Knit the World Together ~ Knit Stars 5.0 Earlybird Enrollment is open.

How are you feeling with all this extra time at home? Are you knitting more? Wishing you could be face-to-face with your friends, family and your knitting community? 

The Knit Stars crew has done it again! The online workshops begin in October, but for a short time now through May 3 you can register as an earlybird at a discount.

Imagine registering for a knitting festival, and scoring a seat in ALL TEN of these amazing teachers’ classes…

Åsa Söderman
Francoise Danoy
Gayle Roehm. (I know Gayle personally, and she is a gem! Her expertise is Japanese knitting patterns and stitches.)
Gaye “GG” Glasspie
Jacqueline Cieslak
Meri Tanaka, Amirisu Magazine
Tatiana Sarasa
Tian Connaughton
Tina Tse
Yumiko Alexander

Now imagine that you OWN the classes, so you don’t have to try to retain everything you learn. You can just enjoy them on your own schedule and at your own pace, knowing you can refer to them again and again.

https://www.knitstars.com/a/4441/2hiCoD4A

Knit Stars Season 5 Earlybird tickets are now available, along with previous seasons, at the lowest price we’ve ever offered. And you can watch any previous seasons right now! You can save up to $100 by joining by May 3.

  1. Due to the global crisis, Knit Stars is offering their lowest Earlybird pricing ever – just $179 (will go up to $229 next time it’s offered, in the fall)
  2. Pricing on previous seasons is also $179 during this window. So if you buy Season 5 + a previous season, you’re saving $100. (My season was 3.0.)

Again, read all about it here: https://www.knitstars.com/a/4441/2hiCoD4A

On a personal note, please know how much I appreciate Knit Stars and your participation. They continue to be very generous with all their alumni, and by using the link here, they will share some of any of your purchases with me, something I really appreciate as much of my teaching has ground to a halt.

Stay safe, stay home, and enjoy this online experience.

I’m a 2018 Knit Star, part of a five-country knitting adventure!

Knit Stars is an online knitting conference with interviews and lessons from twelve knitting instructors and designers from around the world.

Please read all about the online conference here.

The organizers have sure been thoughtful. The event unfolds over many days so you have time to absorb the information. You have access forever to all of the presentations. You can download a PDF of the transcripts if you can’t quite catch all of our words. You can watch when it’s convenient for you, and stop and start when it suits you.

I want to talk a little more about what I’ll be covering in my lessons. Organizer Shelley and I were talking a bit about the trouble some folks have when they are trying to learn a technique from a presenter who does not knit like they do. There’s no need to throw in the towel too quickly. In one segment I will endeavor to demystify this so we can all feel more confident about what we are seeing.

Then, for the rest of the lessons, we move to one of my favorite playgrounds, colors that climb. I’ll teach you how to introduce color to various fabrics, and how to knit in the colors as you go- this is not duplicate stitch or embroidery. I like to describe it this way. If fair isle stranded color work is painting, then climbing colors is like drawing. I want you to have that color tool in your knitting toolbox.

This year the theme of Knit Stars is Nordic knitting. In my lessons you will learn how a traditional Finnish technique got me going down this road I have been traveling since 2008.

That what I am teaching. Add eleven other instructors to the mix? That’s a party!

You should be aware that as I write this, there is introductory pricing for just two more days. If you scroll down on this link you will see a countdown clock letting you know when the introductory price expires. Save $50 while you can.

Thank you, readers. I look forward to July when the videographers will be in Seattle for filming, and to November when we all get to be together for Knit Stars.  I appreciate your support and your interest in my teaching. I also want to thank The Plucky Knitter for yarn support. I will have their lovely fibers in hand for my lessons. Cheers!

 

 

third hand for stranded color work- – new product review

Remember the first time you tried stranded color work? How did you decide to hold two strands of yarn? Until now your options have been two in the right hand, two in the left hand, one in each hand, or two in the left hand using one of those index finger clamps or scary wire springs.

What do you really need? A third hand of course!

It’s just what we needed. What took the industry so  long to figure this out?

