a picture if possible) to one of the knitting forums. Help will come your way. :)
Maggiemoo - another darling picture of Ella... she is such a doll! I have a pattern using Noro that knits up like that hat/shawl! you are making... it might be the same one. Unhappily it doesn't really get chilly enough for hats here so I only get to make them as gifts or for charity knitting.
Trish - what a great pic of the hats!!! It's wonderful to hear that you have conquered the laddering :) I used Wool of the Andes to make my oldest a shawl - it was quite soft after it was knitted up. Plymouth Encore is a very good choice, though, especially for kids. If you aren't a purist (I'm not, although I love wool) having that acrylic in there softens it up and makes it so it can just be thrown in the washer. I've made my dad a couple pair of socks out of Lion Brand Wool-Ease, which is similar... and he loves them. The sweater pattern is adorable - I love the rolled hems... and without ribbing it is so comfy. I haven't used that pattern but have heard raves about the brand.
The fiber I have problems with is alpaca. It is okay for me to knit with it - but I make socks... and when I put on socks made with alpaca I get a rash... weird that my feet seem bothered but my hands do not. I also spin, so have tried some oddball fibers!
Have any of you tried dyeing with KoolAid yet? I wouldn't drink the stuff but it is amazingly fun as a dyestuff. You can even make your own self striping yarn, which is a bit more involved, but certainly doable.
The picture is a snake I made out of KoolAid dyed wool hanging out on the deck railing.
I think this cooler weather (actually under 90!) is getting me in more of a knitting mood...
Trish, that looks like a great sweater pattern! The little pink sundress Ella is wearing in my thread is a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern. It was really very clear and the garment came out as expected - always a good thing, lol. I'm learning a lot this first year about when Web's big sales are: April is their ginormous, month-long anniversary sale, and it looks like August is another great sale time (like the nurseries, it's so hot they have to do something to wake people out of their heat-induced stupor, lol.) I still haven't bought anything from them yet, but I will... and I'm saving up for next year. I love to listen to their podcast, Ready, Set, Knit. They talk about their sale yarns, and I learn a lot about different fibers and their applications that way.
Diane, I just ordered some of Knit Picks "bare" merino (fingering weight, 100 gram hank) to experiment with dyeing. Several of us here may go in together for their dye kit - six bottles of dye for the price of five, each bottle will dye 900 grams of yarn. Until we get that dye, I'm thinking about playing with Kool Aid, I'm glad to see your results.
garden_mermaid - Several KoolAid flavors make turquoise - I didn't write down what colors I dyed the snake with, but I did do a bunch of trial dyeing with KoolAid just for fun, and saved the cards on which I attached my trial pieces. The two that I used which came out intense turquoise were Raspberry Reaction and Blue Ice Raspberry Lemonade. KoolAid colors tend to be VERY intense, but it depends on how much KoolAid and how much fiber you are using, as well as the method of dyeing and other variables : ) I'm not even sure if those are current KoolAid flavors... they tend to change them...
maggiemoo - Definitely play with the KoolAid!!! I've had great fun with it, and even gave a little class to a couple of the ladies from my knitting group who wanted to know how to do it. There are lots of methods, including stovetop, microwave, oven dyeing (we used a casserole dish), and even sun dyeing in a glass jar. Merino picks up dye beautifully.
