Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 15
May 12, 2021
Jacquard Stitch
Sometimes something as simple as a vintage stitch pattern can change the lens through which we see yarn combinations. The Jacquard stitch did that for me, and I hope through this post, and the project in the May YarnYAY! box or my pattern for the Cheers pillow, that it’ll do the same for you!
Choosing Yarns:When choosing yarns to play with Jacquard stitch, don’t be afraid to experiment! As long as the two yarns are approximately the same weight, the stitch pattern should work. You don’t even need to be too concerned about yarns with a different drape, or made out of different fibers, because this stitch essentially melds 2 yarns together to create a NEW textile! Here are a few combos to consider:
Solid or semi-solid and marled.Monochromatic shades of totally different types of yarns (i.e. single ply roving yarn and boucle, Tencel and suri, etc.)Contrasting colors of the same yarn.Solid and variegated.Fabric yarn and wool.Chainette and plied.
Pro Tip: If using yarns that are a slightly different gauge from one another, use the recommended needle size for the heavier of the two yarns.
Jacquard Stitch: Swatch it!SPECIAL STITCHES
Sl = slip (always slip stitches as if to purl, unless otherwise indicated)
wyib = with yarn in back
wyif = with yarn in front
DIRECTIONS
With Color A, CO a multiple of 8 + 4.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Join B.
Row 3 (RS): With B, k2, *sl 4 wyif, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4 (WS): K1, p1, *p3, sl 4 wyib, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 5: With B, k2, *k2, sl 4 wyif, k2, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 6: K1, p1, *p1, sl 4 wyib, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 7: With B, k2, *k4, sl 4 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 8: K1, p1, *sl 3 wyib, p4, sl 1 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 9: With A, k2, *k1, sl 4 wyif; k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 10: K1, p1, *p4, sl 4 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 11: With A, k2, *sl 3 wyif, k4, sl 1 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 12: K1, p1, *sl 2 wyib, p4, sl 2 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 13: With A, k2, *sl 1 wyif, k4, sl 3 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 14: K1, p1, *sl 4 wyib, p4; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Rep Rows 3-14 until swatch is square.
Last Two Rows: Repeat Rows 1-2.
BO.
Block piece.
Caring for Jacquard Stitch Pieces: When combining different yarn types, it’s best to use the washing instructions of the most delicate of the two yarns!
Cheers Pillow by Vickie Howell. Get the pattern HERE.
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May 10, 2021
Tunisian Brick Stitch
This week on Ask Me Monday, I show how to work the Tunisian Brick Stitch, a great textural option for playing with two different colors or types of yarns. Watch the episode, practice stitching with the swatch below, then put your skills to work by making the Cheerful Zippered Bag. Enjoy!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by
Knitter’s Pride
/
KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Ginger Tunisian Crochet Hooks.
MATERIALS
Desired weight of yarn in colors A & B
Tunisian Crochet Hook (corresponding sized hook for yarn)
Special Stitches
TSS = Tunisian Simple Stitch
First stitch of row: Insert hook through second bar from hook, YO and pull up a loopSubsequent stitches: Insert hook through next bar, YO and pull up a loopLTfpdc = Long Tunisian front post double crochet
YO, insert hook under the front and back vertical bars of the stitch 2 rows below, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops.
Return Pass (worked the same for all rows): YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to end
Changing colors
Color changes are worked on the Return pass as follows: work Return Pass row as indicated until 2 loops remain on hook, drop current color, change to color indicated, YO and pull through remaining 2 loops
DIRECTIONS
With A, ch 17 (or any multiple of 4+1)
Row 1 Forward Pass: Insert hook into second ch from hook, YO and pull up a loop, *insert hook into next ch, YO and pull up loop; rep from * to end. – 17 loops on hook
w 1 Return Pass: YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to last 2 sts, change to B, YO, pull through 2 loops. — 1 loop rem on hook
Row 2 Forward Pass: With B, TSS in each st across.
Row 2 Return Pass: Work Return Pass, changing to A in last 2 sts.
Row 3 Forward Pass: With A, *TSS in next 3 sts, LTfpdc in next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, TSS in last 4 sts.
Row 3 Return Pass: Work Return Pass, changing to B in last 2 sts.
Row 4 Forward Pass: With B, TSS in each st across.
Row 4 Return Pass: Work Return Pass, changing to A in last 2 sts.
Row 5 Forward Pass: With A, TSS in next st, LTfpdc in next st, *TSS in next 3 sts, LTfpdc in next st; rep from * to last 2 sts, TSS in last 2 sts.
