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Kelley's Favorite Free Knit Sweater Patterns

Do you feel lost when it comes to picking out your first knit sweater pattern? This week, Kelley shared her favorite sweater patterns during Technique Tuesday. These patterns all feature minimal seaming, have detailed instructions, and have lots of completed projects on Ravelry! Do you feel lost when it comes to picking out your first knit sweater pattern? This week, Kelley shared her favorite sweater patterns during Technique Tuesday. These patterns all feature minimal seaming, have detailed instructions, and have lots of completed projects on Ravelry! Free Beginner Sweater Patterns to Try Ausable by Amy Christoffers The Perfect Knit T-Shirt by...

Christmas Gifts for Knitters & Loved Ones

Do you have a knitter in your life that you would love to give a gift to? Not only do knitters love receiving knitted items, but you can get them some essential knitting supplies and tools as well! Pre-Made Gifts For Knitters Stitch markers Knit Blockers Tape measures Needle Gauges Sock Cozys And of course, hand painted yarn makes a luxurious gift! Needle kit sets Our Alpaca Direct Socks Make Your Own Gifts for Knitters & Loved Ones Hats Gloves Socks Mittens Fingerless Mitts My favorite gifts to give are Alpaca Hats and Alpaca Blend Slippers!

How to Use the Fix-A-Stitch

Do you struggle with fixing your knitting mistakes or dropped stitches? Kelley loves the Fix-A-Stitch tools! They're uniquely made to make it very easy to quickly fix your knitting mistakes. In the video below, Kelley demonstrates how to use the Fix-A-Stitch to fix stockinette, purl stitches, and garter stitch using the Fix-A-Stitch tools.

Ways to Join Sweater Sleeves – Russian Grafting Tutorial

While working on sweaters these last few weeks, Kelley came across several different techniques for joining or seaming sweater sleeves. She fell in love with Russian Grafting, and demonstrates it along with other common techniques like the Kitchener Stitch in this video. As always, Kelley recommends looking at your favorite sweaters – both hand knit and store-bought – and see which style you prefer best. Some joins are bulky, which can be uncomfortable to wear or makes the shoulders look funky.

Tips for Cable Knitting + Easy FREE Cable Patterns

Cables make the most awe-inspiring fisherman sweaters and hats, but they can be daunting for new knitters! In this video, Kelley explains how to knit cables, fix cables, and count how many rows between each cable twist. We also have over 40 free knitting patterns that feature cables! Easy Beginner Cable Patterns Want to practice your cable knitting? Here are some of our free patterns to get started. Cable Cross Beanie Calisson Headband Kisses and Hugs Reversible Baby Blanket

The Benefits of Knitting Stitch Sampler Projects

In this week's Technique Tuesday, Kelley shared why she loves knitting stitch sampler projects. They not only allow you to practice and learn a variety of stitches, but they look amazing too! Three Reasons Why Kelley Loves Stitch Sampler Projects You get to learn new skills more quickly because the patterns that you knit change frequently so there’s an increased chance you can learn something new with each pattern change. These types of patterns keep you from getting bored. The finished projects can look more intricate. Examples are: The Knit Purl Hunter books, many of Very Busy Monkey's patterns fall into...

Comparing Three Popular Knitting Bind-Offs

Kelley wrapped up work on her Pengweeno Baby Jacket and thought she would share three different knit bind-offs for you to consider for your future projects! She compared the i-cord bind off, Icelandic bind-off, and Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off (JSSBO.) Three Popular Knitting Bind-Offs I Cord Bind Off: Pros- Dramatic, Structured and refined. Cons- Not stretchy, can be “thick” looking especially for a baby project. Step 1: Using the cable Cast on method, C/O 3 sts. Step 2: K2, *K2tog tbl* until all sts are bound off. Icelandic Bind Off: Pros- Looks great next to garter stitch, more refined, stretchier than an I...

