Practice, Practice, Practice

Swatch number 7 focuses on SSK and K2tog decreases. The SSK is a left slanting decrease, usually used on the right side of the piece is the decrease of choice when using a K2tog decrease on the opposite side. The decrease is challenging because the way the stitch is made has a tendency to distort the yarn and make the stitches larger. The SSK is made by knitting up to where you want to make the decrease. Slip two stitches from the left needle knit wise onto right needle. Insert left needle from left to right and knit the stitch.

There are options and alternate ways of producing this stitch. They are:

1 – When doing this method you must purl your stitches differently on the previous row. When making the purl stitches for the stitches that will be decreased wrap the yarn under the left needle rather than wrapping the yarn on the top as usual. When doing the SSK on the next row you can knit the two stitches far side from right to left.

2 – When making the SSK – slip the stitches knit wise from left needle to right needle then slip back to left needle. This twists the stitches, knit these twisted stitches on the far side from right to left.

I tested the traditional way to do these SSK and the two alternate ways. I have found that the traditional when practiced still makes the nicest stitches so I have decided to make Swatch number 7 using the traditional SSK stitch method.

The K2tog decrease is a right slanting decrease; it is easy to do and is not very visible. The K2tog decrease is usually placed on the left side of the piece. Knit to the point you want to make your decrease. Knit two stitches in the same way you would knit one.

After the practice is the fun – recreational knitting

I have completed a few projects and I found myself without a project. So I checked out Lion Brand’s site for a new project and found a Gratitude Wrap. A very easy pattern to relax with. It is made with 5 skeins of Lion Brand Natures Choice Organic Cotton. I am making mine in Almond. You can find the pattern at www.lionbrand.com – search “Shawl of Gratitude”. The yarn is so wonderful, it is soft and easy to use. It doesn’t split and works up nicely.

Shawl of Gratitude

What is on your needles?

Fiber fun and learning new skills

I always have a recreational knitting/crochet/cross stitch project. Recreational projects are something you can work on without thinking about what you are doing or referring to patterns or instructions. Many times it is a project that has repetitive stitches for long periods of time. Many knitters find this fiber art to be meditative, others find praying for the recipient while knitting to enhance the experience. Either way or any way recreational knitting is relaxing the therapeutic. I have completed several recreational knitting projects recently.

I finally completed the comfort blanket I was working on from Lion brand. I usually have one of these blankets on the needles at all times.

Lion brand Comfort Blanket made from stash

I also completed a crocheted pair of slippers pictured below.

Amanda-Slippers

Maria-Slippers

As far a learning new skills, on my Master Knitter program I have completed the section, both knitting and questions on increasing. We learned about bar increases, Make 1 increases, and lifted increases. These are great skills and stuff to know as I progress on this knitting journey. Now we are moving onto decreasing. We will be learning and exploring SSK, K2tog, SKP, and KSP decreases. I just completed swatch #7 which has us learn and practice SSK and K2tog decreases. These decreases are used with each other because the SSK is knit on the right side of the swatch when knitting and slants to the left, and the K2tog is used on the left side of the swatch when knitting and slants to the right. They are supposed to mirror each other and is symmetrical therefore not drawing the eye to the decrease stitches. The stitches are easy to make, the hard part is making them look the same in size and shape. The SSK stitch tends to larger than the K2tog.

See my swatch below. This is my first try and won’t be submitted so it is not exactly as instructed; I was just testing my decreasing skills. I have some work to do on the SSK’s they are too visible but they are getting better as I practice.

Click to enlarge to see stitches closer

I would have never seen this problem with my decreases without working through this program. The Master Knitters program has helped me “read” and understand the process of knitting and the construction of the fabric. Having this insight helps me in correcting any errors, resulting in a better finished product.

What have you been working on?

Master Knitter progress

In the past 4 days I have really progressed with my Master Knitters program. I have re-knit and blocked swatch #5 for the 3rd time, I hope this one is a keeper. I have typed up the required instructions for constructing a M1 increase for swatch #5. I have completed questions 4, 6, 7, and 8 required for swatches 4, 5, and 6. I have also made progress on my blocking report. I have to finish up the report, proof read it, and finalize it.

As Newton’s law states, “An object in motion stays in motion, an object at rest stays at rest”, oh so true for Master Knitters progress. I am feeling good about this, hope to keep it up. Wish me luck!

Happy Easter and knitting everyone!

