November Knit Wits

[Terrytx]

I don't believe we have started this yet. I have finsihed 1 sock from the knitty site (the third down).

from here (http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTsurpriseintro.html )

Just a few minutes ago I finished this cute poncho for one of my DGDs -the childs Fun Fur/Lion Bouclé: Fun Fur Trimmed Poncho

here (http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/lionbrand/index.fcgi?page=http://lionbrand.com/patterns/cwe-floralscarf.html)

[Robyncz]

Hey Terry,
I'm thinking about doing the Fun fur-trimmed Poncho for my girls. What color combination did you use? Did it knit up fast. I've never used Lion Brand Yarn before, but I think this would be a quick, inexpensive project. How long did it take you? Do you like how it came out?

Robyn

[Terrytx]

I did the first one in the colors that were suggested, Jellybean with red fun fur. Yes, it knitted up very fast and easy. I did it in about 5 or 6 hours, maybe less. It looks just like the picture at the site. I am doing another for the other grandaughter in Sorbet with Bright Blue fun fur.

[beckms]

I can play! I can play!

I borrowed Stitch and B1tch from the library and started the Beginner's Basic Go-Go Garter Stitch Scarf. I thought it would be a nice easy way to ease into knitting; it uses only the knit stitch, but I learned how to cast on, knit, and change colors. It's about 3 feet long, and now I want to start a new project, since I've got the hang of those skills. So I got needles and yarn for the Kittyville hat, which I'm going to make without the ears (just a regular hat, I guess!). I'm not comfortable substituting yarn, so I bought the Mission Falls yarn that was recommended, which is quite pricey (I bought the cotton istead of the wool, though, bec the label said they were interchangeable)! I also had to buy the dpn and circular needles and stitch markers, so this is shaping up to be one expensive hat...

I'm not very good at fixing mistakes yet...I can't figure out how to un-knit, so I end up reinserting the needle 3-4 rows down and unravelling the rest, which is frustrating.

I'm pretty intimidated by the instructions for dpn, so I'm sure I'll be back with questions!
:D

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by beckms
I can play! I can play!

I'm pretty intimidated by the instructions for dpn, so I'm sure I'll be back with questions!
:D

Keep trying you'll get the hang of it, but I will admit that I still feel like I have two left hands when I use them:rolleyes:

[615bride]

Good job beckms!

I've started the Charlotte's Web shawl. Whoo! That pattern is a doozy. I'm also looking for a good Christmas stocking pattern for DH.

Went to Barnes and Noble this morning and they said thay'd call me when Stitch N B!tch Nation comes in. Should be any day... I've heard good things about it already!

[ErinM]

Remember the scarf I took to my LYS where they screwed it up? I then took the suggestions of everyone on the board, ripped it out, then somehow got that all messed up. Sent scarf to NC shop where it took them 10 MINUTES to fix it and send it back. At this point, have yet to open the box and work on it.

Started the scarf for my younger sister withthis (http://www.theknittinggarden.com/ts-liberty.htm) I'm doing it in a black/grey color that's apparently not shown.

Then, I'll be ready to come up with a new project!


Congrats on your scarf beckms! Maybe we can learn together...I swear I have no clue as to what I'm doing 1/2 the time!

[kirkbyky]

I'm working on 2 pair of felted slippers for my bro-in-law and his parter, both are Red Sox fans (YAY! the curse is over!) and I'm making them in dk blue and red and maybe I'll be brave and embroider little red socks on them like the logo...we'll see how much time I have.

I'm also working on a shawl/wrap thing-y for my sister. I got some beautiful Colinette mohair (bulky weight) that I'm using to make ?something? for my sister...I'm just knitting a (yo, k2tog) pattern on huge needles and seeing what appears to me. I also started a pair of socks in Brown Sheep's wildfoot handpaint in a beautiful red colorway that I'll probably give her for Christmas, if I don't hog them all to myself!:o

I still have a pair of socks to make for my MIL in beautiful soft purple/lavendar Koigu, but want to make something in a pattern so the ankle part is not plain; I just haven't found the right thing yet.

I'm also working on Fiber Trends Shoalwater shawl in a burgundy lace-weight mohair; it's a variation on feather and fan. It was making me crazy at first, but now that the pattern has a 'rhythm' to it, it's going much smoother. I'm really getting into lace work, there's alot of interesting motifs out there, and its not as hard as I thought it'd be.

I'm loving having Threadbear (http://www.threadbearfiberarts.com) nearby, and hope to take a few classes there in the future.

Happy Knitting!


Kyle

[kimberlyjean]

615bride,

Here's a picture of the stockings I knitted for my daughter (sheep) and husband (striped baseball sock).

http://fibertrends.com/viewer/patterns/204x.html

You could order the pattern, or I could scan it and email it to you. Let me know if you'f like it.

Kim

[beckms]

Help! I started my hat tonight, and it was my first time using circular needles. After three attempts to cast on, I finally got it started (I kept worrying that my tail was too short, so I finally made a super long tail and now I have about 2 feet of tail hanging off my needles :rolleyes: ),,,but I digress.

I cast on 84 stitches. Ok. Then I started to knit the next row. OK. But when I got to then end of the row (where I should start purling), the ends weren't connected. It's just like I'm knitting on straight needles. I thought knitting in the round was supposed to give me a circle. Did I do something wrong? I don't want to keep going if I'm just going to have to start all over...


Man, if little old ladies and elementarty-school girls can do this, why is it so hard for me?:p

[Terrytx]

If I am understanding what you are saying-you dont turn your work and purl. When you get to the end of the first row, place a marker, so you will know when the next row begins and just keep knitting, without turning or purling. When you knit in the round, that is exactly what you do-knit around and around. from needle to needle, for how ever many rows or inches the pattern calls for.

[beckms]

But my problem is that it's not a circle. The ends aren't joined. Did I miss a step?

[eas11]

Rebecca, you don't Purl when you knit in the round, just keep knitting (put your marker on ist so you can always know the "beginning" of the row). Try it and see if it works.
Also, read all of the directions- is the hat joined later, or knit round?
I do know what you mean though, as you can use round needles for a straight piece as well...I just can't explain in words :rolleyes: I hope someone more knowledgable can!

[beckms]

I shouldn't have mentioned purling...I ever even got that far, anyway. My hat right now is a row of cast-on stitches and a row of knit stitches. That's it. And it's a straight line, not a circle. When I knitted the first stitch (so, directly from the cast-on stitches), I did it just like I was knitting on straight needles. I feel like there should have been an extra something to at that point that would have made the beginning of a circle.

