by

Easy Toddler Pullover – 3 Ways

henry for website

Plain, stripes, fair isle, or fabric appliqué? This tutorial walks you through the knitting as well as three different treatments to make your sweater unique.

Sizes: 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T (see sizing chart below)
Needles: size US 5 (3.75mm), 24” circulars and double-pointed needles
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash, (50g/110 yards per skein); or another washable wool or wool-blend yarn, worsted weight (also called 10 ply weight)
– 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo = 4 skeins
– 2T, 3T = 5 skeins
– 4T, 5T = 6 skeins
Additional Materials: 4 stitch markers, thin scrap yarn, tapestry needle
Gauge: 6 stitches per inch, after blocking

sizing chart VP

PDF pattern download + links to seven-part video tutorial, $8 US via PayPal. addtocart

This tutorial is a collaboration with the YouTube channel Pancake Manor, a channel with puppets who get in adventures and sing songs, “for kids and awesome parents”. Be sure to see the sweaters I knit for the puppets in this video:

You can download the fabric appliqué instructions and puppet faces templates for free HERE.

puppets for website

Information on things you’ll see in these videos:
The yarn I used in my sweaters is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash.

The 16″ circular needles I used are from this interchangeable set.

The poncho on the mannequin is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The green scarf I’m wearing is Hitchhiker, knit with Hazel Knits DK Lively.

The bamboo double-pointed needles I use are by Clover.

The nail color I’m wearing is CND Shellac polish, in color “Asphalt”.

, , , ,
by

Traditional Dishcloth Pattern – Free Update

all for vp logo

My free Learn to Knit a Dishcloth pattern + video tutorial has received a much-requested update. This update includes instructions for making rectangular dishcloths, any size.

Now, they’re all called “dishcloths”, regardless of the shape or size you make them. But I personally find the 9 x 9″ squares too big for washing dishes. Instead, I use them for tasks where I would otherwise use a paper towel – like wiping down counters, spill clean-ups, etc.

The 6 x 3″ rectangles in this pattern update are the size I like to use for washing dishes. They fit nicely in the hand, drape easily over the sink divider when not in use, and they dry quickly. The pattern explains exactly how to make this size, but it can be easily modified to make any size rectangle – up to a bath towel size, and beyond.

This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.

The video tutorial will walk you through making the square dishcloth, but the techniques are exactly the same for the rectangles.

,
by

Judy (Knitting Tips by Judy) Interviews Me!

A few months ago, I interviewed Judy Graham, aka “Knitter to the Stars”. She and I had so much fun and became friends in real life. You can see that video here.

You can see Judy’s videos on her YouTube Channel, Knitting Tips by Judy.

The poncho I’m wearing is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The Sockhead is a free hat pattern (and not my design). I knit mine using Shalimar Breathless yarn. You can find the pattern here.

This video was shot at the YouTube Space in Los Angeles, California.

by

I Recommend…

Or “VeryPink Recommends”…

I get dozens of questions a day asking about knitting supplies that I recommend. My producer, Parker, has done a nice thing and cataloged my favorite and most-used items on this Page.

These are tried-and-true items, and things that I choose to use, after testing just about every product on the market. There are two items that I use every day that aren’t available on Amazon, so I’ll list them here:
Blocking Board
Pink Notions Case

You might notice that there is one item on there that has nothing to do with knitting. That’s the pedometer I use. Ten thousand steps a day! After I had several requests on Facebook about which pedometer I was using, we added it to the list.

I hope this helps you to make good buying decisions! I know it can be stressful to put your money down for knitting supplies that you aren’t sure that you will like. The items on my list are truly what I use each and every day for both professional and personal knitting.

Dang. This post needs a photo. Here are my dogs.

ChiefsofState

by

Giveaway! Mountain Meadow Wool Dryer Balls

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), March 5th, 2014; and the winner will be announced in video on March 6th, 2014. The winning comment will be chosen by random number generator.

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

You can purchase your own set of Mountain Meadow Wool Dryer Balls here.

