Learn to Knit - Purl into Front and Back of a Stitch Video Tutorial

Here's another video tutorial for the How to Knit list. It shows how to purl into the front and back of a stitch, which is not quite as intuitive as you would think. I always feel a bit like a contortionist with my knitting needles when I have to do this one!

This increase was used several times in the pattern for the Top Down Baby Jacket. It is not all that common to do increases on a purl row, so this is an increase you might not run into too often. I hope having a video to see how it is done will come in handy for those who run into it for the first time.




I'll be working up another granny square soon to share with you and then I'll be able to show you several different ways to join them together to achieve different results.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit - Elongated Knit Stitch

Don't you just love trying out new stitches in knitting or crocheting? Whenever I come across a design that I like, I check to see if the description includes what stitches were used, then I look them up and give them a try. If I like them, I add them to my list. Recently I came across a pattern for an accessory item that I thought looked so pretty and light and airy while still being warm and cozy. I tried it. I liked it. I'm using it in my current project. And here it is...


I can't say exactly what it is that I am making since it is one of my Pay It Forward gifts, but here you can see it still on the needle which may give you a little hint of what it might be. I'm using Patons Divine yarn which is mostly acrylic but has a little bit of mohair, wool and polyester in it. This color is called Demin Storm.


The stitch I am using is called the Elongated Knit Stitch. In between each row of Elongated Knit Stitch, I am working 3 rows of plain old knit stitch. This is what makes the piece look light and airy while still keeping it warm and cozy. It works up fast too because each row of Elongated Knit Stitch adds over an inch to the project!

In the following video, you will see how to do the stitch which is quite easy and actually pretty fun. The Yarn Overs that make the knit stitch elongated can be done as many times as you like, depending on how Elongated you want the stitches to be. You would just have to be consistent across the row. So you could work one row of elongated knit stitches with just 1 Yarn Over, then work several rows of knit stitches, then work the next row of elongated knit stitches with 2 Yarn Overs, then several more rows of knit stitches, then elongated stitches with 3 Yarn Overs and so on and then go back to 1 Yarn Over. Or you can be consistent throughout your piece and make the stitches with the same number of Yarn Overs to achieve the look you want.

In the video you will notice that I am using regular worsted weight yarn with no fuzz or texture in it at all. I think this stitch begs for lots of texture and fuzz in the yarn being used, so the yarn I am using to demonstrate the stitch is not what I would use to make something with this stitch. I just thought it would show how to make the stitch better than a fuzzy yarn, so it is being used only for demonstration purposes.



Let me know if you have used this stitch in a project yourself and how you liked it. I'll be sure to show off this finished project once it has been received by ... the recipient!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Farrow Rib Stitch

Here's another fun and easy knit stitch to add to your collection. It's called Farrow Rib and I used it recently on another Oddball Baby Blanket named Cotton Candy. When I show you the completed blanket, you'll see how it got that name. But that will have to wait until I give you the crocheted border pattern!


Here's what Farrow Rib looks like. Pretty, isn't it? It forms a very soft fabric that is the same on both sides, which is one reason I like it for a blanket.

I knitted the last section of Cotton Candy in the same Bernat Softee Baby Soft Lilac yarn with which I had crocheted the scallop border of Tutti Frutti. You've all seen purple cotton candy, haven't you?

Here is the pattern for the Farrow Rib Stitch so you can try it yourself in your next knitting project.

Farrow Rib Stitch

Works on multiples of three plus one stitches.

Row 1: (K2, P1) across the row to the last stitch, K1.
Row 2: P1, (K2, P1) across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

I'll show you the completed Cotton Candy blanket soon along with close-ups of the border pattern I made up for it. Of course I'll share the pattern too so you can use it if you want to. I have begun knitting the last section of another blanket called Citrus Sunshine and I'll share that with you when it is complete. Then I will be taking a break from the oddball blankets for a little while so I can focus on finishing up some of my own projects like the wedding gift afghan and my Pay It Forward gifts. And of course I will be bringing you more Tunisian Crochet stitches shortly and a fun pattern for a dishcloth that you will be whipping up for yourself and for gifts all year long!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit - Not Quite Farrow Rib Stitch

I just can't seem to get enough of these oddball blankets lately! Here's the next one I finished. It's called Pumpkin Delight.


