Yarn Lover's News November 2009    

Greeting Yarn Lover's …  

First things first... I'd like to pass on a few comments coming in about the last newsletter. 

About making knots in your work for any reason (adding another color, another ball, etc), this comes in from Dauber

Hi - just a comment about making a knot.  I fix afghans if I can and they go to the soldiers in a German hospital hurt in Afghanistan.  The ones that aren't worth fixing have a knot and the person cuts the yarn at the knot.  I have no idea where they got instructions like this and because I complained about it I found out many people did that.  So I think I would dwell on weaving a long piece afterwards.  The knot comes apart so easy and the whole blanket or other project is ruined.

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An awesome newsletter !  I really enjoyed reading it please continue the newsletters. 
I found a hopefully minor glitch...the Question from McKinnley is about crochet not knit...I'd done the same thing.  I believe she needs the info on changing colors in crochet.  If you will please forward this I'll try (I learned to crochet about 20 years ago) but I was totally self taught to crochet.  To explain change of color, yarn over pull up yarn in next stitch yarn over the new color and pull thru--single crochet...Double crochet change in same manner just use double crochet stitch instead.  I hope that helps.  PS...I did the same thing but the other way once in an email...{grin very sheepishly} .  Peace, Cynthia.

You all love the Questions and Answers so much now on to this month's newsletter.

I thought we'd do it again.

I'd send another newsletter just like that.

We'll do it again.

Q. Would you be able to please help....How do you do the knit stitch TW2......

 A.  TW2 - Twist Two. Knit second st on left-hand needle, knit first st on left-hand needle, slip both sts from needle together.

To see other terms go to http://www.knitting-crochet.com/terms.html

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 Q.  I am a novice crocheter. I've started making a blanket and it's going well. However I would like to change colours and am unsure how to do this. Any pointers? Thanks, McKinnley

 A.  Changing Colors
There are as many ways to changing colors as there are stitch patterns.

To stop knitting with one color and starting knitting with the other at the end of the row or round, and if there are more than 3 rows, break the old color off and add the new one.

Or you might want to add a new color or a new ball in the middle of the row. Again there are many ways to do this. You could knit a stitch with your new color or all, then pick up and use the old color or ball, then the new color, the old color and lastly pick up and use your new color.

Or start knitting with the new color; the last stitch of the old color and first stitch of the new color will be loose, but after you work another row or two. Pull on the old yarn and weave it through your work or carry it across “locking it” behind every stitch for about 2 inches.

Or leaving tails of at least 6” overlap the old and new strands and knit ONE stitch with both strands. Drop both tails and continue knitting with the new strand.

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 Q. I am trying to crochet a baby bootie and they use the term "foll" stitch.
 Have you ever heard of it?  
 I would appreciate any suggestions.

 A.  foll, means   follows(ing)

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 Q. I WAS READING ON YOUR WEBSITE ABOUT MAKING NYLON TULLE POT SCRUBBERS. CAN YOU MAKE THESE BY KNITTING? I DON'T KNIT THAT GOOD AND I DON'T CROCHET. IF YOU HAVE TIME I APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD GIVE ME AN ANSWER, I HAD ONE OF THESE SCUBBERS BUT IT GOT LOST.     THANKS          MARY LOU 

A. Sure you can. I'd just knit a square of about 6 or 7 inches. Use size 6 or 7 needles with strips cut from your netting of about 1/2 inch.

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Q. I am knitting a sweater vest and have come across the symbol "SSK".  I know that this means slip, slip, knit; however, I'm not sure how it is done.  The directions are the first row or neck shaping.   The instructions are RS, seed stitch, 10 sts of cable pattern, SSK, knit to end of row. 

My questions is, do I slip 2 stitches off the left needed onto the right needle and then knit the next stitch.  If so, won't this just make a hole where I just slipped these 2 stitches? 

 I'm confused!  Any help you can provide would be appreciated!

 A.  Here you go...

SSk -Slip first stitch on left needle as if to knit. Slip next stitch on left needle as if to knit. Insert tip of left needle in the front through both slipped stitches. Wrap yarn around tip of right needle and then knit these two stitches together.

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Q. I cannot remember how to do the seed stitch for knitting-can you help me?

