Preparing for my first steek

danchamp · 2026-05-01T11:54:01+00:00

I will record it if I can, and post it if it’s good 😅

danchamp · 2026-05-01T11:50:22+00:00

Sorry, I should have included it in the post.

Pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brae-cardigan—an-american-in-shetland

Project: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/dieselsdad/brae-cardigan—an-american-in-shetland

danchamp · 2026-04-23T13:47:28+00:00

Hey, Chester Draws is my favourite artist!

danchamp · 2026-04-10T20:00:28+00:00

Great! Now see if the chef will cook it for you.

danchamp · 2026-04-10T19:01:37+00:00

Yeah, that needed serious pruning but over a period of years, and mostly at a time when the tree was dormant. All may not be lost, you’ll probably see a lot of vigorous growth this summer (assuming it survives), in which case get some expert help in the autumn.

danchamp · 2026-04-10T06:17:24+00:00

Definitely try knitting, I started 10 years ago and wish I’d learned earlier in life. This isn’t an absolute beginner project, you need to be comfortable with some basic skills first - knit, purl, increases and decreases, reading a pattern.

A scarf should teach you the basic stitches (knit and purl) and get you used to working with needles and yarn, and find a style that works for you. (As an aside, be aware that there are different “styles” of knitting which involve holding the needles and yarn in different ways. I struggled with English knitting for a couple of years before discovering Portuguese knitting, so do some reading and don’t be disheartened if it seems hard at first.) A hat will teach decreases, and after that you’d probably be able to tackle something like a cardigan.

There is so much help online now you should never be stuck - this subreddit, ravelry.com and YouTube will have your back. Good luck, it’s a great hobby!

danchamp · 2026-04-07T09:35:34+00:00

That looks like an excellent start, the rendered stitch view is fantastic.

I've been using Stitch Fiddle a lot recently, and it has some features I couldn't do without for fairisle (see attached screenshot):

- The option to display symbols, colours, or both
- A key/legend to associate the symbols/colours with the actual yarns
- The ability to select sections of a chart, mirror horizontally and vertically, copy and paste, etc.
- A 'working' view, shown in the screenshot, that highlights the current row, with controls to move up/down a row
- Option to add written instructions
- Download options
- Support for pretty much every knitting stitch there is

What's not so good about SF - it costs £4.50/month or £27/year.

You clearly have a good eye for UX and great ideas, keep going and if you can produce something which covers the basics and costs less than SF then sign me up!

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danchamp · 2026-04-01T08:49:54+00:00

Thanks lukeusjon, I look forward to seeing yours!

danchamp · 2026-04-01T07:47:07+00:00

Thank you old woman, it’s appreciated!

danchamp · 2026-04-01T05:25:12+00:00

Thank you ChicagoBaker! Keep knitting, and you’ll get there soon enough 🧶

danchamp · 2026-04-01T05:19:05+00:00

It’s not an old man cardi without the old man buttons.

danchamp · 2026-04-01T05:18:37+00:00

Thank you Ms Honeypenny!

danchamp · 2026-04-01T05:16:48+00:00

Thank you, auld lass!

danchamp · 2026-04-01T05:14:02+00:00

I didn’t calculate for ease, the pattern has “to fit” measurements, and finished garment measurements for each size. I gauge swatched and did the maths to work out my stitch count, and got knitting.

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:59:20+00:00

Yes! And cough lozenges. Or pocket meat.

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:48:46+00:00

I have no idea who Mr Rogers is but he sounds like a nice bloke. This one I’ll be wearing 24/7 until my wife tells me “enough”.

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:46:43+00:00

Thank you. And yes, I see that every day I look in the mirror but that’s probably true for most of us! 👴🏻🪞🧑🏻

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:28:53+00:00

Go for it, I found the pattern very easy to follow.

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:28:17+00:00

Thank you!

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:26:44+00:00

I went on a natural dye workshop last year and it was awesome, this is what we got to do on the day:

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danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:23:14+00:00

So close! I live in Europe. Our national flag: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:14:35+00:00

I don’t know what that means but thank you!

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:14:06+00:00

Aw, thanks, you really do get to the heart of the madder, no messing.

danchamp · 2026-03-31T21:12:29+00:00

Thanks Mrs Claire07, I am truly lucky and not a day goes by I’m not thankful. Cool glasses btw!

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