Allotments 4 All
General => The Shed => Topic started by: star on November 16, 2008, 16:12:45
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Just putting feeling feelers out to see who would be interested in helping knit a kind of friendship blanket for a charity?
It would only be a case of knitting a couple of squares each out of double knitting wool, from yer stashes. What else would you do with it?
If there's enough interest, it would be nice to get this underway before and ready for crimbo ;D ;D
More details later depending on how many want to join in ;)
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hi Star i know you know i want to play already but i thought i would post to bee formal like :)
what size squares do you want?
can the kids play to?
(yes all 5 of them can knit, but shhhhh dont tell anyone that 17 yold son can coz he will sulk)
lbb
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Er, the last time I knitted anything it was a little cardigan for my mate's lad when he was born 23 years ago and it took me so long he was walking by the time it was ready and it didn't fit him! ;D
I doubt I've got any wool ::) and have no idea where the knitting needles are but if you are desperate (and you need to be!) I'll volunteer. I'll need instructions though - I have no idea how many stitches I'd need to cast on to make the size you need - and in fact I'm not certain I even remember how to cast on.
G x (Useless but willing)
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I can do a few,providing it is just plain and pearl :)
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Hi Georgie
depending on what size squares star wants, if you look at the ball band it will say on it a number of rows and stitches that will make a 10cm square :)
but either star or i will help you i'm sure :)
lbb
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How about doing this ?
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http://brilliantbritain.blogspot.com/2008/11/help-knit-worlds-biggest-tea-cosy.html
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how many stitches would be needed for 4-ply, only I know someone who has a lot of brown left over and how many times would she need to double-up on the stitches to approximate double-knitting? :-\
(oooh, I am SO good at volunteering other people) ;D
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Way back when I was working I could buy wool/yarn quicker than I could knit it, so am more than willing to help. Just give us a rough idea of stitches/rows needle size, as a lot of the yarns I have are pre metric ;D ;D
I'm assuming you just want stocking stitch squares, rather than anything fancy. :-[
valmarg
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how many stitches would be needed for 4-ply, only I know someone who has a lot of brown left over and how many times would she need to double-up on the stitches to approximate double-knitting? :-\
(oooh, I am SO good at volunteering other people) ;D
If memory serves me Hyacinth, if you knit two strands of 4ply together, you get D/K.
valmarg
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how many stitches would be needed for 4-ply, only I know someone who has a lot of brown left over and how many times would she need to double-up on the stitches to approximate double-knitting? :-\
(oooh, I am SO good at volunteering other people) ;D
aww lish does cj know you are nominating her
lbb
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aww lish does cj know you are nominating her
lbb
Not yet she doesn't ;D
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I usually only do baby stuff nowadays but can probably find some DK so count me in. Which charity, Star?
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Right I've tipped the drawer under the bed out and found three pairs of needles. Does it matter what size I use?
Hi Georgie
depending on what size squares star wants, if you look at the ball band it will say on it a number of rows and stitches that will make a 10cm square :)
but either star or i will help you i'm sure :)
lbb
I'm gonna need help. ;D
I'm assuming you just want stocking stitch squares, rather than anything fancy. :-[
valmarg
I hope so but what's stocking stitch? Is that one row plain then one pearl?
G x
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Me, Me. Just tell me number of stitches etc. etc. and will get knitting. Got an easy pattern for easter chicks, body is a cadburys creme egg, if anyone wants it. A bit early I know but it is a very, very easy pattern and little children love it.
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Me, Me. Just tell me number of stitches etc. etc. and will get knitting. Got an easy pattern for easter chicks, body is a cadburys creme egg, if anyone wants it. A bit early I know but it is a very, very easy pattern and little children love it.
You're having a laugh right? ;) ;D
Seriously though, Borlotti, where can I buy wool in Enfield? The shop I used years ago in Lancaster Road has closed down and I don't think Pearsons have a haberdashery section any more do they?
G x
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Georgie,Not sure,have not knitted anything for over twenty years.
I think tension matters as well :-\
I tried to remember casting on,just slip the stitch over to the other needle.
