The Sewing Place
The Emporia => A Good Yarn => Topic started by: b15erk on October 09, 2019, 09:46:38 AM
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I bought this pattern before I realised that I could get it free >:), but I would really like to knit it for DGD whose new baby is due soon.
Lil Rosebud (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/154459462203087150/)
I've got the yarn and ordered the needles, but I have a few queries about the pattern before we start.
At the very start, there is an abbreviation which isn't listed:
1st round - Knit to marker, sm.
2nd round - Purl to marker, sm.
3rd round - Knit to marker, sm.
I have no idea what the sm stands for. Any ideas anyone?
Also, does this mean that the dress is started as a straight knit ie to and fro, rather than in the round?
On the marketing it is listed as an easy knit, but the pattern itself is intermediate, so I may be out of my comfort zone here.
Have any of you peeps used this pattern before, and if you did, could you please flag up anything else I need to know?
Jessie
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Never used the pattern Jessie, but sm simply means Slip Marker. 0_0
I usually have small loops of a contrast yarn in a slip knot.
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Also, does this mean that the dress is started as a straight knit ie to and fro, rather than in the round?
No, it is knitted in the round, but you change from knit to purl each time you reach the marker.
If you knit all knit in the round you get stocking stitch, because you're never turning the work around, so all the loops go down on the same side. Therefore, to get garter stitch, as in the picture, you need to alternate between knit and purl.
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Girls, @Acorn and @Ellabella , what a numpty. Of course sm means slip marker, why would I not know that? :| And of course it's done in the round, (thanks Acorn) it says so... :S Must pay attention when reading...
I guess I was hoping there would be a slit at the top for a button, which would make it easier to start off.
Do either of you remember a technique where you start your circle with a couple of rows knitted in spare yarn, to save stretching the stitches? I vaguely remember it from my last circular venture, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was called. I thought it was a provisional cast on, but that seems to be something different.
I don't knit a lot, and have long gaps in my knitting, so I should really make notes, but I always think I'll remember stuff.
Jessie
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Why are you stretching your stitches?
If it's because you are working with just one circular needle then it's too long if you have to stretch the stitches. Either use two circs, 3+1 double points, 4+1 double points, or use a very long circular and have a loop pulled out between the stitches. My personal preference is 3+1 dpns.
For stitch markers I like the polo rings used on bra straps (the smaller the better) because they are smooth and don't catch on anything. I can't be doing with fancy dangly markers. If you use thread make sure it's a smooth, firmly twisted crochet type cotton and not a regular kitting yarn that could get knitted into the work.
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I use the little rings that come with my electric toothbrush refills.
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I use jump rings from my jewellery making days. :)
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@BrendaP Sorry to be so long getting back to you, I've just come back from the eye hospital. The circular needle problem is more to do with my tight casting on than anything else, and last time I did it, I came across a technique where you do a few rows of knitting in scrap yarn - not even joining it for a few rows, just to get the tension, and the stitch flow correct. What I can't remember is, how you get rid of it! I struggle with Magic Loop as I hate the way the stitches seem to pull apart at the middle, and dpns just slip through my fingers...
I didn't know about using 2 circular needles, that could possibly help, I'll look into it, thank you.
@wrenkins good idea, but I've never made jewelry, and @toileandtrouble , I still use a manual toothbrush... :|
I haven't been able to find a tutorial for this pattern, but how hard can it be? :S :S
Jessie
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Jessie, in machine knitting knitting a few rows in scrap yarn is just that, and to separate this from the real yarn we use something called a nylon cord, you just knit a row with this nylon cord and when that row is complete just start knitting with your garment yarn and whenever you are ready pull the cord out and the scrap yarn drops away. Now because you are hand knitting I presume you are going to have to cast on again after the row with a nylon cord otherwise you will have raw open stitches unless a hem is being created.
This nylon cord is brilliant, usually came in white but you could also sometimes get some pastel colours. Do you have any places that still sell machine knitting equipment near you? Otherwise it means a mail order unless anyone on here has a spare nylon cord. Metropolitan in Nantwich Cheshire is a huge machine knitting place. Whilst I have plenty of cords I cannot even get to them without emptying my room of sewing cabinets, boxes and boxes of fabrics, patterns etc. On top of my knitting cabinet I have two very long and heavy boxes stuffed full of paper stuff all related sewing items, I don't even think I could lift the box. So fingers crossed someone on here has a spare one that you could have.
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I second what Elnnina says, but if you can't get a nylon cord, carefully press the waste yarn and the first row of proper stitches only (you might want to do a trial run with this first but it isn't too difficult). Then, by snipping the sides of the waste yarn, row by row, you should be able to unravel upwards to the pressed row of stitches. Because you have pressed them they won't unravel uncontrollably and you can pick them up onto a needle to do with what you will.
