Fragments Clue 18- Blocking

Hiya Knitters!  How did the grafting go?  How awesome is this baby!

Today we are going to talk about blocking your scarf.  The particular method we'll be using today is called wet-blocking.  Blocking is essential when it comes to knitting, because it takes your knitting from just "being done" to looking complete.  Always wonder how those patterns on Ravelry look so amazing?  It's all to do with blocking (that and professional lighting and photography).  And as far as techniques go, this is pretty darn easy (although a bit time consuming).  

TOOLS:
-Lots of Quilting pins (I used about 120 for mine)
-A clean sink and cool fresh water
-A couple of clean, dry bath towels
-A place to pin where your knitting can be left undisturbed for up to 24 hours (more on this below)
-Optional: A helper- if you have (and can trust) one with the work.  I've taught my husband how to pin, so I usually enlist his help on some of my larger projects.

GIVE IT A SOAK
After you've sewn in all your yarn ends, fill a clean sink or tub with some cool fresh water.  Temperature is important!  Especially if you are working with wool.  If your water is too warm or hot, you can end up felting your work- and that would be horrible after all that hard work!  Two things cause felting: warm water and agitation.  And in its wet state, yarn is incredibly delicate.
Set your scarf in to soak.  Do not agitate or wring your scarf (again, delicate).  Let your scarf soak for about 30 minutes so you can be sure that the yarn is fully saturated.  You can gently move your scarf a bit to make sure that there aren't any air pockets.

PRESS IT OUT
After the 30 minutes is up, drain the water and gently press the scarf against the side of your sink/tub to remove the excess water.  Lay your bath towel(s) flat and place the scarf on top of it (my scarf was so long that I needed two towels slightly overlapping).  Go ahead and stretch out your scarf as you would like it to look like when finished.  

Roll up in the towel with the scarf inside. 

Now you can get a little rough (still no wringing though)... using your body weight press on the towel to remove the rest of the water (I do this by walking up and down on the towel).  The towel along with the pressure will wick the water out of your scarf.  When you unroll your scarf, if it is still excessively wet, you can repeat the process with another dry towel.
Now that your scarf is more or less dry (it will feel damp to the touch), you can start pinning it out.  You'll need a surface to pin your work on in a place that won't be disturbed for at least 24 hours.  A foam mat, a spare mattress, and even a carpeted floor work just fine.  I usually pin my knitting right onto the carpet in my closet or spare room where I can shut the door and let the piece dry in peace (haha). 

This is the time to stretch and form your knitting to look exactly like you want it.  Smooth any wrinkles and make the knitting taut, then pin it in place.  I like to start in the middle and work my way to each end setting the pins about an inch or so apart.  You can get pretty aggressive with your stretching at this point.  This process will really make your stitch definition pop!  And don't worry if you find yourself needing to re-pin sections as you go. 

Make sure your edges are as straight as possible and that you get that lace to wave at the ends. 
Once you are pleased with the pinning, allow your piece to air dry until it is completely dry.  Dry time will vary depending on how wet your piece was when you started pinning. 

I will post a final round of pictures as well as a short survey about the scarf either later today or tomorrow.  Here's a head's up on the survey... I'd like you to let me know what your four favorite fragments are.  The top four will end up being swatches for this year.

Well, I hope you had fun with this- I certainly did!  I am so honored that you chose to knit-a-long with me and I hope you enjoy your Fragments Scarf!

Happy Knitting!

PS- Kitties are cute, but they aren't very good at pinning!

Fragments Clue 17- Grafting

Hi Friends!  We've made it!  Can you believe nearly a month ago, we started this journey together?  I am so glad that you joined me to knit along!  

Today is the first of our two finishing clues.  We will start by grafting the two pieces together using a technique called Kitchener stitch.

Grafting is a handy task to learn because it allows you to join two pieces of work, seamlessly, while the stitches are still "live’’ rather than after they have been bound off.  Grafting can be done either with stockinette or garter stitches and the technique is different for both.  The tutorial I like to use can be found here.  The illustrations in this article are for stockinette stitch, and since we are going to be grafting in garter stitch, I have made a photo tutorial for you to follow. 

