Beginner Knitting II ....................................................................... How to choose the best needles for new knitters

Now that we've established the need for quality yarn for the first time knitter, it's time to learn which needles will be most comfortable in the newbie's hands.
Five criteria are essential:
1. Type
2. Length
3. Size/circumference
4. Material
5. Color

1. A set of straight needles
2. 8-10" in length. Longer ones are more awkward to manage and shorter than eight inches may just be uncomfortable in certain hands. Smaller hands of children may, however, have an easier time with a shorter length.
3. 5.0-6.0mm/Size 8 -10 U.S.
4. Choose a material that will feel good and one that is not too slippery. Best choices for the new knitter: bamboo, birch, rosewood, ebony and certain plastic needles such as: the Pony needles made of reinforced plastic are among my favorites. Some are  designed  specifically for children  but adults too, will find them suitable and quite comfortable to use.Pleasantly smooth and flexible,  these plastic needles  are available in an assortment of colors according to size so they are easy to keep in pairs.
5. It is important and helpful to use a needle where one can  easily identify  their stitches. As such, a lighter colored needle is best used when knitting with a darker yarn and a darker needle such as a rosewood or ebony is ideal when knitting with lighter colors.

The key is making that first experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible by using the right tools to ensure the love of the craft. 

Beginner Knitting I - Changing the Mindset of the New Knitter

I've been teaching people to knit for a long time.  Whether in my studio, in the shops where I've worked, in schools or in an airport waiting lounge  (something about knitting while waiting for delayed flights  encourages conversation and fiber education)- So it may come as no surprise to you, that I have developed a few thoughts on the best way to share  the craft- 

I've neglected my blog for a few months, so I've decided to start a series of short entries for new knitters and those who introduce  others to the craft. Starting today with: 

Changing the Mindset of the New Knitter. 
 A new knitter is not doomed to failure and despite their own fears of such -  most new knitters will pick up and master  the basic knit stitch in little more than 15 or 20 minutes. 

 But so many are afraid, fearful of being incapable or whatever and,  are really surprised and pleased when they learn to manage a couple of sticks and some string. 

And of course, I've  come across it even more often.  Beginner knitters and their well meaning" teachers"  anticipate failure - always  insisting  on using some old and itchy or cheap quality  acrylic yarn ( nothing really wrong with knitting with  acrylic yarn  but, it is about the worst choice for learning to knit). Why waste the money, they say, "it's a first project"   Pity the  newbie  knitter learning  to make their first stitches  - at the side of the experienced grandma, auntie or friend, - the new knitter  who is convinced that the first project will be a failure so why spend  any money on nice  soft yarn.  The problem with this, however, is  the yarn has no give, adds to the frustration and fear of the newbie, not to mention,  it is simply too unattractive to want to complete, let alone wear.

I have a wholly different philosophy.  In my studio,  knitting begins with some nice bamboo sticks and some  practice yarn which is  usually a  soft merino or standard worsted weight wool.  Anything else  is usually doomed to failure. Choosing a cheap acrylic fiber is actually a waste of time and of money.    It feels lousy, it has no natural elasticity and it looks even worse. Why would you spend your precious  and valuable  time knitting  with something you'd never ever want to wear or use.   It  usually gets stuffed in a drawer, never to be seen again and knitting  becomes a forgotten hobby almost as fast as you can say " I got  the yarn for  two bucks at Walmart".   Start with  a basic worsted or bulky (no, not too bulky) and you don't need a whole skein, just some left over worsted from a fellow knitter.   Practice on this durable,  but pleasant fiber. The natural elasticity just lends itself to the tension of a new knitter’s hands and its stretch will allow plenty of room for a few random mistakes.   It  is  also sturdy enough for repeat use should you need to  take out some stitches  and reknit. It's simply positive reinforcement.  You'll like how it looks, and how it feels and you won't want to put it down.   

