Knitting Daily : Cable Knitting

Craft Daily Is Here!

Kathleen Cubley — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:39:00 GMT

My knitting workshop video library just got too big for the bookshelf! The new Craft Daily site is here, and with streaming videos for knitters you can watch Knitting Daily TV and knitting workshops with just a click of the mouse. What's even better is that you can take these videos with you anywhere. Allow me to introduce you to Craft Daily, your new resource for visual knitting.

Here's fellow knitter Annie Hartman Bakken to tell you more:



Watch a preview of how Craft Daily works, with Online Education Manager Laura Esposito.

CraftDaily.com

I feel like the new generation of knitting is here. Craft Daily is a video streaming site for knitters. Whether you're a new knitter or have been knitting for years, there are videos for every skill level. Learn how to read yarn labels from Eunny Jang on Knitting Daily TV or knit a sweater from the top down with Wendy Bernard. It's all here.

If you've ever had the luck of attending a knitting class, the benefits of the visual knitting experience is priceless. You can see the instructor cast-on and knit, and often times a light bulb goes off. It all seems so easy when you see it done!



	Watch Eunny Jang demonstrate short-row knitting on Knitting Daily TV episode 708, on CraftDaily.com.

Craft Daily brings those knitting classes to practically any device that supports a strong internet connection (Mac, PC, iOS). You can watch 45+ Knitted Cast-Ons and Bind-Offs with Ann Budd anytime. Let's say you're on the train traveling to Newark, and you can't remember that stretchy cast-on for ribbed socks. Well, log on to Craft Daily and watch the video in the dining car. Yes, folks, it's that easy.

One of the more exciting bits of Craft Daily for me is the addition of Knitting Daily TV videos. Every time a new season of the show comes out, I get lots of comments about how the show doesn't air in certain areas. Or, it's airing at 6 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Now you don't have to set the DVR to record the show, because Craft Daily has episodes streaming on the site. Plus, they're adding more and more videos each week.

The Craft Daily site also allows you to build a library of your favorite videos, so you can keep track of those you've seen and want to watch again. I've bookmarked Lily Chin's Reversible Cables video, because the first time I watched it there was too much to absorb. I'm not as fast a knitter as Lily. I want to revisit it when I actually have the yarn and needles in my hands to knit along.

The Craft Daily site is brand-new, so go check it out. You can watch previews of the videos to see if they're something that interests you. Plus, you can leave helpful comments on each video for other knitters. I'll be there. Probably for another twelve hours!

—Annie Hartman Bakken, associate producer of Knitting Daily TV and Interweave's yarn division marketing manager

Craft Daily has videos for quilters, crocheters, and even metalsmiths; so we knitters can dabble in other crafts as well. Just what we need, right? Another crafting hobby!

I might not go buy a soldering kit, but I actually have enjoyed watching the jewelry making videos. And some of the sewing and quilting videos are great for knitters that want to sew their seams or embellish their knitwear.

As you can see, Craft Daily is an amazing way to learn crafting techniques and "waste" many, many more hours on the computer. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Resolve to Save!

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Save big this New Year with up to 80% off books, magazines, videos, seminars and more. Find great deals to help you learn a new technique, tackle your to-do lists and stick with your resolutions.

You know I love cables, and I want to share some great resources with you:


Reversible Cables with Lily Chin	Knitting Daily TV Episode 301: Traditional Cables	*Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Cables, With 4 Favorite Patterns*	Power Cables by Lily Chin
Expand your knitwear options with reversible cable designs by Lily Chin, a companion workshop to her book, Power Cables.	In Knitting Daily TV episode 301, learn how to knit cables and use them to make beautiful knitwear.	Editor of Interweave Knits magazine Eunny Jang guides you through the basics and beyond of cable knitting.	From basic twisted stitches to complex cables, this book will expand your expertise and take your cables to a whole new level.

Pretty great stuff, right? Check out our huge sale—you'll save on almost anything that strikes your fancy!

Cheers,

A Quick Cabled Gift Idea

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT


	The Ladybug Headband from A Step-By-Step Guide to Knitting Cables with 4 Staff Favorite Patterns

I recently finished a headband similar to the Ladybug Headband by Katy Ryan. I discovered that works really well as an ear warmer, too. It's great for people who don't look good in hats (ahem), or for those who don't like to wear them. And it's stylish, too.

I think I'll make several of these for Christmas gifts; after the first one is done, they'll go really fast—like one done in an evening! I love these kinds of projects. They are special to give and receive, but they're quick to knit so you don't get bogged down with holiday knitting.

