Hi. I am a "new", old knitter. Happy to discover this site!

1083 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by peace, Feb 19, 2011

Fran L

Discussion Starter · Feb 18, 2011

A lovely neighbor, Lily Lande, taught me to knit 47 years ago, when I was 10 years old. My mom actually kept the first first sweater I ever made (on number 13 needles!) and returned it to me when I had my own daughter, who is now 27. I still have the sweater--it is a treasured family heirloom. Mrs. Lande is 100 years old, living in CA, but unfortunately she is now legally blind, but amazing woman that she has always been, still continues to knit a bit! I have just returned to knitting in the past year, and my skills are a bit rusty. I have made several Ann Norling fruit/vegetable baby hats with little green stems (an eggplant, strawberry, and blueberry) using circular and double point needles. I am now moving on to a cardigan baby sweater using a longer circular needle. Unfortunately, my local knitting store is a bit snobby, and I felt a little intimidated asking questions. I hope you guys will be able to help me.

To make a seed stitch border using a circular needle, is it K1P1 for first row, and then P1K1 for the next? I am starting with the back piece. I need to do the border in one color, and then switch over to stockinette in the main color, which I assume is just knitting all rows, like with the hats. When I do the front pieces, does the button band get added later? I am so bummed with myself, that I allowed myself to be intimidated and not ask this, even though I bought the yarn from them. They were not at all helpful. I am very disappointed with their attitude.

Many thanks for answering back, Fran.

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TammyK

· #2 · Feb 18, 2011

So sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience at the yarn shop. Let's just hope they were having a bad day. (If not, you need to find a new yarn shop.)

Anyway... on to your question. Yes, for seed stitch on a circular needle (I'm assuming you're working in the round) you would K1, P1 on the first row and then P1, K1 on the next row and repeat. It needs to be over an even number of stitches when working in the round or the pattern will be wonky at the start/end of the round. Whether you are working on straight needles or circulars, with an even number of stitches or odd (which you can do when working flat) the only thing you really need to remember is that every row alternates knit and purl stitches and you always knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches (as they are presented to you as you work them) of the previous row.

I hope I didn't over-complicate that! I have a tendency to elaborate way more than necessary sometimes.

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TammyK

· #3 · Feb 18, 2011

OK, I just re-read your post again and realized that you are probably not working in the round because you mentioned starting the back piece. I guess you are working back and forth on a circular needle. The seed stitch info still holds, but you mentioned knitting all rows for stockinette stitch. If the hats you made in the past were worked in the round then yes, you knit all rows for stockinette. When working rows back and forth, however, to get stockinette stitch you need to knit the right-side rows and purl the wrong-side rows.

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e.ridenh

· #4 · Feb 18, 2011

((((((( Hi, Fran! Welcome! See notes in ( ) ))))))))

Fran L said:
A lovely neighbor, Lily Lande, taught me to knit 47 years ago, when I was 10 years old. My mom actually kept the first first sweater I ever made (on number 13 needles!) and returned it to me when I had my own daughter, who is now 27. I still have the sweater--it is a treasured family heirloom. Mrs. Lande is 100 years old, living in CA, but unfortunately she is now legally blind, but amazing woman that she has always been, still continues to knit a bit!

(((((( Great story! TY for sharing!! )))))))))))

I have just returned to knitting in the past year, and my skills are a bit rusty. I have made several Ann Norling fruit/vegetable baby hats with little green stems (an eggplant, strawberry, and blueberry) using circular and double point needles.

I am now moving on to a cardigan baby sweater using a longer circular needle. Unfortunately, my local knitting store is a bit snobby, and I felt a little intimidated asking questions. I hope you guys will be able to help me.

To make a seed stitch border using a circular needle, is it K1P1 for first row, and then P1K1 for the next?

((((((((((( That's right!! Your multiple is 2 (two).

A seed stitch can be work on an uneven number of stitches, too by:

*K1, P1, K1*, repeat from * to * across. ))))))))))

I am starting with the back piece. I need to do the border in one color, and then switch over to stockinette in the main color, which I assume is just knitting all rows, like with the hats. (((((((( Knitting all rows is called the garter stitch. Stockinette - K a row, Purl a row. ))))))))))))

When I do the front pieces, does the button band get added later?
((((((((( That I don't know. I'd have to see your pattern. ((; ))))))))))

I am so bummed with myself, that I allowed myself to be intimidated and not ask this, even though I bought the yarn from them. They were not at all helpful. I am very disappointed with their attitude.

((((((( I'd be disappointed, too. But, this mamma would ask and get a satisfactory answer or buy nothing! LOL!! ))))))))

Many thanks for answering back,
((((((((( You're welcome! Donna Rae )))))))))

Fran.

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Fran L

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 18, 2011

Hi, Tammy-Many thanks for quick response. I have not yet started the baby sweater, but I plan on doing it in pieces: first back, then 2 fronts, then 2 sleeves. There is a button border that I think is added later, and finally, stitches have to be picked up at the neck, sleeve cuffs and bottom of back and 2 from pieces for ruffled edging. The sleeves would be seamed last.

You are correct--I did do the hats in the round, but I realize now that using the round needle for flat pieces would also generate a right and wrong side, just like working with straight needles. I am supposed to start with the seed stitch for 6 rows and then switch to stockinette. I guess I would have to knit one row, then turn the piece over, and purl the next for stockinette. Would it just be easier to use straight needles? I am confused. At the store they seemed to be pushing the circular needles, but knew I would not be working in the round, but in pieces, from the bottom up, not in one piece from the neck down. What do you advise? Fran.

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TammyK

· #6 · Feb 18, 2011

It's really a matter of personal preference in this case. Use whatever you are most comfortable with. Both will yield the same result as long as your straight needles are long enough to hold all of your stitches, and with a baby sweater I can't imagine you will have any trouble with that.

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Judy M

· #7 · Feb 19, 2011

I'm feeling for you. My first attempt with circular needles was so frustrating I switched to straight needles and ended up with a seam up the back of my pull over sweater, which I still have.

Now I prefer (really like) the circular needles so much more that most of my projects are done using circular needles.

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Sorlenna

· #8 · Feb 19, 2011

I work almost always with circular needles now (whether in the round or back and forth) because it's easier on my hands/wrists not to hold all the weight on one side (especially for big projects). It is a matter of personal preference, however--for years I only knitted on straight needles, and then a friend introduced me to circular, and I discovered I really like those better.

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Judy M

· #9 · Feb 19, 2011

Yes, it's much easier to balance with everything right in front of you. Also you are not poking someone beside you or getting the end of that straight needle caught in the sweater you're wearing or anything else around you.

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Sorlenna

· #10 · Feb 19, 2011

Judy M said:
Yes, it's much easier to balance with everything right in front of you. Also you are not poking someone beside you or getting the end of that straight needle caught in the sweater you're wearing or anything else around you.

Ha! My partner just gives me this "look" when I hit him with the end of my straight needles.

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peace

· #11 · Feb 19, 2011

Hi Fran,
Welcome, I too am a "new" old knitter. I like the sight really well also. You have the seed stitch correct. Stockette stick is knit one round, pearl one round. I am pretty sure that is right.
Many sights have tutorials that are very helpful. Just type in google what you are looking for and they usually give you several choices.
I am a self taught knitter out of a book. I started knitting hats for retarded adults that I know who don't get much for Christmas. I have 44 of them and love each one. This is why I got back into knitting.
Have a nice weekend.
Pat

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