Charm Knit Along & Book Giveaway

The other day I was emailing with my blogger friend Lisette and she mentioned she was planning to kn

Mini-Me Cherry

Some people knit their mom a new hat or scarf for Mother's Day.

Our employee Cherry knit her

Noro Magazine Spring/Summer 2013

The new issue of Noro Magazine is starting to arrive in yarn stores across the USA!

This issue h

Spring Has Sprung?

March 21, 2013 in bag, crochet, Ella Rae, Katia, miscellaneous, Mondial, Noro

Wednesday was, supposedly, first day of Spring. That is hard for me to believe up here in the North East where it has been snowing since Tuesday night.

Despite the lack of visible grass and flowers outside, I’m still finding myself drawn to the new cotton yarns arriving for spring and summer knitting and crocheting.

Maybe if I put down my Ella Rae Classic Wool arm warmers and start working on something in cotton Mother Nature will get the hint?

Another thing turning my thoughts to Spring is that Easter is just over a week away! It seems so early this year, but there is still time to whip out a few hand made projects to include in the Easter Baskets.

Cotton Crocheted egg by Katia.

This adorable striped crocheted egg is a free pattern on the Katia website.

The pattern is in 5 languages. English is the middle one.

Worked in a chunky cotton yarn with an L hook, you should be finished in next to no time.

If you can’t find the Katia yarn called for in the pattern at your local yarn store, ask for the new Ella Rae yarn Melbourne. This chunky 100% Cotton yarn should be a good substitute.

Garter Stitch Bag by Ella Rae using Melbourne.

While you’re checking out the Melbourne yarn, flip through the pattern book of the same name. There are great spring and summer sweater patterns for women and girls, and some charming accessories as well.

This simple garter stitch bag from the Melbourne book would be handy for carrying your finds during the Easter Egg hunt and then continue to be a cute summer purse after all the Peeps have been consumed.

Mondial Cable 5 yarn in color #315

As you know, the size of the stuffed egg can be changed by adjusting the yarn and hook used. For a thinner option consider the new Cable 5 yarn from Mondial.

This fingering weight 100% Pure Egyptian Mako Cotton has approximately 220 yards per 50g ball and is available in 35 colors ranging from neutral through pastel to vibrant primaries!

Between those two yarns you’ll find Ella Rae Phoenix. There are 12 new colors of this classic, worsted weight, 100% Egyptian Cotton yarn.

Coco by Ella Rae using Phoenix yarn.

This soft, crisp yarn is great for garments and accessories for the entire family. This cute cabled sweater is the Coco pattern from Ella Rae book #116.

Designed by Debbie Bliss, both patterns are free on our website.

Getting away from cotton, but keeping with the Easter theme, is the adorable Noro Bunny designed by Debbie Bliss. It is a free pattern on our website. (The bear pattern is here.)

They each require just one skein of Noro Kureyon yarn, but look just as good in Noro Silk Garden.

But you can always think Spring and knit them in cotton instead!

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Debbie Bliss Book Giveaway–Winners!

March 20, 2013 in Debbie Bliss, miscellaneous

The random number generator has spoken!

Ten lucky fans have been selected to each receive a copy of the Debbie Bliss book “Angel”.

Debbie Bliss Angel book

I was able to email most of you, but two of you were logging in with Facebook.

Winners!

Lisa S.

Jeanie

Rhonda

Jackie J.–your mail box is full and bounced back. Please use the “message” button on our Facebook page to contact me!

Galway Shawl

Tammy F.–Please use the “message” button on our Facebook page to contact me!

Brooke

Carol E. G.—Please use the “message” button on our Facebook page to contact me!

Camille M.

Evelyn V.

Watch for an email from me with directions on how to claim your book.

The Book

The Angel Book features 8 lovely patterns using the beautiful Angel yarn, a 76% Super Kid Mohair, 24% Silk. There are 8 new colors this season for a total of 32!

Contrast Edged Sweater

In addition to the original Angel yarn, all the patterns in the book will work with the two Angel variations.

Lacy Tank

First there is Party Angel, a 72% Superkid Mohair, 24% Silk, 4% Metallic Polyester blend. The soft metallic strands are color coordinated (either silver or gold) with the main yarn. There are 8 new colors this season for a total of 18.