Row 5 Return Pass: Work Return Pass, changing to B in last 2 sts.
Repeat Rows 2-5 until you have a square swatch piece.
Bind-Off Row: Insert hook through second bar from hook, pull up a loop and pull through loop on hook, *YO, insert hook through next bar, pull up a loop and pull through loop on hook; rep from * to end.
Fasten off.
Put your Tunisian Brick Stitch skills to work, try. making this zippered bag!
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May 3, 2021
YarnYAY! 3rd Anniversary Box
YarnYAY! 3rd Anniversary BoxHow can it be, we’re the big 3?! It’s YarnYAY!‘s 3rd anniversary, and we’re celebrating with 2 yarns, 3 patterns, new products, a few giveaways, and a $1k grant.
YarnYAY! 3rd Anniversary Box: What’s IncludedSuperwash DK | Sweet Georgia Yarns &
Zebra DK | Woolen Women Fibers –EXCLUSIVE ANNIVERSARY COLORS
For our 3rd anniversary box we did something special. We went to TWO different women-owned dye houses with a shade range palette and asked them to interpret it in anyway that felt authentic to their respective brands.
In the spirit of artists supporting artists, we’re serving you up both GORGEOUS takes, and ways to create unique fabrics using both yarns in one project.
YarnYAY! Exclusive Yarn Colors: Aquaversary by Sweet Georgia Yarns and The Real Teal by Woolen Women Fibers
Sweet Georgia Yarnsis a Vancouver-based business owned by Felicia Lo. |Woolen Women Fibers is owned by molecular scientist, Andrea Di Carlo.
Cheers Zippered Bag Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell
This month, we’re playing with creating unique, textural zippered bags with 2 different yarns, using your choice of 3 different crafts! The knit version uses a Jacquard stitch pattern to marry our yarns together with undulating swoops.
Cheers Knit Zippered Pouch by Vickie Howell
The crochet bag has a fabric of escalating front post stitches.
Cheery Crochet Zippered Bag by Vickie Howell
The BONUS Tunisian crochet option uses stripes with Brick Stitch for a woven look.
Cheerful Tunisian Crochet Zippered Bag by Vickie Howell
Silver Washable Paper Project Caddy | YarnYAY!
We’re obsessed with washable paper caddies and are thrilled to bring you a box- exclusive-sized version of our 2021 fave, silver! Nab the larger companion caddy here .
YarnYAY! Tassel Maker | AnyLine
Three sizes of tassels can be made with this tool cutie. Put a tassel on it!
Anyline is a New York-based, woman-owned company.
YarnYAY! 3rd Anniversary Box Inspo Board
The post YarnYAY! 3rd Anniversary Box appeared first on Vickie Howell.
April 26, 2021
Wallpaper Swatch Journals with Knit Edgings
This week’s installment of Ask Me Monday is inspired by the YarnYAY! Studio’s new wallpapered accent wall. While trying decide what look I wanted to achieve, I ordered eleventy wallpaper swatches. The Art Deco Swan print by Kate Rhees for Spoonflower was the clear winner, but the others where too pretty to discard. Enter, a crafting opportunity!
Wallpaper journals are a great, mixed-media projects that are so fun to create! They’re unique, inspiring and can be used for anything from doodling, to lists, to recording deep thoughts. Go the extra step in making them your own, by embellishing them with picot knit edgings.
I can’t wait to see your wallpaper journals. Be sure to tag @vickiehowell on instagram when you make one!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by
Knitter’s Pride
/
KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Smart Stix Needles.
MATERIALS
Wallpaper swatches (size can vary based on what size journal you want to make)
5 sheets drawing or graph paper
Scissors or rotary cutter, straight edge and self-healing mat
Sharp tapestry needle
Book binders floss or waxed dental floss
Scraps of Sock, fingering, or DK weight yarn
SizeUS 5-6/3.75 mm-4 mm circular needle (at least 24″ long)
DIRECTIONS
Make Journal:
PREP WALLPAPER COVER. Cut wallpaper piece 2″/5 cm wider than TWICE the width and about 1/2″/1 cm taller than height of desired journal size. This will allow for a bit of a lip of wallpaper cover to extend past the drawing paper inside the journal. Note: You can always use your drawing paper as a guide for the journal size you make. PREP DRAWING PAPER. If necessary, cut 5 sheets down to 1″/2.5 cm less width than wallpaper cover. Fold each piece (individually, not together at the same time) in half width-wise, using your fingernail to crease. Matching creases, stack sheets of drawing paper. Using a Pencil and ruler, mark the top sheet of drawing paper stack at center point and equidistant spots on either size of center, towards the top and bottom (i.e. 3 spots marked.) BIND JOURNAL. Place drawing paper stack inside wallpaper cover. Using tapestry needle and book binding thread or dental floss, punch and draw through the center marking, from inside of journal to out, leaving a tail. Come back up through (outside of journal to inside) the bottom-most marking, draw through thread. From inside to out, go back through, this time at the upper-most marking. Lastly, come up through the same center marking at which you began. cut thread, leaving tails. Ties ends. Trim.
