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Brioche Stitch

The Brioche Stitch (or combination of stitches) creates a pretty, flat, double-sided fabric. The video below demonstrates both the one-color and two-color Brioche Stitch. Written instructions are available as a free Ravelry download.

EDITED TO ADD: I get a lot of questions regarding fixing mistakes in Brioche Stitch. Here is a common question, plus my answer below:

Q: Staci, I’ve made a mistake in Brioche Stitch, and I’ve ripped my work back so that I can correct the mistake. I’m having a problem getting the stitches back on the needle. Can you help?

A: Sorry you’re having trouble! Yes, it is very difficult to pick up stitches in Brioche Stitch after you’ve made a mistake, even for an advanced knitter. I recommend that you thread “proactive” lifelines in your work every few inches or so, so that if you do have to rip back, all of your stitches (including yarn-overs) are safely held on the scrap yarn, and easy to pick up again.

It sounds like you’ve already made a mistake. The best thing you can do is to rip back below the mistake, and do your best to pick the stitches back up again on the needle. I’m sorry, there isn’t much more help than this I can offer you without actually helping you fix your work in person. You might also try visiting your local yarn shop for help.
Good luck!

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Still Running

Back in May, I wrote about how I’d started the Couch to 5K (C25K) running program, then in June I mentioned that I was suffering foot pain and had to stop running.

I want to post an update, since I know that some of you (including both of my sisters) have started the program with me.

I stopped running for the month of July, and swam laps instead. I also bought the ugliest pair of shoes I’ve ever owned so that I could run in the pool. My goal was to keep up the routine and the level of conditioning I had achieved so that I could get running on land again ASAP. I didn’t really enjoy swimming. I am a land mammal.


The Ugliest Shoes Ever.

A few weeks ago I decided to give running a try. My foot still hurt, but it had improved some. I started back on Week 1, Day 1 of the program, which involves more walking than running. I honestly didn’t know if I was going to run for 60 seconds, then have to limp home. But I was fine!

Since then, I’ve been moving very gradually through the C25K program. Before my foot injury, I was excited to quickly hit that 5K goal. This time, I’m repeating each week a few times, which seems to be allowing my foot to keep up with the increased impact.

Here in Austin, we’ve had something like 60 days straight of temps over 100 degrees. I think I’ll enjoy running even more when it cools down to, say, a brisk 95 degrees. Ha.

This happy little African dog loves the heat, and doesn’t understand why humans complain about it.

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The Deaf Basenji

I guest blogged today on the Basenji Rescue site about Ike. At 13 years-old, Ike is losing his hearing, but his awesomeness more than makes up for his deafness.

And he’s a handsome devil, to boot.

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Learn to Knit Gloves

No matter what time of year you’re reading this, I have to ask – have you started knitting your Christmas gifts yet? Gloves are a great gift, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly they knit up.

This pattern is for a warm pair of thick gloves. We use size 3 US needles and worsted weight yarn to make learning the techniques easier. After you’ve worked through this pattern, it will be no problem to move on to other, more complicated patterns that use smaller needles and thinner yarn, to make more delicate gloves.

The only required skills are knitting and purling. The pattern includes links to NINE instructional videos that will explain using double-pointed needles, working the thumb gusset with Make 1 stitches, working the fingers, and doing tidy finishing work.

Sizes: Women’s Small (Women’s Medium, Women’s Large/Men’s Small) [Hand circumference 7” (7.5”, 8”)]
Needles: Set of 4 size 3 US double-pointed needles (3.25 mm)
Yarn: Any worsted-weight yarn, preferably wool or wool blend, approx 75 grams (170 yards)
Additional Materials: 2 ring stitch markers, 1 clippie stitch marker or safety pin (optional), tapestry needle, scrap yarn
Gauge: 6 stitches per inch in stockinette

Pattern + links to 9 instructional videos $8 US via PayPal

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Ecuador

I teach a knitting class here at my home called Knitting University, and it’s been pretty much the same group of women for over a year now. Needless to say, they’re becoming expert knitters! For our next knit-a-long, I had to choose something different and challenging for them.

So I chose Ecuador, a design I really liked, and asked them if they wanted to make it, too.

It’s pretty, available in a large range of sizes, and flattering on almost any body type. They all agreed that this would be our next knit-a-long. So I got busy knitting and familiarizing myself with the pattern so that I could help them along with their sweaters.

I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago that I love it when I get the chance to step out of pattern designing and just play with yarn instead. Knitting another designer’s pattern is a real treat for me. And BONUS! I get a cute sweater out of the deal.

This sweater is knit with sock yarn, and as you can see, is composed of a lot of fabric. Too much for my blocking board, in fact!

The body of the sweater is a really simple lace pattern that is easy to memorize, but also includes short row “wedges” of fabric that give the sweater it’s circular shape.

For now, I’ll fold this sweater up nicely and wait for the day that it’s under 100 degrees in Austin so that I can wear it. 🙂

Here are my Ravelry details.

UPDATE – The designer of this sweater, named Joji, just saw my sweater on Ravelry and sent me this note:

Oh!!!!
This is absolutely stunning!
I went over to read you blog: THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING ECUADOR FOR THE KNIT-ALONG!
Hugs,
Joji

Aww. I feel even better about knitting it now that I know the designer is so sweet.

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One Million

Guess who’s little ol’ YouTube knitting channel just hit ONE MILLION views?

I am excited and amazed and humbled. Thank you all for your support!

Many thanks to Parker, too. I’m just the face – he’s the one who makes the videos look so good!

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Ravelry

I’m often surprised when I get questions from knitters about patterns, and I discover that they aren’t Ravelry members yet. If you are knitting or crocheting, you need to become a member! It’s free and awesome!

Let me sell you on this idea. First up, it’s a perfect place to store information about the projects you’ve finished, or are currently knitting. You get your own “notebook” page where you can upload photos, add details about the yarn and needles you used, etc. Here is a screen shot of my notebook page:

While you’re uploading information about your projects, other people are doing the same thing. If there is a project you’re interested in starting, you can see how the pattern has worked for other people. What yarn did they use? Did they enjoy knitting it? Was the pattern well written? How does the design look on different body types?

Here is a detail of one of my project pages.

Those are the two main ways that I use Ravelry, but there are lots of other ways to be involved. There are forums and groups where people socialize and help each other. There are knit-alongs and yarn swaps and people looking for test knitters. (Help me out here – leave a comment and tell newbies how you’re using Ravelry!)

Here’s what to do –
1. Go to www.ravelry.com, and sign up
2. Enter at least one project that you’ve finished (or are still knitting) when you’re ready
3. Find me here and “friend” me, I’m happy to be your first friend!
4. Explore! If you like, you can join the conversation in the verypink discussion group

If you have any questions, feel free to leave it in the comments. While I was writing this post, I saw on Facebook that Margaret Atwood just joined Ravelry. 🙂