The Ladybug is designed with an easy rope cable down the center. One thing that makes cable knitting so much easier (and faster!) is learning how to knit a cable without using a cable needle. Here's a video I made a few years ago, showing how I work cables without the needle.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

I know—it's scary. But put on your big knitter's pants and try it. Those loose stitches are only loose for a second, and if you use your thumb to hold them in place, they won't run from you. I promise.

Below are the written directions for this technique, based on the video. A four-stitch cable is used for each example.

Left-Cross Cable
(Traditional directions say "Hold stitches to front.")

1. Slip two stitches to right hand needle.
2. Knit next 2 stitches.
3. Slip left needle into fronts of 2 stitches that you slipped and take right needle out of all four stitches.
4. Bring right needle behind work and capture the 2 stitches that you already knit.
5. Knit the 2 stitches that you slipped.

Right-Cross Cable
(Traditional directions say "Hold stitches to back."

1. Bring yarn to front, slip 2 stitches.
2. Take yarn to back and knit next 2 stitches.
3. Take left needle to back of work, put the tip into back of the 2 stitches you slipped.
4. Slip right needle out of all stitches and capture the 2stitches that you already knit.
5. Knit the 2 stitches that you slipped.

Ladybug Headbands are also great stashbusters. So what are you waiting for? Head to the Knitting Daily Shop and download our eBook, A Step-By-Step Guide to Knitting Cables with 4 Staff Favorite Patterns! You'll love the other three patterns in the eBook, too.

Cheers,

P.S. What's on your needles for the holidays? Let us know in the comments!

Knitting Tips and Tricks

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

I love a good shortcut, whether it's cutting through an alley to avoid traffic or weaving in ends as I knit so I don't have to do it at the end of the project. Here are a few of my favorites, all of them things I learned from Knitting Daily TV!


		Weave in Yarns as You Go Place the needle in the next stitch and, before wrapping it, lay the yarn tail over the working yarn. Now work the next stitch; the tail is now fastened in. Repeat this for about 1 to 2 inches making sure to carry the yarn tail loosely to avoid puckering. This technique is a real lifesaver when you're knitting a striped project.

This is the correct orientation for adding new yarns. Positioning the yarns this way created a continuous length of yarn and will make your joins invisible.		Joining Yarns Hold the old and new yarn together so that the tail of the old one overlaps with the tail of the new one, creating a continuous yarn. Knit with both strands for about 4 to 5 stitches. Then discontinue knitting with the old strand and continue on with the new one. On the next row, treat the two yarns as one stitch, not two. This join can be used for light- to worsted-weight yarn.

		Tracking Your Project Needle Size Take a very long piece of contrasting scrap yarn and tie the exact number of knots to represent the size of your knitting needle. That way, if you remove your needle for use on another project, you will always know what size needle you were working with on the unfinished project. (This is one of my favorites! I hate doing gauge swatches again just to see what needle size I used.)

		Tracking Your Cable Rows Tie some scrap yarn with the cast-on yarn tail when working a cable. Take the scrap yarn and flip it over the needle every four rows—it looks like a running stitch up the project. You will always know what row of the cable you're on as you only have to count four rows. Why do it every four rows? Because so many cables are based on a multiple of four rows.

Pretty great tips, right? You'll use these techniques a lot, whether you're cable knitting, swatching, knitting stripes, or pulling needles from one project to use in another.

Each episode of Knitting Daily TV is full of tips just like these, to make your knitting easier and more fun. You can download single episodes from the Knitting Daily Shop, so browse the selection and choose a few today!

Cheers,

P.S. What's your favorite knitting tip? Share it with us below in the comments!

Wrapped Up in Scarves

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Most of us began our knitting careers with scarves. One of my first "real" projects was a simple garter stitch scarf, which I gave to a friend. She still wears it, almost ten years later. I cringe a tiny bit when I see her in it, but the rest of me is honored that she's loved it all these years.

I knitted so many scarves in my first couple of years as a knitter, and as my knitting skills improved, I advanced from scarves to hats, mittens, and finally sweaters. I had left scarves behind, only knitting them by very special request.

But I've been coming back around to scarf knitting. There are so many beautiful stitch patterns—cables, dropped stitches, lace—to explore and scarves are the perfect palette. Here are some of my favorite scarf patterns from the Knitting Daily Shop:


		A combination of fisherman's rib and welting makes for textural contrast in the Two Ribs Infinity Scarf. Susan Pierce Lawrence's piece is designed to be completely reversible, too. This is an infinity scar, which is knit in the round. It's about fifty-six inches in circumference, so you can wind it around your neck two or three times. Or be extra fashionable and wear it in one long loop!

