Knitting Daily : Yarn

All Hail the Snood!

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

"Snood" sounds like a Dr. Seuss creature, doesn't it? The snood has been around for quite a while—remember those hairnet type things in the 40s? They were the quintessential woman's look of the era, and when I see a photo of one or someone wearing one in a movie, that era is evoked perfectly. Today's snood is something altogether different—no hairnet involved!—it's really a garment that is part scarf, part hood, part scarf.

Even though the media is calling this accessory a snood, I think it's really better named an infinity scarf—no beginning or end—and you can wear it an infinite number of ways: as a hood, scarf, or shawl.

In our Tuned in to Knitting Daily TV blog, we recently welcomed Adina Klein, creative director for Tahki Stacy Charles and former editor in chief of knit.1 and Vogue Knitting magazines. She had this to say about the snood: "The fashion industry is touting the snood (a cross between a scarf and a hood) and the infinity scarf, or moebius, as the hot new accessories for winter 2009. Featured this week in the Wall Street Journal and last week on Oprah, these fashion scarves are hitting the mainstream and mass-market retail. But there's no need to tell knitters how fantastic they are—we have long been cultists of the moebius (a rectangle that has been twisted 180 degrees) as an easy and versatile project that is inherently reversible."

I took a stroll through our pattern store, and here's what popped out at me "snood-wise":


Lacy Kerchief Scarf	Mossy Cowl	Pfeiffer Falls Hooded Scarf
Lisa Daehlin	Katie Himmelberg	Anne Kuo Lukito

The Lacy Kerchief Scarf can be worn as a shawl, a scarf, or as a kerchief. To get the kerchief look, simply drape the widest part of the piece over your head, with the lace edge at the back, and then cross the ends at your neck and toss them over your shoulders. Very Doris Day. The Mossy Cowl is an easy crochet project, and it's a free pattern, too! You can wear it as a cowl, or pull it up over your head for for a hood look. The Pfeiffer Falls Hooded Scarf is a lovely hood-scarf combo that's perfect for this time of year!


Twilight Lace	Nomad Hat and Scarf	Candy Stripes Kerchief
Laura Wallins	Kat Coyle	Kat Coyle

Twilight Lace is a stunning scarf/wrap/hood that you can dress up or down. I think it's really gorgeous in the white silk-mohair blend shown in the photo. Perfect for holiday wear! The cozy Nomad Hat and Scarf is a wonderful combo that's interesting to knit and will keep the wearer warm and stylish all winter. Candy Stripes Kerchief is one of those simple patterns that's endlessly versatile: it knits up so quickly, and you can use any color combo. Silver-gray and white anyone? This one would look look like a million bucks with a little sparkle, too.

A Free Moebius Pattern

Today we give you a new take on the moebius with the Endless Love moebius, knit in a lovely lace pattern that's simple enough for even beginners to knit.

The Endless Love moebius is knit on a size 8 US circular needle. Just like everlasting love, this moebius has no end and no beginning.

This is a two-skein pattern (you'll need about 325 yards of a worsted weight yarn, like the new Tahki Stacy Charles yarn Dove).

Here's a video demo of Adina making the Endless Love moebius in Episode 303 of Knitting Daily TV:

(Please visit the site to view this media)

If you're working on a moebius, infinity scarf, or snood, share a photo in the reader gallery!

Cheers,

Kathleen

2009 Winter Knits Preview!

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

A note from Kathleen: My friendly UPS gal brightened my day again on Friday and delivered the winter 2009 issue of Interweave Knits! I was on my way to A Grand Yarn, my LYS, so I slipped my copy into my knitting bag to show it off at the shop. And guess what, it was a hit! Several of my buddies were there and they all gathered around and ohhed and ahhed.

I really love the "paper lanterns" by Kristi Schueler. They're knit out of Louet Euroflax Sportweight, which I have in my stash. I'm adding this pattern to my home dec knitting list.

It's your turn to browse now, so here's editor Eunny Jang to introduce this fun new issue.

_______________________________________________________________________________

The winter issue of Interweave Knits is here!

This is my first real winter in Colorado. We've already had two major snowfalls, and the night temperatures are dropping quickly. I've put my beloved flats aside for lined, waterproof boots; I've put de-icing washer fluid in my car; I've bought an electric kettle, the better to make boiling-hot tea in a hurry. And I'm approaching my knitting with new enthusiasm. I'm ready.

Whole books have been written about the soul warming knitting can do, but this winter I'm most interested in the practical warmth a lapful of yarn provides. Slippers to guard against cold floors, cozy throws for curling up under, good, honest wool in mittens and hats and gloves.

There is something solid and reassuring in knitting, backed by centuries of real application: When we knit, we make something with our hands, and then use it to make life more comfortable, more beautiful, better. It's a pretty good deal.

In this issue of Interweave Knits, we're taking our knitting explorations in a number of different directions: We're taking a look at how simple constructions can benefit from just a little adornment ("All in One"); ways to explore the usual yarn + knitting = fabric equation ("Weighty Matters"); cables and cable lookalikes ("All Tangled Up); stranded colorwork in some new guises ("Strands"); and what positive and negative space can mean with knitting ("A Stark Contrast").

We're also taking a closer look at reversible cables, where pop culture commentary and knitting traditions meet, and taking you on a tour of knitting around the world. There's enough inspiration to send you off on a dozen knitting journeys of your own. Sweaters for men, sweaters for women and children, fun gift items and ways to fill your home with your craft—we've got it all.

Keep learning new things, keep exploring, keep knitting. What are you knitting to stay warm this winter? Let us know!

Cheers,

Eunny

Interweave Knits Accessories Preview!

