Latvian Long-Tail Cast-On

The Latvian LTCO is pretty, fairly deep, and has decent stretch to it. But I think most knitters will get excited about this fact – after close inspection, I’m pretty sure it’s IDENTICAL ON BOTH SIDES.

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 samples is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, in colors Jam and Silver.

The bamboo needles I used are by Clover.

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

Interview with Lindi from Inspiration for Creation

On Friday, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Lindiwe Maqhubela from Inspiration for Creation. In a very unique interview for me, Lindi asks me about being an entrepreneur, the creative process, marketing, balancing work and life, and managing my public persona.

Lindi has a great blog with lots of interviews of interesting and creative folks. I’m honored to be a part of her work!

Barber Pole Cowl Tutorial

cowl for vp

No matter how you twist this cowl around your head and neck, you always look perfectly dressed. With no wrong sides, luxurious cashmere blend yarn, and a fair isle stripe pattern to keep the knitting interesting. Free pattern + three-part video tutorial.

Finished Size: (after blocking) 26” long when seamed
Needles: Size US 6 (4mm) 16” circular needles, longer circulars if you’re using the magic loop method, or a set of 4 double-pointed needles
Yarn: The YarnSisters Willow, 70% merino, 30% cashmere, DK/light worsted weight; one hank each of Natural (Color A) and Pinot Noir (Color B)
Additional Materials: one stitch marker, tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
Gauge: 7 stitches to the inch, after blocking

THIS PATTERN + VIDEO TUTORIAL IS A FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR COPY OF THE PATTERN.

me for VP

Munky for VP


Information on things you’ll see in the video:

The yarn I used in the cowl is YarnSisters Willow.

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 samples is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, in colors Yonder, Jam, and Silver.

The circular needles I used are Addi Turbos.

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

Lifted Increases

Instructions for working both right and left lifted increases.

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 sample is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in color Yonder.

The yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA in color Charlotte Blue.

The bamboo needles I use are by Clover.

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

Purl 1 Below (P1B)

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 samples and for demonstration is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in color Yonder.

The bamboo needles I use are by Clover.

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

Easy Toddler Pullover – 3 Ways

henry for website

Plain, stripes, fair isle, or fabric appliqué? This tutorial walks you through the knitting as well as three different treatments to make your sweater unique.

Sizes: 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T (see sizing chart below)
Needles: size US 5 (3.75mm), 24” circulars and double-pointed needles
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash, (50g/110 yards per skein); or another washable wool or wool-blend yarn, worsted weight (also called 10 ply weight)
– 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo = 4 skeins
– 2T, 3T = 5 skeins
– 4T, 5T = 6 skeins
Additional Materials: 4 stitch markers, thin scrap yarn, tapestry needle
Gauge: 6 stitches per inch, after blocking

sizing chart VP

PDF pattern download + links to seven-part video tutorial, $8 US via PayPal. addtocart

This tutorial is a collaboration with the YouTube channel Pancake Manor, a channel with puppets who get in adventures and sing songs, “for kids and awesome parents”. Be sure to see the sweaters I knit for the puppets in this video:

You can download the fabric appliqué instructions and puppet faces templates for free HERE.

puppets for website

Information on things you’ll see in these videos:
The yarn I used in my sweaters is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash.

The 16″ circular needles I used are from this interchangeable set.

The poncho on the mannequin is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The green scarf I’m wearing is Hitchhiker, knit with Hazel Knits DK Lively.

The bamboo double-pointed needles I use are by Clover.

The nail color I’m wearing is CND Shellac polish, in color “Asphalt”.

Traditional Dishcloth Pattern – Free Update

all for vp logo

My free Learn to Knit a Dishcloth pattern + video tutorial has received a much-requested update. This update includes instructions for making rectangular dishcloths, any size.

Now, they’re all called “dishcloths”, regardless of the shape or size you make them. But I personally find the 9 x 9″ squares too big for washing dishes. Instead, I use them for tasks where I would otherwise use a paper towel – like wiping down counters, spill clean-ups, etc.

The 6 x 3″ rectangles in this pattern update are the size I like to use for washing dishes. They fit nicely in the hand, drape easily over the sink divider when not in use, and they dry quickly. The pattern explains exactly how to make this size, but it can be easily modified to make any size rectangle – up to a bath towel size, and beyond.

This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.

The video tutorial will walk you through making the square dishcloth, but the techniques are exactly the same for the rectangles.

Judy (Knitting Tips by Judy) Interviews Me!

A few months ago, I interviewed Judy Graham, aka “Knitter to the Stars”. She and I had so much fun and became friends in real life. You can see that video here.

You can see Judy’s videos on her YouTube Channel, Knitting Tips by Judy.

The poncho I’m wearing is my Rodeo Drive Poncho, pattern + video tutorial.

The Sockhead is a free hat pattern (and not my design). I knit mine using Shalimar Breathless yarn. You can find the pattern here.

This video was shot at the YouTube Space in Los Angeles, California.

I Recommend…

Or “VeryPink Recommends”…

I get dozens of questions a day asking about knitting supplies that I recommend. My producer, Parker, has done a nice thing and cataloged my favorite and most-used items on this Page.

These are tried-and-true items, and things that I choose to use, after testing just about every product on the market. There are two items that I use every day that aren’t available on Amazon, so I’ll list them here:
Blocking Board
Pink Notions Case

You might notice that there is one item on there that has nothing to do with knitting. That’s the pedometer I use. Ten thousand steps a day! After I had several requests on Facebook about which pedometer I was using, we added it to the list.

I hope this helps you to make good buying decisions! I know it can be stressful to put your money down for knitting supplies that you aren’t sure that you will like. The items on my list are truly what I use each and every day for both professional and personal knitting.

Dang. This post needs a photo. Here are my dogs.

ChiefsofState