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NEW !
18
14
• 14 knitting tutorials
• 7 knitting projects perfect for the holidays
• 4 yarn reviews
• 4 essential tips when knitting for babies
• 1 cable pattern you'll ever need to memorize!
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KNITmuch | issue 1 1
36
40
48 42
12 20
2 KNITmuch | issue 1
KNITmuch ...to K, is to
8
KNITmuch
Introducing the NEW Downton Abbey Yarn Collection!
c o n t e n t s
10 Knit a vest for Matthew with Downton Abbey Yarn
...to knit, is to love
12 The Crawley Vest
14 Knit a shawl for Lady Mary with Downton Abbey Yarn
KNITmuch
16 Hooked on Books
17 Adding some sparkle to your holiday knitting
18 The Budding Romance Shawl
20 Honeycomb Poncho ...to K, is to
22 Knitting a Top This! hat
30 How to fix a dropped knit stitch
32 Knitting with cables – C4L
34 Knitting with cables – C4R
36 A better one-row buttonhole
38 Pom-poms – the cutest knitted accessories, right?
40 Stitch holders are safety nets for your knitting
42 What you should know about Red Heart Cutie Pie yarn
44 4 essential tips when knitting for babies
46 Hand knit snuggle sack
48 Creative cabled cowl
50 The benefits of knitting with Red Heart Sashay Fringe yarn
KNITmuch | issue 1 3
4 KNITmuch | issue 1
Welcome to our premiere issue of KNITmuch!
editor's letter
If you're like me you'll understand my obsession with
knitting, I am most happy to know that I'm not alone.
Knitting is not only about making striking knitwear in the
yarn I love, and the colors I adore and look great it. Knitting
is what makes some scenarios of life, bareable. It's what
makes long car rides short, it's what helps me exercise my
Share the love of knitting. Own the obsession.
follow me on
5
KNITmuch
15-024
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, ART DIRECTOR
Carla A. Canonico
...to K, is to
John De Fusco
john@KNITmuch.com
PUBLISHER
A Needle Pulling Thread
PHOTOGRAPHERS
John De Fusco, Carla A. Canonico
KNITmuch
BLOGGERS/CONTRIBUTORS
Glenna Harris
crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com
Michelle Nguyen
www.stitchesbeslippin.com
GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN
Carla A. Canonico
Carla@KNITmuch.com
...to knit, is to love Sondra Armas
Sondra@KNITmuch.com
WEBSITE / BLOG : www.KNITmuch.com
Like us on Facebook : KNITmuch
Follow us on Twitter : @KNITmuchmag
WHERE TO GET YOUR COPY
KNITmuch
KNITmuch is a quarterly eMagazine published
by A Needle Pulling Thread. It is available free for
personal use online at www.KNITmuch.com.
A limited number of printed copies of KNITmuch
are available for purchase at select yarn shops
and specialty stores. Ask for it at your local shop.
KNITmuch is not available by subscription.
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6 KNITmuch | issue 1
Sparkly
& Stylish
Sparkle in this stylish top
knit with Red Heart®
Boutique Swanky™.
KNITmuch | issue 1 7
I ntroducing
the NEW Downton Abbey Yarn Collection!
8 KNITmuch | issue 1
The new
Downton Abbey Yarns
are fun to knit with
and so versatile.
KNITmuch | issue 1 9
Knit
Glenna Harris
a vest for Matthew with Downton Abbey Yarn
The Matthew yarn, which is a worsted This vest is worked in pieces (as opposed
weight blend including 20% wool, has to “in the round” in one piece) and from the
a nice tweedy look. Just right for a “bottom up” starting at the hem (as opposed
character like Matthew who spends a lot to “top down” starting from the neck). The
of time outside on the Crawley estate, or back and the front are worked the same,
cycling to his work office. with the exception of the front V-neck
The Matthew yarn has several great free shaping. So, this means that once you've
patterns designed by Premier Yarns to go made the back piece you'll have done
with it, including the Crawley Vest. The vest most of the same steps required for the
is one of the few garment patterns included front piece. Finally, these two pieces will be
in the Downton Abbey Yarn Collection, and seamed together at the sides and shoulders,
it would be a nice selection if you're new to before picking up stitches for the ribbed
making garments. Making the jump from neckband and armhole edgings.
smaller accessories to larger garments can In the photos here, you can see the
often involve a different selection of skills swatches I’ve done up in the slip-stitch
and techniques. However, since vests cover “furrows” pattern used in the Crawley Vest.
the body but don’t include sleeves, as Sometimes it can make all the difference to
pullovers and cardigans do, a vest can be a see different color selections! The sample
good “starter” garment. And, in a worsted shown in the free pattern uses a dusty green
weight yarn like this one, it will knit up a bit color, and here we have two other options.
faster than a lighter DK or sport weight yarn. The creamy off-white shown in the photo
This is a classic V-neck vest with a simple on the next page is a very classic look. The
textured stitch pattern. We introduced some darker purple is another almost-neutral
slipped stitch patterns in our September color that’s a little more modern. There are
KNITmuch blog posts, so you might enjoy eight different colors to choose from in
looking at those posts if this is new to you! the Matthew yarn so just keep in mind the
When knitting up this vest, these are the kind of colors you like to wear most in your
skills you can expect to use: wardrobe and let that be your guide when
selecting yarn colors as well!
