I am a very visual person. This means that when it comes to knitting patterns – be it lace or a knit/purl pattern – I prefer looking at charts to the written out pattern. The next person might insist on having a written out pattern (I have known knitters who would sit down and write out the chart if the pattern wouldn’t provide that) because the chart just isn’t what they need. When I look…
Continue readingHappy Valentine’s Day! It just so happens that last week I have been asked the same question a couple of times. Funny how that goes. Anyways, the question was “What to do about a too tight cast on edge?”. I have to admit, using the long-tail cast-on method it rarely happens to me that the edge is actually too tight – but there are occasions where you want to add some extra stretch, and I…
Continue reading(I fear you are going to read the word ‘colour’ a lot in this one! Bear with me.) Colours make me happy. One of the best things about starting a new project is choosing the colour. I like colour. Anyone who has met me in the store can attest to the fact that I am not afraid of bright hues. Yup. That’s me in a (coloured) nutshell. Pretty much everyone I know has their preferred…
Continue readingToday there is no picture. Today is all about the written word! While they don’t really use secret code, knitting patterns can appear as written in one. It can be especially daunting when the project involves new techniques, something you have never tried before but is essential to the design. This is what I am talking about today. The conscientious knitter starts reading through the pattern, as often recommended, and soon feels quite uncomfortable because…
Continue readingThe word “gauge” alone can be intimidating – the first time I read it I wasn’t even sure how to pronounce it. It is one of these English words that are spelled one way and sound totally different when spoken out loud. (In case you are still wondering, or, if for you like me English is a second or maybe third language: say ‘gage’ and you’re good.) Gauge seems to be another secret part of…
Continue readingThe year is still new, how about your knitting? Does it feel new and exciting also? Or could it be that you feel bogged down by one or other project that has been lingering on the needles forever and just won’t end? Please excuse the mess. And that’s not all of it. With the arrival of the internet community and the communication of knitters worldwide, a new language (or lingo, if you will) has developed.…
Continue readingI’m sure you, just as myself, have those moments when we feel we’re running in circles. No matter how hard we try, at the end of the day we seem to be just where we started. That is NOT what I mean to talk about. Instead, I’m going to tell you a little bit about knitting in small circumferences, i.e. socks, mitts, gloves etc. In this case, going in circles is good. You just have…
Continue readingI hope you all have passed the Holidays in a pleasant manner, with good food, good company and lots of knitting time. For me, the snow storm was the best excuse to knit up a storm of another kind. This is “Polzeath” by Lisa Richardson. It is a free Rowan pattern I knit up in Cocoon for myself (it is not a store sample). I wore it yesterday for the first time, it is very comfy…
Continue readingI have been knitting Christmas gifts. This year I picked a lot of small projects, and that worked out well. I’m almost not stressed at all. (I have this weird feeling that though I think I am on top of things right now that at some point in the next few days I am going to remember that I forgot something essential and then it will be too late…and, NIGHTMARE. I’m good for now.) In…
Continue readingWell, to tell the perfect truth, I had an awful week involving colds, cough and fevers. Oh, wait. Make that two weeks. And I’m sure Lisa and Melissa can relate. All I have to show today is “Flore” which got finished before I came down with the cold my daughter so graciously shared. It was fun to knit, the Manos Silk Blend is really great to work with and since it is all knit in…
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