This block starts in one corner and increases along the center line, using the backward loop cast-on to grow outward. For many of us, the backward loop was the first cast-on that we learned. Others picked it up in the course of making buttonholes or adding stitches at the underarm of a sleeve.
If you haven’t learned it yet, here’s your chance. Amy shows us how!
Easy as pie, eh?
The center stitch in this block is slipped on every right side row, creating that clean elongated line running through the center of the block. It’s a nice touch for this diagonal block.
As always, you can share your thoughts and work with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. Check back in two weeks for a new block that builds on this technique!
Today, a “pay” pattern set free! Michael del Vecchio’s Goldfish School Cowl appears in Bamboo Bloom Book 1: Backyard Blooms. When we brought it to a knitting retreat the participants were so taken with it that we decided it should be released into the wild.
Michael has wisely used a simple pattern to let the yarn shine. A basic 1×1 rib looks very striking in the thick/thin matte/shiny Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.
We’re glad that last weekend’s knitters were so enthusiastic. They were right. This pattern needs to be shared!
Thanks for your hospitality, Baskets of Yarn. And keep knitting!
Today, we feature Thanh Nguyen’s Turtle Neck Cape. This was originally knit in Contessa, a bulky-weight acrylic/mohair/nylon/polyester (whew!) blend. We’re simplifying it a little by suggesting Uptown Bulky, our 100% anti-pilling acrylic as a good substitute. Uptown Bulky has greater yardage than the original yarn, making it a better knit in terms of your budget, too.
Front and back are knit separately, then the collar is made and the whole shebang is stitched together. From a color standpoint, I like this as a solid, but I can also see it with perhaps a few wide stripes for a dramatic, modern look. Maybe something with a great deal of contrast? I say, knit big or go home!
Understated and elegant! Wall Candy is a straightforward knit packaged in a unique way.
Four strands of Deluxe Worsted 100% wool are knitted into a 10×10 stockinette square. Thick wire is run around the edges, then the square is framed. Don’t worry, the pattern contains directions and pictures showing how to attach the frame. If you’ve ever run blocking wire through the edge of a shawl, you can do this. If you haven’t… it’s time to learn!
Although this pattern is written for Deluxe Worsted, I’m looking back over some of my Sunday Swatches to see what else I might have suitable for framing. Maybe some Nettle Lana? Hmmm…
Universal Yarn offers many thanks to Suzy, the Sweetest Dog in the World for her kind hospitality on this photo shoot. Who’s a good dog, Suzy? You are!
Awww! Such a cute little puppy! The Stuffed Hound was originally made in Classic Chunky with a print for the belly and feet. We’re recommending Deluxe Chunky as the new choice. I love this selection not just because it’s a sturdy but soft wool, but because there are 120+ colors. You could make your little wiener dog in any color of the rainbow. Match a real life pooch or create a whimsical little buddy that’s one of a kind!
The Stuffed Hound is knitted sideways. Knit a front and back leg, then proceed around the body to knit the other legs. Make the underside similarly, then knit the ears, tail, and other bits and pieces. Knitting those parts separately gives you many opportunities to switch up colors. How about a patchwork pup? Or one different ear?
We hope you have a great time knitting a new four-legged friend!
(Split Rail would look great as a men’s sweater too, don’t you think?)
One of the patterns, the Scarf Cardigan and Bow Hat at right, uses a nifty technique to create its turned hem. If you haven’t done a provisional cast-on before, it’s a great tool to put into your knitting toolbox. It’s very easy and it creates a neat stockinette hem that doesn’t roll up.
Amy Gunderson demonstrates the technique in this video. Take it away, Amy!
See? You’re just making a basic crochet chain, then treating the back loop like a row of stitches. Then “unzip” the crochet chain when you’re ready to pick those stitches back up.
Here’s a close-up of the brim of the hat from the Scarf Cardi set. Work a few knitted rows, then a purl row at the point where the brim will fold over, then make a few more knit rows. Pick the cast-on edge back up, fold it at the purl row, and knit the live edge and cast-on edge together. Voila, a non-rolling stockinette edge!
There are a variety of ways you can use this technique. I’m using it myself at the arm of a sweater in Deluxe DK Superwash (Cookie A’s Katrina Rib). When I’m ready to add the sleeves, I’ll pick up from those stitches for an invisible join with no bulky seam.
I’m almost done with this sweater, and I think the next thing on my list may be the Seashells Hoodie from this e-book. I love knitting in the round, and I could use something light for the turn of the season.
The Fall Classics e-book is available from both Ravelry and Craftsy, and the patterns are also available individually. We hope you enjoy picking up a new project as the weather turns.
Block two of our month of plaid! Where our last block used stripes raised above the fabric of the square, Block Fourteen “Well Plaid” creates lines of color flush with the rest of the square.
Amy Gunderson achieves this by working one vertical stitch in the row in reverse stockinette, then applying the contrasting color to the purled stitch using a crochet hook. It’s rather ingenious. The video shows how it’s achieved.
Neat, eh? It’s a bit like picking up one laddered stitch, except with an entirely new color of yarn. I love the way this looks!
As always, you can share your thoughts and work with us here, on Facebook, or in our Ravelry group. Check back in two weeks for a new technique and a new block!
This is a great combination of solid Merino XF, a soft extra-fine merino, and Jubilation Kettle-Dye, also extra-fine merino but single-ply in a riot of bright colors. It’s a great way to use variegated yarn as a bold accent.
And speaking of accents, check out the back! I love this little detail. You could choose to include or omit it, depending on your taste.
Emma is a thoughtful designer, in that she considers the impact of the final piece as well as the process of knitting. If you haven’t seen her Convertible Cowl from our Poetry at Home e-book, take a gander.
This has been a popular garment because it’s so versatile. Like the Heavenly Henley, it’s a great use of multicolor yarn, in this case Poems 100% wool. We’re so happy to have the chance to work with Emma again.
Awww! Today’s Ruffles and Ribbons blanket was originally designed for Bella 4-ply, an acrylic/nylon blend. It’s a good choice since it’s machine washable, but we have a couple of even better yarns that fit the bill now.
We’re recommending either Little Bird (344yds/100g) or Uptown Baby Sport (361yds/100g) instead. Personally, I think I’d go with Uptown Baby Sport. Both are soft and would work nicely, but Baby Sport has just a little bit more loft, which I think would fit well for this project.
The yarn is held doubled for the body, which is knitted on 5mm/US8 needles. Then use just one strand of yarn and a US Size 4 circular needle for the ruffled edging. It’s a good means of getting different effects from the same yarn. Pretty adorable!
Happy knitting. We’ll see you tomorrow for Free Pattern Friday!
Today, a little love for both the knitters and the crocheters! Both use Deluxe Worsted Superwash (220yds/100g), the popular machine washable version of our Deluxe line of wools.
First, the knitted Here and There Hat. Amy Gunderson uses right and left twists to create colorful slanting columns up the length of this cap. A Luxury Fur Pom-Pom tops it off with an extra pop of color. I love these pom-poms. They’re pre-made with an attached thread that you can just tie onto your work.
Next, the crocheted Parfait Hat. Two colors of Deluxe Worsted Superwash topped off with a Luxury Fur Pom-Pom. Adorable! I tried this one on, and it looked really cute. Sometimes it’s hard not to steal the garments for myself!
On the other hand, making my own would be another excuse to crochet, and that’s always a good thing.
Behold The Mighty Miter!
