Tips and Sharing: New Crocheters & Knitters

showl - ssk abbreviations

Hi..
I'm knitting a showl and the instructions call for ssk for the corner decrease...However, the abbreviation chart says to slip, slip as to purl...then you knit the two ....I thought it was slip, slip as to knit and then knit the two together...Can't find anything where ssk is mentioned with both as to purl ...
KT did answer in the knit forum and I'm so grateful...

However, I wrote to the lady that did the Showl Pattern and her response was:

short row heels on toe up socks

I make socks, toe up, circular needles, both socks at once. I use the short row heel and like this method. However, after awhile, the heels begin to get thin and show wear. Does anybody have an answer as to how I can either repair these ( without them looking repaired) or reinforce while using this method. Years ago I used to knit socks from the top down and had a slip stitch type of heel but I don't know exactly how this would work on these socks, and am not sure exactly how I did them.

Knitty yours, Emmaj

Confusion with yarn weight and requested gauge for scarf pattern

Hey all,
I'm very new to knitting, and I'm making a scarf from a pattern that can be found here:
http://www.freevintageknitting.com/scarf-pattern/botany2/scarf

I appologize if this is just a dumb mistake, but the specific part that confuses me is:
"MATERIALS: BOTANY CLASSIC SPORT, 1 oz. skeins,
Color A-5 skeins Color B-5 skeins
KNITTING NEEDLES: 1 pair "Boye" Non-Inflammable Needles, Size 6 -OR SIZE YOU REQUIRE TO KNIT TO GAUGE GIVEN BELOW.

GAUGE: 10 sts = 1 inch 29 rows = 4 inches"

Granny square too 'square'

I used to crochet a lot as a child (although I never did finish my 'snail' blanket, as I called it). I have recently started crocheting again so I can make a baby blanket out of granny squares for by best friend's first baby.
I have been making a couple of trial squares to get back into practice and it seems a little 'square'.

Crochet help - Edges curling in

I am very very new and last night did my first crochet ever work, I did a simple single crochet 25 stitches back and forth for 15 rows. It is really just a test piece although I like to think it could be a nice potholder! Anyway, as this is literally the first thing I have ever crocheted, ever, I am not even sure if my "problem" is one. When I was finished going back and forth, the edges/corners of the square (not an afghan square) curl in like a cannoli tube. I did notice the same "inward curling" while I was working it too. Am I doing something wrong??

We're back on track...

As several of our loyal site members have noticed, yes, we have been attacked by spammers and we blew it because we were very late in responding to your posts/e-mails. We have now blocked many names/words used by the spammers, as well as a range of IP addresses. We've also deleted a large number of spam comments. Unfortunately, it's an ongoing battle, and it's likely that we will be attacked again. I know many have said that this never happened on the old site but today's spammers/bots are light years ahead of where they were just six months ago.

I'm brand new and not sure which one to learn.

Hi there! I want to learn to either crochet or knit.
I want to make blankets, sweaters, scarfs.
I have never knitted before - Many, many years ago (when I was a child) I was able to crochet a line - LOL
I do not have alot of patience
So based on all that - which should I learn - Crocheting or Knitting?
Thanks for all your help!

I'm new to the site and crochet... and i need some help!

i did the first row with no problems the i got to row 2 and now im lost. they are as fallows:
row 2
(right side)
CH 4 (counts as first dc plus ch 1, now and throughout)
turn
dc in same st
ch 1
(dc in next dc, ch 1) twice
decrease
ch1
(dc in next dc, ch 1 ) twice
* (dc, ch3, dc) in next ch-3 sp
ch1
(dc in next dc, ch1) twice
decrease
ch 1
(dc in next dc, ch 1) twice
repeat from * accross to last sp
skip next ch
(dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch changing to green in last dc