The knit. The whole knit. And nothing but the knit. Part 1

March 9, 2017 Martha5 Comments

Ah, the lowly knit stitch. Usually, the first thing that a new knitter learns is the knit stitch. Then we make a garter stitch scarf or a hat in the round. Sometimes, experienced knitters forget how wonderful this most basic stitch in knitting can be.

The Oxford dictionary defines basic as:

an adjective: Forming an essential foundation or starting point; fundamental.

a noun: The essential facts or principles of a subject or skill.

The ubiquitous knit stitch is indeed the foundation for everything in knitting. In a way, it even shows us how to purl, considering that the purl stitch is a mirror image of a knit stitch. We can cast on by knitting the stitches onto a needle.

We vary our stitches by manipulating the knit stitch. Everything starts with knit. (Well, actually, everything starts with “e”, but we are talking about knitting here.)

Notice that when we tell people what we are doing with two needle ends and some yarn, we refer to the activity as “knitting”, not “purling”. And it is certainly not weaving, crocheting, quilting or macrame, although some non-crafty people lump all of these things into one big category of “things I don’t know how to do, even though my grandma tried to show me once”.
There are a couple of ways to look at the knit stitch. If you are working a piece flat, back and forth, the fabric that is produced by the knit stitch is referred to as “garter”. This fabric is bumpy on both sides, and has furrows. Mind you, if you worked a flat piece back and forth in all purl, it would still produce garter fabric. (Remember, purl is mirror of knit, so if you only purl a flat piece, you will get the same result as if you only knit a flat piece.)

Another fabric that consists of only the knit stitch is anything that is joined into the round and worked in knit. In that case, you are only working on the outside of a cylinder of knitting, and piling knits on top of knits in the round produces stockinette stitch. The fabric is smooth on the outside and bumpy on the inside, and without the deep furrows of garter stitch. Think of a knit sock worked in the round. All knit stitch. All on the outside of the stocking. Voila, stockinette stitch.

The Poncho a la Mode is knit in the round in one piece. (Ok, it has some rib at the very beginning so the edge doesn’t curl.)

Even though this is the first stitch we learn, it can create variety of very sophisticated looking items. Some of the most beautiful blankets and shawls are made with only the knit stitch. The “Mrs. Watson” is one great example.

On huge needles, thick yarn for a garter stitch blanket looks like something straight out of a fancy catalog.
Thin yarn on tiny needles is extremely warm and can be the foundation of an amazing shawl.

And, believe it or not, the Newport Summer Shrug is only the knit stitch! There are yarn overs, but isn’t that just a manipulation of the knit? No purling in this one!

And when is a flat piece in all knit stitch not garter? You can manipulate what you are doing by starting a yarn at the other end of a circular knitting needle to create “purl” rows! Check this out! Sliding Garter Blanket. My newest pattern on Ravelry!

Coming up! In part 2 of this blog about the knit stitch, I will discuss picking up stitches around garter.

Until then, Knit Yourself Happy!

Knitting Blog

“Fit to be Tied”

February 15, 2017 Martha2 Comments

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am not a big shopper. Especially for clothes. No malls, no boutiques, no online perusal of what’s hot to wear this season. I like Levi’s and hand knit sweaters!

Because of the vast variety of TV shows, movies and music that we have at our fingertips at any given moment, it feels like there are always many fashion trends happening at once. Downton Abbey fans are loving the 20’s and 30’s looks of sleek lines and really cute hats. Pop stars have their own unique brands and the stores are quick to fill our needs. What’s old is always new and designers just need to put their own twist into an idea to make it exciting again.

“Originality is nothing but judicious imitation.” -Voltaire

How do knitters make what’s hot right now? Often, by the time a knitting magazine is on the shelves, the trend is sliding away. Thanks to Ravelry, designers can get ideas out there as fast as we can make the garment and write the pattern.

I design many of my own garments myself. For Southern California I like short sleeved cotton sweaters, but we do need the occasional warm sweater also. Often, a student in one of my classes will have a favorite store bought sweater that they would like me to write a pattern for. Most of the time I get ideas by looking at what other people are wearing, sometimes from TV and in shop windows.

So… when one of my students came in with a really cute commercially knit hat, of course I had to make one and write the pattern immediately! This easy, cloche-style hat is over-sized but stylish. It won’t smash your hair, and with the gathered tie, it can be tipped on your head any way you like! Peek out from under one side for a flirty look, or wear the tie in the back or front if you prefer. You can lace a ribbon or silk scarf through the eyelet holes for more variety.