As you can see in the picture, it was knit in fall/pumpkin/pie colors and the middle 'pie crust' section was done in a woven cable stitch to mimic the look of pie crust. Very clever!

These are not my favorite colors for a baby blanket, but I guess since babies like high contrast color combinations, this should be just right for some lucky little guy. Notice how the section worked in a cable design pulls the work in towards the middle. This is the nature of certain types of stitches in knitting and should be considered when choosing the pattern for a particular piece. This blanket will be washed and blocked which will hopefully stretch out that section a bit and even up the edges. But even if the blanket retains its hour glass shape, it will still be warm and cozy and hopefully the family who receives it will know it was made with lots of love.

The top green section and the border are my handiwork on this one. I loved the look of a stitch I had seen on other blankets so I asked for the pattern and thought I would use it on this blanket. Once I had finished several rows, I realized it wasn't working out quite right, even though I was following the pattern as it was given to me. I continued anyway since the stitch I was using looked fine and actually I thought it was a bit different.


Here is a corner of the blanket where you can see my knitted section in the lighter green in a stitch I am now calling 'Not Quite Farrow Rib'. The rib part is noticeable in among the garter stitch, but overall it appears a little too similar to plain old seed stitch, which is what the orange section before this was worked in. I'll share the stitch pattern here in case you would like to use it yourself. It's quite simple.

Not Quite Farrow Rib Stitch

Row 1: K2, P1 across
Row 2: P1, K2 across

This stitch would make a nice lightweight blanket if used throughout. It would also be a good stitch for a sweater. It is the same on the front and the back so it could also be used for a scarf. It does not have much stretch to it and lies rather flat, but it has nice texture with all the little bumps all over it.

The dark green border was simply crocheted by working two rounds of single crochet, working 3 stitches in each corner so the work would remain flat, and then ending with a slip stitch and weaving in the ends.

Next time I'll share with you a little more Baby looking blanket and the real Farrow Rib Stitch which turned out quite nicely and will be added to my list of stitches to use in the future.

Happy Stitching!

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Diagonal Seed Stitch in Knitting

Recently I had the pleasure of being the last knitter on one of the Northeast Region Oddball Preemie Blankets called Tutti Frutti. The stitch I used was Diagonal Seed Stitch on a Stockinette background.

This is what the last section looked like when it was finished and the pattern is included below.


On these oddball blankets, each knitter gets to choose whatever design they want to stitch. The only requirement is the type of yarn for the specific blanket and that the beginning and ending 3 stitches of each row must be knit. This provides a uniform garter stitch border around the blanket for the crocheted border to be worked into.

Tutti Frutti is a preemie blanket so it is worked in sport or DK weight yarn. The yarn I used is Bernat Softee Baby and the color name is Pink Marls.

The Diagonal Seed Stitch is a very simple stitch to work, being basically stockinette stitch with purl stitches spaced evenly on the right side, offset by one on each subsequent row. This is how I worked the diagonal pattern:

Row 1 (right side): K3, K0 (this is simply a placeholder to which the Row 3 instruction will refer), P1, (K10, P1) until there are 13 or fewer stitches left on the needle, K remaining stitches.

Row 2 (wrong side) and all even number rows: K3, Purl across until only 3 stitches remain, K3.

Rows 3 - 21: K3, K one more than on previous right side row (for instance: for row 3 K1, for row 5 K2, for row 7 K3, etc) , P1, (K10, P1) across, K remaining stitches.

Row 23: Begin again with Row 1.

This design could very easily be incorporated into a plain stockinette stitch pattern to add a little texture and interest to the knitted fabric. It would look nice worked into a sweater, hat, scarf or blanket. The distance between the diagonal lines could easily be changed to whatever you like, either closer together or further apart. Experiment a little with scrap yarn to come up with something you like, or an even easier way to work out your own design is to use graph paper to mark where you want your purl stitches. Then knit a sample to see if you like it before working it into a larger piece. Use worsted weight cotton like Peaches 'N Cream for your sample and make up a dishcloth with your design. That way, even if you don't like your design, you will still have something usable.