 A.  Even number of stitches

Row 1: *k1, p1; rep from *
Row 2: *p1, k1; rep from *

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Q. Hi,  I am so confused on how to End a project, what I mean by this is When I am finished an afghan or whatever, I tie the end in a slip knot and it always comes out...HELP Thanks Liz

A.  I've not had that problem. I just cut the yarn at about 5 inches or so, go though the last stitch the usual way but pull your stitch straight through and tug on it hard to form a knot. At this point you'll weave the ends in to hide...

If you'd like you can use a washable glue or "fray check" on your knot.. You'll find this in the sewing notions at the craft or fabric store.

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 Q. I was knitting a baby hat and was doing fine but it said to continue in pattern of stkg-st and even though I knew what I was doing I could not find these abbreviations in any books I have just wonder what they stand for? Thanks.

A.  Stockinette stitch

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 Q. the Question I'm referring to is called "fall outing" First row is knit placing markers, then2nd row is starting to increase....  This is where I get confused. Is the 2nd row the wrong side or the right side? 

Sometimes you can read on and kind of figure out what to do,

But with all the rows knit, that's where it gets hard, many thanks, Bonnie

 A.  It is in garter st (knit every row) which means both side will look exactly alike. If you want to call one or the other ... call row 1 the right side.

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Q. Hi, I was looking at this pattern to make for my daughter. I noticed that for the gauge, there is a measurement for sts. But not rows. Would you please email me the complete gauge measurements? Thank you Linda

 A. The pattern was only in sts. Not rows.Sorry that's the best I can do.The patterns reads " ... or to desired length." Rows do not matter in this case.

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Q. How do you psso in opposite direction?  I know you slip stitch on right needle, pass stitch over, knit one.  This makes the slipped stitch to the left.  How do you slip stitch to make it to the right?  Or in reverse?  Please help.  Thanks. Jean Dixon

 A. right side / psso =   slip 1; knit 1, psso this makes the slipped stitch to the left. 

Left side = K 2 tog in back of stitches This makes the slipped stitch to the right. 

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 Q. Hi, in regards to the Feather & Fan Lace Baby Blanket pattern, many years ago I made a baby sweater in this pattern for my daughter.  I would like to now make a blanket for her baby girl in this same pattern. My problem is, in the instructions, the knitter suggests using "double knitting weight yarn and a size 6 needles".  I am confused as to what is meant by this.  What exactly is double knitting weight yarn??  I have been knitting for many years and this is a new one for me!! Thanks, Jackie

 A.  It is the same as Sports weight Yarn Usually has about a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm. (4 inches) on a 3 3/4 mm (US 5) needle. Some yarns such as Astra knit up as Sports weight or a Double Knit. It should be possible to interchange these two weights, but check your tension first!

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 Q.  Can you tell me what is meant by painted yarn? I hadn't seen this before eBay. Thank you. Ann

A. Usually it is made using a vegetable based hand dyed handspun yarn.

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Q. I have been knitting for a while.  Two questions - what is cable CO? and what is mattress stitch?  Can you help me? Barbara

A. co = cast on or Contrast Color. See how this reads. You should be able to know which is meant.

 Mattress stitch is = Joining seams (Invisible Weaving, also called Mattress Stitch, Backstitch, Slip Stitch)

There are several ways to seam in crochet. Regardless of what method you use, be sure not to pull the seaming thread too tight or the seam will pucker. If your project is made with a very textured yarn, which will be difficult to pull through the loops, you might consider using a smooth yarn in a matching color.

The most common method of weaving two seams together is called invisible weaving or mattress stitch, which is also called invisible weaving. Place your project on a flat surface with right sides facing you and with matching yarn. Thread a blunt-point yarn needle. Beginning at the hem edge, secure yarn through both sides. With the needle pointing up, pick up the first stitch, leaving yarn loose; go to the opposite piece and pick up the corresponding row.
Continue working back and forth. Every three or four stitches tighten yarn in seam. Be sure the yarn is tight enough to disappear, but not enough to shorten or pucker the seam.