		Inspired by Mercedes Tarasocich-Clark's love of the paper-pieced hexagons in quilting, the Sweet Hexagon Cowl is constructed of interlocking hexagons that are knitted in the round. Pieces are connected to each other using a combination of picked-up and cast-on stitches. I especially love the color combo in this scarf. There are four skeins of yarn used, two in buttery colors and two in lavenders. Lovely!

		Hannah Cuviello's Saxony Scarf is an attractive braided cable scarf that is reversible. Braided cables are simple to work, but pack a big design whallop! This design will make a dense, cuddly scarf. You can make this scarf in many different yarn weights, too, just do a gauge swatch to see how many repeats will be necessary to get the width you desire. Work the cable charts for as many repeats to make this scarf a customized length.

		Stephenie Gaustad's source of inspiration for the Variation Scarf was her love of things with frills, as diverse as exotic undersea creatures and flamenco dancers' skirts. Frills give the illusion of movement even when they are stock-still. The process of making the scarf is an adventure in three-dimensional knitting, too. These days, there are lots of patterns for ruffled scarves out there, but none as beautiful as this one (in my humble opinion!).

Get back into scarf knitting with one of these beautiful patterns!

Cheers,

Knitting season is on the horizon

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:00:00 GMT


	Relaxing with Poppy in my hammock chair


Lately Cardigan by Josh Bennett

Kennedy Sweater by Anniken Allis

I was sitting at my desk with two fans blowing on me, dreaming of a beautiful, crisp fall day, when the mailman arrived with a big manila folder. Inside was the new issue of Knitscene—the fall issue! Not exactly a temperature changer, but a girl can dream of fall, especially with the beautiful visual aids from Knitscene.

Don't get me wrong, I love summer with all of its fun, carefree activities like swimming in one of our local lakes, barbeques, and swinging in my hammock chair, but fall is my favorite season by far. So getting a glimpse of it with this fab issue of Knitscene is a real treat.

Here's editor Lisa Shroyer to tell you more:

We've been waiting.

We've been waiting for the fall knitting. We've been waiting through spring's slow ascent, through the edges of summer; the heat rolling in, the trees budding, greening, growing limp in the sunny dryness of June.

I've run a hand, wistfully, across the tops of the tight wool skeins in the tub by my desk. I've eschewed them for the cotton blends that seem more practical. I stopped knitting altogether for a few weeks, a few weeks in which my life was complicated and busy and full of work, friends, and other creative endeavors—but I missed the stitches.

Now, with summer fully settled in, I know it's coming. Fall. And I reach for a rich tweedy wool, and I cast on for an afghan. My dear friends are getting married soon, and I want to make them a big, heavy, cold-weather-ready afghan.


	Bridget Hoodie by Carol Feller

And the cycle renews itself—I become addicted to knitting, wool on steel needles, the idea of autumn.

Maybe we wax too poetic about fall, we knitters. In this issue, we go beyond the edge of reason and delve into the dream completely—with ethereal, fantastical knits in "Ethereal," classic, woolly staples in "Forever Knits," and the timeless work of designer Rosemary (Romi) Hill. It's open season for us. Let's jump right in!

Peace and happy stitches,

I think I'll take my copy of Knitscene out to my hammock chair; what a perfect combination of summer and fall!

Get your Fall 2012 Knitscene today and start your fall planning with me!

Cheers,

Crazy for Knitting Cables

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

That's me, "crazy-for-cables Kathleen." I've been working on my Lapis Yoke Pullover, which is cable-less. I'm almost done and I'm thinking about my next project, which must have cables.


The Cable-Down Pullover by Stefanie Japel, featured in A Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Cables with 4 Staff Favorite Patterns

I'm considering the Cable-Down Raglan by Stephanie Japel, featured in the new eBook, A Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Cables with 4 Staff Favorite Patterns by the Interweave Knits Staff. Here's Editor Eunny Jang to tell you all about it:

Knitting cables is one technique that epitomizes the free hand we knitters have to shape and mold our fabric as it grows. All cables—the whole lot of them, from simple ropes to complex panels to eye-boggling allover fabrics—are really just stitches knitted out of order, forcing the stitches to cross over one another. When combined with knit/purl texture, as cables usually are, some of the stitches appear to come forward, while others appear to recede, creating the illusion of individual "strands" that move across the surface of a plain fabric.

Cables are perennially popular, and with good reason—from simple rope cables to intricate braid- and knot-like motifs, cables are just plain fun to knit. In this exclusive eBook from Interweave Knits, we'll walk through a series of projects that will have you cabling the most complicated textures in no time.

