Sandra's Designing Blog

This is an exclusive area of my web site where you can find out more about my knitted designs, what inspires me, how I work and what I like (and don't like) to design. 
 
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Category: Kits & Patterns

  1. You don't know what you don't know until you know it

    Posted on

    I got to the finishing stages of the Art Nouveau sweater  just a few days ago and I came across something in the pattern so simply, yet so affective which I had never seen before. 

    The sweater was worked top down and I had completed the bottom rib which was a Ktbl, P1 rib, ie I was working twisted knit stitches which I was very fine with and actually love as a rib. I always cast off rib in pattern and just assumed I would do the same but no!. The pattern said, Knit 1 row and then cast off in knit. 

    Before I cast off though, I did a little research to see if this was correct, it seemed too simple. And whilst I found plenty of stretchy cast off's that could cope with a normal k1,p1 rib or k2, p2 rib there was nothing for a k1tbl p1 rib. So I thought, Ok, lets' give this is a go. 
    What an easy change and what a lovely result.  As the twisted knit stitches actually stretches the rib out so it lays flat and doesn't contract like standard rib does, therefore you don't need any complicated stretchy cast off, just a nice neat one.

    So remember things are not nearly as difficult as you might first think. Approach a new technique, pattern, yarn or whatever with the confidence of a toddler in their favorite super hero shirt.

    Some of the results of my research............ (click on the buttons below)
    Normal Cast off for K1, P1 rib
    How to knit Twisted Rib
    Different Stretchy cast off's for rib
    Strawberry Hill was featured in The Knitter magazine last year and is now available to purchase via my web site.,
    Want to learn lace knitting. I have a little info on this page. 
    Whilst you are here, reading and browsing, please don't forget to check out my Crafty kits, beautiful gifts for friends and family this Christmas.

    Free UK shipping for orders over £35!
    Knitted Christmas Decoration Kits
    Knitted Scarf / Cowl Kits
    I'm currently working on another commission for The Knitter, (a swatch preview below). Whilst I can't tell you anything about the design I can tell you that the latest row I worked has over 600 Brioche stitches and took
     
    2 HOURS ! 
    No wonder my hands ache
    A flowery Brioche border
    Knitted Shawl Kits
    Knitted Hat Kits

  2. Get ready to dash into your next project!

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    Introducing "Striped Dashers", the fingerless gloves that combine bold stripes with playful dashes in garter stitch. With four unique motif options and full instructions to master three new techniques, this pattern is perfect for knitters looking to up their game. Whether you're knitting for warmth or style, these gloves will keep your hands cozy and your skills sharp!

    Grab your needles and start dashing through those stitches!
    My new pattern "Striped Dashers is available via my Web site  and Ravelry store
    .

    These fingerless gloves are knit sideways in garter stitch. The garter stitch provides the stretchiness needed for the cuff and the hand without the need for any shaping. They are knitted on straight needles, so no DPN’s or circular needle required. And for those knitters that don’t like purling, you are in luck as there isn’t any! 

    However 3 techniques are used which you may not have come across. Use this pattern as a starting point for to you try out some new skills all in one small project. Skills that you can try time and again with the 4 different designs until you have really mastered them.

     

    These are the:

    • Crochet provisional cast on - this technique leaves live cast on stitches on the work which are then used at the end to graft onto the finishing stitches. This creates the tube of the hand and the thumb. 
    • German short rows in garter stitch - the recommended short row method which blends well with garter stitch and is easy to do. 
    • Garter stitch grafting  -  a way of invisibly joining the work so it looks just like a garter stitch row. 
     

    I was inspired by the new book by Woolly Wormhead - "Short Row ColorWork Knitting". which just arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago. Woolly is well known for her beautiful hat designs. Some of her designs are worked sideways in garter stitch where she can use short rows to shape the crown. 
    In her new book, Woolly uses the short rows, not for shaping but for creating beautiful colour work, concentrating on ensuring that the fabric size stays balanced rather than shaped.