I have been teaching a lot lately……

You will never guess what has been the top choice for a class – beginning crochet!

Has there been a resurgence in the craft? Even Vogue Knitting has a special issue out that is all about crochet. They state that almost 70 percent of their readers crochet.

I crochet but, I left crochet for knitting years ago. I use crochet in my knitting now and then. Crochet makes wonderful edges and trims.

So the big question to me is: Should I incorporate more crochet in my patterns?

Being the type of person who cannot just practice crocheting, I turned beginning crochet into a project – a beginning crochet bag. I take the crocheter through the beginning stitches to turn their new craft into something.

Single crochet on the bottom (for sturdiness). Double crochet on the sides. And of course the ever so popular granny’s square as the focal point. Add a strap, buttons and a simple flower……….

With this pattern I also start with lots of directions then slowly take away the words to finally show how a “pattern” will read. All to help the beginner understand.

You can download the pattern here – if you want to explore your crochet.

I also created another crochet pattern that is scheduled for a class in June! More on that another time……..

Happy Fiber Crafting!

Nancy

Several years ago at a knitting convention, I sat by a woman who had the most wonderful feeling shawl.

It was incredibly soft. And more to my surprise it was knitted out of linen yarn.

Of course, I ran to the nearest vendor that had linen and bought some!

Linen to the touch is stiff and corse feeling. You can feel the fibers softening as you knit. It still is stiff when you are finished. But, when you wash it and block it your piece softens.

You wear it, it softens a bit more. You wash it and block it – again is softens. Do you see where I am going?

Safari shown at the left is much more stiff looking than it is now. And I have not washed this more than 5 or 6 times.

So, of course, I bought some more linen yarn! It is in my stash for a shawl – I have the shawl half designed.

Of course, I bought some more. It is in my stash for a bag – I have the bag half designed. (Yes, I have many designs at all different stages of development!)

Then, of course, AGAIN I recently bought some more linen yarn for a summer tank that has cables and lace. It is now on my needles…..

I love it. And I dream of this tank being soft and flowing – even though it will take a few washing to get it there.

Linen is tough and durable and over time becomes incredibly soft. It is a good choice for summer knitting – but don’t let it fool you – it is great to wear all year round!

Natural fibers are the best way to go when it comes to yarn.

Let linen  join your ranks of must knit yarn!

Happy Knitting, Nancy

Are you a Lacer?

Someone who loves the yarn overs and knitting 2 together?

Lace can give a different perspective to your knitting. It can work with heavy yarns – and, of course, lace weight yarns – and all weight yarns in between.

Mistakes can be easily hidden in lace patterns. Mistakes are also easier made in lace – thank goodness it is even easier to hide the mistake!

A friend of mine – and you know who you are! – claims she cannot work lace because she has too many dogs wanting into and around her knitting. I say: work lace on bulky yarn!

Yes, a yarn over is a prime spot for a run away puppy to take your yarn across the room. (Have you ever seen my Rikki dart across the room with yarn!?)

Wait a minute – a frisky cat could be worse………..

I don’t know – Rikki is probably faster.

Back to Lace. I encourage you to try some lace.

A great first lace project is my Autumn Splendor Scarf. Grab some heavier yarn, loosen your tension and go for it! Download it Here.

Be “Rikki-Wild” for LACE.

Happy Days of Knitting Lace,

Nancy

I have put 2 new lace projects on my Website and on Ravelry.

Western Shores is a lace scarf that can be knit with one skein – or more skeins can be added to turn it into a shawl.

I posted about scarves turning into shawls a couple of weeks ago. As I said there – I love to give options in my patterns. I especially love when a knitter is able to take a pattern and make it for their specific needs and wants.

Lacy Macy was inspired by Macy our female ferret. Tough and girly all at the same time!

Having a lace shawl made from sock yarn makes the shawl durable. Which is ideal to have to throw in the car or stuff in a bag – or even drape over your purse. All ready for when you need something to drape over your shoulders when you become chilly.

Of course you can easily wear it to a baseball game or picnic and not worry about getting it dirty. It is sock yarn! Durable and Washable.

Have fun with lace! Download the patterns and have some fun…….(click on the names for a direct link.)

Happy Knitting, Nancy

It is a big “Thrill” for me when I see my work when I least expect it.

Last year I completed a design for Kollage Yarns. Spring Aire is a short sleeved top-down sweater made out of their Riveting Yarn. And there it was hanging in the Kollage Booth at STITCHES South!

When I saw it, yes, it gave me a Thrill.

And, of course, the pattern, with my name on it as the designer, was hanging by it for knitters to purchase. When I spoke with someone from the booth, I was told they had sold several copies that day.

Another Thrill!

You can buy your own copy of this design at Pattern Fish – Here.

Riveting Yarn is great because you can throw it in both the washer AND dryer!

I have another design with Riveting Yarn is in-line to be knitted up. Keep an eye out for it on my website – hopefully before the end of this year…….

I will keep you posted.

In the meantime: Happy Knitting,

Nancy

I have a few designs that can either be Scarves or Shawls.

What-You-Say?!

Yes. I am talking about a design that starts with one or two stitches and grows. Grows into either a scarf – or with a few more skeins – turns into a a Shawl.

What a great option!

Knit it first as a decorative scarf – or many be one to keep you warm…….

Then choose a different yarn and look to turn it into a Shawl.

The choice is yours – and I love putting Options into a design.

Choose the option that makes you Happy.