KNITmuch | issue 1 11
CRAWLEY VEST
DA00003
SIZES
Small (Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large)
Shown in Small Size
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 37 (43, 46, 49, 55)”
MATERIALS
Downton Abbey Matthew by Premier Yarns (75%
Acrylic, 21% Wool, 4% Viscose; 100g/230 yds)
• # DA4001-05 Herb Green – 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) balls
Needle: US Size 8 (5 mm) and US Size 9 (5.5 mm) straight
needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, stitch holder
or locking ring marker
CRAWLEY V
GAUGE
Left
16 stsArmhole
x 30 rowsEdging
= 4” in Furrows pattern on larger needle
Sew left
Save time, shoulder and gauge.
check your Neckband seam. Work as for Right
Armhole edging.
Abbreviations
beg begin(ning)
k knit
k2tog knit 2 sts together (1 st dec’d)
meas measures
p purl
patt pattern
RS right side
rep repeat(ing)
Photo courtesy of Premier Yarns
sl slip
ssk slip slip knit (1 st dec’d)
st(s) stitch(es)
s2kp slip two sts knitwise, knit 1, pass the 2 slipped sts over
(2 sts dec’d)
WS wrong side
12 KNITmuch | issue 1
CRAWLEY VEST
STITCH GUIDE marker, turn and work on these sts only.
Furrows (multiple of 6 sts + 3) Next Row: Work in patt to end.
Row 1 and 3(RS): P3, *k1, sl 1, k1, p3; rep from * to end. Dec Row: Work in patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: *K3, p3; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3. Rep last two rows 15 (16, 16, 16, 17) more times.
Rows 5 and 7: K4, *sl 1, k5; rep from * to last 5 sts, sl 1, k4. Work even in patt on 15 (16, 18, 19, 19) rem sts until armhole
Row 6 and 8: Purl. meas 8 ½ (9, 9 ½, 10 ¼, 10 ¼)”.
Rep Rows 1-8 for patt. Bind off.
For more free patterns from the Downton Abbey Yarn Collection, visit www.premieryarns.com/DowntonAbbey
Abbreviations
beg begin(ning)
k knit
© 2015 Premier® Yarns All rights reserved.
k2tog
This pattern may not be reproduced knit trade
for business, 2 stsortogether
sale. (1 st dec’d)
meas measures
p purl KNITmuch | issue 1 13
patt pattern
Knit
Glenna Harris
a shawl for Lady Mary with Downton Abbey Yarn
Knitters, do you have holiday knitting on When knitting up this shawl, these are the
your mind, yet? I’m not just talking about skills you can expect to use:
gift knitting, but knitting for yourself! Let's
take a closer look at the Lady Mary yarn • Cast on and bind off
from the Downton Abbey Yarn Collection, • Work knit, purl, decreases, and yarnovers
and this is something you might want to • Follow a lace stitch pattern (written
keep for yourself if you're interested in a instructions, not a chart)
bit of a sparkly treat just for you. Indulgent • Work flat, back and forth (as opposed to
knitting can lift your spirits! 'in the round')
The Budding Romance Shawl is a free
pattern designed with the Lady Mary yarn in The nice thing about this kind of pattern is
mind, and is a very pretty rectangular shawl that, once you have established the stitch
that would be just right for the holidays. pattern after the first couple of repeats,
It would make a generous gift or a great you get to continue working along in a
personal knit for yourself – I can just picture straight rectangular piece. Unlike a garment
wearing this with a little black dress to a party. or some other accessories, you can simply
The shawl pattern uses a repeating lace knit to the indicated length of the pattern
pattern which is shown below in a couple of without having to worry about stopping to
swatches in different colors. The Lady Mary work decreases or increases for shaping the
yarn comes in a number of different colors, item. This makes it easier to concentrate on
both brights and neutrals. It's amazing how getting the stitch pattern right, rather than
different the pattern can look when we the shape of the garment itself.
change only the color but everything else Can you see the sparkle coming from these
stays the same! little swatches? The Lady Mary yarn has that
If you've never tried a lace stitch before, this silvery touch from some metallic thread
will be a fun challenge for you. The main that’s woven into the yarn, which is the
trick with working a lace pattern is that you'll unique feature of this yarn line. As a result I
be doing a combination of decreases as well think it will be a great selection for holiday
as yarnovers. To make a “yarnover” means projects or a number of simple accessories
to bring your yarn forward to the front of that would make it easy to show off the
the needle, then work the next knitted stitch sparkle. You probably don’t want to tr y
or knitted decrease as indicated. It creates cables or color-work with this kind of
the little eyelets that form the lace patterns, yarn as the shiny quality would get a
along with those decreases. You can see little lost in the pattern.
in the swatches just above and just below,
the decreases and yarnovers do sit in a There are so many project
purposeful order, making a repeating pattern.
possibilities, especially for
beautiful gift projects or gifts
to yourself! Indulgent knitting
can lift your spirits!
