22 Sunday Sep 2019
Posted in Uncategorized
B.Y.O.S. (Bring your own straw) is easy with this free straw saver pattern. Show your true colors and keep straws clean and handy in a purse or pocket. Carry spares for friends in need! They make great stocking stuffers! Knitted from the cotton that we love for dish cloths, it will absorb stray liquid and can be washed, dried and back on the road with you.
23 Saturday Aug 2014
Posted in Free Knitting Patterns
Drop Lace Scarf
I have been playing with variations on knitted drop stitches. This scarf combines twisted drop stitches with lace between the drops for a very open effect that knits up quickly. The yarn used in the sample was purchased in a bargain bin for the color and the metallic thread that gives it extra sparkle. It is aran weight, lighter than a double knit, and heavier than a lace weight. Any yarn can be used, the yarn and needle size will determine the finished texture. 10.5 needles were used for the sample. Upload the free pdf knitting pattern and check back for more interesting variations on drop stitches.
20 Monday Aug 2012
Posted in Knit Tips, Uncategorized
Take care of hands that knit.
Knitting is a great stress reliever. It’s mentally relaxing and soothing to create knitted fabric one stitch at a time. Here are a few hints to keep the repetitive motions of knitting from becoming physically stressful.
Adjust Knitting Stitch Tension
There are generally two types of knitters, those who knit loosely, and those who pull stitches so tightly around the needles that every stitch becomes a struggle. Knitting loosely helps reduce hand cramps and makes textured stitches easier to make. Sometimes that may mean working with smaller needles to get the required gauge for a pattern. Whatever tension you are comfortable with, keep it consistent for even stitches.
Plan Chores Around Knitting
Shoulders, arms, and hands all need periodic breaks. Set a realistic goal for knitting up to an hour, and then go load the dishwasher, then come back to knitting, then maybe some laundry. It can all get done with a minimum of pain.
Choosing Knitting Needles
Knitting puts weight at the ends of straight needles. That weight causes strain on hands and wrists while knitting. Knitting flat on round knitting needles shifts the weight to the center, and reduces strain.
Avoid cramps by periodically stretching and flexing and keep on knitting!
18 Wednesday Jul 2012
Posted in Free Knitting Patterns
Little Bits Beaded Bag
Inspired by Hermione Granger’s beaded bag, splashes of beads and a frilly finish make this bag fun for anything from a glamorous night out to stashing a ball of yarn on the run. The little bits of beading, color work, lace and I-cord are a good way for beginners to experiment with new techniques without committing to a large project. Knitters that like a challenge will like this quick project. Make them in different colors and as gifts. The bag is knitted flat using Vanna’s Glamour yarn in four 2 color sections to minimize sewing and to keep yarn management simple.
For a little bag, it’s amazingly roomy for whatever little bits you need to carry, but I still can’t make the undetectable extension charm work! The purple version is knit with DMC #5 perle cotton with US 2 needles. Have fun with color and yarn variations. Gauge is unimportant, just keep in mind that the bead size should be approximately the same size as a stitch of the chosen yarn, and the yarn should be knit fairly tightly to minimize stretchiness.
It would be great to be able to pack nothing but this bag for a long trip, alas, I can knit better than I can do magic.
09 Monday Jul 2012
Posted in Welcome Knitters
This is a call to knitters to dust off those needles, dig them out of drawers, closets, or balls of yarn, and knit! Rediscover the fun. Interested non-knitters are welcome, too and may be the lucky recipients of the warm generosity of knitter friends and family.
Being here shows that you are aware of the huge selection of information available to knitters online. Free knitting patterns are available in lots of places, and knitting tutorials as well. This site aims to help knitters make informed choices about yarns, needles, and patterns in order to avoid frustration. While there is nothing more satisfying than a completed project, half the fun is getting there! Check back regularly for tips, tricks, and the occasional free pattern.
String Along Knitting 