The last video of 2016 is kind of a one-off, not knitting or crochet. (No worries, we’ll be back to knitting and crochet next week!) I hope you have as much fun making these workhorse potholders as I have.
I used this loom from Harrisville Designs. They also have a larger loom. And I used their 100% cotton loops.
Below are the patterns I show in the video. The images either show both the warp and weave, unless the warp and weave are identical, then I just show one photo.
Very generous giveaway from Manos del Uruguay Yarns! Two lucky winners will each win a yarn kit for the Peperomia Scarf, knit in Manos Silk Blend yarn. Each kit includes three colors of yarn, and the winners can each choose the colors they’d like.
Here is the link on Ravelry, so you can like and queue the pattern, and see it finished in a different color combo.
To enter the contest, fill out the form below to subscribe to the Manos Del Uruguay newsletter. You will be sent a confirmation email (sometimes it’s very quick, sometimes it takes a while, please be patient). When the email arrives, click the “Yes, subscribe me to the list” button in the email to confirm. You can opt out of the mailing list at any time.
The winners will be chosen by random number on January 2, 2017, and emailed to the address they use in the form below.
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 hosts 12 fiber toys of Christmas, sign on to newsletter at woolery.com to receive notifications including upcoming offers from Strauch, our favorite manufacturer for ball winders and swifts.
Don’t forget gift certificates make great instant stocking stuffers for that Strauch ball winder or swift you’re wanting!
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
You are welcome to comment here, but to enter the giveaway, please comment on the YouTube watch page.
Since not everyone can win, you can find these needles for sale here.
Please watch the entire video for instructions on how to enter the giveaway. This contest is open to US and international viewers (customs charges may apply outside the US). The contest is open until 12:01 am (US Central Time), December 28, 2016; and the winner will be announced in video on December 29, 2016. The winning YouTube comment will be chosen by random number generator.
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
From Our Sponsors:
June Cashmere – Owner Sy Belohlavek from June Cashmere works one-on-one with ranchers in Kyrgyzstan to source their 16.5 micron count cashmere. Their lace and DK weight cashmere comes in 12 fabulous organically dyed colors along with a line of patterns from Tanis Gray, Romi Hill and Kristin Kapur. Enter promo code VERYPINK (no spaces) to get free shipping off your next order of $100 or more.
The June Cashmere video we mention in the episode.
Skeino Donna Vest
The Bickford Seam is an alternative to the mattress stitch, not quite as sturdy as the mattress stitch, but it leaves no ridge on the inside of the work.
This video is sponsored by Eucalan, the wool soap I trust for all of my knits – I’ve used this fiber wash for years! Eucalan is available at many retailers, you can learn more and purchase at their website here.
In the video, I say that the yarn I’m using for demonstration is worsted weight, but it’s actually Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky.
Download Episode.
You can see Casey’s website and her social media buttons on kcknits.com.
From Our Sponsors:
Louet – Louet has a new Needle of the Month Club, click through for more information. I’ve done several tutorials with Louet:
Sixes and Threes Cowl
ATX Linen Tote
Tesserino Cowl
Sharbella Shawl
Matterhorn Cabled Cowl
Eucalan – the fiber wash Staci uses for all her knits. (I’m in love with the Wrapture scent, a clean jasmine smell.)
And from Skeino, their new Turtleneck Sweater. Available in over 30 colors in Merino wool.
Links to things we talk about in this episode:
Casey’s linen tank with a sad story.
Ike’s Collegiate (Dog) Sweater Pattern
A sampler scarf that is interesting for the knitter, and a good scarf for either men or women. The free three-part tutorial covers the provisional cast-on, changing colors, three-needle bind off, adding the fringe, and more. Scroll down to get your free pattern and to see the video.
Size: 8.5” x 66” (22cm x 168cm), not including fringe in measurement
Needles: Size US 6 (4mm) 16″ circular needles, one additional needle in same size to work 3-needle bind-off (you can use a longer circular needle and the magic loop method, if you choose)
Yarn: Six colors of KPC Novomerino Aran Yarn (details on amounts below)
Additional Materials: Size G or H crochet hook, a few feet of worsted-weight scrap yarn in a contrasting color, one stitch marker, tapestry needle, a piece of cardboard approx 5” x 5” (12cm x 12cm)
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in stockinette
This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.
Here is the Ravelry page for the pattern, if you’d like to add it to your queue.
I used KPC Novomerino Aran yarn in this scarf. You can see all of the colors available on the KPC website. Remember that the prices are in Hong Kong dollars, click “HKD” at the top of the page to choose your local currency.
The needles I used are Knitter’s Pride Platina, Knitter’s Pride Royale, and Knitter’s Pride Dreamz, each from 16″ interchangeable sets.
Download Episode.
You can see Casey’s website and her social media buttons on kcknits.com.
From Our Sponsors:
Louet – Louet has a new Needle of the Month Club, click through for more information. I’ve done several tutorials with Louet:
Sixes and Threes Cowl
ATX Linen Tote
Tesserino Cowl
Sharbella Shawl
Matterhorn Cabled Cowl
June Cashmere – they have a great story, click through to their website and select the “Who We Are” tab! Use promo code VERYPINK to get free shipping on your order of $100 or more. Below is the His or Her Scarf I knit using their DK weight yarn, in the limited edition color Silver Bell.
Eucalan – the fiber wash Staci uses for all her knits. (I’m in love with the Wrapture scent, a clean jasmine smell.)
Things we talk about in this episode:
Video: Intarsia vs. Duplicate Stitch
Video: Icord Side Edging
Video: Mattress Stitch
Video: Reusing Yarn
Video: Duplicate Stitch
The Eva hat pattern that Staci mentions is actually called Samantha. The pattern is only available in a book, which is now out of print.
No loose spots! This is the little trick I use for making sure my tension stays even across a row with both knit and purl stitches.
This video is sponsored by Eucalan, the wool soap I trust for all of my knits – I’ve used this fiber wash for years! Eucalan is available at many retailers, you can learn more and purchase at their website.
The June Cashmere scarf I show in the video can be found here.
The yarn I’m using for demonstration is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky.
The needles I’m using are Knitter’s Pride Dreamz from an interchangeable set.
The straight needles in the video thumbnail photo are Knitter’s Pride Royale.
