Despite my severe problems with counting, I decided to make some custom alphabet markers–on unopenable jump rings–after seeing these beauties while checking out what yarn I might like to pick up at their trunk show (even the Big Guy picked out some yarn–and he was not the only male person there, either). What I liked about these particular markers was that the beads were glued in place over the ends of the jump rings, which means snag-free knitting.
Category Archives: Avoiding Errors
Working Multiple Patterns Simultaneously
Have you ever looked at an Aran sweater and felt like there was no way you could make it? That juggling all those gorgeous cable patterns at the same time was beyond your ability?
It’s not. There is a simple way to keep every pattern on track as you work that dream sweater.
All About Gauge
Part one in a series (the other parts haven’t been written, so no links yet).
Gauge is very important, yet it isn’t important at all.
Gauge determines how big your finished project will be. That’s probably what most knitters think of.
But gauge also determines the feel of the fabric: how it drapes, if at all. Projects worked very tightly will have much less drape than those worked more loosely. That means tight-gauge garments will be stiff and less body-conforming when worn. On the other hand, tightly worked projects make good tote bags.
The Needle Size to Get Gauge
Please, oh please, do not feel compelled to get gauge using the needle size listed in the pattern or on the yarn’s ball band.
This is one reason to keep extensive notes of your projects. You’ll be able to look back and see that for worsted-weight yarn, you almost always use a size 4 needle to get five stitches per inch in stockinette stitch (which is what I almost always need, even though most projects and ball bands recommend size 5 to size 8). If your next project in worsted-weight yarn suggests a size 6 needle to get 5 sts/in in stockinette, you can be pretty confident that your trusty size 4 is what you’ll really need.
Keeping Project Notes
So many knitters I know scribble highly abbreviated project notes on scraps of paper like old envelopes or on the edges of the pattern photocopy–or worse, on the pages of the actual book.
My question is, why?
My Favorite Cable Needle
I like the U-shaped ones best, as long as the legs are different lengths.
I hold the long side of the U while I slip the stitches onto the short leg, then I slide the stitches into the curve.
I move the cn to the front or back as needed, and since the stitches are in the middle of the U, I make the pointy parts point straight down, which means they’re out of my way.