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I-Cord Bracelet

November 2, 2012 in Knitting

This is a simple little bracelet to make.  It is very light and works for both adults and children.

I had never made i-cord before and found myself flitting around YouTube the other night.  I thought I would give it a try, but didn’t know what to do with it.  Then I saw i-cord jewelry!

I used bedspread weight thread and size 3 dpns.  You can tell that my tension was not even – I had a hard time keeping it on the needles.  But it was a good thing to practice with.

To make the bracelet, stitch two i-cords of equal length, leaving a long tail on each end.  Knot the cords together at each end and weave the tails through a button.  Knot the tails behind the button and trim.  Very easy.

I made mine 7″ long, but that ended up being too short for my own wrist.  Plus the thread made the bracelet too delicate for me.  So, of course, Morgan ended up with it.  It was perfect for her wrist and easily slipped over her hand.

This project can be made with left over yarn when you finish a project.  I also though about stitching three of them and braiding them before applying the button. I may try that in the future. I also think it would be a good craft show or fundraiser item.  Very quick to make with very little in the way of supplies.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.  And do a search for knitted jewelry to see some spectacular i-cord necklaces.

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Changing a Knitting Pattern

October 7, 2012 in Knitting, Tutorials

My current knitting project – the Yoga Wrap Sweater by Adrienne Vittadini - is originally written to use a bulky yarn and the pattern is a lace pattern.  I am making it in a stockinette stitch like PaulaJane did.  And I am using a sock weight yarn.  This means a lot of alterations to the pattern.

Whenever you are taking on a change like this, the first step is to make a good size gauge swatch.  At least 4″ x 4″ or even 5″ x 5″.  I did this in the beginning, but I no longer have the swatch (I probably got rid of it during a sewing table clean out).  So this is a picture of the sweater body.  I wanted to re-check my gauge before starting the sleeves anyway.

How to measure knitting gauge

 The first step is to count how many stitches are in an inch and how many rows.  As you can see, I am at about 8 stitches an inch and 9 rows.  However, in my pattern, the gauge for the pattern was based on a 4″ swatch, so I had to count how many were in 4″.

Notes on Pattern Gauge and changes

So, I made notes: what the pattern said and what my gauge is.  Then I calculated it for one inch – this was just a double check to help me out.  Looking at the information written out, it appeared that I am doubling my rows and my stitches.  To make the change more accurate, I divided my gauge by the pattern gauge.  It came out to 2.35; which means 2.35 stitches with my yarn for every 1 stitch in the pattern.  To make it simple, I rounded it down to 2.25.  The next step is to change the pattern.

Changing knitting pattern

For every stitch, I multiplied the number by 2.25.  For every row, I multiplied it by 2.  I made the changes right on my pattern, so I don’t forget.  I also keep my notes with the pattern.

My local yarn shop taught me this technique and it has worked for me several times; it seems I never pick the same weight yarn as the pattern – You know, I like to be different.  I hope this helps you.

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One Sock Done – One to Go

August 29, 2011 in Knitting

I finally finished the first sock of the Snicket Socks I am making for my Sister.  I am still unsure about the size.  They fit me perfectly, but I am pretty sure my sister’s feet are bigger.  Hopefully, they will stretch for her.

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Yoga Wrap – the Sweater that Never Ends

August 13, 2011 in Knitting

This is the progress I have made on the Yoga Wrap Sweater I started quite a while ago.

Those are the arm holes. On the right side I am almost done – it has to be as wide as the left side. Then I will still have to knit the two sleeves.

Remember this is all stockinette stitch. I has become my travel project. I end up only working on it when I am in the car (as a passenger), at the movies or watching a movie at home. After tearing out 15+ rows that were stitched wrong while watching the new Transformers movie – I may not stitch in the movie theater anymore.

All the yarn is purchased – it would be really great if I can finish this before it gets cold.

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Snicket Socks

August 10, 2011 in Knitting

Have you ever seen the movie “Lemeny Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events”? This is one of my sons favorite book series. Probably the only books he ever read because he wanted too.

When my sister asked for a pair of socks, I went looking for a pattern and came across the Snicket Socks on Ravelry. I picked out the perfect yarn – it will match her work uniform perfectly.

I have started these socks and torn them out about 10 times. I am on my third set of DPNs. OH – this is sock #1, I haven’t ever started sock #2.

I have been plagued with dropped stitches, broken needles, and major sizing issues. But I think I am finally past it. This was my first attempt at a cable pattern.

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A Neat Little Cabling Needle

March 8, 2011 in Knitting


My latest knitting project is a pair of socks for my sister.  I got the pattern off of Ravelry, of course.  They are called Snicket Socks because the design was inspired by the sleeves of the dress worn by Violet in Lemony Snicket.  (FYI – this is  a serious of young adult books that was made into a movie; Dustin loved reading this series)

So, here is how it is going so far.

