Home » Discussion Forums » Talk » One for all the fibercrafters!
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2328 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 13:45   |
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 Laura
Messages: 196
Registered: October 2008
Location: Midwestern USA |
Senior Member |
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So I know I will probably be inundated with responses (at least I hope I will be) but I am looking for pattern ideas for a scarf for my husband. I just finished my first cable project, which was an Irish hiking scarf for myself, and then looked with regret at the giant scarf of baby alpaca yarn I made for my husband that he never wears. Why doesn't he wear it, you ask? It was my first big knitting project ever and is accordingly sloppy.
And...because it's ten feet long with the effects of gravity. I'm serious. When I hold it up folded in half, it is taller than I am. So I am unraveling all 10 feet to reuse the yarn. It's a little bulkier than sport weight; I believe I used size 11 needles on it the first time.
I'm not looking for anyone to violate any copyrights in order to give me a pattern, but rather for directions to a nice free pattern on the globenet somewhere. (Preferably not the Darkline, thanks)
I am fairly competent at cabling, and have not yet attempted anything with increases or decreases, but am willing to take on a challenge.
At least it won't be 10 feet long again, so I'll have at LEAST 2 skeins extra afterwards to go towards my Afghans for Afghans scrap collection.
I will certainly be looking for a pattern, myself (I'm not THAT lazy) but I thought with all the yarn experts here that this was a good resource to tap in my search.
[Updated on: Sun, 26 October 2008 13:50]
Known on both Ravelry and LibraryThing as thelorelei.
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2329 is a reply to message #2298 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 13:47 |
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| Black Bear wrote on Sun, 26 October 2008 08:26 |
| ssshunt wrote on Sun, 26 October 2008 01:11 |
Well don't I feel dumb! It never occurred to me to look at it like that. But now I see it, all crinkly eyed and happy--good for you.
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Don't feel dumb, I am pretty savvy on teh interwebz and I had never seen that one before. I had just decided it meant "I'm dead" before I got to the explanation. (X's for eyes mean dead, right? I read comic books, I know these things.)
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It has to do with the orientation of the smiley (or emoticon, if you want to get fancy...) Since XD is laying on it's side, the eyes are more of a >< with the D below it (I'm not going to try and create a 90 degree rotated D...). Now, if you wanted to do 'dead' then you could use X_X or x_x.
Often emoticons read without rotation are associated with anime and Japanese in general, probably because they resemble some of the faces used for expression in anime/manga. I tend to use those, especially ^_^ or ^^; or 0_o. The first is roughly equivalent to a  the second is a 'sweatdrop' (a marker of stress or 'i messed up a little...'), the third is surprise and/or confusion.
Can you tell I spend an awful lot of time chatting on the internet? ^_^
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2330 is a reply to message #2298 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 14:05 |
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Kathy_S
Messages: 314
Registered: October 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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| Black Bear wrote on Sun, 26 October 2008 08:26 |
| ssshunt wrote on Sun, 26 October 2008 01:11 |
Well don't I feel dumb! It never occurred to me to look at it like that. But now I see it, all crinkly eyed and happy--good for you.
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Don't feel dumb, I am pretty savvy on teh interwebz and I had never seen that one before. I had just decided it meant "I'm dead" before I got to the explanation. (X's for eyes mean dead, right? I read comic books, I know these things.)
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I'm glad the XD question was asked, as I had no idea either! I was trying to fit the Madeleine L'Engle version of X'ed, or extra-D (whatever D might be), or a Roman numeral, or something. I use  for the "big grin," and if I'd had any idea the X was meant for an eye also would have thought it meant face-of-a-dead-being!
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2331 is a reply to message #2330 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 14:16 |
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I generally take XD to be a bigger grin than :D. sort of a spectrum from :) through :D to XD
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2334 is a reply to message #2333 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 14:28 |
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| Kathy_S wrote on Sun, 26 October 2008 14:27 |
How did you get the colon-D to stay colon-D and not morph into the toothy grin? (I meant to use colon-D in the above, and forgot it was also code for the toothy grin.)
