How To Count Your Stitches And Rows FAST

In the words of Sharon Chang, one of my favorite Knitting Superstars, "Part of becoming a Knitting Superstar is knitting faster and more efficiently." But what if there were a way you could speed up your progress on a project, without changing how you knit at all? 

Of course, there are many. Since we all (hopefully) follow patterns and track our progress by counting stitches and rows, it makes sense that one of the quickest fixes to a slow-moving project is learning a few ways to count faster.

Counting your stitches faster

In my classes, I am amazed by how long knitters, even experts, take to count their stitches! Changing how you count takes practice, but this video contains a scientific secret that will give you the motivation and encouragement to try this new way.

Counting by fives is absolutely the fastest way to count stitches in knitting

An easy way to count your rows

Keeping track of how many rows you've knitted is vital for most knitting projects, yet many knitters wait until they think they've gone far enough to do anything about it! Here's a very simple trick that will make sure you never have to guess or think too hard when counting your rows. This way, you'll be absolutely sure how far you've gone, without any extra effort!

Placing a marker AROUND a stitch in "row 1" will help you count later!

Voila! I challenge you to start practicing these new ways of counting on your current knitting project - comment here and let me know what you think!

If you enjoyed this free video tutorial on knitting more efficiently, you might also like my videos on:

• “How To Knit Backwards And When To Do It”
• "Messing Up Gracefully: How To Un-Knit And Get Unraveled Stitches Back On Your Needles”
• “Speed Up Your Knitting! Avoid These Top Ten Mistakes That Will Slow You Down”

Knitting While Horseback Riding

Who says it can't be done?! I knitted two socks at a time on this fantastic fall trail ride in Aspen. Just tie your reigns up to the saddle horn and go! But seriously, having my hands occupied on an easy knitting project really helps me enjoy and appreciate things that move slowly, like the Colorado scenery. Here's a 20-second video for your entertainment!

My sister, Kate Howe, was our trail guide and camerawoman.

Want to be able to knit while horseback riding?

• To see how you can learn to knit two socks at a time, click here!
• To learn how to knit without looking, visit this post. 

How To Knit Backwards And When To Do It

Want a faster way to turn a heel? KNITFreedom is all about better, faster and easier, and this technique is one of my favorites. This video comes as a bonus in my sock video e-books, and I wanted to share it with you here.

Knowing how to knit (well, purl, really) backwards is optional, but take a look and see if you feel comfortable trying it on your next sock heel. It will save you a lot of time because if you know how to do it, you don’t have to turn your work back and forth every row.

In this video I show you the American and Continental way to purl backwards

This technique is very useful in Entrelac knitting, where you constantly have to turn your work after only a few stitches, and, of course, in turning any sock heels or doing any kind of short-rows.

Yay! In only five minutes, you've learned to purl backwards and added another skill to your bag of tricks!

If you enjoyed this video tutorial, you might also like

• "Learn To Knit Continental-Style In One Evening"
• "Messing Up Gracefully: How To Un-Knit And Get Unraveled Stitches Back On Your Needles”
• “Speed Up Your Knitting! Avoid These Top Ten Mistakes That Will Slow You Down”

It's Time To Knit! Knitted Clock Pattern

When I couldn't find the perfect wall clock anywhere, I decided to knit my own! Thank you to all of the Ravelers who requested this pattern - here you go! Please pardon the pattern slang -- if you don't understand something, please leave a comment.

Knitted Wall Clock

Materials:

Yarn: Fingering-weight (sock yarn) in three colors: MC, CC1, and CC2 (shown in photo: ShiBui Knits Sock)

Needles: US Size 1 (40" circulars for Magic Loop or DPNs)

Other:

Scissors, tapestry needle

Purchased clock parts (find at Michael's, ~ $7.00)

A flat piece of cardboard, cut into a 7.5-inch-diameter circle

A flat piece of cardboard, cut into a 1/2-inch ring with an inner diameter of 7.5 inches and an outer diameter of 8.5 inches

Nail polish or paint to match CC2. 