If you are grafting for the first time, or need a refresher, PLEASE do this during a quiet moment when you will be most likely to finish it in one sitting without interruption (the process shouldn’t take you any longer than 30 minutes if it’s your first time).  The worst thing would be for you to set it down and not remember where you are when you pick it back up.  The first couple of stitches in this grafting sequence will seem a little strange at first, but there is a rhythm to it that you’ll soon pick up.

I’ve done both a photo tutorial as well as an abbreviated written version to follow.  When I graft, I like to look at the pictures first to orient myself, but find that the words carry me through once I’ve started.  

For this project, and really any time you’re grafting, you want your graft to match the tension of your knitting.  It’s kinda like Goldilocks, you don’t want it too loose nor too tight, but just right.  I’ve found that if your grafting is too loose it is way easier to fix than if it is too tight, however the best option would to get it to be as close as possible.  How do you achieve this?  Look at your knitting as you go.  Grafting is seamless , so your graft should look exactly like your knitting.  You don’t want the graft to pucker in (too tight) or out (too loose) so keep an eye out.  I recommend pulling the stitches through until they meet, but not so they are snug. 

After you graft the piece together, there will be another post on how to block your work as well as some follow up info.  Take your time and enjoy the process!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

Take the tail of yarn from the second half of your scarf and cut a length at least three times the length of your knitting (3-4 feet of yarn should do).

A darning needle or other large eyed needle.  The same as you’d use for sewing in ends. 

PREPARE FOR THE GRAFTING!

Thread stitches from stitch holder onto your spare needle with the working yarn facing in- toward the inside of the needle (yup- opposite of what you'd normally do).  This will be your back needle. 

Thread your darning needle with tail of the front needle. 

Hold the two halves of your scarf wrong sides together with the tips of the needles pointing to the right.

Insert the darning needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to purl and thread the yarn through.   

Then, insert the needle into the first stitch of the back needle as if to purl and pull the yarn through.  Make the stitches snug but NOT tight. Take care not to ‘’create’’ extra loops by looping the yarn over the needles.  

KITCHENER STITCH:

1- FRONT NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit and slip that stitch off the needle.

2- FRONT NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to purl, pull the yarn through but leave the stitch on the needle.

3- BACK NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to knit and slip that stitch off the needle.

4- BACK NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the next stitch on the back needle as if to purl, pull the yarn through but leave the stitch on the needle.

Repeat these four steps until you come to the final stitch on each needle.  Thread the needle through the front stitch as if to knit and slip it off the needle.  Then thread the needle through the stitch on the back needle as if to knit and slip it off the needle. 

To correct a graft that is too tight:

Tug the two sides of your knitting away from each other.

 To correct a graft that is too loose:

Tug the end of your sewing yarn to tighten.

 You can manipulate that thread until your sewing looks right. 

Sew in all ends. 

Abbreviated Instructions:

1.       FRONT NEEDLE: Knit and slip off the needle

2.       FRONT NEEDLE: Purl and leave on the needle

3.       BACK NEEDLE: Knit and slip off the needle

4.       BACK NEEDLE: Purl and leave on the needle

I hope your grafting goes well.  See you tomorrow for blocking!

Fragments Clue 16

Hi there and welcome to the Final Knitting Clue for our Fragments KAL!  This last 'fragment' is really kinda cute and one of my favorites! Enjoy!

Pattern Notes:
This pattern is knit over 47 stitches- don't count your stitches after rows 5 or 11 (they won't add up!)

[K1, P1, K1, P1 all into the same stitch] This is an increase (making four stitches out of one) and is knit just like it sounds.  Knit, purl, knit, and purl into the stitch without slipping it off the needle.  This is knit the same way we did our little flame stitch from last week (you can also take a look at the bobble tutorial I posted a couple of years ago).  Take a deep breath- you can do it!

