Knitting Daily : Knitted Shawls

Never Enough Accessories!

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT


	Vaudeville Shawl by Grace Akhrem

	Amodda Socks by Rachel Coopey

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." —Clairee Belcher, from the movie Steel Magnolias

I watched that movie a few weeks ago; there are so many good lines in it, but the accessorizing line is one of my favorites. Even though some people do dress up their pets, accessories are really a human phenomenon. And as knitters, we know that they're the icing on the cake.

We might enjoy knitting sweaters in the cooler months of the year, but most of us have little goodies on our needles all year round. I know I do! In fact, I just finished a pair of Turkish Bed Socks, which are little footies that are perfect for wearing with Danskos, my favorite footwear. The instep starts lower on the top of the foot in this pattern, so the socks don't poke out of the shoes very much, if at all.

I decided I'm going to knit several pairs of these this summer so I have a footie wardrobe when shoe-weather starts next fall.

Are you ready to start on some summer knitting? As luck would have it, the new issue of Knitscene Accessories is here, so you can fill your queue with fun, fab accessory knitting for the summer, too!


So Faux Cowl by Amy Keeler

Riga Bonnet by Allyson Dykhuizen


Bow and Arrow Hat by Andrea Babb

Here are editors Lisa Shroyer and Amy Palmer to introduce the issue.

In this, the second issue of Knitscene Accessories, designer Caitlin ffrench asks the question: How many knitted things is too many to wear at once? I'd like to expand on that question with this one: How many knitted things is too many?

This is a not a question any knitter should try to answer.

As functional as hats and mitts and scarves are, we don't make them because we need them. We make them because we love making them. We love the yarn, the process, the cable charts, the pastime thrown in the bottom of a reusable grocery bag as we move from A to B on the subway.

Someone asked me recently, how can you keep putting out more patterns? Hasn't everything been done? And the answer, in a sense, is yes. Everything has been done.

As editors of a knitting magazine, though, it is our job to find the people who are doing old things in new ways, or old things in old ways that are newly exciting.

Take Allyson Dykhuizen's bonnet-styled earflap hat with its Latvian braids. Is this a traditional knit? Is it contemporary? Is it childish or funky or hip or beautiful? You decide. One thing's sure—it's interesting. It looks great with locks of hair waving out from under it. And it's really fun to knit.

Or take Amy Keefer's leopard-print cowl. It uses stranded colorwork, an old technique, and a kitschy faux animal pattern to make something fetching and coyly modern.

That's our job here. We find the designers, we choose the projects, we plan the photography that presents those projects at their best and adds stylistic context to them.

You take it from here. You can knit all thirty-three projects, and guess what? That still wouldn't be too many! Knit your heart out.

—Lisa and Amy, from Knitscene Accessories, 2013

My answer to the "how much is too much" question comes from another movie: "To infinity and beyond!" (Toy Story).

Order your copy of Knitscene Accessories today, or download it right now! And get knittin'!

Cheers,

P.S. Are you an avid accessory-knitter? Leave a comment and tell us what your favorite little knit is!

Knitted Shawls and How to Wear Them

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:00:00 GMT


	Basilica, draped in front

	Euclid, side wrapped

I've worked lots of scarf knitting patterns and several large wraps, but I've only knit a couple of shawls. As much as I like them, I just haven't been able to incorporate them into my everyday wardrobe. I have a friend who knits amazingly intricate lace shawls. I asked her where she wore them and she said, "Oh, wherever. Albertson's, mostly." I love this attitude, though I don't have the chutzpah to pull it off.

In her new book, Free-Spirit Shawls, Lisa Shroyer shared some advice about actually wearing the knitted shawls, which really opened my eyes to the possibilities!

Wearing Your Shawl

Let's talk about style. Many knitters enjoy knitting shawls but aren't quite sure how best to show them off. There are so many possible ways to wear your shawl, and it can be fun to experiment.


Lindsay, side knotted

Mineral, front knotted

For smaller shawls: A shawl about 26" (66 cm) across the top edge makes a great kerchief. Simply hang the point in front and wrap the ends around the neck, knotting them in place—or bring the ends forward after wrapping them around the neck. Small and medium-sized shawls can also be wrapped around the shoulders off-center, so that the opening hits near the front of the shoulder. Knot the ends there or pin with a brooch.

For delicate lace or larger-sized shawls: Think about ensemble. A large "traditional" looking shawl doesn't have to look frumpy if you pair it with fresh styles and remember that it's an accessory. Use these shawls as part of your look—go Boho with torn denim, big jewelry, and flowy fabrics, or go dress-up with a slinky dress and dramatic earrings. A lace shawl can always be bundled and looped around the neck like a scarf. Though you won't see all the detail, the effect can still be striking.