Snicket Socks

This is my first time cabling and I will tell you that I do not like it.

This past Friday, I was at a knitting class during my lunch hour at work.  I was showing off my sock progress and complaining about cabling.  Another women showed me her cabling needles she picked up from KnitPicks.  They are as cute as pie.  And she is letting me try one out for the week.

Knit Picks Chaining Needle

I put it on an envelope so you can see the size of it.  It has these little grooves that grab the yarn.

So far, I still don’t like cabling but this little needle has made it easier.

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No Knitting in the Dark

March 25, 2010 in Knitting

The past two nights have been “Family Movie Night” at my house.  My husband brought home a bunch of movies home and I felt obligated to sit with him and watch.  Since I was working on my new knitting project, I couldn’t have been happier.

I have heard of stories of people knitting without looking.  I always thought that one day I would get there.  I pictured myselft watching TV and not even paying attention, looking down and seeing a completed sweater.  I could knit while riding in the car, so I could knit anywhere.  Plus, if they could do it, I could too.

My husband has a bit of OCD (just kidding, but he does get obsessed with things).  One of his pet peeves is having the lights on when you don’t need them.  When the movies started it was still daylight out; thanks to day light savings time.  But half way through the sun set and I found myself sitting in the dark – knitting.

Now, I could have very easily gotten up and turned on the lamp.  Or better yet, called one of my slaves (oops, I mean kids) to turn the light on.  But heck!  they could do it, so could I.

Warning – don’t do this without practice.

Tonight, the lights are on.  I looked at my work and God only knows what I was thinking.  It looks like I turned halfway through a row in several spots.  Not that I remember doing this.  So, I have spent the last 2 hours tearing back three rows of stitches.  Remember, I cast on 272 stitches.

All is better now.  I have learned my lesson.  Although I get lots of messages of how well I knit and how amazing it is that I am tackling a sweater already or how incredible it is that I have made socks as my second project; I think I am letting this go to my head.  For now, I will practice the “not-looking” thing and check my work often.

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Local Yarn Shop!!

March 16, 2010 in Knitting

This week I picked up the most wonderful yarn from a new yarn shop close to my work.

They don’t sell online yet, but check out their site  www.fourpurls.com.  It was heaven walking in there.  IT IS A REAL YARN SHOP.  OK – I will go more into it on the podcast, but this weekend I had a terrible experience as the “so-called” yarn shop near my house.  It was such a joke.  Then I went to Four Purls.  The owner is Laura and she was WONDERFUL.  She helped me pick out the perfect yarn for my Yoga Wrap project, looked up the notes in Ravelry, figured out how much yarn I would need, held the hanks (is that what they are called) that I couldn’t afford to purchase right away, made needle size suggestions, and taught me how to adjust the pattern to fit the yarn I wanted to use.  Everyone should have a “Laura” in their life.

I am heading back there tomorrow because I found out that I have every size needle imaginable except the one size I need for this project.  But I don’t mind, being in her shop was such a joy.

Sorry there was not a podcast this week.  The sound went out on my computer and by the time I figured out what went wrong, it was too late to record.  I will be back next week, but probably on Saturday.  I have to Chaperone a Girl Scout event on Sunday.

Don’t forget to call me and leave a voicemail.  This will enter you into a drawing for a “Purple Thang”!

On my to-do list:

  • Adding a page on how to start a podcast
  • Post on the pot holders I made and sort of designed
  • Adding a page with all the podcasts

 

I promise I will get to these things.  But I know I will be knitting the next few days.  Too excited to start a new project.

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Yoga Wrap Sweater

March 3, 2010 in Knitting

Pattern: Yoga Wrap by Adrienne Vittadini

Purpose: for me to wear

Dates: March 2010

 

I picked out this pattern because it reminded me of a sweater that Susan wears on Desperate Housewives.  The orginal pattern is actually a lace pattern, but I wanted a plan red sweater – so I copied another Raveler and did the entire sweater in stockenette stitch.  I am using a sock weight yarn and a size 3 needle.

 

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Socks are finished!

February 24, 2010 in Knitting

OK – the picture may make them look good, but they are not without their flaws.  The right one is too big and so when I made the left one, I did the instep shorter; fits perfectly.  On the left one, I forgot to do the decreases when I was stitching the instep, so I did several rows of decreases right before the toe; you really can’t notice this problem.  I need more practice on picking up my gusset stitches when turning the heel.  I tried two different methods and neither one looks perfect; but they worked.

Don’t you love how the strips match!  FYI – I used one ball of yarn and just a tiny bit from my second ball.  If I didn’t make the right one too big, one ball would have worked.

I enjoyed making the socks, but I am done for now.  My next knitting project will be something different.

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