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)

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 – 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).

Fancy Stitch Combos – Mock Rib Stitch

Instructions for working the Mock Rib Stitch:
Cast-on an even number of stitches, using the long-tail or knitted cast-on.
Setup Row: Purl
Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1*, repeat between *s to end
Row 2: P across all stitches
To bind-off, use a normal BO, binding-off purl-wise on Row 2.

To work this stitch in-the-round:
Cast-on an even number of stitches
(no setup row)
Row 1: *K1, P1*, repeat between *s to last stitch
Row 2: K across all stitches
To bind-off, use a normal BO, binding-off normally on Row 2.

This week is the fifth 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 sweater I’m wearing is my Ombre Dyed Sweater, pattern + video tutorial.

The scarf on the mannequin is One Row Handspun Scarf, knit with Cascade 220.

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

The yarn I used in the striped sample is Berroco Vintage.

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