Maybe I need to start over and use different instructions. It is supposed to be knit in the round, not joined later.

I'll come back if I can't figure it out! Thanks!:cool:

[Terrytx]

Do you still have Stitch 'n B!tch? If so go to page 57 if you don't, I will write it out for you.

[beckms]

Originally posted by Terrytx
Do you still have Stitch 'n B!tch? If so go to page 57 if you don't, I will write it out for you.


Yes, those are the instructions I used. Maybe I need to read them a little closer...I did start the hat kind of late last night! I'll go read them again.

[beckms]

I know you were all waiting with bated breath...I figured out the problem. After I cast on the stitches, I started knitting from the wrong end, which did not join the ends into a circle. After I unraveled the one row I had knitted, I reread the directions and realized I had the two ends in the wrong hands, and once I flipped it around, it joined fine, and I've got about 3/4" of really cute hat brim.

Now my problem is that I somehow created an extra stitch, but I'm not even going to try to fix it since I'm still kind of fumbling with the circular needles. I have a friend at school who knits, and I'll have her help me tomorrow.

Whew!

[eas11]

Rebecca, you can just knit two stitches together to decrease a stitch.
When I was 1st knitting and increasing/decreasing like crazy :( I put some markers in every 10 stitches to keep a better count. Especially since you are working with so many stitches, its a b*tch to count at the end of a row.

I've hardly knit since the summer since I've been so busy, but I started a new scarf yesterday and I really like it. It feels so good to be knitting again!

[beckms]

Originally posted by eas11
Rebecca, you can just knit two stitches together to decrease a stitch.
When I was 1st knitting and increasing/decreasing like crazy :( I put some markers in every 10 stitches to keep a better count. Especially since you are working with so many stitches, its a b*tch to count at the end of a row.

It's not two regular stitches, it's one funky stitch with two loops coming out of it, and I'm worried it might stand out if I try to cover it up. It's only one row down, so maybe my friend can fix it.

Good idea about the stitch markers; I've had to count 84 stitches about 10 times today because I kept having to start over.

:rolleyes:

[mobear]

So much yarn, so little knitting time!

I bought some of the Blizzard yarn to make the heart scarf from the Knitty Breast Cancer Awareness supplement. I bought the yarn in a lavender color instead of pink, because the pink was a little too yellow for me.

Still need to work on my Kittyville Hat and my sweater.

Does anyone have a good source for sock yarn? Off the internet. There is not a whole lot around here, and maybe someday I will try knitting a sock.

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by beckms
I know you were all waiting with bated breath...I figured out the problem.
Whew!

I am so glad to hear this. I thought about you all day.

[emilyn]

Since you were all so helpful with Rebecca's problem I thought I'd throw a question out there. I'm making some slippers from knitty which are essentially big socks which will then be felted. The pattern is here: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTfuzzyfeet.html
I've never made socks before. I'm at the point where I'm doing the heel. The cuff is 44 stitches. It says to make the heel 22.
These are the instructions:

"Heel
[on 22 stitches]

Knit 11 sts past the marker, then turn and work back over the stitches you've just worked [ignoring the other 22 stitches on your needle, which will be held to become the instep] and

Heel Row 1: sl 1, p 21, turn
Heel Row 2: s1 1, k 21, turn

Repeat these 2 rows 11 more times or until the heel flap is about as long as it is wide."

So what I've done is at the start of the round, I took 22 stitches onto 1 needle (I'm on double points). Then I thought I would just knit/purl (according to the heel row 1/2) back and forth on the 22 stitches but I don't understand the part where it says knit 11 sts past the marker and turn back, how does that equal 22?

Sorry this is long and possibly unclear. :confused:

[Robyncz]

Terry

You inspired me and I bought the yarn to do the Fur-trimmed poncho for my girls. Which size did you do? I'm doing the smallest size given. Do you happen to have a measurement for the width of the strips? I actually tested my gauge and ended up having to drop down to 5mm needles, so I wanted to make sure it was coming out close to the right width. But they don't give it. I see the length of each strip is supposed to be 22 inches.

[kimberlyjean]

Hi emilyn,

I've done socks before, and am currently doing a pair for myself. So I know exactly where you are at. Your pattern is unclear, I agree. But I don't think it really matters where you put the heel - right now it's all the same, right? For my socks, I started from the marker and took the next 22 stitches as my heel-flap section. With one sock done, I can tell you it worked fine! That would be my recommendation. Aren't socks great to knit? Good luck, and have fun.

Kim

[Terrytx]

Robyncz, I did the small size also and the width was 12 inches, not counting the fun fur.

emilyn, I hope someone else can make that clear for you, but I can't help because that part of socks always gives me fits and I would have to actually have done it to be able to say.

[emilyn]

Thanks, I guess I'll go with what makes sense to me. It's true, it doesn't matter where it goes, it's just the 11 that seemed strange, maybe a mistake? I did find a website that gives pictures of how to do all the steps in making socks, it seems pretty good, I can use that to guide me along as well.
Not sure I'm having fun yet, but then I've hardly begun. :eek:
I always have more fun planning my projects than actually completing them. ;)

[Robyncz]

Thanks, Terry! That is very helpful!!

Good luck to everyone else on their projects. I love this time of year for knitting!

[sarita]

Originally posted by beckms
Man, if little old ladies and elementarty-school girls can do this, why is it so hard for me?:p [/B]

Haha~~! I had to jump in here. I have a kind of knitting/supper club, and now that I've helped more than a dozen women learn to knit, I have to say that those little/old ladies are underestimated! Knitting is hard for everyone I've seen try it!:p

...but welcome to the fold, and congrats. Hats are way harder than you'd think for a beginner, but great to cut your teeth on.

[emily]

Hello, knitting friends. I'm finally back to knitting up a storm :)

I've made two hats (the fire-y ribbed one and the sparkly one (sans sparkles) from s'n'b) and have the back panel finished from In the Hoodie (also s'n'b). I want to do some mittens to match the hats and some scarves for xmas gifts. I still don't know where I'll find the time, but eventually it'll get done.

I'll try to put up some photos later.

Rebecca, glad to have you here. And glad you figured out the round.

Em

[beckms]

Ugh.

