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Showing posts from December, 2015

Short Rows

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Revised on 29/01/2018 . Two very good tutorial videos on "standard" short-rows, i.e. the wrap-and-turn method. The first is for when hiding the wraps on the knit side: The second is for when hiding the wraps on the purl side: The above videos are on the wrap-and-turn technique. However I highly recommend using the German short-row method instead. They look very good and are easier to execute and memorise. Here is a nice video on out to do it. It is kind of long but it explains how to replace German short-rows when following a pattern with wrap-and-turn instructions (almost 100% of patterns) and how to incorporate them in sock heels. Quick tip for GSR: turn, slip stitch with yarn in front, bring yarn to back over the needle. Last but not the least, both of the above assume you are working stockinette stitch. For garter stitch , I recommend a completely different technique which is even easier that German short-rows and looks great: use the wrap-and...

Duplicate stitch

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The duplicate stitch is a very useful technique, and not only for decoration. You can use it to reinforce a small corner of a pattern, to correct (or better said to hide) small mistakes, and also to reinforce certain areas like elbows of sweaters or toes and heels of socks before they grow a hole. All of this in stockinette stitch, if you have a different stitch then the duplicate stitch is not appropriate.

Identical looking cast-on and bind-off?

Often you'd like to have identical looking cast-on and bind-off, for example if you're knitting a scarf. If you're a perfectionist and nothing else will satisfy you, here is a neat trick that will give you perfect results always. Cast-on using provisional cast-on , knit the piece as required, bind-off when done, then undo the provisional cast-on and use the same bind-off on this side. It is a little extra work that pays.

Elastic cast-on and bind-off

A really good pair of videos I recommend for two techniques that are very useful when knitting lace: elastic cast-on strechy bind-off On the other hand, if you need an extra stretchy bind-off on a hat brim or sock cuff, the Russian bind-off is a better option. Another, more decorative option is the Icelandic Bind-Off .

Darts

I've just finished my first cardigan. It is a slightly adapted version of the very popular pattern Shalom Cardigan by Meghan McFarlane . I've changed the number of stitches in order to be able to close it all the way in front with extra buttons and buttonholes. A more traditional look and a warmer option, don't forget I live in the north of England. I've also used two colours instead of a single one. I'm really happy with the results. This is not only my first cardigan, it is also the first time I've used waist shaping and I'm really impressed with the result. I'm quite flat at the waist, so I naively thought that the waist shaping would look bad on me. It is quite the contrary, the flatter you are the more important the shaping is. The whole idea is to fool the eye, not to reproduce your shape. After I finished this project, I got an email from Rowan advertising their Options knit-along. This is a cardigan/sweater pattern by Amy Herzog . The videos,...