Knitting Without Looking
Learn to Knit Toe-Up Magic Loop Socks
For the first time ever, in sizes for men, women, and kids!
This combination of techniques is such a great way to knit socks, and I’m excited to teach it. First, toe-up is my favorite way to knit socks, because you can use every bit of the yarn with NO LEFTOVERS. Magic loop sock knitting ends up going faster than using double-pointed needles, because you only have to readjust your needles twice in a round, instead of three or four times.
Skill Level: Prior sock knitting experience is helpful. If these are your first attempt at socks, you’ll need strong confidence with basic stitches and pattern reading.
Sizes: Child (5-10 years old), Women, Men (any size, all average widths)
Needles: Size 5 US circular needles with at least a 24” 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 (as pictured above), and longer socks in the smaller two sizes.
Additional Materials: Crochet hook in size G or H, scrap yarn, clippie stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch in stockinette
Note on Sizing: The sizing is for average widths, finished sock circumferences 5.75 (7.25, 8)”.
Pattern + links to 5 instructional videos $8 US via PayPal 
Pick Up and Purl
Mitered Squares
The technique is simple, the squares are fun to knit, and the uses are limitless…
The free Ravelry download includes instructions for the squares pictured above, as well as a basic “recipe” for any size, any yarn, any needle size. The video below will get you through the tricky parts.
Enjoy!
Easter Pattern Give-Away
Free stuff! From now until the day before Easter (April 7) buy one of my pattern/video tutorials, and get my Learn to Felt – Easter Basket pattern/video tutorial free!
The Easter Basket pattern includes links to a six-part video tutorial to get you through the tricky parts. The pattern has instructions for two sizes (the picture above is the small size), and it knits up quickly with double-stranded worsted yarn.
To get your free pattern, just buy a pattern/video tutorial ($6 value or greater), then drop me a note at staci@verypink.com. I’ll respond to your email with your free pattern ASAP!
I want to share more free Easter stuff with you. These fair isle Easter eggs are designed by Little Cotton Rabbits, and she offers the pattern for free on her website.
Have fun with all of the Easter knitting, because you know I’m going to start pestering you to get started on your Christmas knitting soon. 🙂
Log Cabin Felted iPad Case
When I was knitting my Log Cabin Blanket, I noticed that after I had completed the first five strips, the work was the exact same size as my iPad. (I noticed this because there is a high counter in my house where I put all of the precious things I don’t want the dogs to touch – which includes my knitting and my iPad.)
I didn’t pay this much attention until I started noticing scratches on my iPad screen. I know it has to be from stuffing it into my knitting bag, where it then has to fight with Addi Turbo needles.
Then the cartoon light bulb went off over my head! I decided to felt a sturdy, soft case for my iPad.
Here’s a rundown of how I did it –
Using 100% wool, follow the Log Cabin Blanket instructions, stopping after completing Strip 5.
Follow the instructions for knitting a border – 10 ridges each side.
Make a second one of these, and seam them together on three sides, leaving one of the short sides open.
Felt in a hot washer – mine took about 35 minutes. Check the felting process frequently. You want it to felt down to slightly smaller than your iPad, so that you can stretch it into a snug fit. Once the size is correct, run the washer on “spin” for about 30 seconds to spin out most of the water.
Put your iPad in a plastic bag, and slide it into the case while it’s still a little wet. Shape the corners, giving it a good tug wherever it needs it.
Some of the wools I used turned out to be pretty fuzzy. I took a little pair of scissors and gave it a haircut wherever it needed it. Also, the fit on mine is snug enough that I really don’t need any kind of fastener at the open end.
Okay, enough playtime for me. Back to work.
Make 1 Below (M1B)
Weaving Ends is Fun
Have to share this! From the artist’s mother –
I watched this tutorial with my 9 year old daughter. We’re working on teaching her to knit. She sat next to me, enthralled with you, and went so far as to draw a picture of you doing your tutorial video, complete with the coffee cup (that is identical to some we have), and the quote “Weaving ends is fun”. Anne makes an appearance in her rendering as well.
Love the level of detail, including the camera and the dog in the bed on the floor. Thank you, Feisty Irish Wench, for scanning this and sending it to me! Delightful.