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

I have started this $%&*$#!! hat about 37 times now. I finally got into the groove knitting in the round, even fixed a few of my double stitches all by myself (well, under supervision by my friend). I was ready to start the next part of the pattern, read the directions, and realized I'd been knitting IN THE WRONG STITCH THE WHOLE TIME. AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGHHH!!!

I hemmed and hawed for a while about whether or not to rip it all out and start over, and finally decided to start over since I really liked the look of what it was SUPPOSED to look like. I was supposed to be knitting in seed stitch (K1, P1 for a row then P1, K1 for the next row, and so on) for 1 3/4", and for some inane reason I was doing all knit stitch (I don't know what that's called when it's in the round...).

So I ripped it all out, started to cast on again, and made my yarn too short so I ran out before I had the right number of stitches. So I ripped it out again. And cast on again. And finally got it right, and have now successfully done three rows, and I think I'm about to go blind. And my fingers hurt. Waaahh.

Oh, and I'm really supposed to be studying...:rolleyes:

Deep breath. :cool:

Hi Em! Glad to see you here! I want to make the firey ribbed hat for my brother, but at the rate I'm going, I may never even finish the current hat. We'll see! I'm determined to finish the darn thing!

How's everyone else doing?

[emily]

Originally posted by beckms
And cast on again. And finally got it right, and have now successfully done three rows, and I think I'm about to go blind. And my fingers hurt. Waaahh.

Oh, and I'm really supposed to be studying...:rolleyes:

I want to make the firey ribbed hat for my brother, but at the rate I'm going, I may never even finish the current hat. We'll see! I'm determined to finish the darn thing!

How's everyone else doing?

Ah, you're making kittyville!!! That's quite a tough one to start with. My advice is to go to the page where she talks about what the stitches look like - the knit looking like it's wearing a scarf and the purl with the bumps.

The firey one is much easier, especially since it's knit flat and then sewn up. Although you've become such a knitting in the round pro that prehaps you'll just want to knit it in the round ;)

I started on the front of my sweater last night, but may wait until my next plane trip (in a week and a half) to really focus on it.

Em

[beckms]

Yes. Kittyville is tough. NOW you tell me.:p But I think I'm doing OK on it, now that I've finally gotten started on it. The good thing about starting over so many times in the last few days is that now I'm a whiz at casting on stitches! :cool:

So, about that firey ribbed hat...I'm enjoying knitting in the round. How would I adapt the pattern to knit on circular needles?

Ack. Maybe I shuold concentrate on one projext at a time. :rolleyes:

Does school count as a project? Hmmm...

[beckms]

Hey em--on a side note, guess which former Rice Ultimate player tore his other ACL and is currently doing post-sx rehab?

Apparently he wanted matching scars or something. :rolleyes:

PS: He says "Hi".:cool:

[emily]

Originally posted by beckms
So, about that firey ribbed hat...I'm enjoying knitting in the round. How would I adapt the pattern to knit on circular needles?
[/size]

Just cast on the stitches onto dpns (and divide equally among 3 or 4 needles) or to a circular, but eventually you'll need to switch to dpns when you're decreasing, anyway, join the round, mark the beginning and start knitting. The pattern is k2, p2 repeating for the ribbing, so you'd just continue that, knitting on the knit stitches, purling on the purls (this is where knowing what they look like comes in handy). Your decreases is where it will change a bit. So it'd be

Shape Crown
Row 1: *k2tog, p2 repeat to end
Row 2 (the book says WS, but since you're knitting in the round, it'll still be the RS): *k1, p2tog repeat to end
Rows 3 and 4: *k1, p1 repeat to end
Rows 5 and 6: *k2tog repeat to end

This will leave you with 7 or 8 stitches and I'd actually k2tog, k3 (or 4), k2tog, to have 5 or 6 stitches left on your needles, cut the yarn leaving a fairly long tail, pull tail through the live stitches to close up the top of your hat and then thread in any loose ends. Piece of cheese.

Now on to the non-knitting related news that only you and I really have any interest in... about said ultimate player, didn't I already know that? Isn't that what kept him from this year's poultry days (not that I went either) or did he do it again???.

And you can send him a warm smile and big hug from me (to you too :))

Em

[Terrytx]

beckms, doesn't it feel good when you finally get the hang of it:D I have another baby blanket going and I'm going out today to look for the yarn for this (http://www.ym.com/style/doityourself/sep0604.jsp) for the DD (she loves that magazine).

[emily]

Originally posted by Terrytx
I'm going out today to look for the yarn for this (http://www.ym.com/style/doityourself/sep0604.jsp) for the DD (she loves that magazine).

Hey, Terry, I don't know if I'm too late, but I think I just saw that yarn at Michael's. Plus a mohair blend called divine that they had for $3.97 that was gorgeous. Not at all right for that cape, but just thought I'd mention it. ;)

Em

[Terrytx]

yep, to late. I went to Hobby Lobby and they were out of all most all the chenille T & Q, so I came home and ordered it on line.

[lisas3575]

Hola fellow knitters!
I've been in a knitting rut (hmmm, could it be because I'm cooking more? More time, please!). I'm working on a boring-a$$ poncho for my niece. I think I've knit it too small for her but I'm just continuing on because if I frog it, I'll just quit. :p I'm not sure she even wants one.

Meanwhile I'm coveting this book. (http://www.debbieblissonline.com/books/as/as_5.htm) Check out the cute sweaters! Has anyone bought this book or seen the yarn?

I want to knit "normal" cute sweaters, not sweaters that scream "I knit this myself!!" I'm a bit bummed that it's Debbie Bliss, she's a bit overhyped and expensive, plus I've already knitted a ton of things with her yarn.

I bought the new Interweave Knits last night which has some cute things in it like a felted backpack. :cool:

I haven't done a thing about taking that job in the yarn store. :o Work got busy and I dropped the ball. Maybe I'll do it for the holidays...

[beckms]

Hi again, Knit Wits!

My Kittyville hat is coming along very nicely (knock on wood)...I even successfully started a new ball of yarn in the middle. I know, small pleasures, right?;)

I was hoping I'd be able to squeeze and knit the whole thing on circulars, but it's just not going to happen, and I think I have to take the plunge into double pointed needle territory.

I read the instructions for dpns in S'n'B, but they were specifically for casting onto dpns, not switching in the middle of a project. Could someone with the book read the directions and tell me if it's the same either way?

Or could someone just give me directions on how to switch? I think I get the general idea, but I'm afraid to screw everything up after having done such a nice job on my first real hat...

Thanks in advance!:D

[lisas3575]

I'll try, Rebecca. :o I'm not the best communicator, however (the only thing W and I have in common! :p).

