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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  1. 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.   

  2.  
    Hello !

    You might have realised by now, that I love to experiment with knitting, a new technique comes my way and I just HAVE to tear it apart to understand it and then put it back together again. MosaicBrioche and Stacked stitches are 3 colour work techniques that tested my creativity. Click on the links above to have a go if you want !

    I'm in the experimenting mode again, playing with short rows to create some different colour work knitting. You might ask "What is short row knitting"?  Download my guide to find out.
    A Comprehensive Guide to Short Row Knitting
    I thought I'd share some feminine knitting patterns that incorporate short rows, 
    Merging Ripples Shawl by Kyoko Nakayoshi (Japan)
    This shawl uses short rows and decreases to create curved stripes for a visually striking design.
    Merging Ripples Shawl/Sideways Ripples Shawl Knitting Pattern Download | Knitting, Patterns, Wraps, Ponchos & Shrugs | Interweave

    Alongside Slouch by Stefanie Bold (Germany)
    A modern hat pattern where short rows shape the crown, creating an asymmetric and stylish look.
    Ravelry: Alongside Slouch pattern by Stefanie Bold

    Juno Top by Vert Knit (Portugal)
    A fitted, versatile top that uses German short rows and bust darts for tailored shaping.Ravelry: JUNO top pattern by vert knit

    “Spectra” by Stephen West (Netherlands)
    A striking scarf that uses short rows to create colorful wedges in contrasting yarns.
    Ravelry: Spectra pattern by Stephen West

    “Toph” by Woolly Wormhead (UK)
    A beanie-style hat with short row colorwork, knit sideways and grafted together.Toph Hat knitting pattern by Woolly Wormhead

    These patterns showcase the versatility of short rows in shaping garments (hat crowns, bust shaping, shawl decreases). Using different colors within the short rows makes them an exciting technique to explore.  

    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. Incorporating a change of colour when she does it gives some interesting results. See the Toph hat above. 

    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. 

    So this is my experiment! Short rows incorporating stripes of colour. I'm now developing some ideas based on this concept. Coming soon...... you will have to wait........