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Any knitters out there

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9:58 pm
April 11, 2010

Craftyscrapper

Hull

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Hi I am new here, I have been knitting since I was 7 and I am now 40 and I love it even though my Scrapbooking and cardmaking have taken over a bit I still enjoy it. I have just started knitting a cable cardigan for next door neighbours grandson. I will try add a pic when its done. It may take a while as I have a few card orders to finish and I am training to be a Teaching Assistant at my daughters Primarty school as well.

Best wishes

Denise

6:28 am
April 12, 2010

craftybren

Somerset

Moderator

posts 1271

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Hi Denise, we know how other things get in the way, it always amazes me how anything ever gets finished with so many projects on the go at once, but we get there in the end, don't we. Look forward to seeing the end result.

Good luck with your Teaching Assistant training

BREN XX

http://craftybrensembroideredt…..weebly.com

12:37 am
July 17, 2010

jackid

oldbury

Moderator

posts 631

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Hello, newby knitter here still in early stages, i've done a bit of crochet but my main ones are card making and cross stitch the pic i've got as my avatar is my work in progress at mo (taking for ever) Ihaven't actually knitted an item up to now just squares getting used to stitches and reading patterns it's like learning a different language lol

jacki

Follow My Blog At – Cards By Jacki

9:05 pm
July 17, 2010

craftybren

Somerset

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posts 1271

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Hi Jacki you will soon get the hang of it and have a cardy knitted up in no time.

BREN XX

http://craftybrensembroideredt…..weebly.com

2:52 pm
July 18, 2010

ScrappySue

Scotland

Member

posts 445

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Hi Bren

Hope the move went well in the end and you are settling in to your new home.

Regarding machine knitting, I bought a basic knitting machine to try and have got the knack of using it but can't for the life of me work out how to get the size right. I don't really want to follow a machine pattern but every time I try and calculate the correct number of stitches to cast on for a garment it is wrong. Do you know if there a standard calculation or would I be better buying machine patterns. If buying patterns is the best way do you know of any online stores because there seems to be nothing in my neck of the woods.

Any info. would be great.

Thanks and kind regards.

Sue

8:39 pm
July 18, 2010

craftybren

Somerset

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posts 1271

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Hi Sue

You must always do a swatch as all wool varies, I usually do a 40 st x 60 row, I put markers in after 10 rows and then on the last ten rows (= 40 rows to measure) also markers on the 30 row after ten stitches and before last ten stitches ( 2o stitches to be measured) in the pattern required, leave overnight to settle then measure the twenty stitches across and the 40 rows down. This then gives you your measurement to work out how many stitches and rows you will need.

But I also have a Knit Leader where you draw your outline pattern and follow that (knitmaster call them Radars)

Hope you can understand my instructions but pleasae feel free to PM me if you get stuck

Bren xx

BREN XX

http://craftybrensembroideredt…..weebly.com

12:26 pm
July 19, 2010

ScrappySue

Scotland

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Hi Bren

Thanks for answering so quickly. Your instructions do make sense and I did try this before but I didn't put markers in as you suggested. I think I miscounted the stitches because the length was OK (so I counted the rows correctly) but the back and the sleeves were far to wide. I'll put markers in next time so I know exactly where I'm counting. I'll also investigate the Knit Radar.

Thanks and kind regards.

Sue

11:58 am
August 15, 2010

ScrappySue

Scotland

Member

posts 445

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Hi Bren

You mentioned in your last post a Knitmaster or Radar. Is this for an electronic machine? I have got a Silver Reed LK150 basic machine, not electronic but I have seen the Radar mentioned for this model on other websites but with no explanation as to what it does. Can you tell me briefly how it works then I can investigate more. Thanks.

Sue

2:25 pm
August 15, 2010

craftybren

Somerset

Moderator

posts 1271

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Hi Sue,

The Radar or Knit Leader etc depending on who makes them are not electronic, they fit any machine so long as you get the right one for, example Radar is for Knitmaster, Knit Leader is for Brother, etc.

You have a sheet of paper or heavy vellum depending on the make, that revolves around some cogs that is turned by the carriage going to and fro, it hits a lever on the machine.

On this paper you draw your outline pattern in your size, when you knit the tension swatch this then tells you how many rows to knit, and you set your gauge to that number, so as you go to and fro the pattern is revolving and you are reading the lines you have drawn and increase or decrease according to your lines.

It's much simpler than it sounds, honest, I am just a bit useless at explaning in words. It is important to do a swatch and leave at least overnight. Because even the same weight yarn and the same brand I have found can vary, so you need to do a swatch for every garment.

In my opinion they are worth every penny much easier than trying to follow written patterns.

Hope that helps Sue.

BREN XX

http://craftybrensembroideredt…..weebly.com

8:10 pm
August 17, 2010

ScrappySue

Scotland

Member

posts 445

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Hi Bren

Yes that helps enormously. I had assumed that it must be an electronic add-on but couldn't understand why it was recommended for my machine. It sounds exactly what I need and money well spent if it means I can actually start producing wearable knitted garments. I will look at purchasing one of these as soon as I can as my work cardigans are wearing very thin and my daughter is still awaiting a plain black jumper. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks.

Sue

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