Happy Stitching!

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Knitted Basketweave Stitch - Easy and Reversible

The Forest Greens baby blanket for the Northeast Oddball Baby Blanket group is finished and ready to be sent off for delivery. I was the last knitter on this blanket so today I thought I would share with you the stitch I used on it. It looks like a basketweave design and here it is...



These blankets are knit with 110 stitches, give or take a few. The first and last 3 rows and the first and last 3 stitches on every row are knit to create a garter stitch border around the whole piece. Each knitter works about a 4 inch section and then mails it to the next knitter until six sections have been completed. Then a border is crocheted around the outside of the whole thing to finish it off.

So this is a corner of the section I knitted on this blanket, called Forest Greens because it is worked in each knitter's choice of shades of greens. This was a very easy design to knit, simply alternating between knit and purl stitches across the rows, and then switching after 5 or 6 rows. An entire blanket could easily be knit this way creating a unique and reversible design.

Here's the pattern:

Cast on desired number of stitches and knit 3 rows for garter stitch border, or continue working on an established piece.

Knit 3. *Knit 10 (or any number), purl 10 (or any number)*. Continue from * to * across until 3 stitches remain. Knit 3.

Knit 3. Knit or purl stitches as they face you across the row until 3 stitches remain. Knit 3.

Continue knitting or purling stitches as they face you, working first and last 3 stitches of each row in knit, until you have worked the number of rows desired for the first section of blocks.

**To change over to the next section of blocks, knit 3. Purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches as they face you across the row until 3 stitches remain. Knit 3.

Continue knitting or purling stitches as they face you, working first and last 3 stitches of each row in knit, until you have worked the number of rows desired for the second section of blocks.**

Continue from ** to ** until the blanket is the desired size. Knit 3 rows for garter stitch border. Bind off.

For a larger afghan, I would suggest knitting the first and last 8 or 10 rows, and knitting the same number of stitches at the beginning of each row, for a more substantial garter stitch border. Then divide the remaining number of stitches into the desired size and use that number for the rows and stitches of each block.

This pattern would work up very quickly on large needles using bulky or chunky weight yarn and would definitely make a cozy afghan for a cold winter day. What a wonderful gift for yourself or some other lucky person.

This basketweave knit design is similar to what I used on my friend Jane's baby blanket many years ago, except that I did not make that one reversible. I did knit and purl stitches on the front to make the design, then I purled across every wrong side row. I much prefer a design that is reversible though, so this current basketweave pattern would be my choice from now on. Live and learn!

I also crocheted the border on Forest Greens, so if you like how the border looks in the above picture, stay tuned for that pattern later this week.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- SSK Decrease

There are so many different ways of doing things in knitting, and decreasing is no exception. The following video shows a method of decreasing called "Slip Slip Knit" or SSK. This method is usually used on the beginning edge of a row so that the stitch on the far right overlaps towards the left. At the other end of the row, the "Knit 2 Together" decrease would be used making the far left stitch overlap towards the right.

I hope you find this video helpful.



Can you tell what project I was working on in this video?

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- "Make 1" or "M1" Increase

I am working on the cutest little knitting project right now and it requires a couple of techniques that I thought would be helpful to share with you. If you are just learning how to knit, or if you have trouble figuring out an instruction by just reading the directions, then you might benefit from some of my knitting videos.

Would you like to see what this one is all about?

There are several ways to increase in knitting. I've already shown you the very easiest way which is the Yarn Over Increase. I also showed you how to increase by knitting into the front and back of the stitch.

This video shows yet another increase method in knitting called Make 1. This method is good to use when you don't want a hole left in your work where the increase was made, like what you get with the Yarn Over Increase.

I hope you find this video helpful.



I'll be showing the finished project soon, but in the meantime, make sure you sign up for my Christmas/200th Post Giveaway. You don't want to be left out!

Happy Stitching!

