Men Who Knit Promoting and inspiring the art of knitting amongst men.

I need some advice.  I'm a beginner (started knitting about two months ago) and have really gotten hooked knitting on circular needles.  I've created 3 "London Beanies" (www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/hats/london-beanie.htm) and have had trouble with stripes.  Now I've got to get serious.  My partner's 26 year old son saw the beanies and wants one!  Made me feel great but now I've got to solve the stripe problem.

I did get some information on getting rid of the "jag" when I change colors but I could really use some suggestions:

Firstly can I say what a fantastic site uniting knitters worldwide.  Does anyone know of an alternative yarn to use instead of Rowan Big Wool?  My reason for asking is because I'm a relatively new knitter and am expecting to make many mistakes on my first jumper and the thought of spending £120 ($200 ish) on a first attempt is too frightening!

Can we help? This is a site to knit warm things for Mongolian children. http://www.fireprojects.org/dulaan.htm ...it seems we should be able to knit scarves and mittens for them... Bill

Once I;m done with my current scarf i'd like something more complicated, first off learning how to purl probably.  But then, something easy but more interesting would be fun, any suggestions?   also, sorry for seemingly capitalizing the beginners forum lately. oops, guess i should advance in skill eventually.

I have some money to spend on needles, but obviously not on addi turbos,  What's the best idea?   isit cheapest to buy a set of needles such as the needlemaster from knitpicks which would give me just about any size id want including circs.  or should i get needles as i need them, no pun intended.  what would be the most budget-friendly in the end? Im not sure how much if any discount is given in sets of needles.  what do you guys think?

My scarf i;m making now.  First ever please keep that in mind.  Has one problem that occurs now and then, it gets skinnier and wider, I know this is due to varying tension.  But I don't know how to keep my tension constant, since I don't feel I;m really changing it much at all that I can notice.  any tips?  also, id love a simple pattern for a hat or gloves.  I;m finding a plain nothing but knit scarf quite boring after a while although i don't notice as much when i sit and kit for a long period of time. 

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