Craft club topic of the month - knitting!

[campanula]

Today I snapped one of my gorgeous wooden knit pro needles

Woke up to find my Knit Pro crochet hook and 2 sets of birch double pointed needles are now splinters on the sofa...while collie has removed herself to the top of the house where she has found sanctuary on offspring's beanbag...but not for fucking long.
Still waiting on Shetland wool so knitting some red confection (prolly a hat) with Noro scraps and some scarlet aran wool from stash.

 

[campanula]

Shetland wool arrived so I got right down to knitting my cardigan ('Liv', Carrie Bostick Summat on Ravelry). 18 colours and all of them are bloody lovely. Not really sure why I bothered buying a pattern since I have to make a million mods such as fractioning up the gauge and including all the colour work, allowing for increases, and I have made dozens of cardigans anyway...and this one is really no different apart from fastening with a pin. Also, bought half a kilo each of undyed Wensleydale and Blue Faced Leicester from a Yorkshire mill...which is much less than half the cost of dyed yarn...and then I absent-mindedly landed on an Estonian site which sells Kauni wool so added another 230grammes of long repeat striping. Just as garden season is ramping up, I now have an enormous stash which, owing to guilt and my present skint status, MUST be used asap.

So, while waiting, I started looking back through this thread and apart from Ruby, I am wondering where everyone else is. I surely recognise names from posters still current. Plus, I had a completely insane fantasy moment after reading a casual comment from someone called Madzone - 'that's the colour of my sheep'. Not sure it would go down well at the allotment...but if I ever manage to move to Norfolk, a little herd would be entirely possible.

 

[moose]

Thread's been going 13 years, so there are bound to be a few population changes Madzone's long gone from here, although some of know her elsewhere.

 

[polly]

I made myself a hat, but I fear it needs a bobble It also barely fits, despite being knitted in the largest version of the pattern ((((my XXL head))))

 

[campanula]

I made myself a hat, but I fear it needs a bobble It also barely fits, despite being knitted in the largest version of the pattern ((((my XXL head))))

2 ways to fix this, Polly. You can add extra length to the crown by adding more rib...but if it is too tight, then you can change the shape by blocking. Simply wash in warm water, dry it by wrapping in a towel( do not wring or twist the yarn) then pull it over a balloon you have blown up to an approximation of your head - use a soft tape measure to check circumference-and leave to dry naturally.
I had to do this with the beret i made for daughter.

 

[polly]

2 ways to fix this, Polly. You can add extra length to the crown by adding more rib...but if it is too tight, then you can change the shape by blocking. Simply wash in warm water, dry it by wrapping in a towel( do not wring or twist the yarn) then pull it over a balloon you have blown up to an approximation of your head - use a soft tape measure to check circumference-and leave to dry naturally.
I had to do this with the beret i made for daughter.

Thank you! I was wondering about adding to the crown but don't know how. Is it tricky?

 

[campanula]

Thank you! I was wondering about adding to the crown but don't know how. Is it tricky?

I have an annoying habit of starting the crown decreasing too early and ending up with a hat which does not cover my ears (disaster) so yep, I often end up adding a bit of length.
So, you can knit into the cast on stitches and knit the opposite way - it will be slightly noticeable if done in the same colour so you could make a feature of it by adding the extra length in a different colour or different stitch (moss stitch, say). It is exactly the same as picking up stitches on a button or neckband and can be done with either your knitting needles or a crochet hook. Techknitter has a bit about picking up a selvage edge and youtube is full of tutorials about adding extra length. It is honestly simple and worth doing.

 

[polly]

I have an annoying habit of starting the crown decreasing too early and ending up with a hat which does not cover my ears (disaster) so yep, I often end up adding a bit of length.
So, you can knit into the cast on stitches and knit the opposite way - it will be slightly noticeable if done in the same colour so you could make a feature of it by adding the extra length in a different colour or different stitch (moss stitch, say). It is exactly the same as picking up stitches on a button or neckband and can be done with either your knitting needles or a crochet hook. Techknitter has a bit about picking up a selvage edge and youtube is full of tutorials about adding extra length. It is honestly simple and worth doing.

Haha! Ok, thanks. That all sounds beyond my abilities and experience, but maybe YouTube can help!

 

[campanula]

Haha! Ok, thanks. That all sounds beyond my abilities and experience, but maybe YouTube can help!

No, it's not (beyond your) abilities. Post a pic of the hat - this is not a difficult fix and you can certainly do it.

 

[polly]

No, it's not (beyond your) abilities. Post a pic of the hat - this is not a difficult fix and you can certainly do it.

