Knit Tips & Tricks

[Arielluria]

Thanks, yup I'm Arielluria there too, add me to friends and I'll see you there when I get off my Ravelry diet.

[cacunn]

but if a beginner does it it's a mistake?!? '

We learn much more from our mistakes then from our successes someone once said.

I don't know if I have said in this thread before or not, but,

There are no mistakes in knitting!


What occurs are design elements that we did not initially plan on. If we like the new design element we keep it, if we don't like the design element, we save the idea for possible latter use, frog back to a good point and work on other new design elements.

The pair of socks I am now working on have had about eight new design elements that I decided not to use in this design.

True I could finish projects faster if I paid more attention to the intended design elements, but, I knit for fun, not speed.

[G J]

Here's a gauge/sizing tip:

When you begin a garment that's constructed in pieces, make the size your gauge swatch says you should and then CHECK your gauge BEFORE you get to any size-specific elements. THEN, if necessary, change to a different size.
For example, I'm making Athos. I began on the back using my gauge swatch of 4.5 spi, so I CO for size S. When I got to the sleeves, I discovered that my gauge was actually 4.75 spi. I'm doing the sleeve decreases so that my bind-offs and decreases bring the stitch counts to the size M stitch counts. Then I will begin the FRONT on the size L. When I get to the sleeves, I'll switch so the bind offs and decreases will bring the stitch counts to match the M so the front and back will match at the shoulders. This way, it's big enough around the middle, the side seams are slightly toward the back (no big deal), but the shoulders will match and it will FIT! I've done this on other projects and it turns out beautifully without a lot of re-knitting.

I hate it when my gauge swatch lies, but when it does, I can (usually) still make it work!

[Ijustwantacraft]

I have been getting my patterns in large binders, the millions I have in drawers and cupboards. Bought a couple binders at wallmart. Also found a great way to keep all the needles and hooks. Also at wallmart It is a folding case for bathroom items for travel and little file case for the cables. The travel case was 13.99 and the binders 4.99 . Here is photo of some results, if you need some ideas for organized. link to photo to big to post here:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...g?t=1244572240

[Arielluria]

Good work , I just LOOOOOOOOOVE getting organized!

[helenlou]

silly question I know but what is a []'lifeline'?[/]

[cacunn]

silly question I know but what is a []'lifeline'?[/]

Not a silly question, we have all asked it one time or another.

A life line is a piece of floss. thread or some type of marker at is threaded through a know good row of knitting. If you have to frog this will stop the frogging at a know good point. If you have interchangeable needles you can put this line in the hole used to tighten the needle.

[Ellieblue]

We.ve all done it. While doing our magic loop socks ,2 at once, our yarns become twisted around each other. I was working on two sleeves and came up with this idea. When you finish one item (sock, sleeve) store that ball of yarn inside your item, then go on to the next one, pull out the ball of yarn, work the second sock,sleeve, put that yarn inside. NO MORE TANGLES. Ellie

[Squeakee]

My hints may have already been noted but here goes:

#1
As I get a lot of my patterns from those who are gracious enough to share through websites and blogs, to keep track I have started a database that includes the following: website, pattern author, recommended needles and yarn, yarn and needles used (if different), and a photo of completed work. When written down it may seem time consuming but believe me it's come in very handy for me.

#2
We all know how hard it is to pass up a good yarn sale, which results in a multitude of yarn skeins with no room to store. I now store mine in vacuum storage bags. Works great with wool and other natural fibers. Keeps it dry and I have stored about 30 skeins in a large bag.

[motherpink]

Here is a rip from me

If I do a pattern and I go wrong within the rows I had done. I put a smaller single pointed needle in that row and undo it till you get to that row with the smaller needle on and it saves loosing your stitches