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Remember that hilarious line from the movie Steel Magnolias: "the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize"? Well, our new special interest publication, Interweave Knits Accessories, is a collection of patterns that'll keep you from becoming an animal for years and years!

With more than 60 favorite projects (at about 25 cents per pattern!) from the pages of Knits, KnitScene, and Interweave books, Interweave Knits Accessories is packed with patterns. You'll find pages and pages of scarves, hats, socks, gloves, and mittens—quick projects to go with everything in your wardrobe.

I love small projects because you can practice your skills on a small scale, perhaps challenging yourself a little here and there! And in today's economy, we could all use a couple of one- or two-skein projects, right? Shop your stash to find yarn for many of the patterns in Interweave Accessories.

You'll also get several popular "Back to Basics" tutorials, such as Finishing Details, Circular Knitting, Getting Started with Socks, and the Grand Plan Mitten Chart (I'm going to check this one out ASAP!).

Here are some of my favorite projects:


Koolhaas Hat	Forbes Forest	Orenburg Lace Triangle
Jared Flood	Kathy Zimmerman	Galina Khmeleva

I've admired the Koolhaas Hat since it debuted in the first issue of Interweave Knits Gifts, so I think it's about time to make one! I like the unisex appeal of this hat, and Jared Flood's designs are always a pleasure to knit. Forbes Forest is also a great unisex design, one that will work equally well with a fancy coat or a down vest. The Orenburg Lace Triangle is so beautiful—I love a stylish shawl, and this one is timeless.


Sideways Grand Hat	Subway Mittens	Citrine Socklets
Laura Irwin	Colleen Meagher	Marilyn Webster

The Sideways Grand Hat is a wonderful blend of fashion-forward and vintage style. This is one that looks good on many face shapes. You'll love the handy pocket in Subway Mittens, whether you need a spare subway token or an extra quarter for the parking meter! I love anklets, and the Citrine Socklets are cozy, pretty, and comfortable. They're designed with a beautiful silk-merino yarn, too, one that'll keep your tootsies warm throughout the winter.

So check out the preview for all of these projects and many, many more! I know you'll enjoy this wonderful collection as much as I do.

Cheers,

Kathleen

P.S. Glove update! Thanks to all of you who chimed in on my yarn choices for the gloves I'm making. More than 400 of you commented! I ended up choosing the Koigu because of several comments about the wearablilty. Votes-wise, I think the Malabrigo came in first, followed by the lost-tag green, then the Koigu. I weighed the green, and I was afraid I didn't have enough to make both gloves—wouldn't that be awful?! I have a dim memory of making a pair of baby booties and a hat from that green . . . So, Koigu it is! I've cast on and I'll post photos as I go. Thanks again for making this so much fun!

Knitted Cardigans: Buttonholes 101

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

The cardigan sweater is a classic for all seasons. You can throw it on over a T-shirt in the fall and spring, keep a light-weight cardigan on hand for chilly summer evenings, and wear one as a top in the winter. I have several cardigans in my closet and I wear them all year.

There are so many ways to knit cardigans, too—in the round, top down, or in pieces. I like the top down raglan method the best—it's a lot of knitting (LOOONG rows), but when it's done, it's done. And if you're brave you can just knit in the round and cut your sweater up the front to make it a cardigan! (This technique is called "steeking" and it works best with wool; I wouldn't try it with a slippery yarn.)

We recently published a free ebook, Knit Cardigan Patterns From Knitting Daily: 7 FREE Knitting Patterns. (If you haven't downloaded your copy, please click on the link and get yours today!) One of these seven patterns is sure to strike your fancy: from lacey and feminine to bulky and casual, there are a variety of styles to choose from.

Whichever cardigan you choose to knit, and whichever technique you prefer, one thing almost all cardigan sweaters have in common is buttonholes. Today I'm going to show you how to make two different kinds of buttonholes, the one-row buttonhole and the eyelet buttonhole.

One-Row Buttonholes

This buttonhole is a good one to have in your arsenal because it works really well with medium to extra-large buttons; I normally use this buttonhole with 3/4-inch or larger buttons.

To decide how many stitches to use while working this buttonhole, simply place your button on your fabric and see how many stitches it covers. Subtract one stitch, and that's how many stitches you should use. This example, from The Knitter's Companion by Vicki Square, uses five stitches.



Step 1	Step 2	Step 3

Work to where you want the buttonhole to be, bring the yarn to the front, slip the next stitch purlwise, then return the yarn to the back.

Step 1. *Slip the next stitch to the right needle, then pass the second stitch over the end stitch and drop it off the needle. Repeat from *.

Step 2. Slip the last stitch on the right needle to the left needle and turn the work. Move the yarn to the back and use the cable method to cast on 5 stitches as follows: *Insert the right needle between the first and second stitches on the left needle, draw up a loop, and place it on the left needle. Repeat from * 4 more times. Turn the work.

Step 3. With the yarn in back, slip the first stitch from the left needle and pass the extra cast-on stitch over it and off the needle to close the buttonhole. Then work to the end of the row as usual.

Since some of us find videos easier to learn from, here's Interweave Knits editor Eunny Jang with a video tutorial on the one-row buttonhole. (She demos the cable cast-on here, too!)

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Eyelet Buttonhole

The eyelet buttonhole is self-sizing—bulky yarns make large holes that accommodate large buttons; fine yarns make small holes that accommodate small buttons.

Work the eyelet buttonhole on the right side of the work as follows: yarnover, then work the next two stitches together. That's all there is to it!

You can use an overcast stitch to reinforce the buttonhole if you think your yarn might wear or if your yarn is really flexible and you want to stabilize the size of the buttonhole.

I hope these buttonhole techniques will be a welcome addition to your finishing skills.

