Steaming-Out Yarn Kinks

This video demonstrates a method for smoothing and straightening a few yards of kinked-up yarn, after you’ve ripped back to correct a mistake. If you have more than a few yards to straighten, you’ll want to follow the technique I demonstrate in this video, Reusing Yarn.

The shawl on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit an Aran Shawl, pattern + video tutorial.

A blocking board like mine can be found here.

My “Embrace the Swatch” mug can be found here.

Loveknitting.com Interview

I did an interview earlier this week with LoveKnitting.com, and the blog post just went live today. I’m their “Blogger of the Week”. You can see the post here. If you leave a comment on that post, you’ll be entered to win a free copy of my Shaker Dishcloth pattern.

Other than that, it’s 102 degrees Fahrenheit in Austin, Texas right now (and rising). Brutal! We’re all taking it easy this weekend.

meltingtippy

Tippy looks so worried in this photo! He isn’t worried about a THING, I promise.

Fancy Stitch Combos – Waffle Stitch

Instructions for working the Waffle Stitch:
Cast-on a multiple of 3 stitches, plus 1.
Row 1 (WS): K1, *P2, K1*, repeat between *s to end
Row 2: P1, *K2, P1*, repeat between *s to end
Row 3: K across all stitches
Row 4: same as Row 2
Work to desired length, bind-off normally on Row 3.

To work this stitch in the round:
Cast-on a multiple of 3 stitches.
Round 1: *K2, P1*, repeat between *s to end
Round 2: *K2, P1*, repeat between *s to end
Round 3: P across all stitches
Round 4: *K2, P1*, repeat between *s to end
Work to desired length, bind-off purl-wise on Row 3.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The green sweater on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit a Woman’s Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The bulky orange yarn I used in the sample and for demonstration is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The DK weight yarn I used in the striped sample is Madeline Tosh, Tosh Sport.

The long-strand dyed yarn I used in the sample is Noro Silk Garden Chunky.

The wood needles I use for demonstration are by Clover, size 10.5 (6.5mm)

Fancy Stitch Combos – Fisherman’s Rib

Instructions for working Fisherman’s Rib:
Cast-on a multiple of 2 stitches, plus 3
Setup Row (RS): K across all stitches
Row 1 (WS): *P 1, K 1 into stitch below*, repeat between *s to last stitch, P 1
Row 2: K1, *K1, K 1 into stitch below*, repeat between *s to last 2 stitches, K 2
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 to desired length, BO on WS, while working Row 1

Instructions for working this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on an even number of stitches, and join to begin working in-the-round.
Setup Round: K around all stitches
Round 1: *K1, K 1 into stitch below*, repeat between *s to end
Round 2: *P 1 into stitch below, K1*, repeat between *s to end
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 to desired length, BO while working Round 1
To purl into stitch below, approach the V below the current stitch from back to front.

This is the photo of the “swatch” I started knitting to test the instructions I wrote for knitting Fisherman’s Rib in-the-round. It was turning out so nice, that I decided to keep going! I think I’ll turn this into a cowl/open-ended cap, since I don’t want to mess up the line of this stitch with decreases.

fishermanSM

I cast-on 70 stitches on to 16″ size 8 US (5mm) needles with worsted weight (Aran, 10ply) yarn. The yarn I used is Berroco Vintage.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The green sweater on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit a Woman’s sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The green cotton/acrylic yarn I used in the lacier sample is Knit Picks Comfy worsted, knit on size 10.5 US (6.5mm) needles.

The bright pink yarn I used in the worsted-weight sample is Araucania Merino Worsted.

The gray bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Malabrigo Chunky.

The wood needles I use for demonstration are by Clover, size 10.5 (6.5mm).

Fancy Stitch Combos – Raised Rib

Instructions for working the Raised Rib Stitch:
Cast-on a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 3.
Row 1 (RS): *P1, ktbl, P1, K1*, repeat between *s to last three stitches, P1, ktbl, P1
Row 2: K1, ptbl, K1, *K2, ptbl, K1*, repeat between *s to end
Bind-off normally on the right side of the work.

To work this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on a multiple of 4 stitches.
Round 1: *P1, ktbl, P1, K1*, repeat between *s to end of round
Round 2: *P1, ktbl, P2*, repeat between *s to end of round

This video is part of a new series called Fancy Stitch Combos. In this series I hope to demonstrate stitches that have been requested, and hopefully introduce you to some new ones that I think are pretty and useful. Feel free to drop me a note if you’d like to submit an idea for a video in this series.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The green sweater on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit a Woman’s sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The bright pink yarn I used in the worsted-weight sample is Araucania Merino Worsted, knit with size 5 US (3.75mm) needles.

The gray yarn I used in the bulky sample is Malabrigo Chunky, in color Polar Morn.

