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Permalink Reply by Elianastar on April 16, 2009 at 1:06pm: I've not made socks, but I suspect you are right... the pattern is calling for the heel flap at this point, and you will be "knitting flat" for a little bit... trust the instructions, they are probably accurate.

You are also correct that there is no real functional difference between knitting on two circulars or one long circular using Magic Loop... you just have a loop with ML where you would have two more needle points if you are using two circulars. :-)

Some of Cat Borhi's video tutorials may be helpful. There are links to three free videos about heel turns at this site. You may find more Magic Loop Sock knitting help here, and, here.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Teresa Green on April 16, 2009 at 4:06pm: Thanks so much for the advice and help...at least I could explain where someone understood me...I'm off to tackle this one...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pradeep Dhillon on April 16, 2009 at 6:33am: I am new to knitting but am expecting my first grandchild. Can you help me with choosing the best yarn for baby sweaters?

Thank you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on April 16, 2009 at 6:56am: Lucky you! I'll still waiting for grandchild #2, and #1 is 16! The "Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono" from Mason-Dixon Knitting would be my choice for pattern to start with. You can order the book from KP or my library had it. It calls for 2 balls of worsted-weight yarn, Shine, Simply Cotton or Comfy would be good, and size 6 needles (straight are OK).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paula Gunzenhauser on April 24, 2009 at 1:17pm: I am making a fair isle cardigan and plan to use the steek method. I think I'll be Ok with the cutting but I can't find any intructions for picking up the button bands. If I steek, and then pick up for the button band won't the knit warp or unravel ?? My pattern is from Eliz. Zimmermans ' Knitting Around' and doesn't cover this. Can anyone help?? Paula; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alison on April 24, 2009 at 1:21pm: Here's a great article on steeking!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bobbie Kolehouse on April 25, 2009 at 6:13am: It's been a while since I knitted complicated patterns, but I was so enchanted by the Shipwreck Shawl featured on Knitty.com that I am trying to learn to use circular needles to make it.

I'm getting there with the technique, but I don't understand the pattern. I'm sure it is my lack of experience that is the problem, not the pattern, but I have a few questions--
1. how do you divide the initial 9 stitches up and still follow the pattern? Am I to be using the double ended needles to start?
2. The author doesn't say when to use what size needles. How do I know when to change needles?
3. Where can I buy reasonably priced size 8 beads? The pattern calls for 5,000.

Thank you to anyone who can help me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on April 25, 2009 at 6:36am: Bobbie You really picked a great shawl. I've admired this, but feel too faint of heart to try it. Maybe one day.

I'll try to answer your concerns.
1. You will be knitting in the round. Dividing the stitches refers to placement of the stitches onto double point needles (dpns). Just continue around the pattern, since you will be working on one side only. Having knit a large project in the round recently, I would recommend using the Magic Loop method. You can use it starting at the very beginning and continue through out the shawl. Knit Picks Options would be great for this, but you would need a long cable, 47 to 60 inches to finish up.
2. After Secction 7, there is a list of when to use which needle sizes.
3. I don't know about "reasonably" priced beads, as I have never used beading on any of my knitted work. You might try the chain craft stores... I know they carry them, but have no idea the cost.

Hope this helps some.
Susan; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on April 25, 2009 at 8:42am: I think Cristi Lael has used beads and tries to be economical. Or try Google.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bobbie Kolehouse on April 25, 2009 at 3:57pm: Thank you so much. It helps if I read the directions. I was trying to start with the Strawberry Pattern and it sure doesn't work that way. Heh, heh... but I learned how to cast on to get the drawn closure (directions on this site were especially helpful) and got the knack of both the double ended needles and now the circular. I am ready to begin Section 4.

Now if I can find beads that I can afford I'll be set. 25 beads for $3 is a bit pricey. At that price, the beads would cost $600 alone. I did find a link to http://kandptreasurebeads.com noted in Bethany's blog that might work.
Thanks again everyone for your help.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knitstertoo on April 25, 2009 at 9:56am: I LOVE the Nonna's Garden Shawl. Many, many, many (in the late '80's) years ago I knitted a Kaffe Fasset coat which is Intarsia and was maybe too naive to realize that it was suppose to be difficult. I completed it in six weeks.

The warning on the shawl worries me. Could someone who has knitted a KF coat and is bored with plain knitting with one color, even with patterns, be a good candidate for this?

Of course you do not know me, but I have such a stash which I cannot motivate myself to work on. I need help!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alison on April 27, 2009 at 7:54am: If you're not afraid of Kaffe Fasset, I think you can do this shawl! Aside from the yarn management with the bobbins and knowing how to "join" the edges of each intarsia section, it's just flat knitting. Here's our intarsia tutorial to check out, and here's the podcast episode where Kelley talks with Kerin about the details of the shawl.; ▶ Reply to This