14 KNITmuch | issue 1
The Budding Romance Shawl
uses this beautiful lace stitch. Try
your hand at some lace knitting
with this pattern! How lovely
would this silvery grey look as a
festive winter stole? ...so many
gorgeous colors to choose from.
Photo courtesy of Premier Yarns
16 KNITmuch | issue 1
If you’re thinking about gift knitting
already – or perhaps need a little nudge Adding some
towards thinking about gift knitting – we
have a few things in mind. We’ve already
shown you a couple of patterns made
sparkle
just for the NEW Downton Abbey Yarn
Collection, here some selections from
to your holiday knitting
the vast knitting internet to give you Glenna Harris
more ideas! Let’s take a look again at the
Lady Mary yarn this awesome collection,
which can be both elegant and fun
because of that extra bit of metallic
thread. It’s never too early to start gift
knitting and adding some sparkle to your
holiday knitting!
The Lady Mary yarn is listed as a light
yarn weight in category 3, in other
words as a DK weight or “light worsted.”
This makes it versatile for projects
needing 5-6 stitches per inch in gauge.
Knitted more firmly it would make an The Lady Mary yarn from the new
extremely stiff fabric, for knitting three-
dimensional ornaments and baubles, Downton Abbey yarns includes
and knitted more loosely it would be metallic thread for extra sparkle.
enjoyable for lacy projects, as in the
Budding Romance shawl pattern.
One lovely and quick gift idea is this
Mini Mitten pattern. It uses double-
pointed needles and can be done easily
within an evening – make a pair for a
unique present-topper or ornament! Or
perhaps a bookmark? Or, how about this
little stocking pattern, for a similar festive
ornament project?
Another great gift idea that I like are
these knitted coffee cozies. If you know
people who enjoy their daily dose of
caffeine, save them the trouble of always
These are just a few fun ideas – there are
throwing out those cardboard cup cozies
they provide at cafes, and give them so many to choose from! When trying a
a re-usable one instead! Knitted in a new yarn it’s always a good idea to buy
sparkly color like this yarn, they will be one or two skeins to play with before com-
less likely to forget it! mitting to a big project, if you’re thinking
Or, try a simple hat pattern – hats about something larger. So, these are all
make very quick gift projects. With the
one-skein-or-less projects to get you start-
metallic component we don’t need to
look at cables or color-work patterns ed. And remember, it’s never too early to
since the pattern and sparkle would think about gift knitting while adding some
compete too much. sparkle to your holiday knitting!
KNITmuch | issue 1 17
BUDDING ROMANCE SHAWL
DA00001
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: 60”
Width: 20”
MATERIALS
Downton Abbey Lady Mary by Premier Yarns (95%
Acrylic, 5% Metallic; 85g/290yds)
• #DA4004-06 Lily Ice – 4 balls
Needle: US Size 8 (5 mm) straight needles or size
needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle
GAUGE
20 sts x 19 rows = 4” in Little Buds patt
Save time, check your gauge.
Downton™ and Downton Abbey® ©2015 Carnival Film & Television Limited. All Rights Reserved.
18 KNITmuch | issue 1
BUDDING ROMANCE SHAWL
STITCH GUIDE Abbreviations
Little Buds (multiple of 8 sts + 3) cdd central double decrease - slip 2 sts tog knitwise, knit
Row 1 (RS): K1, *yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k6; rep from * to last 10 sts, yo, the next st, pass the 2 slipped stitches over knit st just
sl 1, k1, psso, k8. worked (2 sts dec’d)
Row 2 and all even-numbered rows: Purl. k knit
Row 3, 5, and 7: K2, *yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k1; rep from * to last k2tog knit 2 sts together (1 st dec’d)
9 sts, yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k2. meas measures
Row 9: K5, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k6; rep from * last 6 sts, sl 1, k1, p purl
psso, k4. p2tog purl 2 sts together (1 st dec’d)
Row 11, 13, and 15: K1, k2tog, *k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, cdd; rep from * patt pattern
to last 8 sts, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, sl 1, k1, psso. psso pass slipped stitch over
Row 16: Purl. rep repeat(ing)
Rep Rows 1-16 for patt. RS right side
s2kp
Garter and Eyelet (multiple of 2 sts) sl slip
Row 1 (RS): Knit. WS wrong side
Row 2: Knit. yo yarn over
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: P1, yo, p2tog; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: P1, *p2tog, yo; rep from * to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-8 for patt.
