That's Knit-tastic!

I ~~sometimes~~ always have problems when I cast-on a new project. I run out of yarn before I've cast-on enough stitches. I'm usually 1-2 stitches short of enough. It's not a big problem when I'm making little things like dishclothes and scarves that don't require very many stitches. It's not hard to pull 10-20 stitches out and recast them, but recently I started my first knit afghan that starts with casting on 103 stitches. It took me 3 tries before I had enough yarn, and then I had like 2 feet left over at the end. Does anyone know a really good method for measuring before you cast-on?

I made the Afghan pattern up from something I saw in a store somewhere. It's still on the needles, so I don't know how wide it will be, but here it is:
Use large circular needles (I'm using US15 I think)
Use a heavy yarn (I'm using Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman)
CO 103 sts
Row 1: K3, P2. Rep to end.
Row 2: P3, K2. Rep to end.
Rep these rows until afghan is desired length.

If you don't know the abbreviations, check the chart. I'll post pictures later.

I hope you all have a safe and happy memorial day weekend.
Happy knitting!

1 Comments:

At 9:06 PM, Trina said...: I randomly found your blog... but I use 2 different cast on methods. The length of the kind you do where you have a 'tail' can usually be estimated by having a tail 3 times as long as you want your cast on to be, ex: a 8 inch dishcloth would be cast on with a 24 inch tail. I also use a knitting cast on, basically you start with a slip knot and knit it (using both needles...) then rather than removing the 1st loop from your left needle you add your new loop to the left needle, now you have 2!) It doesn't make quite as pretty of an edge but it is easier to use when you don't know exactly how many stiches you need, I have also cheated on occation when I've run out of 'tail' just short of the require stiches and 'knitted on' the last few stiches. If the border will not be obvious, its not a big deal.
Btw: I'm also a 20 something self taught (with the help of a couple books...) knitter. :)

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approx	approximately	beg	beginning	bet	between	BO	bind off
CC	contrast color	cn	cable needle	CO	cast on	cont	continue
dec	decrease	dpn	double point needles	fl	front loop	inc	increase
k or K	knit	k1,s1,psso	knit one, slip one, pass slip stitch over	k2tog	knit 2 stitches together	k2tog tbl	knit 2 stitches together ghrough back loop
kwise	knitwise	lp	loop	M1	make one stitch	M1p-st	make one purl stitch
MC	main color	p or P	purl	p2tog	purl 2 stitches together	p2tog tbl	purl 2 together through back loop
psso	pass slipped stitch over	pat	pattern	pm	place marker	pwise	purlwise
rem	remaining	rep	repeat	rev St st	reverse stockinette stitch	rnd	round
RS	right side	sk	skip	skp	slip, knit, pass stitch over	sk2p	slip 1 knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together
sl	slip	sl1k	slip 1 knitwise	sl1p	slip1 purlwise	sl1,k1,psso	slip 1, knit 1 pass slip stitch over
sl st	slip stitch	ssk	slip 1, slip 1, knit these 2 stitches together	sssk	slip, slip, slip, knit 3 stitches together	st(s)	stitch(s)
St st	stockinette stitch	tbl	through back loop	tog	together	WS	wrong side
wyib	with yarn in back	wyif	with yarn in front	yfon	yarn forward over needle	yfrn	yarn forward and around needle
yfwd	yarn forward	yo	yarn over	yrn	yarn around needle	yon	yarn over needle



About me: I'm a twenty-something self-taught knitter currently living in Midwest City, Oklahoma. I would like to help other youngish people learn to knit as well. I would love to start a local knitting group, but I'm having a hard time finding people who are interested. Knitty Blogs Knitty Abbreviations Free Patterns About.com Guide About's Original Knitting Patterns About's Readers Pattern Library Google: free knitting patterns Lily Lion Brand Pattern Index Lion Brand Pattern Finder Previous Posts I'm a freaking genius! New additions It's been a couple days Free Patterns Socks Diagonal Knit Dishcloth Welcome! Archives May 2006 June 2006 August 2006 September 2006 December 2009 February 2013		Friday, May 26, 2006 Casting On I ~~sometimes~~ always have problems when I cast-on a new project. I run out of yarn before I've cast-on enough stitches. I'm usually 1-2 stitches short of enough. It's not a big problem when I'm making little things like dishclothes and scarves that don't require very many stitches. It's not hard to pull 10-20 stitches out and recast them, but recently I started my first knit afghan that starts with casting on 103 stitches. It took me 3 tries before I had enough yarn, and then I had like 2 feet left over at the end. Does anyone know a really good method for measuring before you cast-on? I made the Afghan pattern up from something I saw in a store somewhere. It's still on the needles, so I don't know how wide it will be, but here it is: Use large circular needles (I'm using US15 I think) Use a heavy yarn (I'm using Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman) CO 103 sts Row 1: K3, P2. Rep to end. Row 2: P3, K2. Rep to end. Rep these rows until afghan is desired length. If you don't know the abbreviations, check the chart. I'll post pictures later. I hope you all have a safe and happy memorial day weekend. Happy knitting! posted by Amanda @ 12:50 PM 1 comments 1 Comments: At 9:06 PM, Trina said... I randomly found your blog... but I use 2 different cast on methods. The length of the kind you do where you have a 'tail' can usually be estimated by having a tail 3 times as long as you want your cast on to be, ex: a 8 inch dishcloth would be cast on with a 24 inch tail. I also use a knitting cast on, basically you start with a slip knot and knit it (using both needles...) then rather than removing the 1st loop from your left needle you add your new loop to the left needle, now you have 2!) It doesn't make quite as pretty of an edge but it is easier to use when you don't know exactly how many stiches you need, I have also cheated on occation when I've run out of 'tail' just short of the require stiches and 'knitted on' the last few stiches. If the border will not be obvious, its not a big deal. Btw: I'm also a 20 something self taught (with the help of a couple books...) knitter. :) Post a Comment << Home
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Casting On

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