Add a Garter Stitch Border to Knitting

Before

After

HERE is the Seed Stitch Border

I sometimes mention in my stitch videos that a stitch has sloppy edges, and you may want to add a border depending on what you plan to use the stitch for.

I've often been asked exactly how to add a border - so here is a series of videos showing how I do it.

I almost always use a seed stitch border, but a garter stitch border is also attractive.  A border not only neatens up the edges, but it can also help a curly stitch lay flat (think stocking stitch).  There may still be some curl left, but a border can help.   You may also want to consider slipping the first stitch for an extra neat edge.

All you really have to do is cast on extra stitches to be used on either side, and knit a few rows in the same stitch before beginning the stitch pattern, then a few more rows before binding off.  It really is that simple.

I do recommend you swatch before starting your project, to make sure you like how everything looks.  Let's say you want a garter stitch border along the sides that is six stitches wide.  Your stitch pattern, however, has you knitting the first two stitches on both the RS and WS.  Those two stitches are going to add to the six stitches you have designated for your border, making it look wider.  Or, on a stitch I swatched around with recently, there was one stitch along the right side of the fabric that was knit on the RS and purled on the WS, which created a line of stocking stitch.  It looked a little funny, so for that example I would probably add another stitch to the left side of the fabric, to recreate that line of stocking stitch so both edges look the same.   Or maybe, your stitch pattern has a few rows of garter stitch at the beginning of the pattern, that isn't repeated for the last few rows.  That would make the border wider at the bottom than at the top; in that instance, you could add more rows of garter stitch to the top before binding off.  Don't be afraid to play around with stitches to achieve a look that you like.  It's also ok to try omitting a stitch or two if it won't change the look of the overall pattern.  Again - this is why swatching is important before starting your project.  It is never fun to put hours of work into something, only to realize that it doesn't look quite right and you have to rip back and start over.

At this point, I have three videos in mind.  I may add one or two more in the future, though.  The thing I like about these, is they look the same on both sides, so there is now worry about what side your stitch pattern starts on.

Here is the first one - Garter Stitch Border

I just used a yo-k2tog pattern for this example.

Cast on 16

Row 1: k1 *yo, k2tog* Repeat between * to last st, k1

That is repeated for all rows, and makes for some pretty sloppy edges as you can see in the picture above.

To add the Garter Stitch Border, I added 8 extra stitches - four for each side, plus I knit three plain rows before starting the stitch pattern and three plain rows before binding off.

Cast on 24

Set up:  Knit three rows of plain knitting

Row 1: k5 *yo, k2tog*  Repeat between * to last five sts, k5

Repeat Row 1 for desired length

Finishing: Knit three rows of plain knitting, then bind off

Here is the video  - Happy Knitting!

Cables and Ribs Chunky Cowl

I love this cowl!  It is thick, dense, bulky and knit using reversible cables!  I know summer is upon us, but I am already looking ahead to the cooler days, and this will be so nice when the cold weather comes back!

You can purchase this pattern from my Craftsy store by clicking on the picture below.

Source: Cables and Ribs Chunky Cowl via SapphiresnPurls on Craftsy

Weave in Loose Ends

Weaving in loose ends, the final step in completing a project!  My least favorite part of the process.  Some knitters work in tails as they go - me, I put it off until I absolutely have to do it.

I am not too particular with this part of the process, but others are.  Look around, and you will see many different ways knitters weave in their tails.  For instance, Purl Bee has some excellent weave in methods - I am just usually too lazy to be so particular.

Here is how I do mine - usually with a crochet hook, I just weave in and out along the cast on  and bind off edges.  If I am feeling ambitious, I will break out the yarn needle and carefully weave along the stitch pattern.  Other times, I will just weave along the edge as I would with a crochet hook.  Sometimes, I work right under the edge.  Any way you do it, if it looks good to you, then don't worry about it.  There is no wrong way to do it :0)

How to Knit from a Chart

If you have never knit from a chart, or are afraid of charts - I encourage you to at least give it a try!  It really isn't hard at all.  When I first started knitting, I stayed far away from anything with a chart.  However, one day I decided to try, because I really wanted to knit a shawl, but the pattern was only charted.  Turns out, there was nothing to be afraid of, and I found that I actually like knitting from charts.

In this video, I will go over two charts - what they look like, symbols, and how to decipher them.  This is just a guideline which can be used for lace charts, color charts, flat knitting, and just about any knitting chart out there.  I do want to say that it is important to read all of the information that comes with your pattern, so you know how to interpret the chart and especially what the symbols in your chart mean.  Not every designer will use the same symbols to mean the same thing.  This video will show you how most charts are typically set up to work - but again, make sure you read through your pattern completely since there could be a particular way the designer intends the chart to be read.

