by

Converting a Flat Pattern to Circular

In this video, I talk about the basics of converting a pattern that is designed to be knit flat, to a pattern that is knit in-the-round (in a tube). I’ve broken it down into four points:

1. Think about the structure of the piece – is this modification a good idea?
2. Subtract two stitches for every seam (the first and last stitch of the row).
3. Convert wrong-side rows to right-side rounds.
4. If you need help, schedule a private lesson with the knitting teacher at your local yarn shop.

The hat pattern in the thumbnail photo is Divelish (a pattern that is written in-the-round).

, ,
by

Using Blocking Wires

In this video I explain blocking wires, and another great blocking tool, Knit Blockers.

The Knitter’s Pride Knit Blockers set I use in the video can be found here.

You can find more information about Knitter’s Pride needles from these retailers:
Bryson Distributing
Accessories Unlimited
Knitter’s Pride Shop finder

The shawl in the video is called Sharbella.

I ordered the blocking wires I’m using from Amazon.

My nail polish is by Julep, color “Channon”.

, ,
by

Podcast Episode 55: I Learned to Knit 100 Years Ago


Download Episode.

If you want to submit a knitting question to the show, just email it to podcast@verypink.com, and be sure to tell us where you’re from!

Casey wrote a blog post about a question we got in this episode, Is Knitting an Art or a Craft? Casey also talks more about art vs. craft in her interview at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, that episode of the podcast can be found here.

Things we talk about in this episode:
Reinforcing Sock Heel and Toes
New sock pattern – Sling Heel Socks
Provisional Cast-On
Della Q, a great source for needle cases
Knitting Notions Case

,
by

Sling Heel Socks

I am happy to present the best fitting socks I have ever designed, Sling Heel Socks. The pattern includes instructions for both DK/Sport and Fingering (sock) weight yarns, in sizes for both women and men, and includes a free video tutorial that demonstrates the techniques used in the pattern. You can see the video further down in this post.

Pattern + video tutorial – $8 US via PayPal.

DK/Sport Weight Socks.
Sizes: Women’s and Men’s average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 3 (3.25mm), your choice – DPNs, 9” circulars, or long circular for magic loop
Yarn: 100 grams DK or Sport weight yarn (also called 8-ply yarn). If you plan to use a different color for the toe/heel/ribbing, you’ll need about 50 grams of yarn for the pair.
Additional Materials: Size G or H crochet hook, a few feet of worsted-weight scrap yarn in a contrasting color, tapestry needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 6.5 stitches per inch (2.5cm) in stockinette
The yarn I used in my socks: Knit Picks Hawthorne Sport Multi in color Irvington, sport weight, 258 yards. The contrasting color I used at the toe and heel is some leftover DK weight yarn.

Fingering Weight Socks
Sizes: Women’s and Men’s average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 1.5 (2.5mm), your choice – DPNs, 9” circulars, or long circular for magic loop
Yarn: 100 grams of fingering weight yarn (also called sock yarn or 4ply yarn). If you plan to use a different color for the toe/heel/ribbing, you’ll need about 50 grams of yarn for the pair.
Additional Materials: Size G or H crochet hook, a few feet of worsted-weight scrap yarn in a contrasting color, tapestry needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 8 stitches per inch in stockinette
The yarn I used in my socks: Alpha B Yarn Luxe B, superwash merino/silk blend, in color Babydoll. The contrasting color I uses at the toe and heel is some leftover white sock yarn, not sure of the brand.

, ,
by

Podcast Episode 54: Makers Gonna Make


Download Episode.

You can see Casey’s blog post about the Maker Faire here.
Maker Faire website

Things we talk about in this episode:
Lace Socks Using German Short Rows
Duplicate stitch
Weaving in Ends in Garter Stitch
The Fiber Trends Slipper pattern Staci mentions
The Celestarium Shawl mentioned in a question
Three Options for Joining a New Ball of Yarn
Closing Gaps in Raglan Underarms
Backwards Loop Cast-On
Cable Cast-On
Knitted Cast-On

,
by

Edge Tension

In this video I break down the steps to get good edge tension, and talk about the habits that can leave you with a less-than-perfect edge.

The needles I use for demonstration are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo DPNs.

The yarn I used for demonstration is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky.

, ,
by

Podcast Episode 53: Do Chickens Need Sweaters?


Download Episode.

To celebrate one year of podcasting (!!), we are rebroadcasting a couple of classic episodes that we really like, in case you hadn’t heard them yet (and a little summer break for us). We’ll be back with a new episode next week.

You can see Casey’s website and her social media buttons on kcknits.com.

Peter English has studied birds for over 40 years and has extensive experience both as a researcher and an ecotourism professional and has studied birds in 28 countries. During his career he has been a Watson Fellow and a Fulbright Scholar, and has led over 150 international birdwatching tours with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours. In Ecuador, Dr. English was a driving force behind the creation of the Napo Wildlife Center, among the most celebrated ecotourism lodges in the past decade. Dr. English is currently a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin.

While we tried to sit outside to get birdsong in the background, the birds were quiet that day. Peter gave me some bird calls to include in the show. The funny sounding birds at the beginning are great tailed grackles which are all over Austin. Austinites have a love-hate relationship with grackles. The chirps at the end are from carolina wrens. The airplane noises are authentic.

Nestwatch tells you when birds are building nests.

Videos: Playlist of seaming videos

,
by

Podcast Episode 52: This is Your Brain, This is Knitting


Download Episode.

To celebrate one year of podcasting (!!), we are rebroadcasting a couple of classic episodes that we really like, in case you hadn’t heard them yet (and a little summer break for us). We’ll be back with new episodes in two weeks.

You can see Casey’s website and her social media buttons on kcknits.com.

In this week’s episode, Casey talks with psychologist Dr. Art Markman about about your brain on knitting – process vs. project knitters, multi-task knitting, and other topics.

Dr. Art Markman, Ph.D., is Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin. He got his Sc.B. in Cognitive Science from Brown and his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Illinois. He has published over 150 scholarly works on topics in higher-level thinking including the effects of motivation on learning and performance, analogical reasoning, categorization, decision making, and creativity. Art serves as the director of the program in the Human Dimensions of Organizations at the University of Texas.

His NPR show and podcast is Two Guys on Your Head
His latest book we mention is called Brain Briefs: Answers to the Most (and Least) Pressing Questions About Your Brain

From our Sponsor:
The Woolery
Strauch Ball Winder
Strauch Swift

Things we talk about in this episode:
Blocking (photo tutorial)
Steam Blocking
Finer Points of Garment Fitting and Blocking
Provisional Cast-On
Provisional Cast-On Using a Crochet Hook
German Short Row Socks
Playlist of Portuguese Knitting videos
Knit Companion App

,