Then, start your first project (immediately)  with  a lovely  skein of  soft 100%  merino in  a solid color (easier to see your stitches)  which  can easily  be found   for under $10. Knit some simple garter stitch ( all knit) fingerless gloves- quicker than a scarf and  you'll have a finished pair in no time.  

Next blog: Choosing the best needles for first projects.

My Baby Knitting Marathon

Windowpane Heirloom Blanket

Not sure how or why, but this  seems to be the season for  babies - lots of them.  In the past month, we have celebrated the arrival of perhaps a dozen new little ones - (surprisingly, all were boys) 
 As a result I have been on a knitting for babies marathon, almost to  the exclusion of all else. 

"Wool Leaves"  a Jared Flood design.

The Stash Busting Cotton Baby Blanket

Knitting baby blankets is so much fun - though clearly not a quick project, these sweet blankets offer you an opportunity to try out lots of stitch patterns
or create one of your own signature designs.   I loved using my stash for this recent cotton treasure: The Stash Busting Baby Blanket.  The pattern for this beautiful, colorful and soft baby coverlet can be found in our Ethelridge Road Knitting Salon, Summer 2012 newsletter. Please email me at: knittingsalon@gmail.com to receive a copy.


The Windowpane design was created from  a mere 6 skeins of luscious and soft, Artyarns Supermerino - just a tad over 600 yards for this precious and versatile crib blanket or carriage/stroller cover.  This yarn is ideal too for all things baby - from hats to sweaters and booties so you can gift a set of matching garments for any special baby.  As a superwash, it is perfect for a baby's soft skin. I always stress the pleasure and the quality of using a natural fiber over the standard acrylics so many seem to choose for their baby projects.With a superwash merino like this one, you can keep your baby swathed in a soft and natural yarn and a washable one to boot. Reasonably priced too, this is certainly a go-to yarn and pattern  for all the babies awaiting knitted gifts. This supermerino yarn is one of my personal favorites and a mainstay at the Salon -  and I am always  happy to order some for you.
This Windowpane design baby blanket  is sure to become an heirloom gift for  a very special baby - hence the name-
And I am delighted to share the pattern with you here:

Windowpane Heirloom Baby Blanket

Materials: 6 skeins, Artyarns Supermerino, 100% merino, 104 yards per skein. Color #: 170
needles: US #7/4.5mm  32" circulars; row counter and 10 stitch markers.
Finished measurements:  27" x 28" approximately after steam blocking.
Gauge: 4 1/2 stitches to the inch
Abbreviations: 
pm: place marker
sm: slip marker

Instructions :
Cast on 126 sts
Bottom border: Knit 11 rows in garter stitch (knit every row)

Set up row: K5, pm, K20, pm, K4, pm, K20, pm, K4, pm, K20, pm, K4, pm, K20, pm, K4, pm, K20, pm, K5

Window Pane:Row 1: K5, sm, P20, sm, K4, sm, P20, sm, K4, sm, P20, sm, K4, sm, P20, sm, K4, sm, P20,  sm, K5
Row 2: K5, sm, K20, sm, K4, sm, K20, sm, K4, sm, K20, sm, K4, sm, K20, sm, K4, sm, K20, sm, K5
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until this section above the garter border measures 4.25" ending on Row 1.

Garter frame: K 6 rows

Beginning with Row 2, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until Window Pane section measures 4.25" ending with Row 1, then repeat the Garter frame pattern.
Continue in this manner until you have completed 5 Window Panes separated by 4 sections of the Garter frame pattern.
Complete top border (you can now remove markers) with 11 rows of garter stitch and bind off loosely.  Steam block and weave in ends.

Copyright Notice: The entire contents of this pattern and the knitted design to which it refers are subject to copyright.  Please use this pattern for your personal non-commercial use only. 