I will also knit a small piece of lace in the video using the first chart.  You can get the chart below if you would like to try working from a chart.  I promise, it is really easy, even if you have never knit from a chart before.

The sample in the chart is for Fern Leaf Lace.  You will need to know how to make the following stitches:

knit
purl
sk2po (slip a stitch knitwise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the k2tog)
skpo (slip a stitch knitwise, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over the knit stitch)
k2tog (knit next 2 stitches together as if they were one)
yo (yarn over)

If you don't know how to do any of the above, I have videos for all of them on my YouTube Channel.  Check the Knitting Basics and Beyond the Basics Playlists for these videos.

Fern Lace Chart for Tutorial

Knit Along: Diamond and Lozenge Dishcloth

I thought it would be fun to do a knit along for a quick, easy project.  Nothing is quicker or easier than a dishcloth!  This will also give you a chance to use up some of that Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton you have.  I know I can't be the only one with way too much of that stuff ;0)

Here is how the knit along will work. Each week, I will be posting a video and written instructions right here for ten rows of the pattern. I will just keep adding to this post instead of making a new post.  That way it will all be in one place.  You will see me knit the entire thing, from cast on to bind off. Every single stitch!

The first video is just going to show you what you will have at the end of the knit along, and the materials you will need to complete it. 


Let's get started!

Materials:
One 2 oz. ball of Lily Sugar'n Cream Cotton Yarn (you will only need about 1.1 oz total, so feel free to use scraps if you have them instead of a new ball)
US size 8 needle
Yarn or tapestry needle or crochet hook for weaving in the loose ends

That's it.  Next week, we will cast on!

APRIL 10, 2013 - PART ONE

Here is the first part of the pattern.  There is a video as well, showing all of the steps beginning with the cast on.

NOTE:  The first and last two stitches of each row are to be knit.  This is not included in the instructions below to avoid repetition.

Cast on 40 stitches

Knit two rows for set up

Begin pattern:

(Row 1 is the Right Side)

Rows 1 and 2: *K6, P6*

Rows 3 and 4: *P1, K5, P5, K1*

Rows 5 and 6: K1, P1, K4, P4 *[K1, P1] twice, K4, P4.  Repeat from * to last two sts, K1, P1

Rows 7 and 8: P1, K1, P1, K3, P3 *[K1, P1] three times, K3, P3. Repeat from * to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1

Rows 9 and 10: [K1, P1] twice, K2, P2 *[K1, P1] four times, K2, P2. Repeat from * to last 4 sts, [K1, P1] twice

That does it for the first part of our Knit Along.  Come back next Wednesday for Part Two.  Here is the video.  Happy Knitting!

APRIL 17, 2013 - PART TWO

Part Two of the Knit Along

**Remember, the first and last two stitches of each row are to be knit.  This is not included in the instructions below.**

Rows 11 and 12: *P1, K1*
Rows 13 and 14: *K1, P1*
Rows 15 and 16: [P1, K1] twice, P2, K2 *[P1, K1] 4 times, P2, K2.  Repeat from * to last 4 sts, [P1, K1] twice
Rows 17 and 18: K1, P1, K1, P3, K3 *[P1, K1] 3 times, P3, K3.  Repeat from * to last 3 sts, P1, K1, P1
Rows 19 and 20: P1, K1, P4, K4 *[P1, K1] twice, P4, K4.  Repeat from * to last 2 sts, P1, K1

That does it for the second part of our Knit Along.  Come back next Wednesday for Part Three.  Here is the video for this part of the dishcloth.  Happy Knitting!

APRIL 24, 2013 - PART THREE

**Remember, the first and last two stitches of each row are to be knit.  This is not included in the instructions below.**

Rows 21 and 22: *K1, P5, K5, P1*

Rows 23 and 24: *P6, K6*

Rows 25 and 26: *P5, K1, P1, K5*

Rows 27 and 28: *P4, [K1, P1] twice, K4*

Rows 29 and 30: *P3, [K1, P1] three times, K3*

That is is for the third part of the Knit Along.  Come back next Wednesday for Part Four.  We are heading toward the finish line!  Here is the video.  Happy Knitting!