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Dr. Seuss Knitted Scarf for Special Olympics

The deadline for sending in the knitted or crocheted scarves for the Special Olympics is fast approaching, so I've been working on this fourth scarf whenever I go somewhere knowing I'll have to sit and wait. I may have to put the wedding gift afghan (which I'll show you soon) on hold and just get this scarf done though.

Anyway, I came across a stitch in a book of needlework (which I'll also show you soon) that I thought would make a fun scarf and I gave it a try with the Red Heart Delft Blue and White yarns of the Special Olympics Scarf project. It is coming out very much like something you would find in a Dr. Seuss book! This is not the look I anticipated, but I really like it and I think someone will enjoy wearing it just because it is so different.


I think I'm about not quite half way finished with it at this point. I don't like scarves to be too short.


Don't you just love the blue and white? Those little rings are a hoot, don't you think?


Here's a close up of one of the blue sections. You can see that the parts between the rings are knit in stockinette stitch. The rings are not actually rings since this is knit flat, but the edges curl up on their own which gives the illusion of rings.


Here's where the white joins the blue. The ring sections are actually knit in reverse stockinette. I'll share the pattern below if you would like to try it.


I've gradually lengthened the stockinette sections as I work towards the middle of the scarf. Once I decide I'm half way finished, I'll start shortening them to match the first half and also alternate the colors to match on each side as well.

So here's the pattern:

Cast on 21 stitches.

Work in stockinette stitch for about an inch ending with a knit row.

*Beginning the reverse stockinette ring section, knit into the front and back of each stitch on next row. Now you have 42 stitches.

Continue in reverse stockinette stitch for about an inch ending with a knit row.

Returning to stockinette stitch, knit 2 together all the way across next row. Now you have 21 stitches again.

Continue in stockinette stitch for as many rows as you like, ending with a knit row. *

Repeating from * to *, alternate between stockinette stitch with 21 stitches and reverse stockinette stitch with 42 stitches until scarf is desired length. Bind off and weave in loose ends.

NOTE:
Stockinette Stitch is made by working the right side row in knit and the wrong side row in purl.

Reverse Stockinette Stitch is made by working the right side row in purl and the wrong side row in knit.

Here are links to videos you may find useful for this pattern:

• Cast on
• Knit
• Purl
• Increase by knitting into front and back of each stitch
  
• Knit 2 together decrease
  
• Bind off

These links and others with useful videos and information can be found on my sidebar under Hooked On Needles Links.

Happy Stitching!

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How to Crochet a Border Around a Knitted Piece

After working on my first Oddball Baby Blanket which was knitted all except for the border which was crocheted, I thought that making a little video tutorial on how to work a single crochet border around a knitted piece might be helpful to some knitters out there who are not very confident with a crochet hook. And now that I think of it, it might also be helpful to confident crocheters who are not very comfortable working on a knitted piece too.

This technique can be used to crochet a border around a knitted baby blanket as is done on all the knitted Oddball Blankets, and other things too. You could knit squares for a patchwork type of afghan and crochet a simple border around them before joining them together. I find joining squares with a crocheted border much easier than joining the edges of knitted squares. Another good use for this technique would be for knitted dishcloths or face clothes which tend to be a bit stretchy. Crocheting a simple border around them would help them retain their shape better and reduce the stretch factor.

Take a look at the video and then maybe give it a try on your next knitted project.




If you would like to work a decorative border after the single crochet border but you are not sure how to do one, take a look at the Finished Oddball Baby Blanket and try the border pattern given there. I'll be posting a video on how to do that border pattern soon, just in case someone out there would rather See It Done!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Crocheted Cast Off

Time for another little video to share with you a cast off or bind off technique that I really like. It's called Crocheted Cast Off or Crocheted Bind Off. Now you know why I like it ... because it's really crochet, my first love in handwork!

I recently used this method to finish off the garter stitch edge of my very first Oddball Baby Blanket that I had the privilege of working on. It worked out nicely for that project because I was going to be crocheting a border around the blanket anyway.

If you've never tried this method of binding off your knitting, take a look and see how easy it is.




