Knitting Daily : Kitchener

The Knit-a-Long Post (Plus the Kitchener Stitch and a Free Pattern!)

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Monkey Socks: Wrap-Up

Our first knit-a-long was a great success! When I started this knit-a-long back on July 1, I wasn't sure how it would go. I'm thrilled that Monkey Socks by Cookie A. were knit by about 20 people and to date there are 241 thoughts shared on the forum.

I'm so happy that so many of you knit the sock with me and took the time to share your tips and tricks along the way. We really created a nice community, didn't we? I'm especially glad this knit-a-long filled a knitting group need many of you have--sometimes it's hard to find knitting groups for a variety of reasons, and I'm glad you all found us! We learned about Judy and her RVing lifestyle, and we admired Terry's beautiful Jitterbug blue colorway, and we shared tips about knitting different heels and some lace tricks, too. I had a fabulous time with you all, and since I've only knit one sock so far, the fun will continue.

Here are a few photos of finished socks:

Free Slipper Pattern and a How-to Video about the Kitchener Stitch

For those of you still working on your socks, I thought you'd like a video tutorial on the Kitchener Stitch (also known as grafting). This is one of those things that I have to look up every time I do it, so here's a reference for you, too! (If you're more of a picture person than a video person, get yourself a copy of The Knitter's Companion by Vicki Square. This little book has lots of technique help, including the Kitchener stitch.)

(Please visit the site to view this media)

This segment is from Knitting Daily TV episode #208. If you missed any of season 2, order the DVD here!

And Now . . . the New Knit-a-Long!

Yep, it's a landslide victory for the Central Park Hoodie (1838 votes, 49.2% of total votes). YAHOO!!

I hope I didn't unduly influence you, but if I did, THANKS FOR VOTING FOR THE HOODIE! My beautiful pink Tahki Donegal Tweed thanks you, too. The Every Way Wrap came in second, followed by the Falling Leaves Scarf, the Diagonal Rib Socks, and the Feminine Mittens.

The original Hoodie is in the fall 2006 issue with sizing up to 48" bust. For those who need the plus-size version, purchase the pattern with the complete size range exclusively at the Interweave Store. Here's a quick summary of the project:

Finished Size: Sizes 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)" bust.
Yarn: Tahki Donegal Tweed (100% wool; 183 yd (167 m)/110 g): #803 yellow-green OR #869 dark-taupe (brown): 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 20) skeins.
Yarn weight: #4 - Medium
Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows = 4" in St st on larger needles.
Needles: Sizes 6 (4 mm) and 8 (5 mm) needles, or size to achieve gauge, Size 6 (4 mm): 32-40" circular needle
Notions: Cable needle (cn), Stitch markers, Stitch holders, Yarn needle, Buttons (optional), Crochet hook (optional)
Originally Published: Knitscene, Fall 2006

Since this is a big sweater, the KAL will last until the end of October, so check in to the new Knit-a-Long forum and let's start swatching together (yes, swatching, not knitting the actual pieces until we all get gauge!).

Get Your Free Ribby Slipper Pattern!

To celebrate the end (for some of us) of the Monkey Sock KAL, here's a free sock pattern: Ribby Slipper Socks by Cathy Carron. These are on my list for Christmas for my nephew, and I might add a doggie face or something like that because nephew Henry loves animal slippers! (You'll also find five other patterns when you download the Ribby Slipper Socks because it's part of our free ebook Easy Knits: 6 Free Easy Knitting Patterns from Knitting Daily.) Download your free eBook today and don't forget to forward this email on to friends who could also use some free easy knitting patterns!

Cheers!

Kathleen

By the way, I had the honor of meeting Cookie A. at the Sock Summit. See how thrilled I am to see her? She was gracious and so glad to hear about our KAL with the Monkey Sock. Hers was one of the longest lines in the book signing area, and I was happy to stand and knit my way to the end of it.

Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Need a new sock knitting pattern? Want a great free sock pattern? Here are five of our top sock knitting downloads together in one FREE ebook for you.

So what kind of sock patterns are in this eBook? Let's see. There's a knitted lace sock pattern, a cabled sock pattern, a colorwork sock pattern, a men's sock pattern, and an easy beginner sock pattern. Something for everyone!!