Embellish with Knit Edging:
CREATE STITCHING FOUNDATION. Using sharp needle and fine weight yarn or embroidery floss, hand stitch a Blanket Stitch row across the side of the front cover. See my video tutorial, if you need a refresher!KNIT EDGING: Using circular needle and yarn and on the RS of journal, pick up stitches in each of the horizontal bars created by the blanket stitchRow 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: Purl.
Picot Bind-off as follows: K2, bind-off 1, *slip stitch on RH needle back onto LH needle, e-wrap cast-on 2 stitches, bind-off 4 stitches; repeat from * to end.
Weave in ends.
That’s it, you’ve created the sweetest, most unique journal. Well done!
Looking for a crochet edging option? Try Ball Fringe!
The post Wallpaper Swatch Journals with Knit Edgings appeared first on Vickie Howell.
April 19, 2021
Chain Stitch Coasters
This week on Ask Me Monday we learn how to make Chain Stitch Coasters, using yarn scraps and latch hook mesh. No previous crochet skills required!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by
Knitter’s Pride
/
KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Featured Knitters Pride Product: Ginger and Symfonie Dreamz Crochet Hooks
Chain Stitch Coasters: How-ToMATERIALS
Small amount of aran or heavy-worsted yarn
Size G/4.5 mm crochet hook
Tapestry Needle
5 Mesh Latch Hook Canvas
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
4″/10 cm square
DIRECTIONS (make 2-4)
Cut out a 4″/10 cm square (20 mesh squares across and up-and-down) per coaster you’re making. Insert hook into the 2nd mesh square. Slip not yarn, and place on hook. Pull loop through to front. *Insert hook in next mesh square up from the last, yarn-over, pull yarn through mesh square and through loop on hook. Chain stitch complete. Repeat from *, creating chain stitches through each mesh square, until you reach the last open mesh square. Pivot to next column of mesh squares, chain stitch in the the 2nd mesh square from the top in the next column. Continue chain stitching, repeating from *, down the column. Repeat this process until the entire mesh piece, leaving the last mesh square column open.Using tapestry needle and a strand of yarn, whip stitch around border of piece, beginning in a square that already has stitching and whipping around the unstitched border mesh squares. Take care to not pull too tight, so the mesh doesn’t warp.Weave in ends.Pro Tip: Choose a crochet hook with a pointy tip, like the Knitter’s Pride Ginger or Symfonie Dreamz hooks, to make this process even easier!
Chain Stitch Coaster Variations
Now that you know how to work chain stitch over latch hook mesh in columns, experiment with using the technique to stitch over the mesh at angles to create your own design. Be sure to tag @vickiehowell with your coasters, too!
Chevron Chain Stitch variation
Vickie Howell Aqua Hooks, manufactured by Knitter’s Pride
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April 12, 2021
Scrap Yarn Knit Flower
Scrap Yarn Knit FlowerThis week on Ask Me Monday, we dive into our scrap yarn to make pretty little petals. These scrap yarn knit flowers make great pins for jackets, baubles for bags, and adornments for hair. Here’s how to make them!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by
Knitter’s Pride
/
KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Smart Stix Needles.
MATERIALS
Scraps, Vickie Howell for Mad| Tosh TML Unicorn Tail, or equivalent Fingering Weight or Sock Yarn
Size US 3 needles
Tapestry needle
Sequin or beads
Scraps of Felt
Sewing needle & thread OR Glue Gun
Optional: Pin back or hair clip
FINISHED SIZE
Approx. 3″
DIRECTIONS
CO 80 sts.
Rows 1-3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Purl.
Rows 7-12: Repeat Rows 5-6.
Row 13 (decrease & eyelet row): *[k2tog] twice, sl 2 sts created back to LH needle, k2tog; rep from * to end.
Row 14: Purl.
BO, leaving a long tail for seaming.