Give it a try on your next pair of booties or your next baby blanket and let me know what you think.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Simple Bind Off Video Tutorial

Time for another tutorial -- this one is a video showing the most common method for binding off or casting off in knitting. This is the process which secures the last row of stitches as they come off the needle. This Simple Bind Off technique I am going to show you is done in the knit stitch, but binding off can also be done in purl or in a rib pattern that has been established, or two pieces can be bound off at the same time so that they are joined together in the process. There are many ways of binding off and I will demonstrate some of them later, but this one, as I said, is the most common, and it really is quite simple. See for yourself. Here's the video.

Just a note to keep in mind while you are watching the video...I don't really knit that fast! I wanted you to see the binding off of the whole row so I made the middle section play in double time just so the video wouldn't take quite so long! The beginning and ending of the row when you can hear me talking are at normal speed.



One thing I neglected to mention in the video is that you need to make sure you don't pull your yarn tight after each bind off. You need to keep the bound off stitches loose so that the edge doesn't get drawn up from too much tension. Sometimes this takes practice, but if you just leave the yarn as it is when it comes off the needle instead of pulling on it, your edge should be fine.

With this video and the stitches I have shown you in the different videos listed in my video library, you have all the information you need to make a good start with your new knitting hobby. I hope you find as much joy in creating clothing and accessories for yourself and others as I have.

Happy Stitching!

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Super Easy Knitted Face Cloth - Quick Christmas Gift Idea

I've been trying to think up some quick Christmas gift ideas for the fast approaching holiday season, and here is one that is not only quick, but also very easy and inexpensive to make. It's a knitted cotton face cloth made from one ball of worsted weight cotton yarn and size 9 needles. What a nice gift this would make, wrapped up together with a bar of lavender soap and a pretty ribbon.

Take a look and see just how easy it is:


Remember a few weeks ago I was wondering how I could knit until I had used up half of my yarn and then finish the project without running short or having a lot left over. I thought of using my postage scale to tell me when I had gotten to the halfway point. This is the project I was making at the time, and you can see that I didn't trust my scale and I started decreasing at least a row or two before I needed to. Now I have that little blob of yarn leftover. I'm sure I can think of something useful to do with it.

Anyway, back to the easy knitted face cloth -- There it is, simple as can be. Here's the pattern:

Cast on 3.
*Knit 1, yarn over, knit each remaining stitch across. *
Continue from * to * until you have used up half of your yarn, or until your cloth is half as big as you want it.
*Knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit each remaining stitch across.*
Continue from * to * until you have 3 stitches left on your needle.
Bind off.
Weave in loose ends.

Now you have a soft cotton face cloth, knit in garter stitch on the diagonal. I'm not sure it could get any easier than that!


This corner shows the point where the increasing stopped and the decreasing began. The edge on the right side is the 'yarn over increase' edge where a little hole is left in the fabric from each yarn over. To continue that hole in the edge on the decrease rows, I worked a 'knit 2 together' decrease, then a yarn over to make the hole, then another 'knit 2 together' decrease. This effectively only decreases the stitch count by 1 on each row and continues the border design all around the cloth.


This is the cast on corner -- nice and neat after the tail is woven into the fabric.


Here's an interesting view of the texture you get by knitting every row, which is called garter stitch. Don't you think this would feel good on your face in the morning?

This is an great pattern to use for a quick and easy baby blanket too. Using soft worsted or chunky yarn and needles one or two sizes larger than the yarn calls for, follow the same pattern until the piece is as long on one side as you want the edge of the blanket to be, then start decreasing until you are finished. This may require changing to circular needles towards the middle of the project, but it makes a nice warm, soft baby blanket which does not require following a pattern. Easy peasy!

Happy Stitching!

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Diagonal Knit Basketweave Baby Blanket

Not long after I learned how to knit, a good friend of mine announced the wonderful news that she was expecting her first child. I was excited for lots of reasons, not the least of which was that it would be a great excuse to go out and buy more yarn! My friend has always had a thing for purple and as I recall, I allowed her to pick out the yarn I would use. She chose a soft variegated worsted weight in purple of course, along with pink, yellow and white. So Baby!

