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I demand a gallery of knitting! I'll start: This is a cape that I made for my mother-in-law. The yarn is recycled silk. It's pricer stuff than I usually get, and a bitch to work with. But I love the colors. The pattern is based on Bloom from Knitty, but was adapted to make the cape longer.  Custom cell phone case knit on the round at a very tight gague. The yarn is a cashmere blend picked up from a craft store. It's very similar to Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, but was about half the price.  This image is actually a scan of a felted clutch. The pattern is from One Skein, which is a nice little book that's been very handy for gift knitting. The yarn is Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride, which I believe is the yarn used in the book.  Garter stitch scarf made with Cascade 220 mixed with two strands of a contrasting mohair yarn. This one was a lot of fun to make.  You may recognize this pattern as the robot on the cover of Craft Issue 1. Unfortunately, the pattern is not in the magazine. Since I'd been looking for it for at least 6 months when the mag came out, I was not exactly happy that they'd feature a project on the cover with no instructions, and emailed them to express this. I got a very nice email back from one of the editors explaining that they had intended to feature the pattern, but the designer had withdrawn her permission. Thankfully, a kind person on a knitting forum had a copy of the original pattern booklet (that also included other adorable toy patterns) and let me borrow it by mail. The yarn is Knitpicks Wool of the Andes.  The yarn for this ribbed scarf came from unravelling a cotton sweater vest purchased from a thrift store.  This handbag was made of various yarns from my stash. I know there's some Cascade 220 in it, as well as a little of the Cashmere yarn from the cell phone case above. I also used a thin, flat cotton chenille yarn from ebay, but I can't remember what the others were. This pattern is also from One Skein.  As you see, I'm mostly an accessories knitter. Thanks to the wonders of carpal tunnel I can't knit as much as I'd like, so focusing on smaller projects means I actually finish them. I'd love to see pictures of everyone else's cool handknits. Please include details about the yarn and/or pattern if you remember it, because I'm always looking for excuses to expand my stash. edit: Bonus handmade stitch markers: 
deety fucked around with this message at 02:28 on Jan 8, 2008 |
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Jan 8, 2008 00:34
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| # ¿ Apr 19, 2024 01:16 |
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yuk_mistress posted:Can we ask questions here too? I'd love some newbie advice please starshaped posted:Here's some of the stuff I knit last year. edit: I have a Ravelry account but have barely used it. Someone start a goon group, maybe then I'll actually keep up with my account there. edit the second: I'm a moron and forgot the thread tag. If some kindly mod could change it to "porn," I'd love them forever. deety fucked around with this message at 02:29 on Jan 8, 2008 |
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Jan 8, 2008 02:23
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ClearPopcornBags posted:Also, before I go crazy asking, how do you guys feel about sharing patterns for some of the stuff you've posted pictures of? I would love to know how you knitted the cell phone case OP, as well as a few others that people have posted, like the Ipod case. I've been knitting for about 5 years now on and off, but I haven't made more than regular scarves, and I'm just trying to grasp the concept of patterns, but I'm not really up on the knitting lingo. Is there like a knitting dictionary? Posting patterns for anything designed by others is a copyright violation (even if it's a free one), but I'd love to see any patterns people here have written. If you have questions about specific projects, I'm sure some of us could point out how you can find either those patterns or similar ones. I don't have specific instructions for the cell phone case. I was making it up as I went along, and a written pattern would really only be useful to those with the same size cell. But I can still explain how I made it. I picked yarn from my stash that was soft but would hold up well. Then I knit a small swatch, using needles smaller than I would ordinarily choose for that yarn. I wanted a dense fabric to help protect my phone a little. I ended up unraveling my first swatch and trying one with even smaller needles until I got the result I wanted. Then came the math. I figured out how many stitches per inch my swatch had, and then measured around my cell phone. I took the inches around my phone, multiplied the stitches per inch, and that gave me a guideline for how many stitches to cast on. I decided to cast on a few less stitches than that guideline to help make the case tight. I used double pointed needles, and knit the case in the round. Since I was knitting the yarn pretty tightly this was kind of a pain in the rear end, thankfully cell phone cases are small. I knit two row stripes, and just eyeballed the length against my cell phone as I was knitting. After it was as long as I wanted, I moved the stitches around so they were only on two needles and did a three-needle bind off (you can see that in the last video on this page). You could just as easily bind off normally and then seam up the bottom. Then I made an I-cord (video here) and attached it in a loop. Getting my phone in the case the first time was a bit of a squeeze, but knitting stretches pretty well so it turned out perfectly. If you're nervous about the sizing, try using a wool yarn (one that's not marked "superwash"). Then if your case is too large, you can hand wash it in hot water with a bit of gentle soap until it shrinks some. While it's still wet you'll be able to stretch it into shape. Hope that helps! deety fucked around with this message at 08:13 on Jan 9, 2008 |
