Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
I can remember over 20 years ago when I was in college (and working part-time in a yarn shop!) that some knitting stitch patterns were starting to written in chart form. I had always knitted cable and lace patterns with instructions that wrote out what to do row by row. I was used to doing that, but once I learned how to read charts, I found them to actually be much easier to follow. Quite a few of you have asked for charts for the stitch patterns in the Inishturk sweater pattern since they were not included. I knew I would like them, too. So, this week we have charts for the 3 larger cable patterns.
I’ve decided to include a little tutorial about how to read charts for those of you who have never tried them. So, below is a chart for Cable C:
This chart is a visual of the written instructions for Cable C. You can see that row numbers 1 and 3 are on the right of the chart and rows 2 and 4 are on the left. So, for row 1 (the RS) you will work the chart from right to left. Then, row 2 (WS) is read from left to right. (For those of you who are working this sweater in the round, you will read every row of the chart from right to left, because you are going in a circle!)
Alright, each square is a stitch and depending whether you are on the right side or wrong side of your piece, will determine how you read the symbols that go with the chart. The symbols for these charts are can be found here [PDF; must have Adobe Reader (free at adobe.com) to open].
The stitches that are empty are worked as knit stitches on the right side and as purl stitches on the wrong side. The purl stitches that are indicated by a” - “on the right side are knit on the wrong side. So, now all you need to match up is the symbols to the cables on the charts. There are a lot of different variations of 2, 3, and 4 stitch cables in this pattern, so just match them carefully to each other to see which stitches are knit, purled and whether you hold that cable needle to the front or the back.
OK, so here is the chart for Panel A (As always, you can click outlined images, like the ones below, to enlarge):
And…ta-da, the chart for Panel B (Again, click the image to enlarge):
So, for those of you who have been wanting these charts - enjoy! I always find it always helps to enlarge those charts as you are working them. For those of you who have never done a chart, give it a try and you may find you like these visual instructions!
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Posted in Knit-Along, Knitting, Tips & How To | 42 Comments »
It has been a lot of fun to see so many of you already starting the Inishturk Sweater and sharing your ideas and experiences with the rest of us. Probably the hardest part of this sweater is the part I’m going to talk about today - going from the ribbing into all those cable patterns!
I found working the ribbing went just fine until I saw that I had to increase 22 stitches on that last ribbing row (which is a WS row). I’m making this pattern in the medium size that had me working 106 stitches for the ribbing. So I took my handy, dandy calculator and divided 106 by 22 and found out I should increase a stitch every 4.8181818 stitches! OK, that is pretty close to one increase every 5 stitches, so looking at the ribbing, I decided I would mark 22 of the ribs with pins — skipping one here and there. Then I just increased at the top of these ribs. I know that increasing doesn’t have to be perfectly even for this pattern, but they should be fairly evenly worked across that row. I worked my increases as “make 1” (m1) increases, but I also could have just knit into the front and back of those 22 stitches to increase, and that would be fine for this pattern. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t have “holes” where I made my increases (which would happen if you worked your increases as yarn overs).
So, I finally had my 128 stitches to work my patterns. I carefully worked the set-up row and the following row which had me just knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches. Then on Row 3 of the back, with stitch markers in hand, I carefully worked that row, placing stitch markers on my needle on each side of the larger cable patterns. Until these patterns are established (and even after that!) these markers will make sure that my patterns will line up - and just make knitting them a whole lot easier.
Another way I sorted out the patterns was to place different color markers on my needle on the side of each type of cable. Then I wrote down the color and corresponding cable on a sticky note and attached it to my pattern.
This sweater is a beautiful combination of some very different, but traditional Aran cable patterns. However, not only do these patterns have a different number of stitches, but rows as well! Some of you have been keeping track of that with Excel or another spreadsheet program — but here’s something to remember: the largest of these panels (Panel B) has 16 rows. All the other patterns have row repeats that go into 16: some have 2 rows, some have 4 rows, and Panel A has 8 rows. What this means is: every time I start Row 1 of that large Panel B, I should also be on Row 1 of all the other patterns.
Now as for that center Panel B — I have been following the row instructions written, but I do love charts. So, I’ve decided that this week I will make charts and share them with you next week. For those of you who have never worked charts before, I’ll include a little tutorial on how to do that as well. Meantime, keep those stitch markers and row counters at hand!
Don’t have a row counter? If you go to the pattern on LionBrand.com, you’ll notice that there’s a built-in row-counter right on the pattern page! It’s handy if you are working on your sweater near a computer OR on a mobile device.
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Posted in Knit-Along, Knitting, Tips & How To | 69 Comments »
It is a thrill for me to host another Knit-Along with all of you! I am really looking forward to making this great Aran knit pullover named the Inishturk Sweater. It didn’t take long for me to decide to make this one for myself. It has been quite the winter so far, and still a lot of winter to go. I’m really anxious to get started and make a new sweater — and I hope you are, too!