Of course, almost all shawls can be worn traditionally, with the deepest part of the center straight down the back and the ends draped in front. You can wear sweet little semicircles and crescents this way and look very stylish today. Top a strapless dress with one and you have instant romance.

Some shawl designs lend themselves to a tougher, more urban aesthetic. Tuck a bold little shawl into the collar of a coat or leather jacket, bundle it like a cowl, grab your sunglasses, and you're ready for the city. Long, narrow shawls can be worn like scarves, slung around the neck, or wrapped and tied.

—Lisa Shroyer, Free-Spirit Shawls

Knitted shawls are so beautiful. And, as you can see, they come in all shapes, sizes, and patterns, and you can use any yarn you like. Pre-order Free-Spirit Shawls today so you can start knitting up some wonderful accessories as soon as the book comes out in April!

Cheers,

P.S. How do you wear your knit shawls? Leave a comment and let us know!

Knitted Accessories: The Mighty Mitt

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:00:00 GMT

I think of knitted accessories as the precious gems in a knitter's jewel box. They're the cabled hats knit out of a smooth 100% merino wool, the cowl knit from luscious cashmere, the clutch adorned with sparkly beads, the lace shawl knit with delicate, alpaca lace yarn. What fun! What adventure! No one can say knitters are complacent.

Relatively new to the accessories world are fingerless mitts. Sure, they've been around for decades, but not at the top of the fashion scene. These days they're everywhere, and deservedly so! Ever so useful, small projects like mitts can be wonderfully whimsical or prettily practical. Here are three of my favorites.


		Coppice Mitts by Courtney Kelley Inspired by fisherman's ganseys, Courtney designed these mitts to be both utilitarian and luxurious. A coppice is a small grove of trees, and the design on these mitts elegantly replicates a lovely tree, all made out of knits and purls.

		God's Eye Mitts by Alexis Winslow Remember making God's Eyes at camp? I must have made 50 one summer. Now you can bring your camp skills to your knitting! Stranded colorwork makes off-centered God's eye motifs on the back of the hand and palm. Button the cuff and you have a snug, warm accessory.

		Wellington Mitts by Rebecca Blair These little mitts are perfect for the coming spring. You'll need them when you want to sit outside and knit a few rows! Just for fun, the narrow zigzagging stripes travel in perpendicular directions on opposite hands.

All of these mitt designs are from Knitscene Accessories or one of the two issues of Knits Accessories. We've put all three Accessories issues together for you—an accessories kit, if you will! Order yours today!

Cheers,

P.S. What's your favorite accessory knitting pattern? Leave a comment and share it with us!

Knitting Daily TV Turns 10!

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:00:00 GMT

I note from Kathleen: It's hard to believe another season of Knitting Daily TV is here! But it is, and I'm thankful. Each episode is so full of interesting techniques, patterns, and fun personalities. If you want to learn how to knit, or if you want some new tips and tricks, or if you just enjoy welcoming Eunny, Kristin, and Clara back into your home, wait no longer!

Here's Associate Producer Annie Bakken to tell you what's to come in series ten of Knitting Daily TV.


Eunny demonstrates fancy increases and decreases to shape your knitwear on episode 1003.

Clara Parkes and Eunny are in the knitting lab to talk about softspun yarns on episode 1005's Yarn Spotlight.

Behind the Scenes, Immersed in Yarn

As a knitter, there's nothing better than to be surrounded by the yummy yarns on the set of Knitting Daily TV.

We've taped the tenth season of the show, and I'm proud to say we get better and better with each series. Airing this January on Public Television, series 1000 of Knitting Daily TV is sure to delight our fans and hopefully intrigue new knitters to join us. Plus, if you're a yarn lover, tune in to see first-hand some of the newest yarns on the market.

Lucky Number 13!

We have thirteen new episodes, which means thirteen more quick tips and thirteen more getting-started segments with host Eunny Jang. We paid attention to what our fans wanted on our Facebook page, and we're diving more into sweater construction, lace knitting, knitted socks, and new design orientated segments. Viewers will learn how to tailor their knitwear, how to add drape using the right yarn and stitches, and even how to add small design elements that make all the difference.

Clara Parkes is also back on this season of Knitting Daily TV with thirteen more yarn spotlights, where all yarn lovers (crocheters, weavers, spinners too!) can enjoy her scientific, informative take on the newest yarns and how to best put these fibers to the test in your knitting. Learn the difference between handpainted and hand-dyed, woolen and worsted, and mercerized versus non-mercerized cotton. Plus, have you heard of possum yarns?!

Introducing Knit-Alongs!

