Yes, You Can Knit This

Good Afternoon,

Late start today, watched the boys this morning, and it was fun just lazing around on the porch and cuddling.

I was doing some browsing through one of the forums that I read and came upon one today that I posted a reply to.  The question was regarding DPs, a set of five.  "Do you begin with the DP's or only work on two needles to start."  The second question was, "Since you are using a set of five, do you work the two slippers together?"

These are certainly legitimate questions, especially if this knitter is fairly new to her craft.  But sometimes, even those of us who have been knitting for many years, can get caught up on a word or phrase that we might have to read more than once, or just cast on and get to it.

I am not familiar with the pattern she was referring to, but I was able, I believe, to ascertain that these slippers would be knit one at a time.  By the way, it is a Jane Austen design.  Since she likes to work with more period garments and accessories, so, I don't think that this technique, two at a time, would be included.  There was no mention by the knitter of using two circular needles or one very long circular needle that would lead one to believe that they would be knit two at a time either.

This knitter's other question being "When starting, use two needles or all five."  I explained to her that the magic words here might be, cast on X # of stitches and divide between four double point needles and join without twisting.  If there was no mention of dividing or joining, they would most probably be started flat and then worked circularly later on. 

Some of these terms and directions can be very confusing to knitters of varying expertise.  One of my new favorite things to do is to introduce a new knitting pattern to my class for test knitting.  No charge for the pattern, they just have to buy the materials for the item.  During a conversation with two other designers and teachers this past Saturday, we decided that this might be a great way to test a pattern.  We have probably knit it hundreds of times and from memory, but once it goes on paper, somehow something seems to get omitted or lost along the way.  What we do is just so automatic.

We also do not work for major publications or have a well known name. And, of course, no trove of test knitters at their disposal to make sure every thing works.  Now, here is a "hoot" that I have to share.  Having been a test knitter for a couple of local designers, the trickiest thing was when I found an error, my head and hands do an auto correct and keep on going, forgetting to write it down, of course.  That is no help at all. You almost need someone of lesser experience to do this test knitting for you, because they are more likely to fire away with questions regarding wording and technique.

The next time you knit from a pattern and encounter an error, please do not get angry or impatient with us.  Sometimes things just slip through the cracks unintentionally.  In most cases there is some contact information to reach someone about an errata update.  Please do not feel that your questions are inappropriate or "dumb" because I do not consider any questions inappropriate or "dumb".
In closing,  when starting a new pattern, check for unfamiliar terms, do a gauge swatch, adjust needle size if necessary, cast on and dive in.  Don't try to digest the pattern or gain an understanding by combing every word.  The key things to look for are:

1. Is this knit in the round?
2. If so, do I need DPs as well as CNs?
3. If knit flat, how many pieces are there.
4. How is this put together if knit flat?

I know a few of these items may be found in the description of the pattern as well as mentioned in the materials and tools needed, but I still like to glance through just to make sure I have all the facts I need.

Armed with this information, you should be able to tackle many things that you might otherwise choose not to do.  Knitters tend to underestimate their abilities with the familiar phrase, "I could never do that!"  Yes, you can and I can help.

Happy Knitting!  Get your challenge on!

Sweater Pattern in Bite Sized Pieces

Good Morning,

Another great day!  Hope where you are you are enjoying this slightly cooler weather.

Spent some time with my photographer, Matt, this morning.  He was taking some pictures of a sweater I knit in late winter for one of my students and the Scribble Lace Cowl.  The Scribble Lace Cowl will be ready in a few days if anyone is would like to try it.  I had mentioned in an earlier blog that I will share it with any who are interested. 

Back to the sweater.  This design was in Interweave Knits Fall 2009 issue.  It is called Farmer's Market Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio.  Sandy, my student,  had put the sweater on her "to knit" list soon after purchasing the magazine.  I think it remained on her "to knit" list due to the fact that she wasn't sure about knitting the pattern.

Anyway, months later, she was shopping at one of her LYSs and found a great sale on a couple of bags of yarn.  When she came to the next knitting class, Sandy brought the magazine and a ball of the yarn with her.  I told her that she would most likely get a good result with this yarn, but a gauge swatch was a must.  She was still quite nervous about knitting this sweater, not feeling quite up to the task. 