The bulky purple yarn I used in the bulky sample and for demonstration is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The wood needles I use for demonstration are by Clover, size 10.5 (6.5mm)

Runrig Muffatees Fingerless Mitts

RunrigSM

You can get your free copy of the pattern here, and follow along with the video tutorial.

This pattern is designed by Annie of knitsofacto.blogspot.com. Many thanks to Annie for letting us use her pattern in this tutorial! You can see Annie’s other designs here.

Yarn weights notes: In this tutorial I talk about “worsted” weight and “DK” weight yarns. Worsted weight yarn is also called “10 ply” in some parts of the world, and DK is also known as “8 ply”. DK weight and Sport weight (aka 5 ply) are close enough that you can get gauge for this pattern with either.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The sweater on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit a Women’s Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The circular needles I’m using are Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Dreamz interchangeable needles.

The red yarn I used for the cast-on is Lion Brand Thick & Quick in Cranberry.

The bulky turquoise yarn I used is Lion Brand Hometown USA in Charlotte Blue.

The DK mitts I made in the oatmeal color are made with Madeline Tosh, Tosh Sport, in Luster.

The worsted-weight mitts I made in the brown color are made with Dream in Color Classy, in Tea Party.

See Who Won! Knitter’s Pride Nova Interchangeable Starter Set Giveaway Winner Announced

If you didn’t win but would like to purchase this sampler set, it can be found here on Amazon.

In the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride retailer here.
Outside the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride (Knit Pro) retailer here.

The random number generator I used to pick the winner can be found here.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel – new knitting video every week, and more giveaways coming soon!

Fancy Stitch Combos – Easy Cable Rib

Instructions for working the Easy Cable Rib Stitch:
Cast-on a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 2
Row 1 (WS): K2, *P2, K2*, repeat between *s to end
Row 2: P2, *K2tog but do not slip finished stitch off left needle, knit into first stitch on left needle again, then slip off left needle, P2*, repeat between *s to end
Row 3: K2, *P2, K2*, repeat between *s to end
Row 4: P2, *K2, P2*, repeat between *s to end
Continue these 4 rows to desired length, then bind-off on Row 4.

To work this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on a multiple of 4 stitches.
Row 1: *P2, K2*, repeat between *s to end
Row 2: *P2, K2tog but do not slip finished stitch off left needle, knit into first stitch on left needle again, then slip off left needle*, repeat between *s to end
Row 3: *P2, K2*, repeat between *s to end
Row 4: *P2, K2*, repeat between *s to end

This video is part of a new series called Fancy Stitch Combos. In this series I hope to demonstrate stitches that have been requested, and hopefully introduce you to some new ones that I think are pretty and useful. Feel free to drop me a note if you’d like to submit an idea for a video in this series.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The green sweater on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit a Woman’s Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The bright pink yarn I used in the worsted-weight sample is Araucania Merino Worsted.

The bulky yarn I used in the bulky sample and for demonstration is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The wood needles I use for demonstration are by Clover, size 10.5 (6.5mm).

Giveaway! Knitter’s Pride Nova Interchangeable Starter Set

This needle sampler set is a great way to try out three different needle types before you invest in an entire interchangeable set.

Please watch the entire video for instructions on how to enter the giveaway. This contest is open to international viewers (customs charges may apply outside the US). The contest is open until July 11, 2013; and the winner will be announced in video on July 11, 2013. Winner will be chosen by random number generator.

This starter set can be purchased on Amazon.

In the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride retailer here.
Outside the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride (Knit Pro) retailer here.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit a Women’s Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

Fancy Stitch Combos – Pillar Lace

Instructions for working the Pillar Lace stitch:
Cast-on a multiple of 3 stitches, plus 2
Row 1 (WS): Purl across all stitches
Row 2: K1, *YO, slip 1 stitch purlwise, K2, pass slipped stitch over the two knit stitches*, repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Work to desired length, and bind-off purl-wise on wrong side of work

Instructions for working this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on a multiple of 3 stitches, plus 1
Round 1: K around all stitches
Round 2: K1, *YO, slip 1 stitch purlwise, K2, pass slipped stitch over the two knit stitches*, repeat between *s to end
Work to desired length, and bind-off normally on Round 1.

This week is the sixth video in a new series called Fancy Stitch Combos. In this series I hope to demonstrate stitches that have been requested, and hopefully introduce you to some new ones that I think are pretty and useful. Feel free to drop me a note if you’d like to submit an idea for a video in this series.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The green sweater on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit a Woman’s sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The dark purple yarn I used in the worsted-weight sample is Madeline Tosh, Tosh Vintage, in colorway “Flashdance”.

The bulky yarn I used in the sample is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The wood needles I use for demonstration are by Clover, size 10.5 (6.5mm).