Crochet away When we were at Stitches earlier this year we talked to crochet maven, Edie Eckman, about her awesome crochet motifs book. We ramble a bit and talk some about Berroco's spring yarns.
This week we talk about making a pattern work for you in a number of ways, then we say a few words about what we're up to and why.
Working a pattern
You have a pattern that you love and a yarn that you love, but they don't match! How can you make it work?
Scrap the match. In this case, you can just start from scratch. Browse Ravelry for patterns that match the yarn or if you are in a spending mood find a yarn that matches the pattern.
If you really like the pattern there is probably another pattern similar but in your gauge. Ravelry is fantastic for that--use the advanced pattern search function and you will find something.
Do some math. For some patterns this is easier to do than for others. If you are making a scarf (see Nicole's Alhambra) then the gauge is not essential, but if you are making a sweater that's a different story.
For a scarf a simple algebraic equation should work. If the
original scarf was knit at 24st/4 inches with a cast on of 48st, but
your gauge is 20st/4 inches then you can use this formula: your
gauge/original gauge=your cast on/original cast on. In this case
20/24=x/48 or 24x=960, giving you x=40 st cast on
You can do this with a sweater and the equation is the same, you
just need to do it more often for the various cast-ons, increases, and
decreases.
On this week's episode we take a random journey from reviews of patterns, magazines, and fiber clubs to yoga & the Wii Fit, then back around to more reviews and then a dip into current obsessions. We wander, don't say we didn't warn you.
Color Knitting Essentials We talk about an amazing color knitting reference work and then talk to Elise Duvekot, author of Knit One Below, a cool color knitting technique.
This week we talk about our love of Japanese pattern books, offer some insight on how to read Japanese patterns, and point you to some online resources. We gear up for Stitches
Japanese
pattern reading
Schematic
with numbers: stitches to cast on, intended width, length, even the
increases and decreases can be found on the schematic.
In
the written instructions you can find gauge, needle size, some
information about the yarn although the weights and amounts do not
necessarily translate to yarns you know.
Finding
patterns: On Ravelry I went to project search and searched the tag
“Japanese” from there I could find the original pattern
and the book it came from.
Where
to find books Kinokuniya, Yes! Asia, Amazon.jp.
This week Jenny ruminates on her Artfibers stash and we talk about the next phase of the Artifbers business. Nicole goes to the closing party and talks customers and the geniuses behind the Artfibers palette. The photo above is of Valina Cutler's free-form Artfibers multi-stranded sweater.
This week we talk about knitting vests in February and what happens to our stashes when we go to Stitches.
In-Vest-ed Smart listener Prairie Poppins (rav link) started a group devoted to knitting vests in February. Knit a sweater without sleeves during the shortest month. Here are some ideas for you:
Stitches Knitdown Listener ValleyGrrl (rav link) has issued a challenge to festival go-ers to knit down their purchases before their next trek to Stitches (or Maryland Sheep & Wool or Rhinebeck or Black Sheep Gathering).
We are back from our holiday break. This week we talk about what was on our needles while we were off the air, some of our favorite things from 2008, and plans for 2009.
What we knit over break
Hats on! We love us some hats this winter. Accessories are the name of the game.
Thank you, Erica H! She traded me her copy of Harmony Volume 2! If you are looking for this book, it can be found at Velona Needle Arts. They have a few copies left!
Music: Udot- Continental Days of Elaine- The Decemberists
Sorry to say there will be no podcast this week. As all of you most
certainly do, Jenny and I have a lot going on right now. We expect to
put out an episode next week and then will be taking a holiday break
until January. We usually give a little more notice, but didn’t have a
chance this time.
This week we announce winners from the 7Long drawing, discuss our Socktober progress (or lack thereof), and look towards November's Nakniswemo!
7Long Winners
We have 11 winners for 11 prizes! Thank you to everyone who knit for this project! Thank you to everyone who donated prizes for this contest! You are the best!!!
Socktober Surprise The surprise is DAMN you all can knit socks fast. And DANG we can't. Nicole has knit two socks, frogged one, and has two cuffs ready to go. Jenny is nearly done with her second sock and has knit a pair of felted clogs towards the warm feet effort.
Use Kid Silk Haze as a reinforcing thread (Kizmet on Ravelry)
For voluptuous calves, try the following:
Knit toe up (Nepenthe on Ravelry)
Go up a whole needle size on the cuff (Nepenthe on Ravelry)
Use the tubular cast off (Nepenthe on Ravelry)
Magic Loop helps for trying on the socks as you go (Fruitychick on Ravelry)
Use a needle two or three sizes bigger for the bind-off (Sydneyknits on Ravelry)
For cuff down, cast on over two needles (LizK on Ravelry)
For more elasticity in your cuffs, try a tubular cast off like this:
work the cuff in 2/2 ribs
before starting the tubular cast-off, work one round adding 1/3 of the number of stitches by way of k1,m1,k1,p1,m1,p1 = you end up with a 1/1 rib pattern to start the tubular cast-off (Knitchy on Ravelry)
Cast on over two needles (long tail)
knit the cuff plus whatever portion of the leg equals 3” on a needle
one size up from “gauge” and at that point switch to the “gauge” needle
and continue on. If
you have a thicker ankle, try making the heel flap 2.5
inches long. This gives some extra room in the ankle but still preserves the stitch count for the foot. (Jess/ItchyFingers)
Sock Knitters Reference Shelf We talk about a few good books for sock knitting reference.
Socktober leads to Nakniswemo To wrap up the Socktober Challenge Nicole will post a new thread in the Ravelry group for you to report your totals. The thread will open on October 28 and close November 3. Get your totals in!
For November, there will be a challenge for Nakniswemo! Nicole will start a thread in the Ravelry group for your goals soon. Join the sweater knitting fun!
Hey, if you are not on our Ravelry group, join us! It's a mellow, but fun group with friendly, helpful people.
If you like our music, it is because Harold is a genius! Thank you & Happy Birthday to Harold!
Thanks for listening!
Music U Dot - Continental
Lights and Music - Cut Copy
In this episode, Jenny has just got up from two days of night shifts
and Nicole is coming down with a cold, but they persevere to talk about
socks. Jenny is a natural sock-knitter and Nicole is determined to
become proficient. Two books are reviewed: 2-at-a-Time Socks by Melissa
Morgan-Oakes and Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Sock Book. More show notes to follow soon!
7Long: You people are amazing!
You all sent in so many hats and squares and additional prizes that
Jenny couldn't input them in time. We are overwhelmed and moved. Thank
you!! Prizes to be announced on the next episode.
This week we talk about Jenny's race to the finish on the Dulcavina, what Nicole is knitting (shhh . . .), prizes for 7Long, and Jenny's NYC shopping odyssey (more links to come!).
This week we gush about fabulous gifts from YOU! We talk about hats good for Single Skein September, how we are using Ravelry, and how sometimes the knits you abandoned are really good projects.
Upfront: Thank you!
Thank you, Ravelers, for such a wonderful gift! If the gushing embarrasses you, you can skip to minute 8. Thanks to Goldiegirl for orchestrating this amazing present. Thank you Roxanne from Artfibers!
Single Skein September
Jenny searched through 89 pages of free patterns and added them to her favorites.
Jenny Check Jenny learned to knit in 2005 and now knits to the exclusion of her personal hygiene. Her husband wonders how long this "knit from your stash" charade will continue.
Nicole Nicole (aka Big Sister) is a librarian who knits. Or maybe a knitter who is a librarian. When she's not knitting on the bus or in front of the TV or at lunch or when chatting with friends, she is, well, that's pretty much it. Knitting.
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