The Magic Of A Plain Garter Scarf

What a week! I promise not to stray too far from the scope of this blog, but I'm so excited to tell my lovely and gentle readers about my trip to NYC to promote KNITFreedom to the media.

Today, we'll talk yarn. And gorgeous men.

I left at the crack of dawn on Monday, and flew to Chicago, where I phoned with my web-mistress about my newly-updated website and published the quick iPhone cozy pattern.

On the plane to New York City, the most gorgeous guy walked onto the plane. Then he sat next to me! "Be awesome. Be awesome. Be awesome" the helpful voice inside my head said. As I asked him about the mini-guitar he had brought on the plane, and where he had flown from, I took out my Magical Beginner Scarf and began to knit.

When he asked, "What are you knitting?" I explained that this was a beginner scarf I was using to show that anyone can learn to knit. It took him about five minutes until he said, "Okay, so show me."

Men really are fantastic at learning to knit! They're not afraid to make mistakes, and they don't get scared when they mess up. Nico was a great student, and I came away with a wonderful appreciation for Argentinian air-traffic controllers, and the power of a garter-stitch scarf.

 

A garter-stitch scarf (where you knit every stitch, on every row) is like vanilla ice-cream: the ingredients must be sublime for the product to shine. For my trip to NYC, I really wanted to turn heads, with a plain ol' garter-stitch scarf. I chose a bulky-weight, 100% alpaca, handpainted yarn from MistiAlpaca: their Hand Paint Chunky. Normally I don't prefer to knit with 100% alpaca, because it is almost too warm, a little fuzzy, and doesn't hold its shape as well as wool.

But for a garter-stitch scarf, the handpainted colors really shone, and the stitch pattern had plenty of structure on its own. Here it is!

To make your own Magical MistiAlpaca scarf, buy 3 skeins on Hand Paint Chunky, cast on 20 stitches, and knit until you drop.

If you'd like me to teach you to knit, just download your free video e-book! In it, I show you step-by-step how to start from the right end of your ball of yarn, cast on, get comfortable with your needles, and knit your very own scarf.

Looking for something more intermediate? Check out the Bulky Cabled Legwarmers with Buttons - now in video tutorial form!

Up next: Regis and Kelly's policy on knitting...

Free iPhone Cozy Pattern

"OMG! I'm so excited I know what to do with my leftover sock yarn!"

I'm on my way to the Big Apple, getting ready to tell the national media what's so great about knitting nowadays. One of my favorite things? All the accessories you can make. So here's a quick and easy pattern for a perfectly-fitting iPhone cozy - the perfect way to use up leftover sock yarn, practice magic loop, and protect your precious screen!

It even features a slot to plug the phone in, as well as a ribbed "cuff" to keep the top secure.

Materials
  Yarn: 25 yards fingering-weight (sock) yarn
  Needles: One US Size 1 40- or 47-inch long circular needle, or a set of US size 1 DPNs
Gauge: 7 sts/in in St st.

Finished Measurements: 4.5 inches tall x 2.5 inches wide. Fits perfectly over an iPhone that ALREADY has a case on it. Can easily be adjusted to fit Blackberries and other phones.
Notes: This iPhone cozy is worked in the round, from the "bottom" up.

Pattern Instructions:
CO 36 sts, leaving a 12-inch tail for sewing up the bottom edge. Join for working in the round.
Round 1: K
Round 2: *(K1, M1, k17), rep from * around (38 sts total).
Next: K until cozy measures 4.5 in from CO edge.
Next round: K1, p2tog, *(k1, p1) 8 times, rep from * around.
Work next 4 rounds in 1x1 rib.
BO using invisible ribbed bind-off, or other stretchy bind-off.

Finishing:
Using rem CO tail, and mattress st, sew up bottom of cozy on one corner for approx. 0.5 inches. Weave tail through one side of CO for 1 inch, then sew up other corner.
Weave in all tails.

Be fabulous! Make a new cozy to match each pair of socks!

Like this pattern? You might also enjoy:

• Free pattern and instructional video: Key Cozy!

Want to learn Magic Loop so you can make all this cool stuff? Check out

• Learn Magic Loop In One Afternoon

Want a laugh? Check out

• "It's Time To Knit!" Knitted Clock Pattern

The Best Needles For Magic Loop

Ready to try Magic Loop? Here's what you'll need.

