Hey Knitters,

Are you looking for a way to knit garments quicker? Maybe you’re a beginning knitter unsure about how to graft a seam to match stitches. Here’s some great news! You no longer have to figure out how to graft to match stitches. Instead of having an app for that, there’s a knitting cheat sheet.

The cheat sheet comes from u-createcrafts.com. It created a cheat sheet for crochet first. Of course, it had to give a lot of love to knitters too. This cheat sheet helps you make your garments easier. Do you want to know when to decrease or increase without trying to do the hard work?

Look at the cheat sheet to determine when to knit and purl. Click on the link below to get the cheat sheet you need. Don’t worry. No one is going to know but you that you “cheated” when making your special gifts.

http://www.u-createcrafts.com/cheat-sheets-knitter/

Cable Stitch: Folded Cable

October 20th, 2018

Hey Knitters,

Here is an exceptional stitch pattern called, The Folded Cable Stitch. This stitch pattern is great for all those knitters who love to work with cable needles. This stitch is also a good technique for beginning knitters. It’s an easy stitch to learn and it makes practicing with cable needles a lot of fun.

This stitch pattern is designed to create small stacks of cables that are divided by segments of stockinette stitches. The folded cable stitch is a nature look on hats, scarves, pillow coverings, and shawls.

Abbreviations:

K- Knit Stitch

P- Purl Stitch

k2tog- Knit 2 Together

k2tog tbl- Knit 2 Together Through the Back Loop

C3R – Cable 3 Right: Slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold to back, k1, k2 off of cable needle

C3L – Cable 3 Left: Slip 1st onto cable needle and hold to front, k2, k1 off of cable needle

Pattern Instructions

Cast on Panels of 6 stitches. The row count for this stitch pattern is a number of 12 rows. Work a 4 x 4 swatch gauge to practice on before knitting or creating a garment.

Downwards Cable

  • Row 1: (Right Side) Knit
  • Row 2: Purl
  • Row 3: Knit
  • Row 4: Purl
  • Row 5: C3R, C3L
  • Row 6: Purl
  • Row 7: C3R, C3L
  • Row 8: Purl
  • Row 9: C3R, C3L
  • Row 10: Purl
  • Row 11: C3R, C3L
  • Row 12: Purl

Repeat rows 1-12 until you reach your desired length.

Upwards Cable

  • Row 1: (Right Side) Knit
  • Row 2: Purl
  • Row 3: Knit
  • Row 4: Purl
  • Row 5: C3L, C3R
  • Row 6: Purl
  • Row 7: C3L, C3R
  • Row 8: Purl
  • Row 9: C3L, C3R
  • Row 10: Purl
  • Row 11: C3L, C3R
  • Row 12: Purl

Repeat rows 1-12 until you reach your desired length.

Mattress Stitch for Seams

October 10th, 2018

Hey Knitters,

Want to learn how to sew seams that are invisible and neat, then try the mattress stitch? Use this pattern stitch to seam together single face to face garment or multiple rows stitched in a stockinette pattern. Before sewing up the seams in your garment, place each garment edge or knitted pieces side by side. Then use the Mattress stitch to make and invisible seam so that your knitted project will look like a professional.

For information check out the mattress stitch websites, the step by step instructions and video are provided in a listed below:

http://www.yarn-store.com/technique-seaming-row-to-row.html

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/mattress.html

http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/matt

Accurate Body Fit: Measurments for Designing Garments

September 30th, 2018

Hey Knitters,

The first step to a correct fit of a knitted garment is to take appropriate and accurate body measurements. When knitting that special design, it is important to take measurements of every part of your garment. For example, if you are knitting a vest you want to measure the width and length of the back, front, underarms, neckline and/or any waist or armbands before you knit the first stitch.

To establish a well-fitted garment you have to know something about the “fit” of a garment. You do not want a sweater to fit too snugly to the body or too loose that it droop off the shoulders. In most knitting patterns the fit is already built into the pattern. When creating your own garment the fit consists of adding an extra inch or two. Moreover, the fit sizes range from close fit to oversize fit of a person’s body measurement.