Apologies for the hands. Yesterday was a great gardening day in Seattle.

 

#STITCHESWest #FeelingCraftsy

 

These are two hashtags to watch if you are heading to the Santa Clara Convention Center this weekend for Stitches West- #STITCHESWest #FeelingCraftsy

I’ll be teaching eight classes (phew!!) and I look forward to seeing you. I have some openings in those classes and just printed extra handouts for you in case you can make it. Check it out.

On Saturday, February 24, starting at 12:30 please come visit me in the Craftsy booth #936 and 938 for a continental knitting demo. And join the Facebook group “Knitting and Crochet Makers” to follow along with the fun. I just finished taping my fourth Craftsy class, which is still under wraps for now, but here are my other classes currently available.

Craftsy is also hosting a Craftsy Unlimited Experience with Craftsy instructors in the same booths Saturday at 4:30. I’ll still be in class but will try to pop in there for a few minutes before the evening Stitches Student Banquet.

Are you missing out on all the fun this time? Are you on the other side of the country? Then maybe you can make it to Stitches United in Hartford next month.

See you soon!

something for everyone

Come to Hartford for Stitches United! Whether you yourself have many stitching interests, or you have buddies you like to travel with who knit, sew, crochet, quilt, weave, dye, and more, Stitches United is where you’ll want to be. I’ll be teaching. Check it out. Click on the image to see my classes and information on the entire event:

Knit stitches that look like check-marks? It’s not your fault.

Frequently I hear from knitters concerned about the appearance of their stockinette stitches. “Stitches are supposed to look like ‘Vs’. Mine look like check marks. What am I doing wrong?” they ask.

Nothing. You’re doing nothing wrong. Really! Let’s figure out why this happens.

Yarns are available in S-twist and Z-twist. Most of our commercially available yarns are S-twist yarn. If you closely examine a strand of yarn, and hold it straight up and down like this |, you notice the twist creates a slanted line in the yarn. You see either a backward slant as found in the letter “S” or a forward slant as found in the letter “Z”.

Let’s look at some S-twist yarns and swatches first. Hold a strand of that yarn askew to mimic the right leg of a knit stitch like this / and observe what happens to the twist. Those slashes line up almost straight up and down. See it? Now hold that yarn askew to mimic the left leg of a knit stitch like this \ and observe what happens to the twist. You see a more exaggerated backward slant. Imagine stacking them, and you can begin to understand the appearance of columns of knit stitches, and why the left and right legs appear different from each other.

Let’s observe this in a few different yarns.

Cascade 220

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The first example above is Cascade 220. This wool yarn is an S-twist yarn made of four Z-twist plies. The ply is somewhat relaxed. The left and right legs of the stitches look quite similar. You can see the left legs stack on top of each other looking a little bit like a pole.

Primo Worsted

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Above is The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted. This merino wool/cashmere/nylon blend is also an S-twist yarn made of four Z-twist plies, but it has a tighter twist to it. The right legs of these stitches lean to the right as you’d expect. The left legs actually lean off to the left as well, but they appear not to do so, simply because of the twist. The stack of left legs look like a pole, even more so than the Cascade 220.

Floret

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This “pole” effect is even more accentuated in yarn with numerous plies. The Berroco Floret above is a blend of acrylic and cotton. This S-twist yarn is made from five Z-twist plies, and each of those Z-twist plies is in turn made of two S-twist plies. Wow! That’s alotta plies.

Creative Focus Bulky

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Now let’s look at a couple of Z-twist yarns. First up is Rowan Creative Focus Bulky, a loose, single ply Z-twist yarn in a wool/alpaca blend. Notice that in this case the “pole” effect occurs on the right legs of the stitches. Interesting, isn’t it?

Silk Garden

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At first glance this Noro Silk Garden yarn looks like single ply, but on closer examination it is a loose Z-twist yarn made from two loose S-twist plies. Can you find the slight “pole” effect again on the right legs?

Lima

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Finally we have yarn that is neither S nor Z. This is Rowan’s Lima. This yarn is a crocheted chain of very fine alpaca. Its left and right legs looks nearly identical because there is not any twist to the yarn.