Be fun to have a go again. :)
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I LOVE knitting but I'm absolutely cr*p at it. I'll do some squares Star, I surely can't muck them up...can I? ;D
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Georgie, Pearsons do sell wool, I think it on the top floor, poked away in a corner. They used to have cheap double knitting wool as I used to buy it when I had a phase of knitting soft toys. Charity shops sometimes sell it. Was the one in Lancaster Road so full of wool you couldn't get in and the woman could never find anything. Not surprised it closed down.
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I think you check the tension by knitting a square in stocking stitch that's bigger than 10 cm square, then mark a row, count 10 cm then mark that row, and then do the same for columns. That way you'll know whether you nit tightly or loosely. If you have too many to the 10 cm you knit tightly, therefore need larger needles to get the right tension, if you have too few you knit loosely and would need smaller needles. Or knit a larger or smaller size.
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Georgie,Not sure,have not knitted anything for over twenty years.
I think tension matters as well :-\
I tried to remember casting on,just slip the stitch over to the other needle.
Be fun to have a go again. :)
You bet tension will matter when I have a go at this! ;D Seriously though I'm sure you are right and I cannot remember whether I'm a loose or a tight knitter. ::)
I was half joking about remembering how to cast on but I've just recalled something about knitting into the back of the stitch to make a neat edge?
Star, what have you started? ;D
G x
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I think you check the tension by knitting a square in stocking stitch that's bigger than 10 cm square, then mark a row, count 10 cm then mark that row, and then do the same for columns. That way you'll know whether you nit tightly or loosely. If you have too many to the 10 cm you knit tightly, therefore need larger needles to get the right tension, if you have too few you knit loosely and would need smaller needles. Or knit a larger or smaller size.
I'm just off for a lie down. ;D
G x
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Georgie, Pearsons do sell wool, I think it on the top floor, poked away in a corner. They used to have cheap double knitting wool as I used to buy it when I had a phase of knitting soft toys. Charity shops sometimes sell it. Was the one in Lancaster Road so full of wool you couldn't get in and the woman could never find anything. Not surprised it closed down.
Oh right, I'll have a look tomorrow. Er, are we using 'wool' or the synthetic stuff btw?
IIRC the shop was quite large and on the corner of Browning Road (?) and the woman was very helpful. I don't think they made a lot of money as there was hardly ever anyone in there which was a shame really because they could always be relied upon for embroidery silks, buttons etc which my daughter used to need for various school projects.
G x
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Basic acrylic double knitting yarn worked on a 4mm needle (old UK 8 or US 6) tensions at 22 stitches x 34 rows will give you a 10cm (4 inch) square.This is worked on stocking stitch.
Some of the fancier yarns with silk, pure wool and cotton blended in can be slightly different but are expensive too.
Basic acrylic is cheap, colourful and washes well, if wool is mixed in when the blankie is washed it might shrink and the blankie will be puckered in the places where the wool is. Better to stick to regular acrylics and double knitting.
It can be found in most places Woolies, Boyes, Wilkinsons, anywhere really that seels yarn.
An 6 inch square makes a good size for a patchwork blankie in basic stocking stitch, so 33 stitches and 50 rows should give you that.
If you knit tight use a size bigger needle and if you knit loose knit a size smaller, this way the squares should be more or less the same whoever makes them.
4 ply needs to be 28 stitches x 36 rows on 3.25 needle old UK10, US 3) will give you 4 inches but the square will be a lighter weight than in DK.
Hope this helps.
XX Jeannine
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Well that serpently helps me ;D
Thanks Jeannine.
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ok, seems like there are a few of us.
soooo, what size squares?
could have done one by now
is it ok to do a patern or a fancy yarn as long as i can get the size the same?
lbb
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How about doing this ?
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http://brilliantbritain.blogspot.com/2008/11/help-knit-worlds-biggest-tea-cosy.html
Flighty that looks like a worth while cause to me but perhaps it's best posted in a separate thread so that it doesn't get mixed up with this one?
G x
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Im not a great knitter but a group of us knit for 'Bonnie Babies' charity that knits for premaure babies and the sad fact that babies die and the mums need to hold their babies to say good bye, the hats ect are so small and so fast to knit and take very little wool.