Lace Mittens

Next there is the new Angel Print yarn, a 76% SuperKid Mohair 24% Silk blend. Angel Print comes in 12 self-striping colors. It makes even a simple stockinette project look complicated. But you’ll know the secret is in the yarn!

Stay Tuned

You weren’t one of the lucky winners? Cheer up! The boss seems to have spring fever and we’ll be doing another book giveaway on Friday.

Stay tuned! Check back here or like us on Facebook so you see the notice.

Tags: Debbie Bliss
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42nd Street Mitts–Concept

March 16, 2013 in Ella Rae, Inspiration, Mitts

Last weekend was spent visiting family and involved a lot of crisscrossing of the territory from New Jersey to Long Island.

Happily, I wasn’t driving so I got a lot of car knitting done!

On one of our crossings we popped out of the Lincoln Tunnel and ended up on 42nd Street.

On a Saturday evening.

In the middle of a bunch of cars and tourists.

On the bright side (aside from the fact that I wasn’t driving) the heavy traffic gave us plenty of time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and (ahem) smells of The City.

One of the sights that caught my eye was a woman wearing a very cute pair of cream colored arm warmers. The arms was just ribbing, but there was a black snowflake motif at the wrist.

Concept sketch for 42nd Street Mitts

We were moving so slowly that I probably had time to take a picture, but I didn’t think of it.

Heck, we were moving so slowly that I probably had time to jump out of the car, chase her down, take several pictures, and get back to the car before they’d gone to far. But I didn’t because jumping out of the car would have stressed everyone out.

So I just have my memory and imagination to recreate them!

As you can see from my sketch (and my drawing skills leave a lot to be desired!) I’ve probably embellished them a little bit.

Swatching

Since I’m basically designing the arm warmers from scratch, some swatching is in order.

First motif option

After flipping through all my stitch dictionaries, I found the image of a snowflake motif that I liked on page 89 of The Ultimate Knitting Book from Vogue Knitting.

My swatch is quite pleasant, although not quite what I had in mind, and I thought I’d go for it. (I think the snowflake on the lady’s mitts was thinner. More a a line snowflake with dots around it.)

But as I settled down recreate the chart an issue presented itself.

My swatch didn’t look like the knitted sample in the book despite the fact that I’d followed the accompanying chart.

This required two charts.

First I recreated the chart that appears in the book and that matches my swatch.

Then I created a chart based on the knitted sample in the book.

Both motif options

As you can see, the centers are rather different. Both motifs are 15 sts wide, but the first one is 19 rows tall while the second is 15 rows tall.

This discrepancy is going to set my designing back, but that is one of the reasons we swatch.

My next step will be working a swatch of the second motif so I can have a better idea of which one I prefer.

Go For It

In the mean time, this is probably enough information for other experienced knitters to run with the idea. Everyone else will have to wait until I’ve knit at least one mitt so I have good numbers for you!

This is what I have so far:

Materials:

Yarn: Ella Rae Classic Wool (black and white or colors of your selection)

Needles: US7

Gauge: I’m calling it 5.5 sts/inch, but it’s unclear. I worked a 19 stitch swatch and it’s about 3 1/2″ wide.

I’m thinking a motif on both the top and the bottom of the wrist so the yarn travels around the mitt. I’m thinking 40 sts for the motif section.

40 sts at 5.5 sts/inch should give you a 7″ circumference, which will fit my wee wrists.

I’m planning arm warmers, so I want them to reach up my forearm, which would mean casting on 56 sts for a 10″ circumference. Then gradually decreasing down to 40.

Maybe. It’s a work in progress.

Tags: arm warmers, WIPs
1 Comment »

Debbie Bliss Spring 2013 & Giveaway (3/15-3/20)–closed

March 15, 2013 in Debbie Bliss

Debbie Bliss designs classic garments that range from simple to complicated and children to adults.

This gives knitters are wide range of project choices depending on his or her mood.

Her new books for spring and summer continue to delight.

Luxury Silk DK

The new Luxury Silk DK book features 10 patterns for women using the new yarn of the same name.

