Sedgwick, the May Hat from the Year of Bulky Hats is worked from the top down in the round. The hat begins with Emily Ocker’s Cast On, a circular cast on that leaves a clean and seamless circular loop. If you are familiar with the magic ring or magic circle in crochet, this cast on…
Tag: Tips and Tricks
Year of Gifts: Primrose Mittens
The second design in the Year of Gifts, the Primrose Mittens, are here! A textural delight featuring broken ribbing and tuck stitches, these mittens are sure to keep the wearer cosy and warm. The Primrose Mittens are worked in the round from the cuff to top of hand. The cuff is worked in a broken…
Sloped Bind Off
I can’t remember when I first discovered the beauty of the sloped bind off, but it was most likely when I read something by Julie Hoover or Julie Weisenberger – both exceptionally skilled designers and finishers. Once I tried it out, I was hooked, and made a pact with myself to never bind off multiple…
Provisional Cast On
A provisional cast-on is a way to cast on stitches using waste yarn as a temporary cast on so that it can be easily unraveled after the knitting is complete, leaving you with live stitches which you can then place on your needle. I use the crochet provisional cast on often, most frequently when working…
Bobbles
There are many types of bobbles created using different techniques. The basic concept for all bobbles – regardless of their size – is that you are taking one stitch and increasing it multiple times, knitting on those stitches only for a few extra rows, then decreasing them back down to one. This particular bobble is the one…
Filet Crochet
While often very complex in appearance, filet crochet is a simple form of crochet that uses a open netting and filled spaces formed by a combination of chain stitches and double crochets. Anything that can be put onto graph paper can be crocheted using this technique, and your designs are limited only by your creativity….
Cables Across Repeats
Working cables in the round in all-over repeats requires working the cable at the end of the round differently than the others in the repeat. When people ask about this technique, we always assure them that it makes much more sense in application than if you were to just read the instructions. Hopefully this photo tutorial is also…
Pay Attention to Your Pins!
We’re deep in the end-stages of our next collection, which means there is a lot of blocking and finishing (and pattern drafting, and schematic making, and number crunching…) happening around the office. Seeing one of Meghan’s garment pieces looking so lovely on the blocking board reminded me of a quick little tip that really elevates the finishing…
Increasing Within Charts
Working from charts seems to cause the most joy and consternation for knitters. We here at KW are fully on Team Chart. I would never consider knitting anything but the most straightforward and basic lace or cable pattern without a chart, and see no reason whatsoever to ever work stranded patterns without one. If something…
Picot Bind Off
The picot bind off is a lovely, simple, decorative bind off that adds small picots at the edge of your piece. We frequently use this bind off when working shawls, as in the case of Evangelina, a triangular shawl designed by Meghan Kelly for the Andorra Collection. It is pretty simple to execute (only three…
Long Tail Tubular Cast On
It is a bit of a mouthful, but the long tail tubular cast onis a really excellent cast on method that creates a lovely, stretchy edge that is reminiscent of machine-knit garments. The cast on is a bit quirky and convoluted, and makes a lot more sense in the doing than in the reading. Set-Up: Create…
Knitted Cast On
A knitted cast on provides a sturdy edging, and is easy to work as well! Use a knitted cast on when you need to cast on stitches during the course of your project, such as casting on thumb stitches for a mitten. Step 1 / Make a slip knot on your left hand needle. Step…
Kitchener Stitch
Kitchener stitch is a wonderful finishing technique that connects two opposing pieces of fabric together for a seamless join. Below is a tutorial for you to reference when working this lovely finish! Please Note: For this tutorial, we are utilizing three different colors so you can clearly see both sets of stitches and the kitchener row….
Sewn Bind Off
The Sewn Bind Off can be used anywhere you want a firm, yet stretchy edge. Set-Up / Cut your working yarn, leaving a tail about three times as long as the width of your piece. Thread the end with a darning needle. You will be working from left to right across the work. Step 1 / Insert…
Embroidering on Knitting
Embroidery is a really simple and quick way to add additional embellishment to your finished knitting. The July Mittens feature a riot of embroidery on the top of the hand, including chain stitched stems and “spider web” flowers. Below are two separate photo tutorials for working each technique! BEFORE YOU BEGIN: 1 / Embroidering on knit fabric…
Picot Edging
We all know you can bind off using a picot edging, but did you ever think to cast on using one? This unusual shawl cast on was found in an old Norwegian pattern book in a modification of a style of shawl referred to as a Norwegian school shawl. The cast on is worked by…
Inserting a Vertical Pocket
When I was designing Killybegs, I really wanted pockets, but I also wanted the design to be easy to make for people looking to add a classic closet staple to their wardrobe. In the interest of simplicity, I let the pockets go. Now that I am making my own cardigan, I decided to add hand-warmer…
Crochet Join
The April Mittens are knit in two halves and the pieces are then joined around the edge using a crocheted slipped stitch. We discovered this unique method of knitting mittens in Ireland. Besides being an interesting way to knit mittens, the crocheted seam also adds sturdiness and structure to an accessory that is sure to get some wear….
