Setting in Sleeves

Setting or “easing” sleeves is probably the most challenging part of finishing a pieced sweater. Here are some tips to make that easier.

Info to things you’ll see in this video:
The finished sweater I’m seaming is my (yet undyed) Ombre Dyed Sweater, pattern + video tutorials.

The clippie markers I use can be found here.

The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

Giveaway! Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Interchangeable Midi 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 20th, 2013; and the winner will be announced in video on November 21st, 2013. The winning comment will be chosen by random number generator.

Please note – you are welcome to leave a comment or question here on my website, but to enter the contest you must comment on the video on YouTube.

This needle set can be purchased on Amazon.

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 poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho pattern by Churchmouse Yarns. You can see the details of my project on my Ravelry project page, where you can also click through to the pattern.

Extra Stitches! Mini Knitting Lesson with Reb from Pancake Manor

Meet Reb Stevenson, half of the team that creates YouTube videos for kids on the channel Pancake Manor – as their tagline says, “Videos for kids and awesome parents”. At the beginning of the lesson I learned that Reb already knew how to knit, so I threw a different challenge at her! And she handled it like a pro.

Visit the Pancake Manor YouTube channel.

Are you looking to learn to knit? You can check out my playlist of knitting basics.

Never fear! Every Wednesday, I release a new knitting instruction video. On other days, I’m going to be releasing these “Extra Stitches” videos with fun, knitting-related content.

Fancy Stitch Combos – Sand/Rice Stitch

Instructions for working this stitch:
Cast-on an even number of stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K all stitches
Row 2: *K1, P1*, repeat between *s to end of row
Row 3: K all stitches
Row 4: *P1, K1*, repeat between *s to end of row
Work to desired length, bind-off normally on a right-side row.

Instructions for working this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on an even number of stitches.
Round 1: K all stitches
Round 2: *K1, P1*, repeat between *s to end of round
Round 3: K all stitches
Round 4: *P1, K1″, repeat between *s to end of round
Work to desired length, BO normally on odd-numbered round.

The two stitches used in this pattern are the knit stitch (link to slow demonstration video).
And the purl stitch (link to slow demonstration video).

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

The bulky yarn I used for demonstration and the bulky sample is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The yarn I used in the pink sample is Be Sweet Bambino Taffy in Licorice, using US size 4 (3.5mm) needles.

Extra Stitches! Interview with Emma at Knit Culture

On my recent trip to Los Angeles, California, I had the pleasure of stopping by one of the premier yarn shops in LA, Knit Culture.

You can visit the Knit Culture yarn shop, blog, and class listings website here.

The pattern for the yellow shawl Emma is wearing is “His Golden Lair” by Kourtney Robinson.

The pink shawl Staci picks up is “Pamuya” by Alexandra Wiedmayer. Knit in Koigu KPPPM (visit the Knit Culture shop for the yarn).

You can also follow Knit Culture with these links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knit-Culture/343201598157?ref=hl
Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitculture
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KnitCulture

Fancy Stitch Combos – Sideways/Horizontal Herringbone

Instructions for working this stitch:
Cast-on an even number of stitches.
Row 1: *K2tog tbl, dropping only the first stitch off your needle,* rep from * to last st, ktbl.
Row 2: *P2tog, dropping only the first stitch off your needle,* rep from * to last st, p.
Repeat these rows to desired length, then bind-off while working a right-side row, pulling one stitch over the other every time you have two stitches on the right needle.

In the video, I mention a pattern available from Purl Soho which gives you a pattern for working this stitch in-the-round. You can find that pattern here.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

In the video, I refer to yarn weights and needle sizes in US terms. A yarn weight conversion chart can be found here.
A needle conversion chart can be found here.

The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The yarn used in the gray swatch is Malabrigo Chunky, and I used size 10.5 US (6.5mm) needles.

The worsted-weight yarn I used in the darker green sample is Cascade 220.

The needles I used are bamboo, made by Clover.

Fancy Stitch Combos – Rickrack Rib

Instructions for working this stitch:
Row 1: P1, *Ktbl the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), K the first stitch, pull both stitches off the left needle, P1*
Row 2: K1, *P into the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), P the first stitch, pull both stitches off the left needle, K1*

Repeat these two rows for the pattern.

For the nicest looking bind-off, BO on Row 1, in pattern. It’s a little tricky to pull one stitch over the other after working into the second stitch on the left needle, but it’s possible! Otherwise, you can work the BO in a P1, K2 rib.

Instructions for working this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on a multiple of 3
Row 1: *P1, Ktbl the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), K the first stitch, pull both stitches off the left needle*
Row 2: *P1, K into the front of the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), K the first stitch normally, pull both stitches off the left needle*

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The yarn used in the gray swatch is Malabrigo Chunky, and I used size 10.5 US (6.5mm) needles.

The yarn I used in the pink sample is Be Sweet Satisfaction, color Raspberry 709, using size 10.5 needles (6.5mm).

The needles I used are bamboo, made by Clover.

The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

Crochet for Knitters – Granny Ripple Blanket

CLICK HERE to download your free copy of this pattern.

Size: Baby blanket/throw size, 35” x 49” (see “Pattern Notes” section of the pattern for guidelines for different sizes)
Hook: Size H (5mm)
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in eight colors, or another worsted-weight washable yarn. I used the following colors of Knit Picks Comfy Worsted, 2 skeins each color (16 skeins total, 50 grams each):
– Creme Brulee
– Honeydew
– Sea Foam
– Flamingo
– Zinnia
– Marina
– Lilac
– Lady Slipper
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for weaving in ends

I kept working this blanket until I was nearly out of yarn. These little balls were all I had left over!

yarnballs

Info to things you’ll see in this video:
The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Malabrigo Chunky.

The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

My granny square blanket pattern and tutorial can be found here.

Winner Announced! Knitter’s Pride Spectra Trendz Acrylic Interchangeable Set

If you didn’t win but would like to purchase this needle set, it can be found here on Amazon.

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 channel – new knitting video every week, and more giveaways coming soon!

Fancy Stitch Combo – Bamboo Stitch


Instructions for working the Bamboo Stitch:

CO an even number of stitches
Row 1: K1, *yo, K2, pass yo over two knit stitches*, repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Row 2: Purl across all stitches
Work to desired length, and bind-off purl-wise on wrong side of work.

To work this stitch in-the-round:
CO an even number of stitches
Round 1: *yo, K2, pass yo over two knit stitches*, repeat between *s to end of round
Round 2: Knit across all stitches
Work to desired length, and bind-off normally on what would be Round 2

The yarn used in the gray swatch is Malabrigo Chunky, and I used size 9 US (5.5mm) needles.
The yarn used in the green swatch is Hazel Knits DK Lively, and I used size 7 (4.5mm) needles.

The bamboo needles I’m using are by Clover.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Ombre Dyed Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.