Fabric glue.

Finished size: 8.5 inches in diameter

Notes: The numbers are duplicate-stitched on. Use a DARKER color for the numbers, and a light color for the background.

Pattern instructions: Using MC and working back-and-forth following the chart below, knit a flat circle. Slip the 1st st of each row to leave a smoother edge. Do a YO, K2TOG right in the middle of the chart to put the clock part through (this is not on the chart).

Increase stitches to follow the chart by casting on the additional stitches at the beginning or end of each row (however you prefer). When it's time to decrease the number of stitches at the top of the circle, bind off the specified number of stitches at the beginning of each row.

After you create the circle (the "blank" face of the clock), pick up and knit all around the circle, and using Magic Loop, work in St St for a few rounds. Cut a long tail and thread it through all the live sts, so you can cinch the fabric over a circular piece of cardboard.

Using CC1, duplicate stitch the numbers on. Don't weave in ANY tails. They'll be hidden.

Block the clock face and put it on the round cardboard, cinching the tail tight. Tie off.

Using CC2 and Magic Loop or DPNs, CO 12 sts and work in St st in the round for 22-24 inches (however far it is around the cardboard ring). Cut the ring cardboard ring and slide the tube onto it. Tape the ring shut and using a tapestry needle, use the tail of yarn to graft the sts on the needles to the CO edge of the knitted ring.

Using fabric glue, attach the knitted border to the edge of the clock face.

Using nail polish or paint to match CC2, paint the purchased clock hands. Paint with white nail polish first, if you think it will help the CC show up better.

Assemble clock movement and insert batteries.

Hang on wall.

Be awesome!

Knitted Clock Chart -

If you liked this free pattern, you might also enjoy

• Free Pattern and Instructional Video: Key Cozy!
• Free Pattern: Bulky Cabled Legwarmers with Buttons
• “Speed Up Your Knitting!" Avoid These Top Ten Mistakes That Will Slow You Down

Learn To Knit Socks! One Or Two At A Time On Magic Loop

“Thank you so much! I can't believe I am knitting socks!” -htlam1

Two-at-a-time socks are the coolest thing in knitting right now. Why? You actually save time knitting both socks at once - and they'll both look the same! You'll never suffer from second-sock syndrome ever again. Once you learn the two-at-a-time technique, you'll want to make everything in the round two-at-a-time, whether it’s sweater sleeves, socks, or mittens!

Since I love to teach two-at-a-time socks, I created a video e-book course that guides you through all the steps of learning this new technique.

You'll learn...

• The best way to cast on for two-at-a-time
• How to keep track of your pattern progress without writing anything down
• How to use Magic Loop to knit two tubes at once - easily
• The “no-brainer” way to turn a heel
• The right way to pick up and knit stitches
• How to knit backwards!
• A fun and easy lace pattern to keep your socks interesting
• Visually keep track of increases and decreases so you don’t have to think or count
• The foolproof way to measure your feet for a perfect fit
• You’ll learn all these tips and tricks for mastering two-at-a-time socks (including preventing your balls of yarn from getting tangled), and MUCH more in this easy and in-depth guided video sock-knitting course.

This video e-book includes a pattern for beginner fingering-weight socks written just for Magic Loop so that you learn all these techniques AND have something beautiful to show for it! It also includes links to free patterns for bulky- and worsted-weight socks so you can keep practicing.

What is a video e-book?

• It’s a digital book with videos integrated right into the written lessons.
• The videos stream from the Internet, so you can download the book instantly
• The streaming videos save your computer’s hard-drive space
• You get a front-row view of everything you need to learn
• The full-page, high-resolution videos play right in your book - no more searching the Internet for the right video when you’d rather be knitting!

Sample page from “Learn To Knit Two-at-a-Time Socks"

Most two-at-a-time basic sock classes cost $75 for a three-week class. The flight to Salt Lake City for my class is about $350! But when you instantly download the video e-book, you get the entire course on your computer, to watch, read, and learn at your own pace.