[sl-3, K1, pss3o]- Slip 3 stitches to the right hand needle. Bring the yarn between the needles towards the back as if to knit, K1. Move yarn back between the needles to the front as if to purl and pass each slipped stitch over the knitted stitch and off the needle (keep the knitted stitch on the needle)

Row 1: Knit across row
Row 2: K3 *purl across* K3
Row 3: Knit across row
Row 4: K3 *purl across* K3
Row 5: K8 *[K1, P1, K1, P1 into the next stitch], K5* K3
Row 6: K3, P5 *[sl-3, K1, pss3o], P5* K3
Row 7: Knit across row
Row 8: K3 *purl across* K3
Row 9: Knit across row
Row 10: K3 *purl across* K3
Row 11: K5 *[K1, P1, K1, P1 into the next stitch], K5* to last 6 sts [K1, P1, K1, P1 into next stitch], K5
Row 12: K3, P2 *[sl-3, K1, pss3o], P5* to last 9 sts [sl-3, K1, pss3o], P2, K3

Knit through the pattern rows completely and then repeat rows 1-9 again (21 rows).

Knit 1 row. 

Congrats!  The knitting portion of our KAL is complete- now we just need to put it all together!
Tomorrow there will be a long winded post on how to join the two halves together and Friday will have a post on how to block your scarf. 

Happy Knitting!

Fragments Clue 15

Hey Knitters! 
Today's clue is relatively easy compared to the last couple of ones, but keep an eye open- there's lots of knits and purls! 

Row 1: K3, P1 *K1, P1, K2, P1, K2, P1, K1, P1* K3
Row 2: K4* P2, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P2, K1 *K3
Row 3: K3, P1 *K3, P3, K3, P1* K3
Row 4: K5 *P3, K1, P3, K3* repeat to the last 12sts P3, K1, P3, K5

Repeat these rows for a total of 5 times, then repeat rows 1-3 again.

Knit 3 rows.

See you tomorrow and Happy Knitting!

Fragments Clue 14

Hi Friends- how was your weekend?  More importantly, how is the knitting?  I hope everything has gone well!
We are now in our final week of our KAL- wow has it has gone fast or what!

Pattern Notes:
sl-3 wyf: Move the yarn forward between the needles and slip the next 3 stitches to the right hand needle, move the yarn back and continue in pattern.  This will occur on the right-hand (front) side of your work.
sl-3 wyb: Move the yarn between the needles to the back side of your work and slip the next 3 stitches to the right hand needle, move the yarn forward again and continue in pattern.   This will occur on the wrong-hand (back) side of your work.

Row 1: K4 *K1, sl-3 wyf, K4* K4
Row 2: K4 *P4, sl-3 wyb, P1* K4
Row 3: K4 *K1, sl-3 wyf, K4* K4
Row 4: K4 *purl* K4
Row 5: K4 *K5, sl-3 wyf* K4
Row 6: K4 *sl-3 wyb, P5* K4
Row 7: K4 *K5, sl-3 wyf* K4
Row 8: K4 *purl* K4

Repeat these eight rows twice and then rows 1-7 again.

Knit 3 Rows.
During the final row k2tog once to prepare for the final row (47sts).


See ya tomorrow and Happy Knitting!

Fragments Clue 13

Hey Knitters, how's the KAL going?  Three weeks down, we've only got a few clues left!

So, if you didn't see the update from yesterday... there was a tiny mistake in Clue 12.  At the end of the clue when you’re knitting your three border rows, you don’t need to increase any stitches in this section. Clue 13 will have 48 sts just like Clue 12.  If you've already finished this clue, just knit back the last row and take out the increase.  I have updated the pattern, so if you've copied/printed/already knit that clue you'll need to make that update.  I am sorry for any inconvenience!


KEY:
yo:  yarn over- A single increase.  Move the yarn to the front of the work, the same action as if you were to purl, then wrap the yarn over the top of the needle and resume your knitting.  This creates a hole or an eyelet in the fabric.

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together- A right-slanting decrease.  Insert the needle into the next two stitches as if to knit, and knit these stitches together. 

skp- slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit the next stitch and pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch and off the needle.  This is a left-slanting decrease.