Cheers,

Kathleen
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW KAL ANNOUNCEMENT

I'm thrilled to announce the next knit-a-long: Fresco Fair Isle Mitts. More than 4000 of you voted, and the mitts won by a small margin. (The Freyja Hat and the Snowflake Scarf tied for second.) Our new KAL starts today, so click on the link to download your pattern for $5.50, run to your stash or your LYS for yarn, and cast on! Here's the link to the official KAL forum. Knit on!

Fill Your Calendar with Knitting Projects

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

I love calendars, especially wall calendars, and I spend a lot of time every year in the bookstore choosing something that will inspire me every day. It's a tough choice, too, because with wall calendars, you look at one photo for a whole month.

I've said before how lucky I am to have this job, and my luck knocked on the door last week in the form of the UPS gal, who handed me a package containing what will be my wall calendar for 2010. It's the new Spin-Off Calendar, and it's truly inspiring to someone who loves all things yarny. The photo at left is so beautiful, and that's just one of twelve!

(I can't believe we're coming up on 2010, though. It sounds so futuristic—I thought we'd all be flying around in spaceships by now!)

As I looked through my new calendar, I started thinking about my knitting and some of the projects that are in my queue. I thought it might be neat to plan my knitting for the year. I know some of this won't happen—we all have things that come up to disrupt our knitting plans (like cool new patterns we must knit now!)—but it was fun to look through my bookshelves and my Ravelry queue and schedule some projects.

A Year of Knitting, a.k.a. "Best Laid Plans"


Cabaret Raglan	Sculptured Lace Scarf	Soap Bubble Wrap	Bacchus Socks
Norah Gaughan	Kenny Chua	Connie Chang Chinchio	Alice Bell

I've had the Cabaret Raglan in my queue almost as long as I've had my Ravelry account. I love the simplicity of the Cabaret—it's a raglan pullover, but the eyelets and two-stitch cable patterns really dress it up. I think I'll tackle this in January and February.

The Sculptured Lace Scarf is something that I can knit at the same time as the Cabaret Raglan, because I like to have more than one project on the needles. I love the tight lace and cable pattern in this design.

The Soap Bubble Wrap is knit from a flax yarn but I have a linen blend linen in my stash that will be perfect. This warm-weather beauty will be a good knit for the spring months. For my alternate project, it's got to be the Bacchus Socks. There's an option for knitting these without the bobbles on the foot portion, which I think I'll do so I can wear them comfortably with shoes. These socks are just beautiful.


Tangled Yoke Cardigan	Harvey Kimono	Simply Marilyn	Side Slip Cloche
Eunny Jang	Louisa Harding	Debbie Bliss	Laura Irwin

I really like a cardigan, and the Tangled Yoke is a classic. At a gauge of six stitches to the inch, it's a nice, light cardigan that won't add bulk. I like the fabric that's produced when I knit on size 5 needles, and that's the needle size called for in this sweater. The cable pattern on the yoke draws the eye toward the face, too, which is a nice feature. This project will hit during the summer months, and while I don't like to knit with wool in the summer, I do like to have a new sweater to wear in the fall, so I'll have to deal with it, won't I?

My second summer project will be a Harvey Kimono. If you have a little one in your life, these darling kimonos couldn't be more perfect. They're so cute and they knit up fast. There's an option for a boy version or a girl version.

In September and October, I'm penciling in Simply Marilyn. This pullover is just that: simple. The big cable up the front and the cowl add a classic, cozy feel, and the larger gauge makes quick work of this sweater. It's so pretty in pink, too—or maybe I should do it in a soft blue since I already have two pink sweaters!

The second project for fall is the lovely Side Slip Cloche. There's a sample of this hat at my LYS and everyone who tries it on looks great—even me! It's a sophisticated hat that's fun to knit. My mom's been asking for one since she saw it on the cover of Boutique Knits last fall, so I'll put this on my holiday knitting list for October.

I'm not going to fill up my calendar for November and December, because I know there will be a bunch of last minute holiday knitting that I'll want to squeeze in. Plus, some of these projects will creep into later months, I'm sure.

So that's the plan, folks! Why don't you take a few minutes to put your projects on the calendar? It's really helped me set my knitting priorities, and I've had fun looking at the beautiful photos in my calendar, too.

Cheers,

Kathleen

P.S. Interweave has come out with three new calendars, so if you're a quilter or a papercrafter, there's something for you, too.

Knitted Gifts: Spread the Joy

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

We've all wrapped up our precious knitted gifts in boxes and bags. And when we put them with all of the other gifts, they look just like everything else in the pile. Don't get me wrong, I love a big stack of presents, but I've stumbled upon some new items from Interweave that will make our knitted treasures stand out from the rest.



Swatch and yarn ball cards	Gift tags	Sheep and alpaca cards

I just got a shipment of these little gift items, and they're even cuter in person. I especially love the sheep gift bag, which I immediately stuffed full of yarn to take with me this weekend to a knitting retreat (stay tuned for some photos next week!).

Sharing our enthusiasm for our knitting lifestyle is fun and important, and these little cards and tags are a perfect way to do that. Using these items to present knitted gifts is special, and I'm even incorporating the cards into my stack that I pull from for all occasions. It's a nice way to spread the knitting joy.

And imagine getting a little package in the gift bag at right! Maybe you should pack up a one-skein project with a skein of yarn and a pattern, and give it to one of your knitting buddies. Perhaps something that person can make as a holiday gift?

That's not really re-gifting, is it?

Knitted Gift Tags

We featured this clever idea in Interweave Knits Gifts, and I thought you might like to try it. There's no real pattern for these, just take a look at the photo at left and freeform it! That's part of the fun.