Also brand-new are two knit-alongs with Kristin Omdahl. Mixed into our usual how-to designer segments, you can knit alongside Kristin to make the Agua Rios Vest and the Wheeled Lace Shawl.


	Kristin Omdahl knits the Wheeled Lace Shawl on this season's knitalong.

Both of these patterns are geared towards women, for beginning to intermediate knitters. They both look like elaborate knits, but are actually easy to master with Kristin's step-by-step approach. And, they're classic, ageless garments that we hope a wide audience of knitters will enjoy.

As always, favorite guests Laura Bryant and Barry Klein are also back for more knitting and crochet know-how with slip-stitch knitting, tencel yarns, and Tunisian crochet. This season also welcomes crochet designer Robyn Chachula with crocheted jewelry and edging advice.

I hope you'll tune into the show and enjoy watching it as much as I love being a part of it. And as always, please feel free to leave comments as to what you like, love, or want to see more (or less!) of on Knitting Daily TV. We're listening!

Tune in to Knitting Daily TV on your local PBS station, or order the DVDs now and get KDTV delivered right to your door!

Cheers,

P.S. What's your favorite thing about Knitting Daily TV? Leave a comment and let us know!

Comfort Shawls

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:00:00 GMT


The Comfort Shawl by Sandi Wiseheart. It's a free pattern!

My gramma passed away last week at 92 years old. She lived a wonderful, full life and she left me with so many nuggets of wisdom and words to live by, not the least of which is a recipe for the best margarita ever!

Whenever I asked her if she wanted me to knit something for her, she always asked for a scarf or a shawl. She and my mom once went to a yarn shop in Palm Springs, where Gramma lived, and my mom came home with yarn and a pattern for a shawl Gramma wanted, "whenever you get to it." I started right away!

My gramma wore shawls throughout her life, both knitted and woven. She often bought them as souvenirs on her travels. She moved up here to Spokane several years ago after my grampa died, and she was cold in the fall, winter, and spring! She always liked something to throw over her shoulders, and I loved to see her wearing my knitting up to the end of her life.

There's a type of knitted shawl called a prayer shawl (or comfort shawl) which is really neat.

A shawl can be an item of comfort, warmth, and a simple way to show you care. Prayer shawls can be knitted for anyone in need, no matter the season. The purpose of prayer shawls is for the knitter to pour compassion and well-wishes into every stitch, literally knitting goodwill into the shawl. Since the focus is to weave your thoughts into each stitch, rather than into complicated lace or cables, shawl knitting patterns are often simple, but beautiful

One of my favorite patterns is the Comfort Shawl by Sandi Wiseheart. I love how it sits so nicely on the shoulders. I should have knitted one of these for my gramma out of her favorite alpaca! But she really preferred stole-type shawls-just a wide, long rectangle, really.I actually think my mom would love the Comfort Shawl, so I'll dig out some alpaca and earmark it for her.

Prayer shawls are not just knitting-centric, either. You can crochet, weave, or felt a shawl with the same concepts in mind. But if I take up a new yarn-related hobby it will be weaving. My friend and colleague Annie Hartman Bakken was wearing a beautiful scarf one day and I asked her where she got it. Turns out she wove it in about two hours. She said she was thinking about adding weaving to her hobbies. This sounded like a great idea, especially for knitters that already have a stash of yarns. In many cases, the same knitting yarns your have can be used for weaving. Knitting will always be my first love, but adding weaving isn't a bad idea!

I'm a tableware nut and there are always wonderful napkin, table runner, and placemat ideas in our sister publication Handwoven. There are also so many beautiful shawls that would make fabulous comfort shawls, too. My local yarn store is a weaving specialty store, too, and I want to take a class. The question is, do I have room in my house for a loom? The answer is no, but I haven't let that stop me so far!

Handwoven is a wonderful magazine for fiber enthusiasts, so give it a try and subscribe today. And if you have someone in your life who's going through a difficult time, knit or weave them a comfort shawl so they can feel your love all the time!

Cheers,

New Free eBook: 5 Free Knitting Patterns for Women

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:00:00 GMT

I wanted to put together a free eBook with patterns just for women. Knitting for women is such a wide-open topic, so I've chosen patterns from all walks of knitting life. Our new eBook is called 5 Free Knitting Patterns for Women: Designs for a Knitted Skirt, Shawl and Knit Tops for Women.

Clockwise from top left: Casual Flair Cardigan; Tweed Cardigan; Icelandic Lace Shawl; Lace Nighty; Flirty Skirty

Anna-Liza Armfield designed the Casual Flair Cardigan with both comfort and style in mind; she's beyond putting up with uncomfortable clothes for the sake of fashion, but doesn't want to look frumpy, either. She wants her weekend clothing to be stylish and flattering as well as comfortable: The cotton/silk/wool blend gives warmth without a lot of weight, and the lines work with skirts or jeans.