I was feeling adventurous so I skipped over the looking-through-patterns part of the creative process, and jumped right into knitting. I had in mind what I wanted to do, so I just starting doing it! Consequently, I have no pattern to share with you, but here are a few pictures and my best guess as to what I did.

I know I started at the point by casting on 3 and knitting the first 6 or 8 rows increasing one stitch at the beginning of each, using the yarn over increase method which forms that neat little rope looking edge. Then I started working stockinette stitch in the middle, keeping the first and last 4 or 5 stitches of each row in garter stitch to form the border. After about 10 rows, I started adding stockinette to the sides and switched the middle to garter stitch creating a basketweave look on the front. I am pretty sure I used stitch markers to indicate where the sections changed because I would be knitting every row on the front, but on the back where I could not see the change in stitches I would be knitting the garter stitch sections and purling the stockinette sections. Using stitch markers for something like this is the only smart way to do it!


Here is a close-up of the corner where you can see how the garter stitch edge nicely frames the basketweave in the middle.


And here's an edge of the blanket where you can see that the stockinette sections along the sides sort of look like steps going up the sides.


This is the back of the blanket, which is nice enough, but doesn't really look as interesting as the front. Since making this blanket, I have altered how I do basketweave in knitting so that the front and the back both look like basketweave. I do this by using reverse stockinette stitch instead of garter stitch in the basketweave area of the design to make it reversible.

So once I got to the point where the width of the blanket was what I wanted, I simply started decreasing one stitch at the beginning of each row while keeping the basketweave pattern as established until I had only 3 stitches left on my needle. I bound off those 3 stitches and after weaving in the tail, the blanket was complete.

The decrease method I used on this blanket is something I am not at all sure about. I don't think I just did a Knit 2 Together decrease because that would not have continued the nice rope-like border design on the edge. I may have done something like this: K2tog, YO, K2tog. This would have left a little bit of a hole inside the edge and made the second half of the blanket edging look similar to the first half. But I cannot be sure. It was quite a long time ago you know!

Anyway, I don't usually knit baby blankets but my friend asked for a knitted one so I put away my crochet hooks and got out the knitting needles. I thought that blanket was so pretty and soft and cuddly and I really liked the basketweave design with the garter stitch border worked on the diagonal. Another nice thing about working a blanket on the diagonal is that you can knit until you have used up half of your yarn and then start to decrease to use up the other half and you should not run short.

If you have an idea for a project, just go for it and see how it comes out. You'll learn lots of good lessons along the way!

Don't forget to enter my fall giveaway by October 14th for a chance to win a very nice pincushion bag and other fall goodies. Good luck!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Increase by Knitting in Front and Back of Stitch

Here's another video tutorial for your knitting library, this time showing an increase method where you knit into the front and the back of the stitch. This is a good increase to use when you want a solid fabric without any holes, for instance when knitting a sleeve from the cuff to the shoulder.

You might recognize the yarn I am using in this video and from that clue perhaps you can guess what I am making. If not, I will be sure to show it to you when I am finished with it. In this project, I am using a pattern that I made up myself and at first I was not so sure I would like how it was turning out. But I pressed on, and after finishing a few repetitions of the design, decided that the effect was pretty darn cool looking. Anyway, more about that when it is finished.

Here's the video. I hope you find it helpful.



It occurred to me after watching the video again that I may have given the impression that this is ordinarily an increase that would be done all the way across a row of knitting. In fact, normally this increase would be done once at the beginning and end of a row, or perhaps spaced evenly a number of times across a row. It just so happens, in this particular project I am making right now, that I want to double the number of stitches from one row to the next. You'll see what I mean when it is finished so stay tuned!

And don't forget to enter my fall giveaway by October 14th for a chance to win a very nice pincushion bag and other fall goodies. Good luck!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Easy Knit 2 Together Decrease

Here is another technique to add to your knitting repertoire which is used for a very simple decrease. It's called Knit 2 Together and in a pattern it would look like this: K2tog

It is used in my Swirl Top Baby Hat to shape the crown of the hat and make the cool looking swirl design that gives the hat its name.

