Using multiple strands of yarn to create a colorful fabric is one of the most beautiful forms of knitting, imho. This is also known as Fair Isle knitting, (named after an island of Shetland in northern Scotland where it has long been practiced), particularly when traditional colors and motifs are employed. Instructions for the pattern(s) … Continue reading Interpreting Color-work Charts
Everyone is used to making a ribbing of some sort for the cast on beginning of just about every kind of knitted garment. And why not? It is indeed a great utilitarian pattern: ribbing tames stockinette from rolling and draws the width of the fabric in and even acts as a visual frame to the … Continue reading Knitted Picot Hem
A cast-on edge is meant to be a permanent foundation to your knit. There are various methods depending on how you want it to look and how stretchy you want it to be. But...sometimes you don't want that foundation to be so permanent. You want to be able to cast on and knit, of course, … Continue reading Provisional cast-on
I'm addicted to knitting socks like many knitters are--hey! we even have a Facebook page, so you know it's a thing! And why not? What's not to love? You get to make some great functional pieces and they are quick, quick, quick! So..yeah. Me and socks, I love'em. After designing and knitting quite a few … Continue reading Lacy Socks: my not so secret passion
It's obvious that many things pique my interest and inspire me; I've already blogged about particular knitting stitch patterns or striking indie dyed yarns. If I look back far enough at my designs, it's also clear that I keep on gravitating back to a generalized ethnic esthetic, often with central European roots. Which is no … Continue reading Colorwork with a twist; an overview
An important part of my crafting has in recent years has involved posting and reading others' posts on social media. Such a source of inspiration and great way to meet new friend and learn about their crafts or share tips or just be supportive. Recently I was amazed and envious of the exquisite little handmade … Continue reading Bottle Cap Pincushions: Guest Artist Anne Schmidt tutorial
Sometimes your knitted or crocheted F.O. cries out for a little more, well, something. You certainly don't want to detract from all of the hard work you put into your piece, but maybe it could just use a little pizazz to draw the eye here or there. That something may just be a tassel and, … Continue reading Make a Simple Tassel
Today I thought I'd share what's in my work-horse notions pouch and why. Of course I have lots of notions and tools and needles stashed away for specialty tasks, but this one pouch is the one I alway grab when I'm on the go. It contains 90% of what I need for just about all … Continue reading Necessary Notions!
I wrote previously about picking up stitches at the edges of a heel flap--a bugaboo for many knitters. The story there was to make a 1 stitch garter edge on both sides and then just pick up the purl "bumps". Easy-peasey! Problem solved! Well...for sock heel flaps, anyway. But what if you have some other … Continue reading Another Kind of Pick-up
In knitting-speak an F.O. is a Finished Object and especially if it has been a long time in the works we tend to crow about them. Here's my F.O. of the week: my Torqued Blocks Wrap. You saw its humble beginnings when I played around with the old Tilting Blocks pattern in a previous post … Continue reading Design Inspiration: F.O.
Lizzie Knitzz 