Comments on: Iâ€™m knitting a sweater: a stupid noob mistake and a grandiose demand

By: megan

megan — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:50:27 +0000

Jennifer - I found this on Ebay.

By: Jennifer Smit

Jennifer Smit — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:25:48 +0000

I doubt anyone will read this because I'm sure this is a very old page. However I have a query and was hoping someone could help me out.

You guys mentioned Dr Who and knitting...Well my boyfriend is absolutley dieing for a Dr Who Jumper. He's going to hate me cause I can't remember which doctor it is but it's the last doctor of the old series, the one with Ace. Anyway, he wore a sweater. Kind of creamy with stipes and Red Question Marks all over it. As hideouse as it was he really wants one and we can't seem to find a pattern around anywhere. Would any of you guys have a clue? I'm even looking into hiring someone to knit one for me by aid of photos but can't find anyone who knits!!!

Any ideas? Anyone think they could do this?? Let me know. My email is jendamonkee@hotmail.com

Thank you, Jennifer

By: Emily Cartier

Emily Cartier — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:30:34 +0000

Evil nasty trick: rewrite the pattern in your own words after the first readthrough. Only include the numbers you need for your particular size. If things like inches confuse you (or you know that 1" washed does not equal 1" just knit), write it down in a way that matches your yarn. I often end up using a whole lot more words, but the pattern makes more sense to me. Plus, then I can incorporate dirty tricks like invisible cast on, 3 needle bind off, and short rows where I need them.

And yeah, I have braindead moments all the time, tho mine are usually dyslexic. 31 and 13 are Not The Same. And YO, k2tog is not the same as YO, k2...

By: Alyson

Alyson — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:35:54 +0000

I totally understand the "processing of what you read" part of reading knitting patterns. I often go to my knitting gurus at Cultured Purls in Issaquah to "check" on my pattern. I read it, think it means one thing, but am just not sure, so I check with someone who knows more than me. If they confirm my interpretation, I know I'm not a total idiot!

By: megan

megan — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:22:04 +0000

Emily and Valerie - My issue wasn't so much that I didn't know how to read the pattern (I did), but that my brain was refusing to read that one line correctly. Especially in the context of end of day tired + wine + Dr. Who. When my brain has shifted into that space even consulting reference guides wouldn't help because I simply didn't realize I was doing anything wrong.

I guess what I'm saying is I need big detail pictures all over my patterns, and stitch counts at every transition point, and importantly, lots of explanation as to why each action is taken. Of course, these things aren't in knitting patterns because all the extra paper and ink would be very expensive. But, oh boy, I'd be willing to pay more for a pattern with them.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:10:53 +0000

so glad to see the cardi again, yay for you for getting through this! it makes me want to try a project that is not just a small cozy for some small object. if you are lazy like me you could just fold back the dang edge on each side and sew it down. too bulky maybe.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:28:55 +0000

Because I am a terrible perfectionist- I would probably drop that column of stitches that should be a purl row and use a crochet hook to fix the error. It just takes a lot of bravery, and an even smaller ammount of skill. The "Fixing a run/dropped stitch" video here might explain what I would do...
http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/misc.php

By: Emily Cartier

Emily Cartier — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:04:18 +0000

Any of the standard technical references (Katherina Buss's Big Book of Knitting, Vogue Knitting etc) should cover pattern directions. I tend to recommend a new knitter pick up a copy of one of 'em, so they've got a good reference for all the confusing techniques that get thrown at them. They're not fun, glamorous books, but they make up for it by being useful on every project.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:47:12 +0000

It's issues like that which cause me to rip out and re-start every project I start at least once or twice. Although, If I had gotten as far as you, I definitely wouldn't tear it out. It looks fine with your "edit".

I really like working with the Cottonease yarn - I'm using it now to make a sweater for my niece - even if it is only half cotton.

By: Alyson

Alyson — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 05:24:31 +0000

Hanna - That is a way clever idea. I get tons of patterns off the 'net (Knitty.com Rocks!), but I never thought of doing that with the patterns.

By: Hanna

Hanna — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:34:52 +0000

I also make photocopies of multiple size patterns and highlight the size I'm using, but sometimes I cheat with internet ones and copy the text into word and delete the numbers for the sizes I'm not making. It kind of forces you to work through what the knitting would be doing in your head.

By: megan

megan — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:10:44 +0000

Thanks Bonne Marie. Do you happen to know if there is an official style guide for knitting patterns?

Again, the mistake was all me reading through something too quickly. P2 shall never confuse me again.

By: Bonne Marie

Bonne Marie — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:05:51 +0000

That –– P2 (4, 4, 6, 6, 8) –– is the current standard for giving multiple size numeric instructions (no space).

Grab a Vogue Knitting or Interweave Knits and check it out :)

Anytime I've written it differently, a tech editor has changed it to the above.

By: megan

megan — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:53:57 +0000

Thanks for the recommendations Alyson!

By: Alyson

Alyson — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:43:49 +0000

Loved Eccleston, I want to marry DT (but my husband has some silly objection). As a result of the new Doctor Who, I have gotten completely hooked on BBC America and British Films from Netflix (although most of Tennant's stuff isn't available). I saw Eccleston's Shallow Grave, usually don't like creepy stories, but it was great (creepy and funny). Second Coming, also starring Eccleston is brilliant - hugely funny one minute and then heartbreakingly sad the next. And Craig Ferguson movies! Oh my gosh! Saving Grace and I'll Be There are a hoot. Somebody else watch I'll Be There for me and tell me if Ferguson is channeling Richie Sambora or Joe Perry in the film.

I can watch Dr. Who, two weeks before it shows in SciFi, but watching it on CBC on Monday nights. I have seen both parts of the one where the doctor becomes human (Human Nature and Family of Blood), oh my gosh!! Doctor Who made me cry!!