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Tunisian Crochet Shaker Dishcloths

Tunisian Shaker vp patt

Tunisian Shaker Dishcloths, inspired by my knit version. No Tunisian Crochet experience necessary – you don’t really even need a special Tunisian Crochet hook! Pattern includes instructions for coasters, as well as info on modifying to any size.

This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD, to accompany the video tutorial, below.

Size: Finished dishcloth is about 7.25” (19cm) in diameter
Hook/Needles: Size US K (6.5mm), two knitting needles size 10 or 10.5 (6 or 6.5mm)
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted, or any worsted (also called 10 ply) weight yarn, in cotton or a cotton blend, in two colors. 20 grams of yarn for each dishcloth (10 grams each color).
Additional Materials: Tapestry needle
Gauge: 4 stitches per inch

I recently released a video on how to create a crocheted provisional cast-on without picking up stitches. That technique will NOT work for this pattern. Because each Tunisian crocheted row requires working both left-to-right and right-to-left to complete a row, that modified provisional cast-on sets you up in the wrong position. Please work the provisional cast-on as indicated in the video and pattern.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The yarn I used is Knit Picks Comfy Worsted, (my favorite dishcloth yarn) in the following colors: White, Honey Dew, Sea Foam, Marlin, Creme Brulee, and Fizz.

The crochet hook I’m using is Knitter’s Pride Dreamz in size K, 6.5mm.

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

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

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Provisional Cast-On Using a Crochet Hook

Provisional cast-ons are important in knitting, especially when knitting toe-up socks. Here is an alternative to picking up stitches from a crochet chain, by creating stitches directly on the needle.

The Knitter’s Pride tools I use in this video are Symfonie Dreams Crochet Hooks, and Symfonie Dreamz Double-Pointed Needles from Knitter’s Pride Sock Needle Set.

You can find more information about Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Dreamz needles and hooks, as well as a retailer using these links:
Bryson Distributing
Accessories Unlimited
Knitter’s Pride Shop finder

The yarn I use for demonstration is Berroco Vintage.

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, and isn’t actually a color, but I like the way it looks. It’s a nail treatment, called Oxygen Nail Treatment. It seems to help my nails grow, and prevents chipping and peeling.

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Twisted Knit Stitches

In this video, I cover everything you ever wanted to know about twisted knit stitches. When it’s good, when it’s bad, and how to easily correct a twisted stitch.

You can find more information about Knitter’s Pride Marblz needles, as well as a retailer using these links:
Bryson Distributing
Accessories Unlimited
Knitter’s Pride Shop finder

In the video, I mention Combination Knitting, and Annie Modesitt’s website. You can find more about Combination Knitting on her website here.

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

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, and isn’t actually a color, but I like the way it looks. It’s a nail treatment, called Oxygen Nail Treatment. It seems to help my nails grow, and prevents chipping and peeling.

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Lace Socks Using German Short Rows

lace gsr vp and rav

These lace socks have three important things going for them – first, they’re knit with DK or Sport weight yarn, making them a much quicker knit than socks knit from fingering weight yarn. Second, they’re toe-up, meaning you’ll have no leftover yarn. And third – the German Short Row technique is a favorite among knitters who don’t like working traditional wraps and turns. The pattern includes sizes for women, men, and kids; and includes links to a four-part video tutorial.

Sizes: Women, Men, and Children; normal foot widths, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 3 (3.25mm) double-pointed needles (information on modifying these socks for magic loop and two at-a-time is in the pattern)
Yarn: 100 grams DK or Sport weight yarn (also called 8-ply yarn)
Additional Materials: Size G or H crochet hook, a few feet of worsted-weight scrap yarn in a contrasting color, tapestry needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 6.5 stitches per inch in stockinette

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

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The yarn I used in my pink socks is Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino, in color Peony. The yarn I used in my multi-color socks is Knit Picks Hawthorne Sport Multi in color Goose Hollow.

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, and isn’t actually a color, but I like the way it looks. It’s a nail treatment, called Oxygen Nail Treatment. It seems to help my nails grow, and prevents chipping and peeling.

