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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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Fixing Loose Stitches and Snags

In this video, I show you how to repair loose stitches and snags in your knitting. (If you are looking for instructions on how to cover or repair more damaged work, please see my Duplicate Stitch video.)

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The latch hook snag fixer I use can be found at most local fabric stores, or here online.

The little bamboo marking pins I use can be found here.

The yarn I used in a swatch is a wool/alpaca blend. Sorry, I’m not sure of the brand!

The sweater I’m wearing is store bought. 🙂

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

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German Short Rows

Plenty of knitters don’t like working wraps & turns when knitting short rows. German short rows are an alternative to w&ts that actually do their job and look good! In this video, I show you how to work them, and how to substitute German Short Rows for w&ts in patterns.

Here is a link that I mention in the video to a list of my sock tutorials. The “toe-up” patterns use wrap and turns (including my Bulky Sleep Socks Tutorial), and German Short Rows can be substituted.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial, which can be found here.

The yarn I’m using for demonstration is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky.

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

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

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Winding Yarn into Two Equally-Sized Balls

For some patterns and yarns, it’s important to wind your yarn into two-equally sized balls before you start knitting – especially when you’re knitting toe-up socks. Here’s my tried-and-true method for doing that.

My ball winder and swift are from Strauch Fiber Equipment Company. You can learn more about the company here.
They also have a YouTube channel.

The Woolery is the retail outlet for Strauch Fiber Equipment Company. You can find my ball winder here.
And my swift here.

The kitchen scale I use is by Tefal – I don’t think they are making the exact model I have anymore, but I think they’re all about the same, anyway. I don’t remember how much mine cost, but I know I didn’t get an expensive one.

The pink yarn I use for demonstration is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in color Crush.

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Stellar Swatching

Some tips and tricks for swatching, including how to knit an in-the-round swatch on a small, flat piece.

The yarns I used for the swatches is Australian Superfine Merino by Cleckheaton. For more information (including info on free shipping), visit their website.

cleckheaton

The colors of Cleckheaton yarn I used are Soft Blue, Mid Navy, Coral, and Smoke.

Instructions for knitting the stockinette swatch:
(The number that your pattern lists as stitches over 4 inches = X)
Cast-on X, plus 10
Bottom Border: Knit every row for 9 rows (you will have 5 garter stitch ridges)
Row 1 (RS): Knit across all stitches
Row 2: K 5, P “X”, K 5
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you’ve worked the number of rows in your pattern states as 4 inches.
Top Border: Knit every row for 10 rows (5 garter stitch ridges)
Bind off.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:
The cowl I’m wearing is a new free pattern which will be released December 17 – watch for it!

The stitch pattern for the cabled coral swatch is called “Windswept”; from Vogue Knitting Stitchionary, Volume 2, Cables.

The stitch pattern for the diagonal lacy pattern is called “Slanting Open-Work Stitch”; from Interweave Press Harmony Guides, Lace & Eyelets.

The little bamboo marking pins I use can be found here.

The circular needles I use in the video are by Knitter’s Pride/Knit Pro.

The watch ring I’m wearing is by Davis, and can be found here.

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

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Correcting Gaps in Socks

Cuff-down or toe-up, there is always a chance that you’ll get a hole in your socks right where the heel meets the rest of the sock. Here’s how to keep that from happening.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The yarn I’m using in my socks is Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering, in color Irvington. One hank of this yarn = one pair of adult socks.

The sock pattern I’m using is a basic toe-up pattern from Knitty.

The needles I’m using are Addis, size US 1 (2.5mm), 40″ circulars.

The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial.

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

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Pinhole Cast-On

The Pinhole Cast-On can be used when working just a few stitches on double-pointed needles, and it is unique in that it can be tightened, leaving no hole or gap in the very center of your work.

The pattern for the square swatches I show in the video is as follows:
CO 8 stitches, divide between 4 double-pointed needles, then K around all stitches.
Row 1: KFB all stitches
Row 2: K around all stitches
Row 3: *KFB, K2, KFB*, repeat on other 3 needles
Row 4: K around all stitches
Row 5: *KFB, K to last stitch, KFB*, repeat on other 3 needles
Row 6: K around all stitches
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 to desired size, BO normally.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The double-pointed needles I’m using are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo.

The bulky yarn I use for demonstration and on the finished piece is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, in colors Yonder, Crush, and Silver.

The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial, which can be found here.

The French Market Bag I mention in the video is a free pattern (not my design) and can be found here.

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

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Math for Knitters – Substituting Yarns

Knowing what the “put up” of a yarn is will help you when you’re substituting one yarn for another in any given pattern. In this video, I explain “put up”, and demonstrate how to do the yardage math for yarn substitution.

The screenshots shown in the video are from Ravelry, an excellent resource for knitters and crocheters. You can get an account for free here.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The sweater I’m wearing is a tutorial coming next week, October 22!

The needle I used as a pointer is Knitter’s Pride Bamboo.

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

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Math for Knitters – Changing Gauge in a Pattern

There is a pattern you’d like to knit, but you’d like to substitute a thinner or thicker yarn, and/or a different needle size. Can you do it? Here’s how to determine if it’s possible, and how to do the math when it is.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The pattern for the sweater I’m wearing (not my design, in a discontinued cotton yarn) can be found here.

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

My Barber Pole Cowl, free tutorial and pattern, can be found here.

The blue hat pattern (not my design) can be found here, knit with Shalimar Breathless in color Neptune.

The bamboo pins I use to check gauge can be found here.

The pink yarn I used in my bulky swatch is Cascade 128 Wool.

The double-pointed bamboo needle I use as a pointer is Knitter’s Pride Bamboo.

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

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