I have printed my pattern for the Inishturk Sweater, and you can print your copy out anytime you wish. Now, what size to make? Many times, my knitting students have wondered what size to make a sweater for themselves and I tell them to measure a sweater they already love to wear. I have a favorite pullover that is one I wear again and again. I measured across its chest and it was 21″ — so it is a 42″ bust. Looking at the sizes of the Inishturk sweater, I’ve decided to make the medium, which is a 44″.
I’ve decided to make this great Aran knit in the Fishermen’s Wool, because I love to work cables in a natural fiber or a yarn that has some wool in it. The cables just seem to look better in a fiber like wool. I chose the Oatmeal color that will go with almost anything I will wear. For my size, I will just need 3 skeins of the Fishermen’s Wool!
Fishermen’s Wool is a “Category 4″ medium worsted-weight yarn. If you don’t want to use the Fisherman’s Wool, there are other great yarns that would be great with this pattern. Other yarns I think would be great would be Wool-Ease (a washable wool-blend), Vanna’s Choice (with its huge array of colors), or Cotton-Ease (with its cool hand and great drape) to name a few. (The latter two are good choices for those who are sensitive or allergic to wool.) Any yarn that gives a gauge of between 16-18 sts =4″ will work, but solid colors will show the cables the best.
Once you have your pattern, yarn, and know what size you would like, a swatch will be what will guarantee a sweater that fits. Although there are different stitch patterns used in this pattern, the gauge is given for the Double Seed Stitch pattern.
Now, here is the thing about swatching with the Double-Seed Stitch — and I only know this because I remember panicking while knitting a project I made using that stitch pattern years ago – I thought I would show you what happens when I work that stitch alone:
It can slant! Not to worry, because when this stitch is dampened or worked within a pattern, it straightens out. So, here is how I did my swatch. I cast on 26 stitches and knitted for 5 or 6 rows, then I knit 3, worked the next 20 stitches in the pattern, and knitted the last 3. I kept the garter stitch border, worked my pattern for 4″ then, knitted for another 5 or 6 rows and bound off:
Then, I dampened and dried the swatch and all I had to do is measure between the garter stitch border.
(1/26/10 - Swatch photo updated; original swatch photo was squished by the scanner.)
What size gave me the gauge? A US 10 — glad I made this swatch as my sweater would have been much too small for me with the recommended US 8.
So, I’m ready to cast on and happy we can do it together!
How are your swatches turning out? Have you cast on your sweater yet? Let us know!
Don’t forget to join our Ravelry or Flickr groups for discussion forums, sharing your photos, and more!
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Posted in Community, Knit-Along, Knitting, Tips & How To | 156 Comments »
Each season we host a knit- or crochet-along, a virtual event in which yarncrafters come together here online to work on one pattern together, share their experiences, and to learn together. You don’t need anything special, and there’s no need to sign up. Simply work on your sweater and check the Lion Brand Notebook at your leisure for new posts with helpful hints and tips (which come out weekly) and share your comments and progress if you’d like!
A few weeks ago, we asked you to vote for our NEXT project. Well, you voted and the results are finally in!
Announcing our Winter 2010 Knit-Along, featuring the Inishturk Sweater! (Click the photo to see/download the pattern).
Our host Heather’s first blog post will be next Thursday, so gather your supplies (or start thinking about what color and size you might want to make this pattern in) and get ready for this beautiful pattern to become part of your repertoire! Heather will be working on the pattern for the next 6 weeks, but you can work at your own pace.
If you have a blog, add the badge below to show that you’re participating (Right click or Ctrl+click on Macs to save the image to your computer; then upload it to your blog). You can also join our Ravelry group here and our Flickr group here.
In the meantime, leave a comment and introduce yourself! Who are you? Where are you from? Who are you making this sweater for?
Posted in Community, Knit-Along, Knitting | 153 Comments »
Want to work with a virtual group of knitters from all over the world on a project? Want to learn new skills and challenge yourself? Well, now you can with our new knit-along!
Hosted by our good friend Heather (who last joined us for the Moderne Jacket Crochet-Along and the Cable Luxe Tunic Knit-Along), we’ll be starting our next knit-along in mid-January, so keep checking back here at the Lion Brand Notebook OR sign up for our e-mail newsletter, The Weekly Stitch.
BUT FIRST…we want YOU to help us pick a project!
Click here to vote on a KAL project!
[Like the projects in the survey? Go to LionBrand.com and find them by their names using our search box!]
Posted in Community, Knit-Along, Knitting | 1 Comment »
Over the past few weeks, you’ve made some fantastic pledges to charities and have (hopefully) finished up some projects. Here are a few helpful hints to make sending your donations as easy as possible:
1. Double-check that your item meets the charity’s requirements. If your item is complete but fails to meet specifications, consider donating it to a different charity, hospital, or shelter.
2. If you are washing an item before sending, make sure to use a frangrance-free detergent. This is to prevent any potential allergy issues or skin sensitivities.