Just kidding. You really only need one piece of equipment to start learning Magic Loop: a 40- to 47-inch-long circular needle in a medium size, say, US size 7 or 8. You'll also need about 50 yards of worsted-weight yarn, but you probably have some already.

If you don’t already own a circular needle and you need to buy one, purchase a 47-inch-long needle, as you will be able to use this length for any project, including two-at-a-time, which I promise you will want to try as soon as you get the hang of this technique. 36 inches is the shortest length of needle that can be used for Magic Loop, so if you already have this length at home, that’s fine, but if you are buying new needles, the longer, the better.

What brand of needles?
Local shopping

You have a few choices when shopping for needles. Common brands you will find at your local yarn store will be Clover bamboo needles for about $9.00, as well as Addi Turbo and Lace needles. You can also find Clover circulars at Michael’s and JoAnn Fabrics, but I don’t recommend them. You may be used to knitting on bamboo needles, but bamboo circulars can have an inflexible cable and can have a rough join, the place where the cable is connected to the needle tips, causing snags and frustration as you try to move your knitting along.

If you like the security of a bamboo needle (bamboo needles are less slippery than the metal Addi Tubos), I recommend you try a pair of Addi Lace needles, which cost about $14.

 

Addi Lace needles have a slightly rougher surface than the super-slick Addi Turbos, and they also have a pointier tip. This means more dexterity while you are knitting, and the ability to knit complicated stitches with ease. Ask any LYS employee and they will rave about Addi Lace.

Once you’ve gotten the hang of the techniques, Addi Turbos, also about $14, are a great choice for making quick progress on your projects. They have a blunt tip and a smooth finish, helping you speed along like a Knitting Superstar. You can watch my video on Using Your Fingers to Help You to prevent the stitches from popping off your needles as you whiz along, and watch my video on Fixing a Dropped Knit Stitch in case one does.

 

Addi also has a fun option, called Addi Click, a set of interchangeable needles and cables. With one purchase, you’ll have most of the needles you’ll ever need. You can buy other cables and needle-tips separately. As of this writing, the Clicks are only available in the Turbo style, but they are working hard on a Lace version. The set of Addi Clicks is pricey, but compared to buying each needle individually, it’s a steal.

Online Shopping
KnitPicks, an online knit shop, has a popular and inexpensive set of interchangeable circular needles as well. They come in wood ($85) and metal ($70), and the gorgeous multicolored wooden ones have a nice sharp point similar to the Addi Lace. The cables are very flexible (and purple!), and the price is the lowest available for this type of product. A set of these makes a great gift for any knitter.

This list wouldn’t be complete without the cream of the crop, Signature NeedleArts, the finest knitting tools money can buy. Made in a factory that machines airline parts, these precision aluminum needles have long, tapered points without being painfully sharp, and silky-smooth joins. At $40 per pair of needles, these are a real treat for any Magic Looper in your life. Good thing they have a wishlist on their site!

 

My opinion
If you want me to pick for you, support your LYS and buy a pair of 47” Addi Lace in size 7. For $14, you can start your Magic Loop project with a needle that you'll continue to use for years.

Curious about learning Magic Loop? Click here to learn more!

The Top 5 Knitting Books Of All Time

Books are my favorite knitting resource. Books are how I learned to knit, how I learned Magic Loop, and how I learned to design and knit my own patterns. However, I learned through my years of teaching classes that many knitters don’t like to learn from books - looking at diagrams and reading about knitting just doesn’t translate for them.

I’ve tried to shape my entire video e-book series with this in mind: combining written explanations with videos and illustrated handouts, in the hope that some combination of these methods would communicate the technique to you in the way that makes the most sense.

But, for those of you who like knitting books and like learning from them, I’ve compiled this list of the very best knitting resources I’ve found throughout the years. Each book is enjoyable to read, beautiful to look at, and guaranteed to teach you something new. Counting down from my absolute favorite...

#1 The Knitter’s Book of Yarn, by Clara Parkes (pictured above)

This book will teach you to become what Clara Parkes, of Knitter's Review, calls a yarn whisperer. After reading this book and trying one of the 40 gorgeous pattens, you’ll have a deep understanding of what yarn to choose for which project, and why. What’s more, you’ll gain an appreciation for the varied industries that work together to provide us all with beautiful yarn. My favorite projects are the Norwegian Snail Mittens and this so so soft Classic Washcloth.

