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Math for Knitters – Increasing Evenly Across a Row

Those dreaded words in your pattern – “Decrease X number of stitches evenly across the row.” Even if the math doesn’t come out very tidy, here is how to write that row out so that it makes sense, for both increasing and decreasing.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The sweater on the mannequin is my Woman’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The pattern for the sweater I’m wearing can be found here (not my design).

The needle I’m using for demonstration is by Clover.

The nail polish I’m wearing is Julep color “Flora”.

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How Should I Slip This Stitch?

Your pattern tells you to slip the next stitch – but how? Knit-wise? Purl-wise? With yarn in front or back? In this video we talk about what the “default” is, and all the different ways of slipping stitches.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Woman’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The pattern for the sweater I’m wearing can be found here (not my design).

The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA.

The needles I used for demonstration are by Clover.

The nail polish I’m wearing is Julep color “Flora”.

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Three Options for Joining a New Ball of Yarn

Spit splicing, Russian join, tying knots – what is the best option for joining a new ball of yarn for your project? In this video, we talk about the differences, and when it’s best to use each one.

If you missed the annotated links in the video to the different methods of joining, here they are:
Spit splicing
Russian join
Changing colors for stripes

The sweater on the mannequin is my Woman’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The pattern for the sweater I’m wearing can be found here (not my design).

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

The nail polish I’m wearing is Julep color “Flora”.

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Two Socks at-a-Time, Toe-Up, Magic Loop

for vp

This video tutorial and pattern walks you through knitting two socks at-a-time, from the toe up, using a long circular needle and the magic loop method of knitting. Here’s what you get:
– Pattern includes instructions for both worsted weight and sock weight (fingering) yarn
– Pattern includes sizes for children, women, and men
– Links to a seven-part video tutorial that walks you through the tricky parts

Why should I learn to knit socks this way? This method might be right for you, if
– if you have “second sock syndrome”
– if you like using up ALL of your yarn, with no yarn left over
– if you’d rather not count your rows as you go to make an identical second sock

Worsted Weight Socks
Sizes: Child (5-10 years old), Women, Men (any size, all average widths)
Needles: Size 5 US (3.75mm) circular needles with at least a 32” cord
Yarn: 1 skein or hank of worsted-weight yarn (about 100 grams/200 yards) in wool or wool blend. This much yarn will make crew socks in the men’s size, and longer socks in the smaller two sizes.
Additional Materials: Crochet hook in size G or H, scrap yarn, tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch in stockinette

Sock (Fingering) Weight Socks
Sizes: Child (5-10 years old), Women, Men (any size, all average widths)
Needles: Size 1 US (2.5mm) circular needles, at least 32” in length (longer is better)
Yarn: at least 400 yards of sock-weight yarn, wound into two equally-sized balls (I used Knit Picks Stroll)
Additional Materials: Crochet hook in size G or H, scrap yarn, tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: 9 stitches per inch in stockinette, unstretched

PDF pattern + links to 7-part instructional videos $10 US via PayPal addtocart

for vp sock

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Giveaway & Product Review – Knitter’s Pride Nova Cubics Needle Set

You’re welcome to comment here, but to enter the contest, you must comment on YouTube 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), June 4, 2014; and the winner will be announced in video on June 5, 2014. The winning comment will be chosen by random number generator.

Since not everyone can win, you can get your own set of these needles here at Webs.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Woman’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The pattern for the sweater I’m wearing can be found here (not my design).

The nail polish I’m wearing is Julep color “Flora”.

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Storing Knits for Summer

The weather is warming up in the US, so it’s time to put away the wooly winter sweaters to make room for warmer weather clothes. Here is my advice for safely storing your knits to keep moths (and other critters) away.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Woman’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The pattern for the sweater I’m wearing can be found here (not my design).

The nail polish I’m wearing is Julep color “Flora”.

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Math for Knitters – Calculating Yardage on a Partial Ball of Yarn

You have a partial ball of leftover yarn…is it enough for the project you want to make? Here’s how to calculate the yardage of that partial ball.

If you have a video suggestion for the Math for Knitters Series, please leave me a comment or drop me a note at staci@verypink.com.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Woman’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The pattern for the sweater I’m wearing can be found here (not my design).

The nail polish I’m wearing is Julep color “Flora”.

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Tidy Finishing on a Circular Bind-Off

The bind-off row in circular knitting can leave your with an enormous “jog” between the first and last BO stitch, especially in larger gauge knitting. Here is how to smooth that out.

Please excuse the green screen background – we’re under a bit of construction in the studio. Exciting changes to come!

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

The purple scarf I’m wearing is this pattern.

The yarn I used in the bulky sample is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The needles I used are by Clover.

The nail color I’m wearing is by OPI, “Berries in the Canaries”.

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Rodeo Drive Poncho Update

At the request of petite knitters and knitters living in very chilly climates, I’ve updated the Rodeo Drive Poncho pattern to include instructions for a poncho with a shallower neckline. The pattern is identical, otherwise. Here are photos of the two necklines:

deeperSM
This is the original, deeper neckline…

shallowerSM
…and this is the new option of a shallower neckline.

If you’ve already purchased the PDF pattern, you should receive an email and/or Ravelry message with a download link to the updated pattern (no charge). If you would like to purchase the PDF version of this pattern, here you go:

This pattern is available in three different formats, each includes links to 4-part video tutorial:

1. Ravelry PDF Pattern, traditional and printable. $6.00 via PayPal
 addtocart

2. Amazon Kindle digital download (suitable for Kindle devices and devices that use the Kindle app): $6.00 US.
buynow_button

3. eReader (For non-Kindle eReaders, like Sony eReader and Barnes & Noble Nook, or any device using the Google Play Books app) $6.72 US

rodeo without scarf sm

If you have purchased an eReader version of the pattern, we’re still trying to find the best way to update these files. If you have an eReader version and you’d like the update, please drop me a note at staci@verypink.com, and I’ll send you the updated text.