FINISHING
Using long tail and tapestry needle, weave yarn through eyelets and cinch. Seam short ends together to form a circle.
Weave in ends.
Embellish:
Hand-sew or glue a small circle of felt onto the center front of piece. Hand-sew or glue sequin or beads to felt.Hand-sew or glue a circle of felt onto the center back of piece for stability.OPTIONAL: Hand-sew or glue a pin back or hair clip to back felt piece.
MATERIALS
All of the MATERIALS for Small Knit Flower, PLUS
Scraps, Vickie Howell for Mad | Tosh HOME, or equivalent bulky yarn
Size US 13 needles
FINISHED SIZE
Approx 4 1/2″
DIRECTIONS
Make Large Petal Layer:
With Larger needles and bulky yarn, CO 30 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Rows 3-6: Repeat Rows 1-2, twice more.
Row 7: *K2tog, k1; repeat from * to end.
Row 8: Purl.
BO, leaving tail for seaming.
Make Small Petal Layer:
Work as for Small Knit Flower.
FINISHING
Large Petal Layer:
Using tapestry needle and tail, weave yarn in and out of BO edge and cinch. Seam short ends together to form circle.
Assemble knit flower:
Place Small Petal Layer on top of Large Petal Layer; hand-sew or glue into place.
Embellish:
Hand-sew or glue a small circle of felt onto the center front of piece. Hand-sew or glue sequin or beads to felt.Hand-sew or glue a circle of felt onto the center back of piece for stability.OPTIONAL: Hand-sew or glue a pin back or hair clip to back felt piece.
Looking for more flower patterns? Try these:
https://vickiehowell.com/how-to-knit-flower/https://vickiehowell.com/how-to-crochet-poinsettias/https://vickiehowell.com/pompom-flower-loom-earrings/
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April 3, 2021
YarnYAY! April Box #36
YarnYAY! April Box #36Ooh, la la, it’s unboxing time! The YarnYAY! April box, has us aspiring for springtime in Paris. Here are the projects and products, brought to you from 5 women-owned businesses. that I’ve selected for my dear YarnYAYers this month.
Honor | Lorna’s Laces
Lorna’s Laces Honor, shown in color: Old Rose
Get ready to be delighted, this month’s yarn selection, Honor is a gorgeously hand dyed baby alpaca and silk. We’re featuring two Springtime colors: Old Rose and Curie.
Lorna’s Laces is a Kentucky-based business owned by Amanda Jarvis.
Yay, Beret Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Janet Martinez
This month, we’re dreaming of Springtime in Paris, adorned in jaunty (that’s right, I said jaunty) berets! The knit version, designed by Vickie, has a textured brim and decorative double decreases throughout the top.
Yay, Beret! (knit) by Vickie Howell for YarnYAY!
Model: Becky Joiner
The crochet version, designed by Janet Martinez, combines double crochet stitches with a ribbed brim. Both will have you saying “oui” to this accessory!
Slay Beret (Crochet)
Designed & Modeled by Janet Martinez for YarnYAY!
Macaron Notions Box | Laura Hand Knits
A sweet little macaron-shaped box will keep stitch markers and other small notions together and adorably organized!
Laura Hand Knits is a Georgia based, woman-owned company.
French Poodle Stitch Marker | Firefly Notes
Your project will have a certain pedigree with stitches marked by a French poodle!
Firefly Notes is a Canadian based company, owned by Sandy Bahrich
Eiffel Tower Scissors | YarnYAY!
C’est chic snips!
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March 22, 2021
Crochet Egg Cozy
This week on Ask Me Monday, I show how to use those lefter scraps of sock or fingering-weight yarn to make a crochet egg cozy. These little covers are the cheeriest little projects to brighten up an easter basket, Ostara display, or Springtime table. Have fun!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by
Knitter’s Pride
/
KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Featured Knitter’s Pride Crochet Hooks: Ginger, Aluminum, and Zing
Make it: Crochet Egg Cozy
MATERIALS
Scraps of sock-weight or fingering-weight yarn in colors, A and B
Size US G/ 4mm Knitter’s Pride Crochet Hook — or size needed to create a mesh to fit over your egg
Tapestry needle
Plastic egg
ABBREVIATIONS
Need a crochet tutorial? Check out my video playlist here.
DIRECTIONS
Bottom:
With A, ch 4. Join rnd with a sl st in the first ch.
Rnd 1: Ch 2 (doesn’t count as stitch), 6 hdc in center loop; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 6 sts
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in next st and every st around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 12 sts
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; rep from * around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. –18 sts.
