# Knitters, what are you making?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 30, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234 "2008-12-30T17:21:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/1 "2008-12-30T17:21:31Z")
So after two days of cursing and clumsily attempting to purl (I got it in the end), I’ve joined the ranks of _~knitters~_ (or so I like to think). And I noticed knitting seems to be pretty popular here, so I figured I’d start a show-your-work thread. Partly to brag, but also because my newfound hobby has made me _intensely interested_ in what everyone else is doing. I guess I’ll start: I’m making a lil mini-scarf as practice for a larger scarf - basically, the real thing has 11 pleats and this one only has three. After a whole bunch of false starts I just finished my first ball of wool! Actually, more like half a ball. Whatever. And there’s only four mistakes in there! (… that I know of :o) It’s a bit lumpy and the yarn’s a bit too thick but I think I got the hang of it toward the top, so I’ll probably start the real scarf as soon as I get my hands on some better wool.
[Pic 1](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/csharpmajor/S6000738.jpg)
[Pic 2](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/csharpmajor/S6000741.jpg)
So far I can:
-cast on
-knit/purl like a motherfuck
-knit/purl backwards
-read my knitting somewhat, like whether a stitch is a knit, purl or yarn over, etc
-knit flat things with no horizontal variation, like scarves, and… scarves
I have no clue how to:
-pick up dropped stitches (also, I have no idea how it’s even possible if you’re following a pattern, it seems even if it were theoretically possible you’d run a pretty high risk of screwing your knitting in practice)
-bind off/do whatever it is you’re supposed to do with loose ends
-add new yarn
-do those twisty stitches, what is this tomfoolery
-knit on the round, though it seems like much the same deal
-knit cables, but fortunately I find cables kind of ugly
I think I must be the only person in the world who learned to knit on moss/seed stitch. I don’t recommend it 😛 I guess the one good thing about it is if you can moss stitch you can do pretty much every other basic stitch too, which cuts down heavily on learnin’ time. Anyway, that’s what I’m doing. What are YOU making?
(Also, a question: apparently the opposite of knit two together is a slip slip knit. Can’t I just purl two stitches together, or does it look bad or something?)
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### Author:  [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/2 "2008-12-30T19:35:43Z")
A ssk pulls the stitches at a different angle, to the left in fact, while the k2tog leans them to the right. Purling 2tog won’t make a difference in the angle.
I was shown a way to do ssk without actually slipping the stitches though. You put your needle through the front of the first stitch, like knitting, then while the stitch is still on the left needle put it through the back of the second stitch and knit them together.
As to what I’m working on, I don’t have any recent pictures but I am still working on my Phoenix Rising shawl. I’ve made it up to two and a half body repeats (halfway there!) then the edging left, with beads even. It’s coming along.
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### Author:  [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/3 "2008-12-30T22:16:10Z")
No pics - but I’m trying to finish a shawl for my mother in law’s birthday. I should be working on it right now, in fact.
And I sat down earlier today to figure out what I needed to get to try my first sweater. Oy.
I also plan to knit another hat for the husband, as the first one turned out far too large. Next size down, and we’ll try it again 🙂
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### Author:  [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/4 "2008-12-30T22:31:47Z")
I just finished [Branching Out](http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTbranchingout.html) in Bamboo Wool (Ocean blue) for my mother-in-law, and I’ve just cast on the second sock in a pair for my father-in-law (in Master Grey by Brown Sheep Wildfoote). My husband’s bio-mom is also going to get Branching Out (in a soft pink by Southwest Trading Company). Then maybe, just maybe, I’ll finish the sweater (Checks and Balances from Son of Stitch n’ Bitch) for my son’s birthday mid-January, and finish the socks I’m making for the little kiddo as well. There are also three friend-babies due soon and I have a ton of Southwest Trading Company’s A-maize-ing for that. Oh, and wouldn’t it be nice for me to make something for… myself?
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### Author:  [@Rosie\_is\_Tired](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rosie_is_Tired)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/5 "2008-12-31T00:28:39Z")
Oh, I wish I could show pictures of my current project, as I am insanely proud of it. Its a pair of gloves for my boyfriend (who is on these boards, so no pics.) I have been trying to make these for a while, trying pattern after pattern, though I should have learned by now I hate following patterns. After restarting three times, I scrapped finding a pattern that both had pretty (but not girly) fair isle in it and did not bother me while following it. I drew up my own fair isle chart, cast on a decent number of stitches and started going, figuring things out as I went. I finished the first and I am ecstatic with the results. It’s gorgeous. I hope I can make its match well.
Also, this was the first project I used Magic Loop with. Man, am I sad my expensive sock needles are short (I am used to the two circular needles method).
And as soon as I finish the next glove, I have new sock yarn to play with. 😃
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### Author:  [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/6 "2008-12-31T00:54:03Z")
Colour me envious. I’ve been knitting for decades but have had to force myself into semi-retirement because I was knitting like a loon a few years ago and ended up with tendonitis. I can still knit but no more than three or four rows a day. At this rate, I’ll be ninety before I finish my current jumper. (ie sweater to you)
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### Author:  [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/7 "2008-12-31T01:57:01Z")
Heh, my left wrist is already complaining. I should probably lay off a bit.