Download Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Free Pattern: Lovely Lace Shawl (Plus More Lace Tips!)

KD Sandi — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:36:00 GMT

Tips for Joining A Shawl Worked in Two Halves

Some long rectangular shawls or scarves are worked in two pieces and then joined at the center. Why? Because certain lace patterns produce a lovely scalloped or patterned edge at the cast-on end, but do not produce a matching pretty scallop at the bind-off end. If you were to work the shawl or scarf in a single piece, the two ends would look very different--and most knitters prefer the swoopy fancy cast-on edge to the comparatively plain bind-off edge!

Designers resolve this by knitting one half of the shawl which is then set aside while casting on and knitting another matching half. The two halves are then joined, usually by...no, no, don't run away, not yet anyway...grafting them together using the Kitchener stitch.

There's that dratted Kitchener stitch again. Just when we all were having so much fun, knitting a gorgeous lace shawl, that silly grafting thing had to go and sneak up on us at the very end. The existence of that sentence, "Now graft the two halves together using the Kitchener stitch" has stopped many a knitter from knitting certain perfectly lovely shawl patterns.

Methods for Joining the Two Halves and (bonus!) Saving Your Sanity

You can substitute a three-needle bind-off for the Kitchener stitch. This is easy and quick, but it can produce a pronounced ridge right down the middle of your shawl.

Another method, suggested by Alice Halbeisen, the designer of the Lace Shawl pictured above (and this week's free pattern!), is to bind off each half very loosely, and then stitch the halves together. This second solution works quite well, with only a minimal ridge if you do it carefully.

Here are some tips for seaming success:

1. If there is a "plain knitting" row, bind off on that row instead of a "lace knitting" row.
2. Bind off in pattern, meaning: If there are a mixture of knits and purls, knit the knits and purl the purls as you work the bind-off row.
3. Use the mattress stitch to sew the seam.
4. Carefully match column for column as you sew.
5. Use pins or locking stitch markers to "baste" the halves together to help keep the stitches and columns matched up.
6. Be sure to catch the legs of the very last stitch in each column, and alternate columns as shown in this tutorial.

Ultimately, however, every knitter sooner or later should become proficient at the Kitchener stitch. It seems to be some sort of scary monster that intimidates a lot of us; but really...it's just another knitting technique, just like entrelac or turning a heel or short rows. We're all knitters, and that means we're smart enough to Kitchener! I admit: I can graft when I need to, but I still have to look at the diagrams and in the process there's a lot of words coming out of my mouth that my momma wouldn't approve of. And so this summer, I'm making it one of my personal goals to conquer that silly grafting thing, once and for all. After all, who's the boss of my knitting? Me, that's who. So stay tuned! And don't forget to download the free Lovely Lace Shawl pattern.

-- Sandi

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knitting Lace: Knitting Daily Presents 7 Free Knitted Lace Patterns

Are you addicted to lace knitting? Or maybe you've admired some of the gorgeous knitted lace patterns out there and want to give lace knitting a try? Here are seven of Interweave's top knitted lace patterns, gathered together in one FREE ebook for you.

Whether you are a first time lace knitter, or a seasoned expert, you'll enjoy the timeless beauty of knitting lace. Get these stunning projects that will continue to inspire, and be loved for generations to come. You'll want to make every one of these lace patterns, so download your free eBook now and get started (and don't forget to tell a friend so they can enjoy their own copy!)

Download Your Free Lace Patterns Today

Free pattern: Child's Fair Isle Hat

KD Sandi — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:13:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: Knitting for a child seems to bring out in us the longing to make something worthy of being passed down through the generations. Here is Lisa Shroyer's contributrion to the staff design challenge for Interweave Knits Summer 2009: "Design an Heirloom."

Sweet Hex Child’s Hood
by Lisa Shroyer

Thinking about heirloom knitting brings up visions of intricate tapestry fabrics, long-loved silk baby items with deteriorating edges, natural colors, bits of lace as seen through a glass display case in a museum. I thought about fine gauges, rich patterning, and traditional techniques for this staff project. But what function for my heirloom knit? Heirlooms tend to collect around the milestones of life—births and weddings and religious ceremonies. None of those celebrations are personal to me at this time, so I was free to think about what I just really wanted to knit. And for me, that’s always stranded colorwork.

