Learn to knit longies -- Important Update (06/08/10)!

[fluffycabbage]

flipipn eck, i understood that joeli - thanks!
one q - what is/are DPNS? needles? what size do we need? have wool ,need needles!

hmmm would love to try but i haven't knitted anything since i was about 14 and that was a v holey scarf do you think it would be doable for a complete beginner?

what is/are DPNS? needles? what size do we need? have wool ,need needles!

DPNs = Double pointed needles. They come in packs of 4 or 5 and are used for knitting in the round (so there are no seams to sew). You can see some here. I'd get the ones that are 20cm long.

"What size needles do I need?" is a pretty common question but is also tough to answer. It depends a lot on how tight or loose you knit. However for DK yarn the recommended needle size is 3.75—4.5mm and for Aran yarn the recommend size is 4.5—5.5mm. I would recommend also getting needles that are .25mm or .5mm smaller than the ones you are going to use for the body. The smaller size will be used for the ribbed waistband which can get quite loose if knit on the same size needles as the body.

hmmm would love to try but i haven't knitted anything since i was about 14 and that was a v holey scarf do you think it would be doable for a complete beginner?

I think so. I honestly don't think knitting in the round is any harder than knitting with straight needles and by knitting longies you'll learn all the basic techinques that you need to know to knit anything. And if you have any questions there are a lot of people on here who are just learning to knit and can help you out.

I'm really quite excited about this

I'm in - am halfway through my second pair of tiny birds longies which are coming out fine, but I want to have another go at knitting in the round - last time, somehow my crotch ended up 5 stitches adrift

Need to sort some DPNs and will be ready to go - I took a special trip to a charity shop today to try to get some DPNs and other bits and bobs - and it was closed may just order some as I have a bit of paypal atm

Can't wait to see pics of what everyone does - things like this are fab, cos everyone's will be so different in the end - colours, knitting tension etc

i'll join in if ur increasing the crotch too. can i use circs instead of dpns. i have interchangables

Of course you can use circs. Anyone can, but since you usually end up switching to DPNS for the legs I figured it'd be easier to start right off with them. Are you just going to switch patterns? Where are you now in the one you're working on?

Oh I'm nearly finished the first leg of my doodlepants I'm just interested in trying different patterns. And I have a 10cm wire for doing the legs lol. I bought DPNs to do the legs and got totally confused

Not to rush you or anything but I've done section 1 and need instructions for section 2.

i'll join in if ur increasing the crotch too. can i use circs instead of dpns. i have interchangables

Of course you can use circs. Anyone can, but since you usually end up switching to DPNS for the legs I figured it'd be easier to start right off with them. Are you just going to switch patterns? Where are you now in the one you're working on?

Oh I'm nearly finished the first leg of my doodlepants I'm just interested in trying different patterns. And I have a 10cm wire for doing the legs lol. I bought DPNs to do the legs and got totally confused

Whatever works for you! Do you want to give me Dawn's measurements so I can customize the pattern to fit her for you?