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 Q. Hi Shirley, I tried sending you an email and wasn't successful. Maybe replying to this email will work. I am really enjoying your website and have shared it with a friend. I am at present making a baby afghan using the afghan stitch and then will cross stitch on it. Well it seems that my friend can only knit and I was wondering if there is a knitting stitch that can give the same effect as the afghan stitch so she will be able to do this pattern. Hope this message gets to you. Thanks Lorraine

 A. I'm sure you know how to do the afghan stitch since you're asking about the exchange to knitting. If not,  let me know. The closest to the crochet afghan stitch in knitting is this:

wyib = with yarn in back

wyif = with yarn in front

Row 1 (RS): k1, *sl 3 wyib, k1* rep from *
Row 2: P2, *sl 1 wyif, p3* rep from *, end sl 1 p2
Row 3: knit
Row 4: purl

 These 4 rows make 2 rows of your crochet afghan stitch.

  From the mail bag we find these;

 * Hi Shirley, what you wrote about spool knitting
reminds me what we called tatting when I was at school many years ago here in UK. 
We put 4 tacks to an empty cotton spool. We did it the same way as when you did. 
Lots of love, LIZ

To see picture or to read the pattern on-line go to
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/spokni.html then scroll down to
see what Hazel made with her rope.

*  Hi I just wanted to email you and tell  you that I love your site, I stumbled upon it yesterday and am having a ton of fun trying to figure out what to knit first, I LOVE vintage knitting patterns :)
thanks, Dayna

* Hi Shirley Thanks for not forgetting me.  I have some of the bamboo needles and I really like them.  The paint does not wear off like the aluminum (?) and I love the circular needles.  I use them more than the straight.  For me they are so convenient.  Easy to pack around for pick-up work when you have waiting time.  Like in a hospital.  I've had plenty of that lately.  My daughter with breast cancer and my husband of 56 years finally just could not hold out any longer.  He passed away 30 June.  I never thought I would miss him so much -- we have had numerous separations through the years.  He was a pilot in the United States Air Force and was gone a lot.  This is different.  Thanks again.  Please don't take my name off the list.  I read every line.  Janet

* Hi--Just wanted to let you know that I have visited your site for years and I want to let you know that it is one of my all time favorites.  Any time I need a pattern yours is the first place I come to and usually end up with more than one!!  Keep up the great job you are doing!!!!  Jan in Wyoming

* Dear Shirley.....I can't tell you how happy I am to receive your June newsletter.     I really was worried about you and hoped that everything was OK and we'd be hearing from you soon.     I fought writing to you because I thought you'd be busy with whatever it was that was keeping you busy!!!!     Don't you love my logic????     Anyway, I'm relieved and happy to receive your June newsletter and can understand why anyone as active as you really needs R& R.       Thanks for all your time and patience with us knitters.......much love from here, Linda

* Hi Shirley: Just wanted to let you know how pleased I am to receive your current newsletter.  Even though there is much available elsewhere, and many of us have been at this fiber stuff for many years, your letter always touched me in the way that you are so helpful to those who might give up out of frustration.  Thanks so much. Esther

* Thank you so much for the patterns for T.V. slippers. I have been looking for this pattern for a long time. I used to have a pattern for these, but alas, lost it.  Thanks again. You've made my day. 

 You can find the pattern at http://www.knitting-crochet.com/tvsli.html

 

Some Tips and Tricks for you all. Shirley, Thanks so much for the newsletter.  I wanted to share with you what I have found:
I felt a LOT!  I love making bags, purses, lunch bags, coasters, hot mats, etc.  I live in an apt building that has automatic washers which lock once you start them so I was having a difficult time getting anything felted.  I went online and searched and found a WONDER WASHER for about $49.00 and bought one.  Now I felt easily and Q.uickly.  The Wonder Washer only agitates.  It is fairly lightweight, easy to store, and does a great job.  It has two knobs--one sets the time and the other one sets either "standard" or "delicate."  I was surprised at how good it works.  I am NOT advertising for Wonder Washer, but rather advocating that these little pails do the trick.  I just thought if someone really likes to felt they would like to check these out.  I imagine there is more than one brand out "there."  The other thing I wanted to say is Happy Thanksgiving (early) and Blessings,
Linda G

And from Jane who shares this … Have you ever used this method for cuffs and bottom ribbing on sweaters? I got it years ago in a knitting class - our teacher saw one of my sweaters and had forgotten about it - called me for directions: First 4 rows of ribbing - K1, Sl - if first stitch on 2nd row is a P, I P1, K1, S1. This method keeps the ribbing from stretching.

I'll end this newsletter with this bit of wisdom from me who wants you to know that laziness gets you nowhere slowly.

Until next month have a blessed Thanksgiving and remember to give away smiles like they're free.

Shirley

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