To learn more about this product, here is a very cute video from Mountain Meadow Wool.

The poncho on the mannequin is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The green scarf I’m wearing is Hitchhiker, knit with Hazel Knits DK Lively.

by

Fancy Stitch Combo – Corded Rib

Instructions for working this stitch:
Cast-on a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 2
Every Row: K1, *SSK, M1L, P2*, repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Repeat this row to desired length, BO in 2×2 rib.

To work this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on a multiple of 4 stitches
Round 1: *SSK, M1L, P2*, repeat between *s to end of round
Round 2: *K2, M1R purlwise, P2tog*, repeat between *s to end of round
Repeat these rounds to desired length, BO in 2×2 rib.

A slow demonstration of the SSK stitch can be found here:

A slow demonstration of the Make 1 stitch can be found here:

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The poncho on the mannequin is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The scarf I’m wearing is called Hitchhiker, knit with Hazel Knits DK Lively.

The yarn I use for demonstration is Malabrigo Chunky.

The bamboo needles I’m using in the video are by Clover.

The nail color I’m wearing is CND Shellac polish, in color “Asphalt”.

, ,
by

Fancy Stitch Combo – Dropped Stitch Scrunch

Instructions for working this stitch:
CO a multiple of 3 stitches, plus 2
Rows 1, 3, and 5 (WS): K2, *P1, K2*, repeat between *s to end of row
Rows 2 and 4: P2, *K1, P2*, repeat between *s to end of row
Row 6: P2, *allow next stitch (a knit) to drop off the left needle, and unravel it for 4 rows, so that there are 4 “ladder rungs” above it. Put your right needle into that stitch from front to back, and knit through that stitch. After you complete the stitch, you’ll see that all of the “ladder rungs” are also caught up in the stitch, creating the scrunch, P2*, repeat between *s to end of row
Bind-off after Row 6.

Instructions for working this stitch in-the-round:
CO a multiple of 3 stitches
Rounds 1-5: *P2, K1*, repeat between *s to end of round
Round 6: *P2, allow next stitch (a knit) to drop off the left needle, and unravel it for 4 rows, so that there are 4 “ladder rungs” above it. Put your right needle into that stitch from front to back, and knit through that stitch. After you complete the stitch, you’ll see that all of the “ladder rungs” are also caught up in the stitch, creating the scrunch*, repeat between *s to end of round
Bind-off after Round 6.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The poncho on the mannequin is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The scarf I’m wearing is called Hitchhiker, knit with Hazel Knits DK Lively.

The yarn I use for demonstration is Malabrigo Chunky.

The yarn I used for the worsted-weight green sample is Be Sweet Whipped Cream, mohair/wool/silk blend, in color “Moss”.

The bamboo needles I use are by Clover.

The nail color I’m wearing is CND Shellac polish, in color “Asphalt”.

,
by

Russian Join

You’re knitting along, and you run out of yarn. There are a few ways to attach a new ball – you can spit splice, just tie a knot, or try this technique – the Russian Join. The Russian Join is ideal when you’re working with a cotton or acrylic yarn that will not felt (for spit splicing).

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The poncho on the mannequin is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The scarf I’m wearing is called Hitchhiker, knit with Hazel Knits DK Lively.

The yarn I use for demonstration is Malabrigo Chunky.

The nail color I’m wearing is CND Shellac polish, in color “Asphalt”.

, , ,
by

Changing a Knit to a Purl

Yikes! You’re knitting along, and suddenly you notice that a few rows back, you knit a stitch that should have been purled (or vice versa). Instead of ripping out entire rows to make the correction, here is how to drop a single column and make that K a P, or P a K.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:
The sweater on the mannequin is my Easy-Knit Sweater Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The shawl I’m wearing is the Clapotis pattern, knit with Noro Silk Garden yarn.

The super bulky yarn I’m using for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA. The needles I’m using are Clover Bamboo DPNs.

The nail color I’m wearing is CND Shellac polish, in color “Midnight Swim”.

, , ,