Post: Submitted by - janeym  Date: 06-Nov-09 11:25

I have bought a ball of Sirdar Snowball yarn with a free scarf pattern on the ball band. Try as I might and I have, I cannot cast on as it tells you 'in the gaps or stringy bits. Anyone out there mastered it yet and if so, how please.

I noticed a very old post from last June. If you are still logging on, did you manage it eventually and if so, how.

Help needed please.

Post: Submitted by - jkbouchouat  Date: 07-Nov-09 03:26

It isn't really casting on, just kind of twisting the wool onto the needle. Just follow the pictures really carefully and you should manage it eventually! Just remember to only use the thin bits of yarn between the pompoms. It will be worth persevering cos the finished scarf looks lovely and takes about an hour to make! Get back to me if you still cant do it and I'll try to think of a better way to explain! Janine

Post: Submitted by - knittingoma  Date: 18-Nov-09 06:07

I haven't used the Sirdar Snowball Pom Pom but I have used the Rico Pom Pom which is almost the same and you have to cast on with two needles....not the thumb method. I cast on with 4 mm needles one stitch between each pom pom but which gives two stitches between the pom poms when you have completed your cast on stitches. Then knit two stitches between each pom pom and it knits up evenly. I assume the Sirdar yarn will knit in the same way. I have knitted seven scarves with the Rico make and love knitting with it. I didn't quite like the look of the Sirdar yarn as the pom poms are a different shape and you are supposed to use quite large needles. The 4 mm needles work well with the Rico Pom Pom.

Post: Submitted by - janeym  Date: 21-Nov-09 11:27

To both jk... and knittingoma. Thanks for your reply. I have managed to cast on this yarn thanks to you. Don't think I will be knitting it again though. It says size 8mm needles which makes it very loose and holey . Wondered if I could have knitted it on smaller needles. As to the Rico, this sounds much nicer, knitting it on smaller needles and using two sts between 'nobbles'. Wish I had tried it with the Sirdar but it's too late now as it's a nightmare to undo and will probably get very scruffy if I keep unpicking it (have done twice already). Might try the Rico next. Anyway thanks to both of your for being so helpful. .

Post: Submitted by - jkbouchouat  Date: 22-Nov-09 05:26

I've actually knitted both types, and find it easier to knit the sirdar one, but like you say, it is loose. I think it's better to cast on the rico way and it certainly gives a neat looking scarf, but it takes far longer to make! Janine

Post: Submitted by - deniseg1060  Date: 03-Dec-09 12:02

I have also tried this yarn and it is dreadful try the rico pom pom much nicer

Post: Submitted by - pippinpuss  Date: 09-Jan-10 07:33

If you have a choice between Rico POMPON & SNOWBALL choose the Pompon everytime. It is so much easier to knit with & produces a much tidier finish than the Snowball. I think the Snowball 'lumps' are far too big to produce a neat garment. I undid a Snowball scarf 8 times before I got the hang of it. You must knit 1 row & purl the next otherwise it just looks daft. Hope this helps

Post: Submitted by - evelyn3484  Date: 24-Feb-10 06:00

Have just knitted a scarf using the Sirdar Snowball for my neice and found it easy to use. She thinks the scarf looks lovely. It does knit up quite loose but this seems to be the fashion. Going to order the Rico to give it a try and besides its alot cheaper!

Post: Submitted by - evelyn3484  Date: 02-Mar-10 08:04

Have just finished my scarf with the Rico wool. It certainly is much tighter and in my opinion a neater looking scarf. I didnt find it so easy to use as the snowball wool and it took a couple of hours longer to knit.

Post: Submitted by - alicam  Date: 12-Jun-10 12:13

to knit with pom pom wool, you cast on very loosely first with a suitable matching double knitting wool, then first row is knit with pom pom wool, knitting or purling within the gap, just practise with it a bit, its lovely when done