Undyed comfy hoodie

So, I want something warm and fluffy for watching films and reading in the evenings. If someone made one I'd probably buy it... But.. everything I see is Aran jumpers, baby clothes or distinctly feminine.

So a little bit of backstory. Nan knitted loads of jumpers for Dad, lots of skill with lots of fun patterns but when I was young I always said it was too itchy. I've done some knitting, scarves and neck tubes, I've never really followed a pattern.

Now I'm older, I've discovered merino. I'm probably benefiting from superwash.

If I do go for taking the time to knit this, I'd like to go for the pep badge which adds a few restrictions (like maximum needle size).

It also brings up the problem of finding the pattern, finding the wool and making them work together. I'd like to have a marl effect but I suspect that I'd then have to spin the the wool. I'm thinking of ordering from here.

I'm probably being over ambitious, what do the minds of permies think?

My hands-down favorite pattern for a hoodie is the Wonderful Wallaby pattern. I’ve knit several in both adult and kid sizes and it never fails to be a hit; classic, unisex, hooded, with a kangaroo pocket to keep your hands warm in. The instructions are clear, with lots of diagrams and tips to help you out.

Cascade Yarns makes Ecological Wool, which is undyed, 100% wool, comes in a massive hank, and is affordable. I can knit a full sweater from one hank for my spouse; two should be enough to cover almost anyone. (Check your pattern for how many yards/meters of yarn you’ll need and buy just a bit more than that.) A couple of those colorways are marled, but it’s by no means the only undyed marled yarn out there.

Spinning will definitely be the least expensive route, provided you have something to spin on, but also the most time-consuming. Tradeoffs, like everything else in the world. 🙂

Where do you start in the process?

Do you look at the wool you have and then select the pattern and then the tools required?
Do you look at the pattern you have, either buy or make the yarn and then choose the tools?

Is knitting in the round any more complicated than flat knitting aside from maybe keeping track of where you've got to?
I don't think Nan used them but do I want to get a set of stitch markers?
Mum has knitting needles that I can borrow but having looked at what's available, a set of interchangeable bamboo needles sounds really nice.

I think I'm still at the point that I don't know how much I don't know.

James Alun wrote:Where do you start in the process?

Do you look at the wool you have and then select the pattern and then the tools required?
Do you look at the pattern you have, either buy or make the yarn and then choose the tools?

Is knitting in the round any more complicated than flat knitting aside from maybe keeping track of where you've got to?
I don't think Nan used them but do I want to get a set of stitch markers?
Mum has knitting needles that I can borrow but having looked at what's available, a set of interchangeable bamboo needles sounds really nice.

I think I'm still at the point that I don't know how much I don't know.

All knitting is one stitch at a time, so relax, you can do this.

Pattern first or yarn first—yes. When I was first starting out knitting, I looked for a pattern I thought was simple enough to handle, then bought everything I needed for it.  Now, I have an (ahem) embarrassingly large stash of yarn and tools and I’m trying to use that yarn stash up, so I start with the yarn and find a pattern that will work with it. Ravelry.com is a free site with a bajillion patterns (free and not) and a great search function that allows you to start with a yarn and get suggestions, a pattern and get yarn suggestions, a needle size and get suggestions for both.

I really like knitting in the round because I’m not fond of long stretches of purling, and I’m often too lazy to seam stuff up, but it’s not like either is harder than the other. (One stitch at a time, remember.) When working in the round, I find circular needles way easier than double-pointed needles (often abbreviated to DPNs). With DPNs, I’m forever having a needle slip out when I put the work down for a bit, which has provided lots of opportunities for expanding my creativity with cursing. However, if DPNs are what you have available, use them! It looks like it’s really complicated, but you are still only using two at a time and still only knitting one stitch at a time.

I have a set of interchangeable wooden needles with cables and use them for almost everything. You absolutely get what you pay for on these! Joins that aren’t smooth or that come loose as you work will cause far more headaches than they solve. Cables that have too much memory will stay curled or twisted and again, headache. Far better to start with basic straights and DPNs, or one or two good circulars (Addi makes very nice ones) and see if this knitting thing is something you want to invest in.  Keep in mind you may need more than one size needle for a pattern; it’s very common to use a smaller needle for the ribbing at the cuffs and bottom of a sweater than is used for the rest, for example.

Stitch markers are helpful for lots of patterns, but you don’t need to buy them. Cut short pieces of a contrasting yarn, tie them in a loop, and voià!

Keep asking questions!

Woot, proof that this project idea isn't dead in the water.

As it's been a long time since I've knitted, I thought I should get in some practice. My living circumstances make getting some supplies tricky so... what can I do in a pinch?

So with 2 paint brushes, a piece of zip tie and some pretty nasty plastic yarn.

Some Christmas presents for my DnD friends!

Woohoo! Those look great! Keep going. You got this.

And maybe don’t tackle a d20 right off. Work up to it.

The d8 is next then the d20. At least the d20 is just lot's of triangles (one day I may try for the net and knitting it in one piece) and lots of fiddly sewing.

The d10 and d12 will require much more thinking; I need to work out how to make regular pentagons for the d12 and the fun diamond shape for the d10.

1D8

So I just downloaded the wallaby pattern...

I regularly read wiring diagrams, part of my job is to read technical datasheets, I've been trained in computer programming, I know the basics of architectural and technical drawing, I can almost claim to read music...

What kind of dystopian, horror novel have I descended into? Learning to read knitting patterns is going to take longer than learning the physical techniques.

James Alun wrote:So I just downloaded the wallaby pattern...

I regularly read wiring diagrams, part of my job is to read technical datasheets, I've been trained in computer programming, I know the basics of architectural and technical drawing, I can almost claim to read music...

What kind of dystopian, horror novel have I descended into? Learning to read knitting patterns is going to take longer than learning the physical techniques.

You code? Fantastic. That’s going to make learning knitting instructions easier! Knitting patterns definitely use a lot of the same principles that coding does! https://hackernoon.com/learning-programming-through-knitting-helps-you-understand-patterns

Shawn Foster wrote:
You code? Fantastic. That’s going to make learning knitting instructions easier! Knitting patterns definitely use a lot of the same principles that coding does!

 Oh I understand the iterative logic but the formatting would fail me an assessment and isn't maintainable.

I may need to rewrite the instructions with some formatting rules.

Well that took a couple of attempts. D12 conquered!

My needles arrived!!!

2 and a half months after I ordered them (my living situation is complicated), I'm the proud owner of a set of addiclick bamboo needles.

I'm not going to review them and I'm no professional but these seem considerably better than paint brushes!

So furthering my skills acquisition, I knitted a unicorn for a friend’s birthday.

It’s all knitted in the round. The white is undyed wool, double knit and the head was knitted and stuffed in the round with no closing seam.

At some point I need to start using patterns.

So, I finally started…
And upgraded my tools.