The following week, she came back to class with a gauge swatch, and a perfectly matching gauge, but still very nervous.  I'm sure it had to do with the fact that there was a great deal of shaping in the form of vertical darts both front and back plus the usual shaping that a fitted cardigan has.  There were several "at the same times" in the pattern and it was that, I felt, that made her hesitate, as well as a more intricate collar and top of pocket.

I offered to rewrite the pattern out for her to follow easily.   The pattern was broken down into manageable bite sized pieces with all of the shaping mapped out, numbered and bulleted for repeats and rows. All Sandy had to do was just check off the rows and repeats as she knit them.

Some weeks later, she brought the sweater back to class and asked me to finish it for her.  I felt badly that she didn't want to finish it herself, but knowing her as I do, it would just sit there, unfinished and doomed to the eternal closet.  On closer inspection, I noticed some gauge changes, probably due to her anxiety levels at the time, and I was fearful of being unable to match her gauge.

Without telling her right away, I began the sweater from scratch.  Fortunately, she had plenty of yarn to do this with.  Within a  month, I had finished and blocked her new sweater.  I had done a little tweaking, as I do with all patterns that I knit, just can't help myself, and the sweater looked as if it might have been designed for her.  The fit was beautiful, and she has received many compliments.  Connie's sweater design was a hit with all of Sandy's friends. 

The point of my story is, don't be afraid of what looks to be a complicated pattern.  Take the time to pull it apart.  Rewrite by hand, or copy the page and pull it apart, enlarge it, do whatever it takes to work through whatever areas in a pattern are causing you stress.  The first step is just to check your gauge and then cast on.  So many times it is just getting started that is so daunting.  I'm sure Sandy might have been able to finish, if she was able to sit with me the whole time, but she does a fair amount of traveling preventing that.

So, take a deep breath, a little attention to details, and cast on those stitches.  Take your time.  You have no race to win.  If it takes you a month, two months, no matter, just whittle away at those stitches and rows.  I will share the photo with you as soon as Matt does the editing.  Since it is an Interweave Pattern, I will also submit it to Knitting Daily.  I will let you know if it is accepted and posted on their website.

Happy Knitting!

Surprise Jacket Update

Good Afternoon,

Glorious weather today, not too hot and low humidity.  Ahhhhh.

Just wanted to share with you an update for the Surprise Jacket Class that begins on 7/25 and 7/28 at The Perfect Blend, yarnandteashop.com.  Mary and I have tweaked the class description again, always something more to add.  Under the "Things you will need section"  a row/stitch counterwill be helpful.  We have also been working with a couple of apps for iPad and iPhone that track rows and stitches for multiple projects. 

I have been using one for the Surprise Jacket that I am knitting for the shop.  It is so incredibly handy, no note pad or pen to lose or leave home.  If you have never knit one of these delightful sweaters, you know there is a lot of required counting, both stitches and rows.  I am using my iPad and loving every minute of it.

I am near completion of the sample jacket, and thought you might like to see it. 

I know that it probably doesn't look like much, but what you see  here, if you have never knit one before, is the sleeves and the beginning of the neckline.  I have just bound off 5 stitches on each side where the needle points are visible.  At the point where the stitches are contained on the cable part of the needle, that is the body. 

I just love hanging things in my Magnolia Tree to photograph them.  Oh, by the way, I should mention for those that have not knit this, across the top of the shoulders in the upper edge of the photo, is the only place that you will have to seam.  My favorite is the Mattress Stitch.  I will make a video of the process when I get to that point.  I have encountered so many knitters who are not familiar or who have trouble executing the maneuver.  I have done a considerable amount of seaming of sweaters for many and for some on a regular basis. 

I must add a note about the boys.  They are having a wonderful time now that their Mom is home with them.  Their older brother goes to day camp and after dropping him off, they go to the park to visit the animals in the children's zoo.  Mom makes popcorn for them to feed the Peetock, JT's word for Peacock. After feeding the animals, the boys share a muffin and then home.  After lunch and naps, it is pool time.  Both of them love being in the water, however, JT must have his "noodle"!