Directions: Knit to a simple, outline shape, increasing, decreasing, and casting on as necessary. Hold your knitting up to the outline frequently to compare. Back your knitted shapes with card stock, punch a hole at the top, and add a piece of yarn to attach the tag to a gift.

You can make your shapes larger to use them as decorations, too. Try using some metallic yarn to add a little sparkle!

"Knitted" Cards

I really enjoy papercrafting, and I usually make my own holiday cards. This year I'm working on some cards where I'm using swatches instead of rubber stamps. I'm using a garter stitch swatch and pressing it on an ink pad, and then I'm pressing it onto the card to make a background.

I'm going to use a holiday image to try to make a sort of intarsia look, with an ornament or a tree or something in the middle of the knitted background. We'll see. I'll post some images when I get something that works!

Have fun with these ideas, and please share your results with us in the comments or the gallery!

Cheers,

Kathleen

Perfect Knitted Gloves: Tips for Success

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

I’ve never knitted a pair of gloves, if you can believe that. Mittens, fingerless gloves, and wrist warmers are all in my repertoire, but no gloves! The thought of knitting all of those fingers has always steered me away from glove projects.

I usually get about four pairs of those tiny knit gloves that stretch to fit any size hand. Those last me all winter, interspersed with my down mittens for the really cold days. I’m over those gloves, though, they’re too thin for Spokane. And besides, I’m a knitter and therefore I should knit some gloves!

So here’s my plan:

1. Find a pattern.
2. Choose yarn.
3. Knit a gauge swatch.
4. Cast on.
5. Knit, knit, knit.
6. Finish one glove.
7. MAKE THE OTHER GLOVE!!

It's a nice plan, isn't it? Step 6 is the only step that makes me nervous…

Since I have Ann Budd’s The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, which has a whole section on making simple gloves, the pattern-finding is done. Step 1, check.

I’ve mentioned before that I have a ball of Socks that Rock sock yarn (not to mention all the sock yarn I got at the sock summit), and a couple of other choices, too. I like the idea of using sock yarn on small needles so that the gloves will be dense and warm. So here are the choices:

Leave me a comment below and tell me which yarn you like best!

I think my gauge will be about 7 or 8 stitches to the inch, and my hand circumference is about 7½ so I’ll be casting on 60 to 66 stitches.

How do I know this? That’s the brilliance of The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Ann gives you options. And by options, I mean OPTIONS! There are glove patterns for five gauges of yarn and seven sizes, and an amazing schematic.

A big bonus in the glove section is the page called "Quick Tips for General Success." Ann provides these tips for each type of pattern and they're easily worth the price of the book. Here are a few to whet your appetite:

If you’re using double pointed needles, use this tip to avoid the ladder: When you reach the end of a double-pointed needle, always work two or three stitches from the next needle onto the working needle. Doing so will move the boundary between needles and will help prevent a line of loose stitches between needles.
As you knit, poke the finished fingers into the hand to keep them out of your way.
To help eliminate holes at the base of fingers, pick up and knit one or two more stitches than required when you begin a finger, then decrease the extra stitch or stitches on the first round of knitting.

That tip for avoiding ladders will work for anything you knit on DPNs, not just gloves. Some of us occasionally have issues with ladders when we use the Magic Loop method (ahem. . .), so this is good for us, too!

I'll keep you posted on the gloves—I need to make quick work of them so I'm not forced to buy another pair of those little stretch gloves!

Cheers,

Kathleen

Decorate with Knitted Holiday Ornaments

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Even though it's just Halloween, I'm already dreaming of the holidays—my favorite time of the year.

I have a really beautiful collection of glass holiday ornaments that look just lovely on the Christmas tree. They sparkle and glimmer when the light hits them.

I usually get a couple of new ornaments as gifts each year—last year my mom gave me the most hilarious one: a hamburger. It's beautifully crafted, though, and I hung it proudly on my tree. Maybe this year I'll get some fries.

I have a couple of small trees, too. (I know, a little overboard on the trees!) This year I'm tgoing to make some knitted ornaments to put on one tree, along with a twisted cord garland. I think I can bang out several ornaments at my knitting group the next few Sundays. We'll see ... my Central Park Hoodie is mocking me from my knitting bag!

Want to knit some ornaments along with me? Here are some ideas:

Swatch Ornaments

Dig out your swatch box and put project swatches to good use making ornaments. Thin, drapey swatches will give the smoothest effect.

Materials: Glass or plastic ball ornament; knitted swatch (height and width similar to or slightly smaller than ornament circumference; exact dimensions are not critical, swatch will stretch to fit.); strong sewing thread, needle; ribbon (optional)

Directions: With right sides facing, sew two short ends of the swatch together to make a tube. Turn right side out. With a doubled length of thread, make a running stitch line along the bottom edge of the swatch.

From inside the tube, draw the thread tight and gather the bottom of the swatch into a tightly closed circle. Fasten off the thread. Pop the ball ornament into the swatch bag.

With a doubled length of thread, make a running stitch along the top edge of the swatch. Draw the top opening tightly closed, stretching the fabric slightly if necessary. Fasten off the thread. (Optional) Attach a ribbon for hanging.

More Free Ornament Patterns!



Use up odds and ends in your stash! Cabled Globes will add texture to your tree.	Try knitting this pretty Snowflake Ornament in a sparkly, white yarn.	Make these cute poinsettias in all kinds of colors! Be creative with your color scheme.

And don't forget about the Knitted Star pattern that we posted in the Inside Knits blog. It's so cute. I need a tree skirt for one of my little trees, and I'm thinking about making four or five of the midsized Knitted Stars and sewing them together point-to-point to make a cool tree skirt.

