Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas
How exciting is this? The awesome editors over at KnitCircus have agreed to give away pattern packs from the current issue to 5 lucky commenters! Below are just a few samples of what you’ll find in this issue, also included are table runners, coffee mug cozies and socks.
Leave me a comment telling me all about your summer knitting!
Giveaway ends next Friday, June (OMG is it June already??) 4, 2010. Ready….set…..GO!!
Patty Lyons is known for teaching knitters the how and the why of knitting skills. Her Knitting Bag of Tricks helped knitters learn how stitches work, why we do things the way we do and what might be better alternatives.
Patty Lyons’ Knitting ER aims to do the same with a particular focus on fixing mistakes in your knitting both before and after you bind off. She has deliberately made mistakes (and tons of accidental ones as well) to teach herself the best methods for fixing everything from a misplaced increase and a dropped edge stitch to faulty cable turns, messed up lace and brioche knitting disasters, to name a few.
The book starts with a foundation of understanding how stitches work, how to read them, and the basic methods we use for fixing mistakes in knitting: frogging (ripping out several rows at a time), tinking (removing stitches across a row one stitch at a time) and dropping a stitch or several stitches on purpose to fix a mistake and ladder it back up.
It talks about the most basic mistakes like accidental yarn overs and slipped stitches and how to fix them, as well as tips for using lifelines or slipping a smaller needle into your project to hold the stitches before you rip.
Then we move on to more complicated fixes like picking up a dropped edge stitch, fixing a dropped cast on stitch, removing the twist from a circular knitting project (which you can only do after the first round is knit; this is an ER not a miracle station), fixing ladders in a project, tinking when you’re worked increases or decreases (or what to do when you forgot to add them) and fixing dropped stitches at the edges or short rows.
After that is the specialist’s office, which covers fix-it techniques you might not ever need, or only rarely, but it’s nice to have a place you can find the solution if you ever do need it. We’re talking fixing mistakes in a lace pattern, dealing with miscrossed cables (and counting rows in the cable so you when when it’s the right time to work it again), colorwork issues and brioche blunders. Some of these diagrams are sure to give you pause if you’ve never done something like dropping down a single cable for 20 rows and reknitting it, but again, it’s nice to know you can do those things if you need to.
Even if your project is done it’s not too late for the doctor to do some good. You’ll also learn how to use duplicate stitch to make knit and purl stitches on the surface of a knitting project, which allows you to do things like fake a decrease you forgot, add a purl you missed in a textured stitch pattern, even fix mistakes in lace, stranded knitting, brioche and cables.
There’s also tips for dealing with too tight cast ons and bind offs and floppy necklines, pieces knit too long or too short and very detailed instructions for grafting in probably any situation you might encounter, as well as approaches to major surgery.
A lot in these later chapters is kind of mind blowing, and if you’re not getting it from drawings, there are QR codes to videos that cover a lot of the problems and allow you to see the fixes in another way. And there are cute illustrations on the theme of knitting ER from Franklin Habit, too!
If you’ve ever wanted to know how to fix mistakes, minor or major, without having to rip out all of your knitting, this is the book you’ll want to have on your shelf for ready reference and reassurance throughout your knitting career.
About the book: 208 pages, paperback, published 2026 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.
I’m participating in two KAL in the KnitPicks Lovers group on Ravelry. I also plan to knit Kat Coyle’s Short-Row Skirt and start my winter knitting in August.
This summer I’m knitting a project that will take some time, it’s the Totally Autumn throw in Knitty 2007 fall issue knitted in Trendsetter Vigna Spanish Sunset. I recently had total knee replacement surgery and will be off work for at least two months, the only thing that keeps me sane is knitting. To avoid one project burn out I’m also working on a Potluck wool hat for my husband. In between those two projects I’m knitting washclothes and plan to begin a pair of socks.
I just love great giveaways! This summer I’m working on Christmas gifts that includes socks, shawlettes, and dishcloths/soap sacks. I’m also working on a cardigan for myself.
I’ve always got one or two pairs of socks going. I use the double circ, two at a time method. Makes it easy to complete a pair of socks in a hurry and on the go. I also have a baby shrug in the works. After that I am going to knit something for myself for a change (besides socks)! Still narrowing down the pattern. Have some fabulous cottons and super merino blends in my stash for inspiration.
socks, cardigans, beaded scarf….and something with my own home spun yarn
I’d love to win!
My summer knitting, is a summer top in CEY Firefly, and a baby sweater for my granddaughter.
I can’t wait to get my knitting needles out for the projects in this book
I have been rediscovering cotton yarn this summer. i am making water bottle and wine bottle carriers and bathing suit covers!
I am working on stockings for Christmas presents. It is very relaxing for me in the evening before bedtime.
I have been knitting sock’s & makeing dish towel’s. All so reading alot of good books by Jennifer Weiner.