This is how I do it.

When I get to one row before the part of the pattern/hat where I need to start to decrease, that's where I'd switch to the dpn's. I slip a stitch marker (or a loop of yarn or a paperclip) onto the left hand needle. I take the number of stitches I have and divide by four (ex: 80 stitches / 4 = 20 stitches per dpn). Then, instead of using the needle on the other end of the circulars, I grab an empty dpn and start knitting regularly onto it for twenty stitches. Then I let go of that needle, grab another empty dpn and knit 20 more stitches. Repeat for the other two needles. At that point, all your knitting should be off the circs and on the dpn's.

You start your decreasing from there, usually by knitting two stitches together (put the needle through two stitches and then knit) every so often, as dictated by the pattern.

Clear as mud? :D

[beckms]

I did it I did it I did it!

Woohoo! I finished my hat. Well, technically I need to still weave in the ends, but I need to get a yarn needle to do that, and I'm still considering doing the ear flaps and I-cord, but I essentially have a finished hat. Cool. Thanks for all of the help!

It got a little scary with the dpns, but I managed. Somehow I ended up with only two needles after I had decreased a bunch, and I didn't have an equal number of stitches on all of the needles, but I just fudged and you can't tell that anything was wrong.

Now I want to start a new project, but I should probably get some actual work done, first.

How's everyone else doing?:cool:

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by beckms
I did it I did it I did it!

Woohoo!

Yipeee:D Doesn't it feel good?! Now you can do anything.

[Beth]

You often won't have an equal number of stitches when working on dp needles -- you just want it to be even enough that you can work smoothly around them. Congrats on your hat!

[beckms]

Originally posted by Beth
You often won't have an equal number of stitches when working on dp needles -- you just want it to be even enough that you can work smoothly around them. Congrats on your hat!

Well, the weird thing was that I started off with equal numbers of stitches on all three needles, but pretty soon I had many more on one needle and very few on the other two. And I had several panic moments when I would go to switch needles and accidentally pull one entirely out of the knitting, dropping several stitches in the process, so I really quickly learned how to pick up stitches! I guess it didn't really matter in the end, but I was kind of flying by the seat of my pants because I really wanted to finish (there was lots of cursing and mumbling as the hat got smaller and smaller and I was trying to manage all of those needles in a tiny little space).

I think my next project will be the Chinese Charm bag from S'n'B, but without the charm and possibly with different handles.

[lisas3575]

Congrats, Rebecca! :D Post a pix!

[beckms]

My camera is on the outs (could it be because my dog thought it was a chew toy?:mad: ) or I would post a pic. Oh well.

Have any of you ever knit Christmas ornaments? Any ideas for something along those lines?

[beckms]

Hi Knit Wits--

I'm going to try to get to Michael's today to get supplies to start the Chinese Charm Bag. The pattern calls for Noro yarn...it looks like it might be pricey, and I'm wondering if anyone can give me a suggestion for a substitution? I figure since it's going to be a bag and not a piece of clothing, it doesn't have to be exactly the same guage, right?

When I'm substituting yarn, is it best to look for yarn that lists the same guage on the label as the one originally called for?

Thanks!

[Beth]

Look for a yarn of similar texture with a guage and needle size that is about the same to get the closest to the bag yuo are working from. If you want to change guage and wind up with the same size bag, you have to do a lot of math. If the size isn't imprtant, then just get close (it does need to fit your handles). Most bags and scarves are not fussy about guage.

[Beth]

Has anyone here knit with soy or bamboo yarns -- even saw an eyelash type with paper. I'm wondering how functional these are.

[beckms]

Thanks Beth!:)

[beckms]

Argh.

I knew this was going to happen if I went to Michael's...they didn't have exactly what I needed and none of the employees actually knows anything about the products they're selling. Hmph.

I found some yarn that had a similar guage to the one called for, so I'm not worried about that, but I was supposed to get US 10 24" circular needles, and they only carry 29" and 32" needles. I made sure they're returnable and I went ahead and bought the 29".

Do you think I'll be able to make the bag on the longer needles (the pattern doesn't specify the circumference of the bag), or should I actually practice patience and wait until I can get to the LYS (farther away, weird hours, expensive, but they have everything)?

On the other hand, I also bought two skeins of Chenille Thick and Quick on sale and I plan to make a scarf for my grandmother. Haven't exactly thought about what size needles I need.
editing to say I think I'll try this one (http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/lionbrand/index.fcgi?page=http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kctq-oneskeinscarf.html) .

[ErinM]

Ok, I KNOW I'll get good advice here!

My mom bought herself a leather jacket. She decided that she wants a scarf to go with it...one made by me! :)

So, since this is my mom, she gave birth to me and all, I want it to be special. I've done some searching for patterns and yarn and I think I've come up with what I want to do. I just need to know if there's a problem with taking a pattern that calls for worsted weight yarn and using bulky yarn instead. Or if there's a problem with using a mixture, since I'm thinking of doing stripes. Let me lay out what I want to do first.

Here is the pattern (http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/proj_scarf_1299.html)

I decided that I want to make stripes, so here's the yarn I'm considering:

Moonlight Mohair (http://www.lionbrand.com/) (Sorry, I can't do a direct link...the color is Tundra, a mix of black, gray and silver)

and




this (http://www.brownsheep.com/lp.html) in black and grey.

My plan is to do a block of black, the mohair, the gray, the mohair and keep repeating until it's either long enough or I run out of yarn.

What do you think? Comments, suggestions, advice?

[beckms]

OK, here is my totally un-expert opinion: I think if you switch from worsted to bulky and don't change needle size, your stitches will be so tight that the scarf will be stiff and hard to work with. Although maybe because the pattern calls for double-stranded, it would be OK? I don't know.

I'm sure the Wise Ones will be able to give you a more definitive answer.:)

[Beth]

Erin, since the scarf you showed isn't striped, are you thinking vertical (lengthwise) stripes or horizontal? I think if you're going to change yarn, textures and guages, you'de better be prepared to play and rip a bit. I'd almost make up my own pattern. I've been noticing scarves that seem to be made with two or more needle sizes. If you want to use only one needle size, you'll do better to try the larger needle and have the worsted weight be more open than to have the bulky be tight.