Thank you! I found a YouTube video, my circular needle broke, I ran out of yarn, cannibalised a leg warmer and finally cast off too tightly and yanked a fresh piercing in my ear trying it on I'm blocking it now because I am determined to be warm tomorrow ffs. Thanks for your excellent advice as always, and words of encouragement. (It is also the world's most boring hat made from ends of balls of yarn and part of a leg warmer, plus it has a shameful bobble, but here is a photo!)

 

[campanula]

Thank you! I found a YouTube video, my circular needle broke, I ran out of yarn, cannibalised a leg warmer and finally cast off too tightly and yanked a fresh piercing in my ear trying it on I'm blocking it now because I am determined to be warm tomorrow ffs. Thanks for your excellent advice as always, and words of encouragement. (It is also the world's most boring hat made from ends of balls of yarn and part of a leg warmer, plus it has a shameful bobble, but here is a photo!)

Bravo! Even the bobble looks in keeping (and it is not some furry pretender but a proper woolly bobble at least). Extra points for carrying on in the face of broken needles and adversity.

I am looking at my cardigan with horrible feelings of foreboding and gloom. As usual, I have been unable to stick to a coherent pattern but am all over the shop with random bands of completely unmatched pattern...but the whole will be a confused medley of colours and as long as I keep on the move, no-one will notice too much...although the awful truth of ordering 18 different (small) balls means the dire possibility of having to order as many again to avoid imbalances when the inevitable 'popular' colours run out and I am left with beige and brown (which I ordered to keep some semblance of neutral calm).

 

[polly]

Thanks, you are very kind!

as long as I keep on the move, no-one will notice too much

Please will you post a picture of the technicolour dreamcoat when done? I hope you can push through the foreboding, it sounds brilliant.

 

[campanula]

O ffs - made a complete amateur mistake on the bloody 'man shawl' - knitting blindly on for almost 80 rows before thinking 'hmmm, blocking is NOT going to make an entire panel appear out of thin air. Because, like an utter nitwit, I only increased once at each edge so instead of a nice triangle, I have a diamond shape. Shoved it all on a spare needle and buried it in the bottom of one of the wool baskets while I have spent all day, furiously trying to cover a decent amount of ground on the new one (done about 40 rows out of 200 so far. I have calculated that the last rows will have upwards of 600 stitches!
After doing an entire FairIsle band on my cardigan...and not liking it, I am doing a swatch for every band and colour combos...as I am getting quite fraught. Yep, I will post some pics as I feel in need of some Urban likes and encouragement (blatant).

 

[polly]

Oh crap, campanula - is there no cheaty way to get round the increase mistake? Yes pics please, promise likes and encouragement in return

 

[campanula]

Oh crap, campanula - is there no cheaty way to get round the increase mistake? Yes pics please, promise likes and encouragement in return

If it wasn't for someone else, then I could probably do some modular thing...and indeed, will have plenty of wool left so may make a shawl for me (with a pointy hem) but I hate doing something which is just not right and it would likely end up in the unfinished box. I went through that today, looking for some wool, and was shocked and mortified by the number of half done projects and single gloves/socks.

Started again on the shawl and racked up 50 odd rows today so I am on my way again.

 

[campanula]

Arrrrgh - it's too fucking small (my Fairisle cardigan). How many times has this happened when doing topdown knitting (unable to check until the yarn is actually off the needles? I knew it was a bit risky but seriously, I am devastated as, far from crossing in front, the 2 sides barely meet...only have the sleeves left to do but am suddenly really reluctant to even look at the offending garment (and the hours of wasted work). Because it is a one piece construction, there is no adding bits on - the whole thing is...grief.

I am now going to add at least another 2 inches to my (gigantic) bosom by eating an entire pack of Waitrose white chocolate biscuits as consolation. Obviously, would prefer a massive hit of smack at this point but alas, adult sobriety.

 

[RubyToogood]

Arrrrgh - it's too fucking small (my Fairisle cardigan). How many times has this happened when doing topdown knitting (unable to check until the yarn is actually off the needles? I knew it was a bit risky but seriously, I am devastated as, far from crossing in front, the 2 sides barely meet...only have the sleeves left to do but am suddenly really reluctant to even look at the offending garment (and the hours of wasted work). Because it is a one piece construction, there is no adding bits on - the whole thing is...grief.

I am now going to add at least another 2 inches to my (gigantic) bosom by eating an entire pack of Waitrose white chocolate biscuits as consolation. Obviously, would prefer a massive hit of smack at this point but alas, adult sobriety.

But the whole point of top down is that you can try it on as you go

 

[campanula]

But the whole point of top down is that you can try it on as you go

How do you do that then, without taking it off the needles? Even using 100 cm circulars, I can't squeeze them over my enormo-chest. I dunno even why I do it that way - I vastly prefer to do raglan decreases instead of increasing...but I get seduced by the rapid growth and just when you have had enough, with 300 odd stitches around yoke and sleeves, it is suddenly just the body again.