Happy Knitting,

Nancy

p.s. Download any of these under the miscellaneous tab on my website – Here.

The days are getting warmer……….

Time for being outside, flowers in the window…….

So, what happens to your knitting? Do you leave it by your chair to plant tomatoes, basil and thyme?

Probably.

Depending on the part of your world, you will opt for some type of outdoor activity and leave your knitting inside. But, I would like you to consider taking your knitting outside with you!

YES! Baseball and knitting work fabulously with Stitch and Pitch. But, that doesn’t mean socks or any other type of knitting are only for baseball. Poolside or under a tree in a lazy hammock or swing will work, too.

It is that time of year – well, fastly approaching – that knitting will be the last thing on your mind.

Don’t cast your needles aside for the outside! Take them with you!

Happy Knitting Outside,

Nancy

How ever you say it, when it comes to knitting, every knitter hopes not to encounter Errors, Corrections, Erratas……..

Not only in their own work, but in the pattern they are following.

Unfortunately it is part of knitting. And some may say: More now than ever!

I know from my own personal experience, it happens more frequently than I would like. I, like you, are human. I make mistakes. I try to find them – but that doesn’t always work.

I have had many knitters knit a pattern for me before it goes to publication. It is a great way to catch errors. But, sometimes those errors go undetected and are published. Then even worse, the errors continue at the publications end and more errors are added on that end!

Everyone’s brain works a bit differently. So, explaining a pattern – especially a more complicated pattern – some will follow and some will be lost. Even someone who is a great knitter can get lost!

On several of my Top-Down patterns, I have a different method for increasing. I do not like the hard edge of raglans and I came up with the idea of spreading the increases out from the markered area. This has really thrown some for a loop! They don’t understand or cannot imagine why I would write the increases that way – so they dismiss the increased area and go back to what they are comfortable with.

That is okay with me – after-all, it is their knitting project and they are free to take it the direction they want.

So, back to Errors, Corrections, Erratas: I have gotten better at pattern writing – and hopefully, detecting errors and confusing pattern writing. I toy with the idea of re-writing some of my old patterns….. Should I? or Should I continue to move forward?

I am sure some will be re-written and others will stand on their own.

Happy Errors, Corrections, Erratas…….May you find a path around them!

Nancy

So…..how many Knitting Styles are there?

WAY TOO MANY TO COUNT!

I was in on a conversation this week on teaching a beginning knitting class. Do you teach Picking or Throwing? Continental or English?

Do you call it Picking or Continental? Throwing or English?

Even with the broad sense of the two styles mentioned above, knitters have turned a way of knitting into their own style of knitting. So, it was the general consensus in our conversation that the individual knitter evolves into their own style of knitting. And yes, you may call your style anything you like. Even though you may “throw” the yarn over the needle with your left finger – you can call your “style” of knitting Continental – if that makes you happy. It may not be correct in the technical sense – but HEY! You are the one knitting your own way and you are the only one that makes yourself Happy!

You have the ability to wrap that yarn around your finger(s) as many times as you like – with which ever hand you like! Then scoop, pick or throw to your hearts content! And when you want to throw in a little fun: throw it around your neck and learn the Portuguese Style! And if it is too hot for that – make your own pin to hold the yarn! (Sorry, Joan, you know I love the !!!!!)

Some parts of the world twist the yarn one direction, then untwist it on the other side. Others can manipulate the stitches so they knit every stitch and come out with a variety of patterns.

Cool? Huh?

Well, Knitting is Cool – and is very individualist. Please remember that!

Happy Knitting Your Way in Your Style,

Nancy

How many different types of Cast Ons can you name?

I have met a few that think ONLY the long tail cast on…….

There are always people with any craft that believe there is only one BEST way of accomplishing something. But, believe me there are knitters in another section of the world that have a different cast on that WORKS for them.

To start with: there is the Finger Cast On where a loop is the easiest for a beginner to learn. But it also can be called a Wrap Cast On,  E-Wrap Cast On, or Single Cast On. I have even seen it called a Half-Hitch Cast On. This cast on is great for button holes since it can be used as a type of increase. (And, of course, some may have slight variations to each of these basic cast ons.)

At the present, I mostly use a Knitted Cast On. I have studied the difference between a Long-Tailed Cast On and a Knitted Cast On. I like the look of the Knitted Cast On. It is smoother AND I don’t have to worry how long a tail is! But there are more I have used and even more I should use.

Face it – having a repertoire of different Cast Ons can give better looks and functions to your knitting. Whether you are looking for firm or stretchy, decorative or a great finishing look – any Cast On Method that is knitted, fingered or crocheted is your friend to help you achieve a desired look.

A Cabled Cast On gives sturdiness to your cast on edge. A Purled Cast On can be used with a Knitted Cast On is great for a smoother look at the start of your ribbed section. A Crocheted Cast -On allows you to add to your cast on area for a scooped neck on a top-down sweater. A Provisional Cast On allows you to work in the other direction and yet another type of Provisional Cast On works great for Toe Up knitted socks!

Then there is the Twisted German Cast On or Old Norwegian Cast On that gives a stretchy and neat look for socks started from the top.

A friend told be of a Tubular Cast On that gave a fabulous looking edge. (I will be looking to add that one!)

Decorative? I have used a Picot with my Knitted Cast On. I have also used a Frilled Cast On (and as a Cast Off) to add a “girly” look to an edge.

There are many more than that! It makes me want to stop and do a search……….

Happy Searching for more Cast Ons!

Nancy