Sparkling Ocean Blue Drawstring Purse

Sparkling Ocean Blue Drawstring Purse

I love knitting with fine yarns and small circumference needles.  For this little number, I used my 9' circulars and size 4 needles.   The photo doesn't do this pretty purse the justice it deserves. It has the most beautiful tiny Swarovski glass beads and sparkles just enough to make it glisten!   It didn't take long to knit either.  It measures just 6" long and 4" wide,  It's quite delicate looking,  but sturdy enough and stretchy enough to hold a     lipstick and a hankie.
 Here's the pattern if you'd like to knit one up yourself. There's lots of room for your design elements here too, so feel free to improvise the design.  I only request that if you use this exact pattern  you respect my design and use it for personal use only, but feel free to knit up a bunch for the whole wedding party or whatever - this makes a really sweet gift. 

What you'll need: 1 skein of Berroco Seduce,  a rayon, silk, linen blend, this yarn is 100 yards per skein and I probably used less than half of my skein. I used color #4448.  A similar weight mercerized cotton, silk or linen would also be lovely; 1 spool 2 ply metallic thread (I used Finca Metallic color #0003/silver, 55 yds per spool); 
US 4/3.5mm needles, 9" circulars and 1 set dps or just the dps;  crochet hook: .75mm or size to fit through the opening of your beads , a twisted wire beading needle (Colonial Needle), about 75 small glass beads, a tapestry needle  and a stitch marker.
Gauge was approximately 5.5 sts per inch. 

PB:  purl bead

tbl: thru back loop 

With your beading needle, thread about 30 beads onto your yarn.  Cast on 43 sts, slide last st from right needle to left needle, pm on right needle, and knit the first 2 sts on left needle tog to make a secure join. (42 sts)   Knit in the round for 2 rows.

Row 3 -Bead row: * K2, pu next stitch, pw, slide your 1st bead up to this stitch and now purl this stitch (PB),  repeat from * across row.  

Knit 2 rows

Row 6: *K2tog, YO, repeat from* across row. 

Knit 2 rows

Row 9:  Eyelet row for drawstring:  *K5, k2tog, YO,  repeat  from*  across row 
(6 eyelets created) 

Knit 2 rows

Repeat Row 6

Knit 3 rows

Repeat Row 3- Bead row. 

Knit in the round for 2"

Next Row, Add metallic thread (you will now be knitting with your main yarn and the metallic thread together) 
*K2, add bead with crochet hook - 
  Slide the bead onto the crochet hook and let it slide down the shaft.  With your crochet hook, lift the metallic stitch only and pull it through the hole in the  bead and then  replace this part of your stitch back to its place on  the left needle. (Your bead will now be sitting firmly and securely on the metallic thread). Knit this stitch thru the back loop (tbl) of both yarns and voila: your bead has now been integrated into your knitting.  For a more detailed and visual explanation see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r1LEYbSu-8  . 
*Continue adding a bead every 3rd st across this row. 
Knit one row
Repeat this bead row using a crochet hook, as described above,  every other row 2 more times. (you will have 3 rows of beads).  Knit one row.

Decrease section: 
Row 1: *K4, k2tog, repeat  from * across row

Row 2: *K3, k2tog, repeat  from * across row

Row 3: *K2, k2tog, repeat  from * across row

Row 4: *K1, k2tog, repeat  from * across row

Row 5: *k2tog, repeat  from * across row (7 sts) 
Cut yarn, leaving a 10" tail, thread this tail thru a tapestry needle and draw thru the remaining 7 sts.  Carefully and securely weave in your ends.

 Drawstring I-cord:  With size US4/3.5mm needle and both yarns, knit a 30", 
 2 st i-cord.  Weave thru eyelets and graft ends together.  

I am just bowled over by these

I love simple projects with awesome results. I also love to create unconventional designs for all of the many yarns in my stash. Combining the two with the ability to knit or crochet something quickly is, well, my idea of a perfect craft. I've been knitting felted bowls for several years and have been very attracted to a range of beautiful colors and fibers that can produce really spectacular results.

I recently discovered this wonderful T-shirt yarn from http://besweetproducts.com/ and crocheted this beauty in just about an hour. It was fun and it was easy and I used barely 60 yards of Be Sweet's T-shirt cotton. Looking forward to seeing the range of colors available so I can experiment with other shapes and sizes.

