I could use some knitting help

[DebC]

I'm trying to teach myself to knit which could be the problem :eek:

I'm working on a scarf, but its curling up on the sides.
It looks like a sleeve?

Can you tell me what I could be doing wrong
I have a book for beginners which has different designs, so I picked a design called Diamond Panels

Thanks for your help
Deb

[KellyBrz]

Which book are you using?

Your scarf isn't doing anything it shouldn't be doing...anything that's mostly stockinette stitch (knit on the front and purl on the back) will curl like that. You can probably take most of it out when you're done by blocking it. The easiest way I've found to do things like scarves is to get it wet (doesn't have to be soaking), then pin it out flat on your ironing board and let it dry. You can use an iron sometimes - it depends on what kind of yarn you're using. If you're worried about it, put a towel down over the scarf and iron the towel. Make sure you measure it when you pin it out so that it's the same width all the way up and down.

[DeeK]

You can also make a garter stitch (knit every row) edging of 3-5 stitches. That will help keep it from curling.

[scbshell]

Deb,

If you are just starting out, there are two great books that would be a good resource for you. One is called Stitch N B itch. I know, the title is something else on that one. The other is Vogue Knitting. The SNB book is good because I think it gives good clear directions on stitches, as well as pictures. Also, if you do a search on the web, there are websites with free video clips you can watch so you can actually see someone doing some of the techniques. That has helped me.

The Knitter's Review website has a bullet board that is an awesome resource. There are so many people on there that you get answers back very quickly to your questions.

By the way, what kind of yarn are you using for your first project?

[KellyBrz]

The other beginner's book that's really good is Debbie Bliss "How to Knit" It's a good basic overview and it's pretty easy to read.

[outothebox]

You can also get The Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crochet. That's the one I have. One of these days I'll master more than plain knitting (yeah, right...)

[DebC]

Thanks for all the help
I'm using Red Heart 7 oz.
I live in a small town so Wal-Mart is about all we have.

kelly brz sorry I so green I don't know what blocking it is? :(

Once I get to a book store I'll look for the books ya'll told me about until then I'll check our library

I really want to make a sweater but don't know if I'll get to the point where I understand all the stitches or get the gauage thing down HE HE

[scbshell]

DebC,

Amazon is a great website to check out for books since you live in a small town. Their prices aren't bad on books and I know with a lot of the knitting books if you spend $25 (which would probably get you 2 books) you can get free shipping.

Also, check out the knitpicks website. They have some great yarns and the prices are really good. www.knitpicks.com Frankly, I hate Red Heart yarn and had a really hard time with it when I first started knitting. I find it splits really easy. I don't want you to get frustrated if you are having a hard time and it is because of the Red Heart.

To answer your question about blocking, blocking is when you take your finished piece (and depending on the type of yarn) you gently mist it with a water bottle and pin it down. You let it dry that way and blocking is the way you deal with shaping your garmet.

Best of luck. Please let us know if you have any more questions and we can help.

[scbshell]

I forgot to add that on the knitpicks website they sell books and they have a really cool features that you can actually see the inside of a few pages.

[KellyBrz]

kelly brz sorry I so green I don't know what blocking it is? :(

I really want to make a sweater but don't know if I'll get to the point where I understand all the stitches or get the gauage thing down HE HE

No, I'm sorry...I should have realized you were just starting out! Scbshell had a great explanation for you on the blocking. Sounds like she's better about it than I am. I love the knitting and barely tolerate the finishing :o

There are some really simple sweater patterns out there. I'm sure there are several people here who could help you through it!

I've got to second the comment about Red Heart Yarn, too. It's difficult to knit with. If you're stuck with Walmart, some of the Lion Brand yarns are a little better.

[koala79]

When I started my first scarf, our instructor told us to drop a stitch on the first stitch of every row so it wouldn't curl as much...would that help? Basically, you just slip the noose over to the other needle and don't knit or purl it.

[scbshell]

"Scbshell had a great explanation for you on the blocking. Sounds like she's better about it than I am. I love the knitting and barely tolerate the finishing"


KellyBrz - Oh Lord know, I can't stand blocking stuff. If I'm making scarves and stuff for myself, I am really lazy and don't block. But, I haven't done a ton of projects where I've really had to do any blocking. Thank goodness!

[KellyBrz]

Scbshell - I love to make sweaters...but you have to block them and it drives me crazy! You spend all that time knitting it and THEN you spend another couple of days finishing it. My mother was the same way, but she had the perfect solution for blocking....she sent it to my house unfinished ;)

[OliviaEllyn]

great advice here.. soo.. if one does a stitch more like a garter stitch, which is a knit every row.. and the first stitch off every needle is just slipped from one needle to the next without doing anything too it, will aid in non curling.

I've got a photo of a scarf that I made for my mother just a few months ago, the yarn is a yummy soft non supportive material.. thus a no bounce back type of stitch and can be nasty when working a garter stitch or other stitches.. so I did one that I came up with.. a knit 1, purl 1 and after the row is done, I do the same, slip the first stictch, then knit 1, purl 1 which gives me a wonderful bounce and softer texture and you'll see lil boxes that are created from this style of stitching.. rats, can't seem to find the photo.. srry, but lemme do some hunting now.

[OliviaEllyn]

okies, so I found the photo..

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/OliviaBrea/scarfjpg.jpg

[outothebox]

OE --

Your scarf is beautiful, but in reading your post, I was reminded of the Far Side cartoon about talking to your dog. "What we say to them -- 'Bad dog, Ginger, you've done a bad thing. It was naughty to eat the remote, Ginger'." "what dogs hear us say -- 'Blah Blah Ginger, blah blah blah, Ginger'."

I paraphrase, but you get the idea. I am so in need of knitting remediation!! :D

[DebC]

Thanks everyone for all the great help
OliviaEllyn I love your scarf

Ok another dumb question
Can you use the yarn for baby stuff to make a soft more dressier look?

Thanks again
Deb

[OliviaEllyn]

Ms Outtie.. harrr.. snort snort, gosh I needed that giggle, most likely that was very true and I do need to work on my instruction ability there.. heehee..



Deb, yes a softer yarn will be ok if you use a fine ply and double it with a soft baby yarn that's also a fine ply which as a nice memory bounce to it.. some of the more foo foo yarns just don't have the memory bounce and knit up funky per se.. on there own.. so double them up, try a few different types and brands with the baby yarn and knit up a swatch for a test pattern to see the form, the texture and the color combination. I can’t recall just how many swatches I’ve done and discarded due to the color, texture or the memory hold. Remember to save your swatches onto a index card, write the yarns used, the needle sizes, the type of needle and what pattern you did.. measure the inch per row and stitch per row and store that in a box.. soon you’ll have oodles of swatches to go back to and you’ll be well on your way to making tons of goodies..



I’m working right now on a newborn hat.. making the pattern and just having fun with it.. the smaller the items the harder it is at times..ooch. :D

[OliviaEllyn]

Hey.. Big lots is having a sale on yarn.. foo foo or fancy yarns for a buck! Why not grab a few skeins to practice and add trims to your projects! :D

[DebC]

Hey Thanks I'll have to check ours out
I'm always looking for a sell!

[DebC]

A BIG THANKS to everyone I did block the scarf and it looks great.
Thanks again :)
Deb