—Eunny Jang, from A Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Cables with 4 Staff Favorite Patterns

This Cable-Down is worked in the round from the top down, in one piece, so the only finishing is a small seam in each underarm and weaving in the ends. The Lapis Yoke is the same construction, so I'm used to that.

The only issue I really have with top-down sweaters is that it's a lot of knitting in my lap when I get to the sleeves and it's a pain to knit the sleeves in the round because they get twisted up, especially at the beginning when you're knitting close to the armhole.

I worked the first sleeve on 16-inch needles and I didn't enjoy it, to say the least. For the second sleeve, I used the Magic Loop method, which was much easier because I just flipped it back and forth so it didn't get twisted. It took me a week to knit the first sleeve because I kept putting it down out of frustration and it took me just two evenings to finish the second sleeve! Mischief managed.

Back to the Cable-Down Pullover, though. Here are the details: The center-front cable panel, worked over 26 sts, is worked from the neck to the hem of the body. At the waist, smaller cables are introduced on either side of the front cable (mirrored right and left and separated by a two-stitch knit rib) and continue around the back (also mirrored right to left). The sleeves are worked in reverse stockinette stitch, with the same arrangement of large and small cables.

This is an advanced project, and if decide to knit this one it'll be the most complicated cable knitting project I've tackled. I'm up for it, though, especially with the help provided in A Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Cables with 4 Staff Favorite Patterns.

It's especially great if you're wondering how to knit cables, or even if you just need a refresher course.

Cheers,

A breath of fresh air: The New Knits

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT


	The Cobble Hill Pullover

A note from Kathleen: I received an advance copy of the Spring 2012 issue of Interweave Knits, and it's full of fun, springy, and fascinating designs. I brought it to my knitting group and people oohed and ahhed over the new patterns, adding them to their queues immediately! My favorite design is Mathew Gnagy's Reticulated Pullover. those cables and that collar? Wow.


The Reticulated Pullover

The Odette Cardigan

Or maybe my favorite is Erica Patberg's Cobble Hill Pullover—there's no cable knitting but the design is unique and I love the red. Hmmm. I can't decide, and why should I? There's time to knit both of them, or at least to think a lot about knitting both of them!

Here's editor Eunny Jang to tell you more about this issue.

IN COLORADO, WHERE I LIVE, SPRING COMES WITH startling suddenness, almost with violence. It is the high desert, after all, and our winter is long and cold, with storms that deposit many cumulative feet of snow on the mountains and the hills. Winter is our wettest season. All that precious moisture is stored, frozen solid, in snowbanks and on mountain summits until the spring thaw. And then our rivers suddenly swell and flow mightily, and the world seems to erupt with bud and bloom.

This wild coming-to-life always happens just when you're on the brink-when you can stand to eat no more root vegetables, wood fires only seem to fill the house with smoke, and the wool of that fifth pair of mittens feels unbearably itchy.

After the long, sleepy winter, spring comes to wake us up, and just in time.

This issue of Interweave Knits celebrates spring with eighteen fresh, vivid knits full of bright color and toothsome technique. "Knit Definitive" shows off one ultra-modern sweater. "High Definition" explores gentle textures. "Fancy Work" rethinks beaded knitting.

"Airs and Graces" sets out to discover new ways of knitting airy fabrics. And "Knitting Fundamentals" rounds up some fast, simple knits that show off bold color.

At Interweave Knits we don't want you to miss any of our exiting, innovative designs and technique tutorials, so we invite you to subscribe today!

Now shake off the winter and bring some liveliness to your knitting basket. Spring is just around the corner.

Happy knitting,

P.S. Check out the preview to explore the new Knits in-depth!

Tiny Sweaters: A great beginning!

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT


How cute is this?

When I started knitting, lots of my friends were having babies and I knit a lot of baby sweaters. Tiny sweaters out of lots of different yarns using lots of different patterns.

It was so much fun knitting for babies and learning new skills while creating these darling little garments.


	The Kai Cable Sweater. I want this whole package, including the darling little guy!

I really pushed myself on a few of the projects, using advanced techniques on a small scale. I knit cabled sweaters, a striped vest, a Fair Isle dress, and an intarsia sweater. Those were the most challenging, but I knit lots and lots of simpler projects, which is what I'd like to talk about today.

One pattern that I made several times is the Kai Cable Sweater from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louise Harding. This book is full of darling patterns, but the Kai sweater is one of my favorites.

It's deceptively easy, with its cable up the front and open sides. In fact, if you're new to cabling, the Kai is the perfect first project.