MAY 1, 2012 - PART FOUR

**Remember, the first and last two stitches of each row are to be knit.  This is not included in the instructions below.**

Rows 31 and 32: *P2 [K1, P1] four times, K2*
Rows 33 and 34: *P1, K1*
Rows 35 and 36: *K1, P1*
Rows 37 and 38: *K2 [P1, K1] 4 times, P2*
Rows 39 and 40: *K3 [P1, K1] 3 times, P3*

That wraps up Part Four.  Next Wednesday we will finish up - knit the last few rows, bind off, and weave in our loose ends.  Here is the video for Part Four.  Happy Knitting!

MAY 8, 2013 - PART FIVE

**Remember, the first and last two stitches of each row are to be knit.  This is not included in the instructions below.**

Rows 41 and 42: *K4, [P1, K1] twice, P4*

Rows 43 and 44: *K5, P1, K1, P5*

This completes the pattern repeat.

Rows 45 and 46: Knit all stitches

Bind off and weave in loose ends.  

Here is the video for the last part of the dishcloth.  We're all done!

Entrelac in the Round or Seamless Entrelac

At long last, here is the second part of the Entrelac tutorials - Seamless Entrelac!

Below you will find a printable guide that you can use to create your own seamless entrelac projects.   There is also a video on the technique.

This  tutorial on seamless entrelac is intended for those knitters who already have an understanding of entrelac.  If you need further instruction on entrelac basics, you can find my other tutorial HERE.

Seamless Entrelac is really the same as when worked flat, except you don't need to knit the side triangles.  This means, if you already have a grasp on entrelac, then working it in the round will be a snap.  When starting, it looks as though you will be working flat, and you may wonder how it will turn into seamless entrelac.  Your fabric will not be joined until you work the last Right Leaning Rectangle.

The photo above shows the Cables and Lace Entrelac Cowl.  The pattern is available only on Craftsy.  Click the picture below to go to Craftsy to purchase the pattern.   SORRY, PATTERN IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.  The lace stitch used in the cowl is Cat's Eye Lace, and the cable stitch is my own (although it is so simple, I am sure it has been done many times over by others).

Click HERE to go to Scribd to download the tutorial if the embedded document below isn't working.

  Entrelac in the Round Tutorial

Exquisite Angora Cowl

Here is my latest pattern - another cowl!   I purchased this yarn at The Memory Tree and Yarn Branch a few weeks ago.  I couldn't think of any better way to use this yarn.  It is soft, light and airy, but will keep your neck nice and warm.  So soft and cuddly, it is just exquisite!  I had fun knitting this cowl; the pattern is easy to remember, and after a few repeats you won't even need to look at the pattern.  It also works up pretty quickly.  This is perfect for the spring or fall, when the evenings are still chilly.  Also great for those restaurants that like to crank up the AC in summer time!

This is knit in the round in one piece, so there is no seaming.  Just a few ends to weave in.

You can check with your LYS for this yarn, or it is available at Jimmy Beans or WEBS online.

This pattern is available for purchase only through my Craftsy store.  Click on the picture below to be taken to Craftsy.  You must be a member of Craftsy to purchase this pattern.  Sign up is free, so if you aren't a member, I encourage you to sign up.

Source: Exquisite Angora Cowl via SapphiresnPurls on Craftsy

My yarn from The Memory Tree and Yarn Branch

Here is the yarn I got yesterday from The Memory Tree and Yarn Branch.  It is all soooo yummy, I can't wait to knit with it.

First up, this beautiful lace weight from Grignasco Knits, Merinosilk 25.  I typically do not go for green at all, but this pastel was irresistible!

I am going to have to go through my Walker Treasury books to find something to do this yarn justice.

Next - I have some angora yarn in my stash, however it all has a bit of nylon as well.  This Angora from Plymouth is 100% angora; I have searched and searched for a 100% angora and have never found it.  Until yesterday!  Let me tell you, it is nothing short of exquisite!

No better place for this yarn than right next to you.  I plan on using this for a cowl.  

Here is some super squishy yarn from Plymouth, which I have only ever found online.  I couldn't resist buying this yesterday when I felt it.  Mushishi!

This wonderful yarn is most likely going to be a shawl.  I do love my shawls!  The only hard part will be deciding whether or not to work it top down or bottom up.

Next, some more Plymouth yarn.  This is Taria Tweed, which I have never seen before, so thought I would give it a try.

I think this is going to make another lovely shawl for me.  

And finally, Lustra from Berroco.  This is very much like the Mulberry Silk I purchased at a knitting and crochet festival last year.  It is soft, smooth, smooshy and wonderful!

This will probably turn into a cowl.  I know it will be so soft and silky, and great for wearing next to the skin.  Yummy!

