Fixing a tight cast-on (by Ina Gilmore)

For the longest time, I had trouble knitting socks.  I’d cast on and the cast-on row was much tighter than the rest of the leg. Which meant I either had socks that fit in the leg and were too tight at the top cuff or the top fit and the rest of the leg was too loose.  Nothing worked.  That is until I knit my first pair of toe-up socks and discovered this elastic bind-off.  It was perfect! The leg fit me right and the bind-off was elastic enough. So of course I thought I’d just have to get used to knitting toe-up socks.

Almost immediately I found a traditional cuff down sock I really wanted to try. One I really needed to knit following the pattern before I tried it toe-up.  I searched and could not find a cast-on that was elastic enough. In frustration, I put the pattern aside and started another project.  A scarf. One with a lace pattern knit starting in the center, with a provisional cast-on and that’s when I had my “A-ha!” moment.

A provisional cast-on enabled me to knit the sock from the cuff down, remove the provisional row picking up the “live stitches” and use the elastic bind-off.  It worked! And quickly became my favorite cast-on for traditional socks.

Provisional cast-ons are used for a variety of projects including:

• A toe-up sock cast-on.
• Knitting from the middle out to the ends. This works especially well with a one-way design such as a cable or some lace patterns as in the scarf I knit. It also works well for patterns closed at both ends, such as knitting a ball.
• If you start a project but want to decided how the end will look later. One example is knitting a pair of socks, but you’re not sure how you want the cuffs to look. Knit the socks, and decide at the end.
• If you’re not sure you have enough yarn for a project. If you start a pair of socks above the ankle and knit the feet, you can then go back and knit the legs deciding on length. Or even changing to another yarn at the same place.

Wondering how to cast-on provisionally? This video shows you three techniques.  They all work and help you knit happy!

Building a stash of handmade gifts – Nine knitting patterns to use again and again (by Robyne Devine)

Almost every knitter I know loves to gift handmade presents for birthdays and holidays, but we also all find ourselves remembering this at the very last minute. While a plethora of “last minute knit” patterns exist, I’ve taken to keeping a list of “go to” patterns that I whip through whenever I have some spare knitting time. I store all these finished knits in a drawer of my yarn dresser (where I store my yarn stash), so that when a birthday, holiday, or celebration sneaks up on me I’ve got something waiting in the wings!

Babies – Everyone knows someone who is having a baby, and most new parents love the gift of handmade items. I love to give smaller gifts – hats, sweaters, and booties – that can grow at least a little bit with the babe.

1. My go-to hat pattern: Cabled Hat (http://heyjulie.wordpress.com/2006/08/18/cabled-baby-hats/). This hat looks great made in any color, and stretches unbelievably – I’ve known babes to wear it for their first six months!
2. My go-to sweater pattern: 5 hour baby boy sweater (http://gailbable.tripod.com/id41.html ). It looks good on both boys and girls, and most babes can wear it for up to four months if you make it long enough (the sleeves can be rolled up for the first month or two).
3. My go-to sleep sack pattern: Snug As A Bug sleepsack (my own pattern – http://robyndevine.blogspot.com/2010/05/snug-as-bug-sleepsack-free-pattern.html ). I can whip one of these up in three days flat, and for babes born in colder months, this can be a god-send!

Men – Men can be a bit harder to knit for. They look for utility above all, I’ve learned, which means neutral colors and design, less flourish and pattern drama but more classic lines and design. A good go-to pattern for men has to be something you’d give to your father, your husband, and your son.

1. My go-to gloves pattern: Cigar mitts (http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/PATTcigar.html ). I make the pattern either with all fingers fully completed or with all fingers left open, and always in black, grey, navy or brown – and always in Patons wool. They stand up to anything, are great for working outside or on home improvements, and are classic enough for any man to love.
2. My go-to hat pattern: Vancouver (my own pattern – http://robyndevine.blogspot.com/2010/05/vancouver-hat-free-pattern.html). This hat is another fast and classic knit. It’s simplicity hides the fact that any man on your gift list will love it and wear it out – ask my father-in-law!