Luxury Silk DK is a 100% Silk yarn available in 20 coordinating colors that include solid and self-striping.

Celia from Luxury Silk DK book.

Celia is a simple shell with a shallow cowl neck for interest.

I think this would be great as part of a twin set for wearing to the office, but you can also wear it on the weekend.

With the delicious silk yarn I could see this becoming a go-to top through the warm weather.

Lisa cardigan from Luxury Silk DK book.

While Celia is a simple stockinette stitch top, the Lisa cardigan offers the challenge of lace.

See? Simple to complex!

But don’t be intimidated, the lace pattern is regular enough to be memorized after one or two repeats. You’ll be on auto pilot in no time.

This is another great top to wear in your different roles in life.

See more projects from the Luxury Silk DK book here.

Debbie Bliss Magazine Spring/Summer 2013

The Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine is another stellar issue filled with fun projects for women, children and the home.

Sleeveless Dress from Debbie Bliss Magazine Spring/Summer 2013 issue.

This sweet sleeveless dress caught my eye. I love the texture on the bodice!

It is knit using Eco Baby yarn, a 100% Organic Cotton. There are six vibrant new colors this season. You can see all the colors here.

Waistcoast Debbie Bliss Magazine Spring/Summer 2013 issue.

Waistcoat Debbie Bliss Magazine Spring/Summer 2013 issue.

For the young man in your life check out this cute, shawl collar vest. It’s a great way to add warmth (and style) to an outfit without worrying about him getting overheated.

The waistcoat is knit using Rialto 4 ply, a soft 100% ExtraFine Merino Wool yarn. This yarn is a lovely to knit with as it is to wear! There are six new colors of Rialto 4 ply, which you can see here.

You can preview the other projects in this issue of the magazine here.

Angel Prints

Angel Print is a self-striping version of Debbie’s popular Angel yarn. Both yarns are a 76% SuperKid Mohair, 24% Silk blend with approx 220 yards per 25g ball. This makes them interchangeable in the patterns.

Tie Front Bolero from Angel Prints book.

But with stunning colors like this, why would you want to change? Angel Print is available in 12 great colorways.

This simple Tie Front Bolero is taken to a new level by the colors of the yarn. You’ll know it was an easy project that just looks complicated.

You can see more projects using Angel Print yarn here.

Winter Garden

Not ready for warm weather knitting yet?

The cuddly Winter Garden yarn is still gracing store shelves.

This 30% Merino wool, 30% Baby Llama, 20% Linen, 20% Silk blend has a suggested gauge of 2.5 sts per inch on a US13 needle so you could potentially finish a project while it’s still cool enough to wear it. And then you’ll be all set for next winter!

This beautiful Rib Sleeve Dress is just one of the cozy patterns you’ll find in the Winter Garden book.

Blue Faced Leicester

Another great yarn for you cold weather projects is Blue Faced Leicester.

Hand Wraps from Blue Faced Leicester book.

These pretty Hand Wraps take just one ball of this breed specific, 100% Wool yarn. If you’re looking for something you can finish fast, these would be a good selection.

Fingerless mitts are useful all year for keeping typing and texting fingers warm.

With 16 colors from which to choose, you might want to start your gift knitting now.

You can find more great accessories and sweaters in the Blue Faced Leicester book. This beautiful yarn is also used in several patterns in the Fall/Winter 2012 issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine, which you can preview here. Your local yarn store might still have a few copies in stock.

Blue Faced Leicester hat is a free pattern on our website.

Blue Faced Leicester is also great for hats. You’ll have fun mixing and matching the colors in this easy striped hat, which is a free pattern on our website. You can download it here. You can add it to your Ravelry queue here.

This hat is great for a beginner who hasn’t tackled knitting in the round yet because it is worked flat and seamed.

Book Giveaway!

If you are familiar with Debbie Bliss’ body of work you know I have only just scratched the surface.

We want to know what you love about her. Which book is your favorite? Don’t limit yourself to the ones I’ve highlighted, you can see them all here.

Leave a comment on this blog post telling us your favorite Debbie Bliss book (or yarn, or both!). We’ll randomly select 10 comments to each receive a free Debbie Bliss book!

