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Sixes and Threes Cowl

Sixes and Threes SM patt and VP

Stripes and solids, no wrong side, no seam! The Sixes and Threes Cowl is a free pattern and three-part video tutorial.

This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.

Size: (after grafting) 25” long by 5.5” wide (before grafting, “scarf” is 50” long)
Needles: Size 4 US (3.5mm) 16” circs and size 4 US (3.5mm) set of DPNs, crochet hook size G or H
Yarn: Three 50 gram hanks of any fingering weight yarn, in three colors. I used Louet Gems Fingering, (this yarn has been discontinued). A good substitute for Gems is Knit Picks Stroll sock yarn, but any fingering weight yarn will work.
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for grafting, a few feet of scrap worsted-weight yarn
Gauge: 6.5 sts per inch, 8 rows per inch

darker cowl SM patt and VP

Colors I used of Louet Gems Fingering
Lighter-Colored Cowl: one hank each of Cream, Steel Gray, and Seafoam Green
Darker-Colored Cowl: one hank each of Goldenrod, Burgundy, and Pewter

Instructions for Working Three-Color Swatch
(Before starting swatch, name each color – “Color 1”, “Color 2”, and “Color 3”. It won’t make a difference which is which, they are used and striped with each other. Remember these color names, because they are referenced in the cowl pattern.)
Using Color 1, CO 30 stitches.
Knit 9 rows (5 ridges).
Row 1 (RS): K across all stitches
Row 2: K 5, P 20, K 5
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 once more (4 rows total), then switch to Color 2.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 a total of 7 times (14 rows total), then switch to Color 3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 twice (4 rows total), then knit 10 rows (5 ridges).
BO on RS.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The 16″ circular needles I use in the video are by Knitter’s Pride, I use both Novas (metal) and Dreamz (wood).

The crochet hook I use is from a Waves set by Knitter’s Pride.

The ball-chain stitch markers I use are from a seller on Etsy who no longer has a shop, but similar markers can be found here.

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

The striped sweater I’m wearing is store-bought. 🙂

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Lupita”.

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Winner Announced – Knitter’s Pride Nova Cubics Needle Set

If you didn’t win this time, this needle set can be purchased here.

In the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride retailer here.
Outside the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride (Knit Pro) retailer here.

The random number generator I used to pick the winner can be found here.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel – new knitting video every week, and more giveaways coming soon!

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Stellar Swatching

Some tips and tricks for swatching, including how to knit an in-the-round swatch on a small, flat piece.

The yarns I used for the swatches is Australian Superfine Merino by Cleckheaton. For more information (including info on free shipping), visit their website.

cleckheaton

The colors of Cleckheaton yarn I used are Soft Blue, Mid Navy, Coral, and Smoke.

Instructions for knitting the stockinette swatch:
(The number that your pattern lists as stitches over 4 inches = X)
Cast-on X, plus 10
Bottom Border: Knit every row for 9 rows (you will have 5 garter stitch ridges)
Row 1 (RS): Knit across all stitches
Row 2: K 5, P “X”, K 5
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you’ve worked the number of rows in your pattern states as 4 inches.
Top Border: Knit every row for 10 rows (5 garter stitch ridges)
Bind off.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:
The cowl I’m wearing is a new free pattern which will be released December 17 – watch for it!

The stitch pattern for the cabled coral swatch is called “Windswept”; from Vogue Knitting Stitchionary, Volume 2, Cables.

The stitch pattern for the diagonal lacy pattern is called “Slanting Open-Work Stitch”; from Interweave Press Harmony Guides, Lace & Eyelets.

The little bamboo marking pins I use can be found here.

The circular needles I use in the video are by Knitter’s Pride/Knit Pro.

The watch ring I’m wearing is by Davis, and can be found here.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Lupita”.

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Giveaway! Knitter’s Pride Nova Cubics Interchangeable Set

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 10, 2014; and the winner will be announced in video on December 11, 2014. The winning comment will be chosen by random number generator.

You are welcome to comment here, but you must click through to the video on YouTube to enter the contest.

Since not everyone can win, you can purchase your own set of these needles here.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:
The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial, which can be found here.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Malala”.

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Correcting Gaps in Socks

Cuff-down or toe-up, there is always a chance that you’ll get a hole in your socks right where the heel meets the rest of the sock. Here’s how to keep that from happening.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The yarn I’m using in my socks is Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering, in color Irvington. One hank of this yarn = one pair of adult socks.

The sock pattern I’m using is a basic toe-up pattern from Knitty.

The needles I’m using are Addis, size US 1 (2.5mm), 40″ circulars.

The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Malala”.

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Kick-Off the Holidays Sale

kickoff sale MD

Buy any two patterns, get the third one free. Just put three patterns in your cart, and one of them will be zero dollars. 🙂 Feel free to share with your knitting/crocheting friends.