Women – The women in your life will end up being the hardest to knit for. Every woman I know has a different style, favorite colors, and fabric loves. None the less, I keep a few patterns on-hand for last-minute gifts – I’ve found these classics will make almost any woman happy!

1. My go-to scarf pattern: The Star Scarf pattern (http://crafthope.com/2010/01/project-6-orphan-foundation/ ) from Vickie Howell (made for Craft Hope) became an instant classic for me. Simple enough to memorize quickly, this is a great traveling project, and can be worked into a skinny scarf or a more substantial shawl. Again, the yarn makes the style for this beauty – knit in a neutral the scarf becomes perfect for anyone on your list, but by adding a fun color to the pattern you’ve got an instant favorite for those looking for an up-to-the-moment accessory.
2. My go-to hat patterns: Any hat by Jane Richmond (http://www.janerichmond.etsy.com/ ) is a winner in my book! Every woman I’ve made one of Jane’s hats for, from friends to family members and spanning generations, has loved her hat to death! They can be made slouchier or snug, and are classic enough that by simply changing up the color of your yarn, you end up with a hat that is traditional to funky and fresh!

Kids – If you thought knitting for the women in your life could be difficult, try knitting for the kids you know! From the minute they become mobile, kids start expressing their likes and dislikes, and that definitely includes knit-wear! I’ve found that sticking with simple items, knit with super soft and WASHABLE fabrics increases the chances the kids in your life will love what you knit for them.

1. My go-to hat pattern: Baby Beanie by Ulli Shibuya (free Ravelry download). The pattern calls for fingering weight, so by sizing up to sport weight or even worsted weight, you end up with a hat to fit any kid from a toddler to a teen. Leave off the tab at the top for older kids, and this hat is sure to be worn by girls and boys alike.
2. My go-to sweater pattern: Drive Thru, by Knit and Tonic. You can work this sweater into a cardigan (my preferred method) or a pull-over, and it can be made solid or with any variety of patterns to suit any boy or girl. I’ve made these for my nieces this year, and they fell in love instantly!

And if you’ve got a little extra time on your hands, my go-to blanket pattern is the Project Linus blanket from Knitting For Peace. This blanket works up great in any color, and can be adjusted for smaller or larger blankets. We’ve got a few in our home, even!

Beautiful Basketweave (by Aubrey Mayes)

One of my favorite stitch combos is the Basket-weave Stitch. I couldn’t believe that something so pretty was SO simple! The Basket-weave Stitch is a great stitch to add a little extra flair to some of the more commonly knit objects, like scarves, and adds great texture without adding extra thickness.

All there is to the Basket-weave is switching between Garter Stitch and Stockinette Stitch.

To start the Basket-weave, you’ll want to Cast On in a multiple of 8 stitches (I suggest against a variegated yarn, as it can look a bit too busy. Some variegated yarns that are different shades and values of a single color can work, but you have to be careful.).

Row 1: Knit all stitches.

Row 2: Knit 4, Purl 4, Repeat until end of row.

Row 3: Knit all stitches.

Rows 5 and 7: repeat row 2

Rows 4, 6, and 8: knit all stitches.

Row 9: Purl 4, Knit 4 Repeat until end of row.

Row 10: Knit all stitches.

Rows 11, 13, and 15: Repeat row 9.

Rows 12, 14: Knit all stitches.

Row 16: Repeat Row 2.

Continue the repetition until your project is complete! Yes- it is that easy!

 

 

Hosting a Knitting Party (by Aubrey Mayes)

One of the best ways to socialize with fellow crafters is to host a knitting party (or a crochet party- we’re not prejudiced!). So go ahead- invite your stitch-y friends and eat, stitch, and be merry!

“So what’s the difference between a knitting meeting and a knitting party?”

At a knitting meeting, your group is usually meeting at a public place at a set time and date. The menu is limited to what the venue offers, and there’s often a lot of other noise at the venue, which can break both concentration and conversation. On the other hand, a knitting party is a special time in between meetings that can liven up your stitching routine in addition to your social routine. You can get together and enjoy some great food and drink, conversation, and get some extra stitching in.