(US Residents only. Void where prohibited.)

Winners will be selected on Wednesday, March 20.

Tags: Debbie Bliss, preview
192 Comments »

Yarn Bobbins and Butterflies

March 14, 2013 in Tips

When knitting or crocheting color work such as intarsia or Fair Isle an issue you’ll quickly encounter is yarn management.

You can, of course, just work off the full balls of yarn. But most people find that method is both heavy and prone to crazy tangling from turning your project.

The solution lies in yarn bobbins and butterflies, which range from gadgets to hand tied. The best solution is the one that works for you!

Bobbins

Traditional plastic yarn bobbins

Bobbins come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The ones pictures above were in a box of tools my mother-in-law gave me after she taught me to knit. This style has been around for a while, as evidenced by the fact that I think these belonged to her mother originally.

As you can see, it’s a simple matter of wrapping a length of yarn around the bobbin. You feed the working yarn from the slotted end, which also keeps it from unraveling too quickly.

Some people don’t like this style of bobbin because the hard plastic corners can get locked together if they bump into each other.

An answer to that issue is the “E-Z Bob” style of bobbin. You can see a picture of them on this website. This style of bobbin is doughnut shaped. One side is usually flat, while the other is domed. You pop the dome open, wrap the yarn around the inner core, and pop it shut again.

Because of the rounded sides this type of bobbin is less likely to get locked together. The yarn also feed from anywhere along the side, which some people prefer.

Butterflies

Hand tied yarn butterfly

A gadget free solution is to hand tie a yarn butterfly.

This is a simple matter of wrapping the yarn in a figure 8 around two fingers (usually the thumb and pinky or index and pinky).
It can be a little hard to explain in text, so I made a little video demonstrating it.

In text, you’ll lay the yarn tail between your thumb and index finger toward the back of your hand. This keeps it accessible for latter. Then take the working yarn and wrap it in a figure 8 from one finger to the other. After you’ve made an adequate sized bundle take the tail and wrap it around the crossing point, then tuck it under the wrap.

The working yarn should feed smoothly from the butterfly as you knit or crochet.

The advantage of hand tied butterflies is, well, you don’t have to get up to find your bobbins, and they don’t add extra weight to your project.

Depending on the size of the butterfly I do find that I have to retie them occasionally.

Another option is to just let the yarn hang free! Depending on how many colors you are using, and how many yards you are trailing, some people don’t secure them at all.

I’ve heard this method is easy to untangle since there are no bobbins or butterflies at the end of the yarn to get tangled up.

Number and Size

The number of yarn bobbins you’ll need depends on how many colors with which you’re knitting or crocheting. Obviously, you’ll need one for each color.

If you’re working intarsia you’ll need a bobbin or butterfly for each color section, which means you might have two different butterflies for a single color.

Yeah, argyle!

For instance, for my Chadwick Argyle Cowl I had four red butterflies, two white butterflies, and a single black butterfly. (You can get the pattern here.)

How big to make your butterflies or bobbins is, to a degree, a matter of preference. You’ll want to include enough yardage to get a good amount of knitting or crocheting done, but not so much they become unwieldy. You’ll also want to consider how many ends you’ll have to weave in when the project is finished–the smaller your bobbins the more ends you’ll be weaving in.

As with so much in knitting and crocheting, you’ll get a better feel for it as you apply the technique!

On a random note, and I don’t remember how I found this, but this Jute Bundle with Wall Mount looks like it would be a very amusing way to manage your yarn. Of course then you’d have to have a dedicated place to sit and knit/crochet that project, but it still makes me giggle.

Which do you prefer? Plastic bobbins or hand tied butterflies? Share you’re tips for managing your yarn.

Tags: tips
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Chadwick Argyle Cowl

March 5, 2013 in Cowls, Free, Juniper Moon Farm Yarns

Over the holidays Hubby and I went to the Stars on Ice show with his parents.

It’s so exciting to see those world-class athletes gliding so effortlessly across the ice. Of course, I live to see the jumps!

