Seven Tips for Lace Knitting (by Ina Gilmore)

The first time I knit lace, I didn’t know it was lace.  It was a big project for a beginner: a Feather and Fan striped afghan for a dear lady who minded the cold.

Back then I thought lace knitting was old-fashioned and impractical. Like doilies knit with very fine yarn and needles usually by an elderly aunt. Carefully kept in a drawer most of the year, only brought out for special occasions: like during her visits! So, had I known, I probably would have not made that afghan. And missed out on making an elderly friend very happy.

Today lace stitches are incorporated into knitted articles as small as dishcloths and baby booties, or as large as afghans and shawls.  The patterns can be simple for beginning knitters or complex for the most advanced knitter. You can choose a pattern with a small lace trim, or one that’s all lace.

So, if you’re thinking of knitting lace, what are some tips for the novice lace knitter? Whether you consider yourself a beginner or an advanced knitter, before you cast-on for your lace project consider:

• Choosing your pattern wisely. I tend to divide lace patterns into two categories: those where the rows alternate between lace and straight knitting or purling — and those where every row is lace knitting. In general, the patterns with the alternate rows are less complex. If you’re starting a project with long rows like a shawl, consider how many stitches will be in the row. When you’re knitting long rows, you may want to choose a pattern with alternate rows. And if you prefer knitting to purling, when there are 500 stitches in a row even an experienced knitter may yearn for every other row to be knit rather than purled!

 

• Knowing how to read your knitting stitches. Reading your knitting is a lot like reading a book. Initially, you learn the letters (individual stitches).  With practice you learn to read words (groups of stitches making a pattern such as a leaf). Because lace patterns — with frequent increases and decreases — more likely result in dropped stitches, checking your work by reading the stitches saves time while reducing the frustration of repeatedly ripping your work and re-knitting.

 

• Counting early and often. Lace projects can be challenging. The pattern can be complex, or maybe it just takes more concentration than a non-lace project. And frequent interruptions can make even an experienced knitter consider an easy project difficult.  Double-checking your stitches by counting frequently can reduce the stress of a complex pattern, increasing your success.

 

• Looking closely at the pattern to make sure you can knit all the stitches. Lace stitches incorporate various kinds of increases, decreases, and may even have you knit or purl in the back of a stitch.  Feeling comfortable with all the stitches involved can make your knitting easier.

 

• Using a knitting lifeline allows you to partially unravel your knitting when needed without dropping stitches. Crochet cotton or embroidery floss are two favorites. You want a line that will easily slip onto your stitches without leaving fuzz behind. Two links you may find helpful:  a post on lace lifeline tips, and a video on using a lifeline (scroll down to the subsection Fixing Mistakes to find the video Using a “lifeline.”)  Bonus Knitter’s tips: Experienced knitters often choose white or natural (light beige or tan) thread or yarn as the lifeline. The lighter colors are less likely to bleed onto the lace fabric. And they avoid waxed dental floss because it can leave pieces of wax when it’s removed.

 

• Choosing a pattern that has either written instructions only or both written directions and a chart if you’ve never knitted from a chart before.  Written instructions allow you to learn to read the chart while you work, and help decrease mistakes when those symbols are confusing.

 

• Knitting a swatch first allows you to double-check your knitting gauge, and choice of yarn and needles.  Lace often has a three-dimensional aspect. You may or may not care for the way a particular yarn or size needle alters the pattern from the designer’s.  Knitting a swatch first can save you frustration because knitting a small swatch in the long run is easier than starting a pattern and deciding a few inches later it’s just not right.

Depending upon your situation one or more of these tips can increase your lace knitting success. ..and remember to Knit Lace Happy!

   

Knitting MittenThumbs – The Debate (by Ina Gilmore)

Where are you in the knitting mitten instructions for thumbs debate?

