Crescent shawl - circular needles

[Ali]

Hi
I am new to circular needles!

I am using circular needles for the shawl and am completely confused. I've never used these before and don't understand the difference as it just seems like ordinary knitting. It starts with cast on 3 and don't join?? Join to what anyway?

Also the pattern asks for a stitch marker but it seems that all I have to do is move this from one needle to another each row? I must be doing some thing wrong as I have the stripes but they are just horizontal??

Please can anyone help?

[karenarp]

Hi
I am new to circular needles!

I am using circular needles for the shawl and am completely confused. I've never used these before and don't understand the difference as it just seems like ordinary knitting. It starts with cast on 3 and don't join?? Join to what anyway?

Also the pattern asks for a stitch marker but it seems that all I have to do is move this from one needle to another each row? I must be doing some thing wrong as I have the stripes but they are just horizontal??

Please can anyone help?

Hey, I am new to circulars myself but maybe I can help.
The main idea of circulars was to make larger items without using double points (dpn) like sweaters. These were knit in a 'circle' therefore joined at one end to keep the circle intact. So when asked not to join they are just reminding you that you are not making a tube like item (sweater, hat, sock) but you are now making a flat item. Like you said, regular knitting without the long sticks getting in your way.
Using a stitch marker is usually done to mark one side of your 'fabric' as the front - if the pattern tells you to knit all even rows and do something different to the odd rows you would want a marker so you know what side is what. Then if you are on the side with the marker you just need to remember the stitch for that row. Personally if I am working a pattern that is totally reversible I don't see the need for a marker either.

As for your stripes, no idea how to help there.

[Ali]

Thanks karen - that's helpful - maybe I should keep knitting and see if it looks like it's working.

[Shandeh]

Here's a link to the pattern, in case anyone reading wants to see it.
http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=6391

What you are doing in this pattern is called "Straight Knitting with Circular Needles".
You are still turning at the end of each row, so the work is just like what's done on regular knitting needles.

The reason they are telling you to use circular needles is because your number of stitches will eventually be too wide to fit on normal knitting needles.

I made a video showing Straight Knitting on Circulars here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr7Wczfb_xY

[Shandeh]

......the pattern asks for a stitch marker but it seems that all I have to do is move this from one needle to another each row? I must be doing some thing wrong as I have the stripes but they are just horizontal?? Please can anyone help?

You will be using the stitch marker, starting with Row 5. It will help you know when to make your yarn-overs.

[Ali]

Hi thanks guys - I looked at the youtube vid and I am doing it like that, it's just that what I have done so far doesn't look as if it will turn out like the end result.

I have taken a picture of my work so far and put it in my blog - can anyone see from this if it should turn out ok?

http://www.goddess-awakenings.co.uk/dam ... -and-knit/

thanks
Ali

Thanks

[karenarp]

Looks like it will work out as far as I can tell.
It is a top down design right?!

If it makes you feel any better, I started a dish cloth yesterday and I kept misreading the instructions, so I would get a few inches done, realize I made a mistake in reading and would have to start over. Did it three times before I finally had my ah ha moment on the fourth try. None of the tries were the same problem either! Keep at you! You CAN do this!

[Shandeh]

Hi thanks guys - I looked at the youtube vid and I am doing it like that, it's just that what I have done so far doesn't look as if it will turn out like the end result.

I have taken a picture of my work so far and put it in my blog - can anyone see from this if it should turn out ok?

http://www.goddess-awakenings.co.uk/dam ... -and-knit/ thanks, Ali

I'm having trouble seeing the yarn-overs. It is definitely curving, but it almost looks like there are only yarn overs on one side of the shawl.

[Ali]

Thanks both for taking a look - yes it is a top down design - I just can't see how it ends up like the triangle in the picture.

I think I've done the yarn overs but they may not be quite right at it says to do them when you get to the stitch marker - should I put the stitch marker into a stitch so it stays in one place? I have been putting it just on the needle like a donut on a spike.

Sorry for being so thick about this I am just not 'getting the pattern

[Shandeh]

I think I've done the yarn overs but they may not be quite right at it says to do them when you get to the stitch marker - should I put the stitch marker into a stitch so it stays in one place? I have been putting it just on the needle like a donut on a spike.

You're doing right by putting the stitch marker on the needle. It needs to travel with each row.

When reading the pattern, I see SEVERAL yarn-overs on Row 7.

7th row: With B, (K1. yo) twice. Knit to marker. yo. Slip marker. K1. yo. Knit to last 2 sts. (yo. K1) twice. 21 sts.
8th row: Knit.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, rep 7th and 8th rows until work down center to point measures approx 18" [45.5 cm], ending with an 8th row.

So, in Row 7, you K1, YO, K1, YO, knit to the marker, YO, slip the marker, K1, YO, knit to the last 2 stitches, YO, K1, YO, K1. That's 6 yarn-overs on row 7.