Rnds 4-7: Ch 3, dc in next st and every st around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch.
Fasten off.
Top:
Rnds 1-2: With B, work same as for Bottom.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, * 2 hdc in next st, hdc in each of next 2 sts; rep from * around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 16 sts
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next st and every st around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch.
Fasten off, leaving long tail for seaming.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Slide egg into Bottom. Slide Top over egg. Using tapestry needle and tail, whip stitch edges of pieces together to enclose egg.
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March 15, 2021
Guide to Needles and Hooks
Guide to Knitting Needles and Crochet HooksHave you ever wondered which needle or hook to use with what project and why? The choices in the tool section can be a little intimidating. This week on Ask Me Monday I give a guide to knitting needles and crochet hooks. Watch the video for in-depth explanations and recommendations, then bookmark this post as a cheat sheet!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by
Knitter’s Pride
/
KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Tool MaterialsBefore we talk tool type, it’s pertinent to talk about the materials that those tools might be made from. You have several different choices when it comes to both knitting needles and crochet hooks. For the most part, it doesn’t really matter which you go with since technically, they’ll all get the job done. What does matter though, is that you pick needles and hooks made from a material that you enjoy working with. Just like finding the right yarn, needles and hooks can make or break your stitching adventure. Here are a few of your options:
AluminumAluminum needles and are inexpensive and available at all craft stores. They’re the workhorse of the bunch, easily accessible and get the job done. They work best with non-slick yarns.Plastic
Another more affordable option, plastic needles are flexible and light weight. The grab of plastic makes it a good material choice when working with slick yarns. Bamboo
Available at most major craft stores and local yarn shops, bamboo is an excellent choice most of the time. They’re generally reasonably priced, warm in the hands, and are fairly light-weight. Although bamboo technically has grab that would make working with higher-traction yarns like wool, the modern advancements in buffing gives them a shine that mostly negates that potential issue. If you’re thinking about upgrading from aluminum or plastic, but aren’t quite ready to invest in one of the more expensive materials, bamboo is an excellent choice! Wood
Wood needles and hooks are lovely, warming in the hands, and wonderful to work with. Laminated wood offers the perfect balance between grab and slickness, making them a great companion for most yarns. Although these tools will be more of an investment, they’re worth it! Nickel-plated Brass
Designed for speed and ease, your yarn will fly of of these shining beauties! When working with non-slick fibers, needles and hooks made from this material will feel feel like butter. These, along with with their wood-sisters, are considered top of the line, though, so expect to spend a little more on them.Knitting Needles
There are a few options when it comes to knitting needles. You can make your choice based on project, technique or often, just plain ol’ personal preference. Here’s the scoop!
Straight Needles: (Shown: Symfonie Dreamz)
STRAIGHT NEEDLES (AKA SINGLE POINTS)
Straight needles are the O.G. tool for knitting. They’re likely what you learned to knit with, and could be what you use until the end of your-knitting-time, as long as you stuck with flat garments. They work singularly for knitting pieces back and forth, and thus are a solid choice for projects like scarves, lightweight wraps, pillows, or smaller garments that are worked flat, then seamed later. They come in different lengths to accommodate varying widths of knit fabrics. The plus to these needles is that they’re readily available anywhere that sells even the most basic of knitting supplies. The minus is that when working on larger or chunkier projects, the weight of holding all of the stitched on a rigid stick can be really hard on the wrists.
Fixed Circular Needles (Shown: Vickie Howell Aqua, Knitter’s Pride Bamboo, Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Dreamz
CIRCULAR NEEDLES (FIXED)
Circular needles (aka “circs”) consist of two needle points connected by a flexible cord which allows one to knit a piece in-the-round. The cord lengths come in lengths varying from 8.5″ to 60″, but most commonly are between 24″-40″. You choose your cord length based on the circumference of your project, if using normally, or a longer length if you’re using the Magic Loop method (as an alternative to using double-pointed needles) to knit any circumference.
Circs aren’t just for knitting in-the-round, however. In fact, I use them for almost any type of project, flat or otherwise. The needles are shorter, so less cumbersome than straights, and the cords allow for the bulk of any project to sit on my lap, taking the strain off of my wrists. They’re my go-to knitting tool!
Circular Needle Cords
CIRCULAR NEEDLES (Interchangeable)
These are the Swiss Army knife of knitting needles, because a set of them offers any number of customizable needle sizes and lengths. A stitcher can swap out needle tips when, say, moving from tighter ribbing to the looser body of a garment, or to a longer cord as a top-center out shawl grows in width. Although an interchangeable set is a larger investment up front, in the long run will cost less than buying multiple sizes and lengths of fixed needles. I can’t live without my interchangeable sets!