Cecily

Increased stitches and increased blessings

We are working on methods of increasing stitches for the Master Level 1 program. Increasing stitches was also covered in the basics, basics, basics program. Increasing stitches is an important skill for any knitter interested in perfecting their finished projects. The increase methods covered were Bar increase, Make 1 increase, and Lifted increase. Those are the same increases taught in the Basics program.

The Bar increase is my favorite. I like the way it looks and I like to make the stitch. I am most successful with this increase. This increase is great in ribbing increases. It makes a purl like increase and is disguised well in a ribbing pattern. This increased is worked in the next knit stitch. You work your stitches up to the point that you want to increase. At that point you knit in the next stitch (as normal) but do not drop from the left needle. You then move your right needle to the back of the stitch and knit in back. Then drop from the left needle. You have increased one stitch.

The Make 1 increase is an increase made by lifting the yarn between two knit stitches. There are right and left slanting Make 1 stitches. M1 Right, M1 Left. The M1 Right and M1 Left increases mirror each other. This is ascetically correct and pleasing to the eye. The make one right is slanted to the right and is usually made on the right side of the row and the make one left is slanted to the left and is usually made on the left side of the row. To construct a M1 stitch you pick up the yarn between the two knit stitches with the left needle. On a M1 Right you pick up that yarn from the back to the front and knit through the front loop. This twists the stitch making the slanted increase. The M1 Left you pick up the yarn from the front to the back and make your knit stitch through the back of the loop, again twisting the stitch.

The lifted increase is a great increase that doesn’t show a lot. It is the most discreet increase. There are right slanting lifted increases and left slanting lifted increases. The lifted increase is made from the stitch below the stitch you are working on. The right slanting lifted increase is made by picking up the purl bump on the back of your work with the right needle. Tilt your work towards you and pick up the purl bump on the left needle (the bump is on the back of the material). Pick up the purl bump front to back. Knit the stitch on the right needle by looping your working yarn around the needle and pulling it through. The left slanting lifted increase is made by picking up the stitch under the knit stitch you just made. Follow the yarn that runs between the last stitch and the stitch on your right needle, that will bring you to the head of the stitch on the row before the one you are on. Lift that yarn with your left needle. This twists the stitch, knit in the back of the stitch to untwist it.

So the title of this post is increased stitches and increased blessings. When you think about it our blessings are increased every day, sometimes they are so blended into our lives and so discreet like our knitted increases they are unnoticeable. In knitting unnoticed increases is a good thing, unless of course they are a decorative item, but when blessings are unnoticed they are taken for granted. We all have much to be thankful for and our blessings increase every day. A new friend or family member, a positive medical test result, a beautiful flower blossoming in a new spring day, the pleasant sound of a bird outside our window, the taste of a new recipe or spice, the success of a game won or a goal reached. There are so many blessings daily I can’t list them all but we all have them and if recognized they all increase. I am not saying life only gives us good things. Some things perceived as negative have positive results which become blessings. The negative physical test results can result in appreciation of what we have, negative scholastic test results can result in working harder and achieving more than we could ever imagine, negative financial results can result in opportunities that would otherwise be lost.

Let’s try and make our increase of knit stitches unnoticeable but let’s notice our increase of blessings every day. Noticing and being thankful for such blessings have very positive results both mentally and physically.

Knitting has been a blessing in my life. The results of that blessing are satisfaction, stress relief, entertainment and I have made more friends because of it. Another blessing received is the ability to make something for others. I am working on a blanket for charity. The pattern is from Lion Brand named a “comfort blanket”. I have made one for my Father in Law and I am making one now for someone I will never meet. I hope it bring hope, happiness, and comfort. I have to finish the corner, but here it is.

Comfort Blanket

I would love to hear of your blessings and your projects.

Happy Knitting!

Cecily

Slippers, swatches, and sunny spring days

Spring has sprung finally here in PA. We have had cold and rainy days with a few teasers in between. The teasers have been warm and sunny and makes us yearn for Spring. Spring the rebirth of mother earth with flowers, buds, warm sun rays, and the orchestra of birds to serenade us. Today is a beautiful sunny day. These newly created bright beautiful days energize my need to create something also. Lets celebrate life.

Happiness in a pot

During the week I crocheted these cute little yellow slippers for Maria. I had to alter the pattern quite a bit because her feet are quite small. Amanda found the pattern (she will be unhappy Maria got a pair before her but I will make it up to her) from a great blog at GoodKnits. This website if great check it out.