Rebecca Daniels lives in cardigans; they're her favorite things to wear. When asked to design a staple piece of weekend clothing, she knew it had to be a cardigan. She designed something simple and easy to wear. The Tweed Cardigan is easy to knit, with no seams but a bit of waist shaping that doubles as a tailored back detail.

Called the Thórdís shawl, the original of this traditional Icelandic shawl is part of the Icelandic Craft Council's collection of textiles. It is thought to have been knitted by Thórdís Egilsdóttir, a resident of a small fishing village on the west coast of Iceland and well known for her craftsmanship and skill with handspun yarns. The Icelandic Lace Shawl, which captures the spirit of the original Thórdís shawl, was designed by Icelandic knitter Sigrídur Halldórsdóttir.

Ivy Bigelow's Flirty Skirty is knitted in the round from the waist down, featuring pleats at the hem and belt loops at the waist. The wool tape yarn has a surprising amount of stretch that will accommodate a variety of body shapes.

Carrie Bostick Hoge's Lace Nighty is a "for your eyes only" sort of pattern. Knitted in the alluring, silky comfort of bamboo yarn, this nightie will make you want to light some candles, turn on some smooth jazz, and snuggle up with your honey.

Download your copy of 5 Free Knitting Patterns for Women: Designs for a Knitted Skirt, Shawl and Knit Tops for Women now and start knitting for yourself!

Cheers,

P.S. Do you have friends who would enjoy these knitting patterns for women? Forward this email to them so they can download 5 Free Knitting Patterns for Women: Designs for a Knitted Skirt, Shawl and Knit Tops for Women, too!

Lace knitting at its best

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 12:00:00 GMT

A note from Kathleen: We've got a treat for you—a new eBook filled with beautiful lace knitting patterns and the technique help you need to knit them! Whether you're a beginning or an experienced knitter, there's something here for you. I've invited Editor Eunny Jang here to tell you about it!

There is something uniquely satisfying about knitting lace.

I've seen lots of metaphors for it—a butterfly emerging from a cocoon; a flower blooming—but to my mind, there is enough romance in the simple reality of lace knitting: Execute a few easy, repetitive maneuvers with two sticks, and a length of string transforms into delicate, airy fabric traced with pleasingly intricate patterning.


Oslo Walk Shawl by Susanna IC		Pembroke Wrap by Andrea Rangel		Wheeled Lace Shawl by Kristin Omdahl

For me, the greatest pleasure of knitted lace is in that sense of transformation, of possibility—there's a kind of magic to that idea, that such simple building blocks can yield such wonderfully rich effects. The most elaborate lace leaves, waves, and flower petals all come from decreases and yarnovers. Richly ornate geometric motifs are the same, just positive and negative space combined in clever ways. Art underlined with solid knitting logic. Amazing!

As the editor of Interweave Knits, I've been lucky enough to work and share ideas with knitting designers who explore every aspect of knitted lace—from those steeped in tradition and history to those investigating what lace can do when pushed to its limits.

Just as every knitter has her own particular set of factors that go into the projects she chooses, every lace designer has different aims and goals for her designs. This collection of designs from the pages of Interweave Knits covers a wide spectrum, from intricate heirloom-inspired pieces to clever modern ones—something to satisfy everyone.

Knitted lace means something different with every project. I hope that as you page through this collection, you feel a sense of discovery and exploration—and the urge to knit.

So go ahead and download your copy of An Introduction Guide to Knitting Lace, with 5 Favorite Patterns!

Happy knitting,

P.S. Have you knit a lace pattern? Share your expertise with us in the comments!

A new reason to love lace knitting!

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT


The cuff and front panel of these elegant lace stockings are inspired by a nineteenth-century Shetland veil.

Margaret Stove demonstrates how different arrangements of yarnovers and decreases create contrast in lace patterns.


Aileron Shawl by Carol Feller

A note from Kathleen: We're so excited about the new eMag, LaceKnits! It's full of techniques you'll use right away and patterns you'll want to cast on as soon as you see them. It's be available for the iPad, in the iTunes Store. Here's editor Anne Merrow to tell you all about it.

Fresh Techniques for a Fine Tradition

"More than cables or any other kind of stitch pattern, lace was always the thing that made me feel like kind of a knitting rock star," says Ysolda Teague.

Learning to transform those yarnovers or slanting lines on a chart—what knitter doesn't feel exceptionally clever when a pattern of airy holes and decreases first takes shape on the needles?