May I suggest Learn to Knit a Christmas Stocking, or learn some new techniques with one of my Sock Tutorials. My new Bulky Sleep Socks tutorial makes for quick holiday gifts, and my Rodeo Drive Poncho will add some luxury to your winter wardrobe. The classic Learn to Knit a Men’s Sweater is a big hit with the guys.

You can shop here from my website, or visit my Ravelry Store directly. Promotion is good through Friday, November 28.

Stay warm, my friends!
S t a c i

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Pinhole Cast-On

The Pinhole Cast-On can be used when working just a few stitches on double-pointed needles, and it is unique in that it can be tightened, leaving no hole or gap in the very center of your work.

The pattern for the square swatches I show in the video is as follows:
CO 8 stitches, divide between 4 double-pointed needles, then K around all stitches.
Row 1: KFB all stitches
Row 2: K around all stitches
Row 3: *KFB, K2, KFB*, repeat on other 3 needles
Row 4: K around all stitches
Row 5: *KFB, K to last stitch, KFB*, repeat on other 3 needles
Row 6: K around all stitches
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 to desired size, BO normally.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The double-pointed needles I’m using are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo.

The bulky yarn I use for demonstration and on the finished piece is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, in colors Yonder, Crush, and Silver.

The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial, which can be found here.

The French Market Bag I mention in the video is a free pattern (not my design) and can be found here.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Malala”.

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Crochet for Knitters – Tunisian Stripes Blanket

Tunisian Stripes SM cropped

Size: 36” wide by 40” long (easily modified, info on modifying below and in free pattern)
Hook: Size K (6.5mm) Tunisian crochet hook with 24” cord attached, additional 40” cord, two end stoppers (scrap yarn can be used instead of 40” cord)
Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn in three colors, 660 yards each color, plus one extra skein in your color of choice for fringe (details below on the yarns I used)
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for cross stitching design and weaving ends
Gauge: 3.5 stitches and 3.5 rows per inch

Pattern + links to four-part video tutorial is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.

Tippy blanket SM

INFORMATION ON MODIFYING PATTERN
You can make this blanket any size, using any yarn weight or hook size you like, as long as you like the fabric you are creating.

To determine your starting chain number, you’ll knit to make a swatch. Using the yarn and hook size you’d like to use, chain 20 (or so), and work up a small sample. Bind-off and wash swatch, then either block or dry the swatch as you will the finished blanket. (If you choose a machine washable and dryable yarn, you can machine wash and dry the swatch.) Then measure the number of stitches you’re getting per inch, and make note of that number.

Multiply that number by the number of inches wide you’d like your finished blanket, and use that number as your starting chain number. Here are some standard blanket sizes from About.com:
Crib: 45 by 60 inches
Twin/Throw: 66 by 90 inches
Double: 80 by 90 inches
Queen: 90 by 90 to 100 inches
King: 108 by 90 to 100 inches

An easy way to determine the amount of yarn you’ll need if you’re modifying the size is to work up your first stripe, and make note of how much yarn you used. There are 11 stripes total in the blanket. Remember to allow enough yarn for a wider Center Panel, and allow extra for fringe.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The interchangeable Tunisian Crochet hooks I’m using can be found here.

The yarn used in the pink/blue/green blanket is Knit Picks Brava Worsted, Blush – 3 skeins, Sky – 4 skeins (extra skein for fringe), Mint – 3 skeins

The yarn used in the Sock Monkey colors blanket is Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted, Cranberry – 3 skeins (extra skein for fringe), Oxford Grey – 2 skeins, Wheat – 3 skeins

The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Malala”.

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Giveaway! Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hook Set

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), November 12, 2014; and the winner will be announced in video on November 13, 2014. The winning email address will be chosen by random number generator.

(For mobile device users, here’s the link provided within the video that you’ll probably need: https://verypink.com/subscribe-stay-current/)

Since not everyone can win, you can purchase your own set of these hooks here.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:
The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Malala”.

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Bulky Sleep Socks Tutorial

bulky socks SM
Cold feet? These bulky slipper socks, made of wool, are just the ticket to keep your feet warm all winter. They also knit up quickly, and therefore make good holiday gifts. Even if you’ve never knit socks before, the bulky yarn makes these toe-up socks easy, and will teach you the skills necessary to knit other toe-up socks patterns.

3 sm
Sizes: Kids, Women, Men – any shoe size
Needles: Size 9 US double-pointed needles (5.5mm)
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, one hank each in two colors (smallest size won’t use all of the yarn). Wind the main color (MC) into two equally-sized balls.
Additional Materials: size K crochet hook, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Gauge: 4 stitches per inch

Yarn Note: Worsted-weight yarn, (also called “4”, “Medium”, or “10-ply”) held double-stranded, can be used instead of bulky yarn. Just be sure to check your gauge.

Pattern + links to four-part video tutorial $8 US via PayPal. addtocart

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The yarn in my finished socks is the same yarn I use for demonstration, which is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky. The colors you see in the video are:
Crush (pink)
Silver (gray)
Yonder (blue)
Avocado (green)

The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern and tutorial.

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

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Malala”.

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