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Determining Yarn Weight (WPI)

In this video, I demonstrate how to create your own WPI (wraps per inch) tool, and how to use it to determine the weight of mystery yarns.

The Ravelry Standard Yarn Weights chart can be found here.

The yarns I use for demonstration are Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, Berocco Vintage Worsted, and Knit Picks Hawthorne Sport.

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, and isn’t actually a color, but I like the way it looks. It’s a nail treatment, called Oxygen Nail Treatment. It seems to help my nails grow, and prevents chipping and peeling.

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Sharbella Shawl

sharbella vp

“Sharbella” means “beautiful scarf” in Italian, and that’s exactly what this is! Elegant and pretty, with gentle shaping and lace trim along one side. The sport-weight yarn makes this a good lace project for knitters who have never tried knitting lace before, and the video tutorial walks you through the tricky parts and gives guidance for making this stress-free lace knitting.

Size: 55” long x 18” deep at midpoint
Yarn: 2 hanks Louet Gems Sport Weight, 100% Merino Wool
Needles: US 6 (4mm) knitting needles, circulars or straights
Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle
Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows = 4” in stockinette before blocking, 18 sts x 22 rows = 4” in stockinette after blocking. Note: Gauge is not essential for this pattern, but differences in gauge will affect the overall size of your shawl and the amount of yarn required.

The Sharbella pattern is free with purchase of two hanks of Gems Sport, 100% Merino machine washable wool yarn. Just add the yarn to your cart, and the pattern will be automatically added.

blocking vp

More info is available on the Sharbella Ravelry page – be sure to like and queue!

from mari lg

The color I used for my finished shawl is Brick Red. The color I used for demonstration in the video is Marine Blue. The shawl on the model above is in Anglefish Blue.

Be sure to check out Mari’s other designs on Ravelry.

The needles I used for demonstration are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo Double-Pointed needles, and Knitter’s Pride Dreams from an interchangeable set.

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

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

I got my stitch markers here.

(If you have any issues with the coupon code, please contact Louet, they have excellent customer service.)

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Sloped Bind-Off

This bind-off is an easy alternative to the “stair-steppy” bind-off many patterns call for when knitting a shaped edge (like when shaping armholes, sleeves, or necklines.) The edge this bind-off leaves makes seaming and picking up stitches easier.

Instructions for working this technique:
Please follow your pattern for the exact bind-off numbers for the shaping you’re knitting.
Left-Leaning Slope
BO the number of stitches specified in your pattern, then work across the rest of the row in pattern. Turn work, and work in pattern to last stitch. Slip last stitch without working it, turn work. Slip first two stitches, and BO the first stitch over the second (this counts as your first BO stitch, follow your pattern for the number to BO).

Right-Leaning Slope
BO the number of stitches specified in your pattern (most likely on the wrong-side of the work, possibly purl-wise), then work across the rest of the row in pattern. Turn work, and work a right-side row to the last stitch, slip that stitch without working it. Turn work. Slip first two stitches, and BO the first stitch over the second (this counts as your first BO stitch, follow your pattern for the number to BO).

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The needles I’m using are by Clover, and the yarn is – I’m not sure what the yarn is! It’s a worsted wool.

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

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

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Winners Announced! SKEINO Moon Shawl Kits

Congratulations to Heather M, Lenore L, Heather T, Helen S, and Rebecca A!

If you didn’t win this time, you can find the SKEINO Moon Shawl kits here.

The free pattern link is on the Ravelry page – be sure to like and queue!

The random number generator I used to pick the winners 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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SKEINO Moon Shawl Tutorial

moon shawl for vp

The free pattern link is on the Ravelry page – be sure to like and queue! The yarn company SKEINO is no longer in business, but you can use any bulky weight yarn for this pattern.

The colorway I chose for my shawl is “White/Brown”.

blocking small

ridges detail

yarn braid one color apart

I’ve done three other tutorials for SKEINO which can be found here:
Arabella
Scarf-in-a-Scarf
Miss Grace

Click HERE to learn more about SKEINO and how they are collaborating with organizations that employ people with special needs in Germany and the US.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The needles I use in the video are Knitter’s Pride Cubics and Knitter’s Pride Dreams, both interchangeable sets.

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

My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.

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