Interweave's latest eMag, LaceKnits: Fresh Techniques for a Fine Tradition, celebrates the innovative knitters who have created such diverse lace creations. In Franklin Habit's article, "Shetland Lace (and how it got that way)," we trace two stories of the origins of the iconic shawls and lace motifs for which the islands are so famous.

Back in contemporary knitting, designer Rebecca Blair adapted two motifs from an antique lace shawl to grace the cuff and leg of her delicate Madder Stockings.

Smart Lace Techniques

Internationally recognized lace expert Margaret Stove demonstrates how different combinations of yarnovers and decreases yield more solid or more airy sections of lace, and Sivia Harding takes you step-by-step through the process of designing your own unique triangle-shaped lace shawl.

Ysolda Teague explains what she loves about knitting and designing lace, and Ann Budd explains three different ways of working a perfect finish for lace by blocking. [photo Margaret Stove value study.psd; caption: Margaret Stove demonstrates how different arrangements of yarnovers and decreases create contrast in lace patterns.]

The issue's most mind-blowing article comes from our own Joni Coniglio, senior project editor of our knitting magazines, who was always bothered by the awkwardly visible join created by working Kitchener stitch to graft two halves of a stole. There must be a way, she reasoned, to work the graft in pattern and minimize the awkwardness of that row. To our delight (but not our surprise), she developed a surprisingly simple method of rearranging stitches with a tapestry needle, then grafting to make a nearly invisible join.



Using her innovative grafting method, Joni Coniglio avoids the noticeable seam in the left sample and creates a near-invisible seam instead.

Creativity in Every Stitch


	Heather Zoppetti's Clematis Tunic

The patterns in this issue have something for all fans of lace knitting.

—Carol Feller's Aileron Shawl adds curves to a basic triangle shape for an easy-to-wrap flourish.

—Lacy leaves and vines climb up from the ribbing of Heather Zoppetti's Clematis Tunic, incorporating waist shaping in the pattern.

Donna Druchunas' summer scarf

—Donna Druchunas adapted a lace pattern from traditional Lithuanian stockings for an airy summer scarf with shaped sides and fun braided tassels.

LaceKnits is packed with exciting techniques, lace patterns, stories about knitting lace through the ages. Check it out!

Cheers,

Anne

Nature in Knitting: Leaves

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT


The Bower Cardigan by Vera Sanon is a versatile cardigan knitting pattern that incorporates a leaf lace design.

A note from Kathleen: The summer 2012 issue of Knitscene is coming soon and it's everything you'd expect from a summer issue: beautiful designs for warmer weather, fun and challenging techniques to learn, and lots of fun insights and articles.

Something I didn't expect was the interesting and inspirational article by Interweave Knits Project Editor Joni Coniglio, all about how to knit different kinds of leaf motifs. This feature really appeals to me because I'm always drawn to nature in knitting, and leaf patterns in particular. So, yay! Joni highlights seven different patterns, but I picked my favorite to share with you. Here you go:

Knitting a Leaf

From delicate fern leaves to the emblem of autumn—the maple leaf (and Canada!)—leaf motifs abound in knitting. They can be found in almost every conceivable type of knitted garment, from shawls and scarves to sweater, hats, and mittens.

Why are leaf motifs so popular? For one thing, they are beautiful and connect us with our natural surroundings. For another, they are easy to replicate in knitted fabric with just a few well-placed increases and decreases. The majority of leaf motifs are formed by working a center knit ridge flanked by yarnover increases to depict the center rib and the radiating vein structure of the leaf.


The overlapping leaves in this pattern make it a perfect choice for a border treatment.		Chart Key

The various pattern backgrounds will affect the visual intensity of the individual motifs. A leave knit primarily in stockinette stitch against a reverse stockinette stitch background has a three-dimensional, embossed appearance, while an open lacy background tends to flatten out the motif and brings to mind leaves floating on water.

The motifs can be incorporated into the knitting in countless ways: as an allover decorative pattern, as a fancy edging or border with leaves joined end to end, or as isolated motifs.

—Joni Coniglio, Senior Project Editor, Knitscene magazine


	Halesia Hat by Catherine Sheilds

	Ginkgo Counterpanes Shawl by Paula B Levy

I love the overlapping leaves motif. I think it would be lovely in a scarf; just add four to six stitches of garter stitch to each edge so the reverse stockinette doesn't roll. Or you could work the chart several times and make a stunning cowl. Just do a gauge swatch to see how many stitches to cast on for the diameter you want, and how many repeats to do to make the cowl the height you want it to be.