Step One- Choose a Theme

The first step to good entertaining is always to pick a theme. Sure, we know its a knitting party, but are we talking about brunch, dinner, or even cocktails? Indoors or outdoors? Is this a Christmas party, a Tim Burton marathon party, or a tiki party? Once you have the theme, its smooth sailing!

Step Two- Pick a Date/Time and Send Out Invitations

When deciding on the date, you’ll want to pick a date and time that will be fairly convenient for your guests. If there are a lot of parents in the group, you’ll want to make sure its not close to graduations, soccer games, or award ceremonies. (Try to avoid the last week of May and the first week of June, and try to pick a time after 6 pm on weekdays. Mornings will be best for weekends and stay at home moms.) The best times for weeknights will be after the average time people get off work, and mornings or evenings on weekends (Most errands are done in the afternoon). After the date and time are selected, send out invitations. You can buy them pre-made, or if you have scrapbook supplies handy,  you can make them. Include date, time, location, theme, and RSVP. Slipping in the theme is as easy as picking up invitations with a coordinating motif. For instance, for a beach themed party, you could pick up invitations with seashells. Feel free to use yarn as an accent on the invitation to give it a stitch-ier look!

Step Three- Menu!

To create your party’s menu, you’ll want to take several factors into consideration. These factors are time, season, theme, and guests. Time will dictate the type of meal. For instance, a party that starts around noon would make a fabulous brunch, 2 or 3 would be good for cookouts, 5 or later would be best for dinner, and 7 or later for cocktails. You’ll want to make sure to use foods that are of good quality and in season, since those will taste the best and will give you more bang for your buck. When it comes to theme, you can find recipes for any occasion- Harry Potter themed recipes, beach themed recipes- you name it they make it. Possibly the most important factor to consider is your guest list. You’ll want to make see if any of your guests are dieting, diabetic, vegetarian/vegan, or have allergies, and you’ll want to make sure there are alternatives for any guests with any dietary needs. Also, be sure to pick desserts and finger foods that won’t bother anyone’s knitting!

Step Four- Decor

When it comes to decor, you have to be careful. Make sure it looks appropriate for the theme, but be careful not to go over the top, especially when it comes to table setting if your guests will be stitching at the table. Its best to have a dining area separate from the seating area if the party is taking place indoors. But similar to the invitations, if you can dream the theme, there’s an infinite amount of decorations that you can purchase and make.

Step Five- Party Time!

Now that the party’s all planned, its time to put your plans to good use and have fun with it! Be sure to have food prepared when your guests arrive (unless its a barbecue or similar type of party), and whatever you do, don’t stress yourself out! The most important part is to enjoy all your hard work and the company of your knitty friends!!

 

Here are some great resources:

Williams – Sonoma: Essentials of Breakfast and Brunch

Ruth Lively: Cooking From the Garden

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/  (for Harry Potter themed parties)

http://allrecipes.com/Default.aspx

Be sure to (thegypsy@naughtyknitterz.com) if you have any quesitons!

Red Heart’s Eco-Ways Recycled Blend (by Jenifer Rank)

 

Red Heart’s Eco Ways Recycled Blend Yarn Review

 

• 70% acrylic, 30% recycled polyester
• 186 yards, 113 grams
• Machine wash warm – gentle cycle, tumble dry low

Because I make so many things for kids, and living in the Northwest…well, if you don’t use something with some form of recycled fibers people look at you like you have three heads. I saw this yarn on one of my trips to the craft shop for Fiber-fill.  The Eco-Ways blend was on sale and I thought, hey I’ll give it a shot.

Overall, not too bad!  While it does have a slightly “acrylic feel” to it while knitting, it doesn’t “squeak” or have a rough finish to it when the project is completed.   I used this for two different projects (for a child’s ball and on a preschooler’s backpack) and am currently using it on a third project.  The yarn is durable and holds up well under washing and drying.

