Sign up for our newsletter here:  

 

Tips & Techniques

Common Abbreviations

beg beginning; begin; begins
bet between
BO bind off
CC contrasting color
cm centimeters
cn cable needle
CO cast on
cont continue; continuing
dec(s) decrease(s); decreasing
dpn
  Read more »

Yarn Selection Guide

Weight Stitches/Inch Needle Size
Fingering 6 1/2 - 7 1/2 2-4
Sport/DK 5 1/2 - 6 5-6
Worsted 5 7
Aran 4 - 4 1/2 8-9
Bulky
  Read more »

I -cord

Have you ever made I-cord using wooden thread spool with four nails around the opening? Sure you have! Here's a quick and easy way to make it with 2 double-pointed (DP) needles.

Cast on 3 or 4 stitches on one needle. Knit all stitches. *Without turning needle, slide stitches to the right end of needle. Bring yarn around BACK of work, and knit, being sure first stitch is pulled extremely tight. Repeat from *, until the cord is the length you wish.   Read more »

Knitting Gauge

To check gauge, cast on enough stitches using recommended needle size to span 4" (10 cm). Work in pattern stitch until piece measures at least 4" (10 cm) from cast-on edge. Remove swatch from needles or bind off loosely, and lay swatch on flat surface. Place a ruler over swatch and count number of stitches across and number of rows down (including fractions of stitches and rows) in 4" (10 cm). If you have more stitches and rows than instruction indicates, use larger needles, if you have fewer, use smaller needles. Repeat until gauge is correct.   Read more »

How Much Yarn Do I Need?

For a Decorative Scarf: (Approximately 4" X 54")
On size 19 needles - 6 stitches - 65 yards
On size 17 needles - 8 stitches - 75 yards
On size 15 needles - 10 stitches - 90 yards
On size 13 needles - 12 stitches - 100 yards
On size 11 needles - 14 stitches - 115 yards

For a Classic Scarf:
Use needles 1 to 2 sizes larger than suggested.
Average size = 7" X 5'.
Uses 150 - 200 grams of yarn.   Read more »