Leaves in Stitches

Leaves really shine in knitted pieces. Just take a look at the cute Bower Cardigan by Vera Sanon (pictured above) and the fashionable Halesia Hat by Catherine Shields (at right). I find the hat especially pleasing (and I have the perfect green yarn for it!), and that knitted cardigan pattern is really versatile for warmer weather. I'd make it in white, add several inches to the length, and wear it over my sleeveless dresses, which all seem to have white in them.

For a really unique leaf pattern, check out the Ginkgo Counterpanes Shawl by Paula B. Levy (at right). Ginkgo leaves are so distinctive and this beautiful knitted shawl is a showcase for the gingko shape and beautiful hand-dyed yarn.

The Summer 2012 Knitscene includes a whole collection of designs incorporating leaf motifs, so get your copy now and start knitting nature!

Cheers,

More Fun with Garter Stitch!

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The Summer 2011 issue of Knitscene featured an article by one of my favorite designers, Stephen West. I just bought his Spectra Scarf pattern, which is a circular scarf knit from a ball of self-striping sock yarn and a coordinating solid sock yarn. One of my knit-night buddies worked it up and it's just beautiful.



Striped Square Swatch

Intarsia Swatch

Curved Arch

Crescent-Shaped Swatch

Stephen loves garter stitch and he includes it as a design feature in many of his patterns; sometimes it forms the basis of the pattern and sometimes it's a design feature.

Here's an excerpt from Steven's Knitscene article, where he talks about garter stitch and its versatility.

Swatch Play: Garter Stitch

My first knitting project was a scarf-a radiant masterpiece, or rather a bright blue, acrylic, lopsided piece of fabric. As I worked on my masterpiece, I became familiar with the knit stitch, but as a beginner, I didn't appreciate the satisfaction of knitting every row. I quickly transitioned to new skills like purling, Fair Isle, and lace. In fact, I used to love purling so much that I modified all sock, hat, and sweater patterns so I could work them inside out, purling every round! Now as a more experienced knitter, I find myself constantly coming back to garter stitch.

The Swatches
The striped square swatch is a classic example of simple colorwork. It's easy to let the mind wander while inserting random stripes and blocks of color while knitting each row. Note that it takes two rows of one color in garter stitch to make a complete stripe. The blue/gray rectangle shows off basic intarsia, another fun technique to explore in garter.

Manipulating the fabric into different shapes with increases and decreases provides endless entertainment, as demonstrated in the solid triangle and parallelogram. The knit front-back (k1f&b) increase is perfect for garter stitch because it looks great on both sides, and the garter ridges hide the little purl bump formed by the increase.

A curved arch is achieved in the solid yellow crescent with short-row shaping. I'm drawn to clear graphic lines, and this short-row swatch really demonstrates the harmony achieved by the distribution of purl ridges.

The graphic effect is enhanced in the blue/gray crescent-shaped swatch. This example is a little combination platter of techniques, with the blue segments worked in intarsia while their sliced shape results from short-row shaping. Increases and decreases along one side add to the fabric's shape to create a scalloped edge.



Triangle Swatch		Parallelogram Swatch

It's times like these when I am most grateful for good ol' garter stitch—using colorwork and shaping techniques at the same time is much easier when you know that each stitch in every row is a knit stitch.

We knitters are fortunate to have so many yarn companies and indie dyers to supply us with stunning yarns. I often find it difficult to conceptualize a design for a special yarn; but whenever I find myself wondering what to do with that one skein, I know that a garter stitch swatch is the best place to start. It puts the focus back on the beautiful yarn.

Then, I can apply whichever techniques I want to explore within garter stitch. All it takes is a little dose of creativity to make this handsome textural fabric into something completely unique and pleasurable.

—Stephen West, from the Summer 2011 issue of Knitscene


	The Figurehead Shawl

Are you loving garter stitch again? Check out this pattern from Knitscene: The Figurehead Shawl by Alexis Winslow, shown at right. The kerchief-style shawl is worked in garter stitch in two-color stripes and finished with a scalloped edge. There's a button closure at the edge of the kerchief so it can be worn snug like a cowl. It can be worn with the kerchief point at the front (as shown in the photo) or at the back. Super cute and an easy knitting pattern, too.

Check out all of the fabulous garter-stitch designs (and the other groovy knitting patterns for women!) in the Knitscene 2011 Collection CD, available now.

Cheers,

Share your love with a prayer shawl

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Statistics say that there may be almost 300,000 new cases of breast cancer in 2012 (American Cancer Society). Shocking, isn't it? When I read this statistic my heart sank—it's 2012, how can this be?


Comfort Shawl by Sandi Wiseheart. This shaped shawl is an easy knit that stays on the shoulders. It's a free pattern, too!