#2 Stitch ‘N Bitch Nation, by Debbie Stoller

Stitch ‘N Bitch Nation compiles 52 really original and wearable intermediate knitting projects from designers across America. My favorite projects are the Later Gator Mitts and Jesse’s Flames.

#3 Custom Knits, by Wendy Bernard
Wendy Bernard opened my eyes when it came to sweaters. Now, no matter what your shape, you can design or modify a sweater pattern that will fit every inch of you perfectly. I especially found the basic sweater guides in the back helpful when striking out on my own.

#4 Handknit Holidays, by Melanie Falick
This is a timeless book, absolutely filled with beautiful, winter-holiday-inspired knits. The photography is gorgeous, the patterns feature some of the most beautiful and interesting yarns available, and the range of techniques introduced is much broader than your average pattern book. Learn to knit with wire, double-knit, do Entrelac, Fair-Isle, mosaic knitting, not to mention knit projects with cables and lace.

#5 A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, by Barbara Walker
Barbara Walker is the most creative mind of the century when it comes to inventing stitch patterns and designs. Any of her four Knitting Pattern Treasuries are a worthwhile investment for when you are designing something on your own.

I’ve given you links to these books on Amazon.com, but remember to support your local yarn store when buying knitting books! Our patronage helps keep them in business.

This blog post is a small excerpt from the soon-to-be published Secrets to Becoming a Knitting Superstar video e-book series. Sign up for my newsletter to stay tuned for the big announcement!

If you enjoyed this product review, you might also like:

• "Are You Buying The Right Needles For Your Project?”
• Three Reasons You've Got To Know How To Read A Knitting Pattern
• “Speed Up Your Knitting! Avoid These Top Ten Mistakes That Will Slow You Down”

Magic Loop 2.0 - Adapting Patterns, Purling, and More

Whee! Magic Loop is fun, right? What's that you say? It's not perfect? You still get a little stuck sometimes? Aha! Good! This is where we move from merely knowing a technique, to MASTERING it. It's in the little things! Here are a few tutorials to get things going smoothly.

Adapting any round pattern to Magic Loop
Many students ask me how to start using Magic Loop on patterns that don’t specifically call for it. This is a good question, because hardly any patterns specifically call for Magic Loop. Just like using a stand mixer is easier than mixing cookie dough with a spoon, but it’s your choice which one you use, Magic Loop is just a technique - and a technique that most knitting designers don’t expect you to know. They’ll just tell you to mix the cookie dough with a spoon and be done with it.

When you see a pattern call for a set of DPNs or a certain length of circular needle, you’ll know that the project is knitted in the round and that you can use your 47-inch needle and Magic Loop. When the pattern says, “CO 40 sts and divide evenly on DPNs for working in the round,” you just follow the technique we learned: CO 40 stitches onto your needle, slide them to the middle, divide the stitches in half, and proceed as in the pattern.

The only time that converting a pattern from DPNs to Magic Loop may present any kind of problem is when the designer instructs you to do things in relation to a certain needle. This is common on small projects like socks and baby booties, e.g., “K to end of 2nd needle, turn.” In this case, you’ll just have to look at how many stitches they told you to put on each needle in the first place (let’s say it was 8), and do the math yourself: knit 16 and then turn. I doubt you’ll run into this problem anytime soon, but if you do, you’ll know what to do!

Pulling the first stitch too tight.
This is the most common mistake among Magic Loop knitters who have switched from using DPNs. Knitters pull their first stitch tight in order to prevent a gap from appearing between the needles. Here’s how to prevent a gap and also prevent your stitches from being too tight.

If you are having any difficulty getting your needle back into your stitches, you are probably pulling your first stitch too tight, trying to avoid a ladder.

Starting the round with a purl stitch

A KNITFreedom member emailed me and asked, "What if I am starting the round with a purl stitch? I keep messing up!" Does this sound familiar? If you knit American-style (with the yarn in your right hand), it is easy to get messed up. The key is making sure the working yarn is underneath your right needle before you begin the stitch. Otherwise you will get an extra loop.

1) Ready position;

2) Ready to purl the 1st stitch; 

3) Ready to purl the 2nd stitch.

And there you have it! I'd love to hear your comments and especially gripes about Magic Loop. Remember, we can't make stuff better and faster if we are too nice! Help me solve your Magic Loops woes.

These tutorials are part of a wonderful new e-book on Mastering Magic Loop. Click here to learn more.
To learn more about becoming a Knitting Superstar, click here.
Like free video tutorials? Browse my blog for videos.