Pattern:
Row 1: K3 *P6, K3* across the row
Row 2: K7 *K2tog, P3, K1, yo, K3* repeat to the last 5sts K5
Row 3: K3, P7 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 11sts K3, P5, K3
Row 4: K6 *K2tog, P3, K1, yo, K3* repeat to the last 6sts K6
Row 5: K3, P8 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 10sts K3, P4, K3
Row 6: K5 *K2tog, P3, K1, yo, K3* repeat to the last 7sts, K7
Row 7: K3, P9 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 9sts K3, P3, K3
Row 8: K4 *K2tog, P3, K1, yo, K3* repeat to the last 8sts, K8
Row 9: K3, P10 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 8sts, K3, P2, K3
Row 10: K3 *K2tog, P3, K1, yo, K3* repeat to the last 9sts, K9
Row 11: K3 *P6, K3* across the row
Row 12: K8 *yo, K1, P3, skp, K3* repeat to the last 4sts, K4
Row 13: K3 P5 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 4sts, P1, K3
Row 14: K9 *yo, K1, P3, skp, K3* repeat to the last 3sts K3
Row 15: K3, P4 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 5sts, P2, K3
Row 16: K10 *yo, K1, P3, skp, K3* repeat to the last 11sts, yo, K1, P3, skp, k5
Row 17: K3, P3 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 6sts P3, K3
Row 18: K11 *yo, K1, P3, skp, K3* repeat to the last 10sts, yo, K1, P3, skp, K4
Row 19: K3, P2 *K3, P6* repeat to the last 7sts P4, K3

Knit 3 rows.

Have a nice weekend and happy knitting!

Fragments Clue 11

Hey Knitters- how did the flame stitch go?  It's a little complicated to start out, but I felt it got easier as I went along.  Today's Clue is really simple, to give you a little break.  Enjoy!


Row 1: K2 *K6, P3, K2* K2
Row 2: K2 *P2, K3, P6* K2
Row 3: K2 *K2, P3, K6* K2
Row 4: K2 *P6, K3, P2* K2

Repeat these pattern rows for a total of five times (20 rows).

Knit four rows.

See you tomorrow, and happy knitting!

Fragments Clue 10

Hi Friends- how did lace knitting 2.0 go?  I hope it was easier this time :)

Today's clue has a double increase (increase twice into the same stitch) and then a double decrease (decrease two stitches at once) that you may not have knit before.  There's a bunch of pictures to help you through it.

[K1, yo, K1 into the same stitch]

Knit one stitch and don't slip it off the needle...

Yarn over the needle and don't slip it off the needle...

Knit again into the same stitch. Remove it from the needle.

You've just turned one stitch into three (increased two stitches).

 

P3tog

Slip your right hand needle into the next 3 stitches

Purl them together!

All Done :)

You've just decreased two stitches (gone from three to one stitch).

Pattern Notes:
If it helps to know...
You'll start this pattern with 48 stitches.  Rows 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 12 will have 48 sts.
In rows 3, 4, 5 you will be increasing 14 stitches (two per pattern repeat) to 62 sts.
In rows 9, 10, 11 will be increasing 12 (also two per pattern repeat) to 60 sts.

Row 1: K3 *purl across* K3
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K3 * P3, [K1, yo, K1 into the same stitch], P2* repeat from * across to the last 3sts K3
Row 4: K3 *K2, P3, K3* repeat from * across to the last 3sts K3
Row 5: K3 *P3, K3, P2* repeat from * across to the last 3sts K3
Row 6: K3 *K2, P3tog, K3* repeat from * across to the last 3sts K3
Row 7: K3 *Purl across* K3
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: K3, P1* P5, [K1, yo, K1 into the same stitch]* repeat from * across to last 8sts P5, K3
Row 10: K3 *K5, P3* repeat from * across to the last 9sts K9
Row 11: K3, P1 *P5, K3* repeat to the end of the row
Row 12: K8* P3tog, K5* repeat to the last 4sts K4

Knit the pattern rows 1-12 and then repeat rows 1-7 (19 rows).

Knit 3 rows

Good luck, be patient, and have fun!
~Happy Knitting~

Fragments Clue 7

Hey there Knitters!  Welcome to Clue 7 of our Fragments KAL. 

For this clue, we're going to dabble in cables!  For those of you who have knit cables before, please be patient with this post- there are lots of pictures!  For those of you who have not knit cables before, good news- there are lots of pictures (see what I did there :)! 

