New Knitting Videos and Tutorial

Happy Friday everyone!  For those who don't follow me on Facebook, or maybe just didn't see the post, I have decided to redo all of my old knitting videos.  I have been making how-to videos since early 2008.  It is going to take a while to get them all done!  At the beginning, I only had a digital camera to record with.  The camera would record for 3 minutes and then stop.  So in addition to poor quality video, there were many stops and starts in the videos.  Not long ago, I got a real video camera! I am now able to record clear, HD videos from start to finish.  If you are familiar with my videos, I'm sure you noticed the difference!  I have also been playing around with different editing music, etc. on the videos trying to decide what I like best.  I think I finally have a format that works well and most people seem to like.  I will be adding these videos on the weekends, along with the regular stitch videos that I do.

So.  I have added a new tab to the top of the blog which will have links to all of my videos.  Not all of them are available right now.  It is going to take time for me to redo everything; I will be adding the links as I go.  The videos are not being done in any particular order.   Also, all of the stitch pattern videos I have done in the past will be going into a new tab on The Weekly Stitch.

I have also finished my entrelac project that I will be giving away as a free pattern to go with the tutorial.  I hope to have that up this weekend.

Hope everyone likes the new videos and tutorial.  Thanks for visiting my blogs.  Happy Knitting!

4th of July - Stars 'n Stripes Dish Cloth - Free Pattern

Hi everyone!  Here is a free pattern for you to knit for the Fourth of July, which is right around the corner.  This uses Lily Sugar n Cream self striping yarn, so all you have to do is knit.

The stitches you need to know for this pattern are:  knit, purl, yarn over, purl three together.  If you don't know how to do the star stitch, here is a video:

June 20, 2012 - I used my cloth for the first time tonight, and the red has bled a little bit into the white.  There is also a little bit of bleeding from the blue, but not much.  This doesn't bother me, but I wanted to let everyone else know in case it may be an issue.  


Stars 'n Stripes Dish Cloth

S-n-P Podcast Episode 16

Hi everyone!  Thought I would do a little video to show you some of the knitting goodies I have gotten lately, and of course the magazines I have waiting to be read.  Also a couple of projects that I am working on right now, both of which I plan to do tutorials on and offer free patterns.

If you didn't know, I recently put up a few tutorials on the blog:

Pom Poms with a pom pom maker, and Pom Poms without a pom pom maker (make your own as opposed to buying one)
Making Tassels
Making Beaded Tassels

All of the magazines I show you have a link up in the Magazine Tab at the top of the blog, if you are interested in subscribing or buying single issues, both current and back issues.

Today is the last day for the Interweave Hurt Book Sale.  I got some great deals on a few books, and none of them were hurt in any way.  Not that I would mind if they were a bit hurt, it's going to happen any how :0)  If you miss the sale this time around, I am sure they will do it again next year.  It really is a chance to get amazing deals on a lot of different books - ebooks are available also!

I grabbed four hanks of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK Onsies from Jimmy Beans.  I got two each of Dusk and Rose.  I plan to use these for a top down shawl.  I love Madelinetosh yarn!  Nice and soft and very easy to work with, and it has great stitch definition.  I used Madelinetosh yarn in my Star Struck Hat pattern that was part of the tutorial on converting stitch patterns to use in the round.

And, from one of, if not THE best online yarn shop, Knitty Noddy, I got the new addi Long Tip Lace Clicks, along with some Hand Maiden Silk Maiden yarn.  A yummy blend of 50/50 silk and wool.  Very nice and soft, and the colors are beautiful.

And the projects I am working on - two wraps.  One is done in the scribble lace or scribble knitting technique, and the other is an entrelac wrap.  So, tutorials on both and free patterns.  Those will be up as soon as I finish knitting.  Close to being done on both!

I think that about covers it.  Until next time, Happy Knitting!

Beaded Tassels

If you want to add a little glitz to your tassels, why not use beads?  It is really simple to do - the process is basically the same as making regular tassels, but you don't cut the bottom of the tassel.  Just pick some beads appropriate for your yarn.  If you aren't able to find beads that will fit your yarn, try using a complimentary, light weight yarn that the beads will fit on and wrap it along with the yarn used for the project.  Or you can just use the different yarn by itself.

Like regular tassels, you will need something to wrap your yarn around that is the length you want the tassel to be.  You also need beads of course, and scissors.  You will also need a needle that will fit through the hole in your bead with the yarn, or you can use a crochet hook to put the beads onto your yarn like I do in the video.

You can use as many beads as you like.  For the tassel above, I just kept one bead per strand as I wrapped.  Once you are done wrapping, cut the yarn.  You will need to cut another length of yarn to tie the tassel at the top so it doesn't fall apart.  Then, just slid the tassel off the cardboard or whatever you wrapped it around.  Do not cut the bottom of the tassel or your beads will come off.  You can then tie another piece of yarn around the top of the tassel if you like.  Attach the tassel to your project and trim any ends that may be sticking out.

Here is a video showing how I made the tassel above.