Please, what can I knit with 400m of wool?!

#1

Hi

I’m looking for a pattern to use up 7 balls of medium-weight wool - Phil Air by Phildar. I have 7 x 50g balls but each ball only has 59m or 65 yds. I have a pair of 7mm needles, a pair of 8mm needles and a 7mm circular needle. My original plan was to knit a ribbed shrug but I quickly realised I would need to buy a dozen more balls to finish it given the low yardage (it would make a very expensive shrug!).

So, I’ve been looking at patterns for shrugs, boleros and cropped cardis but haven’t found anything I can knit with this wool and needles.

Would anyone have a suggestion for a pattern other than a scarf? I’d say my level is advanced beginner.

Thanks ever so much!
Sandra

#2

hmm. One ball should make a nice hat? could you make a few smaller projects rather than one big one?

the hermione hat doesn’t use much:

(lol I’m knitting this one right now so I’m a little obsessed with it).

it’s really not too complex of a pattern, although it looks a bit difficult at first.

What else? I guess you could knit a clutch and felt it… I don’t really have many suggestions but I’m sure some of the others will!

#3

Thanks Pink! A hat and scarf or scarf and gloves could be the answer!

#4

You’re getting only 20 yds to the ounce-- which means this yarn is super bulky. I found of photo of it and it looks like a heavy Lopi yarn.
Check out www.knittingpatterncentral.com and take a look at their hats and mittens. I don’t think you’ll get a hat and scarf or mittens and scarf out of the 7 balls, but I could be wrong.

#5

Thanks Sandy - I’m kind of disappointed not to be knitting a shrug but that’s life! I recently got back into knitting and hadn’t thought to check the yardage, just the number of skeins. I’m a little peeved that the lady in the shop didn’t advise me better but you live and learn! I’ll check out the patterns you suggest. Thanks for your help!

#6

If you have larger needles, like a 9 or 10mm, you should still be able to get a shrug out of it. That’s about 430 yds and seems like it would be enough for shrugs like the circular shrug or the anthropoligie inspired capelet (which is really a shrug) and was knit on 8mm.

You might find more ideas in this post; many of the bulky ones don’t need more than your 400m and most a lot less. Some of the not bulky yarns can be altered to use heavier yarn.

#7

Thanks so much Suzeeq. I’m going to give the capelet a go and remember in future that yardage is important!

This is a great forum :slight_smile:

Sandra

#8

You’ll like that pattern. I’ve made several to give away and one for me. 400 and some yards should be enough in big yarn, especially if you’re not quite as, ummm, ample as me:teehee:.
Simple Knits has a terrific page with what to make with given amounts of yarn. I don’t have the link on this computer, but I bet someone here does!

#9

Here’s what Becky’s talking about:


:muah:

#10

Thanks Becky and Mirl both :slight_smile:

#11

Me again!

I was looking through the pattern last night and am stumped by the abbreviation pm in this line
Row 1 (RS): k2, p6, yo, [COLOR=“Red”]pm,[/COLOR] p1, yo, p7, yo, [COLOR=“red”]pm,[/COLOR] p1, yo, p15, yo, [COLOR=“red”]pm[/COLOR], p1, yo, p7, yo, [COLOR=“red”]pm[/COLOR], p1, yo, p6, k2 (57 st total, 8 have been increased)

Also, I’m guessing [COLOR=“red”]yo[/COLOR] is “yarn over.” As the stitch before is a purl, does this mean to bring the yarn back to knit position at the back of the needle?

Last question: the pattern says to
Row 3 and all RS rows: k2, [COLOR=“red”]p to next marker[/COLOR], yo, [COLOR=“red”]sl marker[/COLOR], p1, yo repeat from * 3 more times, p until last 2 st, k2

But doesn’t say when to put in markers. I’m guessing the marker is a stitch as I have to slip it (sl marker).

Tons of questions, sorry and thank you!

#12

Yes, yo, is a yarnover. It’s between purl sts, so you have your yarn in front from the p1, bring it over your needle and to the front again for the next purl sts. It’s just like doing a purl st except the right needle isn’t inserted into a stitch on the left needle.

The ‘pm’ means to place marker which does tell you where to put them; you put a marker or piece of yarn or thread on the needle and they travel with you as you knit. So ‘sl marker’ isn’t referring to a stitch, but the marker itself.

The instructions ‘p to next marker, yo, sl marker…’ mean that after you knit the 2 edge sts, purl to where the first marker is on your needle, make a YO, slip the marker, then p1 and yo, and purl to the next marker. The *s mean to repeat those instructions between them.

#13

Thanks so much! It sounds kind of complicated but should become clear once I get started.

Thanks again, this is a [B]huge [/B]help!

#14

YEah, it’s easier to see what to do once you have sts on the needles.

#15

I’m back!

I’m getting along fine (I think!) with the capelet http://peonyknits.blogspot.com/2005/11/anthropologie-inspired-capelet-fo-and.html
but have a sudden doubt. The pattern says to “continue raglan increases until the sleeve measures the circumference of upper arm” which is 27cm in my case. Should I measure from the start of the neckline rib (from the cast-on edge) or should I measure from the end of the rib? I’m kind of stuck!

Thanks for your help.

#16

Some of the sts on the needle are sleeve sts, measure [I]across[/I] them to see if there’s enough there. Or you can measure across the back sts and see if they measure about half the size you want for the chest area. Or, try it on over your shoulders and see if the sleeve sts meet at your underarm.

#17

Oops; I was on the wrong track there, I was measuring the wrong way. I don’t [I][I]think [/I][/I]it’s too late… Thanks for answering so quickly.

#18

If you think you’ve knit too far, rip out a couple inches. Or just try it on over your shoulders first and see how much you need.

#19

I finished last night and I’m really happy (and a bit proud!!).

I think I’ll knit a second in different wool, with a deeper rib on the body for a different effect (this one just fits under my bust).

Thanks for all the help you’ve given me!

Sandra

#20

Sure, a lot of people have customized that pattern - longer sleeves, longer body, different increase type, different stitch patterns, different yarn weight… It’s one of those basic sweater patterns that you can build on and make your own design.