Coming up with a name for a new pattern is always a challenge for me… This one seemed easy!

“Fit to be Tied”

Find the pattern here.

Here it is with a silk scarf woven through the eyelet holes:

I always have some beginning knitters in my classes. What to make? This hat is perfect for a beginner!

Use a long tail cast on

To get started knitting in the round, see my video.

Double point needles are necessary to close the top of the hat.

Of course, don’t forget to fix that little gap that happens at the cast on.

Making an I cord is easy and fun! According to one of my favorite knitting icons, Elizabeth Zimmerman, “I cord” stands for “Idiot cord”. Maybe because it’s easy? Maybe because it is repetitious? Either way, check it out.

So there you have it! “Fit to be Tied”! Yay!

Knitting Blog

Valentine Knitting

February 7, 2017 MarthaLeave a comment

Of course, since we love all things about knitting,

we must honor Valentine’s Day with hand knit items!

We knitters just need another excuse to make hand knit gifts for ourselves or others!

Here is a bit of Valentine’s Day history, direct from Wikipedia:

According to legend, during his imprisonment, Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.

The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionary, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“).

In our culture, everything from cards for school children, roses, chocolates, diamonds, you name it, Valentine’s Day is another reason to offer gifts to the people we love, including friends and family. Why not try a couple of these knitted items to give to one of your favorite people?

I made these felted hearts into a garland. Why? Because it is FUN!

Pattern “Little Hearts” by Teresa Fox on Ravelry

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-hearts

If you need help getting started on double point needles, go to my YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPqEfpZbz0A&t=1s

I used an “EmbellishKnits” Machine to make a very long I-cord.

https://www.amazon.com/Caron-20293-Embellish-Knit-Machine-Kit/dp/B003W0AUQ4

I attached the hearts to the cord with fishing line to make a beautiful garland!

Next, think about a festive heart washcloth! This can be used in the kitchen, in the bath, and is a perfect gift for a new mom. Children of all ages will enjoy this fun way to get clean in the tub!

This is “Double Heart Dishcloth” by Angie Chervenak on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-heart-dishcloth

For a quick and easy last minute “I Love You” whip up one of

of these hearts, “Love You Forever” by Tanis Lavallée on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/love-you-forever

Don’t Forget, “Jolly Wee Elves” are too cute for Valentine’s Day!

https://www.churchmouseyarns.com/products/jolly-wee-elf-elemental-affects-version

And… Last but not least, my Tiny Hershey Kisses!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tiny-hershey-kiss-ornament-2

However you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day,

knitting a fun item like one of these is a celebration in itself!

LOVE,

Martha

Knitting Blog

Sewing Your Knits: Stockinette Stitch

February 3, 2017 Martha3 Comments

When I first began to knit sweaters in about 1987, I really had no idea how to properly seam them.

My first attempts at seaming were not great, but at least the garment could be worn! I knew that there must be a neater way to seam instead of overhand stitch or back stitch. I don’t recall having a book or resource that showed seaming properly.
After taking a knitting hiatus while my children were little, I wanted to knit sweaters again and was determined to learn how to finish my own work. The thought of giving over my precious hand knit garment for someone else to seam was not acceptable to me, and besides, I was afraid to be judged by my lack of skill! I took a finishing class at a conference in 2000 and learned just how easy seaming your knits is!
Unlike sewing with fabric, knitting is seamed from the outside of the work. It is not turned inside out for seaming.
The easiest of all seams in knitting is sewing two stockinette stitch pieces with mattress stitch. Stockinette stitch has the smooth knit fabric on the “public” or outside of the work and bumpy purl fabric on the “private” or inside of the work. This is produced by knitting one row and purling one row and repeating that sequence throughout.
At this point, I encourage you to get some yarn and needles and make a couple of practice pieces of stockinette. Cast on 10 stitches and work at least 20 rows of stockinette. Make two of the samples. Use thicker yarn and a large needle for these pieces so you can see what you are doing. Light colored yarn is easier to see than dark.
It is very important that you have the same number of rows in order to seam properly. Now, if you are off two rows, it probably is not that big of a deal to “fudge” a little bit and ease the extra couple of rows into the sewing. If you are off by several rows, however, your seam may “seem” a bit wonky. (Sorry, I just had to.) You may want to consider removing or adding some rows of knitting if this is the case. (Ah, c’mon, you still like to knit, right?)

Counting rows in stockinette is not as difficult as you might think.

