The instructions on the site were originally written by an Australian and just don't work with UK yarns which are a lot thinner. It depends what you are using - if you have one the band from the ball/skein will give you an indication of how many stitches you need (usually tell you how many for 10cm.)
If your square is coming out at 5 inches it sounds as if you are using a double-knit yarn and possibly 4mm needles? For that you will probably need 44 stitches.
I make most of mine now with two strands of DK or Aran weight yarn and I cast on 35 stitches on 5mm needles usually. I'm afraid that it is a bit trial and error to begin with but you will soon get used to it.
There are a couple of methods of knitting squares on the diagonal but you need to know how to increase and decrease for those. If someone can show you how (assuming you haven't learned already) that is a pretty safe way of obtaining a 20cm square.
Well done for starting and I'm sorry that the directions have misled you. Finish the one you are making and pop it in anyway as they'll find a use for any size.
I hope this helps - the perfectly square square is harder to achieve than it first appears.
Welcome to KAS, NIcky from across the Pond in Canada where we're just getting into Spring here. I find KAS such a rewarding cause to be involved in and I hope you enjoy it too. Do check out the New Member Guide which is found by clicking "Main Page" in the header above. To reach the Discussions just click Forum above, and you can click on Groups above and join the UK group, a right lively bunch. Any questions just PM me. :) So, welcome to Knit A Square! Blankets and hats and sweaters direct from our hands to their hearts, a win-win.
That's wonderful! This is a really good place to learn and develop skills as perfection is not required and making squares gives you opportunity to practise without feeling that you're wasting time. I don't know how much you can do/understand yet but the usual question is "How many stitches does it take to make a 20cm square?" and unfortunately the answer is that it varies according to the pattern and the yarn. It's trial and error to begin with but you get used to it. If you know how to increase the simplest method is to make the square diagonally so that you measure the side of the square as you go but I'm assuming that you haven't learnt that yet. (It's not difficult - don't let me put you off.) I do understand what it feels like to be a beginner as although I have been knitting since I was a small child hundreds of years ago I have only recently been struggling to learn crochet which I have found difficult although I'm making some progress now. A few people on site do both but mostly people are happier with one or the other and I am definitely in the knitting camp. I would be happy to answer any queries you have if I can and so would lots of other people.
Everything that is sent is used and appreciated so I hope you enjoy learning and making and feeling a part of such a worthwhile cause.
Hello Nicky, lovely to have you with us. This site has become very big and rather unwieldy but if you have any queries there is always someone happy to help. Everyone here is very friendly and supportive. You'd be very welcome to join the UK group if you wish when you've had a chance to look around. Do you knit or crochet or both?
Comments
Hi Nicky, yes that's always happening.
The instructions on the site were originally written by an Australian and just don't work with UK yarns which are a lot thinner. It depends what you are using - if you have one the band from the ball/skein will give you an indication of how many stitches you need (usually tell you how many for 10cm.)
If your square is coming out at 5 inches it sounds as if you are using a double-knit yarn and possibly 4mm needles? For that you will probably need 44 stitches.
I make most of mine now with two strands of DK or Aran weight yarn and I cast on 35 stitches on 5mm needles usually. I'm afraid that it is a bit trial and error to begin with but you will soon get used to it.
There are a couple of methods of knitting squares on the diagonal but you need to know how to increase and decrease for those. If someone can show you how (assuming you haven't learned already) that is a pretty safe way of obtaining a 20cm square.
Well done for starting and I'm sorry that the directions have misled you. Finish the one you are making and pop it in anyway as they'll find a use for any size.
I hope this helps - the perfectly square square is harder to achieve than it first appears.
Welcome to KAS, NIcky from across the Pond in Canada where we're just getting into Spring here. I find KAS such a rewarding cause to be involved in and I hope you enjoy it too. Do check out the New Member Guide which is found by clicking "Main Page" in the header above. To reach the Discussions just click Forum above, and you can click on Groups above and join the UK group, a right lively bunch. Any questions just PM me. :) So, welcome to Knit A Square! Blankets and hats and sweaters direct from our hands to their hearts, a win-win.
That's wonderful! This is a really good place to learn and develop skills as perfection is not required and making squares gives you opportunity to practise without feeling that you're wasting time. I don't know how much you can do/understand yet but the usual question is "How many stitches does it take to make a 20cm square?" and unfortunately the answer is that it varies according to the pattern and the yarn. It's trial and error to begin with but you get used to it. If you know how to increase the simplest method is to make the square diagonally so that you measure the side of the square as you go but I'm assuming that you haven't learnt that yet. (It's not difficult - don't let me put you off.) I do understand what it feels like to be a beginner as although I have been knitting since I was a small child hundreds of years ago I have only recently been struggling to learn crochet which I have found difficult although I'm making some progress now. A few people on site do both but mostly people are happier with one or the other and I am definitely in the knitting camp. I would be happy to answer any queries you have if I can and so would lots of other people.
Everything that is sent is used and appreciated so I hope you enjoy learning and making and feeling a part of such a worthwhile cause.