Remember, if you would like to learn how to knit the Surprise Jacket and you do not live near by, please leave a comment in the box below or email me at dee@youandmeknit.com to set up an appointment to Skype or FaceTime the class.

Happy Knitting!

Good Afternoon, 

So behind today.  I was with the boys this morning for a few hours, so I hope you will excuse me.  We were out on the porch while it was still cool.  I have such fun with them.

For a few more hours I was at yarnandteashop.com with Mary, the shop owner, and we were putting together a sweater class.  It is very interesting that this discussion happened to be today.  I told Mary that my blog yesterday had mentioned Elizabeth Zimmermann, EZ as she liked to be called, and one of her sweater designs.  Today's meeting will feature another of EZ's designs....the A - B - C - SJ or for those not in the know, that translates to the Adult Baby and Child's Surprise Jacket.

I will be teaching this class starting on Wednesday 7/25/12 and then again on Saturday 7/28/12.  That way we will be able to accommodate those who can come both during the week and on weekends.  It will be an on going class that anyone can hop into at any time.  I just love teaching like that because no one feels that they missed anything.

The class description that we used for the shop website is mostly EZ's own words taken from the book The Opinionated Knitter by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swanson.  As quoted from EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann) the opinionated knitter:  "Dear knitter, I call it the "surprise jacket" because it looks like nothing on earth when you have finished knitting it.   Sew up two seams, and you find you have the nicest little garter-stitch baby (or adult) sweater you could wish to see, reversible, and with no side, or armhole seams to look ill-fitting or feel uncomfortable.   And there is no breaking-off or joining-in of yarn."

                                           Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's A-B-C-SJ Pattern
                                           by Schoolhouse Press

The knitting of this sweater, as many of you know, is knit in one piece.  It looks rather odd when knit and one doesn't quite know what to do with it.  But follow the directions in the pattern and it is a simple matter of folding the sweater, stitching the shoulder seams and voila!  the "Surprise Jacket" so suitably named.

                                                     Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's A-B-C-SJ Pattern
                                                     by Schoolhouse Press

I have knit this sweater before, most recently for JT when he was born.  I love the design and so many ways to make it yours just by color alone.  Each and every one looks slightly different, solids, stripes or color blocks, you get to choose.  Get crazy or stay subtle. 

Want to take the class and you don't live nearby?  Let's make a date to Skype or FaceTime the class.
Drop a comment in the box below or email me at dee@youandmeknit.com.

Happy Knitting and stay cool.

New Book to be Released

Good Morning!

Hot again!  Makes me wonder what the Dog Days of August will bring?

Yesterday in my email I received a wonderful surprise from Knitting Daily, knittingdaily.com.  There is a new book out that will be released for sale in August.  It is one of a collection of works that I have already pre-ordered. 

OK, that said, let me ask you this.  Do you like to do sweater finishing?  Maybe those are the UFOs lurking in the back of the closet or under the bed.  Well, the solution has arrived.  Well, two solutions really. 

1. New Book:  The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters by Ann Budd!
2. I do sweater finishing, and quite well.  I will provide a list of very satisfied knitters upon request.

Now, #1. is very true.  I was so excited when I read the news, I did pre-order.  There are many wonderful designs including seamless yoke, raglan, set-in sleeve (yes, you did read that correctly), and saddle-shoulder.  If you remember, Ann Budd also authored The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns and The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns both books are multi sized and are based on gauge.  That means that you have kids to adult sizes for every pattern in her books.  Her new book will be formated the same way.

I am sure you are all familiar with Elizabeth Zimmermann and her "EPS" system.  If you are not, well read up, here is a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Zimmermann that will give you some information on this "Grandmother" of knitting.  It was in EZ's books that I learned seamless knitting using her "EPS" system and the seamless yoke style.

Knitting Pure and Simple patterns by Diane Soucy is a great source for top down knitting, seamlessly.  The patterns are most notably raglan shaped and so uncomplicated that I have taught beginning knitters to use these patterns.