Knitting Welts & Weaving in Ends on the Pengweeno Jacket

Kelley's latest project is the Pengweeno Baby Jacket by Stephen West. This pattern is great for using up scraps of yarn! Kelley is using up her scraps of Hikoo Sueño DK. This baby jacket has knitted welts for a fun texture and it's a great project for practicing weaving in ends. In this week's video, Kelley shows how to make the knitted welts. Tips to Make this Project Easier Kelley wove in her ends at the end of each day that way she didn't have to weave in all of the ends all at once. Check out fellow knitter’s...

Quick & Easy Chunky Slippers for Gifts!

As much as we'd like to knit an intricate shawl or sweater for the loved ones in our lives, time is a big factor. One very popular knitted gift is the Grandma's Slippers pattern, and Kelley found ways to improve upon it! Mrs. Hupps' Slippers is a free pattern by Kelley that uses Judy's Magic Cast-On to make her variation a breeze to knit in one piece. In the video below, see how Kelley executes this unique construction so you can get your own pair done in no-time at all! Plus, the pattern uses chunky yarn – so you can...

Zip-Up Seamed Sweater Sleeves

Kelley is working on the Tsubaki Pullover by Hiroko Fukatsu. This is a paid for pattern which can be found on Ravelry. The pullover sweater has a unique design element – the sleeves are knit flat, then once the ribbed cuff is completed and the sleeve is bound off except for the last stitch, the slipped stitch side seams are picked up and used to "zip up" or knit the sleeve together using the simple pattern that is listed below. The seam looks as lovely as it is easy to knit. This added detail makes the sweater even more elegant! In this week's Technique Tuesday, Kelley...

Things to Consider When Knitting a Sweater

This week Kelley was working on the Tsubaki Pullover by Hiroko Fukatsu, a paid-for pattern on Ravelry. While sharing the pattern in this week's Technique Tuesday, she gave her top advice for things to consider when knitting a sweater. Everything from the yarn to the pattern itself! Things to Consider When Knitting a Sweater If it’s your first sweater, don’t buy the most expensive yarn for your first project as the end result may not be perfect. That’s to be expected as you need time to develop your skills. Be easy on yourself! Make it fun! Raglan sleeves are the...

How to Knit the Chinese Waitress Bind-Off

Last week Kelley shared the Horai Scarf and how to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On and how to keep neat edges. This week she's sharing the Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, which is similar to an i-Cord Bind-Off except it lays flatter. She's using Bravo Alpaca Yarn to knit this lovely lace scarf! Watch this week's episode of Technique Tuesday to learn how to do this lovely bind-off!

Tips for Knitting Lace Wraps & Scarves

Kelley needed a more complex project this week to keep her interested in her knitting, so she decided to try the Horai Scarf by Hiroko Fukatsu. It's a free lace scarf pattern! In this week's Technique Tuesday, Kelley shared how she's keeping her edges tidy and the Chinese Waitress Cast-On. Keeping Lace Edges Neat & Tidy Kelley has several favorite techniques for keeping edges tidy: Use two stitches of garter stitch on each edge to add stability to your edge. Make sure to cast on 4 extra stitches for this edge. For the Horai Scarf, she slipped the last two stitches of the...

What to Do When a Pattern Isn't Working Out

Kelley was knitting up some baby booties this last week, and the pattern just wasn't working out. She didn't like the way the fabric was forming, and no matter what she tried it just wouldn't form how she wanted. So this week she thought she would share what to do when a knitting pattern just isn't working out! Does it matter if it was a paid for pattern? No, it does not! After All, your time is MONEY, should you throw good money after bad? Not in our opinion. Continuing to attempt the pattern also wastes yarn! What if you like...

Four Double Decrease Options When Knitting

Many popular patterns utilize double decreases – when you decrease two stitches at a time. Just like other decreases, there are different ways of doing them so they lean or align just how you want! Center Double Decrease (CDD) Slip 2 stitches as if to knit, K1, PSSO This double decrease is used a lot as a center spine to mitered squares or shawls, hat decreases, and raglan sweater decreases. S2SK Slip 2 as if to knit, slip1 as if to knit, hold the stitches in the front and knit them through the back loop. This is also a centered decrease,...