3. Include your yarn label or a note specifying fiber content and yarn care instructions. This will help the charity if they have any yarn requirements, and it will help recipient keep the item in great shape.
4. Place your item in a plastic bag. This will keep your work clean and dry, even if you’re delivering the item by hand.
5. Deliver or send your item! Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve done a fantastic job.
Are you finished with your donation? Leave us a comment to tell us about your progress and share your final donation!
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Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Crocheting, Knit-Along, Knitting | 6 Comments »
This week we want to extend a big thank you with everyone who is crafting for charity. It’s been great reading about your projects and organizations. Here are a few comments we’d like to share:
Pam Says: I decided to take on a summer charity project early in June, so I am a bit ahead of the game. I have been knitting baby blankets for the Ronald McDonald House in my area. My goal is to complete one a month for June, July and August. I am about to complete my second blanket. I am using the Lion Brand Pound of Love.
Tammy Says: I regularly knit for charity. I have some leftover wool in the approved colors and am knitting helmetliners for our troops. I found out about the charity on this site. I have one done and would like to finish the one in progress before the end of summer. I calculated that with the yarn I have I can do a total of 7 or 8 altogether.
Sonja S Says: Thanks so much for motivating us! I have been telling myself for some time that I was going to knit something to impact someone’s life and I love the idea of a knit/crochet a long. So I pledge to make at least 6 knitted cotton washcloths to put into Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. And since I just joined Monthly Dischcloth knitalong I can do two KAL’s at once! =0) I’ll just do washcloths instead of dishcloths for the pattern.
Keep up the fantastic work, everyone! Be sure to share your progress with us in the comments, on Facebook, and on Twitter. If you’re still looking for a pattern, don’t fret. Here are some recommendations based upon your area of interest:
Preemie Hats
Afghans (for the Warm Up America! Foundation)
Chemo Caps
Prayer Shawls
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Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Knit-Along | 6 Comments »
Now that you’ve started your project, why not connect with others locally? A charity group is a great way to share your love of crafting and keep each other motivated.
First, find out if there is a local chapter of your charity. There may also be a local group that generally crafts for any charity. Use your charity’s website or the Lion Brand Charity Connection to search for such meetings.
If no local groups already exist, make your own! Invite friends and relatives to join you at a set time and location. Many groups meet in casual locations, such as a member’s house or a coffee shop. You may also consider contacting local community centers or churches to see if you can use a meeting space, especially if you need to accommodate a larger number of people.
The most important part of crafting with a group is staying positive and motivated. Bring in your finished items, and ask others to do the same. Viewing your collective work acts as a reinforcement of your progress.
Share your progress in our comments section! We want to hear about your projects and your groups. Keep up the great work!
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Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Knit-Along | 12 Comments »
Last week we discussed selecting a charity. Click here to read the post if you missed it. Now it’s time to collect supplies and begin your charity projects! First, select the pattern you wish to make. Many charities use their own patterns for consistency, but others allow you to use virtually any pattern. Use our Pattern Finder to help find ideas that meet your charity’s needs. Some of our charity patterns include chemo caps, preemie items, Warm Up America! blankets, and the SHIPS Project hat.
Next, choose the appropriate yarn. Many charities only accept certain yarns for projects; for example, charities for deployed troops often require items to be made of wool, as it is naturally flame retardant, while many children’s charities request machine-washable yarns. Some charities also require newly purchased yarn due to allergies. Always check your charity’s website for fiber, washability, color, and yarn weight requirements prior to purchasing materials. If you cannot find any guidelines, it never hurts to ask a charity’s organizer or chapter leader.
After finding any requirements, gather your yarn! When purchasing new yarn, remember to keep your receipts; the cost of yarn for any donation you make to a 501(c)(3) charity will be tax deductible. You can also check your own yarn collection, as many small items can be made from leftovers from completed projects. Ask friends if they have any extra yarn they would like to donate to your project. You can also find deals at thrift stores and yard sales. If you cannot afford new yarn, some charities have supplies that members may use; inquire with your organization for more details. Remember that it is very important to know your fiber content to comply with any charity requirements.
So now that you have your pattern and your yarn, gather your hook or needles and start yarncrafting! What will you be making? Comment to let us know about your charity, your items, and your yarn. Be sure to share your tips, your charity stories, and your progress!
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Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Knit-Along | 22 Comments »
For Lion Brand, charity is a part of what we do and we know it is part of your lives as well. Instead of the regular knit and crochet-alongs, this summer, we have decided to try something different — we want to encourage you in joining us in giving back to others in a charity knit & crochet-along.
In the next five weeks, join us as you:
Please comment on this post and make a promise to make something for charity by the end of this summer. When you name the charity, please tell us why they have touched you. If you need help finding a local/national/ international organization, click here to use our Charity Connection.
Join us next Thursday, and every Thursday for the next few weeks, for new ideas, stories shared, and more.
Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Crocheting, Knit-Along, Knitting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff, Tips & How To | 132 Comments »