You get a way better view than you do in my classes, plus you can pause it anytime! With 10-25 new step-by-step videos per course, this is a proven resource. I’ve decided to introduce my “One-or-Two-at-a-Time Beginner Socks” course at LESS THAN HALF the price of the average sock class - a $14.77 investment in your knitting future.

Who is this course good for?

• Intermediate knitters who have never tried knitting socks
• People comfortable with Magic Loop who want to take their skills to a new level
• Sock knitters who want to hone their skills and be rid of second-sock syndrome
• Knitters who want to learn basic sock techniques to design their own patterns

Since I want you to LOVE knitting socks two-at-a-time, try my new e-ebook and if you don’t love the results and tell all your friends, I’ll give you your money back and help you find a way to get the resources that work for you.

Because you learn so many new skills in this book, you should be comfortable with knitting in the round on Magic Loop before you begin. Need a refresher? Check out the popular video course “Learn To Knit In The Round On Magic Loop In One Afternoon,” and get started right!
Would you like to watch a sample video? Here you go!

My high-resolution videos are full-page width and stream instantly from the web

This is a guaranteed course - if after you buy this course, you don't love knitting two socks-at-a-time and all the new skills you’ve learned, you’ll have the safety of a full refund for up to one year from your purchase date, AND I'll personally help you find the resources that will work for you.


Download this easy new tutorial and get started knitting socks today!

If you are interested in socks or Magic Loop, you might also enjoy

• "How to Knit Toe-Up Socks the Fastest and Easiest Way”
• “How To Learn To Knit In The Round On Magic Loop In One Afternoon”
• “Avoid The Terrible Tangles: Tips For A Terrific Two-At-A-Time Experience”

Video E-Book - Downloading & Viewing Instructions

• Save the document to your desktop.
• Open it using the latest version of Adobe Reader.
• You must be connected to the Internet to watch the videos.

If you are using a Mac, the default application that opens PDFs is Preview, which won’t play the videos. So if you are on a Mac, what you need to do is right-click on the E-Book file and select Open With… and select Adobe Reader.
Reader will ask your permission to access the websites with the videos stored on them.

• Check the box "Remember my preferences for this site"
• Click "Allow." Reader will ask your permission a few times initially, and then you won't have to give it again.

• For a pleasant viewing experience, go to VIEW, select PAGE DISPLAY, and select SINGLE PAGE - CONTINUOUS. This will let the PDF scroll as though it is one long page, and will be MUCH easier to read.

"Avoid The Terrible Tangles: Tips For Knitting Two-At-A-Time"

You've just learned the awesome technique of knitting two-at-a-time. But now you've got a tangled mess of yarn wrapped around your cable needles and hopelessly fused in your knitting bag. That's okay! I'll show you how to prevent your yarn from EVER tangling again. Remember, Two-at-a-Time is supposed to be better and easier! If it's not more magical in every way, I'll show you how to fix whatever's going on.

So: here's how to keep your balls of yarn from tangling when knitting 2-at-a-time:

The trick is to keep one strand of yarn to the front and the other to the back. Make sure you place your balls of yarn on either side of you! The key moment for keeping the yarns untangled is during "the switch."

Yay! Now you can knit two socks at a time without even breaking a (mental) sweat. Enjoy your newfound yarn serenity!

If you liked this video tutorial, you might also enjoy

• “It's Finally Here! The Most Complete Magic Loop Video Course Ever”
• "How to Knit Toe-Up Socks the Fastest and Easiest Way”
• “Speed Up Your Knitting! Avoid These Top Ten Mistakes That Will Slow You Down”

"Messing Up Gracefully: How To Un-Knit And Get Unraveled Stitches Back On Your Needles"

One of the most annoying knitting problems you probably face from time to time is not feeling confident in undoing your knitting mistakes, or, once undone, whether you've gotten your stitches back on your needles correctly.

