Fancy Stitch Combos – Sand/Rice Stitch

Instructions for working this stitch:
Cast-on an even number of stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K all stitches
Row 2: *K1, P1*, repeat between *s to end of row
Row 3: K all stitches
Row 4: *P1, K1*, repeat between *s to end of row
Work to desired length, bind-off normally on a right-side row.

Instructions for working this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on an even number of stitches.
Round 1: K all stitches
Round 2: *K1, P1*, repeat between *s to end of round
Round 3: K all stitches
Round 4: *P1, K1″, repeat between *s to end of round
Work to desired length, BO normally on odd-numbered round.

The two stitches used in this pattern are the knit stitch (link to slow demonstration video).
And the purl stitch (link to slow demonstration video).

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

The bulky yarn I used for demonstration and the bulky sample is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The yarn I used in the pink sample is Be Sweet Bambino Taffy in Licorice, using US size 4 (3.5mm) needles.

Fancy Stitch Combos – Sideways/Horizontal Herringbone

Instructions for working this stitch:
Cast-on an even number of stitches.
Row 1: *K2tog tbl, dropping only the first stitch off your needle,* rep from * to last st, ktbl.
Row 2: *P2tog, dropping only the first stitch off your needle,* rep from * to last st, p.
Repeat these rows to desired length, then bind-off while working a right-side row, pulling one stitch over the other every time you have two stitches on the right needle.

In the video, I mention a pattern available from Purl Soho which gives you a pattern for working this stitch in-the-round. You can find that pattern here.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

In the video, I refer to yarn weights and needle sizes in US terms. A yarn weight conversion chart can be found here.
A needle conversion chart can be found here.

The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The yarn used in the gray swatch is Malabrigo Chunky, and I used size 10.5 US (6.5mm) needles.

The worsted-weight yarn I used in the darker green sample is Cascade 220.

The needles I used are bamboo, made by Clover.

Fancy Stitch Combos – Rickrack Rib

Instructions for working this stitch:
Row 1: P1, *Ktbl the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), K the first stitch, pull both stitches off the left needle, P1*
Row 2: K1, *P into the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), P the first stitch, pull both stitches off the left needle, K1*

Repeat these two rows for the pattern.

For the nicest looking bind-off, BO on Row 1, in pattern. It’s a little tricky to pull one stitch over the other after working into the second stitch on the left needle, but it’s possible! Otherwise, you can work the BO in a P1, K2 rib.

Instructions for working this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on a multiple of 3
Row 1: *P1, Ktbl the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), K the first stitch, pull both stitches off the left needle*
Row 2: *P1, K into the front of the second stitch on the left needle (leaving that stitch on the needle), K the first stitch normally, pull both stitches off the left needle*

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The yarn used in the gray swatch is Malabrigo Chunky, and I used size 10.5 US (6.5mm) needles.

The yarn I used in the pink sample is Be Sweet Satisfaction, color Raspberry 709, using size 10.5 needles (6.5mm).

The needles I used are bamboo, made by Clover.

The poncho on the mannequin is the Easy Folded Poncho, knit in Knit Picks City Tweed DK.

My “Embrace the Swatch” water bottle can be found here.

Fancy Stitch Combo – Bamboo Stitch


Instructions for working the Bamboo Stitch:

CO an even number of stitches
Row 1: K1, *yo, K2, pass yo over two knit stitches*, repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Row 2: Purl across all stitches
Work to desired length, and bind-off purl-wise on wrong side of work.

To work this stitch in-the-round:
CO an even number of stitches
Round 1: *yo, K2, pass yo over two knit stitches*, repeat between *s to end of round
Round 2: Knit across all stitches
Work to desired length, and bind-off normally on what would be Round 2

The yarn used in the gray swatch is Malabrigo Chunky, and I used size 9 US (5.5mm) needles.
The yarn used in the green swatch is Hazel Knits DK Lively, and I used size 7 (4.5mm) needles.

The bamboo needles I’m using are by Clover.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Ombre Dyed Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

Outline Stitch Bind-Off

Instructions for working this bind-off:
Set yourself up so you’re ready to work a wrong-side row. With the right-side of the work facing you, and the tail end of the yarn coming from the left side of the work, break the yarn, leaving yourself a tail that is at least twice the length of the width of the work. Thread the tail end on to a tapestry needle.

*Working from left to right, skip the first stitch. Go in to the second stitch as if to purl (from right to left), then through the first stitch the same way. Paying careful attention to tension, pull the working yarn tight, and slip the first stitch off the end of the needle.* Repeat between the *s to the last stitch. Put the needle in as if to purl, tighten, and weave in the end to finish.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The sweater on the mannequin is my Ombre Dyed Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The needles I used are bamboo, made by Clover.

Icelandic Bind-Off


Instructions for working the Icelandic Bind-Off:

K the first stitch.
*transfer stitch from the right needle to the left, giving it a little twist so that it is mounted correctly. Put your right needle through that stitch, as if to purl, reaching through to knit the next stitch normally (through the front loop)*
Repeat between the *s until one stitch is left. Break yarn, pull end through last loop, tighten to fasten.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:

The bulky yarn I used for demonstration is Lion Brand Hometown USA. I demonstrated using size 13 US (9mm) needles.

The needles I used are bamboo, made by Clover.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Ombre Dyed Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

Fancy Stitch Combos – Bead Stitch

To work this stitch flat:
Cast-on a multiple of 7 stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, yo, K1, yo, ssk, *K2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk* repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Row 2: *P2tog tbl, yo, P3, yo, p2tog* repeat between *s to end
Row 3: K1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, *K2, yo, ssk, K1, k2tog, yo* repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Row 4: P2, yo, p3tog, yo, *P4, yo, p3tog, yo* repeat between *s to last 2 stitches, P2

To make the prettier side of the CO the right side of the work, start on Row 4, then work through Rows 1-4 normally.
BO normally after Row 4.

To work this stitch in-the-round:

CO a multiple of 7
(If you’re using DPNs, put a multiple of 7 stitches on each needle)
Round 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, yo, K1, yo, ssk, *K2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk* repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Round 2: *k2tog, yo, K3, yo, k2tog tbl* repeat between *s to end
Round 3: K1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, *K2, yo, ssk, K1, k2tog, yo* repeat between *s to last stitch, K1
Round 4: K2, yo, k3tog, yo, *K4, yo, k3tog, yo* repeat between *s to last 2 stitches, K2

Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The green swatch is knit with Be Sweet Whipped Cream yarn in color Moss, using size 9 US (5.5mm) needles

The cotton blend pink swatch is knit with Knit Picks Comfy Sport in color Rosebud, using size 7 US (4.5mm) needles

The DK weight, dark pink swatch is knit with Madeline Tosh, Tosh Sport, color
Vermillion, using size 10.5 US (6.5mm) needles

The sweater on the mannequin is my Ombre Dyed Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

Choosing a Sweater Size

In this video I give you some pointers on choosing the correct sweater size in a pattern. Since patterns are written differently, these are sure-fire ways to get it right. I also talk about how to fit a sweater when your largest measurement is not chest/bust, but hips or belly.

This website will show you how to accurately measure for a sweater.

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

The website I recommend in the video is Ravelry.

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

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.

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)