If you want to make a yarn garland, here's how:

Twisted Cord

Cut several lengths of yarn about five times the desired finished cord length. Fold the strands in half to form two equal groups. Anchor the strands at the fold by looping them over a doorknob. Holding one group in each hand, twist each group tightly in a clockwise direction until they begin to kink.

Put both groups in one hand and then release them, allowing them to twist around each other counterclockwise. Smooth out the twists so that they are uniform along the length of the cord. Knot the ends

Have fun with all of these ornament ideas!

Cheers,

Kathleen

Short and So Sweet: The Little Knitted Gift

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

My family has always made a big deal about the holidays. We have so much fun together cooking, eating, toasting and roasting each other, and shoveling/playing in the snow.

We've gotten really good at choosing gifts for each other, too. We take note of little things we say all year and try to pick out really meaningful gifts. (Although I did have to regroup one year after getting my brother a Dukes of Hazzard coloring book!)

And now that nephew Henry is around, the holiday fun has leveled up a notch or two! At four years old though, he's still a little bit more interested in the lights of Christmas than the presents! He loves the tree as much as I do.

In the last four or five years, I've been knitting gifts for my family, but as I've mentioned before on Knitting Daily, that might not happen this year, at least not to the degree it's happened in the past!

Maybe it'll be little gifts. I'll never be the gift-card type (not that there's anything wrong with that!), so I'll have to come up with some sort of handmade goodies!

Welcome to the Gift Parade

I think some of you might be in the same boat, so I thought I'd take a troll through the gift section of our free pattern collection and see what floated to the top. Here goes!



The Daisy Towel is so cute, with its little, embroidered flowers. It's a quick knit, made from cotton worsted-weight.	The Bride's Sachet isn't just for brides. Any gal would enjoy this delicate packet of good scent!	What child wouldn't want to see a Knit Father Christmas popping out of the top of a stocking on Christmas morning?



These polka-dotted Napkin Rings are perfect for the holiday table, and even more perfect as a hostess gift.	House Slippers are the trifecta of the perfect gift: easy-to-make, cute, and useful. These are simply cut out of an old, felted, wool sweater.	Knitted Cuddlies are so cute! If you have a little one on your gift list, look no further.

And for the knitter in your life, how about a gift subscription to Interweave Knits? I received a subscription to Knits once, and it was so much fun to flip through the issue that was tucked in my stocking, only to have a card fall out that said it was the first in a subscription. I was so excited!

Cheers,

Kathleen

The Knitted I-cord: "I" is for "Ingenious"

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The venerable Elizabeth Zimmermann rediscovered and named the I-cord (the I-cord, called a "stay lace," was mentioned in Victorian needlework manuals). The "I" stands for "idiot" because Ms. Zimmermann thought the technique was so simple anyone could do it (even an idiot, I guess!).

I think the "I" should stand for "ingenious." The I-cord is simply a tube knitted in the round with two double-pointed needles (I've done it with a long circular needle, too).

The I-cord is one of those things in knitting that is endlessly useful. The technique is somewhat idiot-proof, once you get the hang of it, and it's also really mindless knitting (especially if you need a long I-cord, like in the Greek Pullover)—the I-cord is something to do in front of the TV or with a good audio book on board for sure!

Here's a quickie tutorial:

With a double-pointed needle, cast on the desired number of stitches. *Without turning the needle, slide the stitches to other end of the needle, pull the yarn around the back, and knit the stitches as usual; repeat from * for desired length.

(The illustration above shows knitting the stitches after you've slid the them to the other end of the needle.)

The I-cord Beanie: A Perfect Baby Topper

I've used I-cords for many things, but my favorites are those little hats where you finish up by making three or four inches of I-cord and then tying it in a knot. So cute!

I made a pair of booties and an I-cord hat for a friend who had a preemie baby, and he wore it all winter. He's a big boy now, but that hat is well-documented in photos.

There's a similar hat in my arsenal, one that I call the Noodle Cap. It's a simple cap pattern, like the one in the photo, but to finish it I knit about eight, 4-inch long I-cords and then attach them to the crown of the hat. It looks like there are noodles coming out of the top! It's especially cute if you use a white or cream yarn for the cap and different colors for each of the "noodles."

A Smooth Finish: The Applied I-cord

One of the best uses of the I-cord is in finishing. The technique is called "applied I-cord" (or sometimes "attached I-cord") and it gives you a really smooth, nice-looking finish that's perfect around armholes and necklines.

The Ruched Shell by Lou Scheila (below) is a nice example of the applied I-cord used in finishing; note the pretty neckline and smooth, even arm openings.

Here's how I do the applied I-cord.

With garment's right side facing and using a separate ball of yarn and circular needle, pick up the desired number of stitches along the garment edge. Slide these stitches down the needle so that the first picked-up stitch is near the opposite needle point. With a double-pointed needle, cast on the desired number of I-cord stitches. Begin knitting the applied I-cord as follows:

Step 1. Knit across the I-cord to the last stitch, then knit the last stitch together through the back loop with the first picked-up stitch on the garment.

Step 2. Slip the number of cast-on stitches back to the right hand needle (so, if you're doing a three -stitch I-cord, slip three stitches back to the right-hand needle).

Step 3. Knit across the I-cord to the last stitch, then knit the last stitch together through the back loop with the first picked-up stitch on the garment.

Step 4. Continue in this manner until all picked-up stitches have been used.

Here's a video tutorial, too.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

I've seen the applied I-cord used well on felted bags, too. The bags are sometimes finished with two applied I-cords on top of one another, which felts into a sturdy, rounded border around the opening of the bag. It's a really nice finish when felted.

Case Closed: The I-cord Closure

I-cords can be used as pretty closures, too. Check out the Asian-style closures (at right) on the Mandarin Blouse.