This child’s special-occasion hood is worked in two neutral colors in the round with one steek. You can see from the blocking photo how I cut open the steek with the stitches still live, blocked it, then later Kitchener'd the live stitches at the top of the hood to make a pocket-like shape. The steek edges and decorative cords are tucked into facings and tacked down.

In a silk/wool blend, this hood has a luxurious feel and shimmer, but does require machine reinforcement for the steek. It’s not that scary! (The Winter 2006 issue of Interweave Knits has a great tutorial on steeking.)

The hood is intended for a child about 8 years, but the fit is versatile and could work on kids from 5 to 10. You can see we also tried it on an adult model, and it’s really cute! The hood fits her more like a bonnet, but you get the idea. On a smaller head, the back edge will fall closer to the nape of the neck. If you want the hood for yourself, try working in a worsted weight yarn for a larger version.

PS. The title for this project comes from the decorative hex designs of the Pennsylvania Dutch. It’s a loose interpretation, but the motif here is an isolated, self-contained square with elements radiating from the center.

For more great ideas on how to "Design an Heirloom", get your copy of Interweave Knits Summer 2009, or for year round inspiration, subscribe to Interweave Knits today.

Download the free pattern for the Sweet Hex Child's Hood

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Baby Patterns from Knitting Daily: 7 FREE Baby Knitting Patterns

This FREE downloadable eBook consists of seven of Interweave’s best-loved baby knitting patterns. Knitting for babies is fun for you, and appreciated by those who enjoy the finished product. Knit your favorite free baby patterns today—smiles are guaranteed. Download your copy (and don’t forget to tell a friend so they can enjoy their own copy!).

Download Your Free eBook Today

The Joy of Toe-Up Socks

KD Sandi — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:37:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: There's more than one way to work a sock, as many long-time sock knitters will tell you. Most of us learn to make them by starting at the cuff--but if you find that this method isn't making you happy, then perhaps you could try knitting socks from the toe up. Here to explain this versatile and easy technique is an excerpt from Interweave Knits Summer 2007 by Ann Budd, author of Interweave's Getting Started Knitting Socks. Ann's a huge fan of handknit socks herself. (Ann's bio states that she has not worn a store-bought sock in years, and has never met a handknit sock she didn't like!) Here's Ann!

Working Socks From The Toe Up

In general, I like to knit socks from the top down, beginning with a cast-on at the top of the leg and ending with the Kitchener stitch at the tip of the toe. But sometimes it's practical (and preferable) to work in the opposite direction--from the tip of the toe to the top of the leg. With this method, you cast on stitches at the tip of the toe, work the foot to the desired length, work short-rows to shape the heel, then work the leg to the desired length, finishing with a flexible bind-off at the top of the leg. One advantage of the toe-up method is that you can try on the socks at any point along the way to make sure that they fit just right.

Another advantage of toe-up sock knitting is that the heel is shaped in short-rows without a heel flap or gussets. You won't have to count rows in the heel flap or pick up stitches for the gussets, which can be particularly helpful if you're working with a highly textured yarn that obscures individual stitches or you tend to have trouble seeing the stitches. And best of all for many knitters, when you work from the toe up, you don't have to work the Kitchener stitch.

Working socks from the toe up is also a good idea if you're worried about running out of yarn. Begin with two balls of equal size, one for each sock. Work the foot to the desired length while you have lots of yarn, then continue up the leg as far as you can before the ball runs out. This is a great way to economize with expensive yarn--buy a single ball for each sock and use every precious yard.

-- Ann Budd

The full version of this article, complete with detailed how-to information and stitch number charts, appears in the Summer 2007 issue of Interweave Knits. Check it out!

If you'd like a step-by-step guide to knitting socks, including size and gauge charts and basic stitch patterns, ask for Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd at your local yarn shop, or buy it here.

Want to try a toe-up sock?
Here's two great free toe-up sock patterns!