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Jan 9, 2008 08:06
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I'm not really crazy about that style of counter. The wheels don't always stick on each number very well, if that makes any sense. When using counters like that, I keep bumping the wheel to a different number when I don't mean to or finding that I somehow left it between numbers. Maybe I'm just inept with them. Do you specifically want one that you can hang on your needle? If not, I recommend the "Katcha" counters made by Clover. There's a big red one and a small green one, and (like all the Clover knitting accessories) they are really drat cute. You just click a button at the end of each row, and the counters can be locked so they won't add clicks while bumping around in your bag. Sorry, it looks like that site won't do international shipping either. If you don't have any luck finding a site that will send you what you're looking for, PM me the exact style counter you want and your address and I'll send one along.
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Jan 12, 2008 09:20
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I made those markers, they're actually pretty easy if you want to try some. Just find some split rings, head pins, and some beads you like. Arrange the beads on a head pin, you'll need at least one bead at the end that's really small. Then use a little pair of needle-nose pliers to bend the end of the head pin into a small loop. Clip off any extra wire, you can sort of tuck the wire's end down into the hole through the last bead if you like. Then slide the loop onto the split ring. It took me a few tries to figure out how to bend the wire to a good size that let the marker slide easily around the ring, but it wasn't too hard. deety fucked around with this message at 16:36 on Jan 12, 2008 |
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Jan 12, 2008 16:33
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I prefer working with wool when I'm making something for myself, but I usually make gifts in acrylic so they're easy to care for. At the risk of sounding like a yarn snob, I shy away from Red Heart and Lion Brand these days. I've seen others get great results with them. But when it comes to acrylics, Plymouth Encore works better for me and feels nicer on my hands. And if I'm using wool, Cascade 220 is good quality, inexpensive, and has a fantastic range of colors. Yarn is a really personal choice though, so it's sad when authors or other crafters make it sound as if you're some kind of degenerate for having preferences that are different from theirs.
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Jan 20, 2008 00:25
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My favorite acrylic is Plymouth Encore, it only costs a little more per skein than the higher-priced craft store brands. It comes in a nice range of solid and variegated colors, holds up well, and (most importantly) is soft on my hands. I've used it for scarves, hats, and a baby blanket. I'm also becoming a fan of Berroco Comfort. That's an acrylic/nylon blend that starts soft and feels even nicer after washing. It's about $5.50 for over 200 yards. I'm working on a baby blanket with the stuff, I'll try to post a photo of one of my blocks tomorrow.
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Jan 22, 2008 08:28
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That probably explains why I like it so much! In my head, I tend to assume anything that can go in the washer and dryer doesn't include wool. Yeah, I know about superwash, but I avoid it like the plague because my leftover lengths of wool always get worked into something that's going to be felted.
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Jan 22, 2008 08:46
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I love the colors you picked, and your edges look a hell of a lot neater than the ones from my first couple of scarves.
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Feb 3, 2008 03:44
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A big benefit of using circulars for something wide is that your project ends up mostly resting in your lap, so your wrists and forearms aren't supporting the whole weight of it. I really love circular needles.
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Feb 22, 2008 06:54
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Stijl Council posted:I think a lot of it is their yarn substitutions, or maybe their models. Sure everyone's got different taste, but the winter catalog has this diagonal-ribbed green thing that I can't imagine wanting to wear. The center sections look almost like they'd belong to a cute little tank top, but then there are vertical-rib panels on each side that make the model look wider than she is. Her hair is covering both sides of the neckline, which makes me wonder if they're stupid looking. And I guess they thought it was cute to have the bottom mirror the v-shape of the neck, but I will never wear a sweater that looks like one big arrow pointing to my crotch.
