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Knitting Help – Comparing Increases

In this video, I show how different increases look side-by-side, and talk about how to substitute one for the other. A bit more complicated than substituting decreases, some increases “use up” a stitch, while others do not.

The “sister” video comparing decreases can be found here.

Slow demonstrations of the increases shown:
Yarn-Over
KFB (knit front back)
Make 1 (M1)

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

The needles I’m using are Knitter’s Pride Nova Platinas, from an interchangeable set.

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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Knitting Help – Comparing Decreases

Sometimes patterns, especially older patterns, will tell you to decrease without specifying which decrease to use. Or you may be working a pattern where you think a different decrease will work better than the one the pattern calls for. In this video, I compare three popular decreases side-by-side so you can see the differences.

Slow demonstrations of the three decreases:
Knit Two Together (k2tog)
Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK)
Pass Slipped Stitch Over (PSSO)

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

The needles I’m using are Knitter’s Pride Nova Platinas, from an interchangeable set.

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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Ravelry Tips – Adding a Project

Adding your knitting and crochet projects to Ravelry is the most basic and important way to contribute to the Ravelry community. You can add as little or much information as you like, from notes to yourself to photos for the world to see. In this video, I walk you through the basics of adding a project to your Ravelry notebook.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The pattern I used as an example of a Ravelry project is my Sixes and Threes Cowl, pattern + video tutorial.

If you would like to friend me on Ravelry, I’ll friend you back! You can find my profile here.

We have a VeryPink Knits group on Ravelry, feel free to join the discussion.

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Ravelry Tips – Finding Pattern Help

We’ve all been there – stuck on a pattern and in need of some help. In this video, I show you some ways to get answers to your questions, and show you how to find info on modifying patterns.

There is one more way to get pattern help that I missed in the video! Sometimes people leave gems of information in the “Comments” tab of the main page for the pattern. See the arrow in the image below.

Rav project comments sm

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The tote bag on the mannequin is my ATX Linen Tote. This pattern is free with yarn purchase on the Louet website, or at a preferred retailer. Just purchase two hanks of Euroflax Sport yarn, and use the coupon code VPEUROFLAX (all caps) for your free pattern.

The Shaker Dishcloth pattern and video tutorial I use in the on-screen examples can be found here.

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Why is My Knitting Curling?

Why is my knitting curling, and will blocking stop the curling? Two questions knitters often ask me. In this video, I address those questions, show you when curling is a good thing, and explain the difference between stitch combos that curl and those that don’t.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The alpaca hat I show in the video (not my pattern) can be found here, but it doesn’t look like the pattern is available anymore.

The gray cardigan I show in the video is a free pattern and video tutorial, and can be found here.

The gray cashmere swatch is from my Rodeo Drive Poncho pattern and tutorial.

I reference my Stellar Swatching video, which can be found here.

The basketweave swatch is from my Mimi Hooded Scarf pattern and tutorial.

The sugar cubes swatch is explained in a Fancy Stitch Combo video.

The One Row Scarf I reference at the end of the video can be found here (not my design).

My Ravelry page for the shawl I’m wearing (not my design), can be found here.

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

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Simple Stretchy Bind-Off

So simple, and so stretchy! This is my new favorite bind-off, good to use whether you need a little or a lot of stretch.

Instructions for working this BO in 2×2 rib:
Step 1: K 2 stitches, insert the left needle into the front of the two stitches you just worked, wrap the back needle and knit them together (k2tog tbl)
Step 2: P 1 stitch, Insert left needle into the back of the two stitches you just worked, wrap the front needle and purl them together (p2tog)
Step 3: Repeat Step 2
Step 4: K 1 stitch, insert the left needle into the front of the two stitches you just worked, wrap the back needle and knit them together (k2tog tbl)
Step 5: Repeat Step 4
Repeat Steps 2 through 5

Instructions for working this stitch in any other stitch combination:
K every knit stitch, and k2tog tbl it with the other stitch on the right needle
P every purl stitch, and p2tog it with the other stitch on the right needle

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The shawl I’m wearing (not my design) can be found here.

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

The bulky yarn I used is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in colors Crush, Yonder, and Honey.

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

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Fancy Stitch Combo – Lace Stitch

The Lion Brand LB Collection yarns I used in the samples are –
LB Collection Baby Alpaca

LB Collection Silk

LB Collection Cashmere

LB Collection Superwash Merino

Instructions for working this stitch:
CO a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 1
Row 1 (wrong side): Purl.
Row 2: K1, *yo, sk2p, yo, k1; rep from * across to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2
BO purl-wise on WS with 1 needle size larger

To work this stitch in-the-round:
CO a multiple of 4 stitches
Round 1 : Knit
Round 2: *K1, yo, sk2p, yo; rep from * to end of round
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 to desired length, BO.

My Ravelry page for the shawl I’m wearing (not my design), can be found here.

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

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

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Testing Color Fastness

Will those colors run together once the yarn gets wet? It’s a good idea to find out before you knit those stripes! Here’s my method for testing yarn colors before I knit them together.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The cowl I’m wearing is my Sixes and Threes Cowl, pattern + video tutorial.

The bottle of no-rinse wool soap is Eucalan.

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Ravelry Tips – Stashed Yarns

Looking for ideas on some yarn you have stashed? Or want to browse other people’s stashed yarns – maybe to locate some yarn you need to finish a project? In this video I demonstrate how to navigate Ravelry in relation to stashed yarns. To follow this video and see the screen clearly, I recommend expanding the video player to a large size.

If you don’t yet have a free Ravelry account, you should get one!

Information about things you’ll see in this video:
The beautiful Alpha B yarn I use as an example can be found at Knit Purl.

The cowl I’m wearing is my Sixes and Threes cowl, pattern + video tutorial.

If you would like to friend me on Ravelry, my profile is here.
And the VeryPink Knits group is here (feel free to join).

The computer I’m using is my producer’s, the brand is Qosmio. He uses this computer for video editing, more info here.

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Using Circular Needles

So many choices with needle shapes and types – what are the differences? Circular needles vs. straight needles, fixed circulars vs. interchangeable sets, different cord lengths? In this video I talk about all of that, including my personal preferences.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The Log Cabin Blanket quilt block is a free pattern and video tutorial.

The 16″ circular needle set can be found here.

The Platina needle set can be found here.

My sweater is store bought. 🙂

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