The Memory Tree and Yarn Branch

Yesterday I visited a little shop called The Memory Tree and Yarn Branch.  This shop is located at 1015 Chess Street, Monongahela, PA.  Currently you can buy yarn and knit/crochet notions and items for scrap booking here.

This shop is owned by the sweetest little old lady, Dorothy.  It was very nice to chat with her a bit while I was there, and I look forward to going back!

Dorothy plans on eliminating the scrap book part of the store, and providing only yarn; she also plans on providing a selection of buttons.

Some of the yarns you can find here are Patons, Bernat, and Berroco, among others.  I was so very tempted to purchase the interchangeable set of Knit Picks needles I saw, but managed to hold back.

You can also get a Marvelous Memory Card, which receives a number of punches depending on the amount of money spent.  Once you hit the $200 mark, you get $10 in Memory Money!

The Memory Tree and Yarn Branch is a great little store - if you live in the area, or if you don't live in the area, but happen to be passing through, I recommend you stop by and visit Dorothy, and buy some of the wonderful yarn she carries.

Here is the yarn I got from Dorothy yesterday. Click HERE.

Knitted Fringe

I have seen a number of knitted fringe instructions in old books, and finally decided to give one a try.  At first, I couldn't imagine how this would work out, but of course it does!  It's a little bit of knitted magic.

You can use any yarn and needles you like.

Cast on 8

*K2, YO, K2tog*

Just repeat this for every row, until the fringe is as long as you like.  Then, bind off five stitches.  Cut the yarn and pull the tail through.  You will have some stitches just hanging around on the left needle - these will turn into the fringe.  Slide the remaining stitches off the needle, and unravel them.

You can then attach your fringe to knitted or crochet items.  You can sew the fringe on with a tapestry needle, or attach it with a crochet hook and single crochets.  I attach mine with a crochet hook in the video below.  You can hold your fringe and the item you are attaching it to with right sides together, so the crochet seam is on the back, or you can hold them wrong sides together, and the seam can be used as a decorative element.

I suppose you could even make the fringe on some fine crochet cotton, and sew it on with a regular needle and thread.  I think this would look so pretty as a decoration on a pillowcase, or maybe some nice dinner napkins.

Knitted Valentine's Day Heart Pillow Pattern

Here is one of my cats, Tiger, modeling the Pillow Talk Valentine's Day Pillow!

This is a quick, easy project.  I used Christmas Red and White Cascade 220 yarn, but you can use any colors you like.  The heart used about 160 yards of yarn total. This is stuffed with polyester poly fill; I put as much in as I could, which is about 2 oz. but you can use more or less.  The letters are added with duplicate stitch using a few scant yards of scrap yarn.

If you don't know how to do duplicate stitch, you can find a video on my YouTube Channel.

The pattern is available for purchase from my Craftsy store.  The charted letters are included with the pattern.   Click on the picture below to go directly to my Craftsy store and purchase the pattern.

Source: Pillow Talk Valentine's Day Pillow via SapphiresnPurls on Craftsy

How to Cable Without a Cable Needle

Cabling without a cable needle (or DPN, or whatever you may use to cable) is a handy trick to have in your knitting arsenal.  Suppose you forget to pack your cable needles - you can still work on your project!  

This is particularly useful when making small cables also.  Who wants to fuss with a cable needle to cross only two or three stitches?

Of course, if you feel comfortable only using a cable needle, there is nothing wrong with that.  If you like cables, but the idea of messing around with a third needle doesn't sound like fun, then give this technique a try.  It really is very easy to do!

Probably the biggest cable I would do this with is an eight stitch cable - any more than that might get a bit tricky.  Go with whatever you feel comfortable with.

To make a Right Cross:

Slip the designated number of stitches from your left needle.  For our example, we are doing a 6 stitch cable, so slip six stitches off your left needle.   The first three stitches are Set One.  The last three stitches are Set Two.

With the left needle, reach BEHIND Set Two and slip Set One back onto the left needle.

Now, grab Set Two with your right needle and slip them back onto the left needle.  Proceed with your knitting.

To make a Left Cross:

Slip the designated number of stitches from your left needle.  Again, let's use 6 as an example.

With the left needle, reach IN FRONT of Set Two and slip Set One back onto the left needle.

Now, grab Set Two with your right needle and slip them back onto the left needle.  Proceed with your knitting.

Doesn't that sound easy?  If not, don't worry.  It made no sense to me the first time I read these instructions either.  After reading the instructions a few more times, I sort of had it.  Then, after actually trying it out, I had this down!  Now I almost never use a cable needle.

