Knitting help, please?

[cmeon]

I attempted to learn how to knit so many times in life before it actually stuck- and I really don't know why it worked when it worked! I wish I had that answer- it feels like such normal hand motions now, like tying a bow or making a braid.

I actually learned how to knit in the round first, specifically to make hats- but, you don't have to knit in the round for all hat styles. There are plenty of patterns that are written for flat knitting (but, most of them adapt to circular just fine).

Anyway, I also eventually learned how to knit flat- LOL- they're not really different skills, in a lot of ways I think in the round is easier. You crochet- you know that crocheting in the round isn't really "different"- you just keep going, instead of flipping the project over.

[kariann12]

I don't have any advice, as I just learned his to knit this fall. But I'd say it comes with time and practice. I've also used YouTube a lot when I get stuck. Good luck!

[swordsandneedles]

1. YouTube videos and Craftsy classes are your friends.
2. Check Meetup or Ravelry to see if any knitting groups meet in your area for hands-on education.
3. Lots of practice. You can learn to knit on any type of project, but I personally recommend a good old garter stitch scarf because by the time you finish one, you're well on your way to developing the muscle memory.

[moonandback]

Hang in there, you'll get it! I crocheted first, but it wasn't that tricky with 2 needles. I always held the yarn tension in my left hand, so it was an easy transition.

I learned to knit by making washcloths. I started with a fishy bath mitt. (On Ravelry)

I love the book "The Knitter's Companion" and reference it often. It shows and describes stitches and basic knit skills. I have yet to need help and have the question not answered by this book. That being said, I like to watch the videos on YouTube as well because I'm a visual learner.

Good luck! And don't worry about ripping out an old scarf. Just keep it as evidence as your beginning knitting ability.

[craftcrazymama]

I started out crocheting (besides a brief stint of knitting as a teen) and then moved to knitting after feeling limited by the things I could make with crochet.

I could remember the basics from my teen knitting days but for some reason I just couldn't get the hang of it until I remembered I'm a left hand knitter. Yay me! Once I got that sorted it then just became about repetition until it felt 'normal'. Those first 30 rows or so felt like having 10 thumbs but it does click quite quickly if you keep it up.

As for knitting in the round, it really is simple. Just mark your start point and keep knitting instead of turning. I find DPNs (double point needles) easiest for knitting in the round but others prefer tips and cables. Try both and see what you prefer.

[swordsandneedles]

If you want to knit in the round with a circular needle, either it needs to be smaller in diameter than your project (so if your hat will fit a 20" circumference head the needle needs to be shorter than 20") or you can try Magic Loop. That is where you pull a small loop out to make the circumference smaller. Try checking out some videos on it. I think Cat Bordhi has a book on it, too. It's not something most people learn when they are first trying circular knitting, but it's a great skill to have and my favorite method of knitting socks.

[estrellas]

Feb 6, 2015 11:51:50 GMT -5 @thiscrazylifeilove said:

Feb 6, 2015 1:17:27 GMT -5 craftcrazymama said:

I have a question about those cable things. Does the cable need to be the length of the project? I was going to try it, but after casting on around 90 stitches it wouldn't go all the way around the cable. I tried scooting it all to the other side, but then was like what do I work with now? I couldn't figure it out on my own. The pattern said something about a 16 inch and mine was like twice that long. I went to the local walmart, but all they had were the long ones (28", I think). Craft store? I have no business knitting? Lol! Thanks for all the tips, guys!

When you're using circular needles (the ones with a cable), you have two choices:

1) pick one with the right length, or slightly smaller, than your project (e.g. hats on 16" needles), OR
2) pick one that's significantly bigger and do Magic Loop (e.g. 16" hat on 32+" needles)

[cmeon]

Feb 6, 2015 11:51:50 GMT -5 @thiscrazylifeilove said:

I have a question about those cable things. Does the cable need to be the length of the project? I was going to try it, but after casting on around 90 stitches it wouldn't go all the way around the cable. I tried scooting it all to the other side, but then was like what do I work with now? I couldn't figure it out on my own. The pattern said something about a 16 inch and mine was like twice that long. I went to the local walmart, but all they had were the long ones (28", I think). Craft store? I have no business knitting? Lol! Thanks for all the tips, guys!

Yes, you should choose your cables based on the pattern width. You can knit smaller things on longer cabled needles by using "magic loop" (you essentially make a loop of bare excess cable to make the project fit) or by splitting the project across multiple cables (that's how I do a lot of small diameter knitting, too- I just use two sets of cabled needles and split the stitches at the beginning of the round. DPNs are fine, too, they can be tough for newbies with uneven tension and/or slippery yarn, though. Sometimes you can buy shorter cabled needles at Joann's (mine is a Super), but, you can get them online a lot cheaper and more reliably. Knitpicks are pretty nice for the price, if you want to go super cheap, Amazon has some sets for $25ish, but, the cables WILL eventually break on them (and that can be really frustrating in the middle of a project).

[cmeon]

Feb 6, 2015 12:18:17 GMT -5 @thiscrazylifeilove said:

cmeon Could you explain the splitting thing, when you have time, please? I understand the magic loop thing I think, but the splitting lost me.

I just typed and erased three times, it's actually kind of hard to explain, I guess- but, I promise it's not hard or complicated.

Here's a good video- there are probably tons on Youtube! If you get interchangeable tip needles and don't have 4 of the needle size you need, you want to leave the correctly sized tips on one side of each set (the side you will be knitting onto). Use the size down for the other sides (the sides you'll always be knitting off of). It can also help to mark the needle that begins the round when you're new at this, and don't panic if you accidentally knit all the needles onto one circ, just split them up again.

