Knitting Articles

Cheryl’s Unified Theory of Finishing in Two Parts  The interior of a piece of knitting pretty much takes care of itself until you need to block it. Ah . . . but the edges. There’s where the serious finishing happens. And before you make your next sweater, you need to take the video class Finishing 101. For free. Here.

Ban Stair-Step Bind-Offs  Wherein you will learn two ways to avoid stair-step bind-offs. Both are handy tools to know about even if you don’t memorize them because you don’t use them that often.

The Power of Handwork  What does handcraft in general and knitting, specifically, mean to you?

The Problem with Patterns  Here are a couple resources that encourage you to question the “authority” of patterns. Many tears have been shed by knitters who have said, “But I followed the pattern exactly!” Let’s dry those eyes.

About the Long-Tail Cast-On If you could only know one, general purpose, cast-on, this is the one I would recommend. It’s handsome, sturdy, has enough stretch for most circumstances, and is fast to do. I even show you a bind-off that matches it perfectly.

The Nature of Knitted Fabric 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 different fabrics. They have very different qualities, these fabrics, and here are some observations about them, including an explanation of that “Dreaded Stockinette Curl.”

About Yarn This is about yarn, just yarn. How to wind it by hand, how to figure out what fiber it might be if it has no identifying paperwork, how to reclaim it, how to understand its “weight.”

Fixing Le Le’s too short sleeves Twice in the past month I’ve helped knitters fix sweater parts that are too short. I figure if Kate and Le Le have had this problem, you might have had it too. This also works for shortening things that are too long.

How to Wind a Center-Pull Ball by Hand   Knowing how to wind a center-pull ball by hand is, well, very handy. 😀

A Dandy New One-Row Buttonhole (for Garter and Seed Stitch mostly I played around with lots of instructions, changed them slightly, and I like the results.

The Never-Ending Garter Stitch Afghan and How it Will Help You  This article gives you access to one of the best things I have ever written for knitters or crocheters or anyone else who makes blankets or afghans or “throws.”