I would recommend this for smaller projects or projects specifically for children – simply because you can toss it in the washing machine without worrying about what will happen to the piece.  While the pattern given on the wrapper lists an afghan, I think this yarn might have too rough of a feel upon the completion of that project. 

Definite bonuses: inexpensive (around $3), easy to care for, usually on sale!  Unfortunately, the colors I’ve seen in the stores are all pretty neutral.  The bright colors are only to be found on-line. 

I found a really good selection at the JoAnn Fabric and Crafts website: www.joann.com

Five tricks to using DPNs without pain (by Robyn Devine)

Picking up your first pair of double-pointed needles can be both incredibly scary and supremely exhilarating. To make something using them instantly makes one feel like an expert knitter but to charge forward and use them takes a fair amount of “yarn balls”!

While it can seem overwhelming – why did five of them come in the pack, how do I go from one to the other? – mastering them is much easier than you may think. All you need are a few helpful hints to get you pointed (HAH!) in the right direction. Here are five tips I’ve picked up along the path to mastering my DPNs.

Trick #1 – Be sure your stitches aren’t twisted before you join for working in the round! This same advice goes for knitting with circular needles – by twisting the stitches around the needles, you end up knitting a Mobius at best, and a hot mess at worst. Take a few extra minutes to be sure your stitches are situated properly before you begin, and you’ll have much fewer headaches as you knit along.

Trick #2 – To prevent the “jog” that happens when switching between needles, move your stitches from one needle to the other. Most first-time users of double-pointed needles will comment on looser stitches at the change point between their needles. To prevent this, simply knit the first stitch off each needle onto the last needle, rather than onto your new needle.

Trick #3 – Use three different colored needles so you always know where you’re at in your round (ex: red, then yellow, then blue, done. Yellow, then blue, then red, done!) One of the biggest mistakes I made when learning to use DPNs was losing track of which round I was on. By using different colored needles, I was able to track where I was at in the process and keep my rounds straight!

Trick #4 – When decreasing for a hat, the space between needles can count as a stitch marker! This equates to less stitch markers used, and an obvious point for decreases!

Trick #5 – If you have trouble joining for working in the round, cast on with two sizes larger of a DPN, and then switch all stitches to the right sized needles. You’d be amazed at how much more room you feel you have!

Test out these tips one at a time or employ them all at once and you’ll find your double-pointed knitting adventures becoming easier and easier!

 

Four Fabulous Tricks for Knitting in the Round (by Robyn Devine)

It may seem like an advanced move, but knitting in the round can be mastered by beginner knitters with ease. And by adding it to your knitting bag of tricks, you will open up an entirely new world – one of hats, sweaters, and socks!

Getting started with knitting in the round can seem tricky on the best of days, but with just a few tips and tricks you can be joining to work in the round in no time at all. When I began my circular needles journey, these four tips helped me immensely.

Trick #1 – Make sure your circular needle is shorter than your finished circumference. If you’re knitting a hat for a 20” head, grab 16” long circular needles. If you’re knitting a sweater for someone that’s 36” around, be sure you’re not using your 40” long needles. Seems self-explanatory, but I spent many frustrated hours fighting with needles that were just a bit too long for projects I was working on. When in doubt, go a bit shorter – you’ll never regret it!

Trick #2 – Cast on one extra stitch. When you join for working in the round, knit that last stitch you cast on together with the first stitch you cast on. You will have the correct number of cast on stitches, and you will have a much less noticeable join for your work.

Trick #3 – When casting on a large number of stitches, to ensure you don’t twist them (and create a Mobius on accident!) knit the first few rows of the pattern before joining. You’ll have a much clearer view of joining your stitches together, and you can use your tail to sew up that open spot later.

Trick #4 - Use a different color stitch marker to mark the beginning of the row. When you are using stitch markers to mark decreases, increases, pattern changes and the like be sure your “beginning of the row” marker is a different color, shape, or size. This will help you more easily distinguish it from your other markers.

With these four simple tips, you will find yourself knitting around and around before you know it! You can use this new-found skill to whip up some sweaters for all the folks in your life, hats to keep their noggins warm, and maybe even donate a few things to a local charity!