The costumes for the opening sequence were graphic black and white designs with a splash of red here and there–one skater had red hat, another red gloves. As mesmerized as I was by the routine, another part of my brain was trying to figure out how to reinterpret those costumes in knitting.

Stripes seemed too easy (although some of the costumes were striped!).

Then I realized argyle was the way to go. I could use black and white for the main colors and red as the accent diagonal color.

You can wear it standing up if it’s cold out.

The next decision was the yarn, and what better option than the beautiful Juniper Moon Farm Chadwick? As a 60% Merino Wool, 40% Baby Alpaca it both soft and warm.

Susan Gibbs selected colors that would stand alone or be good for mixing and matching in color work projects, so there are a multitude of combinations you can try.

While the costumes during Stars on Ice were crisp and bold black, white, and scarlet, I decided to tone my colors down for what, to my mind, is a more sophisticated look. I used Black Magic, Dawn, and Syrah.

It’s soft enough to scrunch down, too.

I knit my cowl with 5 diamonds, for a finished circumference of 25″. It took just under half of each ball of yarn. I’m fairly certain a second cowl, especially one of just 4 diamonds, would be possible from the remaining yarn.

Or you could make a striped hat. Get creative.

Yeah, argyle!

You can download the pattern for the Chadwick Argyle Cowl here.

You can add the pattern to your Ravelry queue here.

Stay tuned later this week for future posts with tips on knitting intarsia.

Tags: argyle, cowls, free pattern
1 Comment »

Yelcho Scarf

March 4, 2013 in Araucania, crochet, Free, Scarves

Last week a friend asked if I would knit her a scarf.

I had just finished my Loreto cowl and hadn’t settled on my next project yet, so I said sure.

She wanted the colors purple and teal. After rummaging around a bit I gave her a few options and she selected a lovely shade of Araucania Yelcho yarn in color #1807, which includes both colors.

That was lucky because it meant I wouldn’t have to worry about making stripes. I could just happily knit away.

Doesn’t that look squishy?

Yelcho is a 60% Wool, 20% Kid Mohair, 10% Silk, 10% Nylon blend so it is warm, soft, and crunchy all at the same time. There are a lot of fun textures going on with this yarn!

Each hank has 275 yards per 100g so I knew I’d only need one or two to make a good size scarf.

Yelcho Ribbed Scarf “pattern”

The finished scarf is 108″ long and I’m only 5′ tall!

It’s a knit two, purl two scar, so I can hardly call it a pattern, but here goes.

Size: 5″ wide x 108″ long

Materials: Araucania Yelcho yarn, 2 hanks.

Needles: US 9 or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 30 sts = 4″ in K2, P2 rib, relaxed. 21 rows=4″

Pattern:

Cast on 36 sts

Work in Knit 2, Purl 2 rib until you run out of yarn or can’t stand it any more.

Bind off. Weave in ends.

One skein would make a good cowl.

After one hank the scarf was about 50″ long. That was a bit short for a scarf if you want to wrap it, in my opinion, so I added the second hank. Of course, you can always use one hank, sew the ends together, and call it a cowl.

It’s long enough to wear different ways.

I didn’t add fringe because my friend isn’t fringe type. If you want fringe I suggest you cut them before you get started. Then you can happily knit the scarf until you run out of yarn without worrying about leaving enough for the fringe.

Other Project Ideas

Wrap and snood from Jenny Watson Fall 2011 book.

For a more challenging scarf pattern, check out the lace scarf and snood by Jenny Watson in the Fall 2011 Araucania book.

This book also includes a really nice cardigan using Yelcho yarn along with great projects using Budi yarn and Rinihue yarn.

Yelcho also looks great when crocheted.

This stunning crocheted dress pattern is free on our website.

This stunning crocheted dress is a free pattern on our website. A cabled edging and shell stitch bands make this dress a stand out. It is worked flat and seamed, which helps add stability.

You can add the dress to your Ravelry queue here.

It took me just over a week to knit the scarf for my friend. If you start now, you’ll be able to get a lot of wear out of it before the spring!

Tags: scarf
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On and Off the Needles: Indulgence Beanie

March 2, 2013 in Free, Hats, Knitting Fever Inc

Just because a yarn is called “sock yarn” doesn’t mean you have to restrict yourself to knitting socks with it.