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If you scroll down on the posting window, above where you submit a reply, there's an option "Disable smileys in this message". Tick the ticky box next to it, and it won't automatically make them into faces.
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2355 is a reply to message #2328 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 17:10 |
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| Laura wrote on Sun, 26 October 2008 13:45 |
So I know I will probably be inundated with responses (at least I hope I will be) but I am looking for pattern ideas for a scarf for my husband. I just finished my first cable project, which was an Irish hiking scarf for myself, and then looked with regret at the giant scarf of baby alpaca yarn I made for my husband that he never wears. Why doesn't he wear it, you ask? It was my first big knitting project ever and is accordingly sloppy.
And...because it's ten feet long with the effects of gravity. I'm serious. When I hold it up folded in half, it is taller than I am. So I am unraveling all 10 feet to reuse the yarn. It's a little bulkier than sport weight; I believe I used size 11 needles on it the first time.
I'm not looking for anyone to violate any copyrights in order to give me a pattern, but rather for directions to a nice free pattern on the globenet somewhere. (Preferably not the Darkline, thanks)
I am fairly competent at cabling, and have not yet attempted anything with increases or decreases, but am willing to take on a challenge.
At least it won't be 10 feet long again, so I'll have at LEAST 2 skeins extra afterwards to go towards my Afghans for Afghans scrap collection.
I will certainly be looking for a pattern, myself (I'm not THAT lazy) but I thought with all the yarn experts here that this was a good resource to tap in my search.
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Are you on Ravelry? They have a huge database with lots of patterns, and you can search according to yarn weight and whether the pattern is free--there are many fabulous scarves there! Most of the ones I've marked to attempt are lace, though, since I haven't learned cabling yet, but I'm sure that you can put 'cable' in the keywords and find several likely patterns.
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2365 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 19:01 |
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I wish I could knit.
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2371 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 19:18 |
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How do you learn to read those patterns? They seem to be in code...
And I'm left-handed, though also a bit ambidextrous, so I guess I could learn the regular way. Is there a knitting for dummies book?
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2375 is a reply to message #2371 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 19:26 |
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| ssshunt wrote on Sun, 26 October 2008 19:18 |
How do you learn to read those patterns? They seem to be in code...
And I'm left-handed, though also a bit ambidextrous, so I guess I could learn the regular way. Is there a knitting for dummies book?
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I'm left handed as well. I would suggest learning Continental style knitting, 'cause it's way more ambidextrous then European. I picked up the Domiknitrix book a bit ago, and found it fabulous, both for new knitters and people who've been doing it for a while. It's really technique-heavy, with lots of pictures.
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2380 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 19:34 |
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I could go into a yarn shop--I think there's one nearby that gives lessons--and I sure would like a winter scarf. Will have to think on this.
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2383 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 19:45 |
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I found videos--there are lots of knitting instructional videos on youtube and on various knitting websites--very helpful, because I'm a visual learner and didn't have a knitting friend handy. If your local yarn shop has beginner classes (and surely they do!) it might help to find some videos that you like, so that if you have an "er, how is that done again?" you don't have to wait until your yarn shop is open to find out! This was especially useful when I started my knitting at 2am...
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2412 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 22:51 |
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Good idea, Charis. I didn't even think of youtube!
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2414 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Sun, 26 October 2008 23:24 |
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Another plus is that there are lots of left-handed videos, too, which might help if you don't find a left-handed teacher.
I'm so anxious for my spindle to get here *chafes* I decided to start saving the dogs' hair when I groom them, so that I can try to work with it later, when I've practiced. Because that would be cool (and it would be nice to have a use for the stuff, since it tends to form drifts in the corners, no matter how often we vacuum o_0).
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2427 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 00:17 |
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I just did a lot of reading instructions and watching videos to figure out the patterns--the abbreviations really confused me at first, but it got easier as I became more comfortable with them. Every time I need to learn a new stitch for something, I find a video that explains it and go from there.