I've made you two videos to clarify the correct way to undo your stitches, and I explain why you shouldn't worry about getting your stitches back on the right way at first.

Tinking (or Knitting - backwards) just means undoing one knitted stitch at a time and placing the old stitch back on the left needle. Here's how to do it:

Insert the left-hand needle from front to back into the stitch

below the stitch on your right-hand needle.

When you need to undo more than a few rows, it's fastest to remove the needle(s) and pull your yarn, undoing all the rows at once. Here's how to put your stitches back on your needle when you're done unraveling:

If the recovered stitches are facing the wrong way,
just knit them through their back loops.

Yay! Now you can un-knit with confidence and unravel with grace! Just keep in mind, messing up is part of knitting, and the faster you can fix your mistakes, and the less stressful it is, the closer you will become to being a Knitting Superstar!

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like

• Are You Buying The Right Needles For Your Project?
• How Your Fingers Aren't Getting In The Way - And Why That's A Shame
• Speed Up Your Knitting! Avoid These Top Ten Mistakes That Will Slow You Down

"Speed Up Your Knitting! Avoid These Top Ten Mistakes That Will Slow You Down"

Is the way you are knitting slowing you down? Almost every knitter I’ve taught has ingrained habits that make their knitting harder and slower. These problems are hard to recognize and fix on your own - after all, you’re used to them!

Once you learn to streamline your knitting style, you will be easily knitting all the projects in your queue, free from stress and hand-strain. Since I love to help people knit more easily, I created a video e-book course that guides you through the Top Ten mistakes that knitters make that slow them down. Whether you knit American or Continental style, these videos will help you become a Knitting Superstar!

What you’ll learn in the video e-book:

• How to hold your needles and yarn for faster knitting
• How to keep track of your rows and stitches without writing anything down
• How to tension your yarn to ease hand-strain - American OR Continental-style
• The top mistakes that knitters make and how to correct them,
• and MANY more tips and tricks

Sample page from "Increase Your Knitting Speed"

What is a video e-book?

• It’s a written book with videos integrated into the lessons
• The videos stream from the Internet, so you can download the book instantly
• The streaming videos save your computer’s hard-drive space
• You get a front-row view of everything you need to learn
• The full-page videos play right in your book

I have developed this course over the past ten years of teaching knitting at yarn stores across the country. My classes average in price from $20-$35. The flight to Salt Lake City is $350! But when you instantly download the video e-book, you get the entire course on your computer, to watch and learn at your own pace.

You get a way better view than you do in my classes, plus you can pause it anytime! With 10-25 videos per course, this is a great resource. I’ve decided to introduce my “Knit Faster! American or Continental-Style” course at LESS THAN HALF the price of an average class - just $8.77.

Since I want you to LOVE your knitting experience, try my e-ebook and if you don’t love it and tell all your friends, I’ll give you your money back and help you find a way to get the resources that work for you.

Would you like to watch a sample video? This tip didn’t make it into the ebook, but it’s a great way to speed up your knitting instantly. Check it out!

My high-resolution videos are full-page width and stream instantly from the web


This is a guaranteed course - if you don't find yourself being able to knit faster and easier, I'll give you a full refund for up to one year from your purchase date, AND I'll personally help you find the resources that will work for you.

Download this fascinating new tutorial and get started knitting faster today!

Video E-Book - Downloading & Viewing Instructions

• Save the document to your desktop.
• Open it using the latest version of Adobe Reader.
• You must be connected to the Internet to watch the videos.

Reader will ask your permission to access the websites with the videos stored on them.

• Check the box "Remember my preferences for this site"
• Click "Allow." Reader will ask your permission a few times initially, and then you won't have to give it again.

For a pleasant viewing experience, go to VIEW, select PAGE DISPLAY, and select SINGLE PAGE - CONTINUOUS. This will let the PDF scroll as though it is one long page, and will be MUCH easier to read.