Rebecca, I don't know about the circular needle length, but what you encountered is why I have nearly bought a set of interchangable needles. Michael's had a 50% off coupon for Veteran's Day, and if I drive to the Michaels that is a bit further from my house, they carry the Boyd set. At half off, it would be about $35 and I would never need to buy most needles again --except dp needles. I've seen a different brand on ebay for a similar price and have been debating which one to get. I need to just order one or count on getting a set at Thansgiving, when I'm sure they'll run the 50% off coupon again. You can get 40% off with the coupon all the time.

I think the scarf for your grandmother looks nice -- you could start on that and then work on the bag when you can get the right length needle. I'd be afraid you might be stretching it out.

[ErinM]

Originally posted by Beth
Erin, since the scarf you showed isn't striped, are you thinking vertical (lengthwise) stripes or horizontal? I think if you're going to change yarn, textures and guages, you'de better be prepared to play and rip a bit. I'd almost make up my own pattern. I've been noticing scarves that seem to be made with two or more needle sizes. If you want to use only one needle size, you'll do better to try the larger needle and have the worsted weight be more open than to have the bulky be tight.



Thanks Beth!

To make sure I have this right, if you stretched the scarf out the long way, I'd make the stripes running vertical. Holding the scarf with the short end it would look like a ladder. Make sense?

The thing I wonder about is that mohair yarn. If you look at the sample picture, it shows it knit in stockinette, and it looks pretty small, almost worsted to me. The bulky yarn I've worked with in the past has been MUCH thicker than that. I can get the other two colors in bulky or worsted.

You think I should make my own? That scares me, I've never done that! What would you recommend?

[beckms]

Hello Knit Wits!

I finished the knitting portion of my Chinese Charm Bag, just need to get liner fabric and handles to sew on. It was a pretty easy project, although I'm not wild about the yarn I chose for it (Lion Brand Homespun). Oh well..

So now I want to start a scarf, but I'm confused about the pattern instructions:

Row 1 (WS): K1b, p1b, *k1b, k 1, p1b, p 1*, rep from * to * once for scarf (or to last 4 sts for other widths), on last 4 sts, k1b, k 1, p1b, k1b.
Row 2 (RS): K2b, p 1, p1B, *k 1, k1b,p 1, p1b*, rep from * to * once for scarf (or to last 2 sts for other widths), on last 2 sts, k2b.

I know K1b stands for knit one through the back loop, but heck if I know what that means! I did a search to try to find a description, but no luck.

Any words of wisdom!

Thanks!:cool:

[Terrytx]

It is so hard to explain these things. Look at the loop that a knit stitch makes over the needle. When you put the right hand needle into the stitch for a regular knit, it goes into the front of the loop. For what you are talking about, insert the right hand needle into the back part of the loop....the part that is fartherest from you. Clear as mud huh.

[Beth]

Erin, sorry to get back so late. I haven't read this thread for a while. For something like a scarf, you can easily make up a pattern. Look at the needle sizes and guage and maybe knitting a bit of each to see how they work up.

I saw that Moonlight Mohair at Michael's this week. I didn't look at the guage for it, but mohair yarns are often considered bulky weight for the length of the fibers that fuzz out, not for the core or thread part of the yarn. If you knit a fuzzy yarn too tightly, you lose the softness of it.

That Lamb's Pride somes in a bulky weight. Have you considered using the bulky weight and keeping it all the same general weight?

Also, have you seen the yarns together? That Moonlight Mohair has a lot going on with it. I'm not sure about striping it, especially with more than one other yarn and a different texture -- it might be too much. It might be great.

I found a Patron yarn called Carmen that is so incredibly soft. I am going to make a scarf of it and do some contrasting edge work and/or fringe -- I think.

[Beth]

Erin, don't know if you're working on anything yet, but I saw this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=75569&item=8110605684) and thought it was a pretty combination that would look good with either a black or brown leather.

[ErinM]

Beth:

No problem! I have not seen the actual yarn, just the picture. I don't think I'll be able to find it locally. The only stores that carry Lion Brand are Ben Franklin and Wal-Mart, which don't carry a great selection. Closest Michaels is 100 miles away.

If I did make it, I would definitely use bulky yarn throughout. Based on what you saw, would you say it might be better to just use the mohair and do a solid? I know that whatever I make for my mom will have to be warm...she's not a fuzzy, trendy scarf kind of person, so no eyelash yarn, I think.

I'm waiting for my order from Amazon, which may have some ideas for me. I'm getting S&B, S&B Nation, and Weekend Knitting. The new S&B has some scarfs in it, maybe one of those will grab me.

[KathrynY]

Aspiring knitter jumping in! :D

I did some knitting way back in high school, but that's been so long ago that I'm really starting from scratch here. I was having lunch at a deli near my office the other day, and a woman at the next table was knitting the most striking scarf - several people came up and asked her about it. She kept saying how truly easy the pattern was, and how inexpensive the materials were, so I decided to try it myself. Here's the scarf:
http://www.bernat.com/data/pattern/image/image_268.jpg

I'm using the cardinal yarn - it's black and deep red and should look smashing with my black pea coat.

I've got the first 4 rows done and now I'm stuck. :rolleyes: This is probably a really basic question, but internet searches aren't yielding anything helpful, and I couldn't find any current references at the library so while I wait for a copy of S&B to come in......

The directions for the next step are:
Next row: (WS) K3. Purl to last 3 sts. K3.

I know that WS means Wrong Side, but what exactly does that mean? I could see if this was a sweater, but does a scarf have a wrong side? This yarn is so fluffy that both sides look the same! Thanks for any help!

[eas11]

Hi Kathryn! Good luck with your new (old) hobby :)

Just keep following the pattern and don't worry about the WS. I looked at the pattern and see that you are doing 1 line knit, 1 purl. So, the WS just indicated which side is the wrong side....but why does that matter with a scarf? Especially with the yarn so fluffy and bulky.

Good luck, you should finish this one in no time!
BTW, will you be coming up for the Penzey's opening? :D

[KathrynY]

Thanks Ellyn! :) Any date on that Penzey's opening? It's been years since I was at the Norwalk store - traffic is usually so awful I just mail order. But if there's a klatch involved I could be tempted to travel that direction. ;)

[Beth]

I also saw a little of that yarn at Hobby Lobby, so Ben Franklin may be getting it in too. I don't know if Walmart will because it goes over the $5 a skein bracket. ;)

It has the mohair fiber, color variations a twisted core and a metallic thread running through it. If you wanted to combine it with another yarn, I am thinking that just one other one -- either the black or the grey, would be enough. And 2 skeins of yarn will be plenty to give you a generous scarf.