Yellow Mary Jane Slippers for Maria

This week I finished swatch 4, 5, and 6. As I work on my Master Knitter Program I do all aspects of finishing a swatch before I move on. Prior to knitting any swatches I set up the notebook with its sections, Put a sleeve for each swatch in the notebook and made all the tags for every swatch. I knit and block the swatches. I then critique the swatches and re-do ones I find unacceptable. After I complete a submittable swatch I weave in the ends, tag it as instructed (top left corner of the swatch), do the swatch sheet and any additional requirements, and insert them in the sleeve. I then answer all questions for that particular swatch. That way when I am done I can put that swatch out of my mind and move on to the next giving each swatch my undivided attention. When I have completed all the knitted requirements, it won’t take long to prepare the notebook for submission. I am pleased within the 1st 4 months of the year I have completed swatch 1-6 successfully (well, successfully for me, we will see what the committee thinks). I believe my goal of completion by the end of 2011 is possible.

I have been able to borrow a book from our local library. The name of it is “The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt. This book is out of print but with much happiness from the knitting community it will be re-printed by the end of this year. You can pre-order it at Amazon.com and after looking at it I have ordered a copy for myself. The book is a must have for a Master Knitter. Ms. Hiatt goes into detail on the mechanics of knitting and stitch construction. This detail helps the knitter understand how the knitting is structured and how the stitch design effects the finished project. She goes over stitches, fabric construction, decorative techniques, what is required to construct a project, how to read patterns and design your own. This book is not to be “read” it is to be studied. Her description of technique requires undivided attention when studying the book but that investment of time is well worth the effort. I am excited to add this book to my library when it is re-printed. I am a Kindle e-book reader but I do not intend to purchase for this book for my kindle. For a reference book like this I prefer the old fashioned printed paper book. The book I borrowed from the library is a hard cover.

So… what are your working on?

Happy knitting to all!

Controlling tension is a critical technique in knitting as well as life.

Many times the difference between a well made project and an outstanding project is the uniformity of the stitches made. Making even stitches is a critical skill for hand knitters. Tension can be affected by your tension in life. Your moods change your stitch uniformity. Try to put aside the daily stress and go on a knitting “get away”. Think about who your knitting for or concentrate on the action of knitting to melt the stress away.

The first step in making uniform stitches is realizing or determining that your stitches are or are not uniform. The best way to check the uniformity of your stitches is to knit a 4” x 4” swatch in Stockinette Stitch (knit one row, purl one row), using light color worsted weight yarn. Examine your swatch, check the right side (smooth side), look at each stitch. Are they all the same size?
Here is a picture of an uneven knit stitch:

uneven stockinette stitch

Flip the swatch over to the wrong side (bumpy side). Are there gutters between the rows? Gutters look like large spaces between the rows. A gutter is shown in this picture:

Gutter

If your stitches look to be about the same size and you do not have any gaps in the rows on the wrong side than great! Your knitting is even and the stitches are uniform. If you see some inconsistencies, don’t worry there are ways to improve the tension and increase the quality of your finished projects.

New knitters tend to have inconsistent tension. If you are new to knitting, practice. That’s not hard having to knit more is a great thing. As you put in more hours of knitting you will see the quality of your stitches improve dramatically.

If you have been knitting for awhile than you need to examine and adjust how you are knitting. Usually tension problems arise because the purl stitch takes more yarn than the knit stitch. Stop and think about how we make a knit stitch vs. how we make a purl stitch and you will see what I mean. There is more yarn required to make a purl stitch. One thing to try is to tighten up on the yarn when making a purl stitch. Hold your yarn a little tighter; give a gentle tug on the yarn prior to making the stitch. This may be all you need to do.

Changing needle material or size can help. If your yarn slips or sticks too much your tension will be uneven. Experiment with different needles to see which ones work best for you. Experiment with different yarns but be careful not to trick yourself by using a yarn that disguises the tension inconsistency, use different light color, worsted weight yarns. Try different manufacturers.

When making the purl row try using a smaller knitting needle. I would start with one size smaller. That should be sufficient in tightening up the purl stitch.

Constructing the purl stitch differently can also produce positive results. When making your purl stitch if you bring the yarn under the needle rather than over the needle you use less yarn. It is important to remember that if you use that method when you knit the next row you knit through the back loop rather than the front loop of the stitch. If you don’t knit in the back loop and do a “normal” knit stitch you will produce a twisted stitch.

