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Permalink Reply by Pandal on September 12, 2008 at 11:14am: Hello again,
I guess this isn't actually starting a new thread. It appears to simply be adding messages one after the other. Oh well, here goes for my second question: the button bands.

The other reason I never knit cardigans is that my button bands twist in. Unless I sew facing onto the inside of them, they never seem to lay flat. I have had different people tell me this is because I a) knit on the button band too close to the edge stich or b) because I knit on the button band too far from the edge stitch. I have heard that if you completely skip the edge stitch and knit into the space between it and the second stitch, the button band will lay flat. Has anyone else heard this? Has anyone else tried this? Or does anyone else have a technique they use so the band lays flat?

So you see, I haven't knit a cardigan in years because they twist to the side and my button bands turn in. This is the first one I have done in a long time because you can have TOO many pullovers, but since I am using a lovely alpaca and silk mix, it would be nice to actually have a cardigan I could wear and not stuff into the back of a drawer until I get mad and pull it all out to knit something else.

As above, any help and suggestions would really be appreciated!
Thanks, Pandal; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on September 17, 2008 at 8:06am: Hmm. I'm actually wearing my Tangled Yoke sweater that I finished last night, and its button bands also want to curl inwards. I chalked this up to the fact that the button bands are very skinny, they are attached to a lot of stockinette which wants to curl, and I knit my sweater out of cotton and acrylic, so it doesn't block very well.

I'm going to have to sew a grosgrain ribbon behind my button band to keep it nice and flat. Or you could be aware the button bands do tend to curl inwards if you are knitting a stockinette based sweater and knit wider button bands.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by purl_of_a_girl on September 14, 2008 at 7:59pm: Hi,

I'm a beginner at knitting, I'm in the midst of my first sweater, I'm making it for my guy, but I'm having trouble now that I've come to the sleeves and collar, I'm not sure how to use the circular needles or what size I should use. He's got very broad shoulders and big muscular arms. I tried to use a singular circular knitting needle but I think it was too big as the stitches ended up being stretched and I had to tear out the work.

I'm stumped because I don't have anyone locally that can help me, winter's just around the corner, and he's anxious for me to finish as he's very proud of me for starting new hobbies at 45 years old :) I'm an excellent crochet person, but I know that I love knitting and I took a very basic course in it at a local store.

If anyone can help me on what size the circular needles should be 16" or? Also, if you have any tips on how to taper and finish off or if there's somewhere on this site to direct me that would be great too :)

Sincerely,
purl_of_a_girl; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bomccam on September 22, 2008 at 12:27pm: Hello, I just received my Knitpicks order. I'm very excited to get started on my projects but I have a couple of questions before I begin: I've bought Knitpicks 'Bare' fingering weight yarn to make the 'Candle Flame ' scarf- Does the yarn look better dyed or can I just use it the way it is? which looks better? I didn't know the yarn was for dying. Also, I'd like to make the Candle Flame scarf, not the shawl . I only see instructions for the shawl. How many sts do I cast on for the scarf?
Thanks so much...!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on September 24, 2008 at 3:49pm: Knit Picks "Bare" yarn can be used undyed or dyed--depending on what you prefer. If you leave it undyed, it is going to be the cream color that you see--which is the color of the sheep's fleece. Lace is traditionally knit out of this color of yarn, as are aran sweaters. If you want a cream colored scarf, don't dye the yarn.

If you would prefer the yarn to be another color, you can dye it with our Jacquard Acid Dyes or we offer dyed Essential sock yarns which use the same base as what you purchased.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by shalomraqam on October 6, 2008 at 10:23am: I've decided to also try the Candle Flame Scarf but after printing off the pattern, I too noticed there's only CO info. for the shawl. Did you ever get your question answered as to how many to cast on for the scarf? Any help would be so greatly appreciated!
Thanks:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on October 6, 2008 at 4:32pm: This info is on the second page of the pattern. Cast on 57 stitches.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by shalomraqam on October 11, 2008 at 8:49am: Thank-you for your help, Blue Lake Knitter! (love your picture!) This clears it all up for me, I'll be casting on for this today, can't wait!! Now the hard part, what in my stash to use?!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knitstertoo on September 22, 2008 at 4:16pm: Maybe someone here could help me, I want to order the new Essential Sock Samplers. The yarns in both look gorgeous!! My problem is that I have never knitted a sock. Is this a stpid and very expensive move??

Also, what size needles should I get. Should I use DPNs or try to use 2 circulars. Though this could get expensive if I have to change needles to get the correct guage. Questions, questions. Please help me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on September 24, 2008 at 3:45pm: Well, the answer to a lot of your questions is truly up to personal preference. Do you want to try 2 circulars or the Magic loop technique? Do you want to stick with DPNs? There really isn't a superior technique for knitting socks, but knitters decide that they prefer methods over time.

Knit Picks does offer a DPN sock kit here: http://www.knitpicks.com/6%20nickel%20plated%20double%20pointed%20k...
The kit contains 6 sets of metal DPNs in every size that people commonly use for knitting socks.

Or you could just buy one size of DPNs and stick with it. What size needle you use depends upon how tight or loose your knitting is and how thick your sock yarn is. Say you are using fingering weight yarn. Most people knit that on a size 1 needle. If you are a loose knitter, use a 0 and if you are a tight knitter, use a size 2. You'll notice that there is only 0.25 mm difference between the needle sizes, which is tiny. For my first sock, I would pick a size 1 needle, knit a swatch to figure out how many stitches per inch I'm getting, and then cast on. You can knit socks at whatever gauge you are knitting with a little arithmetic.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by rew58slw on September 29, 2008 at 10:08am: do you know how many yards of sock yarn it takes to do a heel and toe only. I want to make a sock with a different colored heel and toe and was hoping I had enough of a yarn that I have. Thank you; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by anita915 on September 29, 2008 at 9:35pm: Hi I just recieved the warm merino sampler I am trying to knit the head band but just can't get it is there a book that can help me
thanks
Anita; ▶ Reply to This