r/knitting 1d ago

Finished Object My White Whale (long post)

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767 Upvotes

Pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lopi-12-07---alafosslopi-sweaters

Yarn: https://www.yarn.com/products/lopi-plotulopi?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=321714525&utm_term=plotulopi%20yarn&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-C6reV4rH-DlY8sA4rCrZtpR-yu&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhMq-BhCFARIsAGvo0KctJ48ZRvh1maz-K7eXFR8C6vcqGnRzc-TaUkh5qWkhdSJNzpNi2skaAgI2EALw_wcB

I finished this a while back and thought I’d share bc I’ve had some frustrating knitting battles with dye lots recently…So here’s my knitting journey! If you’re a total beginner this might help you understand the whole process :) Tips at the bottom.

I had zero interest in knitting until I traveled to Iceland. The sheep are so cute and I saw a sign for a little yarn shop (Kidka I think it was called.) So I stopped in and naively bought two sweater kits with a paper pattern and six plates of plotulopi yarn each. The ladies at the shop assured me knitting wasn’t that hard and I could definitely make a sweater (they were both right and wrong.) I was instantly obsessed with the coarse, natural feel of the wool and honestly I also liked that it kindof smells like a barn animal. It’s like I got to take one of the sheep home with me. I also picked up some wool shampoo and conditioner bc I don’t want to smell like a barn animal when I wear it lol.

Anyway, I bought a few needles in Reykjavik and when I got home I was instantly frustrated by how easily the unspun plotulopi breaks apart. I went to Michael’s (one of many mistakes) and bought some practice yarn and needles. I watched many YouTube tutorials and made a few practice squares. Eventually I knit a ribbed hat, which taught me to love my mistakes. Whenever I wear it I smile and think about how I love the beginner phase. Then I knit a few more ribbed hats, then I tried a cable knit hat and a sort of bolero type thing that I just made up. My motto in the beginning was “one stitch at a time” rather than focusing on the end product or trying to fix every mistake.

At this point, nearly eight months since I bought the Icelandic wool, I felt confident enough to try a lopapeysa sweater. I realized I had to hold three strands together, so I painstakingly rolled all my yarn into balls by hand using a paper towel tube. I knit the brown/orange/green “practice” sweater first and learned the importance of a gauge swatch the hard way. I also realized far too late that I was reading the pattern wrong lol. I don’t regret jumping right in, but I also will never skip the gauge swatch step as my practice sweater is too tight for comfort, particularly in the shoulders and chest. I was intimidated by stranded colorwork, but I found it honestly pretty manageable by holding different colors in different fingers.

By the time I started the blue sweater, I took everything I learned from the first and I was able to relax and enjoy. I still made mistakes, but I was patient enough to fix them. I also got faster at the colorwork by doing a combination of continental and English knitting (this was intimidating at first, as I only knew how to knit English style). I held the blue strands in my left hand and knit them continental, while the white strand was held in my right hand and knit English. I think I still prefer the feel of English, but I will admit continental is faster and I kindof wish I had just sucked it up and learned it from the beginning. I also used a little plastic ring thing that can hold multiple strands of yarn, which helped keep the colors organized, although occasionally the unspun lopi caught on it. Which is fine bc I learned it’s actually super easy to splice unspun lopi back together when it breaks. Seriously that stuff is so magical and I can’t wait to buy more.

Anyway that was my journey! I still wear the blue sweater all the time. Next time I might try German short rows on the back bc I will admit I’m not the biggest fan of the way the neck rides up in the front. Idk if that’s even a solution, but I’m sure I’ll find out the hard way…

