Edges in Knitting, a Closer Look
In my 500+ days as the “Tuesday Troubleshooter” at my beloved local yarn shop, I saw a lot o’ problems, and easily 90% of them centered on two topics: Continue reading “Edges in Knitting, a Closer Look”
Cheryl’s Unified Theory of Finishing in Two Parts
Part 1: The Interior
The interior of a piece of knitting pretty much takes care of itself until you need to block it. Your blocking method is based on the fiber content, the pattern stitches used, and your intentions for the end product. Continue reading “Cheryl’s Unified Theory of Finishing in Two Parts”
Ban stair-step bind-offs!
Here are two ways to avoid stair-step bind-offs and I think both are handy tools to know about even if you don’t memorize them because you don’t use them that often. You can apply these techniques to any pattern that calls for sequential bind-offs along the same edge. Continue reading “Ban stair-step bind-offs!”
Why do you knit?
Given that few of us need to knit for basic survival anymore, why are we so passionate about it? What is it about art, beauty, working with our hands that is so compelling? Here are a couple of my musings on the subject and after you watch them I hope you’ll share your reasons in the comments. What does handcraft in general and knitting, specifically, mean to you? Continue reading “Why do you knit?”
The Problem with Patterns
Question Authority!
That quote was on a poster that hung in my high school English classroom for years. It may seem like madness to encourage this behavior among teenagers, but it wasn’t. It acknowledged that I didn’t know everything and that they were invited to challenge me. It made for some lively discussions. Continue reading “The Problem with Patterns”
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. Continue reading “About the Long-Tail Cast-On”
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 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. Continue reading “The Nature of Knitted Fabric”
About yarn
Although you could spend hours, even years, learning about yarns, here are some resources about yarn that I think are helpful. Continue reading “About yarn”
Fixing Le Le’s too short sleeves
Le Le emailed me this morning. She finished her first sweater using the Sweater 101 method over a year ago. It “turned out really nice, but the sleeve is too short, the cuffs are beyond my wrist and looked horrible. So now this is my second one. ” Continue reading “Fixing Le Le’s too short sleeves”