Quickly Knitting a Valentine's Shawl - Knit Your Love

This week Kelley decided to whip up the Knit Your Love Shawl by Martina Behm, a pattern available on Ravelry. It's a lovely shawl edged with hearts, perfect for a dinner on the patio for Valentine's Day! How to Knit Shawls Faster Kelley wanted to knit the shawl pattern faster than it would take with fingering weight yarn and decided to the substitute yarn to achieve that. She used Malabrigo Rios, a worsted weight yarn, so the shawl would knit up faster. Using a larger yarn also makes for larger hearts, which makes the shawl stand out even more! How to Make...

Finishing Tips for the Baby Surprise Jacket

This week Kelley put the finishing touches on her Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman! It's an easy knit that is almost entirely garter stitch aside from the center double decrease. The "surprise" is how the sleeves come together in the end! You can read all about starting the jacket in last week's article. Seaming the Baby Surprise Shoulders - Applied i-Cord Kelley tried two versions of the Applied i-Cord to seam the shoulders on her Baby Surprise Jacket. In the video above, she demonstrates how to do this seaming method with just two stitches for the i-Cord. She compares...

Techniques for Starting the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman

Chance are you've heard of the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman – it has over 28,000 projects listed on Ravelry! Kelley recently cast the jacket on using Hikoo Simplicity Spray in Pebbles and has a few tips for those starting this popular knitting pattern. The Baby Surprise Jacket is a "surprise" because it's worked almost entirely in garter stitch. The Centered Double Decrease is used to help form the sleeves. It's so easy, this project is great for socializing or watching TV! How to Purchase the Baby Surprise Jacket Pattern When you look on Ravelry, there are several options...

How to Knit a Better SSK Decrease

Kelley is still knitting up a selection of baby garments and accessories! While working on a baby hood, she discovered a better way to make the SSK decrease to avoid a leaning decrease. This technique helps the decrease to better match the k2tog decrease! Improve the Slip-Stitch-Knit Decrease On the left, a standard SSK decrease and the k2tog decrease on the right. This trick will make the SSK decrease look more like the k2tog! This method tightens up and evens out the SSK in many instances. It’s called the Slip Twist Purl. I first saw this technique on the Fancy Tiger...

How to Knit Projects Family Members Will LOVE!

Have you ever wanted to knit a something for a family member, but weren't sure how to size it? Or have you wanted to knit clothes for a new baby? Kelley shared some great tips this week for figuring out knit garment and accessory sizes. Tips for Figuring Out Sizing and Colors Use free online sizing charts to guesstimate what sizes you need to knit. Googling for sizing charts brings up many charts with measurements! When knitting for an infant, keep in mind the due date and what age they will be when winter hits. Don't be afraid to knit a...

Making Knitting Goals for the New Year

Have you ever set goals for yourself with your knitting? Such as to learn new techniques, complete certain projects, or to knit more? In this week's episode of Technique Tuesday, Kelley reflected on the knitting goals she set for 2020 and how she did, plus went over how you too can set knitting goals. Tips for Making Knitting Goals for the New Year Kelley recommends to key things when setting goals – make your goals clear and measurable, and don't overdo it! Stick to Kelley's 3-2-1 rule when planning your goals and projects for 2021. Kelley's 3-2-1 Rule: 3: Knit at least...

Tips for Non-Repeating Colorwork Charts & Seamless Latvian Braid Finishing

This week Kelley decided to knit The Silent Snow Hat by Lisa McFetridge, a paid pattern on Ravelry. The Silent Snow Hat displays the beauty of a small town on a snowy night, while only using two colors of yarn! Kelley had some great tips this week on knitting this lovely hat project. She used Sueno D.K. Ice Ice Baby and Dos Tierras 052 Paris Night to knit this hat. Tips for Non-Repeating Colorwork Charts Sometimes a colorwork chart doesn't repeat at all – which can make it hard to follow while knitting! To make the chart easier to read, Kelley highlights every...

