Most decrease create left leaning or right leaning stitches, but the central double decrease creates a no-leaning decrease. Check out this video how-to on the Central Double Decrease…
Working with Organic Cotton Yarn
Fiber Focus, this year we’re breaking from tradition by looking in depth at different eco fibers. First up Organic Cotton yarn! In a nutshell, organic cotton is cotton yarn grown and produced without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. But that’s just the beginning…
Invisible Hem for Top Down Knitting
Several years ago, I published a how-to hem-as-you-go for bottom up knitting. Those were the days when I never thought I’d ever try top down knitting (hehe, as my nephew says) “in all my life!” But then I was challenged and not wanting to back down, dove into top down knitting. I “mildly” enjoyed it, saw the benefits, and decided, yes, top down knitting is something I would like to investigate further.
The only problem, none of my bag of tricks were applicable!
Stitch in Focus Alternating Cable Cast On
The Alternating Cable Cast On is a great cast on option anytime you have a rib, twisted rib, broken rib, or broken twisted rib stitch pattern touching the cast on. It creates a flawless edge for these stitches! Check out the video below for a demonstration as seen in Fireside Knits. As an added bonus (starting at 4min), the how-to includes some tips on working the cuff in Fireside Knits. Puddles, of course, makes several appearances from his second favorite spot. His favorite being standing in front of the fire ;-).
Lindsay’s Disappearing Cast On
“I hate finishing!” How many posts have begun with that? So true for me! So creativity got to work figuring out a top down construction method that didn’t require the finishing of “seam shoulder” pieces. So I’m happy to introduce “Lindsay’s Disappearing Cast On™” for all your seamed needs (where you don’t actually want to work the seam)!
Bucolic Chic Tips and Tricks
Tip 3: another suggestion from a review knitter – skip the counting during the shawl with a little cast on prep! After you’ve cast on half the picots for your size, place a unique marker, and cast on the remaining picots. Then simply follow the increase directions until you hit your unique marker and when you do transition to the decrease directions. No shawl stitch counting required!
Grafting Made Easy
With Halloween coming up, there are definitely some knitting techniques that are scary! Grafting doesn’t have to be one of them! With “Grafting Made Easy” you can graft any number of special stitches from knits to purls to lace. Look for a pattern where one side (either wrong side or right side) is worked in knit and / or purl. In this demonstration, it’s the wrong side that is worked in a knit and purl stitch pattern. Use a contrasting colour on your provisional cast on and purl 1 wrong side row. Then switch to your cowl yarn, work until your desired length, ending at the end of the right side row. So if your pattern repeat was 10 rows, …
Artist Studio Bind Off Video
While your Artist Studio FO has no right angles, the knitting does! The unique aspect of Artist Studio is the continuous bind off method used. Utilizing short rows, the cable edge is turned 90 degrees, and then the shawl “body” stitches are bound off via decreases. Scary, right? Not at all! These are all common techniques used in a fun yet unexpected way. This visual demonstration is to accompany the full written and charted directions in the pattern. I used contrasting colours so the “6 stitch edge stitches” are clearly distinct from the shawl “body” stitches. Or if you prefer to watch directly on You Tube, click here. Puddles and I are here to root you on as you bind …
Optional Strap How To
Love Ladies Night Out, but need a little extra support? Puddles and I have you covered with just a few extra picots created with your scrap yarn! Check out the “optional” directions in the Finishing section of your pattern. Or if you are a more visual person, watch the “Optional Straps How-To” video below. Video Want to watch it directly on You Tube? Copy & paste this link into your browser: https://youtu.be/LlXeVfJHYlQ
Sleeve Cap Short Rows How To
I love it when you guys ask questions about techniques! How-to “blank” knitting tips are my favorite things to talk about because there are so many wonderful techniques in the knitting world and lots of different ways of achieving the same end. But sometimes a specific technique is required in order to stay true to the principles of a particular design. Such a case occurred when Ladies Night Out was in testing. One of the lovely test knitters said she was new to top down sleeves with sleeve cap short rows when combined with on the bias knitting. She found this tutorial so helpful, I decided to include it in the pattern. Happy knitting! Video Or copy and paste this …