GARMENT
Cast on 102 sts. Work Rows 1-8 of Garter and Eyelet.
Set-up Row: Work Garter and Eyelet over 8 sts, pm, work
Little Buds over 83 sts, pm, work Garter and Eyelet to end.
Work in patt as established, slipping markers as you come to
them until piece meas 59”, ending with a WS row.
Work Rows 1-8 of Garter and Eyelet removing markers on
Row 1.
Bind off.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Block lightly.
For more free patterns from the Downton Abbey Yarn Collection,
visit www.premieryarns.com/DowntonAbbey
KNITmuch | issue 1 19
Cathy Payson
www.redheart.com
20 KNITmuch | issue 1
Honeycomb
skill level easy
finished measurements
Neck: 34" [86cm]
Hem: 45" [114cm]
poncho
Length: 15" [38cm]
Poncho fits most women.
materials
yarn
RED HEART® Boutique Twilight™: 5 balls 9959 Mercury
(7 Jumbo) RED HEART® Boutique Twilight™ Art E829
available in 3.5oz [100g], 59yd [54m] balls
needles
The Honeycomb
US 15 [10mm]
yarn needle, stitch marker
Poncho is one of
gauge
8½ sts = 4" [10cm]; 16 rows = 4" [10cm] in Simple Garter
those fairly quick
Lace Pattern. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size
needles to obtain the gauge.
projects to make
SPECIAL STITCHES for a cherished
P2tog = Purl 2 Stitches Together. Purl 2 sts together
(decrease).
Yfrn = Yarn Forward Round Needle. Bring yarn forward
someone on your
and wrap around needle. It's worked as a yarn over
when worked between a knit stitch and a purl stitch
Christmas gift list.
(increase).
PATTERN STITCH
Simple Garter Lace Pattern (multiple of 4 sts + 2)
All Rows: K2, *yfrn, p2tog, k2; repeat from * to end of
row. Repeat every row.
Notes:
Poncho is worked in rows. The 2 pieces (Front and Back) are
sew together. When casting on, leave a 25"
(64 cm) tail for seaming. When joining Front and Back pieces
together, use the “edge st” for seaming.
PONCHO
Front and Back (make 2 pieces)
Cast on 48 sts.
Knit 1 row on Wrong Side. 17"
Next Row (Right Side): K1 (edge st), work across row in [43 cm]
Simple Garter Lace Pattern to last st, k1 (edge st).
Place stitch marker to mark Right Side of work.
Keeping first and last sts in Stockinette St for edge
stitches, and center 46 sts in Simple Garter Lace
Pattern, continue until piece measures 14½" [37cm]
from cast on edge, ending with a Wrong Side row.
Next Row (Right Side): Knit across row decreasing 12 sts FRONT
evenly spaced—36 sts. 15"
Next Row (Wrong Side): Knit all sts. & [38 cm]
Next Row (Right Side): Bind off all sts leaving a 25" [64cm]
tail to sew side seam. BACK
finishing
Join Front and Back pieces together using yarn needle
and Mattress St. Sew the “edge sts” together creating a
flat, invisible seam. Weave in ends.
abbreviations
yfrn = yarn forward around needle; 22½"
* or ** = repeat whatever follows the * or ** as indicated. [57 cm]
22 KNITmuch | issue 1
So many animal
figures to
choose from the
Top This! hat kit
collection!
Keep repeating these steps until you have the number of stitches
you need.
For smaller hat sizes you may need to use double-pointed needles.
Arrange your stitches equally among 3 working needles.
Place the stitch onto the left needle, inserting the left needle
through the ‘front’ of the stitch. This turns the stitch a little.
KNITmuch | issue 1 25
2 ways to knit a hat in the round, which is better?
Have you ever knitted a project “in the 3. Remember to use a stitch marker to
round” before? If you haven’t, a whole mark the beginning of your round.
world of new projects and tools await Knitting pattern instructions will often
you. Many knitters start off working indicate this directly as “place marker”
“flat” projects because it’s an easy way or “pm” as an abbreviation. Keep
to make a plain scarf or small blanket, different colors of stitch markers on
which make nice first projects. However, hand for different uses in the pattern.
knitting a hat in the round is also a great 4. If you’re knitting with double-pointed
project for new knitters. They are small needles, like I’m using for the green
and quick to finish, and also make easy hat in the photo, you can’t place a
gifts. There are more than 2 ways to knit marker at the beginning of the round
a hat in the round, but here are the two since the beginning of the round
more common ones using the sweetest starts in between two of the needles.
Top This! hats (one in pink, and one in Instead, place it after the first stitch
green) to demonstrate. in the round, or clip it to the knitted
fabric itself and adjust its place every
so often as you knit more of the
project.