The other day, I was astonished at how passionately two knitters were debating.   Knowing both of them, it’s not surprising they were passionate.  What surprised me was the topic of their debate: knitted thumbs.  Each was absolutely convinced her favorite thumb was “the best,” and other ways of knitting thumbs just don’t fit right. It took the calming influence of another knitter to put the discussion in perspective. 

She noted while she preferred one type of thumb, her husband another. Perhaps, she calmly asked, it depends upon our individual hand shapes?  Or even what we do with our hands when we use the mittens? Maybe this is a case of individual preference?  Since I’ve usually made only one type of thumb for myself, this discussion started me thinking:  Just how many different thumb types are there? And are there times one would be better than another?

  

So, what are the types of knitting mitten instructions for thumbs?

  

 

Peasant Thumb: Often considered the simplest thumb to knit. Knit without a gore, or wedge-shaped insert, this thumb is often preferred when a complex color pattern is used. The peasant thumb allows the pattern to continue without interruption. The thumb is knit slightly into the palm, so the mittens are either left-handed or right-handed. There’s no adjustment in mitten width for the thumb. The thumb tends to be flat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

Norwegian Gore Thumb: Knit with a gore and a peasant thumb, this thumb also interrupts the color pattern. In Norwegian mittens, though, this interruption is often incorporated into the color pattern. The mittens are either left-handed or right-handed.  While this mitten has a thumb gore, the mitten body continues above the thumb with the same number of stitches. This thumb also tends to be a flatter thumb.

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 Many knitters view these as two types of thumbs (those with or without gores) or four types of thumbs.  

Do you have a favorite?

  

About the Author: Ina Gilmore

Ina Gilmore learned to knit as a child.  She enjoys sharing her knitting adventures, tips and techniques. You can find her online at her knitting blog, The Knitting Yarn, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theknittingyarn, and on Ravelry as theknittingyarn.

Best knitting project of 2009 (video)

We Naughty Knitterz voted on a number of knitting projects submitted by members.  We selected a colorful afghan createded by an experienced knitting enthusiast as the best knitting project of 2009. The winner has many years of experience and enjoys being the instructor for her local knitting circle.  She wishes to remain anonymous.

The afghan she created is featured in the following video.  We hope to be able to select a best knitting project, given enough submissions, every three months.   If you’d like to submit one of your knitting efforts to our contest send a brief write up, including a bit about yourself, along with pictures to info@naughtyknitterz.com.

If your project wins we’ll send you your choice of coffee mug or tee shirt from our Naughty Stuff.  We will also create a video of your project or you can send your own video. Good luck!  Here’s is the video we created for the 2009 winner.

What’s the best-kept secret of entrelac? (by Ina Gilmore)

The first time I saw a picture of entrelac, I knew I would try it. You see, baskets intrigue me.  Mostly I like to fill them with necessities: like my yarn stash.  I suspect I’ve always wanted to make some, but haven’t found the time or the space. So, I do the next best thing: I knit.

When I found the basket weave cable, I thought that was the best I could do. Little did I know entrelac was waiting for me to discover.

Basically, it’s knitting short rows on the diagonal to form tiers of rectangles and triangles that appear to weave in and out like a woven basket. This effect is strongest with stockinette stitch, although entrelac can also be made in garter stitch.

 

After making entrelac several times, what are some of my favorite secrets? 

1. With stockinette entrelac, the front and back are even more pronounced than regular stockinette stitch. This is true especially if you change colors.  If you’re like me, and like both sides of your scarf to look like a right side, you may not want to make a scarf by changing colors.
2. On the other hand, garter entrelac is reversible. Which makes it nice for a first attempt. You may want to try knitting a small project like a dishcloth, as in this pattern called Garterlac. 
   