My circle of friends is peppered with woman who have survived breast cancer, and I'm sure yours is too. I also have dear friends in the midst of their fights, and I feel so helpless. What can I do to support them? A meal here and there is certainly helpful and appreciated, and visits are wonderful, too, but since I'm a knitter, I want to knit something for these precious treasures to help them get through their fight. And the options are plentiful; I've knit hats and socks for my friends and for lots of cancer charities. It's such a win-win—I love knitting and the people suffering are so in need of these small items.

Since chemo patients seem to get so cold during treatment, prayer shawls are the perfect remedy. These shawls have many meanings for many people. Some people do use them while praying, some pray while knitting the shawls, and we all think positive thoughts and put love into each an every stitch.

There are free patterns for knitted prayer shawls, crocheted prayer shawls, woven prayer shawls, and sewn prayer shawls, so whatever your craft you can give the gift of support to your dear ones in need.

And, of course, there are many reasons other than cancer to share a prayer shawl! I knit one for my 91-year-old gramma and she wears it all the time. It's bright pink, her favorite color, so she feels cheery when she wears it and she spreads cheer to all who see her walking around her retirement home.

Knitting gifts is so rewarding, and as knitters we can give the gift of our time and support all wrapped up in a knitted garment. I've gotten so much pleasure out of giving these sorts of gifts, and I know you have too.

Share your prayer shawl story, pattern, favorite charity, and so on in the comments. I know there's a lot of inspiration out there that will lift us all up a little bit.

And if you've never knitted a prayer shawl, look up "prayer shawl" on Google and be bowled over by the resources that pop up!

Cheers,

Learn something new: Domino Knitting

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT


Beautiful domino knitting

Even though domino knitting has been around for a century, Vivian Hǿxbro is the present-day ambassador for this fun knitting technique. Vivian teaches about domino knitting all over the world and she's published books on the subject as well. Her newest venue is our DVD workshop, Domino Knitting with Vivian Hǿxbro!

What is domino knitting? Here's what Vivian has to say:

"In 1992, I was attending a handcraft fair in Germany and noticed a huge crowd at one stand. I could just barely see a bearded man demonstrating a different way to knit. That man was Horst Schulz. Later, I traveled to Berlin and took a course with him. It was on 'the new knitting' as he called it.

In domino knitting, pieces are knitted together while the work progresses, just as one "pieces" the tiles in dominoes. For more than a century, people have knitted this way. They knitted shawls with domino patterns on the Faroe Islands and pieced coverlets in the same manner in Canada and England. In the United States, I found a copy of a pamphlet from 1946 with the sweetest jacket, knitted in domino squares by Virginia Woods Bellamy. In 1952, she published a book on the technique, called Number Knitting.

From the first moment I saw the domino knitting techniques demonstrated, I was intrigued by the many possibilities of this knitting method; they're endless."

—Vivian Hǿxbro

I've done domino knitting just once, and that was several years ago. I'm eager to refresh my skills, and I thought you might want to learn along with me, so here's Vivian's easy knitting pattern: a simple square, which can be the building block for larger, beautiful domino projects.

Basic Squares
(Garter stitch, single color)


	Domino knitting: Basic square

These squares are the starting point for many wonderful hours of knitting. So ready, set, go!

Yarn: Use what you have on hand, but a good yarn for this project is Peaches & Cream cotton.

Needles: Short needles (8-inch straight needles or DPNs work great) in a size suitable for the yarn.

Notions: Markers, scissors, tapestry needle.

Using the knitted cast-on, CO 25 stitches.
Row 1 (WS): Knit to the last st, p1. Mark the center three stitches.
Row 2 (RS): (Note: The yarn tail hangs at the right side.) Sl 1 kwise, knit to marker before center 3 sts (=k10), sl 1 kwise, k2tog, psso, knit to the last st (= 10sts), p1 (=23 sts).
Row 3 and all WS rows: Sl 1 kwise, knit to last st, end p1.
Row 4: Sl 1 kwise, knit to marker before center 3 sts (= k9), sl 1, k2tog, psso, knit to last st (= k9), end p1 (= 21 sts).
Row 6: Sl 1 kwise, knit to marker before center 3 sts (= k89), sl 1, k2tog, psso, knit to last st (= k8), end p1 (= 19 sts).
Row 8: Sl 1 kwise, knit to marker before center 3 sts (= k7), sl 1, k2tog, psso, knit to last st (= k7), end p1 (= 17 sts).

Continue in this manner until 3 sts remain.

Next row (WS): Sl 1 kwise, k1, p1.
Next row: Sl 1, k2tog, psso (= 1st).

Cut yarn and pull the tail through the stitch but do not pull it tight. This last stitch is a "reusable" stitch that can be used again if you make more squares and knit them together. It is called an "end stitch."