Here's a very quick video showing the Knit 2 Together Decrease:





Coming up soon, I will show you the little project I made from the sample I used in this video and in the Yarn Over Increase video so stay tuned.

And don't forget to enter my Fall Giveaway that is open until October 14 for a chance to win a really nice pincushion bag, needle book and other Fall-ish goodies.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Easy Yarn Over Increase

When learning to knit, besides learning the basics for even stitching which would be how to cast on, how to knit and how to purl, it is also important to learn one or two simple ways to shape your knitted piece. In the video below, you will learn how to do a very simple increase, called a Yarn Over Increase. This increase, besides adding a stitch, will also create a bit of a lace effect on your piece since it leaves a hole in your work. There are other methods of increasing in knitting which I will show you soon, but this is a good one to start out with.






Coming up soon, I will show you the second half of the piece featured in this video while teaching you how to decrease, along with pictures of another project I made using this same method. I'll share with you a few ideas for using this very simple increase/decrease pattern to make quick gifts for the holidays. Stay tuned!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Cable Cast On Method Video Tutorial

The video below shows how to cast on in knitting using the Cable Cast On method. This method is good to use if you want an elastic and decorative edge such as for socks or hats, and works well also for ribbing such as for sweaters. You will notice it is very similar to the Knitting On method of casting on, except that for each stitch the needle is inserted between the two previous stitches instead of into the front of the previous stitch.

One thing to keep in mind when casting on using this method, as with all cast on methods, is to keep your stitches l-o-o-s-e! You will see in the video that my stitches were a tad snug on the needle, partly because I tend to be a tight knitter, but also because it's hard to knit around a camera and tripod!

If you find your cast on edges consistently too tight, try using a needle one or two sizes larger for your cast on row, or cast on over two needles and pull one out when you are finished casting on.

So here's the video. I hope you find it helpful.

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Learn to Knit -- Simple Seed Stitch Video Tutorial

Time for another knitting video -- woo hoo! This one is on the Simple Seed Stitch which is, very simply, purl stitches interspersed on a stockinette stitch background. In this video, the sample is being knit with three knit stitches between each purl stitch on each of the pattern rows. There are three rows in between each pattern row, one purl, one knit, one purl. The purl stitches, or seed stitches, are also off set in each pattern row so that they are not one on top of the other, but produce more of a diagonal or diamond design. You could arrange your seed stitches as close or as far apart or in whatever design you would like, but the basics of the stitch will still be the same, that is, some number of knit stitches between purls and some number of stockinette rows between pattern rows.

I hope you find this video helpful in working this simple, but decorative stitch.





This Simple Seed Stitch would be a nice addition to dress up any plain stockinette piece like a sweater, or alternate blocks on a blanket, or even a simple scarf or hat.

This picture shows four pattern rows of the Simple Seed Stitch worked, the top row still being on the needle. You can see here how the second row of seed stitches is not lined up with the first and third. You could alter the pattern to line up the rows, or space them differently, to produce the result that you want on your piece of knitting.


This picture shows the little bit of texture the seed stitches give to the stockinette background. It's not much, but just enough to fancy up a plain piece, and so simple to do.

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Learn to Knit -- Right Twist Cable and Left Twist Cable

Time for another Learn To Knit video to add to the video library. This time I'll be showing you how to knit a simple cable twisting to the right and also twisting to the left. Cables look complicated, but really they are quite simple and they add such a nice touch to a knitted sweater or hat or mittens.

Take a look at the video and see how easy a cable is to knit.



In the sample, after knitting the row with the twists in it, I purled the next row, then (knitted the next and purled the next) twice. Then I worked another row with the twists in it exactly as I did in the video. So between each row with twists there are five rows in this order: purl, knit, purl, knit, purl. If you wanted your twists to be farther apart, you would just add more knit and purl rows in between the twist row.


This is the front of the sample after three cable twists and five more rows of alternating knit and purl. It is ready for the next knit row of twists. I love how it looks like the knitting is weaving in and out and around which, of course, is characteristic of cable knit.


Here is what the back of the piece looks like. You can see the little bumps where the twists have been worked.