Lining Holiday Stockings + Managing Color Dominance

Kelley's continuing to knit holiday stockings this week, and has some tips on lining stockings with flannel and managing colorwork color dominance. Kelley is currently knitting Christmas Stockings by Faye Kennington using Plymouth Encore worsted. Lining Holiday Stockings Knitted stockings can easily be stretched by holiday goodies, or even worse – your colorwork floats can get tugged. By lining stockings with a fabric like flannel, you can preserve the shape of your stockings and protect them from snags on the inside. To line your stockings, outline them generously on a large piece of paper – like wrapping paper or tissue....

Holiday Stocking Knitting Tips for Beads & Afterthought Heels

It's that time of year again – the final countdown to Christmas is here! Many of us have already decorated our homes, but what if you need new stockings for your mantel? This week we have two different quick & easy knit holiday stocking patterns to share with you. Plus Kelley has tips for easily adding beads to your knitting and how to pick up an afterthought heel with lifelines. Quick & Easy Knit Stocking Patterns This week Kelley shared a free stocking pattern from the Alpaca Direct website and a paid pattern from Ravelry, she used Vintage Chunky to...

Tips for Knitting Better Headbands for Holiday Gifting

Now that December is here, quick knits are our go-to for knitted gifts. This week Kelley knit up the free pattern, Calisson Headband by the Berroco Design Team. She made several modifications to make the headband seamless and easier to knit! This headband knits up in an evening and uses up scrap yarn – win-win! Stitch Pattern Modifications Kelley made a few modifications to the pattern to use bulky yarn and make a slightly thinner and seamless headband. By using a provisional cast-on, you're able to join both ends of the headband with a kitchener stitch to make a seamless...

Knitting The Capitol Hat – Tips for the Perfect Fit!

This week Kelley whipped up The Capitol hat by Hinterm Stein. This pattern is a lovely celebration of our country's historical architecture and is a part of a series of "Domes around the World"! It's a fairly easy pattern using twisted and wrapped stitches to replicate the Capitol dome. Kelley used a discontinued yarn to knit her hat, but she recommends using our natural Bravo Alpaca to whip up this hat. Alpaca is one of the warmest natural fibers and is our favorite fiber for winter hats! For needles, Kelley used the 16" Knitter's Pride Karbonz needles. Modifications for a Better...

Basic Brioche Tips for the Matching Balaclava Pattern

It got cold fast here in the Inland Northwest, so Kelley decided to whip up the Matching Balaclava by Katrin Schubert to keep warm while walking the dogs. It's a quick knit in worsted weight that's perfect for those brand new to the brioche stitch. Kelley recommends using Ultra Alpaca Eco to knit up this warm hood. The Matching Balaclava pattern doesn't use a single brioche purl stitch, and it's knit in the round. If you feel like you're ready to master the brioche stitch, this is a great pattern to ease into it. Watch the video above to see...

Locking Long Colorwork Floats with Stranded Ladderback Jacquard

Do you get frustrated with trying to 'lock' long floats when doing colorwork? You're not alone! It's a problem knitters have tried to solve for centuries. While knitting the Alaska Hat, Kelley decided to use Stranded Ladderback Jacquard to lock her floats. Kelley used Starke 6 and Ultra Alpaca Light to knit this hat. How to Execute Stranded Ladderback Jacquard Working a stranded ladderback jacquard float lock into your work is easier than it sounds. The demonstration starts just after 10:30 minutes on the video above. At the row or round where you want to start the float locks, knit...

Easy Linen Stitch Placemats – Free Pattern

Are you getting ready for the holidays? Kelley's latest knit holiday table decoration is the Linen Stitch Placemat. These easy-to-knit placemats lay completely flat and add a level of elegance to your table that would cost a pretty penny at the store! The Linen Stitch Placemats look great in a solid color or in two alternating colors. You can download the free knit placemat pattern here! How to Knit Two-Color Linen Stitch In the video above, Kelley demonstrates how to knit the linen stitch in two colors or one. There are also two different options for the edges of the...