Knitting in the
5. Double-pointed needles can feel
round requires
either circular
awkward at the beginning, as though
needles or you’re holding too many things at
double-pointed once! But, remember that you’re only
needles. ever working with 2 of the needles at
once, and there will be 2 (or 3) other
needles at rest that are simply holding
the rest of the stitches in the round.
6. Try to keep things steady by resting
Tips to keep in mind when knitting in your 2 working needles on top of the
the round. 2 resting needles on either side. After
1. When starting your first round, make a while you’ll find yourself making this
sure your right hand needle is the one adjustment automatically whenever
that has the working yarn hanging you move from one needle to the
from it. Then, when you knit the first next.
stitch on the left hand needle, you will 7. Most patterns will tell you to work the
close that gap. This is called “joining first few rounds (or rows, if working
to work in the round.” flat) in ribbing or another stitch that
2. A common reminder is to “join to will let the edge lie evenly (instead
work in the round, being careful not of curling up on itself, like stockinette
to twist“. This means to make sure stitch tends to do), and then change
that the cast on row is fully lined up to the pattern stitch for the rest of the
below the needle (as shown below), project. In this case our pattern stitch
rather than twisted around the needle is stockinette stitch (knitting every
(almost like a mobius strip). When round), so we need to count the
you're knitting flat, you don’t need to rounds of stockinette stitch to track
worry about this step, but it is very our progress.
important when knitting in the round.
26 KNITmuch | issue 1
Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
With double-pointed needles, place the marker after the first stitch on the Double-pointed needles can take a bit of practice to get used to.
first needle, to mark the beginning of the round.
28 KNITmuch | issue 1
Finishing your knitted hat the right way
The crown of your hat after all the decreases are finished.
KNITmuch | issue 1 29
How to fix a dropped knit stitch
Glenna Harris
30 KNITmuch | issue 1
After securing the stitch and locating
your crochet hook, remove the stitch
marker and then insert the crochet
hook through the stitch as in the
photo.
Next, use the crochet hook to grab
the first loose strand above the
live stitch, and then pull that loop
through the stitch that is still on your
hook. Leave this newly pulled stitch
on the crochet hook, and repeat
those steps over and over again
until you have caught all of the loose
Step 3: Use the crochet hook to grab the loose bar just above the dropped stitch.
strands, one at a time. You’re done!
The line of stitches you’ve just picked
up will probably be a little bit looser
than the original knitted fabric was,
but once you’ve finished the proj-
ect and given it a wash, you’ll never
know the difference.
If you’ve managed to drop two or
three stitches, all right next to each
other, then you can still use this same
process but will need to work one
stitch at a time. It’ll be a little more
painstaking, but can be done.
The alternative, of course, is to sim- Pull that bar through the dropped stitch. Leave the pulled loop on the crochet
ply pull out your knitting as far as hook and repeat the process.
the stitch has dropped, and re-knit
from that point. The choice is yours
about which would be more time
consuming or frustrating! Usually the
crochet hook solution is the faster
choice. Next time you find yourself in
this situation, you’ll know how to fix a
dropped knit stitch!
Place the last pulled-up stitch back on the needle, and you’re done! You’ll never
know the difference
Photos by Glenna Harris
KNITmuch | issue 1 31
Knitting with cables – C4L
Glenna Harris
A cable needle
is a tool that
every knitter
should have in
their tool kit!
Knitting with
cables – easier
Cable needles are essential tools for knitting cabled stitches!
than it seems!
Cable stitches are among the most All cables have a “direction.” They
popular kinds of stitch patterns out travel either to the left or to the right,
there. You don’t need to look very long depending on which direction the front
before coming across patterns that use stitches move. In the picture above,
cables – socks, hats, scarves, sweaters you can see three sets of 'right leaning'
and mittens are all just as likely to cables on the right, and three sets of “left
show off different kinds of cabled stitch leaning” cables on the left. All of these
patterns. This makes cables an all-year- stitches are worked as knit stitches, and
round kind of technique, and one that is all are worked over 4 stitches in total.
very versatile to know. In a knitting pattern, these would be
Cables are made by manipulating the indicated as C4R for the right leaning
stitches on your row of knitting so that ones (cable four right), and C4L for the
a few stitches switch places with other left leaning ones (cable four left).
stitches next to them on the needle. In the photos below we’ll demonstrate
Essentially, a cable stitch isn’t a new the steps for working a C4L.
kind of stitch, just a rearrangement
of other knit or purl stitches. So, the C4L means we are working over 4
cable needle is used to help with this stitches for the full cable. Typical
'rearrangement'! cables split this full number into two
halves, where one half of the stitches
C4L (left cable over 4 sts) Step 3: Slip the first 2 stitches back onto the
left hand needle, from the cable needle, then knit them as normal.