Also, I live in Perth, so it’s a jumper to me too 😉
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### Author:  [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/8 "2008-12-31T03:06:34Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#):
>
> I just finished [Branching Out](http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTbranchingout.html) in Bamboo Wool (Ocean blue)
ZOMG! I’m doing the same thing, except with [Patton’s Silk Bamboo](http://www.patonsyarns.com/product.php?LGC=silkbamboo) in Sapphire. The yarn feels wonderful, and looks gorgeous, but splits like crazy!
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### Author:  [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/9 "2008-12-31T03:47:58Z")
Little Bird, that’s the same colour as the one I made. Woohoo! Great minds think alike!
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### Author:  [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/10 "2008-12-31T03:59:28Z")
I’m making my first sweater out of the softest, most wonderful purple yarn ever. I made one perfect sleeve, and then started on the body.
I’ve had to rip it up three times so far for different reasons. Very demoralizing (The body has 188 stitches so casting on takes forever) First the cats attacked the partly made sweater body and ate the yarn in half. Then, I missed my pattern during the second row. It’s dark yarn (purple Inca Alpaca) and I couldn’t figure out where my mistake was. Next, I got two rows in and found that I’d cast on an incorrect number of stitches.
Now, I’ve made about seven rows on my new attempt, which I somehow accidentally made into a Moebius strip. I didn’t notice until after I’d worked on it all evening. Can’t bring myself to rip it - I just keep looking at it…\<\\>
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### Author:  [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/11 "2008-12-31T05:00:19Z")
I’m currenly working on a pair of fingerless mitts for my SIL. And I’m also about to cast on [Tubey](http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTtubey.html) for myself. Only I am making it in heathered browns and greens w/cream contrast.
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### Author:  [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/12 "2008-12-31T05:30:18Z")
Tubey is one of the ones I keep coming back to.
One of these days I will knit a sweater for myself. 🙂 Actually, I have everything for [Jazz](http://knit.dk/jazz.htm) (the one pictured) but I need to finish some other things (like my shawl, and my son’s sweater) before I do that for myself.
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### Author:  [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/13 "2008-12-31T14:56:48Z")
> [@Flutterby](#):
>
> Actually, I have everything for [Jazz](http://knit.dk/jazz.htm) (the one pictured) but I need to finish some other things (like my shawl, and my son’s sweater) before I do that for myself.
No, you don’t. Come to the dark side.
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/14 "2008-12-31T15:11:41Z")
> [@Flutterby](#):
>
> Actually, I have everything for [Jazz](http://knit.dk/jazz.htm) (the one pictured) …
That is a seriously cool sweater.
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### Author:  [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/15 "2008-12-31T18:08:00Z")
I’m knitting baby booties, in a quest to find a sock-like creature that will stay on She of the Ginormous Cankles. I plan to put a drawstring in the ankle.
Actually, maybe y’all can help me - I’m finding some rather large gaps where I have picked up stitches along the sides of the heel flap. What can I do to remedy this?
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### Author:  [@The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blue-Sighted_Shadow)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/16 "2008-12-31T18:28:04Z")
I’m working on [Lady Eleanor](http://www.flickr.com/photos/12190567@N08/3148684507/), in Noro Kureyon 170.
I’m pondering whether or not I like the fringe on this [version](http://www.flickr.com/photos/12190567@N08/3148684519/). I may rip it out, re-block and do something entirely different. Either way, it’s nice and warm.
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### Author:  [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/17 "2008-12-31T18:31:51Z")
What am I NOT knitting right now?
I’m wearing a pair of [these](http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/PATTbijouterie.php) right now. I used black beads on mine, though I don’t have a picture.
I’m working on a [Tangled Yoke Cardigan](http://www.interweaveknits.com/galleries/bonus/fall2007/jang.asp) in [Alpaca with a Twist (the Autumn Leaves color)](http://www.alpacawithatwist.com/products.htm#). It’s ridiculously soft & pretty. The website doesn’t do the colors justice, IMO.
A tanktop from the Spring/Summer issue of Vogue knits, that I can’t find a picture of right now, and also [this cozy warm sweater](http://www.knitscene.com/issue/Fall-2008/Nubby-Cardi.asp) from Fall’s Knitscene, in a dark, wine-y heathery red Cascade 220.
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### Author:  [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/18 "2008-12-31T18:33:37Z")
> [@Flutterby](#):
>
> Tubey is one of the ones I keep coming back to.
Me too, but I’ve never actually cast on for it.
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### Author:  [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/19 "2008-12-31T20:09:32Z")
> [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](#):
>
> I’m knitting baby booties, in a quest to find a sock-like creature that will stay on She of the Ginormous Cankles. I plan to put a drawstring in the ankle.
>
> Actually, maybe y’all can help me - I’m finding some rather large gaps where I have picked up stitches along the sides of the heel flap. What can I do to remedy this?
Pick up as many stitches as you like, even more than you think you need, and then just knit them together to decrease in the next couple of rounds. When it says pick up 13, that’s never enough to avoid a gap, so I’ll do 16 or so.
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### Author:  [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234/20 "2008-12-31T20:47:55Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#):
>
> No, you don’t. Come to the dark side.
Hush! _hides and knits frantically on her shawl_ hehe.
The thing is, you have to mentally shift the pattern around and I did cast on but couldn’t seem to do what they were asking. So I’ll try again. It’s knit from one sleeve and around the body, expanding the pattern as you go, then the bottom part is picked up and knit.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knitters-what-are-you-making/479234.md?page=2)