Have a look and please if you can knit give a hand its a lovely thing to do for familys at a tough time :)
http://www.bonniebabies.co.uk/
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Hi flowerofshona2007
that sounds like a lovely idea,
i think that star would realy like to do a blanket first though
maybe when the people who havent knitted for the last 20 years start again
they will rediscover it and go on to making other things
lbb
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At the moment I will pause on doing this until the New Year. But watch this space.......thanks for the interest to those who have posted ;)
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I can knit but no needles or wool in house but can buy it somewhere!!! Put my name down. The look on OHs face when he sees me knitting will be priceless.
C ;D
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I would be very pkeased to do some knitting for you. Just give me the instructions love.
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I can't even spell god help me with the bluddy knittin
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Georgie I've just seen your comment!
Now I know that there's lots of knitters here I'll do that.
Thanks! xx
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Count me in aswell. Have loads of odd balls :o which need using up.
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A couple of tips for those of you who haven't knitted for years.
When casting on insert the needle between the two last cast on stitches. This gives a very neat and firm bottom edge to the knitting.
Start each plain row with one purl stitch and each purl row with one plain stitch. This gives a good edge for joining two pieces of knitting together.
hth
Tricia
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Duly noted Tricia,thanks. Going for a ferret in the attic now, got a bag of wool the size of England in there.(well a large M&S bag at least ;D) All I need now is something worth watching on the tele.
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Cast on, then knit the next row knitting into the back of the stitch. My mum taught me. Gives an even edge. I think we are going to get a lot of different size squares, unless we check the wool, needles and what tension we knit at. Sounds a bit too complicated for me. Next door does lovely, lovely crochet rugs but even though mum taught me still can't do it.
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Crochet is much easier Borlotti, you've only got one stitch to drop. ;D
valmarg
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Well, now it gets dark early and the allotment can look after itself for a while I will learn to crochet. I can do a plain row but not much else. So used to having two needles not one hook. I love some of the crochet work and people who can do it make it look so easy.
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my mum used to crochet lace, never got off wool myself, mind you, I used to make all the babies boottees and jackets ;D
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Ahhh, now I can crochet, but I love knitting more.Why nothing ever fits anyone I have knitted for is a mystery to me ???
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My Mum crochet two blankets for my children -- they lasted years, with the good old triple
shell stich she went round and round [ or oblong ] and made single blankets.
Must admit that when they were washed -- you did have to pull into shape the bits
that were all wool.
Used to knit but don't think I can read a pattern now -- used to re-write them in my own
language , ticking off the rows as I went ----- hopeless :-[
floss xxx
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Years and years ago, patterns where much easier to understand.
They still had all the abbreviations, but they were all together at the start of the pattern, so you could just refer to them as needed. Now they are on each row........drives me insane >:(
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Any chance of somone knitting us 6 dalek covers for the winter, well any offers. ;D ;D ;D :-*
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;D ;D ;D ;D ::)
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O.K. First attempt now burning nicely in the grate. Casting on was fine, all went well for a few rows then I thought I'd try some fancy stuff. The cat didn't help, though I can't really blame her. How did I manage to get 37 stitches from 33?
and the holes, oh the holes....something to do with the art of joining a different wool halfway through a row? Daughter has gone to bed - in stitches :(
Didn't think it was that bad.
Oh well, if at first you don't succeed...no, I wont be beaten by a simple square of nittin.
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Ah......dont give up ;)
Its easy to gain extra stitches where you dont want them. Try doing lacy? .........Before doing a knit stitch, put the yarn in front of the needle as you would for a purl stitch, knit one and slip the knitted stitch off the needle, leaving the yarn over needle on. On the next row purl the yarn over as you would any other purl stitch.
Im not very good with instructions........hope this makes sense ;)
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Ah......dont give up ;)
Its easy to gain extra stitches where you dont want them. Try doing lacy? .........Before doing a knit stitch, put the yarn in front of the needle as you would for a purl stitch, knit one and slip the knitted stitch off the needle, leaving the yarn over needle on. On the next row purl the yarn over as you would any other purl stitch.
