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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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The Finer Points of Garment Fitting & Blocking

You’re probably going to spend between 40 and 100 hours knitting a sweater, here are some very specific things you can do to make sure the sweater fits when it’s finished.

The six steps:
1. Choose the correct size (video on that here)
2. Knit a swatch (video on that here)
3. Mark changes you know you’ll want to make on the schematic
4. Knit the sweater!
5. Try it on, write down actual measurements and changes you want to make when it’s wet
6. Wash sweater according to yarn label instructions, set out flat to dry (block) according to what you’ve indicated in Step 5

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The sweater in the thumbnail photo is the Arrowhead Cardigan, more info on my Ravelry page here.

My beautiful wood pen can be found at here on Etsy.

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 Operetta Shawl Tutorial

Operetta tri vp

Like most knitters, I get excited when I get a chance to knit with really beautiful yarns in gorgeous colorways…and this shawl is very exciting! The Operetta kit comes with two distinct yarns – a merino/silk, and a kid mohair/silk. The two yarns work together to elevate garter stitch to something really unique.

To get your Operetta kit and follow along with the tutorial, visit the SKEINO site here.

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

detail

SKEINO ships from the US, to locations worldwide.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:
The colorway I used on my finished shawl is Lilac.

The colorway I used for demonstration is Don Carlos.

The needles I used are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo DPNs.

The yarn I used in the worsted sample is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes.

My pink row counter was a gift, and I have no idea of the brand. It actually isn’t that reliable. I recommend this one.

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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Giveaway! SKEINO Operetta Shawl Kit

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

You can download a copy of the free pattern on the Operetta Shawl 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), March 16, 2016; and the winners will be announced in video on March 17, 2016. The winning email addresses will be chosen by random number generator.

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Fill out the form below to enter this SKEINO giveaway, and subscribe to the SKEINO newsletter. You will always be given an opportunity to opt out. (Even if you entered to win a previous SKEINO giveaway, you’ll need to enter again for this giveaway. You won’t be automatically entered.)

SKEINO Giveaway Signup & Newsletter

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Tell Us About You!

what do you think

We’re always working on new ideas here at VeryPink Headquarters, and we’d like to hear from you to make sure we’re on the right track. If you have a few minutes, please take our short survey about your knitting habits. Complete the survey before March 15 and be entered to win a Knitter’s Pride straight needle set.

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3 Ways to Join In-the-Round

In this video, I demonstrate three different ways to join stitches in-the-round.

The Knitter’s Pride tools I use in this video are Platina 16″ circular needles from an interchangeable set that includes seven 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

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, color “Ilga”.

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Socks on 9″ Circulars

9 inch circ socks very sm

This sock tutorial uses 9″ circular needles instead of double-pointed needles or magic loop. For more information on using 9″ circulars and a needle review, see my Using 9″ Circulars video. Other details – these socks are toe-up, use German Short Rows (instead of traditional wraps & turns), and an afterthought heel. Pattern includes links to a four-part video tutorial (video below), and instructions for both DK/Sport weight yarn and Sock/Fingering weight yarn.

DK/Sport Weight Socks
Size: Women’s average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 3 (3.25mm) 8” or 9” circular needles and double-pointed needles
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

Fingering Weight Socks
Size: Women’s average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 1.5 (2.5mm) 8” or 9” circular needles and double-pointed needles
Yarn: 100 grams of fingering weight yarn (also called sock yarn or 4ply 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: 8 stitches per inch in stockinette

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

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The yarn I used in my finished Sport/DK weight socks is Knit Picks Hawthorne Sport Multi in color Irvington, sport weight, 258 yards. The contrasting color I used at the toe and heel is some leftover Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino.

The yarn I used in my finished fingering weight socks is Knit Picks Hawthorne Speckle Handpaint in Granite Speckle, fingering weight, 357 yards. The contrasting color I used at the toe and heel is some leftover Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino.

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

The pink notions box I use to hold my stitch markers can be found here.

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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