Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Garter Slip Stitch

Good Morning ~ 

Today's stitch is Garter Slip Stitch and I have to say that this is one of the easiest stitch combination that really gives alot of texture to your project.   I'm gearing up for the summer craft fair season and have made several little wallets with this stitch.   It's easy to memorize and because 2 rows of the pattern you slip every other stitch it is worked quite quickly.

The pattern is worked in multiples of 2 + 1 over 4 rows.

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K1, *(Sl 1pw, K1) rep to end
Row 4: K1, *(yf, Sl 1 pw, yb, K1) rep to end

Repeat these 4 rows

I have several wallets or card holders such as this one in my etsy shop.  I think they are perfect to hold ATM cards, Credit Cards, Student ID's, Drivers Licence and Business Cards.

Or even better yet -  Put a gift card in one of these, tie a ribbon around it and you will have the perfect gift for grads or for any event. 

If you would like to make your own, I have the knitting pattern availabe as well, complete with a check off grid to keep track of every row.  And here is what my tester says about this pattern:  " What a quick, fun project this was! This is one that I am going to make again very soon. "

 
Results of last week's Poll "Who Taught You to Knit?
50% Mother
25% Self Taught (Books)
12% Knitting Group
12% Neighbor

My mother taught me to knit and interestingly, she taught me 'the European' way of holding incoming yarn using my left hand.  Many Americans knit by holding the incoming yarn with their right hand. My mother-in-law was one of those.  Mary Claire (MIL) used to say I drove her nuts when I would sit and knit with her as I did it backwards.  (I'm sure I drove her nuts in other ways, but that is the only thing she ever told me about!)

Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to see how many knitters that visit my blog are "European" knitters or "American" knitters.. so this week's poll is ready for you to check in:  Do You Knit European Style or American Style?  Results to be shared next week

Keep your knitting needles clicking until next week when I will feature the Rice Stitch!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Slipped Double Chain

Good Morning~  Today's stitch is Slipped Double Chain and I found that this stitch makes a very interesting and unique design and best of all  - it is very easy!

It is made up of 7 stitches with 8 repeating rows and fits in with cables and textures beautifully. 

Just follow these rows:

Row 1: (right side) Sl 1 purlwise, K5, Sl 1 purlwise
Row 2: Sl 1 purlwise, P5, Sl 1 purlwise
Row 3: C3L, K1, C3R
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K2, Sl 1 purlwise, K1, Sl 1 purlwise, K2
Row 6: P2, Sl 1 purlwise, P1, Sl 1 purlwise
Row 7: C2R, K1, C3L
Row 8: Purl

Repeat these 8 rows

Hold the yarn in front of your work when slipping the stitches to create the little horizontal loop at each point. 
 

 I used this stitch in a baby blanket that I made for one of my daughter's friends that is having her first baby this summer.  I had so much fun making this blanket for a couple reasons:  1) It was the 4th baby blanket I've made this year and yet it was the first girl (I was getting tired of blue!) and 2) Although the pattern looks difficult, it is very repetitive and after the first few repeats, it is easy to tell where you are so it can be put down and picked up again easily.
 
The center of the blanket is honeycomb cables with this slipped double chain on either side and has double seed stitch with braided cabled edges
 
The pattern for the  baby blanket is for sale in my etsy shop.
 
I had left over yarn and I made a honeycomb hat and a slipped stitch bib to match.
 

 
 
The entire set:

 
 
This was a super fun project and I can't wait to see and hold the baby!  I guess I need to wait until she's ready to show herself to the world, but it sure is hard to wait.
 
Next week I will be in Vermont visiting my grandson and celebrating his 4th birthday, so the next stitch of the week will be May 9th - Mother's Day.  I have a beautiful, yet simple double cable pattern in store for you then!
Until then, keep your knitting needles clicking!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Open Weave Panel

Good Morning Knit Wit followers.  As I sip my second cup of coffee this morning watching the sunrise, I am dreaming of the days when I can bring my knitting outside and listen to the birds sing to me as I knit.  But I find myself next to the wood stove yet again.  Although spring has come, Central NY has not yet noticed.

Today's stitch is an Open Weave Panel lace, which is very easy and is worked by repeating only 4 rows, so it is easy to memorize. 




I used this stitch in a pair of fingerless gloves. 





Here is how to work the stitch:

Row 1: (right side) P2, Sl 1, K1, PSSO, YF, K3, YF, K2Tog, P2
Row 2: K2, P7, K2
Row 3: P2, K2, YF, Sl 1, K2Tog, PSSO, YF, K2, P2
Row 4: same as Row 2

Repeat these 4 rows

Try a panel for yourself and see how easy it is.  I found that there was a fun rhythym going on with the needles as I worked this stitch.

I have visions of making some really cool window treatments with this  stitch, but sometimes I get a bit over-enthusastic!  We will see if it ever happens.

Next week is Easter, so I will be taking the day off from posting knitting patterns.  But don't forget to come back April 11th!  I have three fun mixed up stitches lined up for April. 

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Ridged Rib

Good Morning and Happy Valentine's Day

This weeks featured stitch is the Ridged Rib stitich.  It is super easy and is a great stitch for flat work such as scarves, blankets or placemats.  It is worked with 4 repeating rows that is easily memorized and it is easy to tell where you left off so it is a great portable project.  It has great texture and try mixing up colors for some really fun stripes.

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: P1, *K1, P1; repeat from * to end
Row 4: K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end

Repeat these 4 rows


Here I've used this stitch in a fun book jacket and is one of very few projects that I am actually keeping for myself.  I love reading and this cover just makes reading so much more enjoyable!

Be creative and have fun with this one!