 

[RubyToogood]

How do you do that then, without taking it off the needles? Even using 100 cm circulars, I can't squeeze them over my enormo-chest. I dunno even why I do it that way - I vastly prefer to do raglan decreases instead of increasing...but I get seduced by the rapid growth and just when you have had enough, with 300 odd stitches around yoke and sleeves, it is suddenly just the body again.

Split it across two circulars innit (or more than two if necessary). Or if really desperate or worried about stitches sliding off, put it on some spare yarn.

 

[campanula]

Split it across two circulars innit (or more than two if necessary). Or if really desperate or worried about stitches sliding off, put it on some spare yarn.

Ah right. Tbf, I know about the spare yarn, but idle, and clearly a bit dense since this is not the first time this has happened...except the last one (my yak disaster) went the other way and when I finally took it off the needles in desperation, I was astounded to find I was knitting for a 60inch chest.

 

[polly]

Oh no, campanula I hate that feeling of having fucked something up in a way you've done before and which is nobody else's fault. It drives me to my vices too. I bet it's gorgeous - can you give it to someone else?

 

[campanula]

Oh no, campanula I hate that feeling of having fucked something up in a way you've done before and which is nobody else's fault. It drives me to my vices too. I bet it's gorgeous - can you give it to someone else?

Nah, Haven't done the sleeves yet. However, I have stashed it out of sight (until next winter) when I will be investigating steeking in a big way.
Silver lining - whilst the allotment is in a state of disarray, I have been lounging on the sofa knitting...but the last couple of days have seen me out there digging...and my little seedlings are starting to germinate...and the auriculas will be out in only 3 weeks.

 

[polly]

Nah, Haven't done the sleeves yet. However, I have stashed it out of sight (until next winter) when I will be investigating steeking in a big way.
Silver lining - whilst the allotment is in a state of disarray, I have been lounging on the sofa knitting...but the last couple of days have seen me out there digging...and my little seedlings are starting to germinate...and the auriculas will be out in only 3 weeks.

Steeking scares the shit out of me (Glad it has been banished for now and yes! Garden seems a good replacement for the slow progress of knitting. I am excited that my hellebores survived the snow - as did my bottle brush, which I rescued from a skip the day before giving birth to my son, so it has sentimental value.)

 

[campanula]

Steeking scares the shit out of me
Less so with Shetland wool. It's either get the scissors out and attempt a rescue...or turn the back into a hotwater bottle cover...so no contest, really.

(Glad it has been banished for now and yes! Garden seems a good replacement for the slow progress of knitting. I am excited that my hellebores survived the snow - as did my bottle brush, which I rescued from a skip the day before giving birth to my son, so it has sentimental value.)

Yep, hellebores laugh at snow but well done with the callistemon - far less hardy.

 

[polly]

Yep, hellebores laugh at snow but well done with the callistemon - far less hardy.

Wrapped it in an old sheet

 

[Siouxsie]

I was shaking like a leaf the first time a steeked.....the thought of all that work unravelling before me!
I cut my first inch and thought I was going to pass out, I was so close to hyperventilating ....as they say, the first cut is the deepest....I carried on and now I don't bat an eyelid. What's the worse thing that can happen, you lose 6 months work.....C'est la vie!

 

[campanula]

Right, back on the horse - ordered a few more balls of Mabel & Ivy Supersoft before they are discontinued from Tangled yarn, to do a light summer jumper. I have been looking at Judith O Brian's patterns and recall someone on here was going to do 'Okapi'. Was that you, Siouxsie? Or moose? Any chance of a heads up?
Got various blues on order and in stash; Peacock Sapphire, Glacier and also added in orange and rust (Bokhara, Saffron) and purples (Thistledown, Aubergine, Purple Haze, Parma) and silver grey.

Over halfway through the 'man shawl'/scarf.

 

[Siouxsie]

Sorry campanula it wasn't me. I do recognise the pattern but can't remember who posted it.

 

[Siouxsie]

campanula Found it and it was moose

Just ordered yarn for the Okapi jumper, from Ravelry. It's neck-down, 1 piece with some short-row shaping, so should be challenging enough to keep me interested. I'm not doing the same degree of tweediness, though, mine will be flat black in the main.

View attachment 106364

 

[campanula]

campanula Found it and it was moose

Ah, cheers, Siouxsie (great name by the way). Now to hassle Moose for clues (because the pattern is eye-wateringly spendy and I would rather not have to use my dwindling resources of cash if poss.)