Tree Skirt Trim

Hello!  It's been a while, I'm still here and still knitting with three projects in the works.

Recently, a friend asked me to knit her a tree skirt in cream and navy blue.  I did a simple circle on the bulky and attached hook-n-loop (velcro) tabs to hold it closed when in place (invisible).  She is not a frilly type of lady and asked for something with a nice tailored trim.  Here is what I did for the trim which is a variation of trim we have all seen in one form or another.  Diana Sullivan did another variation recently for a baby blanket, technique is the same but the pick-ups and rows knitted are different.  This produces a cable look (some refer to it as rope or pie crust edge) and looks great on public and private sides.

I tested her taste out a bit and ran a gold lurex yarn in, she did not like it (me either) so stuck to the basic cream trim.

Notice carriage is on the left as I am right handed, if you are left handed, you may want the carriage on the right.  Pick up the edge of your item and hang on machine using 8 needle transfer tool

Here is the tool picking up the edge (also why I want the carriage on the left as to not get in my way as I pick up the edge to the right)

Knit 12 rows

Pick up the next set of 8 edge stitches and hang on top of the previous 12 rows just knitted

Here I added the gold Lurex

How the gold Lurex looked (not for me)

All complete

I kept the tension at the same setting I knit the skirt with.  You can add more rows which will give you a different look (more loopy).  When you get to the end knit the final 12 rows then hand stitch the last 8 stitches into place.  I did not get a complete picture of the skirt as I was eager to rush it out to her (sorry).

Repair work...and lesson re-learned!

I have a young puppy who is the new addition to my home, Max.  He is a rescue and when he found me we estimated about 10 months old.  He's a Terrier mix and a real sweet guy, very, very playful and lovable beyond belief.

One day I had my knitted hoodie (a Mary Anne Oger pattern I test knit for her -  ManFriend Hoodie) draped on the settee, he was bouncing around and decided to chew through the sleeve cuff.  Yes, I should hang up my clothes!  I didn't get angry after all it was my fault for leaving it out with a new puppy in the house.

I was a bit frustrated with myself as I did this one as the second one I made is red, I like red... a lot.  The hoodie color I test knit was natural (see it here) and in a larger size (I was heavier then).  Okay, I can repair this BUT I did not have enough of the red Bonita and my luck they do not make this yarn any longer.  I had just enough to reknit the cuff and promptly did so.  I was contemplating re-knitting both sleeves in a different color but, that would have looked awful.

Since I purchased the two cones from Mary Anne, I asked her if she had a cone to sell.  She quickly replied to my email (yep I told her my issue and sent her a pic along with my crazy repair ideas) and sent me enough yarn to knit the entire sleeve.  Guess she laughed at me as in my frustration I was planning all this work to hang it on circular needles and so on.  She sent me the yarn as a token of goodwill (told you all she is a great lady!) and somehow I need to be there for her should she need.  I did attempt to take off the cuff and pick out those little stitches (sleeve joined on the machine) the cuff is a folded cuff with 1/2 stitch seam join.  In doing so, I accidentally snipped an incorrect thread and the sleeve started to unravel .

So...I put it aside as I was so tied up with work and house things (getting ready for spring, it was 95 deg here today) and did not get to it until yesterday.  Probably a good thing as Ireally thought it through and I took MAO'S suggestion when she sent the yarn.

Once I had a clear head I found the chain stitch of the sleeve and opened it up a few inches.  I unraveled the sleeve to one row past an increase.  The hoodie sleeves are knit cuff up, sleeve is knitted separately then cuff is knit and joined on the machine.

Bonita is a great cotton yarn that holds the stitches when unraveled so no need to run a life line or hang on a needle.  Then I simply hung the sleeve on the machine I had 62 stitches in the needles.  So now I am knitting in the opposite direction (toward the cuff).  I knew how many stitches I should end with and knew I was one row past the increase (now a decrease) so knit 5 rows then a decrease on  each side, knit 6 rows and decrease again.  After the last set of decreases I had to knit 5 rows, ravel cord and WY.  Re-hung the cuff I had knitted and then re-hung the sleeve, joined them and as MAO would say "Bob's your uncle!"  it was perfect.

Tonight I washed and dried the hoodie and the re-knit section is perfect in both fit and color.  You can see below (pics as I went along) after it was repaired the color difference as this hoodie has been washed and dried many times.