If you've never tried toe-up sock knitting before and want a great free sock pattern, there's two in our FREE sock pattern ebook!

The Caspian Sea Socks are a knockout, with an intricate colorwork design, down to the patterned soles. This free sock pattern comes complete with detailed full-color charts and step-by-step instructions.

The William Street Socks were designed based on Ann Budd's article mentioned above, and sport big thick cables which stretch to cushion your feet...or the feet of someone you love! This sock pattern is appropriate for either men or women, and is specially designed to fit larger feet--because everyone deserves a pair of handknit socks!

This easy sock pattern is available in our FREE sock pattern ebook:

Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily:
5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Need a new sock knitting pattern? Want a great free sock pattern? Here are five of our top sock knitting downloads together in one FREE ebook for you.

Download Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Two Freebies! Entrelac Tutorial and Easy Entrelac Scarf Pattern

KD Sandi — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:36:00 GMT

One of the best entrelac tutorials I've ever seen is the Beyond the Basics article written by Eunny Jang in the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Knits. Since entrelac can be a bit tough to explain, here's an excerpt from that article:

Entrelac fabric's series of tilted blocks are worked one at a time in tiers. Individual blocks may be worked over any number of stitches, and a piece may have any number of individual blocks.

In all cases, each block contains twice as many rows as it does stitches. Though the basic entrelac technique has several variations, the method described in this article produces tidy results.

When you practice entrelac for the first time, try working every other tier of blocks in a different color to emphasize the basketweave effect and make it easier to identify the block and live stitches of each tier.

Note: When you work the first stitch of every row, you can slip it for a tidy pickup edge, but be aware that you will lose some elasticity in the knitted piece.

In fact, that whole article is so good that here it is as a free Friday treat for all you nice Knitting Daily members:

Free download! Eunny Jang's Beyond the Basics: Entrelac Knitting Block by Block

Free pattern: Entrelac Scarf for Beginners
from Lisa Shroyer, editor of Knitscene

If you’re new to entrelac and need a basic pattern to get started, you’re in luck! I just started an easy scarf and thought it would make a great beginner entrelac project. I made up the instructions based on Eunny Jang’s Beyond the Basics article on entrelac, so if you have that article, following the pattern will be a good exercise.

You’ll see I haven’t finished the scarf, but it’s such a quick knit I should be able to complete it before the weather changes here in the Northeast. Enjoy!

Download Lisa's Easy Entrelac Scarf Pattern
.

And a final entrelac tip from Lisa:

When picking up stitches along the selvedge of a block, try to pick up the first and last stitches as close to the ends of the block as possible—i.e., pick up stitches in the “corners” as much as possible, to avoid holes in those corners between blocks.

Look for another lovely beginner-level entrelac pattern in the new Winter 2008/Spring 2009 issue of Knitscene--the Orchid Wrap, by Cecily Glowik Macdonald.

For those already in love with entrelac, you can purchase Eunny’s Entrelac Socks and Sandy Beadle’s Annetrelac Socks from the Knitting Daily Pattern Store.

-- Lisa Shroyer
editor of Knitscene magazine

Ask for Knitscene at your local yarn shop, or buy it online from us.

Have a knitting or crochet question? Ask the experts!

One of our favorite features on the Knitting Daily TV show is the segment called "You Asked It" where hosts Eunny Jang, Kim Werker, Liz Gipson, and Shay Pendray answer questions from our viewers. (That's YOU!)

So get your questions ready, because we're getting ready to tape the all-new third season of Knitting Daily TV!

Do you wonder how to work the Kitchener stitch in a cabled pattern? Do you want to know how to weave in ends properly? Want to know which yarn is best for the longest-wearing mittens? Ask Knitting Daily TV!

Send us your questions, and our producers might just choose yours to answer on the air!

Questions can be emailed to YouAskedIt@knittingdailytv.com.

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? Suddenly, I have become addicted to warm hats and I am obsessed with the idea of warm mittens...

Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

KD Sandi — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:43:00 GMT

I don't have any magic words to help you get all your holiday knitting done on time. (Sorry about that.) However, I do have a nifty little grafting tip for those of you who love knitting socks but, like me, utterly despise the Kitchener Stitch. I ran this tip last year at Christmas time to help everyone finish up your holiday sock knitting projects, and so many folks have written in asking about it that I decided it was time to run it again, in the spirit of saving our collective gift-knitting sanity. This tip has helped me continue to love to knit socks (and to actually FINISH the socks!), so maybe it will save a few lonely hand-knit socks from the unfinished objects pile this year...

Grafting On The Needles

1. Knit until the point in the sock pattern the instructions tell you to graft together the final stitches.
2. Divide the remaining stitches evenly between two double-pointed needles.
3. Hold both needles parallel in your left hand, so that the working yarn is on your right, and is coming off the rightmost stitch on the back needle.
4. Cut the working yarn to a reasonable length, say, 12".
5. Using a third dpn, PURL the first stitch on the FRONT needle.
6. DROP the stitch off the left front needle, and pull the yarn all the way through the dropped stitch so that there is no longer a stitch on the right (working) needle.
7. KNIT the next stitch on the FRONT needle, but this time LEAVE the stitch on the left front needle; pull the yarn all the way through as before.
8. KNIT the first stitch on the BACK needle.
9. DROP the stitch off the left back needle and pull the yarn all the way through.
10. PURL the next stitch on the BACK needle.
11. LEAVE that stitch on the left back needle and pull the yarn all the way through.

Repeat Steps 5 through 11 until you get to the last two stitches; work these two stitches together as established and drop both stitches off the needles. Pull the yarn all the way through. Thread yarn onto a tapestry needle, bring yarn to inside of sock, and weave in ends, tacking down the last "ear" loops as needed. (You can pull any excess loopage to the inside to make tacking it down a bit prettier.)

I made up a little shortcut chant for my sock-knitting husband Nicholas to help him remember what to do when:

PURL FRONT OFF — purl first st on front needle, drop st off
KNIT FRONT ON — knit next st on front needle, leave st on
KNIT BACK OFF — knit first st on back needle, drop st off
PURL BACK ON — purl next st on back needle, leave st on

Hopefully Helpful Hints:

1. Keep your tension a bit on the loose side when you are pulling the yarn through each stitch. Then, when you get to the end, before you weave in the end, use your tapestry needle to adjust the tension of the grafting stitches so that they match the rest of your work.

2. When you are working your knits and purls, pass the working yarn under and between the two left needles, not over them.

This method has been such a sanity saver for me. I know everyone has their little grafting tricks, so if you have another good tip to share, leave a comment! (The more sanity this time of year, the better, right?)

-- Sandi

New Free Sock Pattern eBook: Introducing Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

I know, I know, it really is not fair to tempt you with one more pretty knitted sock pattern--let alone FIVE more pretty patterns!--when it is eight days before the Big Jolly Dude comes down the chimney, but the free pattern elves just couldn't contain themselves. I chose five of our top sock knitting downloads and put them all together in one FREE ebook for you.

So what kind of sock patterns are in this eBook? Let's see. There's a knitted lace sock pattern, a cabled sock pattern, a colorwork sock pattern, a men's sock pattern, and an easy beginner sock pattern. Something for everyone!

Download Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I have 15 more rows before I start the border on my Leaf and Nupp Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. (I love this pattern. Have I mentioned that I LOVE this pattern?)

Plan A Finishing Party!

KD Sandi — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:26:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: My boss is a knitter. (How many folks get to say that?) She also used to own a local yarn shop. She has also worked on Interweave Knits magazine in some capacity since the very beginning--now she is our publisher! (She's also a weaver and a crocheter and a spinner. Does she sleep? I don't think so.) All of this means she has lots of interesting stories to tell, so I keep dropping hints: "Marilyn, any time you'd like to write a post for Knitting Daily..." Last month, she started telling stories about the finishing parties she used to have at her yarn shop, and I thought you would like to hear them, too.

So: Here's Marilyn Murphy, publisher of all things fiber-y here at Interweave.

“Oh I am SO close to finishing _________.” “I’ll just wrap the yarn and the pattern and give ______ that this year with promises for completion next year.” C’mon. You’ve said these words or at least have thought them.