Again, you should do whatever is most comfortable for you.  Here is a video to help if you are more of a visual learner.

Happy Cabling!

Needle Felting

If you've tried machine felting, and would like to embellish your item, give needle felting a try.  It is quick and easy to add a little something to a plain felted bag, like I did in the picture above.

Clover makes a variety of molds and needle felting tools that you can find in many craft and yarn stores, or online.  I will show you these things in the video, or you can go to the Clover website and see what they have.   Also check out what Knit Picks has to offer.

Needle felting is not just for embellishing; you can even create figures!  Check out my amazon store for tools and books on needle felting.

I say this in the video, and want to reiterate here.  The needles used for felting are very, very, extremely SHARP!!   You should be very careful while using them; this is not something I recommend for young kids.  Adults only, and please be careful!!

Here is my little video.  Happy Needle Felting!

Knit in the Round on Circular needles

Here is a video with some basic info on using circular needles to knit in the round.

Two different ways you can join to begin working in the round, and if you accidentally begin knitting with a twist in the stitches, you can easily fix it on the first round.

Use this technique for hats, bags, sweaters and more.  If you have never used circular needles for knitting in the round, I encourage you to try.  It is not hard to do, but like everything else, will take practice and patience to become proficient.

You can get circular needles in many lengths, sizes and materials.  More on that here.

Machine Felting

I wanted to take a quick look at felting in this post.  I've made a few felted bags and hats in the past, and always have fun.  You can make hats, bags, hot pads, cat/dog beds or mats, and lots more.

I have never followed a pattern, but rather just cast on, knit, and then felted.  My projects have always turned out well.  Luck, I guess!

I made a short video of how I felted the piece of knitting above.  My typical method is to just run my project through the wash with a small load of laundry, using hot water and a short to medium long cycle.  Rarely do I stop the machine to check progress.  I do recommend you check your item about halfway through to see how it is coming along.  The old 'Do as I say, not as I do' bit.  If my item is not felted enough to my liking, I leave it in for another round with the next load.  The yarn is some that I dyed myself.  It started as a neutral/ivory color, from Patons.  I forget the needle size used, sorry.  I cast on 34 stitches, knit for about 50 rows.  This was about 7.5 x 5.5 prior to felting.  It came out at about 6 x 5.

Place the item you want to felt into a pillow case.  A lingerie bag is sometimes suggested, but the lint/fuzz can still get out of the bag, and if you felt a lot, the lint will build up and ruin your machine.  A pillow case will collect most of the lint.

You can just throw in a pair of jeans or two to help agitate your project and help the felting process.  Don't use new jeans though, because the color could bleed and get onto your project. (You know, like when you accidentally put a new red T-Shirt in with something white....) Better to use old jeans.
Some people suggest using towels - I do not.  Towels give off lint/fuzz pills of their own, particularly if they are newer, and it could stick to your project.  Older towels may not pose much of a problem, so you may be fine to use old towels.

Detergent helps the felting process, so if you are washing some laundry, of course you will already be using some.  If you are just felting with a pair of jeans or two for the agitation, go ahead and put a small amount of detergent in.

Not all yarns will felt in the same way.  Some may felt faster than others, some may shrink more or less.  Your best bet is to knit up a test swatch and felt it to see how the yarn reacts.  You will need to use an animal fiber for felting, as acrylic yarns will not felt.  Animal fibers have scales, which open up when exposed to hot, soapy water; with agitation, these scales become tangled together.  The scales close up and remain locked together as the fiber cools down and dries, creating felt.

You may have some difficulty felting white yarn; sometimes these yarns have gone through a bleaching process, which removes the scales from the fiber.  No scales, no felting.  Again, your best bet is to do a test swatch, or even ask around for advice from frequent felters.  Try the boards at Knitting Paradise, for example.   Interweave has some felting magazines, and there is even an Australian magazine called Felt you may want to check out.

A few links:
Knitty - Felt This
How To Felt

Books:
Felting - The Complete Guide
Uniquely Felt
Knitting Never Felt Better (Nicky Epstein)

And of course, the famous Booga Bag by Julie Anderson of Black Sheep Bags!

Here is a cute little bag I made several years ago.  I also did one in pink.  The yarn is some that I purchased on eBay from forestgreener.   Great seller that I have purchased from often.  I always love the yarn, and have never had a problem with this seller.  There is no pattern for this bag; I encourage you to create something unique for yourself.

Here is the video.  Happy Felting!