Increases Without Holes! KLL & KRL + Knit Fall Decorations

This week Kelley got a head start on her Thanksgiving table decorations with the free pattern Cute Little Pumpkin Patch by Nimble Needles. Using Berroco Comfort Worsted in #9731 and #9752, she was able to knit up the cutest pumpkins that will last for decades of Thanksgivings! This knit pumpkin pattern uses the increases Knit Left Loop (KLL) and Knit Right Loop (KRL) – both of which are practically invisible and leave no holes. In this week's Technique Tuesday, Kelley demonstrated how to make these increases and compared them to the increases she normally uses. Here are two quick videos to...

Mischa's Mittens and Leg Warmers – Two Free Knitting Patterns!

Kelley's great-niece, Mischa, loves and cherishes the hand knits she receives. Kelley designed these mittens and leg warmers just for Mischa, but they're sized for any young child. Kelley wanted a set that is machine washable and sturdy for our rambunctious youngsters as they enjoy the snow this winter. Both knitting patterns are free for you to enjoy! Free Mittens Pattern Free Leg Warmers Pattern These mittens & leg warmers are knit using the magic loop method for 2 @ a time in the round. These can be knit in a few evenings while you watch a movie or visit with friends. They...

Knitting Tips for Two-At-A-Time Socks or Mittens

Second-Sock-Syndrome is a real problem! You finish one sock, and everything gets set aside before you ever get to the second one. By doing two-at-a-time socks, mittens, leg warmers, etc – you avoid that problem all together! Kelley has already covered tips on how to cast-on for two-at-a-time projects, but this week she shared essential advice for actually knitting two-at-a-time items. Needles Matter When Knitting Two-At-A-Time Projects The most important tool for knitting things two-at-a-time is your set of needles. If the needle cable is too short or too long, it's going to make things too difficult. The cable material...

How to Knit a Seamless I-Cord Bind-Off in the Round

The I-Cord Bind-Off adds a lovely finishing edge to your knitted projects, especially shawls! But what about projects done in the round like cowls and ponchos? In this week's Technique Tuesday, Kelley shared how to use the Kitchener Stitch to graft both ends of the i-cord bind-off seamlessly! No one can tell where your i-cord bind-off starts and stops. How to Use the Kitchener Stitch for a Seamless I-Cord Join In this example of the i-cord bind-off, the bind-off is worked by knitting two stitches, slipping one stitch, knitting the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over, then return the three...

How to Avoid Rolled Edges With Your Knitting Projects

It's a problem as old as knitting itself – curling and rolled edges on stockinette or lace! Kelley is working on the Top Notes poncho or cowl by Petra Breakstone, and she noticed a few other knitters experienced a rolled edge with that project. This inspired Kelley to experiment and see what finishing edges she could use to prevent the curling without altering the look of the project. These tricks for preventing rolled edges in knits will work for almost any knit project! A Basic Ribbed Edge to Help Curling Kelley started her experiment with a basic ribbed edge like...

Tips for Color Work Knitting the Sugarplum Hat & DIY Pom Poms

Kelley is continuing to whip up hats for holiday gift giving! This week she shared the Sugarplum Hat by Knitterella, a colorwork hat that's great for using up odds and ends of worsted weight yarn. To finish off her hat, Kelley made her own pom pom with Knitter's Pride Pom Pom Makers and has some tips for using those! Using Baby Alpaca & Baby Llama Yarn for Colorwork Kelley used Bravo Alpaca Petites Yarn and Bravo Alpaca Yarn by Coeur d'Alene Yarns and some Hikoo Llamor. All three yarns are the same weight, giving you a variety of colors to pick from!...

How to Knit a Sweater That Fits Perfectly

There's nothing worse than investing in a sweater quantity of yarn and countless hours of knitting only to end up with a sweater you don't like. What if we told you that the key to finding the right knit sweater pattern is already in your closet? With these tips, you'll learn how to knit a perfectly fitting sweater. Raid Your Closet for Inspiration Did you know you can use your favorite commercially made sweaters to figure out what style of sweater you should knit? They give a great indication of fabric weight, ease of fit, and style of sweater that...