My friend Leslie showed me how to make a really pretty I-cord knot closure: The Chinese Knot, which is nice on a cardigan for a little Asian flair. You could use it on a one-button cardigan instead of the button. The knot is from Knit Kimono, by Vicki Square. Here's my version:

Click here for instructions on making the Chinese Knot closure.

In Elizabeth Zimmermann's book The Opinionated Knitter, there's a photo of Ms. Zimmermann with her glasses on an I-cord strap, which shows yet another use for this versatile technique. I hope you'll try some of these projects that incorporate I-cords.

Have a great weekend!

Kathleen

Knit up a Blizzard (Scarf), Plus a Free Edging Pattern!

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

A note from Kathleen: I'm always inspired by each new issue of PieceWork magazine, and the November/December issue doesn't disappoint. It hits newsstands on November 3, and I think there are some projects in there that will have you running to your local yarn shop to pick up supplies for holiday gifts. Here to talk about the November/December issue of PieceWork magazine is editor Jeane Hutchins. She recommends some heirloom quality knitted accessories to both keep you warm this winter and to present to your loved ones this holiday season.

You'll want to pick up your copy of PieceWork right away (or order a subscription here) so you can get started on some of these projects. In fact, why not get started right now on the free border pattern near the end of this email! It's a beautiful, classic pattern that ace-knitter Ann Budd adapted from a Victorian-English pattern book.

Here's Jeane to introduce this fabulous new issue of PieceWork.

A Blizzard of Knitting

It snowed in Colorado last week—big, puffy flakes fell from the sky for hours. Watching them was mesmerizing; waking up the next morning to a snow-covered landscape was one of those special Colorado moments. With temperatures in the teens though, I really wished I had Inna Voltchkova’s glorious Meteliza Scarf from the November/December issue of PieceWork around my neck!

Inna, who grew up in Ukraine and learned to knit when she was ten, used an angora yarn named Blizzard for the scarf; "meteliza" is the Russian word for “blizzard.”

The yarn evoked memories of Inna’s childhood, in particular her angora knitted hat whose earflap shape she used for this scarf along with traditional Orenburg lace motifs—Cat’s Paw and Mouse Print. In Orenburg lore, the cats are chasing the mice!

Do check out the christening bag project in this issue, too. The first ninety rounds are knitted; the remainder is worked in broomstick lace, a form of crochet.

The designer, Karen Hooton, became intrigued with broomstick lace a number of years ago, and her combination of the two techniques is brilliant. I am always amazed by the ingenuity of our contributors.

The small, child’s hat shown here is in Jacqueline Fee’s collection of “homeless knittings.”

Jacqueline, intrigued by its unusual three-rib construction, which allows the hat to expand into the fullness of a beret, recreated it. It definitely will delight the lucky child who receives it.

Since this is last issue of the year, our thoughts turned to the holidays (and the first snowfall of the season helped). Nancy Bush’s evening stockings knitted with yarn that has a touch of glitter will be perfect for a holiday party.

The small heart-shaped ornaments are quick-to-knit projects; they were worked in two weights of yarn: fingering and sport. Use them as ornaments for holiday trees and package adornments.

We also hope they will inspire you to enter PieceWork's 2010 contest-Heart Ornaments. You could win $500 in cash!

We know you'll enjoy all this issue of PieceWork has to offer. We sure enjoyed putting it together for you.

—Jeane

________________________________________________________

A Wheat-Ear Border to Knit
Adapted by Ann Budd

If you’re searching for another quick-to-make idea, here’s a small project from our archives. Ann Budd adapted “The Wheat-Ear Border” from Volume 2 of Weldon’s Practical Needlework, a popular source for patterns in Victorian England. She used size 8 pearl cotton thread and size 0000 (1.3 mm) needles. We attached the edging to pillowcases, but that’s just one possibility. I think the edging will make a spectacular garland on a holiday tree!

CO 20 sts. P 1 row. Work Rows 1–16 until piece is desired length. BO all sts.
Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, (k2tog) 3 times, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, (yo) twice, k2—22sts.
Row 2: K3, p1, k3, p13, k2.
Row 3: Sl 1, k1, yo, k2tog, (k3tog) twice, yo, k1, yo, k2, (k2tog, yo) twice, k5—20 sts.
Row 4: BO 2 sts, k4, p8, p2tog, p1, k2—17 sts.
Row 5: Sl 1, k1, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, yo, k2, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, (yo) twice, k2—20 sts.
Row 6: K3, p1, k3, p11, k2.
Row 7: Sl 1, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, (k2, k2tog, yo) twice, k2tog, yo, k5—22 sts.
Row 8: BO 2 sts, k4, p13, k2.
Row 9: Sl 1, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, (yo) twice, k2—23 sts.
Row 10: K3, p1, k3, p14, k2.
Row 11: Sl 1, k1, (yo, k2tog) twice, k2, yo, k1, yo, (ssk) twice, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2tog, yo, k5—22 sts.
Row 12: BO 2 sts, k3, p3tog, p2tog, p9, k2—17 sts.
Row 13: Sl 1, k1, (yo, k2tog) twice, k2, yo, k3, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k1, (yo) twice, k2—20 sts.
Row 14: K3, p1, k3, p11, k2.
Row 15: Sl 1, k1, (yo, k2tog) twice, k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k5—22 sts.
Row 16: BO 2sts, k4 p13, k2—20 sts.

Wet-block edging to open up and set the lace pattern.

Fall Favorites: Versatile Knitted Wraps

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

It's getting down into the 20s and 30s here in Spokane, so it's time to bundle up! I've amassed quite the collection of cozy scarves, but the one I go to more than any other is a large, simple rectangle that I can wear as a scarf or as a wrap. My favorite way to wear it is around my shoulders with a shawl pin.