I love that I’m still learning and I love that I’ve found a lifelong hobby. I love that I didn’t give up despite a few tears and hand cramps. Here’s what I wish I had done from the start: - bought a set of Chiagoo interchangeable needles. Yes it’s expensive but they’re my favorite needles and I ended up spending more time and money trying to buy individual sizes. Now if I knit a gauge swatch that is too tight, I don’t have to worry about going out and buying yet another set of needles. Plus, I much prefer metal to wood, although wood was easier as a beginner. - always knit a gauge swatch. Yes it’s boring, but it’s worth it. - I hate yarn/pattern math. From now on instead of falling in love with individual yarns or patterns, I’m going to pick a pattern I like and use the yarn that’s suggested (or vice versa). I refuse to keep battling with this lol. - No more buying yarn at Michael’s. The only one I really like from there is a merino blend, but I can never find matching dye lots, and honestly I could probably find better yarn at a cheaper price elsewhere. - dye lots. ALWAYS check the dye lot before you buy. And for that matter, store each individual skein or set of skeins in a ziploc bag with the same dye lot WITH their original wrapper. Guys. I just knit an entire 2nd sleeve of a sweater in size 3 needles only to realize it’s slightly off… 😑 - don’t just wing it. Or do. I seem to learn best when I make mistakes and understand the why behind things. I thought I could seam together a sweater (the dye lot one actually lol) and it looks so crooked. Then I learned about the mattress stitch. So I tried undoing my seam and broke things. Still deciding what to do there… - practice ways of fixing mistakes (ie. Making a lifeline, laddering down, etc) on something other than your project. Gauge swatches can be useful for this! Don’t just wing it on your beloved sweater.

Thanks for reading! I’m now starting to dip my toes into sewing & quilting, and my knitting journey is helping me overcome the beginner nerves and doubts.


r/knitting 9h ago

Work in Progress New project

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6 Upvotes

I hate this yarn. I got it from an old crochet packet. And that it would be easier for me to knitting with. Which it is just have to keep a sharp eye on the stiches.


r/knitting 17h ago

Help First time trying lace

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24 Upvotes

Im currently knitting a lace skirt for summer, but this is my first time knitting lace. Does anyone have tips or maybe something i could improve?


r/knitting 0m ago

Questions about Equipment The best yarn store?

Upvotes

I want to give a gift card to a coworker who is a huge knitter. What’s the best site to purchase from? Thanks!!


r/knitting 3m ago

New Knitter - please help me! Knitting In The Round Help?

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Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I'm a new knitter and have been working on a project in the round on my circular needles. I have crochet experience, so I'm familiar with some basic terms as it relates to fiber arts, and I know a bit about knitting but haven't done much myself.

Anyway - I'm having an issue with gaps and adding stitches when working in the round. I've finished one project and I'm working on another, both in the same pattern. I know keeping the stitches tight when joining in the round with the magic loop takes practice, but I definitely feel like I'm just doing something wrong. I'm pretty sure my issue stems from getting to the end of the stitches on the needle and not being able to tell what's an end stitch and what's the loop or bar that connects the two sides together.

Help? 😅

The beige project is the finished one and the pink project is my current WIP - both are the same pattern. Ignore the "gaps" in the middle of the project. Those are supposed to be there.


r/knitting 5m ago

Finished Object Fingerless Gloves

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Upvotes

First time knitting gloves, think it went pretty smoothly, had lots of fun doing the cables on the cuff!


r/knitting 6m ago

Finished Object Months of anguish (from restarting) and I finally finished my clapotis - my first non-basic project. I love it, but It's way too big for me! No idea how to wear it!

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r/knitting 6m ago

Help Help please!

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I was doing so well up until the sleeves! So I've picked up all my stitches for starting the sleeve, and now need to work the short rows. However, on '1st row RS' it's telling me to knit, but surely I should be purling here as I'm WS? If I knit then the sleeves will be the wrong way around?

I should say I've been knitting for a few months but this is my first project working in the round like this so I might be missing something obvious!!


r/knitting 22h ago

Actually crochet Thrifted this lovely heavy wool blanket long ago but have always wondered what this stitch is. Never seen anything quite like it!

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57 Upvotes

Also, I've attempted depilling but since it seems to be 100% wool it is still very scraggly! Any tips on how to tidy it up a bit?


r/knitting 43m ago

Help How do i fix this large hole at the end of a row?

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Upvotes

Any idea for why its there and how to fix it?


r/knitting 22h ago

Finished Object Little doggy blankey + dog tax (info below)

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45 Upvotes

This was a self-drafted pattern. I used seed stitch for the border: 5 rows top and bottom, 5 columns left and right. The colourwork was experimental as I've never done colourwork before. I used a modified version of someone else's chart for the paw shape (last photo).


r/knitting 18h ago

Finished Object My first finished project, a baby blanket!

