Let's Knit Magazine - Your knitting, your style

I know this is a very stupid complaint, but everything i make keeps on going wrong! actually, i can knit baby and kids patterns which all seem to fit fine, but as soon as it comes to knitting something for myself, it ends up a disaster! and i have been doing my tension squares! i bought some beautiful rowan soft bamboo yarn to make a top from their summer collection and i’m only half way through the back and i know it’s already far too wide and could probably fit someone who is 6 months pregnant. in an attempt to break free of patterns, i bought an elizabeth zimmerman book, and have started knitting continental style, but still feel a bit scared of just taking off, mainly because it’s so expensive to try and knit something you really want to wear and then have it go wrong.

so my question is: shall i fork out on one of her dvd’s? and if so, which one is the best for getting started? i am going on a knitwear design summer course at the london college of fashion, which i’ve been looking forward to for months, but i’m worried that i’ll go and i still won’t be able to do anything.
fiona

i can knit most items but find if i knit for myself it seems to go wrong....don’t know why…

Knitting daily have some great tips
I registered to get their free patterns and I get a regular email from them
Some have been about sizing and shaping.
Also it might be useful to measure clothes you own and like the fit of and knit to those measurements rather than the ones in the pattern
Hope that helps

i have this problem as well but I am also a funny shape as well so I’ve learnt to be more careful what I knit as well. I find sizings vary a great deal between patterns and loisameila’s tip about measuring your clothes you already have is a good one.

I have the same problem too!!!  baby stuff comes out fine, but the first jumper I knitted for myself turned out huge and the sleeves were too long, my daughter had hysterics !!!!!  I am determined to have another go soon, and try and succeed, so you are not alone x Janet

as soon as it comes to knitting something for myself, it ends up a disaster!

that must be so frustrating for you.
When I made my first sweater (last month!) I measured DD carefully, as she fits a size 10 top but her arms are not an adult length yet, so I didn’t make the pattern exactly,but adjusted the shaping of the sleeves and the length of the sleeves to suit. I only thought to do this as her bought clothes have to have the cuffs rolled up, and we’ve had tantrums in shops when the favoured top doesn’t fit her shoulders.

ps hello and welcome to the forum Fiona!

HI Fiona...Welcome to the forum.

HI and WELCOME FIONA and take the plunge because even if you get stuck there will always be someone here to help