Major Knitter

De-Mystifying the Magic Loop

If you haven't seen it yet, click HERE for Knit Pick's great online tutorial on the Magic Loop method.  Great stuff!

Nona Swatches

As I was logging into to Typepad today I noticed that the feature blog was about knitting.  FINALLY!  And what a blog it is.  It's called NonaSwatches and it looks completely brilliant.  Pop on over and say hello.

Mock Cable Instructions

Alisa (and others) have recently asked me about the pattern for the Pink Koigu Mock Cable.

OK - I just did it... no pattern.  If you want to make the mock cable, too, see if you can try this. 

Make a small swatch. 

CO 22 sts

It's a *(p2, k3), repeat to final 2 sts. P2 - ribbing pattern.  RS.

WS - *(k2, p3), repeat to final 2 sts. K2

Every 6th row you repeat the RS pattern, but for every K3 section you do the following:   

1 - knit into the 3rd st (leave st on the needle)

2 - knit into the first st (leave sts on the needle)

3 - knit into the 2nd st - this is usually the tightest st to knit - then remove all 3 sts at once. 

Give your mock cable a little tug to make sure that they all stayed on the needle.  When I first learned this, I had a few problems and it took me about half a dozen mock cables to figure it out.  At first it's a bit tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it's actually quicker and easier than using a cable needle.

Good luck and let me know how it works!

UPSIDE DOWN KNITTING - A PRIMER ON SEAMLESS KNITTING

Download microsoft_word_upside_down_knitting_pictutorial.pdf

MATERIALS

• US Size 6 dpns
• US Size 8 dpns
• Crochet hook (for finishing)
• Leftover worsted weight yarn – I used less than one skein for the entire sweater.  If you want to make a bi-colored sweater, pick out a variegated yarn for the main color (MC) and a complementary solid color for the contrast color (CC).  If you want to make a solid sweater, you’ll only need one color.
• Provisional Cast On Color – This yarn is also a worsted weight acrylic yarn in a color so completely opposite from the yarn colors of your sweater so as not to be confused for the actual sweater.  This is only a place holder and will be ripped out at various stages of the knitting.
• Gauge:  5 sts = 1 inch wide and 6 sts = 1 inch tall

PROVISIONAL CAST ON

Using US Size 8 dpns, cast on 20 stitches using the provisional cast on colored yarn. 

Knit across.

BACK SHOULDERS

Switch to Main Color (MC) and continue to knit in stockinette stitch for 2½ inches or 7 cm.  End on a knit row.

BACK ARMHOLE SHAPING

Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 2 stitches and purl across (22 st). 

Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 2 stitches and knit across (24 st).

Repeat these two rows one more time (28 st).

DO NOT CUT YARN!

PICKING UP THE FRONT SHOULDER STITCHES

Insert the needle from top-to-bottom, right to left and pick up 5 stitches. 

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Cut off the provisional cast on yarn ONLY above the 5 picked up stitches.  Tie a knot in the leftover provisional cast on yarn so that you don’t lose the center stitches.

Repeat for the other shoulder.

You should know have 5 stitches on the left needle, 10 stitches in the center still connected to the provisional cast on yarn, and 5 more stitches on the right needle.  If you prefer, you can put one of the sides on a stitch holder and work one side at a time.

RIGHT FRONT

• Working from the shoulder toward the neckline and using 2 of the US size 8 dpns
• Row 1 – Knit across (5 sts).
• Row 2 – Purl across
• Row 3 – Knit across
• Row 4 – Purl across
• Row 5 – Knit across
• Row 6 - Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 1 stitch.  Purl across (6 sts)
• Row 7 – Knit across
• Row 8 - Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 2 stitches.  Purl across (8 sts)
• Row 9 – Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 4 stitches.  (12 sts).  Do not knit.  Set aside.
• CUT YARN leaving a tail of about 4-6 inches

LEFT FRONT

• Working from the shoulder toward the neckline and using 2 of the US size 8 dpns
• Row 1 – Purl across (5 st).
• Row 2 – Knit across
• Row 3 – Purl across
• Row 4 – Knit across
• Row 5 – Purl across
• Row 6 – Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 1 stitch.  Knit across (6 sts).
• Row 7 – Purl across
• Row 8 – Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 2 stitches.  Knit across (8 sts). 
• Row 9 – Purl across. CUT YARN!
• Your piece will now be ready to connect at the front of the neckline and will look like this.

YOU ARE NOW READY TO JOIN THE FRONT NECKLINE

• Row 10 – With the yarn from the left front, continue to purl across the right front, connecting the left front shoulder to the right front shoulder.  You should have 20 stitches.

• Row 11 – Knit across

• Row 12 – Purl across

• Row 13 – Knit across

• Row 14 – Purl across

FRONT ARMHOLE SHAPING

• Row 15 - Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 2 stitches and knit across.  (22 st).

• Row 16 – Using the knitting cast on method, cast on 2 stitches and knit across.  (24 st)

• Repeat rows 15 and 16 one more time – (28 stitches)

• CUT YARN.

JOINING FRONT AND BACK

Knitting in the Round for the Body of the Sweater

Distribute the 56 stitches for the front and the back evenly on 3 dpns.  Being careful not to twist, join the front to the back.  Pick up the yarn from the back and continue knitting around for 2 ½ inches or 7 cm.  (56 st).

·          Switch to US size 6 dpns and knit around. 

·          Knit one round by evenly decreasing 8 st around entire sweater – K1, *(K5, k2tog) – repeat from * around.  (48 st).

WAISTBAND

• Switch to CC and knit in K2, P2 ribbing around for 1.5 inches.
• Bind off.

SLEEVES

• Using the US size 6 dpns and the CC, pick up 28 stitches evenly along the armhole.
• Knit in the round using K2, P2 ribbing  for 3.5 inches or 9 cm.
• *(K2, P2tog) repeat around.
• * (K2, P1) repeat around.
• Bind off.
• Repeat for other sleeve.

NECKLINE

Picking Up Neckline Stitches – Using the US size 6 dpns and the CC, pick up the 10 stitches from the back of the neck stitch holder.  Cut off the provisional cast on yarn.  Pick up 34 stitches evenly along the rest of the neckline beginning at the left front of the neckline. NOTE:  If you are a tight knitter, you might want to pick up additional stitches here in order to ensure it easily goes over the doll's head.  Just pick up an even number of stitches (divisible by 4).

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• Knit across the back 10 stitches so the entire first round is in the CC.  (44 st).
• Knit in K2 , P2 ribbing for 2 ½  inches or 7 cm. 
• Bind off.

FINISHING

·          Weave in any loose ends for entire sweater.  Block.

·          Fold over turtleneck and enjoy dressing your doll.