I really love cables.  I believe when it comes to knitting, cables give you the most for your money.  They really aren't that difficult (once you've broken the pieces down), have infinite possibilities (there are gazillions of ways to cross stitches), and create a highly texturized and visually intriguing fabric.  You really can't miss!

Now, if you don't have a cable needle, you can make do with a double point at or near the same size as the knitting needles you're using (it's kinda crazy how often I've done this, since most of my knitting supplies obviously have feet and love to go exploring through-out the house).   

Pattern Notes:  
C5- slip next 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to front of work.  Knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 2 from the cable needle.

Photo Tutorial:

My photo tutorial shows the cable stitch exactly as you will knitting it for this pattern.  Please note however, that the swatch in the pictures is only a sample size and your knitting will look different.

Knit in pattern up to the C5 direction.

Slip 2 sts to cable needle...

...and hold the cable needle to the front of your work.

Knit 3 sts from left hand needle, then knit the 2 sts from the cable needle.

Continue in pattern for the remainder of the row.

All done!

Pattern:
Row 1: K3 *P2, K5* repeat across row K3
Row 2: K3 *P5, K2* repeat across row K3
Row 3: K3 *P2, C5, P2, K5, P2, C5* K3
Row 4: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 5: K3 *P2, K5* K3
Row 6: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 7: K3 *P2, K5, P2, C5, P2, K5* K3
Row 8: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 9: K3 *P2, K5* K3
Row 10: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 11: K3 *P2, K5* K3
Row 12: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 13: K3 *P2, C5, P2, K5, P2, C5* K3
Row 14: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 15: K3 *P2, K5* K3
Row 16: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 17: K3 *P2, K5* K3
Row 18: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 19: K3 *P2, K5, P2, C5, P2, K5* K3
Row 20: K3 *P5, K2* K3
Row 21: K3 *P2, K5* K3

Knit 3 rows.  During the third row, k2tog once near the center of the row in preparation for the next clue (47 sts).  

Good luck, and see you tomorrow!

Fragments Clue 6

Hi-ya Friends!  I've got a really quick and easy Clue for you today!  This pattern is only four rows long, so it should be a breeze to get through :)

Pattern Notes:
sl-1: Slip one stitch.

Row 1: Knit the entire row
Row 2: K3 *K1, sl-1* repeat across row K3
Row 3: Knit the entire row.
Row 4: K3 *sl-1, K1* repeat across row K3

Repeat these four rows for a total of seven times, and then repeat Row 1 again.

Knit 3 rows.

Happy knitting and see ya tomorrow!

Fragments Clue 2

Hey there friends- I hope you've enjoyed the kick start to our KAL!  Did you find everything alright?  I'm curious to know what you'll be knitting with, so off to the right you'll find a poll about your yarn choice.  Please take a second and let me know what weight yarn you're using!
Are you ready for our next clue?  Its another fairly short one with plenty of repeat~  Here it is!

Rows 1, 2, 3, 4: K2 *P2, K2* repeat from * across to last two stitches K2
Rows 5, 6, 7, 8: K2 *K2, P2* repeat from * across to last two stitches K2

Repeat rows 1-8 for a total of two times, then knit rows 1-7 again (23 Rows total).

Knit 3 rows.

Care to see a picture of yesterday's clue?  On Fridays I will post pictures of the previous week's clues so you can see what we've done so far!

Happy Knitting, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Fragments Clue 1

Hi there Knitters and welcome to the first clue for our Fragments Mystery KAL!  Are you ready for this- cuz I sure am!  Over the course of the next 4 weeks, we'll be working together on a great cold weather project!

Here's a bit of business to start off.
~I've used Fishermen's Wool Yarn and a US size 7 needle.  You can use any yarn and size needles you'd like, although I really prefer wool for this particular project.
~The KAL starts today (January 16th) and will take four weeks to complete. 
~There will be some follow up posts letting you know how to finish this project (blocking, sewing in ends, etc)
~At the end of the KAL, I will post a pattern from start to finish.
~Create a Ravelry project page and join the group Year of Swatches for knitting help!