Double-Pointed Needles (Shown: Knitter’s Pride Smart Stix)
DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES
Double-pointed Needles (dpns) are mostly for knitting small pieces in-the-round. They come in longer lengths for hats and adult sleeves, and smaller lengths for socks and cuffs. The advantage of working with dpns is that there is no limitation to how small of a circumferene that can be made with them, nor, technically, how large. If you’re working on a piece that grows in circumference, you could potentially just keep adding double-pointed needles to the mix. Although a knitter is never working with more than two needles at a time, some find that have an additional two or more hanging in wait to be fussy. I personally, really like working with dpns. Take ’em for a spin and see what you think (but give yourself a minute to get used to them!)
Crochet Hooks
Crochet hooks are a lot more straight forward than their knitting counterparts. The function of all are the same, so that leaves flair to choose from!
Crochet Hooks (Shown: Knitter’s Pride Waves)
The main things to consider when choosing the right crochet hook for you and/or a particular project are: material (see above Materials section, and decide based on yarn type), handle type and head shape. For the most part, these choices can all be made based on personal preference. Although I’d suggest a pointier tip (see Ginger hook below) for working with spike stitches or front/back loop work, and a rounder tip when working with a yarn with a lot of plies (making it harder to split them), that really is just my recommendation. You should do you, when it comes to choosing a hook. Experiment. Do you like a warm, round wooden handle, or prefer the grip of a rubber, ergonomic one? Do you feel like you have more control over the flow of the yarn when there’s ample room under the hook, or a tighter, flatter groove? Take a few for a spin, then decide for yourself!
Crochet Hook Heads (Shown: Knitter’s Pride Ginger, Aluminum, and Zing Hooks)
All in all, the tools really can make the experience. If you try one type and feel frustrated, don’t cast the craft aside. Simply try a different style needle or hook. Having the right tool, for you individually, can make a huge difference. The most important thing is that you do you, and ultimately find your creative groove!
The post Guide to Needles and Hooks appeared first on Vickie Howell.
March 8, 2021
Waves Stitches | Knit & Crochet
Waves StitchSpring is on the horizon so it’s time to switch stitch-gears from dense, warm stitches and move towards flowy, open-weave options. This week on Ask Me Monday, we chat Waves Stitch, and undulating pattern that ebbs and flows like the water we aspire to visit. I’ll cover both knit and crochet versions, plus share the Wave Hello (by me) and Wave Goodbye (by Becky Joiner) infinity scarves featured in the March YarnYAY! subscription box. Give the episode a watch, swatch with the instructions below, then put your skills to work with a Wavs Stitch project!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by
Knitter’s Pride
/
KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Waves Crochet Hooks. Smart Stix Needles.
Wave Stitch: Knit VersionNeed knitting stitch tutorials? Go here.
Multiples of 10 + 6.
Rows 1-2: Knit.
Row 3: K6, *YO, k1, YOx2, k1, YOx3, k1, YOx2, k1, YO, k6; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Knit across, dropping all YOs.
Rows 5-6: Knit.
Row 7: K1, *YO, k1, YOx2, k1, YOx3, k1, YOx2, k1, YO, k6; rep from * to last 5sts, YO, k1, YOx2, k1, YOx3, k1, YOx2, k1, YO, k1.
Row 8: Knit across, dropping all YOs.
Rows 9-10: Knit.
Repeat Rows 1-10 for Wave Stitch pattern.
Wave Hello Infinity Scarf (knit) by Vickie Howell (Available in the March YarnYAY! box)
More Ideas:
Knit Waves Stitch with Beads!Peaks & Waves PillowWave Stitch: Crochet VersionNeed crochet stitch tutorials? Go here.
Multiples of 16 + 2.
SPECIAL STITCH
sc-blo: sc in the back loop only.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each ch across.
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as first sc throughout), sc in first st, *sc in next st, (ch1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), sc in next two sts; rep from * to end.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch1-sp across.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc-blo in each st across.
Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as tr), *(ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), sc in each of next 3 sts, (ch 1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st; rep from * to last st, tr in last st.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch1-sp across.
Row 7: Ch 1, sc-blo in each st across.
Repeat Rows 2-7 for Wave Stitch pattern.
Wave Goodbye Scarf by Becky Joiner (Available in the March YarnYAY! box)
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