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The technique also works if you use a fine, slippery yarn as the single, pull-out row. :)
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I'll throw this one in then go and hide .... you can use any length cable with 'magic loop' once you've got the technique it's simple and especially good for garments where the number of stitches changes.
I posted a written tutorial way back on this board that was the one that made sense to me (I couldn't work out the you tube stuff)
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@Ploshkin I've really struggled with Magic Loop - I think it's something to do with my knitting style (I don't have one! ;))
I'll give it another try, but it's like learning to knit fog...
@Elnnina , @Greybird , @Kenora Thank you all for this, I will have a look at some videos to jog my non-existent memory!
I have a feeling though, that I may be mixing a few things up in my head, and that the technique is used for a Tubular/Invisible cast on.
I should really stick to sewing... :S
Jessie
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Well, I just couldn't wait could I?
New needles were waiting on the mat when I got home, and I just had to have a go. Had to read the pattern from my phone as I'd left the printed copy at work, so that was a pain.
As expected, the casting on, and first row was a right royal pia, but 4th time lucky all went well.
I'd bought short circulars, but they weren't quite short enough for my tight casting on, so I had to adjust my tension.
The pattern seems very straightforward, and knits quickly, although I have made some changes. I'm not keen on DK for babies, so I'm using a 4ply, and smaller needles - this is maybe why the first row was tight.
Popping in to town now, and may have a look at what circular needles they have.
Jessie
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Now you've mastered magic loop :) you may want to consider interchangeable needles. I got a set and haven't used anything else since. They're great for circular knitting and you can pick the cable length you want to use but I use them fir all my 2 way knitting too. I have very painful hands and wrists sometimes but I can knit because the weight of the knitting is in my lap and I'm not holding it on long needles.
I got a set of Knitpro Symphonie wooden needles and they are just brilliant.
These are them (https://www.woolstack.co.uk/knitpro-symfonie-wood-interchangeable-needle-deluxe-set/)
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@b15erk have you tried casting on with larger needles and switching to the proper size on the later rounds?
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Well, after all my panicking, this has been a really lovely, easy pattern to knit. I would highly recommend it. It is a line by line pattern, so you know exactly where you are up to. There is a cardigan pattern by the same designer which I will be buying.
The circular knitting was easy as well, no need to change needles, or use MagicLoop, the whole piece fitted on 40cm circular needles.
The only change I made was to use a smaller needle, and 4 ply yarn, and to do this, I went up a size.
It's looking good, and I'm hoping to have it finished tomorrow.
Oh, and the best bit? No sewing up, just a little weaving in.
Jessie
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@Ploshkin , I have a set of interchangeable KnitPro circulars, but after our recent upheavals, I just can't find them. They are in a safe place, but it's so safe that I haven't yet found it...
I ordered a couple of short circulars last week, and they have worked well, but I've just ordered a couple of sets of interchangeable ones as I am determined to do more circular knitting - far less sewing up!
Jessie
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There are a few things that don't really work in the round.
I am working this (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-adrian) which is a paid for pattern and the instructions clearly said to work thhe main part to the underarms and cast off stitches under each sleeve, then put aside, then:
Sleeves:
Work in the round on double pointed needles.
which I did. Then
Yoke:
Slip sleeves on to the same circular needle size 2½ mm as body, where armholes were bound off
It's impossible to get the straight part of a circular needle around the small diameter sleeve. :angry: Other than re-knitting the sleeves flat the only way was to work the first few rows of the yoke on half a dozen straight DPNs making sure that there was a change of needle in the middle of each sleeve.
I also found that the fairisle pattern for the size I'm making (0-3 months) didn't work out, there would have been a half star on one side, so I had to fiddle with the number of decreases to get it right. Not impressed, but I like the general design.
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Beautifully knitted @BrendaP . <3 I used to love making that type of yoked design in the days when I could still knit. Keeps the brain cells moving although it would be nice if the designers got the pattern details right in the first place.
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@BrendaP that cardigan is really lovely! I love your colours, and the contrasting button band. I watch Arne and Carlos, and they make it look very easy, but when I do it, it's like I have 3 thumbs!
I wish I could do colourwork, but I get in a terrible muddle. I am though thinking of brushing up my cable skills.
Jessie
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When I did a Fairisle, many lives ago, I had to sit in a big space with all the colours spread out around me. I've only ever done one.
That cardigan is gorgeous Brenda, I live the colours. I agree about sleeves in the round, I've done it a couple of times and I can't remember exactly why but it was a bit of a stretch even with the short needles.