Im not very good with instructions........hope this makes sense ;)
I remember it now:
yf, s1, k1, psso
yarn forward, slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
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Cunning plan now, no holes, deliberate or otherwise. ;D ;D
Thanks for the help ladies.
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Ah......dont give up ;)
Its easy to gain extra stitches where you dont want them. Try doing lacy? .........Before doing a knit stitch, put the yarn in front of the needle as you would for a purl stitch, knit one and slip the knitted stitch off the needle, leaving the yarn over needle on. On the next row purl the yarn over as you would any other purl stitch.
Im not very good with instructions........hope this makes sense ;)
I remember it now:
yf, s1, k1, psso
yarn forward, slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Now thats the proper way girls..........told you Im rubbish at destructions ::) ::) ::) ;)
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how many stitches would be needed for 4-ply, only I know someone who has a lot of brown left over and how many times would she need to double-up on the stitches to approximate double-knitting? :-\
(oooh, I am SO good at volunteering other people) ;D
I turn my back for 5 days and look what you get up to ;D
Busy reading rest of thread and will post again later
cj :)
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Well, it looks like a nice idea.
I am looking forward to the new year when we get started ;D
cj :)
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Was digging in old photos and found this one - I knitted it and finished it in time to wear for Christmas Day (1972 in Jeddah)
[attachment=1]
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That's a cracker Asbean. I know at least one gel here who would wear that now.
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Knitting is becoming popular again I believe. I remember being taught the basics of how to knit in primary school (and I am only late 20's). Can't do it though! Maybe I will try again over the winter.... My mum has made me some good hats and scarves and some great stuff for my niece over the years. I guess I would have to start with something VERY simple.
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About to cast on ......this should be fun :D
I wonder how many squares I will have to knit to make four acceptable ones!
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Knitting is becoming popular again I believe. I remember being taught the basics of how to knit in primary school (and I am only late 20's). Can't do it though! Maybe I will try again over the winter.... My mum has made me some good hats and scarves and some great stuff for my niece over the years. I guess I would have to start with something VERY simple.
Yes it is becoming popular again, but now its because its in vogue to have hand knitteds and crafts. When I knitted my kids sweaters etc years ago, it was because it was cheaper. Its actually pretty expensive to buy yarn now :(
But you cant beat it on a cold winters night :D With yer cocoa ;D
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Wilkinson's have a limited range of colours in DK yarn at 89p 100g. That is what I've been using to make knee blankets for two elderly friends for Christmas presents.
Tricia
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see my thread in bargains galore, knitting wool, 4 for 3.99 inc pattern..plus needles and crochet hooks
sorry, forgot, it's lidl selling them ;D
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Brilliant bargains girls.....I need to get out more ::) ;D
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Well I've done two squares and started the third.(Did them in the car to and from Bruges recently) No time now until the new year though. ;D
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Have done 4 whilst watching telly and am starting to do 4 for Hyacinth being as how she don't do knitting. Cant leave her out can we.
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Well I now have half a scarf....
I started and did about 1/4 of the scarf and it was just getting wider and wider gaining more and more stiches. It looked rubbish so I started again. Looks okay so far!
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Everyone's really busy ;D I dont know how you can knit while your travelling tho Maggie. I would get car sick :-X
Yay Shirl, its great that Hyacinth has an alter-ego-knitting-type buddy ;D
Hey Sparkly.....glad your scarf is coming on well ;)
Ive been doing scarves as well in eyelash wool.........what a nightmare :-\! Give me double or chunky any time ;)
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Nah, can't do nittin!....mind you, can darn sox tho 8) ::)....
Not much call for sox-darnin Champs these days tho? Mind you, when the recession bites and winter closes in, spec I'll be gettin spud sackfuls from you lot now I've declared me Talent ;D
Shirl, Tone's'll be done for free...now THAT'S a bargain, given the size of Big Tone's feet ::) ;D
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He ay got big feet he just wears big shoes
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Some help please ???
I have got to grips with knit and purl. I have attempted to do a 2 x2 ridge stitch and I realise this means knit 2 followed by purl 2. The problem I have is that once I do the first 2 knits followed by 2 purls it seems to get twisted up. I have tried to put the wool back to the front by either going backwards or forwards, but it still ends up twisted no matter now I do this? What am I doing wrong? ??? ??? ???