Stitches to know:
yo- yarn over- A single increase.  Move the yarn to the front of the work, the same action as if you were to purl, then wrap the yarn over the top of the needle and resume your knitting.  This creates a hole or an eyelet in the fabric.
ssk- Slip, slip, knit.  A left-slanting decrease.  Slip the next two stitches, as if to knit, one at a time onto the right hand needle.  Then insert the left hand needle into the fronts of both slipped stitches and knit them together.
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.  A right-slanting decrease.  Insert the needle into the front of the next two stitches as if to knit, and knit these stitches together.


Now onto the knitting!

Fragments Mystery KAL

 

Cast on 49 stitches using your most comfortable cast on (I prefer either the long tail or knitted cast on- a photo tutorial for both can be found here).

Row 1: Purl all stitches
Row 2: K3 *yo, K2, ssk, k2tog, K2, yo, K1* repeat from * across to last stitch K1
Row 3: Purl all stitches
Row 4: K2 * yo, K2, ssk, k2tog, K2, yo, K1* repeat from * across to last two stitches K2

Knit these 4 pattern rows for a total of 5 times.

Knit 3 rows. During the final row, k2tog once near the middle of the row (exact placement is not important) in preparation for the next clue.  You should now have 48 stitches.

See ya tomorrow and happy knitting!

Fragments

Hi Friends and welcome to the first post of our winter Mystery KAL!  I am so excited to start this journey with all of you.  This post is designed to give you a bit of an intro to what we'll be spending the next couple of weeks working on.  I've come up with a bunch of possible questions and their answers that will hopefully give you a good idea of what'll be going on.  In this post we'll talk about yarn and needles, the KAL duration, and where to find help if you need it.  I hope you'll join me in this fun knitting project!  Without further ado, I introduce:

What is a Mystery KAL anyway?
A KAL stands for Knit A-Long.  This means that we'll all be knitting this pattern in bits and pieces at the same time.  The mystery of it is that no one quite knows what it'll end up being!  Each section, or Clue, will be released containing a couple of rows of pattern and any info you may need to knit that section.  That's all!  When the KAL is finished, I'll have pictures up as well as the total pattern.  We have a group on Ravelry.com named "Year of Swatches".  In our forum there will be a thread (conversation) titled: "Spoiler Alert: Pictures!" for those of you who would like to see the pics of the project as we go. 

Who can knit this? 
This project is fairly basic, but the end result is beautiful!
If you've tried any of the patterns on this blog, you can knit this project. 
If you are fairly new to knitting but know the basics like knit and purl, you can knit this project. 
If you're an advanced knitter who loves a Mystery, you can knit this project.
In the end, I believe that any knitter can tackle this project.  I've broken it down enough that it won't be too overwhelming for beginners or too boring for more advanced knitters. 
If you aren't already on Ravelry, I strongly encourage you to join.  It's free and is an awesome resource to knitters.  If you are on Ravelry, there is a project page titled: Fragments Mystery KAL.  Please start a project page and join our Year of Swatches group for fun conversations as well as pattern help.

Ok, this sounds like fun!  How do I sign up and where can I go for help?
If you are on Ravelry, start a project page! Otherwise simply check in on this blog on all weekdays (Monday thru Friday) for the duration of the KAL for your Clues. 
For knitting help, join our group on Ravelry titled Year of Swatches.  There will be a forum thread devoted to this project.  You can ask your questions there or write your question in the comments section on this blog.  Before you ask though, read through the forum (someone may have already asked and answered your question).  

So, what do I need?
For my project, I used Fishermen's Wool by Lion Brand.  It is a worsted weight 100% wool yarn that has 465 yards per skein.  I used most of the skein for this project, so plan on purchasing at least 465 yards of your preferred worsted weight yarn.  You can use acrylic if you want, but I really like the wool for this project since there will be some blocking, and wool tends to hold its shape best.
You will be knitting this project flat, so you'll need straight needles or a circular needle worked back and forth.  I used a pair of US 7/ 4.5 mm needles.  My gauge was 4.5 sts per inch.
You will also need a cable needle and a darning needle for sewing in ends.  