So now you have seen just how easy a cable is to knit. I hope you give it a try, starting with a simple scarf or hat pattern. Lion Brand Yarn has a wonderful website with lots of free patterns. If you haven't signed up to access them yet, I would highly recommend it. Here is one for a simple cable scarf that has a neat detail where the cable gets smaller in the middle of the scarf. It would be pretty in any color! Let me know how your first cable project comes out.

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Learn to Knit -- Eyelet Row Video Tutorial

A row of Eyelets, or little holes, on a knitted piece can add a nice touch of Fancy to the edge of a blanket or around the top of a baby sweater or bootie. It's very easy to do too. You just need to know how to Knit Two Stitches Together and Yarn Over. Take a look at this video to see just how easy it is.



I'm still getting used to knitting with a camera and tripod between me and my hands, so I hope you find my videos helpful in spite of their imperfections!

Here are two pictures of the sample piece with an Eyelet Row:

In this picture you can see the evenly spaced holes made by Knitting Two Stitches Together and then working a Yarn Over. By themselves they can be decorative in a sweater or other piece of knitting. They can also be spaced out further from each other just by knitting in the usual manner the stitches in between where you want the eyelets. On the back side, all stitches are purled all the way across.



This picture shows one of the ways an Eyelet Row can be used -- to weave ribbon in and out. This looks nice at the top of baby booties to keep them from being kicked off, or around the neckline of a sweater, or around the outside edge of a knitted blanket.

There are so many decorative stitches in knitting. Keep checking back for more videos showing how to do them, or sign up to receive an email whenever a new post shows up on this site. Check out the sidebar to subscribe!

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Learn to Knit -- Purl Stitch Video Tutorial

I like to think of the Purl Stitch in Knitting as the back side of the knit stitch. When you alternate knit and purl rows, you end up with the Stockinette Stitch which is that nice flat, vertical-line, almost braid-like fabric that is characteristic of knitting. I love the rhythm I get into when knitting a sweater back or some big piece in stockinette. I find it relaxing.

Anyway, enough jabber. Here's a video tutorial on how to do the Purl Stitch. I hope you find it helpful.

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Learn to Knit -- Knit Stitch Video Tutorial

Learning to knit was a real milestone for me. It was something I had always wanted to try but never had anyone to show me, until my mother-in-law came to live with us for a short time about 15 years ago after breaking her knee. After that I realized how important it is to be able to watch someone knit while learning the skill yourself.

So here is another video to help you along the path to knitting knowledge! This one shows how to do the basic knit stitch.




If you want to practice the knit stitch and make something practical at the same time, get a skein of soft pretty yarn and the appropriate size needles. Cast on about 30 stitches and then knit every row until you have a piece long enough to use as a scarf. Add some fringe if you like and there you go!

The next video will be the basic purl stitch so stay tuned!

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'Single Cast On' Method of Casting On -- Video Tutorial

This method of casting on in knitting is called "single cast on" and is the easiest to learn. It can be a little tricky to knit off the needle evenly, but with practice, your edge will be nice and neat. This method makes a delicate edge which is especially good for a hem or lace edge. Give it a try and see what you think.




If you listen closely in this video, towards the end you will hear a big rumble. We were in the middle of a real whopper of a thunder storm at the time I was making the video. Even though I was in the basement, in my little sewing room with the door shut, it was still picked up by my microphone. Sorry about that!

Stay tuned for a few more videos for cast on methods and then I'll start working on some different knit stitches.

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'Knitting On' Method of Casting On -- Video Tutorial

Knitting has been a very rewarding form of needlework for me ever since my mother-in-law taught me how to knit about 16 years ago. You can read about that episode in my life here if you would like. Since then, I have knitted many things and have continued to teach myself the details of knitting.

Here is the first in my library of video tutorials on knitting. It shows how to cast on using the 'knitting on' method. I hope you find it helpful.



This method of casting on makes a very versatile selvage. It is soft when worked through the front of the loop and firm when worked through the back. It can be used for increasing and also used to work a buttonhole.

Look for a few more videos on other methods of casting on, coming up soon.

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