NEW! Free Pattern – The Rockford Hat Makes a Great Gift

August is here, and at Alpaca Direct we're beginning to work on our holiday gift knitting. Kelley loves to knit hats for Christmas gifts! To help us all get started with our holiday knitting, Kelley designed a brand new free knitted hat pattern for us using light worsted alpaca yarn. The Rockford Hat is a syncopated rib hat that will fit almost everyone thanks to the ribbing. The Rockford Hat knit pattern was designed for comfort and versatility. It works great with 100% baby alpaca yarn which is drapey and very soft. The ribbed design offers structure to your hat and is...

4 Ways to Cast-On Cuff-Down Socks

Last week we talked about ways to cast-on socks from the toe-up, but this week we're starting from the other end of the sock! When casting-on socks from the cuff-down, it's important to have a stretchy cast-on so the socks fit over your calves. We're covering four ways to cast-on socks from the cuff-down, including a brand-new method – Kelley's Tubular Cast-On! German Twisted Cast-On The German Twisted Cast-On (Also called the Old Norwegian Cast On) gives just enough stretch without being too stretchy. It's similar to the long-tail cast-on and gives a great finished edge for ribbing. Casting-On Two-at-a-Time Socks...

4 Ways to Cast-On Toe-Up Socks

Socks are a lot of fun to knit – but getting them started can be tricky. With these four toe-up sock cast-on methods, you're sure to find one that works best for you! In no time at all you'll be knitting up socks for the entire family. Judy's Magic Cast-On for Two-at-a-Time Socks For two-at-a-time socks, use a long circular needle and the Magic Loop method or two 24-32" circular needles. Cast-on the one sock as you normally would, then push it down the needles. Cast-on the next sock, then knit across the top of both socks, rotate the needles clockwise, knit across...

Knitting in the Round – 5 Different Methods

Knitting in the round is often the preferred method for making everything from hats to sweaters, but with smaller circumferences things can get tricky! In this week's Technique Tuesday, Kelley shared several methods for knitting a hat in the round such as using a 16" circular needle, Magic Loop, double pointed needles, Addi FlexiFlips, and using two circular needles instead of Magic Loop. Knitting a Hat Using One 16" Circular Needle Starting a knit hat from the brim and working up with a 16" circular needle is one of the most popular methods for knitting a hat. There's no need...

Tips for Finishing the Baubles Shawl by Andrea Mowry

Over the last few weeks, Kelley's shared her progress on the Baubles Shawl by Andrea Mowry with us during her Technique Tuesday show. The first week we covered how to set up the project and knit the basic brioche stitches, last week we covered steam blocking. This week Kelley's giving some finishing tips, including how to use Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off in brioche! How to Fix Your Stitch Count With the Baubles Shawl, it's important to have the right stitch count for your lace and brioche sections. What should you do if you have the wrong stitch count after a...

How to Steam Block Acrylic Yarn Without a Steamer

Kelley is currently knitting Baubles by Andrea Mowry in Berroco Comfort Sock, which is an acrylic & nylon yarn. The Baubles Shawl uses a variety of techniques including brioche and lace – both of which need a good blocking when you're done. So how does one block acrylic yarn without ruining it? Steam blocking! In this week's Technique Tuesday, Kelley shared how she steam blocks acrylic yarn without a steamer. Tools for Steam Blocking Acrylic Yarn Kelley used an iron and washcloth to steam block her shawl – that's it! You don't need to buy a steamer, but you can get an...

How To Knit The Baubles Shawl by Andrea Mowry (Setup, Stripes, and Syncopated Brioche)

In this week’s Technique Tuesday, Kelley covered the shawl setup and techniques used in Sections 1 & 2 of Andrea Mowry’s Baubles Shawl. The Baubles Shawl is not a beginner or learn-to-knit pattern as it uses advanced techniques like knitting brioche flat. However, Andrea Mowry’s patterns are not only a lot of fun to knit, but even more fun to wear! Part 1: Getting Started With The Baubles Shawl by Andrea Mowry Knitting a Shawl with Allergen-Free Yarn Kelley is knitting Baubles with Berroco Comfort Sock – an allergen-free yarn made of 50% acrylic and 50% nylon. It’s perfect for...