Is gauge really important?
It's not terribly important, since this pattern won't be a garment (Ooh- first Clue!).  If you'd like to knit using a lighter weight yarn, feel free!  My test knitter used sock yarn and US 3 needles for her project!  Play around with yarn and needle size to see what you like.  Just remember that yardage may change using different yarns and needles.  
 

When do we start and how long will this take?
The first Clue will be posted on January 16th (my birthday!).  Every weekday (Monday thru Friday) a new Clue will be posted by 8 am Pacific Time.  You'll be able to have a finished project, blocked and wrapped in time for Valentine's Day (or if you're a wee bit slower, a great Easter or Mother's Day Gift)!

Are there any special skills I'll need for this KAL?
Aside from knitting and purling, we'll use increases (knit-in-front-and-back), decreases (ssk and k2tog), yo, and a tinsy bit of cabling.  Don't know how to do that?  No worries!  I will work through each special skill as it's addressed so you'll be able to knit along even if you don't know that skill. 

Any hints on what we're making?
The only thing I'll give ya is that it is an accessory appropriate for any age or gender, so pick your yarn based on what the recipient (yes, that includes you!) would like!

Well Friends, that's all for now.  If you have any questions, comment on this post and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.  In the mean time, get your friends, your needles, and your yarn at the ready- because we're about to take off on a fantastic knitting adventure!

August

Hello all, and happy August!  Well, the summer is finally winding down, which I can only hope means life will get back into a bit of a rhythm.  Our summer has absolutely flown by, loaded with birthdays, weddings, a Marathon, kid camps, the Olympics (which I watched religiously- ps thank GB for a lovely time!),  and visits with out-of-town family and friends.

Congrats to my hubbs- "Marathon Man"  for completing  the San Francisco Marathon

As the dust has settled a bit, I've been thinking of the direction this blog is going.  Many of you have asked for some blocks and tutorials on the various color knitting techniques.  I have decided that in the new year we will start our "Study of Color" theme.  I'd like to include information on (but may not be limited to) knitting stripes and carrying yarn up along the side of our work; intarsia; mosaic/ slip stitch knitting; and fair isle.  We may even dabble with entrelac (depending on how brave I feel).  I hope that you're as excited about this as I am and I hope you'll knit along :)  Of course, along the way I'll continue to include some basic squares for those of you who are uninterested in the color squares. As we get closer to January, I'll talk a bit more about this.  Along with supplies, hopefully we'll have a bit more of a direct schedule.

On that note, let's talk a bit about the rest of this year.  How are the swatches coming?  Summer presents a bit of a challenge for me.  Aside from the business of the season, I'm not much of a summer knitter.  Perhaps its the heat or the sunshine, the draw of the garden or the lure of the pool.  I do have a pretty lace swatch for you this month though, that I think you'll enjoy.  September will bring another lacy swatch and October, November, and December will have cables. 

Now on to the knitting!

August's swatch is a lovely square named Ribbed Lace.  It's pretty simple, but make sure to pay attention to where the working yarn is around your yo's (since you're alternating between knits and purls you'll have to make sure the yarn is in the proper place after the yo to begin the next stitch).  Also, the border is slightly different than normal- the borders are 4 stitches each rather than 5.  Enjoy!

Ribbed Lace

by Lindsey Melvin

Cast on 46 stitches
Border Rows 1,3 5: K1, P1 across row
Border Rows 2, 4: P1, K1 across row

Pattern:
Row 1: (P, K, P, K) *K2, P1, YO, SSK, P1* repeat to last 6 sts K2 (P, K, P, K)
Row 2, 4: (K, P, K, P) *P2, K1* repeat to last 6 sts, P2 (K, P, K, P)
Row 3: (P, K, P, K) *K2, P1, K2tog, YO, P1* repeat to last 6 sts K2 (P, K, P, K)

Repeat these four rows until square measures approx 9 inches then knit the border rows.
Rows 1, 3, 5: P1, K1 across
Rows 2, 4: K1, P1 across

Close up!

I hope you enjoy this square and come back Labor Day Weekend (August 31 thru September 3rd) for a special bonus pattern!