The style of sweater in Ann Budd's new book that I am most  interested is the set-in sleeve design.  The sleeve caps are shaped using short rows and the sweater is begun from the neck down at the shoulders.  "The set-in style is particularly well suited for close-fitting variations, which can be enhanced through hourglass waist shaping."

My book is ordered and now the wait begins.  In the mean time, we can work on finishing those garments that need to be completed.  Pull them out, pass the word, it's time to get the finishing work completed.  First the mattress stitched seams, then the collars, hoods, and then the button bands.  I can teach you how to do this, or I can finish it for you.  My rates are very reasonable.

Put a comment in the box below if you like what you are reading, request a knitting topic, or would like to discuss a particular technique.  Or, you may email me at dee@youandmeknit.com to set up an appointment for me to help you with a knitting dilemma. 

Have a great day and Happy Knitting!

Student on My Mind

Good Morning,

Sunny and warm today and near 90 again.  But, there is a nice breeze right now, so only have windows open and no A/C on yet.

As I was taking my walk after work this morning, I work 12am to 8am shift, I was thinking about a topic for today.  My thoughts centered on one of my students.  She stopped by yesterday to pick up some socks that she was working on.  She knitting from one of my patterns for a sport type sock with a short row heel.

My student was having difficulty with the concept and we had discussed it this past Saturday when she came to class.  I know knitting on size US 2 Double Point needles are definitely not her needles of choice to begin with.  Maybe that combined with the sight learning curve is what stumped her. 

 In any case, this is  a rush project for her Dad, so I agreed to knit the heels so she could continue knitting the foot and the toe decreases, which she will have no problem with. I had to un - knit what she had already knit and begin again.  I also do not work short rows with the wrap and turn method.  I use yarn overs to execute the short rows.

Teaching, mentoring, and problem solving, is some of my favorite things to do.  I love it when I can see the sparkle in their eyes and the smiles that say "I got it!"  I try to encourage them to do as much as they can on their own, but in a case such as this, we will get another chance to work short row heels this time with worsted weight yarn and larger needles.

I would love to help you with a knitting problem or learning a new technique.  Even if you live too far away to attend a "live" class, we can certainly meet up on Skype or FaceTime.  Send me an email at dee@youandmeknit.com or drop me a line in the comment box at the bottom of the page.

I wish you all a wonderful July 4th.  I hope it is restful, stress - less, and give a thought to why we celebrate July 4th.  See you on Thursday, God Bless.  

The New Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012

Good Morning!

Hope you all had a a great weekend, and was able to keep cool. It's supposed to be a tad cooler today but I will wait and see for myself.

When I got home from teaching on Saturday at yarnandteashop.com, on the kitchen table was my new issue of Vogue Knitting, Early Fall 2012.  I was so excited by the cover, that I had to first thumb through and look at all the new knitwear designs.  Each one is beautiful and innovative. 

Shorts!  Can you believe shorts?  on  page 69, a pair of hand knit blue shorts paired with a green belted sweater.  On the preceding page, 68, a green double moss stitch skirt paired with a blue boucle' mohair sweater.  All four pieces by Deborah Newton. 

On page 42, one of my favorite subjects....gauge.  The article titled The Finishers' Best Friend: The Swatch Tells the Story of a Sweater, by Deborah Newton.  There are many swatches featured and the content of the article hopefully will soothe the hackles of those that just hate swatching. 

I have tried over the years to educate knitters as to the benefits of the swatch, but this article gives even more reasons than I in favor of spending time swatching.  Enough said...read on.

A few other designs really caught my eye, and I have already made some notes as to the fiber that I wish to create them in.  Alas, they end up in a long line of "to do's".  They are the Lace Coat by Brooke Nico, page 51, and the Lace Poncho by Lisa Daehlin, page 55.  I thought my eyes would pop out of my head when I saw these, already making mental notes on that same "to do" list who might be the lucky recipients of these pieces.

In closing, I have rarely seen so many want and need to knit pieces in one magazine.  Kudos to Vogue for such a great issue!

Have great day everyone and please leave a comment in the box below if you are enjoying my blog.  If you have a question, or would like more information on a subject, or some knitting help, again, leave a comment.