I got a call today from Ginger at In Sheep’s Clothing, a friendly LYS in Torrington, CT. She told me about a customer of hers who is working on the Basketry Handbag in Yashi and is having trouble with the Basketry stitch pattern.
The main stitch pattern on the bag body is really cool looking. In Yashi (100% raffia), it creates a rustic woven look. The stitch pattern is easy enough once you get the hang of it, but can be tricky to wrap your head around it by reading the text instructions only. I decided the best way to help Ginger’s customer was to take a short video demonstrating the technique.
One key piece of advice I have on knitting this handbag in Yashi, is to keep the work very loose on the needles. Yashi is not elastic, so if you’re not conscious of the tautness of the work, things go downhill very fast.
(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.