Start the procedure by measuring the bust and chest. Measure the body length from the top of the neck down the center of the back to the waist. Then measure from the center of the neck along the arm to the cuff of the wrist with arm slightly bent. If you want a very close fit (small) measure the actual bust/chest size of the body. However, if you want a close fit you will add 1-2 inches to the actual bust/chest size.

Thus, knitting a sweater for a two-year-old child, whose chest measurements are 21 inches add 1-2 inches for a close fit. For example, the math for a close fit is 21+1=22 inches or 21+2=23 inches. On the other hand, you might want to knit an oversize sweater (3 xs) with an actual bust size of 52-54 the math would look like this 52+6=58 inches or 54+6=60 inches. A list of additional measurement fit is listed below.

Fit for standard size—bust/chest +2 or 4 inches

Large—bust/chest+4 or6 inches

Oversized—–bust/chest +6 inches or more

Standard fit size in knitting—(S, M, L, XL, and 2 X)

The Stitch Counter

September 20th, 2018

Hey Knitter

Hey all you knitters out there, it’s time to treat yourselves. Add another helpful tool to your knitting basket called the knitting register. This tool is perfect to use to while knitting those long scarves, over size blankets or eyelet laced shawls.

Simply slide the knitting register onto one of your knitting needles sizes up to 6.5mm (US 10 ½). The register has a small window display that allows you to see the number of rows counted.

All you to do while using this knitting instrument is to turn the dial or wheel of the register once you finish or complete a row of knitting. Another feature of the knitting register is that you can reset the number back to zero after knitting 99 rows.

In addition to counting your rows, the knitting register can keep track of pattern stitches and rows decreased or increased. For example, decreasing or increasing rows when shaping sleeves or V-necklines sweaters.

For all the benefits, the knitting register basically cost less than a ball or skein of yarn. No more losing count of rows or constantly writing down the number rows to keep count when knitting your favorite garment.

Stitch of the Week:Twisted Stockinette Rib

September 10th, 2018

Hey Knitters,

Here is a different twist to a knit stitch and it is called the twisted stockinette rib. It has a beautiful diagonal twist that give the look of a twisted rope. It is also done in a simple knit and purl stitch that make the pattern easy to knit. Try it and see how you like it.

Cast on multiple of 3 stitches

Row 1 (RS): *k2tog, leaving sts on needle, k first st again, slip both from needle, k1; rep from *

Rows 2 and 4: purl

Row 3: *k1, k2tog, leaving sts on needle, k first st again, slip both from needle; rep from *

Repeat these four rows for the pattern. This stitch will curl, so you may want to add a garter/seed stitch border depending on what you are knitting.

Happy Knitting

Plymouth Yarns

August 30th, 2018

Hey Knitters,

There are some new yarns that have arrived at local and online craft stores over the last few months. Some are used for knitting scarves while others are for knitting blankets, sweaters, accessories, or baby wear. I have provided a list of some yarn that your might want to check out for future knitting projects along with some website for free patterns.

PLYMOUTH YARN Coffee Beenz–a super soft yarn made of acrylic and wool blends suited for sweaters, blankets and hats. Plymouthyarn.com provides a free pattern of a throw blanket knitted with Coffee Beenz multi-color yarn.

TAHKI YARN called Donegal Tweed—This is Irish spun tweed made of 100 percent wool. Use Donegal Tweed yarn to knit item such as capelets, pullovers, jackets, wraps, and vests. Donegal Tweed has a large variety of colors. Larger knitting needles (size 8 or larger) are recommended to for this type of yarn.

CASCADE YARN 220—made of 100 percent Peruvian Highland wool is perfect for knitted sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves, socks and blankets. For those of you who want to knit a pattern from Cascade yarn go to their website Cascadeyarn for a free pattern.

UNIVERSAL YARN Spicy Berry— acrylic and mohair twisted with bubble shaped pom poms that give the yarn a tweed look. Good for knitting cold weather garments like vests and coats.

BERNAT Baby Pompom—yarn that comes in multiple prints with colors of white, pink/peach, green, cream, candy pink and made of 100 percent polyester. 