Double Decreases Across Repeats
The February Mitten features an all over leaf lace pattern worked in the round. In order to work the pattern seamlessly, there are centered double decreases that utilize stitches at the beginning and end of the round. This tutorial shows how to process the central double decrease (CDD) while still maintaining proper stitch count and maintaining…
September Mittens Tips + Tricks: Lace Cuff and Perfect Bobbles
As mentioned in Thursday’s post announcing the September Mitten, we have four tips and tricks related to the pattern that you might find helpful. Two are brand new, created specifically for the mitten release! The September Mitten begins with a unique lace cuff that is knit horizontally on two DPNs. This tutorial shows the step…
September Mitten Cuff
The September Mitten cuff is a very simple lace edging worked back and forth on two double pointed needles. The edging is then joined into a circle, and stitches are then picked up in the straight (flat) side in order to work the hand. As an added element, the beginning and end of the edging…
Seaming Perpendicular Pieces
Different than mattress stitch, where two pieces of parallel knit fabrics are sewn together with the same number of rows, seaming pieces of knitting together where one is held horizontally and the other vertically requires lining up stitches with rows and sewing them together. While much of the actual seaming steps are the same as…
Crochet Summer 2016: Filet Crochet
When I was little, I would go with my Grandma to her hometown in Bittinger, MD. Her family had a farm out there for many generations, in fact our family name is Bittinger. The Lutheran church there had an amazing filet crochet wall hanging of the Lord’s Prayer displayed in the chapel. As a kid, I…
Year of Mittens: August Mitten
Its here! The first pattern in the Year of Mittens, the August Mitten! The cables on the August Mitten are inspired by the rich history of intricate stitching that is common in Ireland and the British Isles. Combining The Fibre Co.’s British wool yarn, Cumbria Fingering, in the traditional sea-blue Windermere, and intertwining columns of…
Crocheting a Tube
Crocheting in a Tube: Two Ways Crocheting in the round – as in the case of granny squares – tends to be an easy and straightforward skill to learn. Crocheting in a tube, on the other hand, is a little bit more complicated, as maintaining proper stitch count requires a bit more skill and attention. There…
Crochet Summer Archives
As we embark on our third year of Crochet Summer, I thought it would be nice to share some highlights of 2014 and 2015 with you! INSTAGRAM– 2015 Round Up– 2014 Round Up PATTERNS / TUTORIALS– Urchin Stripe Cowl by guest contributor Cal Patch– Crochet/Sewn Top– Crocheting in Rows– Bobble Stitch Plant Coasters– Crochet T-shirt Neckline by…
Granny Square
As I said in my Granny Square Triangle Tutorial, Granny Squares and crocheting go hand-in-hand. I haven’t met a crocheter (or knitter!) who doesn’t love them, and I am no exception. Granny squares were the first motif I learned how to crochet, and I always go back to them when messing around with a new project…
Japanese Short Rows
Japanese Short Rows are an alternative method of creating short row shaping if the wrap and turn method does not suit you. This technique can be used to great effect on a stockinette stitch fabric, or in places on your knitted item where you’re looking for as subtle a short row as possible. The key…
Joining a Folded Brim
One of the items I love knitting most are hats, and the folded brim is a technique I use often. When you begin with a provisional cast-on – I prefer and exclusively use the crochet provisional cast on, detailed here – and join the cast on and live stitches, the end result is a seamless folded brim…
Channel Island Bind-Off
The Fisherman Gansey is a classic garment with a rich and varied history. Two excellent books on the subject, The Complete Book of Traditional Guernsey and Jersey Knitting by Rae Compton, and Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel, are ones we have in our office library and turn to often. In a traditional Gansey, you work…
Channel Island Cast-On
The Fisherman Gansey is a classic garment with a rich and varied history. Two excellent books on the subject, The Complete Book of Traditional Guernsey and Jersey Knitting by Rae Compton, and Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel, are ones we have in our office library and turn to often. The Channel Island cast-on is traditionally…
Single Crochet in Rows
One of the most common thing you’ll hear as a new crafter or knitter who is interested in learning crochet is “oh, but crochet is so easy!” While this statement may hold some truth – it is not difficult to learn – I found it to be misleading and frustrating, as there were always a few aspects of…
Garter Tab Cast On
The Garter Tab Cast-On: You may wonder why shawls begin with this odd little bit of knitting. It’s fussy, it’s tricky, it’s annoying. It makes NO SENSE. Yes. All these things are true. But the Garter Tab Cast-On is an important element to a well made shawl, even if you aren’t a stickler for doing things…
Granny Square Triangle
Granny Squares and crocheting go hand-in-hand. I haven’t met a crocheter (or knitter!) who doesn’t love them, and I am no exception. Granny squares were the first motif I learned how to crochet, and I always go back to them when messing around with a new project or idea. The Granny Square Triangle is not…
Working from Charts: Knit / Purl
Like most of our patterns, many of the designs in the Little Things collection utilize charts as part of the instructions. There are four types of charts featured in the collection: Knit/Purl patterning, Stranded Colorwork, Cables, and Lace. While most of the basic principles of knitting charts are the same regardless of the type of chart, we’ve…
Three Needle Bind Off
Quite a few Kelbourne Woolens patterns utilize a 3-Needle Bind-Off – it is a wonderful way to work a secure, yet not-bulky shoulder seam or finish off a cowl knit horizontally. In contrast to the kitchener stitch, the bind-off row creates a stable seam, but it is not as bulky or prone to issues as…
Cabling Without a Cable Needle
I exclusively work cables without a cable needle for a few reasons: a) I am notorious for never having notions. I use snippets of whatever yarn I’m working with for stitch markers, I don’t think I’ve met a darning needle I’ve used more than once, and I own about 10 tape measures but only know where…
#CrochetSummer2014 Pattern: Bobble Stitch Plant Coasters
In September of 2013, we (myself, Owen, Charlie + our 4 pets) moved into a new home. Like all things, the whole process did not go as expected, and after 360 days on the market, we finally closed the sale on our old house yesterday. After living with about 60% of our furniture for 12 months, we happily…