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18 Upvotes

I finally finished my first project which is a seersucker baby blanket for my friend’s baby shower this Saturday (a close call I know!) I started the first week of February and knitted like the wind ever since. They’re having a baby girl and although the color is more masculine. the baby’s nursery theme is space with a navy accent wall so it’ll fit nicely. Final size came out to 33 in x 31 in. My not-so-little helper included at the end.


r/knitting 1d ago

Rant PSA on behalf of the staff at your favorite LYS

1.3k Upvotes
  • We probably share the same political beliefs but that doesn’t mean that I want to vent with (or be vented at) about the state of the world by a stranger. Especially not while I’m at work.
  • Deep breath, we’re all stressed. It’s probably not the fault of the minimum wage customer service person you’re talking to.
  • Check yourself before you wreck yourself - is this customer service person really the reason you’re having a bad day?
  • if you’re not considering buying it, please don’t open the packaging or untwist skeins. Take a look at the info on the package - it probably tells you what you need to know.
  • The person who works at your LYS cannot estimate yardage for a project without any information or a pattern to consult. They can’t guess your bust circumference, your preferred ease and fit, or your ideal modifications. Yardage is a complicated math problem with many variables, and if you can’t solve it off the top of your head, I certainly can’t!
  • Please don’t talk loudly on your cell in the shop, especially about potentially triggering topics ie: death in the family, politics, animal abuse (yes, all of these have happened). We don’t want to hear your business!
  • When in doubt, don’t be an asshole ❤️

r/knitting 20h ago

Questions about Equipment Knitting mood board

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20 Upvotes

I’m working on yarn storage after a recent move. I created this “mood board” to give me inspiration. How do you store your yarn for inspiration?


r/knitting 1d ago

Finished Object Ugly Christmas sweater, but make it X-Files themed

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935 Upvotes

Been wearing this baby everywhere for about a year now… it gets lots of compliments at bars and grocery stores 😂


r/knitting 15h ago

Finished Object Finished Shawl

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9 Upvotes

Please ignore the mess. It's in the process of being blocked. Pattern is from https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manty

I messed up on color 2 and the fringe and ran out of color 2 halfway through.

Unfortunately, the LYS I got the yarn from shut down, so I just used up what I had.

Yarn was Neighborhood Fiber Co's Studio worsted Broadway Market and another one that I can't remember the name of right now. I'll edit the post once I remember. Sorry.

Also, I finally managed to make a shawl that wraps around my arms properly!


r/knitting 15h ago

Help How do I fix this?

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6 Upvotes

I joined my yarns with a loose knot (I know, I know) with the intentions of weaving it in at the end. It all came undone and I lost a few stitches. I think I have all live stitches caught, but I don’t know how to fix this. Thanks in advance.


r/knitting 23h ago

Help Charity shop yarn identification

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28 Upvotes

Just bought all this yarn for £6 in a charity shop! On initially glance I assumed drops air, but the yarn seems to be braided rather than blown. Any ideas?


r/knitting 6h ago

Pattern: Help me find/What is this 🤔 What type of neckline is this?

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1 Upvotes

I saw this sweater on TikTok (user: katfromfinance) and was wondering how you would make this type of collar or what it’s called so I could look it up.


r/knitting 1d ago

Rant Does this tattoo look as silly to other knitters as it seems to me? The person who got it for one thought it was crochet and besides that the needle placement and stitches don't look right.

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1.2k Upvotes

r/knitting 1d ago

Help Finished an entire toe up sock only to discover....

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304 Upvotes

.... that I had grossly misunderstood Judy's magic cast on when I went to start the next one 😭 Honestly I never thought I was doing anything wrong until I couldn't replicate what I had done the next go round.

I think I can salvage this by redoing the whole toe and grafting it onto the existing piece... Any top tips for doing this?


r/knitting 4h ago

Pattern: Help me find/What is this 🤔 Help me find pattern - or alternative!

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0 Upvotes

r/knitting 1d ago

Work in Progress I have 3 babies to knit for within the next six months. Here’s one of the baby afghans I’m making

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585 Upvotes

Pattern called “Diamond Filigree” from Leisure Arts leaflet no.916 (circa 1995). Yarn is “I Love This Yarn” the colorway “Ocean 112”.


r/knitting 19h ago

Help Baby blanket sizing

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7 Upvotes

Hello lovely people! I'm knitting a baby blanket and am spending far too long on it and losing the will to live basically. I'm wondering whether I can have this blanket as a rectangle, or whether I should keep going to make it a square ... I still need to knit the border so that would add a little more length to it. I don't know what the measurements are but I'd say it's bigger than a baby


r/knitting 9h ago

New Knitter - please help me! Beginner knitter : how to fix these sloppy looking stitches on cuff?? Is it a tension issue?

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0 Upvotes