~Happy knitting~
Lindsey

Welcome 2012

Hello friends.  I hope you had a wonderful holiday and start of a new year!  Can you believe that it is 2012?  Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating a new millennium, and here we are twelve years later?  Boggles the mind.

We had a wonderful New Year here.  My husband took the first week of the year off from work so that we could spend some quality family time together.  This, coincidentally, is why I'm a bit tardy with the first swatch of the year...  Also I have been considering some new ideas/ rules for the new year.

The first change is that I am planning on only releasing one pattern a month. There will be an occasional 'bonus' swatch throughout the year, so there will be a couple of options for ya.  The swatch will be released in the middle of the month (on or around the 15th).  If you have a pattern or technique you'd like to learn, shoot me an email at yearofswatches@gmail.com or leave a comment below and I'll see what I can do! 

I will also be sharing our book club book for each month, posting info at the beginning of the month.  I get my info from Google Books, which is a neat book search tool (you can find synopsis, comments, ratings there) and will also share any author info I have.  There's a button to the right that will take you straight to the info for this month's book.  The full list for 2012 is up on the ''Book List" page.

I was also thinking about having a bonus knit-a-long during the summer months (perhaps starting around May) for a sampler stole/ scarf.  I would like you to vote on your preference in the poll to the right on whether you would rather knit a cable stole or a lace stole?  Voting will go on until the end of January.  What I'm thinking is I would release a section every couple of weeks and at the end of the summer you'll have a pretty sampler something.

Like always, the swatches will be written for worsted weight yarn using US 7 needles yielding a 10 by 10 inch square.  But feel free to substitute to your liking, just remember to be consistent with your yarn weight and needle choice throughout the year.  All of the swatches are on Ravelry, so please make a project page.  I love seeing what you've done :)  Check back in on the 15th for our first Square of 2012, and I look forward to a great year of knitting!

I found this on Lion Brand's website- check out their free ecards and printable cards!

Supplies

Today we are going to discuss the supplies you will need to complete your 2011 Afghan. It is important to take a minute and decide what exactly you want to achieve with your blanket. What kind of fabric would you like, how do you expect to care for it, what feels good? Wool is very warm and cozy, but you'll have to hand-wash it if it gets dirty (to avoid felting your afghan). If you are expecting to wash it often, you may want to consider using an acrylic. If you don't mind the hand-washing, wool makes for a great option. Some people are irritated by the itch of wool, especially young children. Cotton and acrylic are softer than wool and a great option for recipients with tender skin. Whatever you pick, I would recommend that you stick with it for the duration of the project. There are loads of color options out there no matter the brand you choose. Here are my top options for each of the three types of yarn listed above.

Acrylic: Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand: This yarn is readily available at your bargain craft stores (ie- Michaels and JoAnns) and comes in a wide range of colors. It is also inexpensive coming in less than $4 a skein at most places. It is surprisingly soft yarn for an acrylic and washes really well in your washing machine.

Cotton: Ultra Pima by Cascade Yarns: This is a beautiful and super soft yarn. For those of you in the Tri-Cities, Knitty Gritty in Richland stocks this yarn. Cotton is also a very 'cool' fiber making for a light springy-summery blanket.

Wool: This is really a toss up, but my top two are Cascade 220 by Cascade Yarns (stocked by Knitty Gritty and Craft Warehouse) and Lion Wool (stocked by your bargain craft stores). Both are great quality yarns that come in a wide range of colors. Just remember that wool will felt in your washing machine, so care is a little more labor intensive.

If you have a favorite that you would prefer to work with, by all means go with that, but PLEASE pick one brand and use it throughout the duration of the project (change color to make it more colorful). If you simply can't stick with one, then you'll need to check your gauge with each yarn before you begin each new swatch.

Next is needles. My recommendation would be to use US 7 needles and a worsted weight yarn (you may decide to opt for a lighter blanket in which case you can use a US 3 or 4 and a DK or "baby weight" yarn). These swatches will all be (as close to the) same gauge so the same yarn and needle size should yield the same gauge for each swatch. If you are an inconsistent knitter, meaning you gauge changes, you may want to check it with each swatch to ensure that they will come out in uniform size and shape. We will review how to measure gauge at a later time.