After you have counted your rows to make sure you have the same number on each piece, you are ready to begin the set up for seaming.

This set up is known as a figure 8.

Believe it or not, (smile) some knitters have very strong opinions about whether to use the yarn tail or a new piece of yarn to sew the seam. Here are a couple of thoughts.
If you use the tail of yarn that is attached from the cast on, you must have a piece about one and a half times the seam length. A 10” seam would require about 15” of yarn to sew. If you use the tail, the yarn does not start from the exact place for beginning the figure 8. You must plan ahead and leave extra yarn at all of the cast on and bound off areas. This method leaves one less end to weave in at the beginning of the seam, so if you are concerned about extra bulk, use this method.
You may also use a new piece of yarn cut to about one and a half times the length of the seam to sew. This method places the yarn in the exact spot for the figure 8 beginning. If you use an extra length of yarn, you have another tail to weave in. The goal is to make the beginning of the seam look good, right? Choose the method you like the best. I use them both.

When you begin to seam, you must identify the edge stitch and the column next to it. In a straight stockinette seam, you will not veer from this column. You may choose to seam one row or two at a time. Work a few rows without pulling the yarn to make it easier to see what you are doing. After a few rows, pull the yarn firmly to bring the seam together.

You CAN sew this seam!

Now you can see how wonderfully easy it is to seam stockinette stitch! I know you can do this if you practice on a sample a couple of times! Your garments will look terrific with perfect seams.

I will present more on seaming different stitch patterns and areas of garments in future blogs!

KnitYourselfHappy and Sew Your Knits!

Knitting Blog

Knitting for Charity

January 23, 2017September 19, 2017 Martha2 Comments

Giving your time, talent and treasure to charity in any form is a good thing. Knitting is a wonderful way to give in all three of these ways. We give our time by spending hours knitting or crocheting a hat, blanket or other items. We give our talent by using our hands to create beautiful items to share. We give our treasure by using our money to purchase supplies for our donation. Not only does it benefit the charity itself, our own personal lives are enhanced by giving.

Why is it important that we donate to charity? Here are just 5 good reasons, from http://philomenafamily.org/?page_id=762

Help other people –there are millions of people in the world who are worse off than we are at any time. Many of these folks have problems that are not their fault or are beyond their ability to prevent or change. Humans are a social animal and the best way for mankind to advance is by helping those who are unable to help themselves. We have a responsibility to care for other people, to help those less fortunate than ourselves. When we have some spare cash, time or goods, it is an opportunity to help out.
Make a difference –donating to charity is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the world. By making a difference to someone’s life, you are leaving behind a legacy. You are making a statement that your life was worthwhile because you made a contribution to society.
Feel good –medical and scientific research has proven beyond doubt that giving to other people makes you feel good. The feeling of satisfaction you get when you help someone else is hard to replicate with any other type of activity or endeavor. People who give feel happier, are less anxious and suffer less depression than those who don’t. Better health is enjoyed by those who donate their time, expertise or money to others who are in need. Charitable people tend to be able to cope with their own problems more easily than those who don’t donate. Giving to others improves your self-esteem, self confidence and self worth. This advantage flows into all areas of your life so you will find that you are more confident at work and in social situations.
Support a cause you believe in –different charities touch different people. If you are passionate about something or believe that a certain area is important, you will be able to support that cause by donating to charity. Whatever you believe in or are passionate about, you will be able to further the cause through donations to charity.
Meet new people –donations to charity give you the opportunity to meet new people and expand your circle of acquaintances. This is especially true when you donate your time or expertise to a worthy cause. While most charitable organizations always need money, many could not operate without an army of volunteers. As well as meeting potential friends, who knows where these new relationships will take you and how these new people might be able to help you in the future?

Knitting for charity is not new, but if you have never considered it before, try it this year. Instead of thinking that you have to knit many articles for many causes, you can always start small.

Here are a couple of ideas for charity knitting.

One charity you may consider donating to is Knitted Knockers. This charity accepts knit or crochet breast prosthesis for women who have undergone a mastectomy. Founder Barbara Demorest started this charity in 2011 when she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed to find a soft comfortable prosthesis to wear to work while her stitches healed. The patterns are free and there are videos to help you along the way. I have made several of these and they are really fun to make. Find details about Knitted Knockers here: https://www.knittedknockers.org/

The Mother Bear Project is a charity that contributes knitted and crocheted bears to children in countries severely affected by aids. Some of the children are too poor to have a toy of their own, and this charity seeks to give a bear to a child in need. The patterns are $5 and contributors are encouraged to add special touches to their bears. Every donation receives a personal thank you note. Please learn more about Mother Bear Project: http://motherbearproject.org/index.php

For a list of groups that knit these bears socially, see: http://motherbearproject.org/knitting_groups.php

These are just a couple of examples of the vast number of charities for receiving knitted and crocheted items. Please feel free to add your favorite knit and crochet charity in the “comments” section below.

