by

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”.

by

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”.

,
by

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.

by

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.

, ,
by

Crochet for Knitters – Rugged Ripples Blanket

Get your free copy of the pattern HERE.

Many thanks to Stephanie Gage of Spinning Colors for allowing us to use her pattern in this tutorial. Be sure to visit her shop, Spinning Colors, where she sells hand-crafted yarns.
She also has other patterns on Ravelry.

Info on things you’ll see in this video:

The yarn I used in my blue blanket is Berroco Vintage.
The finished size of my blanket is 40″ x 58″ and I used 9 100 gram hanks of Berroco Vintage, three hanks of each color.

The yarn I used in the bulky sample where I’m demonstrating is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The scarf I’m wearing is the Clapotis.
Knit with Noro Silk Garden in colorway #87.

The scarf on the mannequin is Cozy.
Knit in Lana Grossa Cool Wool Merino.

The red nail polish I’m wearing is OPI, in color Chick Flick Cherry. The polish on my sparkly accent nail is OPI, in color The Living Daylights.

, , ,
by

Crochet for Knitters – Spiked Edging

One of my favorite ways to work crochet into your knitting is with crocheted edgings. Here I show you how to work a spiked edge.

Crochet instructions for the spiked edging:
This edging looks best if you do it in a contrasting color. *Single crochet into 2 stitches, then make a “spike” by inserting your hook into the stitch below (or lower). Grab the yarn and pull up 1 loop, grab the yarn again and pull through two remaining loops. Skip next stitch. Repeat from *.

Knitting instructions for the long moss stitch:
CO an even number of stitches.
Row 1 (WS): *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Row 2: *P1, K1*, repeat to end of row
Row 3: *P1, K1*, repeat to end of row
Row 4: *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Row 5: *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Repeat Rows 2-4 to desired length. BO in pattern on RS of work.

Info on things you’ll see in this video:

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

The yarn I used in the bulky sample where I’m demonstrating the stitch is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The scarf I’m wearing is the Clapotis.
Knit with Noro Silk Garden in colorway #87.

The scarf on the mannequin is Cozy.
Knit in Lana Grossa Cool Wool Merino.

The red nail polish I’m wearing is OPI, in color Chick Flick Cherry. The polish on my sparkly accent nail is OPI, in color The Living Daylights.

,
by

Crochet for Knitters – Picot Edging

One of my favorite ways to work crochet into your knitting is with crocheted edgings. Here I show you how to work a simple picot edging.

Crochet instructions for the picot edging:
Single crochet into 2 stitches, chain 3 (or 5). Insert your hook into the left leg
of the first chain. Grab the yarn and pull up one loop. (Two loops on hook). Grab the
yarn again and pull through both loops on hook to close with a single crochet. Skip
next stitch, and repeat from beginning.

Knitting instructions for the long moss stitch:
CO an even number of stitches.
Row 1 (WS): *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Row 2: *P1, K1*, repeat to end of row
Row 3: *P1, K1*, repeat to end of row
Row 4: *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Row 5: *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Repeat Rows 2-4 to desired length. BO in pattern on RS of work.

Info on things you’ll see in this video:

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

The yarn I used in the bulky sample where I’m demonstrating the stitch is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The scarf I’m wearing is the Clapotis.
Knit with Noro Silk Garden in colorway #87.

The scarf on the mannequin is Cozy.
Knit in Lana Grossa Cool Wool Merino.

The red nail polish I’m wearing is OPI, in color Chick Flick Cherry. The polish on my sparkly accent nail is OPI, in color The Living Daylights.

,
by

Crochet for Knitters – Scalloped Edge

One of my favorite ways to work crochet into your knitting is with crocheted edgings. Here I show you how to work a simple scalloped edge.

Crochet instructions for the scalloped edge:
Single crochet into 1 stitch, *skip 2 stitches, 5 double crochets into next stitch, skip next 2 stitches, single crochet into next stitch, repeat from *. End by working a slip stitch into first single crochet. Note — at the corners of a square, work your count so that you work the double crochet stitches in the corner. I found that working 8 single crochets (instead of 5) made a nice corner.

Knitting instructions for the long moss stitch:
CO an even number of stitches.
Row 1 (WS): *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Row 2: *P1, K1*, repeat to end of row
Row 3: *P1, K1*, repeat to end of row
Row 4: *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Row 5: *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row
Repeat Rows 2-5 to desired length. BO in pattern on RS of work.

Info on things you’ll see in this video:

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

The yarn I used in the bulky sample where I’m demonstrating the stitch is Berroco Peruvia Quick.

The scarf I’m wearing is the Clapotis.
Knit with Noro Silk Garden in colorway #87.

The scarf on the mannequin is Cozy.
Knit in Lana Grossa Cool Wool Merino.

The red nail polish I’m wearing is OPI, in color Chick Flick Cherry. The polish on my sparkly accent nail is OPI, in color The Living Daylights.

,
by

Crochet for Knitters – Half-Double Crochet Stitch

Half-way in height between a single crochet and a double crochet stitch, we have the half-double stitch. A pretty, compact stitch that looks like it’s made of little fans.

Information on things you’ll see in this video:

The sweater on the mannequin is the Saroyan Scarf, designed by Liz Abinante. Free pattern and video tutorial.

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

The yarn I’m using for demonstration is Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick, and the size N metal crochet hook is Susan Bates.

,