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Craft club topic of the month - knitting!

Hooray! The blocking was a success, and the tanktop is finished. But it's a bit too tight round the armpits :(

Is there anything I can do to fix it?
 
Block it again but stretch it bigger? or do an eme and see who it fits (obviously not your preferred option)

I like gg's idea better :D
 
There is ribbing round the armholes. Pretty sure I picked up enough stitches, but might have cast off a bit too tight. I did do one less row of rib, so it wasn't as thick as the neck ribbing.

You're going to suggest redoing the ribbing aren't you? :D Wonder if I can pick up just before the cast off row :hmm:
 
Is it the cast off row, or the pick up row at the start of the armhole rib that's tight?
I find it helps to use a large needle size for those two rows, to make sure it doesn't come out looser.
 
I'm not sure moose. I might have to get someone to look at it at craft club on Monday. I did just read that casting off with larger needles leaves it a bit looser, so might be worth a go.

It doesn't seem too tight, in that it keeps a nice shape. It's more that the pattern comes up a bit small for me around the arms, and I wouldn't mind an extra cm or two breathing room under the armpit :D

Not sure if casting off any looser is going to help with that or not tbh...
 
Well, try it on and run a finger round inside the armhole - you should be able to tell whether it's the cast-off edge that's the problem or the actual armhole. If it's the actual armhole, it might be that you didn't pick up enough stitches or picked them up too tightly, or it might be that the armhole as designed is a bit small for you - in which case blocking it bigger should help. I think you would just pin it out so that it was a bit stretched vertically.

Hang on - when you picked up the stitches for the ribbing, did you do it properly or just take loops from the knitting? http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/FEATwin04TT.html
 
I did it properly ;) and picked up as many stitches as it said in the pattern, which seemed the right amount.

I'll try it on again when I get home, and have a go at running my finger round, and see if I can judge whether casting off looser would make a difference - cheers Rubes.

It'd be exaggerating to say it was strangling my arm... it's not so tight I can't get it on, or wear another top underneath it... I just want the hole a bit bigger.
 
can anyone suggest something I can make which is not a scarf :oops: this is my current level of knitting skill :( and I'd like to branch out :)

I find it all quite confusing - like a whole other world with a language I don't understand....
 
If you start something now it'll be finished in time for summer... so something lightweight, maybe try an easy lace pattern in a shawl or something?

Look at knitty for graded patterns.

Alternatively it would be easier to go for a chunky hat and get used to reading patterns and doing a bit of shaping, but then you won't get to wear it for ages.
 
One of the first things I did after scarves was a simple bolero/shrug type thing. Was a dead easy pattern and have worn it with loads of dresses. Will have a look for the pattern.
 
innit said:
If you start something now it'll be finished in time for summer... so something lightweight, maybe try an easy lace pattern in a shawl or something?

Look at knitty for graded patterns.

Alternatively it would be easier to go for a chunky hat and get used to reading patterns and doing a bit of shaping, but then you won't get to wear it for ages.
Click to expand...

looking at patterns on the internet make my head hurt :D I am completely all at sea in an ocean of confusion...

BiddlyBee said:
One of the first things I did after scarves was a simple bolero/shrug type thing. Was a dead easy pattern and have worn it with loads of dresses. Will have a look for the pattern.
Click to expand...

thanks :)
 
I'll let someone more experienced explain this better, but you don't have to have the exact wool they suggest, but it helps to have the same width of wool, which means that a certain number of stitches will come out at the same size.

There must be a list somewhere, but wools are split into widths (I think it might be weight? but I think of it as how thick a strand is)... dk, aran, chunky... etc.

Here's the pattern: http://kellymaher.wordpress.com/2007/07/04/ribbed-lace-bolero/

It's got a bit of a lace pattern and some ribbing. If there are any abbreviations you don't understand, then knitting help is good to watch vids on :)
 
BiddlyBee said:
I'll let someone more experienced explain this better, but you don't have to have the exact wool they suggest, but it helps to have the same width of wool, which means that a certain number of stitches will come out at the same size.

There must be a list somewhere, but wools are split into widths (I think it might be weight? but I think of it as how thick a strand is)... dk, aran, chunky... etc.

Here's the pattern: http://kellymaher.wordpress.com/2007/07/04/ribbed-lace-bolero/

It's got a bit of a lace pattern and some ribbing. If there are any abbreviations you don't understand, then knitting help is good to watch vids on :)
Click to expand...

super :) thanks!

I really, really want to make that Bender doll you made. That was very :cool:
 
Bender's quite easy in terms of knitting, it's just a pain to sew him all together. If you PM your email address I'll send over the PDF :)
 
ooooh, i'm gonna make a Bender :D

the only wool shop near here is actually 10 miles away in Abingdon, which is a total pain in the arse. such a pity they closed down the one in Oxford :(
 
There isn't one in the whole of Oxford? But, but, it's a city! You'd think they'd have room for one little wool shop :(

If only you were coming to live in this here London, we've got stacks of them.

I got quite into internet buying at one point but you do need to be slightly flexible on colours.
 
Tanktop saga update :D

The armholes aren't restrictive at all, and although the cast off row might be a tiny bit tight it's still stretchy enough, so not sure redoing it will do what I want. So, going to try and block just the armholes to make them a bit longer :hmm: :D (if I can't get this right there's no hope for a cardy or jumper!)
 
Oh no, it sounds like you've done everything right, just probably their arm hole isn't quite the same shape as your arm. Think of all the times you try something on and it isn't quite the right shape for your bod.

(I mean people in general, not that you're a weird shape)
 
BB - if you could really be arsed, you could unpick the ribbing round the arms and neck, unstitch the shoulder seams and knit another couple of inches at the top of the front and back. Then redo the ribbed parts. It'd be a major faff, though, and probably put you off knitting for life. :D
 
That would be a right pain in the arse :D but if this lot of blocking doesn't work then it's probably the way to go.
 
I would, but then I'm like that :D :rolleyes:

Actually, having had another look, wouldn't that trash your diamond patterns? Definitely try blocking!
 
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