Have you been tuned into the olympics?  What and amazing opening ceremony that was and I'm just amazed at how beautiful Canada is. 

I am determined to start my own little knitting olympics and while watching the real athletes do their thing, I will be finishing up all my projects that are half done and just waiting for me to pick up again.  I currently have a baby blanket, a scarf and a pair of fingerless gloves started and put aside.  My goal:  by closing ceremony they will all be done!  And hopefully I won't have more than one new project started!

Are you with me?  Let me know how many projects you hope to finish up while watching the games.

Till next week ~  Stay Warm and keep you needles clicking! 

Next weeks stitch -- Woven Stitch

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Lattice Stich

It's February already and as I look out my window, I see a storm is brewing.  Not the nice fluffy snow, but the icy snow that comes with harsh wind.  What a nice day to stay in and knit by the fire!

We spent our time in January learning some great new cable stitches.  I though I would change it up for February and concentrate on some really fantastic textures.  This week is the Lattice Stitch.

This is a fun and easy pattern that gives what ever you are making some depth and intrest.  It is worked in multiples of 6 + 1 stiches and repeating 6 rows.

Try a swatch by casting on 25 stiches and working the rows as follows:

Row 1: K3, *P1, K5; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, P1, K3
Row 2: P2, *K1, P1, K1, P3; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, K1, P1, K1, P2
Row 3: K1, *P1, K3, P1, K1; repeat from * to end
Row 4: K1, *P5, K1; repeat from * to end
Row5: same as 3
Row 6: same as 2

I used this stitch to make a fun and useful clutch that is large enough to hold check books, passports, train tickets and perhaps a cell phone.  It is a fast and easy pattern that could be completed and finished in just a couple hours.  And if you live in an area like I do with snow coming at us in every direction, it's a perfect day to knit it up! 

Here is a link to the lattice stitch clutch knitting pattern  available in my etsy shop.  This pattern has been tested for accuracy and includes a grid to keep track of your rows for perfect results every time.  You will use this pattern over and over again to make gifts for your friends or stock up for your next craft fair. 

I hope you stay warm today and are surrounded by soft warm yarns!  Enjoy~~

Next week  - Ridged Rib stitch - a great filler for in between cables! 

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ 6 Stitch Spiral Cable

Welcome to this weeks knit stitch feature - slip stitch spiral cable. 

This stitch combination is worked over 6 stitches and by repeating small cables next to each other, it gives the illusion of a continuous spiral.  This can often be found in sweaters as a filler stitch and is thick, warm and solid.  I found that it was easy to knit and quickly memorized the repetitive pattern.

Row 1: (C2F) 3 times
Row 2: P
Row 3: K1, (C2F) 2 times, K1
Row 4: P

Repeat these 4 Rows

I used this stitch in a fun wine cozy which provides soft padding for the wine bottle and makes a super fun gift bag when wine is given.  The wine bottle cozy pattern can be found in my etsy shop and is a fun knit on double pointed needles.  The top can be tied up with an i-cord, ribbon or jute - you decide! 

This one is done in a rich beautiful red, just in time for a romantic valentines evening! 

I hope you enjoyed the month of January that featured variations of cables.  I will feature more cables later on in 2010, but in February I will focus on texture stitches. 

So get your knitting needles warmed up and clicking!  Next week ~  Lattice Stitch

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Wavy Cable

Wecome back to week four of Sunday Morning Knit Wit.

Today I am featuring one of my very favorite cables ~ The Wavy Cable.  This is a great cable stitch for edges or border work and has fantastic texture. The cable shown is worked over 6 stitches and repeating 12 rows.   However, the number of stitches and rows can be modifed to suit your pattern.


The pattern requires using cable work held in front and in back while making cables. 


For a refresher on how to make cables click here.

The Pattern:

Row 1: K
Row 2: P
Row 3: C6B
Row 4: P
Row 5: K
Row 6: P
Row 7: K
Row 8: P
Row 9: C6F
Row 10: P
Row 11: K
Row 12: P

I have used modifications of this wavy pattern in several items. (I told you it was one of my favorites!)

Here it is used in a wine bottle cozy

And here in a warm scarflette:  (the pattern is also available)

This cowl is fun and the pattern is also available!

And this pattern for wavy fingerless gloves will just amaze you at how easy they are!

So get your needles going and make some wavy cables today. 

Warning:  It is easy to get addicted.
Side effects include: looking at your co-workers sweaters trying to find cables, looking at patterns to see if you can fit cables in somewhere, and finding your cable needle in your pockets while doing laundry - and be careful!  They can cause damage to your washer or dryer. 
Next Week - Sprial Cables!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Pearl Cable

This week I am featuring the Pearl Cable stitch. This is a great little filler stitch and can be used anywhere to add texture and fun. 

As with most cables, using purl stitches before and after will help it stand out and really make it pop.  This stitch requires making cables in front and in back of the work.

I used a 4 stitch variation, but it can be worked in 6 or 8 as well for a bulkier look.

The cable is made by repeating these 4 rows:
Row 1: C2F, C2B
Row 2: P
Row 3: C2B, C2F
Row 4: P

Click here for details on how to make cables

So far, I've used this sweet little cable in an electronic cozy and a couple scarflettes.  I really love it and I already have some ideas that include a shopping bag and a baby bib, but the details haven't been worked out yet.

For a quick and easy project, try this electronic cozy pattern for just $4.  It is worked in the round on double pointed needles and is a great way to use up left over yarn. 

Also check out this fun and warm scarflette in pink worked with alpaca and silk blend.  It is incredibly soft!

Or this scarflette made with merino wool in a beautiful charcoal grey

 
Until next week, keep those knitting needles clicking and stay warm!

Next week's stitch:  Wavy Cables