What Next?

#1

So, I’m trying to figure out what to knit next. I’m still a beginner, so I want to make sure I don’t get into something too difficult. I was following Debbie Stoller’s Stitch n Bitch book. I started on a plain garter stitch scarf and moved up to a ribbed scarf. I then learned how to increase and decrease so I made a little kerchief thing. I then made a simple baby blanket for my nephew in garter stitch blocks. I just finished my first hat last night for my niece. I knitted it flat and sewed it up and put an i-cord on top!

Can anyone suggest what I should try next? I was thinking socks, but I’m not sure if I should jump into that yet or not. I’ve also never worked with more than one color except with the garter stitch scarf, but that was simple 3 color changes, no difficult Fair Isle stuff.

#2

knit a shawl!

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/bevs-shawl.html

:smiley:

#3

If you know how to knit, purl, increase and decrease you can pretty much make anything you want. When I was a new knitter my goal was to “someday” make a sweater. After 3 mos knitting and still a newbie I made a simple raglan pullover. :thumbsup:

So what do YOU long for and want to make? Socks? A simple, basic pattern would be a good start. Some parts of them require concentration at first, but they aren’t hard.

http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/SockClass_Start.htm

#4

I kind of like the shawl idea. A lace shawl might be a good challenge at this point. You can increase and decrease, knit and purl. This would give you some really good practice with those things, and its a good exercise in following patterns.

It’s also a good exercise in frustration as you invariably make mistakes.

I would totally agree with Jan here though too. What do you WANT to make? I mean, you’ve picked up the basics, you’ve got the tools you need. What is it that you would be excited to work on? Don’t get too bogged down on thinking that a project might be out of your skill level. Its good to have a challenge in your knitting.

I’ve said this before here, I usually have 3 projects running at one time. I typically have a hard project that requires concentration, one that teaches me something I’ve never done before, and one that is totally mindless that I can do when I want to knit but don’t want to put too much effort into it.

#5

I think I’d try a simple sweater. They are great for moving from 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional projects. My recommendation for beginner sweater patterns for women is Paton’s Next Steps series - books 2 and 3 are both sweaters (pullovers and cardigans) and you have lots of options in each book. Plus, the books are about $5 each. Alternately, a child’s sweater is often quicker to knit up. :slight_smile:

#6

Well, try something that challenges you and excites you! It true what they say about having all the skills to do something harder, besides if you do need help this is the place for it! I think my next big idea project would be a aran sweater, or a wrap sweater… Kinda get in all the things I have yet to do…oh wait I still have to do a lace shawl and socks…LOL! Just try whatever you want, if it is too much just put it down and try another :slight_smile:

#7

Everyone has made great suggestions. I did a pair of boot socks as my 2nd project so if you are determined and have a LYS to help you then I say Go for socks - but be careful as they are very very addictive.

My suggestion was going to be that you try something in the round on DPN’s. You could do a hat in the round or a purse that you could later felt. The booga bag is a quick and simple knit.

If you are not ready to venture into the world of DPN’s what about learning to make cables ? They are really easy and yet they look really difficult ! The irish hiking scarf is my favorite and I am currently working on a cable baby blanket for my soon to be born son.

#8

This is a great next project. I just finished mine and will be making it again. Everyone needs a shrug. It looks small, but it really does fit.http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sweet-little-nothing

#9

Thank you everyone for your replies! I’m not even really sure what I want to knit. My grandmother used to make us socks all the time, so it makes me think of her. Now I kind of wish I still lived in Upstate NY where a lot of warm things are needed! I bought size 5 DPNs to make an I-cord for the hat, so maybe I’ll just start simple on those.

I’m intimidated by sweaters, I think I’ll make my Yorkie one first. He’ll appreciate it :smiley:

#10

True, we don’t need them as much, but it can still get cold here at night and in the winter. We had a few nights that got down in the mid 30’s I think and many others in the upper thirties and low 40’s. Maybe not parka weather, but plenty cold enough for a warm sweater. :thumbsup:

#11

Yep, after you guys have lived there a while, you get acclimated so when it drops below 50, you need warmer clothes or more layers.

#12

Our AC is out…so we the last few days it has been 80 outside and 83 in the house…ugh…

Actually got dehydrated on Friday…(we are renoing the kitchen…the sink is out…it is amazing how much you can miss having that particular sink…just wasn’t drinking enough…as well as the house was warmer than it should have been!)

Socks are easier than they seem. And a good next challenge. If you really wanted to give yourself that extra bit of challenge, learn magic loop.

#13

:heart: I vote on a Yorkie sweater! Haha only because I love making my dog sweaters. I live in South CA so it doesn’t get cold here for a lot of knitted things. But my dog certainly needs them being a small chihuahua with little fur and peach fuzz on his chest and belly.

#14

Have you made a hat yet? I knit up a quick little one on a 16-inch circular needle for a bald woman, who feels cold even in July. Having a bald head can make you feel amazingly cool, even on a hot day!..I only know this from her, but my short haircut in spring made me feel cold some days.
I did it in stockinette, with no brim nor ribbing to start. Very simple. (when you don’t knit a ribbing to start, the edge curls up - which the woman loved).

This would also give you practice in circular knitting.

Here’s the hat, started, and done:

#15

I love to make a scarf, I am a begginer too. A scarf is basically rows of stiches, but you can design however! I think this is really good for a beginner, such as myself.

#16

Try something with cables! Cables are the easiest and most impressive looking technique I can think of.

#17

I LOVE making socks. Well I got over it after almost 100 pairs, but it is twitching in my fingers every once in a while… :smiley:

Try them, they are not hard. you just need a good instruction.

And if you want to make a scarf… I have an uncommon suggestion:

knit it across, not length wise.

make a test piece to find out how many inches you get out of 20 stitches or so. decide on the length of your scarf. A yard and a half would be mandatory, I think. Longer is possible.

do the math.

cast on as many many stitches as you need.

knit in stochinette or garder or even pattern.

do colour changes every few rows, if you like. or just do the outer few rows (first and last rows) and a different color in the middel.

you could even trough in a few big cables at the ends of the rows.

mind it, depending on how long you want your scarf and what yarn you are working with you might cast on around 300 stitches or more or less (so German / Longtail cast on is not so recommendable! too much risk to end up short or give way too much). But you do only about - what - 20 - 30 rows?
Less turning of work, amount of fabric produced is the same… that makes the same amount of stitches as a lengthwise scarf - it just looks very different - I want to make one like that myself, soon. Saw it somewhere and loved it.

Also check out www.garnstudio.com for other accessories and stuff. There were cool hats in the inspiration section there, I remember!

or just knit socks!
(instruction - with video mostly) you can also find on that website I mentioned.

PS: Addtion to the post up there with the brown hat:
I love that roll up edge, too. But sometimes a hat will stop fitting because it will not stopp rolling.
A neat trick I found on a baby girl pattern (the CUTEST sweater) was to knit stochinette for a few rows (just so it does more than one curl in) and then do a ribbing for three or four rows in 2 k 2 p. Then continue the stochinette.
The ribbing will define the edge of the curl and add some stretchy line, sitting a little tighter on the head. I will make myself a nice hat for next winter having just that trim!