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Mar 1, 2008 17:51
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fap posted:I finished my Noro Striped Scarf finally! There's some pictures on my Ravelry page here.
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Mar 11, 2008 22:47
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The first Stitch 'n Bitch book is good, you can check out pictures of the patterns online. I'm not too crazy about the later books. There are still some nice designs in them, but too many are over-the-top, too young-looking for me, or just kind of weird. If you want to stick with basic stuff, I like the Yarn Girls' books. If you'd have use for baby items, I love Knitting for Baby, by Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas. It's got technique info as well as cute projects organized by skill level, and making a baby-sized hat or sweater is satisfyingly fast. You could also just get a really good technique book and find some free patterns online to try. The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie Wiseman is my favorite of those portable knitting references, if you get really into knitting as a hobby you'll probably want that big, beautiful Vogue Knitting book eventually.
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Mar 13, 2008 19:15
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Cool, what yarn is that? I love making dishcloths because they're fast and you can always use a new one.
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Mar 15, 2008 23:49
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I can't believe I finally finished something! I've been working on this drat scarf forever. It sat around for well over a year. I loved playing with the colors and picking what yarn to use next, but I just got sick of working on it for some reason. I'm mostly happy with how it came out. I think the cast-on row is a little too tight even though I used a needle two sizes up, because I always cast on freakishly tight. But the twist that produces is only a little noticable. I almost decided against giving it as a gift for that reason. But after prancing around the house in it for an hour or so, I realized that I'd still wear it. And I can be really drat picky about finishing, so I guess it's still a decent present. More pics at Ravelry.
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Mar 21, 2008 06:14
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Make a pair of mittens! That would give you more practice with DPNs, and adding the thumbs is fun. You can also personalize them by trying stripes or using novelty yarn for the cuffs. You could also try making a bag, small bags go really quickly and can be great ways to try new techniques like cables or intarsia.
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Apr 22, 2008 09:05
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RubySprinkles posted:Knit and felted Warhammer 40k Ork laptop cozy. This is the most recent problem I've worked on. It's also the most complex. This was my first real project with intarsia work! That looks really good, but using red for the background it would have made your laptop go faster. 
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Aug 12, 2008 21:37
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natashafatale posted:And now I will show off some of my handspun skeins, hopefully that's not too off topic for this thread:
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Sep 22, 2008 19:48
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| # ¿ Apr 19, 2024 01:16 |
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I don't really know my in-laws all that well, apart from my husband's immediate family. So I was a little surprised to find a package on my doorstep, addressed to me, from his grandmother. The only time we've ever met was at the wedding. We get a yearly Christmas card from her, and sometimes a card for his birthday. The paper wrapping was torn, so I could tell right away that it was a book. My timing was really drat lucky, because 15-20 minutes after I got the mail it started raining. My poor book would have been soaked. I tore the paper the rest of the way off, and found a really nice hardcover copy of The Principles of Knitting, by June Hemmons Hiatt. Over 500 pages of technique info, including detailed photos and illustrations. It's like an advanced version of that awesome Vogue Knitting book. I just counted 30 cast-ons. To be fair, many of them are specific variations that you could choose depending on what type of fabric you're about to work on. But still, there are 30 different cast-on versions that the author thought were worth mentioning under separate headings. I'm kind of scared to look at the increases or decreases sections. There are instructions for intarsia, fair isle, mosaic knitting, double knitting, duplicate stitch and embroidery, felting, adding beads or sequins, and pretty much every other thing I could think of to look for. There are sections about some things I'd never heard of. There are three pages (including drawings) about how to fix dropped stitches. It's kind of overwhelming, and I'm not nearly a good enough knitter to make effective use of some of this stuff. But even the parts I'll probably never use are interesting to read about, and it's kind of reassuring to know that the next time I screw something up I'll have such a thorough resource to check. I've been hearing this book mentioned on different sites for as long as I've been knitting, but it's out of print and used copies are really pricey. I think this one may have been her personal copy, though I'm not exactly sure because there was no note inside. I'm about to start on the thank you note, but I thought I'd share the mind-blowing concept of 30 different cast-ons first.
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Sep 27, 2008 08:16
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