I reminded myself through this...keep it simple!

The damage!

Unraveling before I snipped the wrong spot

Unraveled and ready to hang on the machine

All stitches hung and ready to knit

Sleeve re-knit (35 rows)

All done!

My 1 On 1 With Mary Anne Oger

Mary Anne Oger (many refer to her as "The Master" of machine knitting) emailed me and let me know she was going to be in Las Vegas.  Mary Anne asked if we could arrange a time to meet.  OF COURSE I would find the time!

Mary Anne modeling one of her latest creations - inspiration from the Canadian store "Roots" 

We met at the Starbuck's in her hotel.  What a great time I had (hope she did too).  Conversation was easy and we talked about everything, for hours.  Mary Anne is the kind of person I could easily be friends with, you know hang out, eat, laugh and talk.  Mary Anne, besides being a knitting machine Guru, designer and  knitting magazine publisher (Knitwords) is also quite the cook!  She has a cooking blog as well as her machine knitting blog and has promised me her Turkey Pot Pie recipe.  I made her Chocolate Lava Cakes recipe not too long ago....decadent and so scrumptious (easy too).

But enough of my raving about Mary Anne, take a look for yourself and I suggest following her blog(s).  Oh and if you can attend a show she is instructing at, DO IT!

Needles to say...

Cook, tase, YUM!

Happy New Year

Along with all the new hopes and promises the new year will bring us, I also hope it brings us a lot more opportunities to knit together.  Wishing you a very happy and successful year ahead!

Knitting Machine Control Board

Ever have one of those moments when you don't know how you ended up on a website?  I did tonight and found some good information to pass along.

Take a look at this alternative for your dead circuit board (expensive and hard to find) or if you want to use your computer to download images to knit:

Evil Mad Scientist Interface Boards

From their website:

"This is an  open source hardware and software project that provides an alternative way to control the widely-loved Brother KH-9xx range of knitting machines using a computer. There are other hacks (such as Img2Track, Knitic and electro-knit) which work with certain machines in certain conditions. The AYAB interface works with all Brother KH-9xx machines except the KH-970."

I have and have used Img2Track to download pictures from my Mac directly into the memory of my Brother machines.  This requires a special cable (easily available) and is only 60 stitch (pixels) wide, you can purchase an upgrade for 200 stitches.

The Evil Mad Interface board is about $80 USD and simply replaces the interface board on all Brother electronic machines.  Also, you can easily unplug the AYAB Interface and plug the original board back in.  No special cable needed and will also replace the power cord via the cord provided.

I may want to give this a try!

Sandwiched Buttonhole - Tried & True Method

This is not a new method but a tried and true one!  Here, Susan Guagliumi takes us through it on HD video up close and clear!  You can use this method for a plain band as well.

If you have a large garment or rather not poke the needles through your garment piece in this way, there is another method with the same results (not sandwiched)!

Knit the band then pick up your first row of band (from the ravel cord row) bring out needles to hold (stitches behind latches) and knit one row (this will make the garter row).  Facing you is the right side of the band, remove on WY.  Hang the edge of the garment public side facing you.  Push garment edge behind the latches and hang the band garter row facing the garment edge, open stitches in the needle hooks.  Pull needles through the garment edge.  Manually knit 1 row and chain cast off.  You want the row loose enough to allow the garment edge stretch as needed.

A Perfect Mitered Neckband

I have done this many times when I make V-Neck Pullover Vests for myself.  My reason for wearing  knitted vests is a result of our mild winters here in Las Vegas, it's perfect!

Take a look at Diana Sullivan's clear and precise video tutorial on how to achieve a nice looking and neat mitered neckband.

I like to have a nice garter row along the neck opening, here is how.  I knit the neck band off the garment then attach.  Take the sweater against the machine and decide how many needles you will use.  On the same number of needles, start with a at least 10 rows of waste yarn and one row of ravel cord. Knit the neckband as in Diana's video.  Pick up the first row of stitches above the ravel cord and hang on needles, knit one row at garment tension, remove on waste yarn (or remove on garter bar).

Hang the garment on the same number of needles with public side facing you and push behind the latches.  Next, hang the neckband in the hooks of the needles with garter row facing the garment.  Pull the neckband stitches through the garment stitches.  Pull all needles out to hold and with neckband yarn knit one very loose row.  Chain cast off.

