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Portuguese Knitting Style

Even if you’re perfectly happy with the way you knit, I encourage you to give this video a looksie. Portuguese knitting is kind of mind-blowing, and the resulting stitches are identical to Continental/English/American knitting, which means you can work a row of Portuguese knitting or purling in your current project, if you like.

The needles I’m using for demonstration are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo DPNs.

The pink yarn I’m using is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, in color Crush.

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

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

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SKEINO Spring Bloom Cardi Tutorial

SBC for VP

Wondering what to knit as the weather warms? This lace cardi is good for both knitting and wearing in warmer weather. The yarn in the Spring Bloom Cardi kit is a merino/bamboo blend, which gives great definition to the lace stitches, and a little sheen from the bamboo.

To get your Spring Bloom Cardi kit and follow along with the video tutorial, visit the SKEINO site here.

The free pattern can be found here on Ravelry, be sure to like and queue!

lace wip

SKEINO ships from the US, to locations worldwide.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:
The colorway I used on my sweater is Purple Iris.

The colorway in the finished sweater example is Shamrock.

The needles I used are Knitter’s Pride Platinas.

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

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SKEINO Spring Bloom Cardi Kit Giveaway

SBC for VP

To see the colorways available in the Spring Bloom Cardi kit or to purchase a kit, visit the SKEINO site here.

You can download a copy of the free pattern on the Spring Bloom Cardi Ravelry page.

SKEINO ships from the US, to locations worldwide.

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), May 9, 2016; and the winners will be announced in video on May 10, 2016. The winning email addresses will be chosen by random number generator.

SKEINO Giveaway Signup & Newsletter

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Giveaway! Knitter’s Pride Platina Cubics Needle Set

Since not everyone can win, you can find these needles for sale here.

You’re welcome to comment here, but please click through to the YouTube watch page to enter the giveaway.

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), May 4, 2016; and the winner will be announced in video on May 5, 2016. The winning email address will be chosen by random number generator.

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Curling Neckwarmer

neckwarmer vp

Many thanks to A Good Yarn Sarasota and their Purl Diver Exclusive Color Club subscription kit. Follow the links below for more information on the subscription kit, yarn, and pattern.

This pattern is appropriate for advanced beginners, with help from the video tutorial below. The Curling Neckwarmer pattern also includes instructions for fingerless mitts.

mitts vp

Purl Diver Color Club Subscriptions
Full 6 month Subscription
Multi 6 month Subscription

Click here for information on getting the exclusive Pufferfish yarn colorway. (No longer available.)

Click here for information on getting the Curling Neckwarmer & Mitts pattern by Anne Hanson on its own.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Janie”.

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

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Thrummed Mittens

thrummed mitts for patt

Sizes: Kids, Women, and Men (to fit hand circumferences of approx 7”, 7.5” and 8.5”)
Needles: Double-pointed needles in size US 8 (5mm) and US 9 (5.5mm)
Yarn: 100% wool bulky yarn, 100 grams for kids’ size, 200 grams for women and mens’ sizes; between 40 and 60 grams of 100% wool roving
Additional Materials: two ring stitch markers, tapestry needle
Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in stockinette

The yarn I used in my mittens: Two hanks of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Wallaby, and 1 hank of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Roving in Persimmon Heather.

Pattern + links to 4-part instructional video, $6 US via PayPal. addtocart

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The long-staple roving I used is from Knit Picks.

The yarn I used in my mittens is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky.

The needles I used are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo double-pointed needles.

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

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

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Thrums / Thrumming

Thrums are a way to add warmth and bulk to a knitted item by knitting little bits of wool roving into the work. This video demonstrates the technique on it’s own, and next week we have a tutorial on thrummed mittens. Many thanks to Knitter’s Pride and their Marblz needles, for sponsoring this video.

The Knitter’s Pride tools I use in this video are Marblz circular needles from an interchangeable set that includes nine needle sizes.

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

Q: Can I add thrums to any knitted item?
A: Yes, and no. Because thrums add bulk, the knitted item has to be larger to accommodate the thrum stitches. This can throw off the proportions of a pattern. For example, you can make thrummed slippers, knitting a larger size than you would knit if you were not adding thrum stitches. This would create a pair of slippers that would fit well in width, but would likely throw off the proportions for the length of the slipper. My recommendation is to knit a pattern specifically designed for thrums, until you are familiar with the technique and the adjustments you’ll need to make to patterns. (I have a thrummed mittens pattern coming out next week, or you can search Ravelry for thrummed patterns.)

Q: Can I use a fiber other than wool, like superwash wool or a synthetic for thrummed knits?
A: Your best bet is to stick with 100% non-superwash wool for thrummed knits for the best warmth and wear-ability. As the item is worn, you want the thrums to felt to themselves and the knit fabric to create a layer of smooth insulation.

Instructions for the swatch I used for demonstration in the video:
CO 40 stitches
Bottom Border: Knit 8 rows, purl 1 row
Row 1 (RS): Knit 8, work a thrum stitch, (knit 3, thrum) 6 times, knit 7
Row 2: Knit 5, purl 30, knit 5
Row 3: Knit all stitches
Row 4: Knit 5, purl 30, knit 5
Row 5: Knit 6, work a thrum stitch, (knit 3, thrum) 7 times, knit 5
Row 6: Knit 5, purl 30, knit 5
Row 7: Knit all stitches
Row 8: Knit 5, purl 30, knit 5

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The long-staple roving I used is from Knit Picks.
The shorter-staple roving I used is from Colorways Gallery.

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

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

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

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