One of the most popular knitwear designs of this fall is the Every Way Wrap by Okmin Park. The pattern is in the fall 2009 issue of Interweave Knits, and it's amazingly versatile. This one will work for myriad sizes and styles, as you can see below.



The Every Way Wrap, worn as a vest.		The back view of the vest option.



The Every Way Wrap worn as a shawl.		And as a scarf!

The Crosstown Convertible

Our next adventure in versatility is the Crosstown Convertible.

This piece was featured on episode 210 of Knitting Daily TV and the free pattern is available here.

The Crosstown Convertible is a simple rectangle with sixteen buttons and buttonholes added (it's one of our favorite easy knitting patterns!).

It's as simple as knitting a scarf, but you can drape it and button it in so many different ways, it'll become a wardrobe staple. The Crosstown Convertible can be worn as a vest, a scarf, a shrug, or a wrap, and it has built-in pockets, too.

And if you're a beginning knitter, this is the perfect project for you—you'll be able to practice buttonholes and a bit of seaming. This design is a great bridge from knitting scarves to knitting garments.

Here's a video clip from episode 201, in which Bonnie Burton from Colorful Stitches shows several of the ways you can wear the Crosstown Convertible.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Try one of these patterns—I think you'll like the cozy comfort and style of either wrap (or both!). And if you've knit a wrap you love and you want to show it off, post a photo in our gallery section. We'd love to see it!

Cheers,

Kathleen

P.S. Stitches East is happening this week in Hartford, Connecticut, and the CYCA (Craft Yarn Council of America) is offering a new venue for reaching out to new knitters and crocheters as well as providing a meeting place for current enthusiasts: the Share & Care Cafe.

The Cafe is a place to learn to knit and crochet for FREE and a place for visitors to gather, relax, and exchange ideas. There will also be a Warm Up America exhibit in the Cafe. (Warm Up America is an organization made up of volunteers who create handmade afghan blankets, clothing and accessories to help those in need. These items provide warmth and comfort to people who have lost their homes, fled abusive relations, or are being cared for in hospices, shelters, hospitals, and nursing home.)

The Cafe will provide free yarn and needles or hooks for anyone who sits down for a lesson, free how-to instruction sheets and a Resource Guide listing helpful information about guilds, websites, and CYCA members, their products and programs.

If you're headed to Stitches East, be sure and check out the Share & Care Cafe!

Cabling Without a Needle, the Sequel

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

I'm working on my Knit-a-Long, the Central Park Hoodie, and even though I'm behind my own schedule (!), I'm making fast progress now that I can devote more hours to this project.

The Central Park Hoodie is actually a really quick project, for several reasons: the gauge is a generous 4.25 stitches per inch, the pieces have minimal shaping, and the cable pattern makes me want to keep going ("just one more cable repeat. . ."). I've been working on a couple of other projects for Knitting Daily, though, and my CPH got neglected for a couple of weeks.

I do have the back and one-and-a-half fronts done now, and I'm going to do the two sleeves at once. I usually don't like to do that because I make a mess of the two strands of yarn—I fail at the walking and chewing gum test—but I want to get this sweater done so I can wear it!

I've been using Interweave's cabling without a needle directions (click here for the tutorial I posted on Knitting Daily), but I recently discovered another method, one where you knit the stitches on the needles as you twist them. Our original instructions have you twist the stitches on the needle first and then knit them. This second method is faster, I think, and I need all the speed I can get in order to keep up with my knit-a-long pals!

I made a video of the technique and here it is! I demonstrate a left-crossing cable first, and then a right-crossing cable.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

A Free Pattern for You!

Here's a cable pattern for you to try this method with: the Peasant Blouse by Teva Durham. Teva appeared on Knitting Daily TV on season 2 and talked about her theories for designing unique and fashionable knitwear.

There are a couple of different cables in this design, placed off-center to add even more interest and flair. I love peasant blouses in general, but they're usually designed for summer wear; this version of the blouse is appropriate for fall and wintertime, too. I love the cables, of course, but I also admire the neckline, with its eyelets and ribbon tie.

Teva is such an innovative designer; I think you'll really like this project.

And if you need more cabling inspiration, check out our Knitting Daily Workshop Classic to Creative Knit Cables with Kathy Zimmerman. Kathy provides basic instruction, tips, tricks, and excellent patterns in this special tutorial.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers,

Kathleen

Interweave Knits: Holiday Gifts Preview

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Interweave has produced the fabulous Holiday Gifts issue for the last several years, and this one is no exception (preview the upcoming issue here) . Interweave Knits editor Eunny Jang and I recently got a chance to talk about this year's Holiday Gifts, which will be available on October 27. As Eunny and I were chatting, we got to talking about lots of things, including our favorite part of the holiday season.

"To be honest, I think I love the food best; I should probably say the good cheer, the family togetherness, etc., etc. But candy, turkey and dressing, seven fishes feasts, pannetone, Yule logs—name the tradition, I'll name (and eat!) the food!" Eunny said.

I love the food, too—we usually have a traditional ham dinner—but my favorite part of the holidays is decorating the tree. I have a nice collection of glass ornaments in the German style, and I love how they sparkle on the tree. I spend a lot of time rearranging the ornaments so that they show to their best advantage, too. My favorite is a little bird in a nest, and the hanger is a gold, sparkly pipe-cleaner-type thing. It's really a special ornament.

Speaking of ornaments, Ann Weaver designed some beautiful patterns for German-inspired ornaments (at right) for Holiday Gifts.