Years ago, I owned a great LYS in Chicago, the Weaving Workshop, and I have many fond memories of the holiday time. It was always a mix of the good and the bad. Good in that the shop was always bustling--last-minute gift purchases, buying yarn to start something over the holidays, desperate customers wanting their projects finished, or people wanting something custom made to gift to a loved one. Bad in that we never had time to make or finish our own gifts because we were the elves.

My store was located on a very busy street with tons of walk by traffic, located near the "L" (that’s Chicago speak for the elevated train). Because our windows caught the attention of hundreds of people daily, we enticed even the non-maker into the store, just in case they wanted to buy a finished item or had someone special on their holiday list. Books, accessories, equipment, sweaters, yarns, classes--all became gifts.

One year, we were so backed up on finishing, had our own gifts to finish, and we had many customers needing some cheering on as well, that we invited them to come for a finishing “all-nighter.” Videos were just becoming popular and we rented movies, had appetizers and pizza, and, of course, wine. We didn’t make it all night but we did work to the wee hours of the morning, but most importantly we had fun, encouraged each other, and completed our projects. I made multiple hats (in those days I could knit one on a size 8 needle in an hour). Kathy worked on her Fair Isle snowflake sweater. (She only worked on this sweater at holiday time. And, Kathy, if you’re reading this, let us know if ever finished it?) Judy seamed together many a sweater. Well, you get the idea.

We had other finishing parties over the years. One year a friend was having an exhibit of her knitwear designs--incredible intarsia sweaters that had a TON of ends. Two days before all the sweaters had to be sent off to the gallery, it was time to call in for reinforcements. She promised us food and wine and our knitting group showed up. We had our blunt needles in hand and, as a group that night, we wove in all the dangly threads and the art wear was ready for blocking.

At Interweave, we are working on finishing all those projects during our weekly craft lunch right now. Craft lunch is scheduled every Wednesday, but this month, it’s all about finishing things in time. I’m knitting a vest for my niece (the first one, the Shadowy Vest, is featured in Holiday Gifts; the pattern is a free download). I have one more to make after this one is complete so three of my nieces/nephews will have matching vests. Amy Clarke Moore, editor of Spin-Off, is knitting the sweater for her dad that she wrote about in her Knitting Daily post The Ten-Year-Sweater. We’re really cheering her on to complete it this year. Liz Gipson, co-host of Knitting Daily TV, is using a knitting bag from Interweave Knits as a flat pattern for her felted woven fabric and is gifting it to her “hm” ( I can’t reveal that). Liz Good, assistant editor of Fiberarts, is knitting a sweater for herself—imagine that. And Rebecca Daniels, assistant editor of Interweave Knits, is quickly knitting a project for PieceWork but by next week she’ll be thick into a project for an upcoming issue of Knits. This Wednesday, we’ll be back crafting together and as the day ticks ever closer, we may have to ramp it up to more than once a week.

So if you need some cheering on, and cheering up, plan your own finishing party. And know that there are many of us encouraging you on as well.

-- Marilyn Murphy
President and Publisher (Fiber Group)
Interweave Press

Finishing Techniques

Need a reminder how to do the mattress stitch? Don't know how to sew in a zipper? Forgotten how to make a pom-pom? Here are some helpful links to finishing techniques to help you through the last stages of your Christmas knitting:

Three-needle bind-off
Mattress stitch seam
Whipstitch
Sewing in a zipper
Backstitch seam
I-cord
Kitchener stitch
Sewn bind-off
Blocking
Pom-poms

And if the worst happens a week before Christmas....Ripping Out Without Ripping Your Hair Out.

Twelve days until Christmas...Need a quick gift idea? No problem!

Knitting Daily is here to help. Well. OK. I can't knit your projects for you, and I can't weave in your ends. But this nifty little website I work for here has lots of last-minute holiday knitting (and crocheting!) gift patterns for you:

Christmas Stockings eBook: Well, I suppose you could GIVE someone this ebook if they are a knitter. But what about knitting them a stocking out of this ebook instead? Seven great patterns. One nifty price!