This creates a nice finish with a garter row in-between the garment neckline and neckband.

I'm Okay...

To those of of you who had reached out to me today, I am fine and thank you.

Horrific thing that happened here in Las Vegas last evening, the entire Las Vegas valley is trying to come to grips with this.

I was so relieved to hear all of our 620 employees are fine as are their families.  My prayers and sympathy to those that are not as fortunate.

To give my mind a rest and do something I find comforting I am heading to the studio to make something...

May you all be safe, always.

Do You Have A Mid-Gauge Knitting Machine?

Take a look at Diana's new book and DVD set - "Mid-Gauge Mastery."  Looks like another masterpiece!

She created a progressive project book along with two DVD's packed with great information.  Baby blankets, shawl, scarf, kitchen scrubbie's, baby sets, mittens, socks, ear flap hats and etc.

Diana's courses are fantastic for beginners and seasoned machine knitters.  Machine knitters can always learn from other knitters even if just the way "others do things."  The cost is nominal at $25!


Just click  - Diana's Mid-Gauge Mastery

Joining Yarn

There are many times as we knit a manufactures knot is buried deep in a cone of yarn and only discovered as you are knitting along (usually in the middle of a row).  If I am knitting stockinette stitch I can easily rip back stitches to the end of a row, and start the yarn after the knot.

If knitting a stitch pattern or in the middle of some short row shaping it can be a bit messy to get back to the beginning of a row and maintain the integrity of the pattern or short rows.  This is when I turn to the "Russian Join" method.

This is a strong join and when knit is usually never visible without tails to weave in, it slips right through the machine smoothly.  Simply cut out the knot and create the join as shown in the video below.  This is also very helpful with yarn broken during repurposing or winding mishaps.

Take a look, you will like this as much as I do!

Great Whitening Info

Hi!

Yes I am still here and still knitting.  Have been so very busy in all aspects of normal life.  Hoping you are all doing well too.  I have been teaching locally here in Las Vegas and just received another request from a new machine knitter for some starter classes.  It's great to meet enthusiastic and eager knitters and see them get on their way.  Last year I was invited to teach at several seminars, it was unfortunate I could not make it, hoping the organizers didn't get annoyed with my having to cancel.  It's so hard to commit so far in advance especially when things pop up work wise which prevented me from being away.

I do get quite a bit of questions and comments sent via the blog to my email.  When a reader asks  questions via a reply to a post it is very difficult for the blogger to answer and when we do the answers are buried in the comments under the blog entry.

Better to email me direct, just click on the button on the right side of the blog.

I have recently been asked (many times) about how I whiten the yellow plastic and received this information from Mandy in New Zealand today:

This process is a chemical reaction rather than just a bleach, and thus the UV rays are an important part of the process. It is so that the Bromine that leeches out of the plastic and settles on the outer layers, yellowing the plastic is catalysed to the H202. I did this with a Singer 323's carriage that was so damaged by sun exposure that the whole machine was yellowed to brown! You could even see a brown liquid come off the plastic after the process was done. I found the 40Vol (12% H2O2) at my local pharmacy. I also used a UV lamp at night (as it has been winter here in New Zealand) in conjunction with the sunlight to speed the process up a bit. 

Mandy is correct the UV light is important in removing yellow from the plastic.  I have also tried only using 40 vol creme peroxide (found in a beauty supply) and have had excellent results.  It works a bit slower than the more involved formula I have posted.  You simply coat the plastic (liberally) with the creme peroxide then wrap it in plastic (clear) so it does not dry and place in the sun.

A note off topic, I just completed a gift of 2 pairs of black socks using a solid black wool sock yarn.  I was quickly reminded why I do not favor knitting with any black yarn.  I need a spot light or bright daylight when working with black.

Have you checked out the Butterfly Stitch Diana demonstrated this month?

Diana's August Video

Merry Christmas

The knitting is done and in the hands of those you love, time to relax and celebrate.

Wishing you peace, warmth, and love.

Merry Christmas

A New Machine Knitting Book!

Great news!  Mary Anne Oger has just published a new book for machine knitters, "The Handbook for Manual Machine Knitters" (120 pages!).  Mary Anne is a great teacher and wonderful machine knitter, such talent.  When she was working on her "Manfriend Hoodie" last year she asked me to test knit for her.  I love to test knit so I jumped at the chance.  Since, I have knit several of the hoodies not only because it's a great design and technique but it's a perfect winter thing for me here in Las Vegas.  Ok I am getting off the subject...

