Knitting question

[Captain Catnip]

I'm popping over from ML.  I'm a very new knitter and so far made a basic baby snow hat and a basic baby afghan.  I want to try to knit some sweaters but I have no idea where to begin, what skills I should pick up in regards to knitting before attempting, etc. 

Any suggestions?

[Cicero]

Honestly, I've always learned best by doing. So I would suggest just picking a sweater you like and learning as you go. Are you on Ravelry? Tin Can Knits has a fantastic free collection designed to help newer knitters learn as they go. Take a look at their Flax sweaters.

[reinedumonde]

Honestly, if you can make a hat, you should have all the skills you need to make a basic sweater: knit, purl, simple increases and decreases. I would caution you that your gauge matters a lot more with a sweater than it does with a hat, so just be careful there and like Cicero said, dive in!

[Captain Catnip]

Thanks!

[mrs.jacinthe]

Another vote for the flax sweater. BUT ... do a small size (for a baby or child) before you tackle the adult. My first sweater was an adult Flax and I was so bored by the end of it. once you get past the neck increases, it's just a billion rows of knit. There are ways to make it more interesting (as I know *now*) but I'd definitely start with a child's version as a learner.

[brandienee]

You can totally do a sweater! I would suggest knitting a baby or kids sweater first, though, to get the hang of it. You can also use that tiny space to try different techniques that you've never tried before. It's less stressful ripping back a small sweater when you make a mistake than a large one.

The Knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns is a great resource into the different kinds of sweaters you can make. Once you feel comfortable with pullovers and want to move into cardigans.
www.amazon.com/Knitters-Handy-Book-Sweater-Patterns/dp/1931499438/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474223493&sr=8-3&keywords=sweater+patterns+knitting

[Captain Catnip]

Thanks!! Unfortunately the needles I had were so crumby they fell apart trying to knit in the round (circulars --- DPNs are too confusing for me.) So I need to wait until I can get a better, interchangeable set I've been eyeing up. I was hoping to find them second hand but that seems impossible.

[Cicero]

Sept 18, 2016 23:56:22 GMT -5 Captain Catnip said:

Thanks!! Unfortunately the needles I had were so crumby they fell apart trying to knit in the round (circulars --- DPNs are too confusing for me.) So I need to wait until I can get a better, interchangeable set I've been eyeing up. I was hoping to find them second hand but that seems impossible.

What needles were you using?  Some brands are crappier than others.  I might wait to splurge on an interchangable set if I were you until you know what you like and need.  They're totally a matter of personal preference and it would suck to find that out only after you'd dropped $$ on them.

Full disclosure: I hate interchangeables. 

[mala]

See, I love my interchangeable, personal preference. (and I actually hate circular needles, but they're a necessary evil)

I'll echo waiting on buying a set until you have more defined preferences in your needles. Buy just the size you need for now and decide what you like before you go big.

[Captain Catnip]

The ones I've been using are a no name brand from Amazon that were really cheap. I did try out a few different sets at the one knitting shop. I was looking at the Knitters Pride Dreamz or knit picks. The wooden ones in both.

[Cicero]

I use Dreamz. Knitters Pride have pretty good quality control and having one of their needles split happens less often with them than other brands (IMO). Knit Picks seem to get a mixed review on needles. I've heard some things about their joins being bad sometimes but that being said they're really good about replacing messed up needles.

I will also throw this out there: Clover (the inexpensive bamboo needles at Joanns and Michaels and the like) are actually pretty good. I have never had a single problem with one of their needles. Of course now that I've said that I'm probably due for something to go wrong.

[cmeon]

I like Clovers, too- they're pretty cheap when you use coupons, and easy to find in the good "beginner" sizes. Get a 36" and you should be fine making a child's sweater, using magic loop* on the arms.

*You're going to need a small diameter circular method, anyway- DPNs work well for this, my preference is splitting stitches across 2 equal circs, but, plenty of people like magic loop the best.

The Amazon cheapie circ sets are truly crap- I don't mind the bamboo/wood DPN cheapies nearly as much, though. I would invest in a few good quality circs for now.

[brandienee]

Knitters Pride and Knit Picks are very similar in quality and customer service with their wooden needles.

I have the Knit Picks interchangeables. I love them LOVE them. (It's mostly vanity, I don't like having a different color needle or cord for each size, which is why I didn't purchase a Dreamz needle set) They have great customer service too if one of them breaks. But you really can't go wrong with Knitters Pride. I have a couple of their Karbonz needles to knit socks with (Circular). The smallest gauge for interchangeable needles is like a US4. If your pattern needs something smaller, you'll have to go with fixed cables.

[cmeon]

Sept 21, 2016 4:48:44 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Sept 19, 2016 15:50:01 GMT -5 cmeon said:

*You're going to need a small diameter circular method, anyway- DPNs work well for this, my preference is splitting stitches across 2 equal circs, but, plenty of people like magic loop the best.

So you use two circs instead of three or four DPNs?  I find magic loop annoying but also don't want to build a colletion of DPNs in different sizes.  I need to learn how to do this (that is, if I ever pick up my needles after this very long hiatus)!

Yes! I hate magic loop- I really gave it a shot, but, I just don't like it (you should still try it, Captain Catnip , lots of people prefer it). Back when I started knitting, it wasn't easy to find DPNs locally, I definitely couldn't find 8" circs (turns out I don't love these, either, unless I'm splitting stitches with another needle)- so this is what worked, and it stuck.

I knit so rarely now, too- I usually get one, maybe two projects done a year (there are only a few months chilly enough to feel like knitting, to be fair)! I do love how easy it is to pick right back up after a break, though- do it.