The cable appears to grow organically out of the ribbing.

One of the reasons the cable looks so nice is because it grows out of the ribbing, which is a design detail I love.

The cable is a classic eight-stitch braid cable where four stitches cross over four stitches You can see in the photo at left that the cable crosses begin with crossing a set of K2/P2 rib over another set of stitches so the the cable looks like it grows out of the K2/P2 rib.

To make this look especially nice, there are some increases in the first row after the ribbing is finished, right in the area where the cable will be, that preserves the two purl stitches right before the cable cross. These two stitches, as well as the two purl stitches on the other side continue all the way up the front of the sweater.

As in many cabled sweaters, the stockinette stitch cable is set off with purl stitches to make it really stand out.


	I wanted to show the Kai in a different color, so LicketyKnit (a.k.a. Rachel) on Ravelry let me use her photo. I love the red, and the model!

Louisa's collar design is striking, too, with the cable continuing all the way up the funnel neck. It's so cute!

The edges of the bottom ribbing are open at the sides to give a baby's tummy area more room to move around. The neck opening is plenty big enough to accommodate those baby noggins that are always a little larger that you think—there's a split at the back of the collar that provides that extra head room.

One final detail is the three-needle bind off at the shoulders, which is done with wrong-sides together so that the seam shows. Very fashion-forward! And isn't that what we all want for our little ones (wink, wink). But I really do like this knitterly detail.

Check out Natural Knits for Babies and Moms and add the Kai Cable Sweater to your repertoire!

Cheers,

The Art of Cable Knitting

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Working cables is one of the most satisfying of knitting techniques. Cables add texture to all kinds of garments; they keep knitting interesting, they add a little challenge, and they look fabulous! We've gathered seven patterns for you in this eBook, The Art of Cable Knitting: 7 Free Patterns for a Cable Knit Sweater, Scarf, Pullover, and More. From cowls to wraps to sweaters, these fun knit cable designs will satisfy your urge for cable knitting!

From left to right: Winding River Cowl, Valkyrie Vest, Interlocking Cables

My Winding River Cowl is a super cozy neck warmer comprised of reversible cables that cross every 14 or 28 rows. The resulting fabric reminded me of the twists and turns rivers take. Use a yummy yarn like a cashmere/merino blend for a luxurious treat.

The Valkyrie Vest by Lisa Shroyer is a beautiful cabled piece that's flattering to all figures. When Lisa was designing this vest, she thought a plain, vertical pattern seemed boring so she started traveling the cables out, achieving a winged effect. "Hence, the Valkyrie Vest," she says.

Interlocking Cables by Shirley Paden is a showstopper. The allover cable pattern is made up of interlocking rope cables and the fold-over boatneck collar gives this sweater a sophisticated look.

Clockwise: Rittenhouse Scarf, Wheat Ear Cable Yoke, Anniversary Pullover, Five-Way Cable Wrap

The Rittenhouse Scarf by Marilyn Murphy is also a reversible cable design, one that's combined with ribbing around the neck. Worked in two identical sections from a provisional cast on, this scarf is a lovely addition to anyone's wardrobe.

The Wheat Ear Cable Yoke by Pam Allen is a study in contrast: the contrast of knitted textures with smooth stockinette. A two-stitch twist cable alternate with a seven-stitch wheat ear cable to make a stunning yoke at the top of a smooth, stockinette body.

Kathy Zimmerman's Anniversary Pullover was designed as an anniversary gift for her husband. The knitted cables and checks represent the twists and turns of married life, which is such a lovely sentiment. This is the perfect "man sweater," which also works great for women!

Lily Chin's Five-Way Cable Wrap (from her book Power Cables) is a versatile piece that functions as a shrug, wrap, poncho, or stole. Lily's wrap is basically a stole with buttons and buttonholes added in strategic positions. You'll love this inventive piece!

The designs in The Art of Cable Knitting: 7 Free Patterns for a Cable Knit Sweater, Scarf, Pullover, and More represent the best in cable knitting, from beginning to advanced—with these patterns we're sure you'll enjoy knitting cables as much as we do.

Cheers,

A new way to read a cable chart

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Cable charts can sometimes look more complicated than the cables themselves! Leave it to Lily Chin to simplify these charts and make them easier to follow.

Here's an example of one of Lily's new charts:

Honeycomb Cable, Lily Chin's Way

CO 32 sts (8 sets, 4 sts in each set)
Work 8 rows in St st.
*First crossing row: [Work 4/4 Left Cross (cn in front). work 4/4 Right Cross (cn in back)] 2 times.
Work 7 rows in St st.
Second crossing row: [Work 4/4 Right Cross (cn in back), work 4/4 Left Cross (cn in front)] 2 times.
Work 7 rows in St st.
Repeat from * for pattern.