Did you already know that or is it a light bulb statement?

So called sock yarn can be used to knit shawls, scarves, hats, gloves and mittens, and even sweaters.

The two things to remember about sock yarn is that it will usually be a fingering weight (so it will fit in your shoes nicely) and it usually has a touch of nylon included for durability. (Think of the friction of rubbing against the back of your heel as you walk.)

Not all sock yarns need to be knit on itty bitty needles at a fine gauge. Our Indulgence 6 Ply yarn, for instance, has a suggested gauge of 21 sts to 4″ (5.25 sts/1″) on needles ranging from a US 3 to US 6. It is a 75% Extrafine Merino Wool, 25% Polyamide blend.

That is considered more of a sport weight gauge and is much more reasonable for projects beyond socks.

Indulgence also comes in some awesome self-patterning colors.

Socks and photo by Wool Becomes Ewe.

These happy lime/blue/purple socks are being knit by Wool Becomes Ewe, a local yarn store in Virginia. (There is a sock pattern on the Indulgence ball band.)

That picture, combined with this one from Metaphor Yarns, a local yarn store in Massachusetts, reminded me that I was hording some Indulgence of my own.

Photo by Metaphor Yarns

Aren’t those colors luscious?

I’ve made myself socks using the color at the top right. And I used the color in the middle to make socks for my brother.

The one in the bottom right is the one that caught my eye this week.

Hello, handsome.

I don’t know about you, but a lot of my younger relatives are suddenly having babies. There are three new babies in the past four months and another one due in April!

It occurred to me that since Indulgence is silky soft AND machine washable it would be great for baby garments.

I settled on the Amity Print Beanie pattern from Ella Rae, which is free on our website (look for the “download pattern” link under the big picture on the left), and got to knitting. I cast on Wednesday evening and finished it up Friday night.

No baby handy, so my hand had to model.

How adorable is this hat?!

The colors came up so nicely and it’s such a clean, simple design that I want to make one for myself.

Considering it didn’t take much yarn at all, there is probably enough left in the ball for me to do that. Each ball is 426 yards, after all. In fact, based on past experience, and my little feet, I’m pretty sure there is enough yarn left for me to make myself a pair of socks, because I just love this color.

I like the gathered effect on the top.

Now, I did make some modifications to the pattern.

First off, the pattern is written to be worked flat and seamed. I don’t have the patience for that so I just followed the stitch count, but worked it in the round. Of course, when you get to the crown shaping you have to change the purls to knits in that case.

Second, I dropped the top knot.

Third, and this is probably a big one, in the fine knitting tradition of “It will fit someone” I didn’t bother trying to get gauge. I used US6 needles and got 6 sts per inch, which is nowhere near the 4.5 sts/inch called for in the pattern. But, for a baby hat, I think it will be just fine.

When you are weaving in your ends remember that because of the rolled brim you should weave the cast on tail onto the “public” side of the work. If you weave it to the “private” side the end might show when the brim rolls up.

With so much yarn still available I’m debating making little socks to match.

Or maybe fingerless mitts for myself!

Tags: baby, hats
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Off the Needles: Loreto Cowl

February 26, 2013 in Cowls, Mirasol

I finished knitting the cabled Loreto Cowl from Mirasol book #23!

I used the Kutama yarn called for in the pattern. Kutama is a Quechua name meaning “woollen blanket.” That is appropriate for a yarn that is 50% Alpaca, 50% Highland Wool.

This yarn is warm and springy, making it lovely to knit with and wear.

Cream section of my Loreto cowl

The cowl in the pattern book is shown in blue. I know some people have trouble visualizing a project in a different color once the see the sample in the book, so I made mine using three colors to give you an idea of how it will look.

Light grey section of my Loreto cowl (Can you see the mistake under my nose?)

This was a fun knit. Despite the complicated looking cables, it moves along quickly once you get going. After you work the eight row repeat once it is easy to see the pattern developing because it is so regular.

Dark Grey section of my Loreto cowl

With a little focus you could probably finish this cowl in a week or so. Plenty of time to wear it before spring!

There are a lot of great patterns in the book.