As soon as my DP needles arrive, though, I'll start attempting for complicated things than the scarves and baby blankets and dishcloths I've done so far (gussets? what are those, precious?), so we'll see how that goes o.0
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2458 is a reply to message #2417 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 06:34 |
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Susan from Athens
Messages: 817
Registered: October 2008
Location: Athens, Greece |
Senior Member |
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| Akai wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 05:35 |
I've been knitting for a few years and I still can't figure out the patterns. It annoyed me to the point that I just don't try any longer and make up what I want to do as I go along. It doesn't always come out pretty, but so far, they've all looked sort of like bears. Or my one sock.
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Some people like charts, some like pattern descriptions, but you have to study them a while to make sense. It took me several efforts too. It helps to photocopy the chart in a larger size, so you're not squinting at tiny squares, and photocopy a list of the abbreviations and symbols and go find a place where they explain those particular stitches, so that you can connect them all and do a few rows practicing those stitches, so that you connect them to the whole business.
I would say keep a diary, or log-book, but I admit shamefacedly to never having done this for anything, so I can hardly encourage you to place an extra burden on your time, when I can't make the effort 
“I have always imagined heaven to be a kind of library.” –Jorge Luis Borges
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2464 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 08:26 |
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Laura
Messages: 196
Registered: October 2008
Location: Midwestern USA |
Senior Member |
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I also really like to buy those inexpensive books at Hancock or Joann that are aimed at teaching kids to knit. Everything is always over-explained, and there are usually simple projects that teach a new thing, like increases/decreases to make things that are a shape other than rectangle.
My grandmother taught me continental knitting, and I retained enough of it to remember the basics. Now if I can't remember something in particular, www.knittinghelp.com has been indispensable. I know that site has been mentioned a lot, but it REALLY is put together clearly and the videos are extremely helpful. This site also teaches the abbreviations that are commonly used in patterns, which has decreased my confusion when attempting a new, more challenging pattern.
[Updated on: Mon, 27 October 2008 08:34]
Known on both Ravelry and LibraryThing as thelorelei.
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2466 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 08:58 |
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Katherine
Messages: 72
Registered: October 2008
Location: Michigan, The States |
Member |
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I've found out why Jodi didn't seem to function as a yarn-virus for me. I'm a carrier. My sister informed me this morning that she's taken up knitting.
She asked if I needed a scarf to go with my new winter coat and I said, sure, but could you make it in a very fine knit, as anything chunky looks a bit odd with the trench-like shape of it? She started laughing and said, "Okay, if I'm knitting it, it's going to look rather odd no matter what weight of yarn I'm using." She also noted that if I was hoping for this scarf by Christmas, it was likely to be either very, very short, or very, very late.
Every day for the next year, I'm taking and posting at least one picture. Stop by and take a look!
http://project365lummox.blogspot.com
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2472 is a reply to message #2469 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 09:33 |
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Susan from Athens
Messages: 817
Registered: October 2008
Location: Athens, Greece |
Senior Member |
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| jmeadows wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 15:17 |
| Katherine wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 08:58 |
I've found out why Jodi didn't seem to function as a yarn-virus for me. I'm a carrier. My sister informed me this morning that she's taken up knitting.
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Go forth and spread the virus to the unsuspecting people of your city. Soon, the world will be ours!
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I knew that hidden behind that mild exterior, that "moi, a yarn virus?" innocence lay hidden your true motives: world yarn domination. Afflicted I knit and purl away, increasing, decreasing, twisting and untwisting. I smile fatuously. Life is sweet.
“I have always imagined heaven to be a kind of library.” –Jorge Luis Borges
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2479 is a reply to message #2472 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 11:30 |
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| Susan from Athens wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 09:33 |
I knew that hidden behind that mild exterior, that "moi, a yarn virus?" innocence lay hidden your true motives: world yarn domination.