Take a look at the chart to the left of the swatch. The numbers at the bottom of the chart represent the number of stitches you're crossing as each cable is worked. In this case, you're crossing 4 stitches over 4 stitches. The numbers at the right of the chart represent the number of plain (non-crossing rows) worked between crossing rows. (What isn't shown in this chart are the garter stitch edging stitches, which were done just for the swatch.)


Homeycomb V-Neck Pullover from Lily Chin's book Power Cables

The honeycomb cable knitting pattern is a classic, and one of my personal favorites. Lily has used it expertly in her Honeycomb V-Neck Pullover, shown at left. Lily paired the honeycomb pattern with a simple rope cable to make a classic, yet updated Aran sweater. I think the V-neck is wonderful in this design, making it a great unisex sweater.

Lily's Reversible Cables: More Bang for Your Buck

I learned so much from Lily's DVD workshop Reversible Cables with Lily Chin. She gives an in-depth lesson on her charting system, which really makes so much more sense than traditional cable charts.

Lily is a wonderful teacher, and she's really funny, too. One of her tips really hit home with me: "I'll be right back" is what she says to remember that when working right-crossing cables you hold the cable needle in back.

Reversible cables are the ultimate in versatility. You can use them in scarves, shawls, afghans, lapels, and more, and they're easy to work because they're simply knit in ribbing instead of plain stockinette. This puts knit stitches on the front and back of the work, making the cables look great on either side.


	Staghorn Cabled Coat

Another favorite of mine is Lily's Staghorn Cabled Coat, which features staghorn cables on the cuffs, hemline, and lapels. When the staghorn cable is worked as a reversible cable it reverses direction, so you have "Ws" on one side and "Ms" on the other. I love this because it adds even more interest to the garment.

Now Lily's workshop is available as a download, so you can watch it anytime you want to, right on your computer. That's how I watched it! I urge you to download Reversible Cables with Lily Chin today and let Lily open the door to a whole new world of cable knitting!

Cheers,

An All New Season of Fiber Television: Do the Math

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT


Eunny demonstrates wrapped stitches, which can be used in handknits for a cinched waistline like in the tank pictured here.

Host Eunny Jang joins Mathew Gnagy, author of the upcoming Sideways Knitting book to talk about structural knitting.

What a novel idea! Kt Baldassaro shows Shay a fun scarf project that allows you to play with different yarns for a fun final project.

Knitting Daily TV Series 700 is hosted by Eunny Jang and experts Kristin Omdahl and Shay Pendray.

A note from Kathleen: One of my knitting buddies broke her wrist earlier this summer, and she can't knit until September! The horror. She was going through knitting withdrawal so I lent her season 6 of Knitting Daily TV. She was so happy being able to take part in her craft even with her wrist in a cast. She took a bunch of notes about projects she wanted to knit and tips she wanted to practice once her wrist was back to normal. She also ordered her own copies of Knitting Daily TV on CD so she could watch them whenever she wanted.

There's a new season coming up, and I invited Annie Bakken, associate producer, to give you the rundown.

Knitting Daily TV Is Back for Season 7!

As associate producer of Knitting Daily TV, I'm excited to bring you what I think is the best tips and techniques series we've produced so far. To prove the educational value of this season, I thought I'd break it down into numbers.

13 in-depth technique segments: Host of Knitting Daily TV (and editor of Interweave Knits magazine) Eunny Jang begins each episode with a knitting tutorial. This season showcases knitting socks with the magic loop method, an overview of knitted felt, how to fix handknits that fit poorly, unique wrapped stitch techniques, bind-off methods, and lots more.

7 star designers: Invite novelty yarn specialist KT Baldassaro into your fiber studio to add beads to a summer tank. Guest appearances by fan-favorites Laura Bryant and Barry Klein touch on proper ways to measure for knitting and how to add knitted ruffles to your work. Other guests include the Helping Hands Foundation's Penny Sitler, celebrity knitter Deborah Norville, new author Mathew Gnagy, and more.

13 Chain Reaction Afghan Project crochet-alongs: For crocheters out there, each episode brings crochet expert Kristin Omdahl and editor of Interweave Crochet magazine Marcy Smith together to discuss and make the Chain Reaction Afghan Project. A collaborative afghan of 20 squares from well-known and up-and-coming designers, this afghan has a vast amount of crochet techniques from simple to quite complicated.