KNITmuch | issue 1 33
Knitting with cables – C4R
The C4R is worked very similarly to Finally, transfer the stitches from
the basic C4L cable – a cable over the cable needle back to the left
4 stitches that leans to the left. hand needle, and then knit those
Cable needles are easy knitting stitches like normal. That’s it!
tools to use! You’ve done a C4R. Hold it up and
Cable needles come in different admire your handiwork.
varieties, but all are essentially a Depending on the pattern you’re
shorter needle that holds a small using, cable stitches might be
number of stitches for a very short written down as ‘back’ or ‘front’
time. Cable stitches are worked by cables instead of ‘right’ or ‘left’.
manipulating traditional knit and This refers to the placement of the
purl stitches, so they don’t create cable needle rather than the visual
any new stitches, they just rear- direction of the cable.
range them. Below, we’ll demon- So, a “C4R” and “C4B” are the
strate the C4R cable. same thing, just as “C4L” and “C4F”
Just like the C4L, because we’re are the same. It’s more typical for
working over 4 stitches, the first contemporary patterns to use the
step is to slip 2 stitches onto the left and right terminology, but
cable needle. Typical cables work there are decades of knitting pat-
with half the stitches at a time (al- terns out there to knit from, so it’s
though that’s not always the case). good to know just in case.
When slipping your stitches, slip Either way, cable needles are easy
them “as if to purl”, in other words, tools to learn to use and I hope
slip them so that you don’t twist you’ll enjoy knitting with cables
the stitches in the process. this coming fall and winter! Stay
The next step is to hold the cable tuned tomorrow for knitting fun!
needle behind the work, as op-
posed to holding it in front of the
work for the C4L. You can see in
the two photos above how this
looks. Again, the first time you do
C4L – C4R combination
this might feel a little awkward, but
that’ll get easier with practice!
The next steps proceed just as we
did with our C4L before – hold the
stitches on the cable needle, then
knit the next 2 stitches from the
left hand needle like normal. The
stitches on the cable needle are
waiting patiently, just held in back
instead of in front.
34 KNITmuch | issue 1
C4R (right cable over 4 sts) Step 1: Slip first 2 stitches onto a cable needle. C4R (right cable over 4 sts) Step 3: Knit the next 2 stitches as normal.
C4R (right cable over 4 sts) Step 2: Hold the cable needle in back of the C4R (left cable over 4 sts) Step 4: Slip the 2 stitches from the cable needle
work (behind the needles). back onto the left hand needle, to knit as normal.
Beautiful knitwear is
made of the simple art
of knitting cables.
Holding the cable needle behind the work for C4R.
KNITmuch | issue 1 35
A better one-row buttonhole Glenna Harris
If you’re a knitter who has advanced to
sweaters – whether for adults or children
– you’ve probably encountered the need
for button-holes in your knitting! But-
ton-holes can be tricky to get the hang
of, and there are many different ways to
make them. Trying a new button-hole
technique could make all the difference
for your next cardigan project.
There’s also a huge variety of buttons out
there to choose from. I love the versatile
style of these round ones (pictured left),
each about an inch wide. But these ador-
able owls and lobsters (pictured below)
would be amazing on a little children’s
sweater. They are longer than they are
wide – so choose your button-hole width
based on the narrower length.
Whenever I go shopping for buttons I al-
ways end up coming home with several
different kinds, even if I only need them
for one project at the time! Building up
a button collection of your own is a fun
task, so you’ll eventually be prepared and
ready for different button situations.
There are many different ways to knit a
button-hole. One of the first methods
many of us encounter is a two-row but-
ton-hole method (shown second on that
page), where the knitter first binds off
stitches for the button-hole on the first
row, then on the second row coming back,
casts on new stitches over top of the gap
created by that first bind-off. This is an
easy way to get the hang of button-holes
at first, because all knitters know how to
do at least one basic bind-off and cast-on.
KNITmuch | issue 1 37
Pom-poms
– the cutest knitted accessories, right?
Glenna Harris
3
strands together in
the center.
4
Step 4 Slowly pull the two rings apart, to expose the center of
the little yarn bundle – but be careful not to completely re-
move them. This will look a bit like two jellyfish stuck together.
Step 5 With the center of the yarn bundle exposed, tie 1 or 2
longer strands of yarn around the whole works, and tie a knot
firmly. Now it’s safe to remove the rings!
Step 6 Once you’ve removed the rings, all that’s left to do is
snip away any uneven ends and then give it a “floof” with your 5
fingers, and you’re done! It’s a perfect little pom-pom, ready to
adorn the top of your next winter hat.
If you keep your pom-pom maker handy in your knitting tool-
kit, you’ll be ready to finish your hat and mittens if they call for
pom-poms right away. Or, you can make a few at a time when
you come to the end of a project, as a way to use up small
amounts of extra yarn. Pom-poms make great little decorations
on their own, or strung together to make a garland! Pom-
poms are gorgeous final flourishes to take your knitting to the
next level.
