Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Stitches South

by

Apparantly there is a fun little show being planned. Yes, I really did know about it, but since I seem to live in a coccoon most of the time it doesn’t occur to me to tell everyone about it. I can’t go. I’m a farmer in my real life (blogging being my fantasy life) and my critters do appreciate the daily feed, but there’s no reason why you can’t go!

Stitches South is April 23-26 in Atlanta, Georgia (although from the white stuff falling from the sky at this very moment, I’m thinking that Georgia might not be a bad place to be. Probably not snowing there!).register

So go there, now and find out all about it! And if you do go, drop me a line and let me know how much you loved it! Info here:  http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events/Eventportalsouth.php

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]