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Easy Fingerless Mitts

Whether you have experience using double-pointed needles or not, you can knit these fingerless mitts! In this tutorial, we learn how to get started on DPNs, how to knit in-the-round, how to create a “buttonhole” thumb, and how to bind-off in pattern. The only skills you really need are confidence in both knitting and purling.

This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD, and includes links to a 4-part video tutorial. (Video also at the top of this post.)

Sizes: Women’s Small/Medium, Women’s Large (to fit actual hand circumferences of 7-7.5”, 8”; measured around the knuckles of the hand)
Needles: Size 7 US (4.5mm) set of double-pointed needles
Yarn: 50g (about 100 yards) of worsted weight (10 ply) wool or wool blend
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch in stockinette

Sizing note: These mitts are quite stretchy. Most women will find that the smaller size will fit fine. The larger size is appropriate if your hands are wide across the knuckles, and/or you have wider wrists.

Information on things you’ll see in the video:

My finished purple mitts were knit with Madeline Tosh, Tosh Vintage, in colorway “Flashdance”.

The bulky yarn I use for demonstration is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The pink swatch I use when checking gauge is knit with Cascade 128.

The bamboo pins I use to check gauge are by Clover.

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

The sweater I’m wearing (not my design) is called Harvest Moon.
And I knit it with Berroco Blackstone Tweed in color Wintry Mix.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Women’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The new animation at the very end of the video is by TJ Morris of Toonicatures.

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Giveaway! Knitter’s Pride Nova Single-Pointed Needle Set

Forget the rest – here’s the best. Knitter’s Pride Nova Single-Pointed Needle Set, in a zippered black case. These needles are nickel plated brass – which are the fastest and slickest needles available.

Note – feel free to comment here, but to enter the contest, you must comment ON THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE. Thanks!

Please watch the entire video for instructions on how to enter the giveaway. This contest is open to international viewers (customs charges may apply outside the US). The contest is open until May 1, 2013; and the winner will be announced in video on May 2, 2013.

In the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride retailer here.
Outside the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride (Knit Pro) retailer here.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Zasio Sweater Coat, pattern + video tutorial.

The sweater I’m wearing is the Featherweight Cardigan.
I knit mine using Malabrigo Lace.

The nail color I’m wearing is by Essie, color “Go Overboard”.

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Correctly-Mounted vs. Twisted Stitches

Whoops! A bunch of stitches just slipped off the end of the needle. You got them back on the needle, but are they twisted now? Here’s how to tell, and a couple of ways of correcting the twisted stitches.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The super big sample I’m using is knit with roving. Similar products can be found here.

The size US 35/19mm needles I’m using are Chiaogoo wood needles.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Zasio Sweater Coat, pattern + video tutorial.

The sweater I’m wearing is the Featherweight Cardigan.
I knit mine using Malabrigo Lace.

The nail color I’m wearing is by Essie, color “Go Overboard”.

The animation at the very end of the video is by TJ Morris of Toonicatures.

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Downton Hat Tutorial

This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.

Many thanks to Annie of knitsofacto.blogspot.com for allowing us to do a tutorial on this pattern! Be sure to check out Annie’s other designs.

Differences between the written pattern and the video tutorial: Summary – The pattern has you purling the brim and knitting the hat inside-out, the tutorial has you knitting the brim and working the hat right-side-out. The double moss stitch is worked the same in both methods. Details: In the section of the pattern titled “Sides, knitted in the round”, the pattern tells you to pick up and purl. In the tutorial, I show you how to work this by picking up and knitting. Also, in the section titled “Brim, knitted in the round”, the pattern tells you to purl two rounds and continue purling for 30 (or more) rounds. In the tutorial, I show how to work these knitted.

Links to things you’ll see in the video:
The sweater I’m wearing is Harvest Moon, knit with Berroco Blackstone Tweed in color “Wintry Mix”.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

The yarn I used in my finished cap (it’s dark, but it’s an eggplant purple top with a black brim) is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, in colors Eggplant and Pitch Black.

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

The green row counter I use can be found here.

The bulky red yarn I used in the sample is Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick.

The orange and green bulky yarns I used is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

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Giveaway! Knitter’s Pride Comby Interchangeable Sampler Set

This needle sampler set is a great way to try out three different needle types before you invest in an entire interchangeable set.

Note – feel free to comment here, but to enter the contest, you must comment ON THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE. Thanks!

Please watch the entire video for instructions on how to enter the giveaway. This contest is open to international viewers (customs charges may apply outside the US). The contest is open until April 10, 2013; and the winner will be announced in video on April 11, 2013.

In the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride retailer here.
Outside the US and Canada, you can find a Knitter’s Pride (Knit Pro) retailer here.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Zasio Sweater Coat, pattern + video tutorial.

The sweater I’m wearing is the Featherweight Cardigan.
I knit mine using Malabrigo Lace.

The nail color I’m wearing is by Essie, color “Go Overboard”.

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Crochet for Knitters – Simple Crocheted Flower

Here’s one way I like to use crochet for maximum “bang for the buck” in my knits.

Written instructions for working the crocheted flower:
CH 4, SL into first chain, making a ring.
CH 2, 10 DC into center of ring. Close the ring by SL into the 2nd chain you made at the beginning of this round.
(Change color here, if you like.)
Pull up a loop in new color.
*SL into next stitch, CH2.
4 DC into next stitch, CH 2.*
Repeat between the *s for 5 petals total.
Finish by SL into 1st SL of the round. Break yarn, weave in ends (or just tie them off and cut them, since it is unlikely that the back of the flower will show.)

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The bulky yarn I’m using to demonstrate is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The yarn I used in the small flower samples:
Smaller flower: Madeline Tosh DK.
Larger flower: Berroco Vintage.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Zasio Sweater Coat, pattern + video tutorial.

The sweater I’m wearing is the Featherweight Cardigan.
I knit mine using Malabrigo Lace.

The nail color I’m wearing is by Essie, color “Go Overboard”.

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Giveaway! “Embrace the Swatch” Knitting Bag and Mug

Note – feel free to comment here, but to enter the contest, you must comment ON THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE. Thanks!

Please watch the entire video for instructions on how to enter the giveaway. This contest is open to international viewers (customs charges may apply outside the US). The contest is open until March 27, 2013; and the winner will be announced in video on March 28, 2013.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

My Zazzle shop with “Embrace the Swatch” tshirts, mugs, and knitting bags can be found here.

The “Embrace the Swatch” logo was designed by TJ Morris of Toonicatures.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Zasio Sweater Coat, pattern + video tutorial.

The sweater I’m wearing is the Featherweight Cardigan.
I knit mine using Malabrigo Lace.

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Reading Your Knitting

Reading is fundamental! Recognizing knit stitches and purl stitches, and learning how to count them makes finding your place much easier.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The super big sample I’m using is knit with roving. Similar products can be found here.

The size US 35/19mm needles I’m using are Chiaogoo wood needles.

The sweater I’m wearing (not my design) is called Harvest Moon.
And I knit it with Berroco Blackstone Tweed in color Wintry Mix.

The sweater on the mannequin is my Women’s Zippered Letterman’s Jacket, pattern + video tutorial.

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