"Ask the Expert" Knitting Questions From Our Site Visitors

1 - Hello, I'm trying to knit an afghan for my son and there is a term I don't understand. What do they mean by "yarn over". I know, it's probably a simple thing, but I don't know and I can't go any further until I do.
A yarn over means to wrap the yarn around the needle without making a stitch. - it is a form of increase. Directions and drawings may be found at How To Knit.

2 - How do I use a different yarn than the pattern calls for.
To substitute a yarn in a pattern, select the yarn you want to use and work a gauge swatch according to the pattern hook/needle. Compare your swatch to the pattern gauge and adjust your hook/needle up or down until you get the pattern gauge. If there is a large difference between the pattern hook/needle and your gauge swatch hook/needle, the resulting fabric may come out too loose or too stiff and it would be better to select a different yarn.

3 - I am currently trying to knit a scarf. I am actually knitting one row, then purling the next and so on. I have almost finished a whole skein of yarn and have noticed that on both sides, they are curling or rolling in, so now the scarf is narrower throughout. What am I doing wrong.
You are doing nothing wrong - you are making stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) and stockinette naturally roll in onto itself.

4 - Sometimes the edges of knitted scarves 'roll' toward the center of the scarf. Do you have any suggestions or solutions for this problem.
5 - I have a problem with the edge seams of my sweaters turning up, and have not found a way to keep them flat. I've tried ironing (both while damp and dry) and it happens on a few other garments as well. Please let me know what I can do. I have many items I don't wear, because I can't fix them.!!!
Unfortunately, stockinette knitting naturally rolls and there is nothing you can do about it except add ribbing or another “non-rolling stitch” along the edge.

6 - I ran out of variegated mohair on a sweater jacket. Do dye lots matter on variegated yarn. Thanks so much for your help!
Dye lots do matter even with a variegated yarn but the dyeing difference will not show as much as on a solid colored yarn.

7 - I have bought a wool blend sweater it is the type that comes off the shoulder. The problem is that it comes off a little too much. Is there a way I can shrink the neckline without shrinking the whole sweater? Thank you.
You might try running some elastic thread through the neckline instead of trying to shrink the neckline.

8 - I am knitting some scarves with acrylic yarns that are extra chunky. I did not think that being so bulky and chunky, would they curl a little bit on the edges. My question is this: would I be able to use a tabletop steam presser to block these scarves so that they would have a nice professional finish to them? I'd hate to think that I would have to bring them to the cleaners and spend money having them blocked if I am planning to knit scarves for a fundraiser.
Any knitted edges knit in stockinette stitch will curl no matter how heavy the yarn is and steaming or blocking will not always stop the curling. To stop the edge curl on a scarf, use a garter stitch or ribbing or any stitch pattern with a knit/purl combination on the last inch or so of the edge. Wet blocking acrylic yarn should be ok.

9 - I am stuck on a knitting project and though that you might be able to help. I'm trying to figure out the yardage for an old pattern that seems to use a discontinued yarn (since I can't find it anywhere on the Internet). The pattern doesn't specify the yardage of the 50g Tivoli Linen Plus balls that it asks for. And, the substitute yarns listed all have different yardages so I don't know how to figure this out.
There is a book called "My Valuable Yarn Guide" that lists different yarns and yardages.

10 - I am making a scarf with just a knit stitch on a knitting machine. Why is it that it rolls on the edges?
Anytime you use stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) or the stitch pattern produced by a knitting machine, the edges will roll. To avoid this rolled edge, use garter stitch (knit every row) or seed stitch (k1, p1 alternating) to produce a flat stitch pattern that will not roll, at least on the 5-10 stitches along the edge.

11 - My daughter is in grade two  and they are using a basic knitting machine at school which consists of a couple of pieces of wood attached together at each end and a space in the middle for the knitting to pass through. There are 18 nails with which they stitch with. She is having a hard time with it and has to keep starting over. Where can I find instructions for this type of machine so that we can practice at home?
Please see How-To Knit Tubular Cords.

12 - I saw a pattern, knitting, for a boys jacket sweater, size 14, 16 but would like to make it for a man, size 44.  How do I convert the measurements?
There is no simple way to describe converting a size 14 sweater to a size 44. The easiest way would be to chart/draft the size 14 and then chart/draft the pattern on a size 44 using graph paper (see Knitter's Grid) and then work from the graph paper.

13 - I am looking for different ways to hand sew with yarn. Do you know where I can find different stitches? I am trying to sew a stocking together at the side with yarn.
To join a knitted or crocheted seam with hand sewing , you can use a running stitch or a back stitch. You can also crochet the two edges together using a slip stitch.

14 - The pattern says dk and I was wondering if it was at all possible to knit it in a 6 ply wool rather than dk. The needles they require are 3 & 1/4 and 4 mm - but i was wondering if you could tell me the conversion - which needles to use if I was doing a 6 ply wool.
When converting a pattern, you must work according to the pattern gauge. Use whatever sized needles on the 6 ply wool that will produce the pattern gauge. You may end up trying several sized needles until you find the ones that will produce the knitting pattern gauge. If the 6 ply wool is much thicker than the dk yarn of the pattern, you may not be able to substitute the 6 ply yarn without distorting the sweater or making the knitted fabric so tight and stiff that it is “like a board”.

15 - I am looking for a pattern for adult hats that a beginner knitter can use I have gotten several patterns off your site but don't have enough know how to understand them. I have a Studio standard and a Brother Bulky machine. I am having a lot of trouble finding patterns for them.
The easiest hat is one made according to your machine gauge and the yarn you are using. Work a swatch gauge on your machine and then measure the stitches per inch on your swatch. A hat is anywhere between 20”-22” so multiply your swatch gauge by either 20 or 22 and then cast on that number of stitches. From you swatch, determine the rows per inch and a hat is anywhere between 8”-11” long (more if you want a turn up cuff) and work the resulting number of rows on your machine. To form a crown, transfer (decrease) every other stitch on every row until you have just a few stitches left. Cut your yarn about 15” from last stitch and thread a yarn needle with the tail and pull the tail through the remaining stitches. With the tail, sew up a seam. If you follow the above method, you will not need to find patterns but will be able to create your own hats using any yarn and any setting on your machine and any stitch pattern. You will probably go through some trial and error as we all have but just rip out the hats that don’t meet your needs and re-use the yarn and as you try, you will learn more and more about your machine. Just have fun with it.

16 - I would like to make your butterfly hat on a bulky machine - what is a butterfly stitch have never heard of it?
To make the butterfly stitch, insert your latchet tool six stitches down from the needle position where you want to place your butterfly stitch. Ladder the stitches down to your latchet tool. Reach behind the knitting with the tool to the upper most ladder and bring it down through the sixth stitch. Hang this new loop on the needle. Continue across row.

17 - Do you know where I can get a pattern for men’s slippers (look just like women’s footies ) and are knitted out of heavy rug?
We do not know of a specific slipper pattern using heavy rug yarn. You should be able to use any pattern that calls for using double strands of worsted weight yarn though. The simplest pattern would be to make a gauge of the yarn and needles you want to use, measure around your foot to find the finished width, multiply the width by your gauge. Cast on the resulting number of stitches and work until the piece measures your desired length, bind off. Sew up ends for toe and heel.

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