i need a knitting tutor... help with pattern?

[sdshoars]

ok. so i taught myself to knit, right? i got the knit stitch down pat, and i am doing a scarf for myself right now. i know i need to teach myself to purl, but i don't figure it will be too hard to teach myself that too. but i want to make the goat kid sweaters from fiasco farm, and i have NO IDEA how to read this pattern, and i need your help! if you could help explain this to me in easier terms, i will even MAKE you a goatie sweater if you want one!!! thank you!!!

here's the pattern...
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/goatsweater.htm#handknitkid

 

[Wildsky]

You just need to learn the abreviations and you should be good to go. You will need to know purl for that patter.

Cut and paste:
Starting at tail end with MC and single pointed needle, cast on 36 sts.
Ribbing: Row 1: *K1,p1. Rep. from * across to within last st, sl 1 instead of p 1

If you're using more than one color - you start with your MC (Main Color) and single point needles. Cast on the 36
First row is Knit one stitch, purl one stitch all the way to the end, the last stitch needs just be passed over and not purled.
(sl 1 = Slip one stitch, slipping being just passing stitch to the other needle)

Row 2: K1, inc 1 st in next st, p 1, work across in ribbing as for row 1 to within last 2 sts, inc 1 st in next st, sl 1. Repeat row 2 until there are 46 sts

Knit one stitch, you're then going to increase in the next stitch - There are a few ways of doing it, some will knit into the back loop - leave the original stitch on the left needle, then purl in the front loop. I think that would be easiest. Then you will continue the ribbing knit one, purl one. When you have 2 stitches left you will do another increase (knit into the back loop and the front loop of that next stitch) then you will slip the last one over.

Keep repeating till you have 46 stitches on your needles.

 

[Wildsky]

Yell when you get up to that point, and myself or the next knitter along can explain the next few steps.

 

[sdshoars]

man. i would have never figured that out on my own. after reading what you said, and then reading the pattern again tho, it makes sense. thank you! i tried looking up the abbreviations online, but i couldnt make my brain get it. ok, i will get that far, and i will yell at you for more help when i get that far. thanks!

 

[Sequin]

That is a really cute pattern! I would just take it line by line... usually there is a key with the pattern codes in it, but I am not seeing one here. So, first off they are telling you what needles you need. #6 and #6 double pointed. That means two pairs of needles - one straight #6 like you are probably using for your scarf, and a pair that is connected with a wire or string of some sort in the middle. I call them 'a loop needle' which makes my mom laugh, she calls them round needles. After you learn the codes and how to 'read' the pattern, you should be able to do it no prob.

I wish I could offer you more advice, but I just taught myself two weeks ago as well and am still practicing my 'reading'. The purl is actually kind of tricky at first, but I am sure that with practice it will become as easy as the knit stitch. For right now, I am taking it one step at a time, and it seems to be working for me. I really like this pattern though, and think it would make a great sweater for little dogs as well. Thanks for posting it!!!

 

[Wildsky]

The double pointed needles are the straight ones with point on each end - they sell in 5's and are used for socks mostly or hats or small things knitted in the round. (You use 4 to hold the knitting and the 5th is the working needle)

A Circular needle is the one with two ends and plastic or whatnots joining them so they're bendy and you can knit in the round or straight back and forth.

The single points are the ones you normally see - point on one end and the other end has a little stopper thing with the size etc. printed on it.

 

[Sequin]

Oooooo - they mis-informed me at the yarn store.

just when I thought I was starting to know something!!!! har har har... Thanks so much for the Real 411 on the double ended pointy thingamahbobs.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:

For the record, I HATE the double ended pointy thingamahbobs - I avoid them at ALL costs! I've had a few patterns that I HAD to use them, and every stitch was on my last NERVE.

 

[sdshoars]

so would it be easier to use circular needle rather than the double pointed, and would it turn out the same?

 

[sdshoars]

holy poop!!! i am looking a youtube video out knitting in the round with the 5 double pointed needles... thats ridiculous. i can hardly think about 2 needlles, much less 5. omg. the poor girl in the video is all butter fingers too.