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I'm not doing it TO the world. I'm doing it FOR the world. Life is better with yarn.
*smiles benevolently*
Smooshes!
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2482 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 12:50 |
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I finished the dishcloths last night. Now I have nothing to knit! I got some smaller needles off of eBay for my pretty new fine Alpaca yarn, but they are not here yet. I do have a dark blue yarn that I could do something with using my current needles but I don't know what and I'm really not motivated to do anything with it after playing with my lovely Alpaca yarn...
"The center of every man's existence is a dream. Death, disease, insanity, are merely material accidents, like a toothache or a twisted ankle. That these brutal forces always besiege and often capture the citadel does not prove that they are the citadel."
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2553 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 20:00 |
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Hurray! I've ordered four lots of knitting needles off of eBay--sizes 1-15 of single points, sizes 1-15 of double points, sizes 1-15 of 40 cm circulars, and sizes 1-15 of 80 cm circulars. Ha ha! Soon I shall be awash in knitting needle goodness!
...yeah, I was starting to get annoyed with "Ooh, I want to knit that--but I only have 5s and 7s. And since I apparently only knit in the middle of the night, I can't run out and buy some. Darn."
Oh, between all of these needles, and my spindle kit, it's going to be like Christmas!
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2554 is a reply to message #2482 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 20:01 |
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| Reading Angel wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 12:50 |
I finished the dishcloths last night. Now I have nothing to knit! I got some smaller needles off of eBay for my pretty new fine Alpaca yarn, but they are not here yet. I do have a dark blue yarn that I could do something with using my current needles but I don't know what and I'm really not motivated to do anything with it after playing with my lovely Alpaca yarn...
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What YOU need is a Tam Lin project!
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2557 is a reply to message #1062 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 20:06 |
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I give. I know what/who Tam Lin is, but what is a Tam Lin project? Something that changes shape so many times you have no idea what it is?
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2571 is a reply to message #2557 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 21:17 |
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| ssshunt wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 20:06 |
I give. I know what/who Tam Lin is, but what is a Tam Lin project? Something that changes shape so many times you have no idea what it is?
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Hee! That would fit my projects! Actually a fairy tales group that I'm a member of on Ravelry does a seasonal knit-a-long (KAL), where they choose a fairy tale and everyone does a project inspired by it--the fall tale is Tam Lin, and lots of people are doing green sweaters and shawls, and one person designed a tam with running horses around the brim (very cool). I'm doing a green scarf with a vine pattern on it, which I plan to add roses too--not all over, but here and there in clusters of two ("she had not pulled a double rose, a rose but only two", and so on).
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2591 is a reply to message #2571 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 23:21 |
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Well, my first package of needles from eBay arrived this afternoon! So, I started on the Scarf, but I realized that my yarn is too small and therefore the scarf is much thinner than I anticipated, so I'll have to take it out and start over and make it twice as wide as it is now...
"The center of every man's existence is a dream. Death, disease, insanity, are merely material accidents, like a toothache or a twisted ankle. That these brutal forces always besiege and often capture the citadel does not prove that they are the citadel."
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| Re: One for all the fibercrafters! [message #2596 is a reply to message #2571 ] |
Mon, 27 October 2008 23:48 |
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| Charismitaine wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 19:17 |
| ssshunt wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 20:06 |
I give. I know what/who Tam Lin is, but what is a Tam Lin project? Something that changes shape so many times you have no idea what it is?
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Hee! That would fit my projects! Actually a fairy tales group that I'm a member of on Ravelry does a seasonal knit-a-long (KAL), where they choose a fairy tale and everyone does a project inspired by it--the fall tale is Tam Lin, and lots of people are doing green sweaters and shawls, and one person designed a tam with running horses around the brim (very cool). I'm doing a green scarf with a vine pattern on it, which I plan to add roses too--not all over, but here and there in clusters of two ("she had not pulled a double rose, a rose but only two", and so on).
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This sounds very cool, Charis.
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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