13 quick-tips from Eunny Jang: Each episode of Knitting Daily TV ends with a quick-tip from Eunny, all which are simple to master and ingenious for making your knitting nightmares disappear. Learn how to finish your projects with whipstitch, baseball, or mattress stitch; knit-on edgings; custom toggles; and learn how to weave in your ends in intarsia knitting; keep track of your knitting using stitch markers; and much more.

10 patterns: As always, with each series of Knitting Daily TV free pattern downloads are available on the website KnittingDailyTV.com so you can knit and crochet along with the cast and crew. For the beginning knitters, there's a fun cabled scarf that incorporates novelty yarns (the pattern will be available for download July 21, 2011). For the more advanced knitter, there's Mathew Gnagy's Bethany Cardigan, which you can download in September, that derives its shape from sideways knitting techniques. And for the crocheters, there's a beautiful crocheted shawl and a complete 20-square afghan; both patterns are available this month.

23+ tips: Knitting Daily TV Series 700 also includes free tips and technique downloads on the website. Print out a schematic chart for proper measurements as well as 22 other tips from designers.

2 bonus segments: The 4-DVD set of Knitting Daily TV 700 includes two bonus tutorials with host Eunny Jang. This season she discusses Fair Isle and short-row knitting. The DVD is available online, so get your copy now!

All in all, I hope these numbers prove that this season of Knitting Daily TV is sure to increase your yarn knowledge. We hope you'll tune into the show on your local Public Television station this month, and visit us online at KnittingDailyTV.com.

Cheers,

Knitting with the Queen of Cables

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT


The Bed and Breakfast Pullover

I think we all have a few patterns that we are going to "knit next." Somehow, though, those designs always get bumped from my next-project plan because something is always more pressing, whether it's a gift that has to be done, a knit-along that has a deadline looming, or something that I thought was going to be quick and that I'd just "slip in."

I just saw one of my next-knit patterns again—Kathy Zimmerman's Bed and Breakfast Pullover—and this time I'm really going to knit it next! I have two projects to finish, and then it's Bed and Breakfast on the needles.

Kathy designed the Bed and Breakfast to wear on a getaway weekend at a New England B&B. She's staggered cables in a central panel with vertical ribs framing the panel add dimension and texture to the rest of the sweater, and draw it in slightly for a closer fit. I love the contrasting color trim at the waist and the cuffs; that little punch of color really adds a lot, especially with the dark gray-green/mustard color combo.

Being a big fan of cablework, Kathy Zimmerman's designs have always enthralled me. There's a new eBook out celebrating Kathy's designs, A Designer Profile eBook, with 6 Knitting Patterns by Kathy Zimmerman that includes the Bed and Breakfast!

Kathy has been designing sweaters for twenty-five years, most with her signature cable patterns; she's known as the Queen of Cables for good reason!

In the Summer 2011 issue of Interweave Knits, writer Julie Matthews profiled Kathy—here's some of that interview for you:

One of the first things you notice about Kathy Zimmerman is she always wears hand-knitted sweaters. In spring and summer, she sports cotton tees; fall and winter, wooly, cabled pullovers. Remarkable, yes—but even more impressive when you realize she designed every single one.


	Kathy Zimmerman

Best known for her classic sweater patterns, Kathy is an accomplished knitter, teacher, and designer. Her work personifies investment knitting.

Kathy favors classic designs with a twist, often using cabled, slip-stitch, and textured stitchwork. She also owns Kathy's Kreations, a yarn shop specializing in quality handknitting yarns and accessories located in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

When it comes to designing sweaters, "I aim for balanced, tasteful weekend wear," Kathy explains.

Kathy's designs almost always feature some gorgeous cabling or lace pattern. She finds inspiration everywhere. "I love stitch dictionaries, especially Japanese ones. I'll take a stitch pattern and turn it upside down, or I'll marry two different stitch patterns together," she says.

Cables come naturally to her and often tell a story. "Like after we vacationed in Cape May, New Jersey, a beach community known for its beautiful Victorian homes, my next sweater featured an intricate gingerbread lace stitch that reminded me of those lovely seaside porches," she said.

—JULIE MATTHEWS, "Kathy Zimmerman: A Quarter Century of Creating Classic Cables and Cardigans," Interweave Knits, Summer 2011

For more about Kathy, plus six amazing designs to get you all wrapped up in cable knitting, download A Designer Profile eBook, with 6 Knitting Patterns by Kathy Zimmerman now.

You'll want to turn up the air-conditioning and get started right away so you can wear one of these beautiful cable knits at the first nip of fall.