[Cicero]

Sept 21, 2016 4:48:44 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Sept 19, 2016 15:50:01 GMT -5 cmeon said:

*You're going to need a small diameter circular method, anyway- DPNs work well for this, my preference is splitting stitches across 2 equal circs, but, plenty of people like magic loop the best.

So you use two circs instead of three or four DPNs?  I find magic loop annoying but also don't want to build a colletion of DPNs in different sizes.  I need to learn how to do this (that is, if I ever pick up my needles after this very long hiatus)!

This is my preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round as well. It has the added bonus of easily facilitating knitting two of something at once.

[nannerl]

Captain Catnip, your post got me thinking about my first sweater project years ago. I misinterpreted the gauge and forgot the decreases in the sleeves, so I was left with a sweater that was too small for an average 10 year old with sleeves that looked like turkey drumsticks! I couldn't wear it, but boy did I learn a lot :-P

Take the plunge and don't be afraid to suck. The brilliant thing about knitting is that you can always rip it out and start over.

The first sweater that was a success was actually from the stitch n bitch collection-- the big sack sweater. Very forgiving pattern, and you get to learn how to cable!

The sweater, but not my sweater:



Also, I love the Clover bamboo needles. Been using them for yonks. I keep thinking I should upgrade, but I never get around to it because I'm happy with what I've got!

Good luck, and feel free to pm anytime with questions :-)

[cmeon]

Sept 21, 2016 8:09:43 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I'm YouTubing videos now.  Thanks for the tip, guys!

What craft are you spending your time on these days, cmeon ?  Because we all know you're doing something

Ha- I stay busy! We stopped at Lowes this morning to pick up some 2x4s (building DD a loft bed), spent last week making a candy corn fairy costume (DD's design), and the bulk of the past couple of months sewing uniform bottoms for DD. I hate uniforms in public schools for lots of more noble reasons- but, she's only 6 and still likes fun, girly clothing and believe it or not, there aren't a lot of fun and girly tan, black or navy bottoms in the stores. It's nice that I can make her things she loves that don't break any (stupid, arbitrary) rules.

ETA: Poor DS- he's 9yo and doesn't WANT to dress up for Halloween anymore, and most of his shorts are uniform friendly, so he just hasn't been the recipient of anything crafty lately. He's getting a new Halloween pillowcase (he picked out the fabric!) this week, and I'm working on Minecraft quilt/pillows for Christmas- he's not totally left out!

[Captain Catnip]

I've watched so many videos on knitting in the round with DPNs and it's so overwhelming and confusing. I honestly knit the hat I made on straights and then stitched together. Circular needles seem a lot easier to me but every time I've tried with the POS Amazon ones they fall apart. Ugh!!

[Cicero]

Sept 22, 2016 9:39:25 GMT -5 Adora Belle Dearheart said:

I'm just starting to knit again after a break of a few years (very rusty and wasn't great to start with). The local yarn store suggested this designer and said the patterns in her Home & Away book are easier than you'd think. I think I might give one a try after doing a class and trying some more basic projects.

blog.loveknitting.com/indie-designer-of-the-week-hannah-fettig/

Her Featherweight cardigan was the first adult sweater I ever made. It's really well written and super easy to follow.

I'd love to knit her Georgetown Cardigan from Home and Away but it's the one pattern you can't buy individually and I don't want to pay for a bunch of patterns I don't want just for one I do.

[Captain Catnip]

Well I ended up ordering the KP Dreamz interchangeable deluxe set. I see them being resold used on ravelry for the same price paid, so I think I'll be OK getting rid of them if I don't like them...

[nannerl]

Captain Catnip, DPNs definitely take some practice and patience. Some things that have helped me:

Practice on dk yarn and 4-6 mm needles. Fine yarn gets frustrating because it's too tiny, and bulky yarn with big needles can get unwieldy.

Try bamboo rather than metal or plastic. Bamboo has more grip and I drop FAR fewer stitches that way.

For practice-- Knit a swatch of about 50 or 60 stitches and, say, 6 rows on straight needles then transfer to the DPNs. Join and continue stitching in a circle. For some reason the first few rows on DPNs are the worst!! Once you have some length things get easier.

Increase your tension just a little. Loose stitches tend to slip.

Keep a pack of stitch markers close by. If you drop a stitch, put a marker on it to keep it from unraveling, then pick it back up when you get to it on the next round.

DPNs actually rock when you get the hang of them. Decreases are a breeze and you can knock out amazing hats in just a couple of days :-) Have fun!

[AJL]

Check out Ravelry. You can filter your search by how easy or difficult the pattern is. Also the book Mason Dixon Knitting has a beginner friendly garter stitch baby kimono.

[Captain Catnip]

Oct 11, 2016 19:06:21 GMT -5 AJL said:

Check out Ravelry. You can filter your search by how easy or difficult the pattern is. Also the book Mason Dixon Knitting has a beginner friendly garter stitch baby kimono.

I've been lost in the ravelry rabbit hole for a while now. Lol. I have so much on my list.

[nannerl]

Oct 12, 2016 14:29:55 GMT -5 Captain Catnip said:

Oct 11, 2016 19:06:21 GMT -5 AJL said:

Check out Ravelry. You can filter your search by how easy or difficult the pattern is. Also the book Mason Dixon Knitting has a beginner friendly garter stitch baby kimono.

I've been lost in the ravelry rabbit hole for a while now. Lol. I have so much on my list.

Omg that's always the way. I have Christmas presents earmarked for the next 10 years or so. I just wish I had time to get to them all!!