BERNAT COLORAMA —- a super bulky yarn with coordinated colors made of 100 % acrylic. This yarn is great for knitting that designer scarf, cowl or even hat.

BERROCO SOUFFLE—yarn good for knitting cowls, sweaters and accessories make with 49% acrylic, 34% wool and 17% baby alpaca. This yarn knits up with a wavy self-stripping result or effect for any garment. BERROCO FLICKER— Berroco Flicker is perfect for knitting for scarves and accessories. This yarn is made with 85% baby alpaca chainette 8% acrylic and 5% mixed fibers. Also there is metallic silver and gold glitter tinsel throughout the yarn that matches each color or shade.

Mystery Stitch

August 20th, 2018

Hey Knitters,

This is an easy knitting stitch to master. This pattern stitch is great for knitting scarves, hats, sweaters and even baskets. This pattern stitch does not have a name, so it is a mystery stitch. Maybe you can tell us is the name of this stitch.

K-Knit Stitch

P2tog-Purl 2 Together

K2tog- Knit 2 Together

Cast on multiple 2 stitches plus 1 extra stitch. Work a 4 x 4 swatch gauge before knitting any garment.

  • Row 1: (right side) knit

• Row 2: k1, *p2tog without slipping sts off needle, then k tog the same sts; rep from *to end.

• Row 3: knit

• Row 4: *p2tog without slipping sts off needle, then k tog the same 2sts; rep from * to last st, k1. Repeat these 4 rows until you have reached your desired length.

Stitch of the Week: Jhumka Stitch

August 10th, 2018

Hey Knitters,

Here is a stitch for advance knitters called the Jhumka Stitch. It is kind of detailed with a lot of technique required. However, it is a lovely stitch for maybe a scarf, a sweater or a blanket. The stitch forms a diamond shape pattern that has a lacey look to it. Knit a 4x 4 swatch gauge and see what you can create with this stitch.

Jhumka Stitch Pattern Instructions

Abbreviation:

K2tohg-knit 2 stitches together

SSK- slip 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch, knit both together

YO- Yarn Over

PSSO-Pass Slipped Stitch Over

This stitch is worked over multiples of 22 stitches and 28 rows

Row 1 (RS) – *k3, k2tog, YO, k1, YO, ssk, k6, k2tog, YO, k1, YO, ssk, k3*, repeat from * to * for pattern
Row 2 (WS) and all WS rows – purl all stitches
Row 3 – *k2, k2tog, YO, K3, YO, ssk, k4, k2tog, YO, k3, YO, ssk, k2*, repeat from * to *
Row 5 – *k1, (k2tog, YO) twice, k1, (YO, ssk) twice, k2, (k2tog, YO) twice, k1, (YO, ssk) twice, k1*, repeat from * to *
Row 7 – *[(k2tog, YO) twice, k3, (YO, ssk) twice] repeat twice *, repeat from * to *
Row 9 – *k2, YO, ssk, YO, (s2, k1, psso), YO, k2tog, YO, k4, YO, ssk, YO, (s2, k1, psso), YO, k2tog, YO, k2 *, repeat from * to *
Row 11 – *k3, YO, ssk, k1, k2tog, YO, k6, YO, ssk, k1, k2tog, YO, k3*, repeat from * to *
Row 13 – *k4, YO, (s2, k1, psso), YO, k8, YO, (s2, k1, psso), YO, k4*, repeat from * to *
Row 15 – *k5, (YO, ssk) twice, k4, (k2tog, YO) twice, k5*, repeat from * to *
Row 17 – *k6, (YO, ssk) twice, k2, (k2tog, YO) twice, k6*, repeat from * to *
Row 19 – *k4, (k2tog, YO) twice, k6, (YO, ssk) twice. k4*, repeat from * to *
Row 21 – *k3, (k2tog, YO) twice, k8, (YO, ssk) twice, k3*, repeat from * to *
Row 23 – same as row 15
Row 25 – same as row 17
Row 27 – same as row 19
Row 28 (WS) – purl all stitches
Repeat rows 1 to 28 for pattern