   Garterlac Dishcloth

    

3. Cast on loosely. There are a variety of ways to do this, and all seem about the same to many experts. My personal favorite is casting on with a crochet hook and adding an extra chain betwee n the stitches. Laura provides knitting instructions for her technique.  
4. Entrelac is great practice for short rows. So what? Well, short rows are needed for turning a heel, and can be inserted to customize a fit around a curve. You know, like for rounded shoulders or an ample bosom.
5. Alternating between two colors on the tiers in stockinette entrelac really makes the three dimensional aspect of the pattern “pop.”
6. After a while, the stitch becomes automatic. With this, you may find yourself forgetting whether you’re on the front or back, and may even knit a few stitches or blocks in the wrong direction. 
7. Entrelac is a great technique to practice knitting backwards also. Instead of turning each short row and purling. In stockinette entrelac, you can knit backwards the purl rows from the right side. This saves turning your work, which often is an advantage if your project is large. Or maybe you just want to practice knitting backwards.

 And then there are the ultimate secrets of entrelac: It’s not as hard as it looks and it’s addicting!

Ina Gilmore learned to knit as a child.  She enjoys sharing her knitting adventures, tips and techniques. You can find her online at her knitting blog The Knitting Yarn.  You can follow her updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theknittingyarn.  You can also find her on Ravelry as theknittingyarn.

Different Ways to Cast On (video)

In knitting the easiest way to cast on is the simple cast on or easy wrap. Discover different ways to cast on in knitting with tips from a knitting teacher in this video.

Pam Grushkin learned to knit at a young age and she now teaches knitting both independently and through yarn shops.

The Last Knit (funny)

We think this video cartoon is very funny. We posted it hoping this cartoon would encourage you to keep your knitting efforts light and happy. Take a few minutes to watch this knitting cartoon. We know it will put a smile on your face no matter how many rows of your latest project you have just ripped out! We originally posted this knitting cartoon as the FEATURED VIDEO on our home page. We liked it so much we wanted to keep it around for everyone to enjoy. We hope you do!

When knitting becomes an obsession. Directed by Laura Neuvonen. Country Finland and year of production 2005. Running time for the video is 7 minutes. Knit Happy!

Machine Knitting Lesson (video)

Lion Brand’s Nili demonstrates the basics of the LK-150 knitting machine with LB 1878 yarn. Michelle of Craft Zine joins her in the Lion Brand Yarn Studio and tries her hand at the machine as well.

Contential Knitting Demo (video)

She brought her video camera along to record the tutorial for all of you.

Will you share?

We are looking for experienced knitters to share what you know.  Do you have a lesson learned, a hint, a tip or even a story you’d be willing to share with the group?  Is it a humorous tale about a huge mistake you made?  How you goofed.  Did you use “naughty” expletives while you unravelled a large part of your project?  The project that has so far taken you way too many hours to knit?

Do you have a cool pattern you are willing to offer up to our knitting circle?  We’d really love to see it.  Do you have a good source for free patterns that you can share with the group?  We’d love to publish your article detailing any pattern you suggest with your reasons for recommending it.  We will soon be publishing an article describing a beautiful afghan created by one of our circle experts.  Stay tuned for the article and pictures of the beautiful afghan.

We’re also interested in what reference resources you have and use religiously.  What books or what web sites are your favorites?  Send us a review.  Tell us about your favorite local knitting or yarn shop.  If the shop is your business we’d be happy to advertize it to our circle for you.  Advertizing on Naughty KnitterZ is free to any member who contributes to our community. 

Knit Happy!

Calling all veterans!

We’re looking for talented happy knitters willing to share their knowledge and experiences.  Do you knit happy?  What know-how can you contribute that would help others no matter their skill level. Got any special tips and tricks you can offer this knitting circle?

Do you have a good source for patterns? There are many free patterns available but are they worth using for your project?  Do you know about yarn?  Where do you get your yarn? What yarn do you recommend and for which projects? What needles do you prefer and why? 

Have you mastered techniques like large or even small diameter circular knitting? Have you mastered different decorative stitches? Share your knowledge.

Knit Happy!