Yes, You Can Knit This

Good Afternoon,

Late start today, watched the boys this morning, and it was fun just lazing around on the porch and cuddling.

I was doing some browsing through one of the forums that I read and came upon one today that I posted a reply to.  The question was regarding DPs, a set of five.  "Do you begin with the DP's or only work on two needles to start."  The second question was, "Since you are using a set of five, do you work the two slippers together?"

These are certainly legitimate questions, especially if this knitter is fairly new to her craft.  But sometimes, even those of us who have been knitting for many years, can get caught up on a word or phrase that we might have to read more than once, or just cast on and get to it.

I am not familiar with the pattern she was referring to, but I was able, I believe, to ascertain that these slippers would be knit one at a time.  By the way, it is a Jane Austen design.  Since she likes to work with more period garments and accessories, so, I don't think that this technique, two at a time, would be included.  There was no mention by the knitter of using two circular needles or one very long circular needle that would lead one to believe that they would be knit two at a time either.

This knitter's other question being "When starting, use two needles or all five."  I explained to her that the magic words here might be, cast on X # of stitches and divide between four double point needles and join without twisting.  If there was no mention of dividing or joining, they would most probably be started flat and then worked circularly later on. 

Some of these terms and directions can be very confusing to knitters of varying expertise.  One of my new favorite things to do is to introduce a new knitting pattern to my class for test knitting.  No charge for the pattern, they just have to buy the materials for the item.  During a conversation with two other designers and teachers this past Saturday, we decided that this might be a great way to test a pattern.  We have probably knit it hundreds of times and from memory, but once it goes on paper, somehow something seems to get omitted or lost along the way.  What we do is just so automatic.

We also do not work for major publications or have a well known name. And, of course, no trove of test knitters at their disposal to make sure every thing works.  Now, here is a "hoot" that I have to share.  Having been a test knitter for a couple of local designers, the trickiest thing was when I found an error, my head and hands do an auto correct and keep on going, forgetting to write it down, of course.  That is no help at all. You almost need someone of lesser experience to do this test knitting for you, because they are more likely to fire away with questions regarding wording and technique.

The next time you knit from a pattern and encounter an error, please do not get angry or impatient with us.  Sometimes things just slip through the cracks unintentionally.  In most cases there is some contact information to reach someone about an errata update.  Please do not feel that your questions are inappropriate or "dumb" because I do not consider any questions inappropriate or "dumb".
In closing,  when starting a new pattern, check for unfamiliar terms, do a gauge swatch, adjust needle size if necessary, cast on and dive in.  Don't try to digest the pattern or gain an understanding by combing every word.  The key things to look for are:

1. Is this knit in the round?
2. If so, do I need DPs as well as CNs?
3. If knit flat, how many pieces are there.
4. How is this put together if knit flat?

I know a few of these items may be found in the description of the pattern as well as mentioned in the materials and tools needed, but I still like to glance through just to make sure I have all the facts I need.

Armed with this information, you should be able to tackle many things that you might otherwise choose not to do.  Knitters tend to underestimate their abilities with the familiar phrase, "I could never do that!"  Yes, you can and I can help.

Happy Knitting!  Get your challenge on!