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Some help please ???
I have got to grips with knit and purl. I have attempted to do a 2 x2 ridge stitch and I realise this means knit 2 followed by purl 2. The problem I have is that once I do the first 2 knits followed by 2 purls it seems to get twisted up. I have tried to put the wool back to the front by either going backwards or forwards, but it still ends up twisted no matter now I do this? What am I doing wrong? ??? ??? ???
The wool should start from behind the needles for knit and at the front for purl :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
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Oh dear! I thought everyone was doing stocking stitch. I have done all mine just so.
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[[flash=200,200][flash=200,200]quote author=asbean link=topic=47092.msg483112#msg483112 date=1230935492]
The wool should start from behind the needles for knit and at the front for purl :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
[/quote]
Thanks! I found a video on the web and I can see how I was doing this wrong now. ;D
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Oh dear! I thought everyone was doing stocking stitch. I have done all mine just so.
but Shirl, I specified fair isle...... :-[
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Well they will just have to put it down to my age if I have done it wrong (8 times an orl)
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Oh dear! I thought everyone was doing stocking stitch. I have done all mine just so.
Stocking stitch is great Shirl, ;D
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Thank goodness for that Star. When do you want them sent love?
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Wheneve your ready Shirl, Im still waiting for some. ;)
I just pm'd you too ::)
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just out of curiosity does anyone know if there are places that you can collect odd bits of wool. the reason i ask is my mother in law is a knitting nut but she only knits baby clothes and crochets blankets which she then donates to the scbu, and to the hospice shop etc for them to sell.
it is too expensive for her to always to be putting her hand in her purse for the wool as she is on a pension but she loves knitting any ideas?
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I was told a good tip is to go to the charity shop and get some jumpers and then unravel them and re-knit. Sounds like a good idea.
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hey that is a good idea dont know why i didnt think of it myself ;D
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I was going to suggest the same, some very nice stuff in charity shops. Its been a very long time since I was told.....but I thinkwhen you have unraveled the jumper, you make a skien rather than a ball. Wrap the wool from your hand to your elbow........then get a friend to help you tie the skein in 4 places with a short length of wool for each tie.
Then hand wash the skein, this helps (apparently) to straighten the wool, as its very squiggly after unreveling.
Im not terribly good at explaining whot oi mean, so Im very happy for someone to correct me or be more precise ;)
Sigh............ ;D ;D
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sounds good to me i often look in charity shops for books for me and toys for my parrot so will have a good look.
i understand exactly what you are saying its like when you wind up an electric cable, well i do anyway ;D
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I have just started knitting a square today. Unfortunately I forgot to take the wool and needles away with me when I went away last week. Is there a deadline date by which they must be sent please?
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Last year I 'Freecycled' a lot of different types of knitting yarn. Had dozens of replies, so maybe if you put in a 'wanted' request you could get some that way.
Tricia
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Mum read somewhere if you unravel a knit, re-skien it over a full hot water bottle. Then wrap it in a just slightly damp tea towel. Leave until the hotty watty bottle is cold and it will have steamed the wool smooth. ;D
Have you thought about a free ad in the local rag under the wanted section, or mention it to the local church - ours 'acquire' wool for the ladies to knit for the prem baby unit, hospices etc. And don't forget freecycle. I bet there are masses of people out there with old wool that they don't want.
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Please can we have a deadline i havent even started mine yet i got the wool at the weekend. thank you.
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all excellent ideas
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Blast!! Now I've got the time I've also got a very painful thumb joint. Arthritis I think :( I may have to co-erce a pal or teach a daughter to knit if these are needed very soon.
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Hi Maggie. I hadn't done any knitting for years and when I first started these squares my bloomin hands were killing me for the first two until me fingers got the hang of it
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S'not the knitting Shirl, haven't done any for a few weeks. It's a little easier today so I'll have another go at the weekend. Daughter 2 has recorded 'Kinky Boots' so I will combine the two ;D
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Are you still taking the squares? I have a number of 6X6 inch ones avaliable...