Another thing I am wondering about is working it on an even larger needle with a strand of the Moonlight and a strand of solid yarn held together alternated with 2 strands of the solid -- or even working the three so that only one changes at a time and there is almost a melting between the yarns instead of hard stripes. Does that make sense?

Oh well, I am a bad influence -- I made a bag for our school's raffle and now am helping a friend make 2 of them with scarves and flip flops to match for Christmas gifts while making scarves for teacher gifts, flip flops for different people, and I found an old pattern book that has me thinking about a sweater -- after I make a shawl and consider a couple of pillows. :p

[Beth]

Originally posted by KathrynY
The directions for the next step are:
Next row: (WS) K3. Purl to last 3 sts. K3.

I know that WS means Wrong Side, but what exactly does that mean? I could see if this was a sweater, but does a scarf have a wrong side? This yarn is so fluffy that both sides look the same! Thanks for any help!

Yes, it does matter. Even if you don't easily see the difference, there will be a feel and a drape difference. It sounds like you may be working stockingnet down the center with a garter edge. That will give the edge some structure and more stability -- a subtle character. If you don't keep the smoothness down the center, you will notice it.

I made one scarf in stockingnet and one in garter to see if the really fuzzy yarns would show a difference. There was a visual difference, but it was less noticable than the difference in the feel of the scarf -- and no one liked the garter stich as well. It also didn't drape as softly. When I looked back at the other, I could really see the smooth side (knit) and the purl side. I donated the garter stich scarf and bought another skein of yarn.

[ErinM]

Originally posted by Beth
I also saw a little of that yarn at Hobby Lobby, so Ben Franklin may be getting it in too. I don't know if Walmart will because it goes over the $5 a skein bracket. ;)

It has the mohair fiber, color variations a twisted core and a metallic thread running through it. If you wanted to combine it with another yarn, I am thinking that just one other one -- either the black or the grey, would be enough. And 2 skeins of yarn will be plenty to give you a generous scarf.

:p

OMG, I think I love that idea! First thing, I've got to track down that yarn. I've never knitted with two strands at once...how hard is that? I suppose the only way to find out is to try. What size needle would you recommend? Could I still knit stockinette so it would curl?

[KathrynY]

Thanks for your reply Beth. I ended up ripping out my tiny scarf because my stitches got way too tight to work with. I think I need to get my basics down well with some plain yarn before picking up this fluffy stuff again. I'm sure it won't take long - I just need more practice. :)

[beckms]

Welcome back Kathryn!

OK, I have another question for knitters. Has anyone made the Sophie bag (http://www.magknits.com/warm04/patterns/sophie.htm) from magknits? I'd like to tackle it next after my scarf, but I'm a bit confused about the pattern. It says to CO 39 sts. K 34 rows in garter st.

Does that mean NOT in the round? Even though I'm casting onto circular needles?

[beckms]

Oh, one more question: how do you count rows? Do you count the CO row as 1? And then how do you figure out what a row is after that?

thanks!:cool:

[LaraW]

Rebecca, you do not count your cast on row as a row, you start counting with the first row that you knit.

You can knit on circular needles but not knit in the round. You will just knit back and forth, without joining your stitches. You'd do the garter stitch just by going back and forth knitting each direction.

Does that make sense?

I love that Sophie bag - I printed out the directions but have not had time to make it yet. Its in my pile of "to do" projects - which is almost as big as my "to try" pile of recipes ;) My sisters and I have started doing a drawing for Christmas gifts, and I'm thinking of making that for next year's gift. I think that any of my sisters would like it.

I am back knitting after taking a bit of a hiatus making a quilt. It was nice to have a break, as I was getting a little tired of knitting. I'm making a scarf out of fun fur for my DH's aunt for Christmas. :) Hopefully I'll have that done this week, and then my next project will be a quick hat for Natalie (DD - almost 1 year old!). After that, I need to finish the socks that I started last February. I made a mistake when I started decreasing to shape the toe, and need to take it out. I just haven't had the time.

[eas11]

Becca, you start off straight knitting and are then picking up stitches along the sides and continue knitting in the round.
To count rows in the round, you can use a stitch marker and either counter, or paper and pencil :)

[Beth]

I printed out that Sophie bag to try felting too, but haven't made it yet. You've already got the start with back and forth rows for the bottom clarification above. With the straight knitting, you know that every odd numbered row will end on the same side as your tail from casting on. When you get to working in the round, it's best to use a stich counter or a piece of note paper to mark down how many you've done -- either each row or each sitting.

I have only worked with 2 yarns held together a couple of times -- with smaller yarns and per directions (I think). If the bulky yarn uses something in the 10-11 size, I would think of starting with a 15 to hold 2 strands together.

[Wendy w]

I am really excited so I am taking a break to tell people who will understand and to say that after years of dabbling in knitting, I am going to complete my 1st scarf!! I had one knitting lesson when I was a kid and have been playing with knitting needles over the years. A couple of months ago, I bought the Stitch n B****.

Yesterday, I went to Michael's and on the back of a pack of size 35 needles, I saw a scarf pattern, so I took the plunge. I then remembered that Bethany posted this a couple of months ago:

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=703939&highlight=scarf#post703939

The yarn I'm using is purple, green, raspberry, and orange. I am using purple eyelash. I love eyelash as it hides a multitude of sins. ;) This morning, I tried a swatch as suggested by the S & B, but having never bound off, I tried it and messed it up. :( I am going to take my scarf to a knitting friend so I won't mess it up. I want to make another one with the colors suggested in the pattern.

Thanks for letting me coo and gush!! :)

[badunnin]

Congratulations Wendy! It's so gratifying to finish a project, from the biggest sweater down to the tiniest sock. :)

[Wendy w]

Thanks Bethany. :( I spoke too soon. I found some mistakes and pulled out over half of it. I now have a few tangles and yarn all over my room. :rolleyes: I guess that this is a trial by fire. Grrr. :mad:

[lisas3575]

Ack, how did I miss my friends Kathryn and Wendy joining the knitwits?!! Welcome, you two. Hopefully you're both well on your way again. :)

I'm working on a hat that has a contrasting color in a simple pattern at the crown. I don't knit for more than 3 stitches at any time with it, and it's been too long since I've worked with two colors. Can anyone refresh my memory? I *think* I just let go of the main yarn, and start knitting with the cc, drop that to pick up the main yarn. I've read the section in SnB several times but I'm confused by the underneath/over the top parts.