Winter Knitting - Lace Edged Gauntlets

Not only is winter a great time to wear one's knits, it's often the most productive time for those of us who knit professionally because it is so much easier to hunker down by the fire to get the work done. The past few weeks were particularly busy for me and I set out goals to finish many of my UFOs and to experiment with some of the lovely new fibers that have arrived here at my Knitting Salon. Particularly satisfying has been the Misti Alpaca Baby Alpaca worsted, a soft and extremely warm yarn without the weight of a bulky fiber.
I wanted to knit long gauntlets that would be stylish and long to slide gracefully up my forearm. I usually find that my more formal coats are often loose at the wrist area allowing the cold air to seep up my arms. A long and attractive gauntlet would be both chic and practical. I added the lace cuff just for interest but, these lovely fingerless gloves could just as easily be worn without a coat to show off the divine lace design along the top quarter of the glove. Wear them slouchy or tight - you'll find them snug at first- which is really fine on a very cold day. The finger area is nice and roomy and almost reaches your fingertips for extra coverage when necessary. And of course, we have this beautiful yarn right here, should you wish to order directly from me.

Lace Edged Gauntlets

Design by Laurie Kimmelstiel for The Ethelridge Road Knitting Salon

Arm and hand warmers should do just that – warm the hands and forearms. This design has a wonderful and relatively simple lace pattern decorating the glove just below the elbow. The glove itself stretches down the arm allowing just enough of an opening to allow the fingers to move about and still be protected from the cold. Elegant and practical, they are rather quick to knit and can be created in any of a number of beautiful fibers. I choose some really soft baby alpaca for these but, they would be equally special in cashmere or silk.

Materials: Yarn: 2 skeins of Misti Alpaca Baby Alpaca worsted, 109 yards per ball. Needles: US5/3.75mm double points (5.5” length is best); stitch marker.

Abbreviations:

YON: Yarn over needle

K2 tog tbl: Knit 2 stitches together thru back loop

YFRN: Yarn forward and round needle. Same as yo

Lace Pattern:

Row 1: K2, *P1, yon, k2togtbl, P1, K2 Repeat from* to end of row.

Row 2: K2, *P1, K2 Repeat from* to end of row.

Row 3: K2, *P1, k2tog, YFRN, P1, K2 Repeat from* to end of row.

Row 4: K2, * P1, K2 Repeat from* to end of row.

Instructions:

Cast on 32 stitches, divide onto 3 needles, pm and begin lace pattern for 20 rows. (5 repeats)

Knit in the round until piece measures 11.5”

Begin Thumb Gusset:

Thumb Gusset:

Note: M1 {make one} by picking up the horizontal bar between two stitches, placing it on your left needle, and knitting it through the back of the loop with your right needle.
Row 1: Knit to last 2 sts. K1, m1, k1.

Row 2: Knit to last 3 sts. K2, M1, k1.

Row 3: Knit across row.

Row 4: Knit to last 3 sts. k1, m1, k2.

Row 5: Knit to last 3 sts. k1, m1, k2.

Row 6: Knit across row

Row 7: Knit to last 4 sts, K1, m1, k1, m1, k2.

Row 8: Knit across row.

Row 9: Knit to last 5 sts. K1, m1, k1, m1, k3.

Rows 10 - 12: Knit these rows.

Row 13: Knit to last 10 stitches. Bind off these last 10 sts.

Continue knitting in the round on 30 stitches, for 3 “

Top edge: over 3 rows: Purl 1 row, Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row.

Decrease Bind Off as follows: *K2 sts tog tbl and without twisting, slip st from right needle back to left needle and repeat from * until all sts are bound off. Weave in all ends and enjoy!

The entire contents of this pattern and the knitted design to which it refers are subject to copyright. Please use this pattern for your personal non-commercial use only. www.whiteridgecrafts.com