The most important thing is test each solution individually. Mark what you did different on each swatch. Be methodical with your findings so when a solution is found you know which solution did the trick. My next tension article will address inconsistent stitches on the selvage end of your projects.

I would love to hear from you. Do you have a problem with tension? How do you fix it? What works, what doesn’t? Please post and hints or suggestions on how to improve the quality of our knitting.

Thanks everyone, happy knitting!

Swatch 4 front and back

I think this swatch is OK to be submitted. I would appreciate any comments and suggestions.

Right Side

Wrong Side

Thanks everyone!

Cecily

Back to swatch #2

I have prepared the sheet protectors, made the tags, and now I am critiquing the swatches and doing the Information sheets for the swatches. Last night I completed swatch #1 and it is ready to go. This morning I looked at Swatch #2 and I am not satisfied with it. I decided to re-knit it, that means doing the gauge sheet over. Oh well, it is a learning adventure and I am doing my favorite thing (knitting). I wish I didn’t have to re-knit it but I would rather do that then have the committee make me re-do it. So today I will be working on Swatch #2.

I blocked Swatch 4 and 5, Swatch #4 is acceptable but #5 needs a re-do.

Here is a picture of the blocking. I block up-side down so I can uncurl the edges better. The butterfly pins help hold down the edges.

Swatch 4 and 5 blocking

What is everyone else working on this weekend?

Weaving in ends using duplicate stitch – Swatch #1 ready to go.

I completed swatch #1 over a month ago but I didn’t tag it or weave in the ends. I wasn’t sure of the technique required to weave the ends in properly. The instructions state to use the “duplicate stitch”. I learned how to do it today and I see the benefits of using this stitch. The woven in stitches do not come loose when the material is stretched width wise or length wise. This is beneficial because the end does not come through to the right side of the swatch. That would not pass the requirements of this course. The ends must remain on the wrong side where you place them. Another tip is to actually split the yarn when weaving the end through (using an embroidery needle). I know this is a big no-no to all you knitters out there but it is good to split the yarn to weave in the ends because it actually holds the end in place and will never come loose. To practice my new skill I did the duplicate stitch to weave in the ends of swatch #1. I did the tag and attached it. I also completed the swatch information sheet. The swatch is in the notebook and ready to go.

I also prepared my notebook by adding the tabs and doing the tags for all the swatches today. I feel more organized and in control of the progress of this endeavor.

Busy week fun Knitting, a little Crochet, and learning a new skill.

This week I did a lot of recreational knitting. I am still working on the scarf using my new skill (continental stitch). I am getting better at it and I like it a lot. I am unsure if I prefer English or Continental, right now I like both. The scarf is coming along well.

I have also been working on a Mary Jane slipper pattern. It is a crochet pattern and I am having a hard time getting gauge. The pattern does not state gauge but the slippers are coming out very large. The first time I crocheted the pattern I used a yarn that was too bulky so I ripped it out. The second time I used correct yarn and stated hook size of H. They are still too loose for me so I have decided to try to change the hook size to G and I will see how it works out. I will post the results.

But the big news is I finished Swatch #6 on Saturday morning. Here it is (it’s not blocked yet):

Level 1 Swatch 6

Researching the technique to complete this swatch taught us an increase called Lifted Increase. This increase produces a nice result. We learned right slanting increase, to be used on the right and a left slanting increase to be used on the left.

This increase is made by using the legs of the stitch below to make the increase. The right slanting Lifted Increase uses the right leg of the stitch on the row before. For the right slanting Lifted Increase you lift the right leg of the stitch on the previous row, make the increase stitch and then knit the stitch on the left needle. For the left slanting Lifted increase you lift the left leg of the stitch on the previous row to make the increase. The left leg is not accessible unless you knit first, then make your increase. So knit the next stitch and lift the left leg of the knit stitch below, be sure it is actually the leg of the stitch below and not the leg of the stitch you just knit.

This stitch was difficult for me to learn from a book, a video posted by Arenda Holladay on You Tube, at “Lifted Increase Tutorial on You Tube by Arenda Holladay” is an excellent tutorial that only takes 3-4 minutes to watch. The video helped me learn the stitch, I was struggling until I watched it.

What did you work on this week? What is your favorite increase method?