Knitting Blog

Provisional Cast On: What, How and Why

January 10, 2017 Martha5 Comments

A provisional cast on is a cast on that is meant to be removed later. According to Merriam-Webster, the adjective provisional means: “existing or accepted for the present time but likely to be changed”. This is the perfect definition for this cast on.

This type of cast on is used if you are going to work a border after completing the knitting, or you want to graft the beginning and end of the piece together.

Picture this: You want to make a sweater from the bottom up with a fancy lace border along the hem. You can’t decide which fancy lace border among the hundreds of possibilities, but your fingers are itching to start that soft ocean- blue sweater. Use a provisional cast on and fly away knitting on the body of the sweater, knowing with joy and glee that you can very easily add a lace border at the hem later without a seam or having to pick up stitches from the cast on edge.

Another scenario: You are making a scarf that may want to become a cowl. You can ask your scarf this while you knit: “Dear scarf, would you rather be a cowl?” Instead of seaming the beginning and end of the scarf, use a provisional cast on and either graft the live stitches at the beginning and end, or do a three needle bind off with those live stitches. Grafting, (also known as Kitchener stitch) makes a virtually invisible join, and the three needle bind off makes a nice, smooth non-bulky seam. If your scarf says near the end of completion, “No, dear knitter, I don’t want to be a cowl”, then you can place the provisional cast on onto a knitting needle and bind off from there. (Isn’t it fun to converse with your knitting?)

But wait… There’s MORE!

For those of you who are extra fussy about your knitted bind off looking different than your cast on, you can use a provisional cast on at the beginning of your project as it looks almost identical to a knitted bind off! Who knew? (Of course you have enough sense to use the working yarn, not waste yarn, and if you are being particularly correct today, we wouldn’t call this a “provisional” cast on now, would we? But I digress.)

There are a few different ways to make a provisional cast on. My favorite way is to crochet a chain around the knitting needle. Use a smooth yarn in a contrasting color to produce the provisional cast on. This is known as “waste yarn”. (Is there really such a thing as waste yarn?) When you have cast on the required number of stitches, cut the waste yarn and place a couple of knots at the end of it. This will tell you at which end you will eventually remove the stitches from. “Why?” you might ask, you clever knitter! Because the crocheted chain will only release from one end and not the other. Think of an old fashioned bag of flour with a string closure across the top. It only releases from one end to get that satisfying unzipping of the bag. Otherwise, you pick and cut and waste half a day trying to get that silly bag of flour open!

When your pattern calls for any special combination of stitches, such as ribbing, increasing, decreasing, lace, etc, you will always work a plain row before you commence the pattern. (Commence. Good word.) Work one row of knit or one row of purl before beginning a pattern. If you work in ribbing, or any combination of knits and purls directly from the provisional cast on, the stitches will not unzip, and you will spend half a day undoing the provisional cast on. Ok, maybe not half a day, but it is a real drag. Working a decrease or increase is also not recommended from the waste yarn as those will also unduly involve the provisionally cast on stitches.

When removing a provisional cast on to place it back onto the knitting needle, you will have one fewer stitch than you cast on. What? Ok, ok, I will explain. If you think of your knitting when it is right side up, the stitches look like a series of: VVVVVVVVV’s. It is not a series of VVVVVVV’s with an extra slash at the end \. When you turn the work to start the additional border or bind off, you are looking at the stitches upside down. Now it is a series of /\/\/\/\’s without a complete /\ on each end, merely a half stitch \ or / and you must work one of those half stitches to equal the cast on number. Those half stitches will not drop anywhere, so if it is not important for your stitch number, you don’t need to pick up that half stitch. Ok, you had to ask didn’t you? You really didn’t want to know all that, did you?

Once you have the provisional cast on removed to a working needle, you can knit in the other direction, or graft the two live ends together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE7lPJlwlt0

You can also join the two ends with a three needle bind off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t56IsgCCG4o&t=13s

So, as you can see, a provisional cast on is pretty easy to do. It really is a good knitting skill to have. Try it on your next project or swatch!