The 2009 issue of Holiday Gifts is huge—almost sixty projects! Seeing it all come together is always so rewarding; going from a sketchy concept to a finished magazine is pretty satisfying. Some of our favorite designs in this issue include Courtney Kelley's Nuneh Mittens and Silka Burgoyne's Lace and Twist Mittens. Eunny learned a new technique from the Nuneh Mittens: the Armenian method of tacking down the yarn to eliminate long floats.

I really like the delicate Lace and Twist Gloves. They're simply beautiful; perfect for some of the fingering-weight yarn I have in my stash, and perfect for the ladies in my life (especially my Gramma, who loves pretty, feminine accessories).

The Gift of Handmade

Many of the ideas in Holiday Gifts are future heirlooms just waiting to be made, and seeing them sparked memories for Eunny and I, about some of our most cherished gifts—both given and received.

Eunny said, "My grandmother gave me her collection of crochet hooks a long time ago, and while that gift isn't something that was made for me, it is something that made countless things for others. The most memorable handmade holiday gift I've given is the year I knitted some pretty intricate, traditional shawls for my mother, aunt, and grandmother. They were all different, and all beautiful—they immediately started trading them with each other and arguing over who got what."

My most cherished handmade gift is an embroidered pillow my mom made for me. The design is the beautiful, floral love stamp from 1989, and twenty years later, that pillow still has a place of honor on my bed. As far as giving gifts, I've made lots of things for friends and family. My favorite gifts that I made are little cross-stitched ornaments with my family's names on them; they hang on the stockings to designate whose is whose.

Home (and Away) for the Holidays

Even though it's only October 12th, both Eunny and I are looking forward to relaxing during the holidays—catching up on much needed sleep, cooking, eating, drinking good wine, and watching bad movies.

Eunny will be holed up in a mountain cabin and I'll be hosting the Portland contingent of Cubleys (my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew Henry) in Spokane.

I'm thinking about making Lisa Shroyer's Nordic Striped Ball for Henry. At 23 inches in circumference, it's a fun size for a 4-year-old!

That busy, wonderful holiday time will be here before we know it, so I hope you'll get busy with some of the gift ideas in Holiday Gifts.

Cheers,

Kathleen

Faux Isle: A Great Colorwork Technique (plus a free pattern!)

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

There are so many beautiful variegated and self-striping yarns out there. They're perfect for adding some pizzazz to your stockinette projects, but have you thought about doing some colorwork with these yarns?

The term "faux isle" is a funny play on words, but it's also a neat technique that uses one variegated or self-striping yarn and one solid yarn to knit a Fair Isle-type pattern.

I'm working on a faux isle hat (at left) for my brother for Christmas, and it's so much fun. Like all of the colorwork I've done, it's really addictive—I can't wait to see the next row!

I developed my own easy knitting pattern for this hat, which my friend Deborah kindly modeled for me—she's one of those people who looks great in hats of all kinds.

This is today's free pattern, so read on!

Kathleen's Faux Isle Hat

This hat measures about 18 1/4" when finished, and fits about a 20" head. For a larger head, cast on more stitches in multiples of four.

Your gauge should be 21 stitches to 4 inches in stranded knitting.

Using worsted weight yarn (you'll need about 100 yards of a variegated yarn and 100 yards of a solid yarn) and size 6 US 16" circular needles, cast on 96 stitches in the solid color (Yarn A).

Place a marker at the beginning of your work and join for working in the round.

Work in k2, p2 rib for 1 1/2", using the variegated yarn (Yarn B) for the purl stitches and Yarn A for the knit stitches.

Knit 3 rounds in Yarn A.

Knit 2 rounds in Yarn B, and then work rows 1 through 8 in Chart A.

On row 9, switch to Chart B, repeating rows 1 through 6 of the chart until the hat measures about 7 1/2" from the cast-on edge (or to desired length minus 2 inches).

Using just one of the yarns (A or B, you choose!), begin decreasing crown as follows:

*K10, k2tog; rep from * around hat—88 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K9, k2tog; rep from * around hat—80 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K8, k2tog; rep from * around hat—72 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K7, k2tog; rep from * around hat—64 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K6, k2tog; rep from * around hat—56 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K5, k2tog; rep from * around hat—48 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K4, k2tog; rep from * around hat—40 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K3, k2tog; rep from * around hat—32 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K2, k2tog; rep from * around hat—24 sts rem.
Knit 1 round even.
*K1, k2tog; rep from * around hat—16 sts rem.
*K2tog; rep from * around hat—8 sts rem.

Break yarn, leaving about 4 inches of tail. Thread tail onto a tapestry needle and pull through remaining stitches. Cinch tight.

Weave in ends and block lightly.

Fill Up Your Basket With Faux Isle

Faux isle projects really give you a lot of bang for your buck; because of the variegated yarn, it looks like you're using several colors, but you're just using two colors throughout the whole piece. I enjoy Fair Isle projects, both the process and the product, but this faux isle technique is so easy (not so many ends to weave in!) and beautiful in its own right.

Here are some ideas for your project basket.



The Cactus Blossom Pullover is a beautiful and easy pattern that knits up quickly in worsted weight yarn. This is a comfy, slouchy sweater that's perfect for weekend adventuring.	The Faux Fair Isle Cardigan is so beautiful! I love the colorwork in the ribbing. This is a cardigan that will end up in the hope chest for the next generation to enjoy.	My friend Laurie knit this version of the faux isle kids' sweater. Isn't it amazing what a change of color can do? Whatever the color, though, this one's a keeper.

I hope you'll try a faux isle project—I think you'll really like the results.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers,

Kathleen

P.S. If you ask me a question in the comments section, check back on the blog post for the answer; I'll either answer there or send you a personal message. Thanks!