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Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Feb 27, 2008 1:56pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Since all have been so kind offering advice... Maybe someone knows where to find instructions for this wee problem. I am trying to make a simple snake (mitten w/o thumb); Pattern calls for:
4 double pointed needles -- check

Divide 24 stitches onto 3 needles w/o twisting -- check

Join --

Begin Ribbing pattern -- check

Notice area not "Checked"

I started knitting, 2 rows later I am still knitting a straight line. (dang it)..it is NOT round. How does one JOIN to get circle? I watched a video, but there was a splice in it & I think it was that part about "joining"...a simple concept probably...so simple sometimes skipped over...but a mighty important step...hahaha

Any help would be appreciated.

Maple Leaf Red
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191182 by Maple Leaf Red
Feb 27, 2008 2:41pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Join --


Have you ever knit something round on circular needles? The double pointed needles are like that.
So you cast on, then divide your stitches. I'm assuming that you knit in the normal fashion, the left hand is holding the unworked stitches, and as you work they're moving to your right hand, right?
In your left hand should be the needle with the first stitch cast on pointing to the middle. In your right hand should be the needle with the yarn waiting to be knit towards the middle. Keeping it that way, it almost feels like you need a third hand, but after the first few stitches it will be okay, you need to use your fourth needle to knit the yarn hanging from the right needle into the left needle. So the first stitch of the second row will be on the first stitch that was cast on. Does that make any sense? I'm looking for a picture...

Maybe http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer03/FEATtheresa.html

They show four needles, where the needles basically form a square as your working around. With three needles you'll have a triangle--every time you knit across one needle, you'll then change to the leftover needle to knit on the next needle

Oh that is hysterical--while looking for a picture of how to join using dpn, I came across a pattern of how to knit a chambered nautilus! ttp://www.knitty.com/issuesummer03/FEATtheresa.html

Hmm...looks like the same link. I added an h to the first link--the second I pasted in without the h. Well, I hope it works.

Hey, what video did you watch? There are on-line videos at www.knittingatknoon.com, including joining with dpns. They do it differently than I do, but maybe it's better.

I guess the main point is that once you cast on, you don't turn it over and go backwards, but you continue across--sort of a spiral.

Well, it's taken me so long to type this that there are probably already several other descriptions listed. Hope it helps!

Kit Kat
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191182 by Maple Leaf Red
Feb 27, 2008 2:43pm
Thread (disabled) Board
It's not too late for joining. You're not going to have to rip it out.

When you reach the end of a right-side row, bring needle three around to make a circle touching needle one. Make sure your rows are hanging down straight. Use your fourth needle to start knitting on needle one, bringing the yarn from the last stitch on needle three to make your first stitch on needle one. Pull the stitch a little extra strong for the first couple to snug the join up.

You will be left with a small gap from not joining immediately but that is easy to sew up when you weave in your ends at the end. I always start socks with a couple of straight rows because I find it easier to join that way.

You can also check knitty.com for instructions or you tube for videos.

Knit Wit
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191198 by Kit Kat 61
Feb 27, 2008 2:46pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh that's very interesting. I still don't understand what happened to the h in the one email address. And now I see that it doesn't show up as a link without the full web address. I still hope people can see "Nautie"!

Live and learn...

Kit Kat
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191200 by Kit Kat 61
Feb 27, 2008 5:27pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I find it easier to use FIVE double ended needles... four to hold the stiches and one to work on...the work doesn't get so tight when you have a square instead of a triangle.

night writer
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191182 by Maple Leaf Red
Feb 28, 2008 12:18am
Thread (disabled) Board
http://www.knittinghelp.com/

All kinds of online videos, including one on how to knit with DPNs in the round that'll show you how to join. :)

I started knitting about 6 years ago now. Learned from the Stitch & Bitch books since, at the time, I knew *nobody* that knitted. My grandmother crocheted, and taught me how at an early age, so the hook was no big deal, but those sticks...? Sticks were confusing. :)

I haunt knitty.com and ravelry.com all the time, and I'm kind of partial to the Lime & Violet messageboards (http://limenviolet.com/mb). Heehee. :)
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191255 by Romana
Feb 28, 2008 3:44am
Thread (disabled) Board
{{I find it easier to use FIVE double ended needles... four to hold the stiches and one to work on...the work doesn't get so tight when you have a square instead of a triangle.}}

It's funny that you say this... because I definitely do NOT like using the square method.
For me it's all floppy and hard to hang on to with one hand, so I ALWAYS use 3 for holding and 1 for working.
If the project is just to big... I'll use the 12 inch cable with exchanging needle points circular needles.

A matter of preference, clearly! ; )

Mrs. Doglvrs
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191375 by doglvrs
Feb 28, 2008 7:05am
Thread (disabled) Board
oh, I'll always use the round needles if I can get them into the project...but I make a lot of socks, and there comes a point at the toes that you have to take out the very very short round needle and go to double enders...and I go with the five of them little suckers.

I have found a trick... my aunt told me that to keep ladders from forming between needles, I should tighten the first stitch after I change needles. I've discovered it is much easier if I knit that first stitch, put the needle in the second stitch, and THEN tighten the yarn. then knit the second stitch. the first one won't loosen up again, but it doesn't get too tight either, and I never have ladders.

nw
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191375 by doglvrs
Feb 28, 2008 8:20am
Thread (disabled) Board
It's absolutely a matter of preference. :-)

If I have to use double-points (which I try to avoid by using two circulars usually), I prefer to use five and work the square. My socks really want to create ladders at the joins when I use the triangle and I have to pay more attention to what I'm doing.

Usually I don't have to use any of my double-points, but sometimes I find that gorgeous sock yarn that just has to be cast on right then and there are no circs available. I have a slight tendency to cast on new projects before finishing old ones. ;-)

Knit Wit
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191423 by knit wit
Feb 28, 2008 8:52am
Thread (disabled) Board
I like working on double pointed needles. But casting on and the first row or two can be tricky.

I've heard it compaired to holding a spider by one leg

;-)

S~N~K
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191182 by Maple Leaf Red
Feb 29, 2008 1:30pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Thank You all for the input. I have been really busy this week...sheez...& have not had a chance to even try your suggestions. I am hoping the weekend will allow for some knitting time.

Thanks again.

MLR
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #191375 by doglvrs
Feb 29, 2008 9:38pm
Thread (disabled) Board
{{............so I ALWAYS use 3 for holding and 1 for working.
If the project is just to big... I'll use the 12 inch cable with exchanging needle points circular needles.}}

Is this english? Sounds like parsel tongue to me.... Okay, I've now officially 'outed' myself as the person Mrs. Doglvrs is trading her knitting talents with...

jacks
Re: Help Knitter Friends
Board: Knitters and the Fiber Arts
Reply to: #192140 by jacks
Mar 1, 2008 5:02am
Thread (disabled) Board
{{{{............so I ALWAYS use 3 for holding and 1 for working.
If the project is just to big... I'll use the 12 inch cable with exchanging needle points circular needles.}}

Is this english? Sounds like parsel tongue to me.... Okay, I've now officially 'outed' myself as the person Mrs. Doglvrs is trading her knitting talents with...}}

Yeah, but I really, really, really got the better end of the deal baby! : )

Knitting, schmitting --- that girl can draw!

Mrs. Doglvrs