You can run over to Amazon.com and pick one for yourself (mine is arriving tomorrow) it's only $29.95 and if you are a Prime member free shipping!  Details on Mary Anne and her book can be found at Amazon by clicking on the link below it will take you directly there: 

Click here: The Handbook for Manual Machine Knitters 

Check Out This Beautiful & Easy Buttonhole

My buddy Diana has just posted her August video.  The video is clear and very up close.  This is an easy and beautiful buttonhole we need to keep in our arsenal and use over and over.

Take look:

http://diananatters.blogspot.com/2016/08/new-video-for-august-beautiful.html

Diana's Twist On Intarsia Cables

Diana Sullivan's July Video of The Month - Intarsia Cables!  Nicely done Diana.

If you have not done intarsia knitting you should.  Diana's video shows you the basics from start to finish even if you do not knit the cable.

Many of the Brother machines have an intarsia slide button on the main carriage which eliminates the Intarsia Carriage and tension differences.

Take a look then give it a try, you will be surprised at how easy it is and the design possibilities are endless.  Pay close attention how to cross the yarns on each row as you do not want holes, ever.

Thumbs Up To...Feel Good Yarn Company & Silverpsun!

Month and months ago Laurie Gonyea Founder of Feel Good Yarn Company sent me a skein of sock yarn.  The yarn is "Silverspun" and I promised to make a a pair of machine knit socks (no other  she was aware of had used this yarn on a knitting machine).  Silverspun is available in sport and sock (fingering) weight.

The unique thing about her yarn is it contains silver.  If you are knitting mittens or gloves the wearer will still be able use phones and tablets with having to remove them.  There are also claims by others (not Feel Good Yarn Company) stating the silver helps with arthritis, good for diabetics and etc.

As soon as I received the yarn I ran to wind the skein into a center pull ball...maybe I should have taken my time.  As I was doing two things at once I did not pay attention to the yarn swift and ended up with a tangled mess.  So, as we often do, I decided to put the yarn in a cabinet drawer in my studio to untangle another day.  There is sat for months!  Only the other day when looking for a yarn (mind you I have hundreds of cones and skeins) I opened up the drawer and there it was.  No time like the present...I sat down, took my time to untangle and wind.  Ran to my studio and started the socks.

SILVERSPUN SOCK

A fingering weight yarn that knits up at 27-32 stitches per 4 inches using US 1-3 (2.25-3.25mm) needles. 87g/400 yards per skein. Knitting machine suggested T5 to T8. 400 yds, 87% combed cotton / 5% silver / 5% nylon / 3% spandex

Wow, this yarn is a dream to knit, with a hand just like cashmere.  My standard gauge machine loved it too!  It was smooth and easy to knit.  The socks have a bit of stretch which is wonderful, feel great on the feet, fit perfectly and wash beautifully.  I used my normal (for socks) tension also did not adjust my usual number of stitches and rows.

The yarn is not a bargain yarn but if you want to invest in a wonderful yarn then visit: Feel Good Yarn Company!

You can also watch Laurie's video and read their story here: Laurie Gonyea & Company Story

Banded....Again

I have had a few questions lately on how I attach bands.  I've posted that before but time for a fresh look.  Detailed below is the basic technique so many machine knitters use.  There are other methods and I am planning to teach another very easy way at my upcoming seminars.  I do like this method and use it very often.

Just finished this cotton vest which is knit at T9 on my Brother as it will shrink significantly in the wash and dryer.  You can see how loose the stitches look before it hits the laundry.

Hope my steps are clear to follow as I attach a ribbed band to the arm hole, if not just let me know and I can clarify.  Click on any picture for a closer and clearer view!

Hang (with public side facing you) the very edge stitch (whole stitch)

An easy way to check a whole stitch is hung (not a half or stitch and a half) is to use a flashlight under the needles.  You can easily identify if all needles are in the same "channel"

With all needles out to "hold" position" push the body of the garment against the machine and hang the band stitches with private side facing you so both public sides are facing each other  

After all band stitches are in the hooks, apply a bit of downward pressure to the body of the garment and at the same time start to move the needles back to close the latches.  Make sure the latches are closing without the latches "piercing" the edge stitches or sliding under the edge stitches.

