Hi! I am brand new to knitting. I’ve watched the basic beginner videos, have spent some time practicing different stitches and would like to complete my first project. I’ve attempted to knit a basic infinity scarf but I keep running in to problems! Maybe some one just needs to tell me what to do, or what I can do with the needles I have. For some reason, it’s just not working out for me.
I purchased the combi sampler set, so I have a 24" and 40" cables with the three different types of needles and then a separate set of size 10 straight needles. I bought the circular set because I thought that’s what I needed to make the circular scarf but I’ve had so much trouble figuring out how many stitches and what cable length to use. Then, I thought I had it right, was knitting away, and then noticed that my cable came off the needle and I had no idea how to fix all of the stitches that I’d lost.
So, I’m starting from scratch. I really want to be successful at this, but so tempted to give up! Any suggestions? Should I make the scarf on the straight needles and then sew the ends together? If I use the circular needles, which size of needle, length of cable and number of stitches to cast on?
Hope this make sense!
Are you working from a pattern? If so, which one? Please provide a name and/or link.
No, I’m not using a pattern. I watched several YouTube tutorials and am just trying to do something very basic as my first project. Maybe that’s my problem! I did try to reference a few patterns to get an idea of how many stitches to start with.
What yarn are you using?
What stitch pattern are you using?
What gauge are you obtaining?
You need to know/understand all of these things in order to figure out how many sts to CO etc…
It would probably be easier for you to find a specific pattern to work from since it is your first project. Try joining Ravelry.com and searching there if you need to find a pattern (many are free).
Hi. If you use something to help you grip the needle tip (I use a piece of grippy shelf liner stuff, you could use a rubber band, just about anything that will help you get a better grip) and the key in the hole, you can tighten the join so separation is much less likely. Some people never have it happen if they tighten the needle to the join properly, some of us have it happen occasionally. Soon you’ll notice a drag on the stitches and know to check and see whether the tip is coming loose. I love my Nova needles! but if I hadn’t learned here to use something to get a better grip for proper tightening I’m not sure I would.
Unless you are making a very large diameter cowl I think a 24" cable will be long enough. No promises, just my best guess. As already mentioned finding a simple pattern would be a good idea.
Welcome to Knitting Help!
Good advice above. On the Free Videos tab above, under Getting Started there’s a good discussion of gauge (about 2/3 down the page). Gauge tells you how to relate stitch number to length in inches. It’s the way to make garments that fit. Not so critical with a scarf but important for you since it will help you figure out how many sts to cast on. Make a gauge swatch and measure the number of sts per inch you’re getting with your yarn and needles.
If you want to knit the scarf across the short direction as you mention, you could do that on straights or you could use your circulars but don’t join in the round, knit back and forth on the circular. When you get to the length you want, stop and seam the ends. This is probably the easiest way to go.
If you want to knit across the long direction, the gauge swatch will help you figure out how many sts will give you whatever length you want and also help you estimate which length cable to use.