I'd love to finish it up tomorrow whilst I cook the feast....

[KathrynY]

Originally posted by Wendy w
I now have a few tangles and yarn all over my room.

Wendy, hope things are going better for you now. You are lucky to have a bird and not a cat ;) - or does Cordell like to play with yarn?

Hi Lisa, and thanks everyone for the welcomes. :D

I am stalled for the moment. Was all set to pick up my copy of S&B at the library yesterday but they closed at 1pm :mad:. I need illustrations right now, so will wait until I have some instructions to work from, hopefully later this weekend. It will be a cold dreary weekend here - good knitting weather!

[ErinM]

I screwed up my scarf. Again. But I think it's something I can fix, and I WON'T have to send it to NC, so I'm grateful for that!

In looking at my work, I noticed that I knitted a stitch the wrong way. So, to the frog pond I went, ripping out about 8 rows. Got everything back on the needle the right way and thought I was set, especially since I had the correct number of stitches on the needle. Well, on one end of my work, there's a "bump", a friend says it looks like a knot or something. I wonder if I stuck an extra stitch in the same spot making it look that way. I plan to investigate it more today and see if I can figure it out, by teaching myself how to unknit. Hopefully, I'll figure it out, because if I do, I'll be able to finish the scarf today. This is good and bad. Good in that it will be another completed project (yay!) bad in that I have no yarn in which to start something else (aww!). :rolleyes: :D

Welcome to all of the new knitters! You're gonna love it! :)

Oh, and a question...anybody with SNB Nation think I can use that varigated mohair yarn I talked about earlier in the "Mom's sophisticated scarf" pattern? If I remember correctly, using that type of yarn will not show of the pattern, so I'm not sure how it would look.

[Wendy w]

Thanks Lisa and Erin for the welcome. :) Erin, good luck with your scarf.

Kathryn, you are very insightful with the fact that Cordel loves to "help" with knitting, but he doesn't have a thing for yarn. He likes to sit on my shoulder and act like King Sh*t. I wear my glasses when I knit and he likes to peck at them, I also have to remove my earrings because he goes for them too. Ouch! I can just imagine Sam and the yarn. They do have those container thingys that you can feed it from.

Back to the project. I cleaned up the yarn mess in my room, went running back to the store (I was obsessed) for more yarn because I wanted to not have to use more than one ball of yarn. I started another one and it was going perfectly, and I worked on it until I got tired. The next night, I was working on it and made the mistake of talking to my friend while doing so and had a problem. :eek: This is the friend whose house I'm going to today. She told me to step away from it, and bring it today and she will look at it. I also found out that one of my coworkers is a knitter extraordinaire and she told me to bring it in. I told her that she may be sorry, because I will now be bugging her. ;)

A Happy weekend of knitting for anyone who is doing so. :)

[badunnin]

Oh dear. This will teach me to go to Michael's with a coupon. I just bought yarn. I don't need yarn! I'm in the middle of a project! I don't even know what I'm going to do with this! But I bought 3 skeins each of these yarns. Oh, they are fluffy. I'm thinking scarf for the red (goodness knows I don't need 3 skeins for a scarf) and a shawl of some sort for the brown.

http://www.patonsyarns.com/data/product/sample/sample_24100707430.jpg

http://www.patonsyarns.com/data/product/sample/sample_24100606013.jpg

[Beth]

I'm getting close to getting borede with the scarves I've been making, but I think we're down to one last teacher gift and a couple of family ones. I bought some fleece and am going to cut that into a strip and try knitting with that. The fleece was on sale, so it was even cheaper than yarn. If I had had a coupon last trip into Michael's, I would have bought more yarn too. They have a lattice type that I am anxious to try.

[ErinM]

I've got myself in another knitting muddle. Something happened to my end stitch. I thought I'd just lost it so I switched my needles and redid it before moving on. Well, it's pretty loose and looks a lot like it did LAST time i did this. So I figured I'd just unknit 1/2 the row and then keep going. Started knitting again and all of the stitches were on the needle wrong, which was weird. So, I straighted that out, but I think I'm knitting a new row in the middle of an old row. If that makes any sense. Anyway, I think what I may need to do is slip the stitches all on to one needle and go from there, but before doing that I'm going to have to find an expert to help me, which should be fun...:rolleyes:

In other news, I chose the yarn for my mom's scarf. I bought two skeins/balls of Berrocco Lavish in a black, brown, grey, gold, and I'm going to knit it together with some black wool yarn on sz 15 needles. It'll be a little sparkely, soft and, hopefully, warm. We'll see. First I want to get this other scarf straighted out.

From here I think I may be done with scarves for a while...I think I'm ready to move on to felting! Meema's tote, here I come! At some point, though, I will need to learn to increase and decrese...

[Beth]

Erin, hope you get the scarf worked out. I like the sound of what you bought for your mom's scarf. I'm sure it will go smoother after you figure the first one out. Wish I could see it and try to help you.

I have a new scarf on the needles and at least one more to go. I also picked up a pattern book for some felted bags, so I will have a hard time making a choice when I get to them.

Has anyone done the furry flip flops? I have made 6 pair so far -- the first two were for an auction and a raffle. I got asked to make some more at the auction. I have to deliver them this week. They are simply single crochetiing over the thong of the flip flop and so easy. Probably too cold where most of you are, but could have worn them here this afternoon.

[badunnin]

Well, I've figured out the next project. And started it. I needed to put the Einstein coat down for a bit. I've been working on it a lot, and as the Germans say, I have my nose full. ;) So, I've started another project from the same book, using the very fun, furry yarn I posted earlier. Had to hunt down my dye lot today, because I was really thinking scarf, but I have enough now! It's a nice, quick knit (after the cast-on, which was a bear!) and I hope to have it done for next weekend. :)

http://www.needleartsbookshop.com/images/kikniex2.jpg

[beckms]

Hi Knitters!

I'm coming along nicely on my Sophie bag, but I've hit a snag. I've gotten to the part where I'm supposed to start making the handles, but first it tells me to:

put 6 sts on a holder, BO 29 sts, put the next 6 sts on a holder, BO 29 sts.

I'm stuck on the part where I go from binding off the 29 sts and then putting the next ones on a holder and then binding off again. How do I get the yarn from one side of the sts-on-a-holder to the other to begin the next chunk of binding off?

