Tutorials • Blog Posts
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Increases on both the RS and WS rows
Pattern grading from the smallest sizes to the largest sizes of a knitwear pattern can need different rates of increases for a variety of reasons. The main reasons are to be able to start with a reasonable back neck measurement, to complete all necessary increases before the upper body grows too long, and to maintain…
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Jogless Stripes
I love knitting in the round for garments since it makes seaming pieces together later unnecessary! But I don’t love the jog created when knitting in the round with different colors. When you knit in the round, you are knitting in one long spiral. This means each round stacks above or below the next round…
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The Story of a Yarn: Tierra Wools – Churro Yarn
I’m so excited to start sharing about some of the yarns I’ve been studying in my From Pasture to Needle: The Story of a Yarn series. The first yarn I decided to share is the Churro Yarn from Tierra Wools in Chama, New Mexico. Tierra Wools has a pretty great story. It began as a wool committee…
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From Pasture to Needle: The Story of a Yarn
Recently I’ve found myself more and more interested in the backstory of my yarns. Where did it come from? How was it processed? Who cared for it along the way? I know that most of my yarn started either on the back of creatures grazing in a pasture or as a plant in a field.…
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Gauge Swatches? Yes! Please!
The answer to this question changes depending on who you ask. Some knitters feel like a test swatch is a tiny soul-sucking piece of knitting. And other knitters feel like the same small piece of knitting is the most important first step to any knitting project (especially large ones like a sweater). I fall very…
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A Closer Look at Knitting with Linen and Linen Blend Yarns
Linen is one of my new favorite choices for summer knitting. Linen is a smooth and crisp yarn harvested from the long fibers of the flax plant. Linen is an excellent choice for warm-weather knits because it is airy, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. Many knitters have traditionally shied away from linen because of the initial crisp…
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How to Find All the Information on My Knitting Patterns
I use the same basic layout for all of my patterns. Over the years, I’ve tweaked the layout to include all the elements I find necessary for a successful knitting project. As I learn more, I incorporate new things into my knitting patterns and I update patterns periodically to be sure they are up to…
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Why do designers REALLY want you to get gauge?
The short answer is that designers want you to finish with a project that you love and that meets your expectations. And because we know that tiny differences in gauge can make a big difference over a large project. Larger differences in gauge will make an enormous difference in a large project. Here are some quick…
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Tutorial: Lifted-Over Knot Stitch
The Turquoise Trail Pullover, Turquoise Trail Cowl, and Turquoise Trail Shawl feature textured cable panels. These designs are named Turquoise Trail because the southwest-inspired textured cable panels evoke both cabochons of turquoise and trails. The “cabochons” are formed with Lifted-Over Knot Stitches and the “trails” are simple 2/2 cables. The Lifted-Over Knot Stitches are new…
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Tutorial: Measuring the Upper Body of a Top-Down Sweater
How do I measure the upper body of my sweater? I get asked this question by knitters all the time. So I’m offering a quick look at how exactly I measure the upper body of a top-down sweater. In most top-down sweater or tee patterns, there is a spot where the designer will tell you…