6
Photos by Glenna Harris
KNITmuch | issue 1 39
Stitch holders are safety nets for your knitting
Glenna Harris
40 KNITmuch | issue 1
These two photos show what this
looks like on a cabled swatch – I’ve
taken the middle stitches and put
them aside on the stitch holder. At
this point, if it were a “real” sweater,
I would continue working one side
at a time and do some decreases
on each side of the held stitches
to finish shaping the rest of the
neckline.
Another popular place to use a
stitch holder is on the under-arm of
a sweater knitted in the round, or
when needing to hold aside thumb
We’re using this cabled swatch as though it is the front of
stitches on a mitten. This is where it
a neckline, to separate out the middle section of stitches.
helps to have a few different stitch
holder sizes handy, depending on
how many stitches you’re working
with at once.
If you’re absolutely stuck and don’t
have a stitch holder handy, you can
accomplish the same task by using
some “waste yarn” (a bit of extra
yarn you’re not using) or even dental
floss to hold onto the stitches. The
advantage of stitch holders, though,
is the security of being able to snap
them closed! At those times when
you’re working on a large project, it
definitely feels like stitch holders are
safety nets for your knitting.
Simply slip the stitches from the needle onto the stitch
holder, and then lock it closed.
42 KNITmuch | issue 1
Snowflake
color work
swatch Playing with
cables using
Cutie Pie
yarns
4 when knitting
for babies
Michelle Nguyen
44 KNITmuch | issue 1
Red Heart Cutie Pie Yarn is so soft therefore perfect for knitting for babies. Cutie Pie yarn in colors Cotton, Koala and Splash
1 2 3 4
Have a sense of style Go functional Think color palette Safety
I know this should go You know what every If it isn’t obvious, I’m This is something
without saying, but new parent needs? a huge color person. that can be easily
it’s one thing a lot of Blankets. I was I love all shades and overlooked, but of
gift givers (or makers) recently the hostess will admit to reigning paramount importance.
forget. Just because of a baby shower and myself in when it If knitting a textured
you like the style of didn’t realize, until comes to matters blanket, have a care,
something, doesn’t that moment, how of choosing colors the lacework could
mean everyone else many sheets, blankets, for babies. While get tangled around
will. I know we’re cloths, towels, etc. I might think rich little fingers and toes.
all thinking that this are required for one colors are awesome, Make sure buttons
adorable little sweater small baby. If you’re some mothers might are sewn on securely
is for a baby and the not totally sure if object. If there’s a color and all pom poms
babies don’t have the garment you’re palette for the nursery and bobbles are kept
a sense of style, but looking at knitting a matching blanket will within reason to avoid
mommy and daddy is going to be well be safe. Odds are the choking hazards.
do. If the parents have received, blankets are parents have picked Taking these 4
a really plain sense of always used! colors they like for their tips when knitting
style, chances are, they Wash-ability would child’s room. for babies into
aren’t going to dress also be under the Another good thing consideration will
their little girl in tons of functional headline. If to think about is ensure your lovely
frills and bows. you’re looking to make gender stereotypes. knitted gift is received
an heirloom, hand- It’s more and more and used with joy.
wash only would be common for parents A few well placed
acceptable. If you’re to break the ‘blue is questions could save
looking to make for boys’, ‘pink is for you hurt feelings and
something a parent girls’ color schemes. I frustration. If you’re
would actually use, I know there are strong going to spend hours
would highly suggest feelings on both sides making something
a fiber that is machine of the color-stereotype why not make sure it
washable. line; it would be best meets the stylistic and
to find out if there are safety standards of the
any strong feelings recipient.
either way.
Photos by Michelle Nguyen
KNITmuch | issue 1 45
Michelle Nguyen
Hand Knit Snuggle Sack
A snuggle sack isn’t your ordinary
blanket; it’s like swaddling without
the careful wrapping. These snuggle
sacks are becoming more and more
popular over the past couple years
and are an excellent shower gift.
It’s like giving a baby blanket with
significantly less knitting! Here’s how
to make a hand knit snuggle sack…
[ Red Heart
Cutie Pie Yarn
46 KNITmuch | issue 1
Cast on 80 sts in color A, join into
the round, place marker, and knit
in stockinette for 4''. Make the
folded hem. With RS facing, fold
the cast on edge away from you
and hold behind the working nee-
dle. Pick up one stitch from cast
on edge and knit it together with
the next stitch on working needle.
Continue to do this until all the
cast on stitches have been knit. Finished folded hem.
Knit one round plain. The next
round, add 10 stitches evenly
through the stitches on the nee-
dle. If you’re working with 80
stitches, you’ll knit 7 then knit
in front and back of loop. After
increase row is finished, knit in
stockinette until the snuggle sack
is 6'' in total. Switch to color B and
knit in stockinette until this section
is 6'' as well. Finally switch to color
C and continue in stockinette until Finish the snuggle sack by threading yarn onto your The bottom of the snuggle sack
this color block is 5''. tapestry needle then threading the yarn through
your live stitches. Pull tight and weave in the end.
complete with decreases. Ends just
need to be woven in.