What To Do When You Run Out Of Tail - Tricks For Casting On And Weaving In Short Ends

It happens. Sometimes, you run out of tail! When casting on 180 stitches for a sweater, you run out of tail at stitch number 175. Aarrgh! But don't worry - you can just use the backwards-loop cast-on for the last few stitches - save your knitting and your sanity! Here's how to do it:

A backwards-loop cast-on is the easiest way to add stitches in a pinch, whether you are casting on for a sweater or adding extra stitches for a buttonhole or picot bind-off.

Here's another sanity-saving trick. I know I always tell you to leave a six-inch tail, but... Let's say you need to weave in your ends on your knitting but you accidentally have only two inches of tail left to weave in. That's okay! The trick is to weave the tapestry needle through the stitches before you thread the yarn through - then pull. Here's a short video demonstrating the technique:

See? Now even if you have too short of a tail, you can still weave it in securely and correctly, just by inserting your tapestry needle before threading it.

These tutorial videos are a small part of my FREE Video Knitting Dictionary. Click here to download the dictionary now!

If you liked this post, you may want to watch:

• "How Your Fingers Aren't Getting In The Way - And Why That’s A Shame”
• E-Book Sneak Peek: Stretchy Bind-Offs 101
• "Messing Up Gracefully: How To Un-Knit And Get Unraveled Stitches Back On Your Needles”

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Video Newsletter, to get exclusive and timely tips and tricks in your email each week, as well as access to all my patterns!

Cabled Legwarmer Video E-Book

"I totally love these legwarmers and highly recommend this pattern."

-Belinda, Melbourne, Australia

Thank you to all my readers who requested this new video e-book... it's finally here!

It's time to learn how to cable! Cabling is simply making your knitted stitches travel, twist around, and cross each other to make gorgeous, textured designs. It's not as hard as it looks, but you need to understand some important concepts in order to cable correctly without getting frustrated. Using my most popular KNITFreedom pattern, the Bulky Cabled Legwarmers with Buttons, I created a video e-book course that guides you through all the steps of learning this new technique.

This is really an intermediate knitting course in disguise. While making these legwarmers, I’m going to teach you a large set of techniques designed to propel you towards Knitting Superstardom, without even realizing it. These legwarmers are the perfect project to learn a whole new set of skills!

You'll learn...

• How to read a cable chart instead of a written pattern
• An easy way to think about and understand the many different cable abbreviations
• How to keep track of your pattern progress without counting rows
• Four different kinds of cables
• How to cable WITH and WITHOUT a cable needle
• The technique of making buttonholes
• How to avoid, undo, fix many common cabling mistakes
• How to recognize your stitches so you don't get confused
• A fun and fast way to make a twisted-cord tie
• How to choose and attach buttons
• You’ll learn all these tips and tricks for mastering cabling and MUCH more in this easy and in-depth guided video course.

This video e-book includes the pattern for Bulky Cabled Legwarmers with Buttons so that you can follow along with the videos: learn all these techniques AND have something beautiful to show for it!

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 “Cables 101"

"I love the video e-book! It is so much easier to be able to do the part of the pattern I am working and click the video link than having to go to you tube and do a search.” -Crystal

Who is this course good for?

• Intermediate knitters who have never tried knitting cables
• Knitters comfortable with cabling who want to learn the advanced techniques
• Those of you what want to be able to read a chart
• Knitters who want to learn basic cable techniques and abbreviations to design their own patterns

Since I want you to LOVE knitting cables, 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 and purling before you begin. Need a refresher? Just download my free video knitting dictionary, and you'll have all the resources you need to get started!

This is a guaranteed course - if after you buy this course, you don't love knitting cables and using 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.

Most two-session knitting classes cost $50-$60. 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 23 new step-by-step videos per course, this is a proven resource. Learn to master cabling without a cable needle, create buttonholes, read a chart and more! I am offering this much-awaited book for $24.97. You're guaranteed to love it!

If you have any questions about learning to cable or about video e-books, please email me! I'd love to hear from you.

Download CABLES 101 for just $24.97

Download this easy new tutorial and get started cabling today!

Cables not your thing? I've got tons of e-books, tutorials, and free patterns for you.

• Master Magic Loop in One Afternoon
• Learn Toe-Up Socks, One or Two-at-a-Time
• Download FREE Video Knitting Dictionary and FREE Patterns for Fall