Tips for Knitting the Nurmilintu Lace Shawl by Heidi Alander

The Nurmilintu Lace Shawl by Heidi Alander is the perfect one-skein project for beginner lace knitters. The shawl is knit flat with sections of garter stitch interrupted with short lace sections and finished with a picot bind-off – and not a single purl stitch! You get some practice with knitting lace and reading a chart, then you get to take a break from lace with the garter stitch. This free lace shawl pattern is a quick knit and makes a budget-friendly gift. Knit a Lace Shawl using Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball Organic Cotton Kelley knit Nurmilintu using Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball Organic Cotton (Color...

4 Ways to Join a New Ball of Yarn

Joining a new yarn to your project can be a bummer if the join shows in the finished project. There are ways, however, to make the join invisible (or nearly so). Check out Kelley's join in her Jones Cardigan; if the needle weren't pointing to it you wouldn't be able to see it at all. In our latest episode of Technique Tuesday, Kelley demonstrated four ways to join a new ball of yarn, and all of them work well when you're joining a ball of the same color yarn. Knitting with the Working Yarn and the Tail The first and...

How to Knit a Sweater: 3 Ways to Join Shoulder Seams

When you're knitting a sweater that has shoulder seams, there are several options for joining them at the top. The two most common joining methods are the 3-needle bind-off and good old mattress stitch. There are some limitations of choices, depending on how you finish the shoulder sections. For example, if you have stepped shoulder sections, where you bind off a few stitches at the beginning or end of each row (or use short-row shaping to achieve the steps), you end up with bound off stitches, so you need to use mattress stitch to join the back of the sweater...

6 Tips for Knitting Cables

Kelley is working on the Jones Cardigan from tincanknits. The Jones Cardigan. Kelley's sweater at left; finished image from Ravelry at right. She's knitting the child's version for her granddaughter, and she's using some great techniques to make this project easier. Knitting Cables Without a Cable Needle This is one of Kelley's favorite tips for knitting cables. There are many ways to accomplish this, but here's how Kelley does it (and me, too!). More Cable Knitting Tips 1. Always slip stitches purlwise to avoid twisting the stitches you're going to cross.2. Do you always forget the difference between a left...

Have Your Pattern Published On Our Website And Get Paid!

Do you have high quality patterns and would like a new way to get paid and reach knitters and crocheters? We have an easy solutions for you! Just submit your pattern to us for review and let us know if it is a free pattern or a paid pattern. Paid patterns will allow you to 50% of the revenues generated by sales on our website and payments will be made directly to you once per quarter. Once approved, we'll do all the work! We'll post and market your pattern on our website and you get paid! We carry current,...

The Knitted Vest: A Perfect First Garment to Knit

Last week, we talked about how great baby sweaters were as a first sweater project. Vests are good entry projects into sweater knitting as well. You use a lot of the same skills for vest knitting as you do in sweater knitting: Ribbing Picking up stitches Knitting button bands Knitting necklines Armhole shaping Neckline shaping Knitting collars Kelley knit the Calidez Vest this week, which is a super-quick project. This pattern is by Jenjoyce Design, and she provides instructions for knitting the vest in several different weights of yarn. Kelley used Berroco Ultra Alpaca ECO, a worsted-weight yarn. You can...

Tips for Knitting Sweaters that Look Great

Kelley knit the Latte Baby Coat by Lisa Chemery for her little granddaughter Claire, and in the process she used a couple of great techniques that all sweater knitters should have in their toolboxes. The first is attaching backing buttons, which are those inexpensive, clear buttons. If you attach them on the back of your button band, directly behind your buttons, they stabilize the buttons and make the garment look really professional. Backing buttons. Here's a demo of how Kelley placed the backing buttons: Keep watching for a great technique to use when you knit sweaters in one piece—the Faux Seam. The...