Question's answer

A query I forgot to answer.

1. I wanted to ask you a question, I have this pattern from the US for a newborn baby cardigan which I want to make for a friend's son, it says use US size 8 needles. What size would they be in Indian size and also, approx what thickness of yarn does one need for that?

thanks!

From K

Mansi replies:

US Size *8 is actually a 5mm needle. Its UK size 6 so what we get as double wool should do. Use two strands of the normal wool to get the thick chunky effect for a cardigan. Avoid the baby soft wool that you get in small packs of 6 or 12, the yarn may be too thin. To put a border for this you may need UK size 8.The main body is knitted in size 6 UK.

This needle size fits most patterns with double wool. ( Double wool in India has 4 strings of yarn) The US double wool is very different.

By the way I haven't been kind to the colourful baby wool in the market. As one of my friends said they are very colorful and you can try your creative knitting with them. Mobile purses or coasters or telephone covers. Use needle UK size 10 or 12 for a fabric like effect.

My Next project is a scarf that can be buttoned on the neck. Its a two color scarf and I shall try my skill at using two colours!

knit leg warmers

Sorry to be late with this update but after moving house, I am scheduled for a Europe trip this winter and have been knitting away to help keep me warm. I made a special trip to Dehradun and got real wool balls for adult knitting not (baby wool) and my mittens are being knit . They cost around 50Rs a ball and are really wool-marked. People in India may never need all that warm wool so continue to celebrate acrylic. You get wool shops in Paltan bazzar there so if you travel there or know someone you can get them to mail you some wool.

Good news from Lion brand wools' website, all thier own patterns are free. Newbies from India, please donot mess with patterns without doing a gauge patch. None of those chunky yarns are available here!

The other news is that I found a knitting enthusiast who has taken on knitting a coat sweater in a month. I am helping her with the pattern and will be sharing all the tips we come up with as time goes.

The first being, to bind off from the start, unless specified, always

K1, K2 pass second stitch over the first.

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To bind off from the middle ( like a Raglan shaping) Knit 2 together and bind off the last stitch by passing yarn through stitch.

or

If you are good enogh to try ,

you can k1, k2 the pass first stictch over second. ( this is tough to understand and may be I will post a video soon.)

Ankle warmers are tube- like and are to be worn above ankle socks and keep the ankle to knee area warm. These are pink and purple and look very bulky but they are certainly warm. I finished all my purple and pink wool.

TIP: To make your knitted fabric elastic you use ribbing: K2 p2 or K1P1. Row 1

and p2k2 or p1k1 at the back respectively.