Cheers,

Knitting Cables and Textured Stitches with Lily Chin

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:00:00 GMT


Lily Chin's Textured Tote Bag

I've been infatuated with many a knitted bag, but I think I may have finally found my true soul mate: the Textured Tote Bag, from Lily Chin's book Power Cables.

Lily's bag hits the mark for me in several ways. It's large enough to carry my knitting project, notions bag, and a small handbag; it's a really attractive bag, with the cables and textured stitches weaving in and out of each other; and it's really fun to knit!

Being a mixed-media gal, I have to tell you that while I was certainly attracted to this bag when I got Lily's book, I really fell for it after seeing Lily's new Knitting Daily Workshop DVD, Reversible Cables, where Lily talks about her trials with textured cables and shares her hits and misses (she said her first experiments were with garter-stitch cables, and both sides turned out "ugly"; she's hilarious). She demos her successful garter-rib cable designs and seed stitch-rib cable designs, which are showcased in several of her patterns, including the Textured Tote Bag.

The section about textured cables is fascinating to me because of the simple techniques that Lily employs to make such a bold statement.

These cables are simply four-stitch ribbed cables that cross back and forth over a bed of garter stitch. Because the rib pulls in in such a way that the knit stitches bury the purl stitches, the cable looks like a two-stitch cable, and it looks the same on the reverse. It's such a successful technique, and I love the impact it has on this bag, in this Earth-toned color of Berroco Linen Jeans (a linen/rayon yarn that' perfect for a work-horse bag).

Here's what Lily has to say about her cable technique: "The very first experiment I did when developing reversible cables was to work them in garter stitch, which was far from successful. Not wanting to give up on garter stitch altogether, I experimented and researched some more. I discovered that in order for any other textured stitch (such as garter or seed stitch) to be incorporated into a viewable cable, it must be confined to or contained within only one strand or set of stitches. The other set must be stockinette (or ribbing, which draws in and looks like stockinette). Basically, view this as a mixed pair! See how the other texture "snakes" its way around the stockinette or rib column? The idea is to have contrast between the smooth and the textured. Not only do alternating textures emphasize movement, they also impart another layer or dimension."

Here's a preview of Reversible Cables:

Just like the Textured Tote pattern, there's so much to love about this DVD: the cutting-edge techniques, the inspirational and achievable patterns, and Lily herself! I adore this DVD, and I know you will too. Get your copy of Reversible Cables with Lily Chin today, and join me in my adventures in textured cable knitting.

Cheers,

Bumbling around with bobbles

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

I love the look of bobbles, but I didn't used to be able to stand knitting them. All that turning back and forth, working five stitches into one, It just seems like a pain.

The thing about knitting is that some things are a pain, but they're usually worth it (just another instance of knitting imitating life, right?). This goes for bobbles; sometimes you just have to have a bobble!

One of my favorite knit combos is bobbles + cables. I've been looking at a scarf pattern for awhile now, not starting it because I wasn't in a bobble mood. I was recently reviewing Eunny Jang's DVD Workshop Getting Started Knitting: Basics and Beyond, and lo and behold, there was a segment on making bobbles!

Not only does Eunny show a neat way to do a yarn-over variation to make more stitches for a bobble, she shows how to KNIT BACKWARDS so you don't have to turn your work ad nauseum when making bobbles. As always, Eunny knows of what she speaks.

You must learn this technique right now, so here's the video:

(Please visit the site to view this media)


	Kathleen's bobble and cable scarf swatch

I've started a practice swatch for a cable-bobble scarf (at right). I'm getting better at the bobbles, and I'm actually enjoying working them. Eunny's bobble tips are really worth using.

I think the top right bobble is the best one. I'm going to keep swatching until I get several perfect bobbles in a row. And I'm not sure if I like this scarf pattern. I think I'll do away with the knit stitch up the middle and add some bobbles in that space, mirroring the bobbles on the outsides of the cables. What do you think?

I really love the knitting backwards technique; you should practice it a bunch, because I can promise you that it'll come in handy. Like when you're knitting a 5-stitch button band or a purse strap or a shoulder strap.

I've already used it in a Christening dress I'm working on. The top of the dress is a knit and purl lattice pattern, and on the wrong side it's hard to see where to knit and where to purl. It's easy to see the pattern develop on the right side, so I've been using the reverse knitting technique. Try it!

Every time I watch this DVD workshop, I have an a-ha moment. Order your copy of Getting started Knitting: Basics and Beyond and get ready to "a-ha" with Eunny.

Cheers,