Begin the decreases as follows:
Row 1: *K8, k2tog* repeat
Row 2: K all stitches
Row 3: *K7, k2tog* repeat
Row 4: K all stitches
You can’t beat the softness of
Row 5: *K6, k2tog* repeat Red Heart Cutie Pie yarn
Row 6: K all stitches to make this snuggle sack.
Continue in this manner, switching This hand knit snuggle sack is
into double pointed needles when one of the most appreciated
needed, until you reach K1, k2tog. baby knits I’ve ever made.
After completing K1, k2tog, there’s It keeps baby ensconced in
no plain stockinette row, work soft warmth with no danger
K2tog. of little toes peeking out
Cut your working yarn, leaving a and getting cold. There’s no
12'' tail. Thread the tail onto your tucking corners or fussing
tapestry needle and thread the with multiple blankets, just
yarn through the live stitches. Pull one cozy little cocoon.
tight and weave in the end.
{
skill level easy
finished measurements 18" x 8"
The texture of
Red Heart’s ‘With Love’ yarn
materials
1 ball of Red Heart's With Love in color lends itself perfectly to the
Iris Creative Cabled Cowl
1 needle US 9 [5.5mm]
1 tapestry needle
48 KNITmuch | issue 1
Cast on 36 stitches and work in a k1 p1
seed stitch for an inch ending on a wrong
side row. Continue in seed stitch for 4 sts,
place marker, knit row one of the chart
below, place marker and finish last four sts
in seed stitch.
Continue starting with 4 sts in seed stitch
then work the next pattern row.
I would suggest knitting until the cowl is
18'' in length to give you a nice snug fit
to keep you warm on a cold winter day.
If you prefer a looser fitting cowl, do as
many repeats as you feel comfortable with.
When you’re ready to do the buttonholes,
stop the chart after row 8 and re-establish
your seed stitch. Knit half an inch in
seed stitch then place your buttonholes
accordingly.
Row 1: Knit 4 sts in seed stitch pattern,
then bind off three stitches, knit 10 more
sts in seed stitch and bind off three, knit
9 sts in seed stitch pattern, bind off three
and finish last four sts in seed stitch.
Row 2: Continue in seed stitch pattern
until you reach the bound off areas and
cast on two sts using the backwards loop
method.
Work in seed stitch for another half inch This cowl perfectly covers the space your jacket
and bind off. Make sure you re-establish
the seed stitch after the buttonholes leaves open to the unforgiving winter winds. We
properly or your seed stitch will turn into a all have a friend who is always cold, keep them
rib stitch.
warm with this beautiful creative cabled cowl.
Now all you have left to do is sew on
your buttons!
50 KNITmuch | issue 1
Sashay your way onto the Fringe of Fashion
ugly. This is normal, it’s like the knitted pillow you want.
knitting lace; it doesn’t look good You’ll might have to keep an eye
until you are closer to the end. on a pillow like that to make sure
With lace that means blocking, it doesn’t migrate to a friend’s
with Sashay Fringe, it means a bit home. It would be a great idea
closer to the end. for covering old pillows that are
One difference between ruffle faded or stained. Furthermore,
yarns and Sashay Fringe that it works up so quickly, you can
I really enjoyed, is the lack make several to give to your
of maintenance while you’re girlfriends for the upcoming
knitting it. With the regular holiday season. Knit it up in their
ruffle yarn you have to smooth favorite color or in the color to
it out as you’re knitting it to get match up with their decor.
a real ‘ruffled’ effect. The fur Knitting a scarf with Sashay Fringe
edge is what you’re looking to isn’t the only thing. With the many
accentuate with this yarn and patterns out there for ruffle yarn,
there’s no need to smooth it out. there’s no end to the accessories
The weight of the fur itself makes you can make, as there are Running your thumb along the inside as you knit
sure the yarn isn’t bunched up several benefits of knitting with makes it open right up
within the knitted folds of the Sashay Fringe yarn. All those
scarf. Closer to the end of the patterns will be brand new again
ball the mesh is folded into the when knit with Sashay Fringe. The
fur, but that is a simple matter little edge of fur brings a totally
of unfolding as you go along. different look to your favorite
If you place your thumb in the patterns.
folded groove, as you move
along the strand it will open up Give it a whirl!
automatically.
The Rows of Ruffles pillow is
something that I would dearly
love to try; I relish in the thought
it will turn out so soft. This
pattern is linked to a crochet
pattern and my crochet skills
leave something to be desired,
so I would knit the whole thing.
Using the holes in the mesh webbing to cast on the The stitches can be seen between my finger and the
Sashay Fringe ruler, that is one row of four stitches.
Photos by Michelle Nguyen
KNITmuch | issue 1 51
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