Sweetstar

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Published on Thursday, 18 February 2010 20:00

When I released the Sweetheart Scarf, I heard a bit of grumbling that a "boy" version was needed. So I made one. Introducing.... SWEETSTAR!

Anybody who ordered sweetheart already will be receiving an update to download the new version that now includes both the heart and the star. And just as before, all of the money (seriously, 100%, I am not seeing a penny from this pattern and we are eating the paypal fees) is going to Habitat for Humanity's efforts in Haiti.

Here's another shot of Sweetheart (on my sweetheart even) as a reminder:

Design Process: Plaited Tam

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Published on Monday, 15 February 2010 07:22

by Angela Hahn
originally posted to her blog.

Image Copyrigth Filati Lavori a Manglia, all rights reserved

Cardigan seen in a magazine of knitting patterns, found at a kiosk in the Milano Centrale train station,  FILATI Lavori a maglia #14

Recognize the Plaited Tam stitch pattern? (Maybe not--it looks a bit different in long, vertical panels like this!)  When I saw the photo of this sweater inside the magazine, I immediately fell in love with the bold combination of texture and openwork in this stitch pattern.  

I had also been imagining a tam in which the stitch pattern looked like ribbons, woven up the sides and across the top, so this seemed like a good swatching possibility.  Another thing I liked about the stitch pattern was that the decreases paired with yarnovers offered a perfect starting point for the crown decreases (always important in a hat!):  just omit the yarnovers.  

Once the design had been accepted and I got the yarn, SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash Sport in a giddy green ("Savory"), the sample knitting proceeded unusually smoothly.  It was only after blocking what I thought was the finished sample that I realized I wasn't happy with the center of the top:  after the last "plait" crossing, I had tried to carry the central elements of the main stitch pattern as far as possible, and continue with purl sections which decreased rapidly to the center.  But with all the p2tog decreases needed, it looked sloppy to me.  So I ripped back the top, and instead tapered the stockinette "ribbons" to the center-- definitely an improvement.

In fact, I liked the tam so much, I decided to make myself one, but in a different yarn:  I chose Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash, in a heathered aqua (#1910--color is quite accurate in the photo above).  This is a light worsted weight yarn, versus the sport weight used in the original pattern, so I ended up making the smaller size*, with 7 repeats instead of 8.  (For more info on yarn requirements and finished size using Cascade 220, see my Ravelry projects page.)

*Actually I made the larger size first, but (surprise) it was TOO BIG. For more on that fiasco, see here.

Sweet Sale!

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Published on Tuesday, 02 February 2010 14:30

Who do we love? Our readers! So we've got a little sale going to make your February a wee bit sweeter.

SALE FEB 1 - 15TH For a limited time, when you order a Twist Tote, we’ll throw in a tape measure, two sticky note pads, and a Twist Collective logo button. 12 oz cotton duck pocket tote. Six deep outside pockets, tape reinforced seams, double thickness base. Big enough for a full-on sweater project, or if you're anything like us, two full-on sweater projects. Available in the shop. We have a few totes left, but no more sticky notes. You can still get a tape measure, but the sale ends in 4 hours!

Sabbatical: Tubular Cast-On

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Published on Monday, 01 February 2010 00:30

by Connie Chang Chinchio

originally posted to her blog.

For Sabbatical, I worked a kind of tubular cast on for the hems. To work a 3×3 tubular cast on, it’s very important that the cast on has the same number of knit stitches as it does purl stitches. If it doesn’t, then the resulting edge will slant — not a very attractive look. For those sizes where the knits don’t equal the purls, work a regular long tail cast on. Otherwise, a 3×3 tubular cast on is worked by provisionally casting on half the number of stitches needed. Next, work 4 rows in stockinette with the 1st row worked a purl row. Then, unzip the provisional cast on and put the resultant live stitches on another needle; you now have both ends of the fabric on needles:

Fold the fabric up so the right sides (the knit sides) are facing out and the needles are parallel to each other:

With a third needle, k3 stitches from the front needle (silver needle) and then p3 stitches from the back needle (gold needle). Proceed until all stitches are worked. You then have a nice, rounded edge: