Just as computer programmers use 1s and 0s to create a vast variety of programs, we knitters use the humble knits and purls to create thousands of fabrics. They have very different qualities, these fabrics, and here are some observations about them. After all, you want to know as much as you can about what it is you are actually making. Because knitting takes time. And you want it to be well-spent. Save yourself some heartache and watch these.
1) The “Dreaded Stockinette Curl!”
This video has received the most “thumbs down” of all my videos, not because it’s bad information but because people don’t like to hear it. It’s a variation on killing the messenger, and it cracks me up.
2) Fabrics That Lie Flat
As an antidote to that rascally stockinette curl I explore some alternatives. Sorry but I do not have a pattern for the Aran afghan. Ma made it for my first wedding in 1969 and I’m guessing it was in a magazine, but if you search I’m sure you can find something similar.
3) Does Garter Stitch Take More Yarn Than Stockinette?
Don’t let the title mislead you. I cover a lot more about different kinds of stitches than the title would suggest.
Thank you. Your videos are so informative. I am an old lady still learning. Sometimes the brain cells don’t cooperate but I will not give up. Life seemed to get in the way earlier. Thanks again.
You are so welcome Karen. Thank you for this comment.
Hi Cheryl
I have learned an excellent method for tubular cast on. It looks much better than my tubular bind-offs. If I have a choice I would only do tubular cast-ons and not bind-offs because this method give such good results.
I wondered if it is possible to knit a yoked sweater half top down and half bottom up? Would you see the join in the stockinette? would the stitches look different because some have been worked bottom up and some bottom down? Would you give an opinion please?
It’s entirely possible to join stockinette in opposite directions and have it be invisible . . . though you would run into some trouble if you tried to match color or stitch patterns. Joining knitting “head to head” so to speak, is always 1/2 st jogged to the side. If it’s plain st st you just bury that inconsistency in a side seam. In this case, I’m assuming it’s a circular knit, it should be invisible, again, if it’s all one color.
This is, by the way, a clever piece of problem solving.
Thank you very much. I only just saw your reply. It is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Cheryl,
(I tried to post a comment earlier but it didn’t show up, so apologies if this is a duplicate.)
You are so awesome with clear and personable way in which you so generously share your knowledge. It’s so hard to believe that you have been around long enough to have knitted for 65+ years. (Did you start knitting as an infant, or in utero? Lol)
Although crochet is my “first love” of crafts, I want to learn as much as possible about knitting – at least in theory, even if mastering the practice remains elusive : ) Love your youthful spark and your theme music is perfect
: )
Thank you for these kind comments Abby. The first one did not show up immediately because I have to approve comments before they’re posted. I have spam-catching software but sometimes sales-gimmicky spam gets through that and I delete it by hand. Once I’ve approved one comment from a person, all the others are automatically approved and posted.
I really have been knitting for 66 years, though only 63 of them seriously. And some day I’ll tell that story.
Cherry,
Thank you for sharing so much of your knitting expertise. If you’ve been knitting for 65 years, you must have started in the womb Lol It’s hard to believe you’ve been around long enough to possibly have so much experience! : ) I really enjoy and appreciate your videos – they are so informative and brighten my day (and the theme music is perfect : )
I’m so happy I found your blog. They’re so informative and yet easy for us new knitters to understand. You are an excellent communicator and teacher.
Thanks for sharing your vast wealth of knowledge.
Also, your mother’s work is amazing. What a talented family.
Welcome Heather, and thank you for your kind comment.
Cheryl. Good morning!! I’m not dashing off to work today so I had more time this morning to watch the videos again and time to read through peoples’ comments. I, too, truly enjoy your humorous “out takes!” They bring smiles and chuckles and reveal another side of you. I liked the 1s and 0s comparison to knits and purls. My quilter friend is amazed that it’s what is done with the yarn that creates the variations in the knitted fabric. I’m knitting her a poncho she designed from a pattern. We look at it several times a week and I love her comments as she puts it on to test it’s progress!! But I tell her that she too creates amazing quilt works but with a different fabric. Both are art in the making…wearable and useable art! Thank you for your insight into the ins and outs of knitting. I’ve even considered thinking more about investing in a knitting machine…but I must confess, it’s still a bit scary, but zipping a whole row in seconds is indeed very tempting!
Clear and concise thank you thank you
You are so welcome Karen. Thank you for commenting.
Dear Cheryl,
Thank you! I’ve only been getting your emails for a short time but have learned so much. Love your explanations, so easy to understand.
Thank you.
You are so generous with your knowledge.
Karen.
You are most welcome Karen. Thank you for commenting.
Dear Cheryl,
As someone who is learning this art for only a few years, I started by reading and studying from beginner to advance methods quickly without knitting much. I started with you and continue with you as a great teacher with vast experience in knitting. As always, you are a pleasure to read about and listen as well. Thank you for passing on and sharing your gifts of knitting and knowledge.
You are welcome Marienella. And thank you for this kind comment.
Cheryl, can you share the pattern for the beautiful ivory afghan in the video on fabrics that lie flat. Would love to make it. Thank you.
Hi Carlene. I swear I answered this several days ago but sometimes I just hit the “return” key instead of clicking “reply” on the web page so I lose my comments. My mother made that afghan for my first wedding in March, 1969. I don’t have the pattern, though I looked in my notebook of old things from her. It may have been in a magazine of the time. But I’m sure you can find something similar online, and probably for free.
Cheryl, thanks so much! Your videos and book are great and have given me knitting freedom!
You are so welcome Megan. And thank you for commenting.
Very helpful and informative as always. Thank you!
You’re welcome Joseph Andrew.
Thank you for these videos.
Question: How best to form a corner so that it lies flat?
Mitered garter works very well.
Cheryl – simply stated – you ROCK!!! Thank you sooooo very much for all that you do to make our knitting experience that much richer and meaningful.
Judy
xo
Thanks Judy. And you a most welcome.
Judy I totally agree. Cheryl is the best!
And you are very kind. 😀 Thank you.
I know that cables use more yarn to knit. However, I’ve been thinking that a sweater front or sweater sleeves that have cables probably need to be knitted with more rows and stitches. Otherwise, the sweater might be too tight or too short. Is this true or false? I make my sweaters from your Sweater 101 book. I change my length and width of sweaters from time to time. I love your knitting help. By the way, during December and January, I’ve knitted four sweaters on my simple bond knitting machine. Sometimes, I go crazy, but most of the time it moves along without too many mistakes. I’ve even started adding beads to my sweaters and scarves. I haven’t come across a video that you’ve made about using beads. I bet you have one somewhere.
Hi Sara. I don’t have one on beads but I do address the “adding a cable” problem. Yes. You need to add more stitches just under the cable and then decrease them at the top of the cable. On page 65 of Sweater 101 you’ll see an example of how I do that. Also, have a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LYBdjvMPHw
I’ve forwarded your link to the knitters in our women’s group All Kinds of Knitters. I’ll also refresh members’ memory that I made my first sweater without a pattern using your Sweater 101 book!
Charming ‘outtakes’ too….
Thank you!
Thank you Nikki. 😀
I just love you !!!!!!
candi
Thank you Candi. That’s very sweet of you.
Thank you! I always learn so much from you.
You are so welcome Susan. Thank you for commenting.