Take a look at the Gifts & Whimsies section of our pattern store for more ideas. Something for everyone. Felted slippers (those are knitted; here are some crocheted slippers), neckties for the men in your life, dolls, dog sweaters, warm mittens, shopping totes--heck, there's so much in there I can't list it all. Go take a look and you're sure to find something nifty to knit or crochet.

And free stuff! We have free stuff!

A Litte Something Special: Five knitted ornament patterns from the Interweave staff

Crochet Gift eBook: Free and fun and fab, with five fast gifts for your family! (Whew!)

The Shadowy Vest: Marilyn is pictured above working on an entire trio of these!

Check out the Knitting Daily Free Pattern Library for more good (free) stuff!

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles this week? The Leaf and Nupp Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. I'm obsessed. I am done with 15 (now nearly 16!) out of the 21 repeats I want to do to make the scarf long enough; then I have the four-sided border to complete. What do you think? Can I finish this scarf in time for Christmas?

A Last-Minute Finishing Trick For You

KD Sandi — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Ann Budd's Broken Cable Rib Socks

I don't have any magic words to help you get all your holiday knitting done on time. (Sorry about that.) However, I do have a nifty little grafting tip for those of you, who like me, completely and utterly despise the Kitchener Stitch.

Up until a few years ago, I literally whimpered every time I had to face those cursed Kitcheners. Since grafting has been voted the most comfy sock seam by all ten of my sensitive little toes, poor Nicholas, when finishing the Broken Cable Rib Socks for me, gamely attempted the K-stitch several times, until finally I showed him a trick some kind knitter had once shown me: how to graft on the needles.

This holiday season, in the spirit of saving our collective gift-kintting sanity, I now pass on this wonderful tip to all of you.

Grafting On The Needles

Step 1: Knit your socks to the point where the instructions tell you to graft together the final stitches.
Step 2: Divide the remaining stitches evenly between two double-pointed needles.
Step 3: Hold both needles parallel in your left hand, so that the working yarn is on your right, and is coming off the rightmost stitch on the back needle.
Step 4: Cut the working yarn to a reasonable length, say, 12".
Step 5: Using a third dpn, PURL the first stitch on the FRONT needle.
Step 6: DROP the stitch off the left front needle, and pull the yarn all the way through the dropped stitch so that there is no longer a stitch on the right (working) needle.
Step 7: KNIT the next stitch on the FRONT needle, but this time LEAVE the stitch on the left front needle; pull the yarn all the way through as before.
Step 8: KNIT the first stitch on the BACK needle.
Step 9: DROP the stitch off the left back needle and pull the yarn all the way through.
Step 10: PURL the next stitch on the BACK needle.
Step 11: LEAVE that stitch on the left back needle and pull the yarn all the way through.

I made up a little shortcut chant for Nicholas to help him remember what to do when:

Hopefully Helpful Hints:
Keep your tension a bit on the loose side when you are pulling the yarn through each stitch. Then, when you get to the end, before you weave in the end, use your tapestry needle to adjust the tension of the grafting stitches so that they match the rest of your work. When you are working your knits and purls, pass the working yarn under and between the two left needles, not over them.

This method has been such a sanity saver for me. I know everyone has their little grafting tricks, so if you have another good tip to share, leave a comment! We could all use a little knitting sanity right about now...

New in the Store: Annetrelac Socks

New to the Store: Annetrelac Socks!

We're still pulling patterns out of the sold-out Holiday Knits 2007 issue to put into the KD Pattern Store, and today, in honor of the flood of requests for them, we have loaded up the Annetrelac Socks for you! I know, I know, it really is not fair to tempt you with one more pretty pair of socks when it is six days before the Big Jolly Dude comes down the chimney, but lots and lots of folks have been asking for this one. More to come as soon as the KD Store elves can convert the patterns and load 'em up!

Great Free Sock Pattern eBook:
Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily:
5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Need a new sock knitting pattern? Want a great free sock pattern? I've chosen five of our top sock knitting downloads and put them all together in one FREE ebook for you.

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? Ten (!) inches of the Gathered Pullover; a pair of socks on two circulars with partial heel flaps, and ten inches of the hood of my husband's cabled hoodie. Whoo! Progress!