Needles back and all latches closed

Top view, all latches closed

Starting at either end, push needles back pulling band stitches through edge of garment (I use the flat end of my needle pusher).  Then, place your finger under the stitches (apply a little pressure against the main bed so stitches don't pop off needles) and pull needles out to "hold position" once again.  To the right of my hand this step is done, my hand holding the stitches ready to move the needles to "hold position" and to the left band stitches ready to be pulled through.

Another picture of above

All needles are in "hold position" all latches must be opened

Lay your yarn in the open latches then bring the needles back toward the main bed to enclose the yarn in each needle hook

Here you can see the transfer tool indicating the yarn in the closed latches

With bitter end of yarn at the opposite end, start to manually knit each stitch very loosely 

Once all stitches are knit, again move all needles to "hold position."  Then chain cast off (loop through a loop) from the opposite side of the bitter end of yarn.

Here is the edge before removing waste yarn.

Hint - see the edge of the ribber cast on and how stretched out it is!

Run an appropriate size needle under the zig-zag row and tug gently to set the stitches, I am using a double eyed transfer needle

Note the difference on the right where the stitches were set to those on the left!

Check Out Diana's Technique For Shape Lace With Short Rows

Take a look at Diana Sullivan's May video on ravel cord short row shaping of lace.  Great demo, up close, clear and straightforward.

You can use this technique for shaping armholes as well.  When I knit a sweater or vest short row shaping is my method of choice.  I like smooth rounded edges and short row shaping gives us that.  When not knitting lace use the holding method as you decrease and wrap.

P.S. I have had many requests for my whitening formula - now in the "Featured Post" box (on the top right side of my blog), just click!

Updates....

Wow, it has been a long while since I have posted, I'm so sorry.  Guess I can blame it all on the holidays and life getting in the way of my posting.  Hope all had wonderful holidays!

I have been teaching each Sunday a small machine knitting group here in Las Vegas.  We meet at one members home, we use her casita for class where she keeps the machines set up.  We knit and talk about food and life!  Some are new machine knitters and some returning.  They are wonderful, very kind people and I adore them.

Seminar Updates
I am planning  to teach at The Finger Lakes seminar in upstate New York this September.  Will be nice to be back in the area, I owned 100 acres in the Cortland area (Pitcher NY) some years back, beautiful countryside and wonderful people.  Followed immediately by a few days of fun in Saint Cloud, Minnesota at Rocking Horse Farms to teach with Jason and Carole at their seminar.

Then a short break and planning to fly up to Glen Ellyn, Illinois October 8th and 9th to teach at the Interknit MK Club Seminar, Mary Slattery, contacted me and we still need to sort out all the details.

Finally, my buddy in Austin, Texas, Diana Sullivan, asked me to teach at their Knit Natters Seminar in spring of 2017.  It will be nice to spend more time with Diana, her friends and her great husband.

Details need to be finalized for all of the above.  Trying not to impose what I want to teach and have asked what their members would be interested in seeing and learning.  Knitting styles and interests seem to be regional and skill levels are varied.  Hopefully it will all work out well.

Latest Project/Learn By My Error
I had decided to re-knit the entrelac sweater I test knitted for Diana Sullivan.  This time in a softer yarn and in shades of grey from a deep to a silver grey.  It's a pleasure to knit and quite relaxing.  You start with the round yoke, knit up and attach the collar.  Here is where I went wrong last night.  Being tired and eyes heavy I pushed on (I am an experienced knitter right?), huge mistake.  I had the TV on listening to a talk show, the work phone was beeping texts and my dog wanted to play ball.  But I pressed on.  Today, after getting my internet modem changed out (no internet not a good thing) due to an upgrade my provider did as a favor (not).  I went to the studio to weave in some ends and start the sleeves/body.  Wow!  I made the collar and attached it last night (Diana does not instruct do it this way), I never reduced my tension settings.  Then to make matters worse I has also removed all my waste yarn.  The collar looks awful, so when my eyes and brain are not too tired I need to remove the collar and run a life line then attach a proper collar.

If you are new to machine knitting, know that even the most experienced of us make errors.  No big deal, it's only knitting and it can all be corrected!

When the sweater is done properly I'll post a photo or two.

I'll be back soon...be well.

Merry Christmas!