The Tacna pullover uses the same cable as the Loreto pullover.

If you adore the lattice cable used in the Loreto Cowl then you’ll probably love the Tacna pullover. Isn’t it beautiful? You can make the Loreto Cowl to become familiar with the pattern before starting the sweater.

If you aren’t ready to tackle a sweater, there is a lovely pair of fingerless mitts in the book as well.

Fingerless mitts are a fast and fun project.

Don’t Fear Cables

Many knitters are scared to work cables because they look so complicated and mysterious.

However, there is no reason to worry. Cables are just stitches worked out of order.

Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? You have to pull out a few rows and try again. We’ve all done that and we know yarn can be very forgiving.

Since you are working stitches out of order you need a way to get around the stitches you are temporarily skipping.

That is where a cable needle comes in.

Use the cable needle to move the stitches out of your way.

When you are ready to work a cable you slip the assigned stitches to the cable needle purlwise without working them. (By “purlwise” I, of course, mean to go into the stitch as though you were going to purl it. This helps prevent it from getting twisted.)

Then you push them to either the front or back, as the pattern directs. Work the required number of stitches on the left hand needle, then work the stitches on the cable needle.

See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?

In the picture I’m about to work a back cable, which in the pattern is written C4B. That means to work a back twist cable over the next 4 sts.

When you see a cable notation in a pattern the number will indicate the total number of stitches involved in the cable, but you’ll cut it in half. So a C4B is over 4 sts, but you’ll deal with them 2 at a time. Move 2 to the cable needle, work 2 off the left needle, work the two on the cable needle.

This holds true for however big or small that number is. A C10B would be managed 5 sts at a time. See the pattern?

The Loreto cowl also involves twists. In this pattern the difference between a cable and a twist is that the twist involves purl stitch as well as knit stitches. But they are worked just the same as a cable. You move stitches out of the way and work them later. You might just be purling two of them instead of knitting all four.

The abbreviation key in the book explains how to work the various cables and twists used.

Many people prefer not to use a cable needle, but I’m not that brave. They say it is faster because you aren’t fiddling with a third needle. You should try it for yourself and see which method you prefer. If you do an internet search on “knitting cable without cable needle” you’ll find many videos and blog posts about this alternate method.

But it might be easier to get a lesson at your local yarn store since you’ll have someone available to answer questions.

Tags: cables, cowls
5 Comments »

Go Sail Away

February 24, 2013 in miscellaneous

We don’t think knitting, crocheting, and adventure are mutually exclusive.

If Dr. Seuss’ book “Green Eggs and Ham” was about knitting and crocheting the answer to all the questions would be a resounding “Yes!” from the first page.

We advocate knitting or crocheting anytime and anywhere, as long as you won’t be putting yourself or others in danger.

This point of view makes us think it’s pretty cool that Mim Bird at Over the Rainbow Yarn, a local yarn store in Maine, has organized a yarn lovers cruise with Maine Windjammer J&E Rigging.

Schooner J&E Riggin under sail by Elizabeth Poisson
Photo from Maine Windjammer

It’s a 4 day, 4 night cruise from May 29 to June 1. You can see more details about it here.

In addition to doing fun sailor type stuff (and apparently eating really yummy food), you’ll get to increase your knitting and crocheting knowledge.

Knitters knitting away on the J&E Riggin
Photo from Maine Windjammer

While on board, Mim will teach a class called “Gilding the Lily: Embellishments for your Knits.” The tour description says it “will cover crocheted edgings, needle felted additions, beading, embroidery, smocking, knitted or crocheted dimensional additions, etc.”

Fresh air, sunshine, and yarn? That sounds like a pretty excellent combination to us.

We think the trip is so cool that we’re supplying goody bags for Mim’s guests. I can’t tell you what’s in them because that would ruin the surprise for the sailors!

Space it limited on the cruise, so if you’re planning your spring vacation you’ll want to sign up sooner rather than later.

Get more info from Over the Rainbow Yarn’s Facebook event here or the Main Windjammer website.

One last picture because I think it’s cool.

Daisy Chain photo by Frank M. Chillemi.
Photo from Maine Windjammer

Tags: adventure, LYS
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