It's honestly all so personal- some love DPNs (I'm meh, I don't like all those pokey ends everywhere), some love magic loop (I'm really super meh- it's doable, but, tedious to keep track of the loop), double circs is my game.

[craftcrazymama]

The whole cable length issue is why I prefer DPNs for hats and socks (and anything else with a smaller circumference). It takes a bit of getting used to with all the needles and which end is which but once you figure out your hold and the fact that you're still only knitting on two needles at a time it's really simple. Ironically I use my tips and cables most for flat knitting. I hardly ever use normal needles for anything now.

[swordsandneedles]

Never join into a circle. Cast on, turn, knit across. When you get to the end, turn. Repeat. It lets you knit things like sweater pieces, afghans, etc. that are too wide for straights. People with wrist problems also report that it causes less strain because of the flex of the cables.

[craftcrazymama]

As swordsandneedles said, you don't join, just knit end to end and turn. I find it easier for heavier items (blankets and heavy knit sweaters) and I like not worrying about losing a needles down the side of the couch if I don't stash it somewhere or having to bunch everything onto one needle. It's all just easier for me.

[craftcrazymama]

Here's a pic of my blanket I'm knitting as an example. Just knit each row onto the cable and then turn, grab the other needle tip and start again.

[craftcrazymama]

And here's some DPNs at work as a comparison. The two needles I'm working are the front two. The rest just hold stitches until I'm ready to knit them.

[estrellas]

Feb 7, 2015 2:26:49 GMT -5 @thiscrazylifeilove said:

Uh, Whoa, it looks like I'll be saving that technique for on down the road aways! I can barely manage two, I cannot imagine 5!!!

My 2nd project ever was on DPNs - "Fetching" (check Rav/Knitty). It's not as hard as it looks.

[pirategirlpink]

Magic Loop changed my life. I was really bad about losing DPNs before I watched a YouTube tutorial.

[neongreen]

A cable needle is a smaller, double pointed needle (but smaller than a DPN). They come in various shapes - the most common are ones that look like fishhooks and ones that are straight but with a little dip in the middle to hold the stitches. They're used for knitting the stitches out of order, and that's what gives kind of the braided effect in that pattern. Any time you see braids or twists, that's cabling.

And if you want to leave it out, for that hat, I think it should be fine! (Cables do affect gauge, but since that hat looks like it's not supposed to be super tight/snug, as long as the ribbing fits, I think it's okay.) If you're working flat as the pattern indicates and alternating knit and purl rows, that's stockinette stitch. If you got the ribbing down, I think you'll be all set. Good luck!

[cmeon]

Cables without a cable needle.

I will say that cables are probably a bit ambitious for you, at this point. I'm not going to tell you not to try, ha! I did a cabled hat pretty early in my knitting "career" and it went a lot easier than I thought it would.

[estrellas]

Feb 11, 2015 10:27:55 GMT -5 cmeon said:

Cables without a cable needle.

Was going to share that link. BEST TUTORIAL.

[neongreen]

Feb 11, 2015 10:27:55 GMT -5 cmeon said:

Cables without a cable needle.

That too, but I didn't want to go overboard at first for a beginner.

Once I'm done with the baby sweater I'm working on now, I'm planning on starting a pair of Cookie A socks. The pattern I'm leaning toward, I might actually have to bust out a cable needle because there's some crazy stuff going on. (However, once I wrap my mind around the pattern, I may try to do without because it is faster that way.)

[swordsandneedles]

Great job! That's awesome for a first project!

Constructive criticism:

It looks like you are twisting your stitches every other row. See how every other row the v's of your stitches lean to the right? That means that either when you are knitting or (more likely) when you are purling you are wrapping the yarn in the wrong direction, which mounts your stitches backwards. It's not necessarily a problem, but it can cause your gauge to be off for some projects because twisted stitches don't stretch as well as regular stitches. There are lots of patterns where you do twisted stitches on purpose, because they "pop" better against a purled background. I would recommend rewatching some YouTube videos of knit and purl to make sure you're wrapping in the right direction.

But seriously, that is a phenomenal first project!

[swordsandneedles]

Feb 11, 2015 19:21:30 GMT -5 @thiscrazylifeilove said:

swordsandneedles Thank you, I didn't realize it mattered. Although I should have, because it makes a difference when crocheting too. Could you clarify for me, please? Wrapping the yarn around the needle for each stitch? Or between the rows?

Wrapping for each stitch. At least, that is the most likely culprit. The other possibility is you are putting your needle into the stitch wrong, but again, that's less likely.

As for pompoms, how was yours attached previously? Usually I tie a very tight knot around the fluff before releasing and use the ends from that knot, feed them through the top of the hat (not in the same hole) tie them again, and then weave in the ends. 

[mrsg80intn]

I wanted to also throw a plug in for magic loop knitting.  There are some great youtube videos out there.  I've done this for knitting socks instead of knitting in the round or on DPNs... it's much easier.  I plan to do it with a hat soon.

[mrsg80intn]

@thiscrazylifeilove - just had to say that's a great first project. Way to go! I can see what swordsandneedles is saying but I have no idea how to help... I knit left handed (even though I'm right handed) and I can't ever help people knit.

[mrsg80intn]

ETA - this was somehow a duplicate post... ugh@thiscrazylifeilove