To learn how to make different types of domino squares, how to join them, and how to weave in ends—plus lots more—check out the new Knitting Daily DVD Workshop Domino Knitting with Vivian Hoxbro. You'll learn all about domino knitting from the master herself.

Cheers,

Special knits for special people

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT


Frederick & Anne Scarf, from Jane Austen Knits

I am a somewhat selfish knitter—I love knitting for myself! But I also enjoy knitting gifts, especially really luxurious gifts for the important people in my life.

I've knit cashmere scarves for my mom, silk scarves for my sister, fair isle hats for my brother and nephew, and pure merino hats for my sister-in-law. I've also knit really special items for new babies, such as bear snuggies, tiny intarsia sweaters, lacy booties, and so on.

I have a new category of people to knit for, which is actually sad for me. I have two friends who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer and they have a hard road ahead. So, I need some very special knits for these very special people. I've already got a couple of hats done, but I'd like to give them something in addition to a hat. I looked no further than Jane Austen Knits, which is full of unique, beautiful designs.

Kirsti Johanson's Frederick & Anne scarf, shown at left, is just beautiful; I know I'd feel loved and honored if someone knit it for me! I enjoy scarf knitting, and this lacy pattern has just enough going on to keep me challenged. I have this in mind for a fellow Austen fan, and I know she'll appreciate Kirsti's inspiration for this scarf:

"Persuasion is my favorite of all of Jane Austen's novels, and I am in agony every time I read it about whether or not Anne and Frederick will find their way back to one another. I came up with a delicate leaf to represent Anne's faithful belief and love for Frederick, ever resilient, as well as her renewed bloom upon reacquaintance with him. For Frederick, I chose an undulating wave pattern to represent his love of the sea and ever-present life force, much like his love for and dedication to Anne. To unite these two motifs, I chose a simple garter-stitch band with eyelets and a delicate Regency-esque edging. "

I just love that Kirsti chose a lace pattern for Anne and one for Frederick, and then fashioned a way to fit them together. What a wonderfully creative design!


	Pemberley Slippers, from Jane Austen Knits

My other choice are the Pemberley Slippers by Kristi Schueler. They're so feminine, something that many breast cancer patients need reminders of. Kristi designed these in honor of Mr. Darcy's estate in Pride and Prejudice. When they toured Pemberley, Elizabeth Bennett and her Aunt and Uncle talked about the beauty of the grounds, and Kristi used a lace leaf edging pattern to commemorate that.

I think a hat and slippers will be a wonderful, comforting gift, don't you?

If you have a friend in need, especially if she's a Jane Austen fan, get yourself a copy of Jane Austen Knits and knit her one of these special designs!

Cheers,

P.S. What's your favorite Jane Austen book or movie? My favorite book is Persuasion and the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice is my favorite movie/TV show. Leave a comment below and let me know yours. (And if you'd like to knit a shawl for someone in need, check out our free eBook, 3 Free Prayer Shawl Patterns!)

3 Free Prayer Shawls eBook: A couple corrections

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:09:00 GMT

I made a couple of mistakes in this eBook and wanted to let you know that a new version has been uploaded. Here are the corrections that have been made:

1. Simple Prayer Shawl: New Row 2 (Row 2: Knit 2, yo, purl to last two stitches, knit 2.)

2. Lacy Prayer Shawl: New Row 1 (Row 1: (RS): K2, pm, YO, pm, K1, pm, YO, pm, K2.)

I apologize for these errors! Please download a new copy of 3 Free Prayer Shawl Patterns today.

Cheers,

Knit a prayer shawl for somone in need (plus a free eBook!)

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT


3 Free Prayer Shawls: 1) Simple Prayer Shawl, 2) Lacy Prayer Shawl, and 3) Comfort Shawl

Prayer shawls can be knitted for anyone in need of comfort or well-wishes. The idea is that the knitter sends love and good wishes with every stitch she knits, literally knitting her good will, prayers, and hopes into the prayer shawl. Prayer shawl patterns are usually easy to knit, this is so that the knitter can concentrate on the thoughts being poured into the stitches rather than a complicated knitting pattern.

In our new free eBook, 3 Free Prayer Shawl Patterns: Easy Knitted Shawl Patterns for Reflection and Inspiration, we've gathered three knit shawl patterns for you, two easy and one that's just a tad more challenging.

The first one, Simple Prayer Shawl, is an easy-as-pie pattern with an eyelet border. The second, Lacy Prayer Shawl, is a variation of the first, with a column of eyelets up the center of the shawl, too. The third, Comfort Shawl, adds a little more embellishment but is still simple and quick to knit.

If you know someone who needs a pick-me-up, make them a prayer shawl. You'll both get so much out of the experience.

Cheers,