:confused:

[Robyncz]

Beckms--
You knit the first 6 stitches and slip them onto a holder, then you bind off your 29 stitche, then you knit the next 6 and slip them onto a holder, and then you continue to bind off the next 29 stitches. Does that make sense? The yarn just sort of goes along with you. It never gets "left" anywhere.

Hope that makes sense. . .

[beckms]

Ack. That does make sense. Except I started by slipping 6 sts onto dpns, and then binding off the next 29, with plans to slip the next 6 onto dpns. Hmm. I wonder what I should do now, since I'm not so sure I can undo all of the bound-off sts.

Hmm.

[beckms]

Ok. I messed up, but I think it's salvageable. Suffice it to say that I now have two dpns holding 6 sts on either end of the bag, where the i-cord is supposed to originate from and graft to. At this point, I can't start the i-cord as a continuation of the bag on one side, but I should be able to knit the handles seperately and just graft them on, right? Do you all think it will get messed up during the felting?

Grr. I should have read the directions more carefully.

[lisas3575]

http://www.ideasmithdesign.com/clients/cookinglight/DCP_2102.jpg

[beckms]

oh Lisa, that is so cute! Where can I find the pattern?

[lisas3575]

Rebecca, check your e-mail. :)

[ErinM]

Can you send it to me too???

Awesome hat, Lisa!

[badunnin]

Originally posted by lisas3575
http://www.ideasmithdesign.com/clients/cookinglight/DCP_2102.jpg


Ooh ooh! Me too please! (was it easy?)

[Wendy w]

Lisa, that's a great hat. I'm not ready for that yet, but someday....;) I will be buggin you.

[MKSquared]

(Betcha didn't know I was lurking ...)

Lisa, that's fanTASTic! I wonder if I'm ready to graduate past giant rectangles ... :D

Everyone's getting scarves for Christmas.
- I knitted a scarlet and grey one in garter stitch for my godmother (also a Buckeye!)
- I'm finishing up another scarf (for my mentor teacher), also in garter, on size 15 needles with some really fun yarn called Spot:
http://www.theknittinggarden.com/images/novelty/spot13.jpg
Here's a closeup, but of adifferent color:
http://www.theknittinggarden.com/images/novelty/spot-sm.jpg

[Beth]

Has anyone here knit with strips of cut fabric or other material? I saw this done with plastic grocery sacks in a book and over the weekend with fleece fabric. I am going to give it a try with some fleece first, but as I am typing, I am thinking that my son's science teacher (stron on ecology and saying no to tobacco) would appreciate the plastic bag recycling. I think I am overloaded with projects -- may be for the end of the year - or Earth Day!

It looks like the cutting is the hardest part and it should go very quickly from there. If I can get the cutting done by Friday, I can take it with me to my son's robotics tournament on Saturday. It's either that or Christmas cards. :p

[ErinM]

Beth, I've never seen knitted fabrics, but I have seen knitted wire, which I thought was interesting. I think I'll be sticking with yarn though!

Lisa - THANK YOU for the pattern! I'm not sure if I'm ready to graduate to hats, but someday I might so I want to be prepared!

MK - I'm like you...every female in my family's getting a scarf. The guys are harder...they don't wear them. My BIL would appreciate a hat, but like I said, I'm not sure if I'm ready, so he may get a fishing magazine subscription.

[MKSquared]

Originally posted by Beth
Has anyone here knit with strips of cut fabric or other material?

I dunno - Bethany told me once about knitting with licorice ... :D
http://www.detnews.com/pix/2004/07/25/asec/as25-rubin2-0704n.jpg

They're edible! And just perfect for that great-aunt on your Christmas list that has everything! :p

[badunnin]

Originally posted by MKSquared


I dunno - Bethany told me once about knitting with licorice ... :D


Hey hey - that's from the summer issue of Knitty! I had nothing to do with that!

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by Beth
Has anyone here knit with strips of cut fabric or other material? :p

I did this a long time ago, back in another life when I was really into knitting in a big way. If I remember correctly, the pattern was in Woman's Day mag. It was a short sleeve pull over and a skirt sewn of the same fabric. I did it for my Mom, and remember a long afternoon of her and I cutting fabric strips. It seems to me that the top went quickly after that. She sewed up the skirt while I knitted the top. She seemed very proud of it:D

[Terrytx]

lisas3575, may I dare ask for that pattern also. I have done 3 of the Fur-Trimmed Ponchos from the Lion brand site. One each for the DGDs and one for the ex-DIN. Now her dd wants one and so does my DD-then there is always DS girlfriend that can't be left out-that's 6 of those suckers:eek: Needless to say, I am getting pretty tired of that pattern.

[LaraW]

Lisa, can I have that pattern too?

I finished the scarf for DH's aunt last week, and promptly jumped into knitting a hat for DD. I have 3 more inches to go before I can start shaping the top, and then it will be done.

I need to take pictures of both and will post them when I do.

:)

[DmOrtega]

Originally posted by beckms
Ugh.

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

...So I ripped it all out, started to cast on again, and made my yarn too short so I ran out before I had the right number of stitches. So I ripped it out again. And cast on again. And finally got it right, and have now successfully done three rows, and I think I'm about to go blind. And my fingers hurt. Waaahh.

... I'm determined to finish the darn thing!
...

Beckms, this made me laugh. I have just learned to knit. I haven't done any more than just the basic knit stitch. I haven't got a clue as to what a pearl looks like. My first attempt at a scarf was interesting. I put on about 50 links, with large needles, not knowing how many to put on, and away I went. After about a week, I had only about 12 rows. I thought that at this rate I'd never get anything done. After another week, I noticed that it was getting wider and wider, not longer. I got so frustrated, that I pulled it off and my scarf had turned into a cape. Bwah.... It was about three feet wide. A tad to wide for a scarf. I went to a local shop and watched them. I noticed that at the end, there were two links that needed to be treated as one. I was adding two more links on each side on every row. :rolleyes: I am currently working on my fourth scarf for Christmas and I'm having a lot of fun. They look great. BTW 12 is the magic link count, for me. I guess I'm ready to figure out what a pearl is now. ;)

[LaraW]

DMOrtega, purl is just sort of the opposite of knit.

What you do is to pull your supply yarn to the front (between the needles, not under your work). You will then put the needle you're working onto into the front of the stitch you're working, from the top (versus into the back,from the bottom), loop your supply yarn through, and pull the needle through.

There is a book called "I Can't Believe I'm Knitting!" that has some good illustrations of casting on, knit, and purl. Once you get those two stitches mastered, you can knit just about anything.