Knit a Scrubbie

Who doesn't need a scrubbie (or scrubby)?  Making your own is quick and simple.

This isn't really a pattern - just how I like to knit scrubbies.  Very simple, you just need a few yards of nylon mesh netting (some people use tulle - I prefer the nylon net) and some needles.  I like to use size 10 wood or bamboo needles, you can use whatever type and size works for you.  These scrubbies are just worked in garter stitch.  Make them in one color or many, big or small.  You can even carry a strand of cotton yarn along with the nylon mesh; this will make the scrubbies a little bulkier and they will hold dish soap a bit better.  There is no right or wrong way to do these, so get yourself some nylon mesh netting and make some scrubbies!

A word of warning - you don't want to pull or tug on this too hard, because it will rip.  Firm but gentle.  I just cut strips about an inch wide - they don't have to be perfect.  Just eyeball it.

I got my nylon mesh at fabric.com, but you can also find this stuff at Jo-Ann's - they even have "Scrubbie Mesh".

Easy Peasy Reversible Cowl

Here is my latest cowl design, the Easy Peasy Reversible Cowl!

If you can knit in the round, and make knits and purls, then you can make this cowl.  The cowl is knit with just one skein of my Merino DK.  (231 yds/211 m - 3.5 oz/100 gr 100% superwash merino wool DK weight)

The stitch pattern creates a beautiful fabric on both sides, so you can just throw it on without worrying that the 'wrong' side is showing.

It is also very easy to make the cowl larger - as written it is appx. 38" x 8-1/2".  Instructions are given within the pattern for making a larger size. Keep in mind, the bigger you make it, the more yarn you will need.

You will need a US size 6 circular needle, 24", a stitch marker and yarn needle for weaving in the ends also.

This pattern is available for purchase HERE in my shop, or you can also purchase it through Ravelry.

Garter Tab Cast On

The Garter Tab Cast On is how I start all of my top down shawls; I love this cast on!  I didn't love it at first though.  In fact, I didn't like it and stayed away from it.  Why?  Because it seemed hard and confusing, and I really didn't understand what in the world it was for.

This way of thinking is of course, silly.  Nothing is hard once you learn to do it.  In order to learn, you must do.  And it's just yarn - if you don't get it the first time (and you probably won't), try again and again until you get it.

One day I tried it and discovered it was sooo easy and I love it!  There really isn't anything hard about it.  You cast on a few stitches, pick up and knit a few more stitches, and there you have a garter tab cast on.

The main reason I  wanted to master the garter tab cast on is because I really wanted to knit a top down shawl.  I couldn't quite wrap my mind around how you could knit a triangle shawl starting from the top, instead of from the bottom point.  I wanted to know!  The only way I knew to start a top down shawl was with the garter tab cast on.  I know now it isn't necessary to use a garter tab, but it is my preferred method.  And by the way, top down shawls aren't hard to knit either.  They are just as easy to knit as a bottom up triangle shawl.

Before we begin, I will say that this is only one way to do a garter tab cast on.  Some knitters prefer to do a provisional cast on, and then when ready to pick up along the cast on edge, remove the waste yarn and pick up the live stitches.  Too much muss, fuss, and fiddle for me.  This tab is such a small part of the knitting, nobody is even going to notice.  If you'd like to see the provisional cast on method, just do a search and you will get plenty of results.

For the garter tab cast on, I normally start with four stitches, because I have this thing about even numbers, but often you will see patterns call for you to start with three stitches and knit six rows.  In addition to my 'thing' for even numbers, I think four is just easier to work with than three.  So for our purposes here, we will use four.

Cast on four stitches.
Knit eight rows.
After last row, do not turn work over.  Instead, keeping the same side of the work facing you, turn the tab 90 degrees clockwise so that the left side of the tab is now facing up - you will pick up and knit four stitches along the side.
Now, turn the tab again so that the cast on edge is facing up; you will pick up and knit four more stitches along the cast on edge.

You should have a total of twelve stitches and are ready to begin.

This is just an example; always cast on/knit/pick up the number of stitches your pattern directs.  Even if you are working with a different number, the method is the same.

Once you have the required number of stitches on your needles, continue on with your pattern.  I usually knit a plain row before beginning the increases - that is just how I do it.  You can do whatever you feel works best for you.

Since this technique is/can be confusing in writing, of course I have a video to show you how it is done.

Here you go, and Happy Knitting!

Beaded Bind Off

To go along with the Beaded Cast On from last week, here is an easy way to add beads to your bind off.

For this method, you will need a crochet hook sized appropriately for your yarn/beads.  I used a size 10 Steel Crochet Hook for my sample, which works perfectly for size 6 beads.  (Steel hooks are sized differently than regular hooks - the higher the number, the smaller the hook.  The opposite of regular hooks.)

I've done my sample using the standard knitted bind off, but you can add beads to pretty much any bind off method.  You can space the beads out any way you like also.

Just begin to bind off.  When you are ready for a bead, you will want to take the stitch from your right needle --  off the needle --!  Don't panic, it's ok for a stitch to be without the needle for a moment.  I like to pull the loop up a bit just so I have a little room to work.  

Then, place a bead onto your crochet hook; grab the stitch with your crochet hook, and finally, slide the bead onto the stitch.  Place the stitch back onto the right needle and pull gently to tighten it back up.

That's it!  Continue binding off and adding beads.  You'll finish as you would when binding off without beads - on the last stitch, cut the yarn, pull the tail through.

A super easy way to add a little something extra to your bind off!   Here is the video.

Happy Knitting!