Hopefully this clears up a mystery for you. The next time you peruse a knitting magazine or observe your own hand-knits, notice how different yarns behave differently. Accept this as a feature of the yarn and make your yarn selections appropriately. Mostly, accept that there is nothing wrong.

things our mothers made

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Once in a while my knitting group gets together and has a themed party. For example, last year we gathered to overdye our previous yarn purchases in the colorway “What-the-hell-was-I-thinking?” – you know the color.  Those with expertise share it, and we all benefit.

Our most recent gathering was themed “Things our mothers (or fathers, aunts, uncles…) made.” It was a time for meaningful, and sometimes silly, memories. We all share an appreciation for the memories of our family members making things, and we are glad that as makers of things, we continue the tradition.

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Michale’s doll clothes.

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April’s sweater, quilt, and wire jewelry.

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Arlene’s crocheted coat her mom made, lined of course.

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We also enjoyed this spectacular view of the day’s changing weather over Lake Washington.

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Arlene’s crocheted piece. We were not sure if it was a bed or table cover, but its border went round all four sides, so we think tablecloth.

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April’s sweater (above) and quilt (below).

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Pat, wearing her own newly finished sweater, and holding an afghan.  Her mom taught her to knit left handed and how to rip and fix mistakes.  Mac the cat was on the lookout for loose ends.

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Carolyn’s wicked sharp can opener and crocheted hanger.

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Michale’s mom’s painted ceramic duck, with a broken and re-glued neck (above).  Her quilt is below.

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Arlene and Carolyn holding Michale’s doll dresses with lined bodices.

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Jacqueline’s granny square blanket and Kaffe Fassett vest.

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Mary’s crewel embroidery was so charming! And below is a doll made from grandma’s embroidered pillow cases.

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My mom made my sweater for me when I was in high school, and it was similar to one Arlene had purchased years back.

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And I made friends with Mac.

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Susan was not able to share as her treasures are all in a moving pod, but she did offer sound advice.  We need to record these stories, pen to paper, and store them with the treasures so future family members can know their value.

 

sewing on buttons

This cardigan gets nine buttons. A tenth is sewn inside for insurance against future loss. I want them done right so they don’t pull on the button band. I’m ready with buttons for the public side, clear buttons for the inside, sewing needles that fit through the button holes, a nice sharp scissors that will do double duty later, and yarn to sew with (I’ve split my four-ply in half).

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I like to use safety pins to work out the button placement first. See where the pin goes in and out of the fabric? That’s where I aim my sewing needle.

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If I were to snug these layers as I sewed, there would not be enough room for the bottoned-on layer to exist without getting squished, so I use a little lazy trick.

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My scissor handles get closed around the button to preserve some space to make a shank.

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Now I sew on the button through all the layers.

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Remove the scissors. Wind yarn around to make a shank. Darn in ends. Repeat.

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Ready for the next one.

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(This design uses vertically stranded color work for contrasting lines of bobbles in a lace cardigan. I am still writing the pattern and working out the sizes. It will be called “Skagit Valley” cardigan when it is ready for public consumption. I love the way the yoke and neck worked out, but I am not letting you see that yet.)

 

join me at Craftsy.com!

Craftsy course

Click on this link here to attend class. New: On 2/10 I updated the link. If you have found me here, you should get a discount to class! Click for a 50% off link which means the course will cost you $15.

Less strain + more efficiency = more knitting. Whether or not math is your forté, this is an equation sure to catch any knitter’s eye. If your knitting has ever been cut short by achy hands and wrists, or if you find yourself yearning for speedier stitching, join me, instructor Lorilee Beltman, for my online Craftsy class, Knit Faster with Continental Knitting, to learn a different style of knitting that increases comfort and bolsters efficiency!

When it comes to Continental Knitting there’s only one overarching rule: fewer motions mean more efficiency. During class, learn which motions have the greatest impact on stitch gauge to size knit and purl stitches equally and achieve even tension. You’ll give each finger a job, minimizing hand motions so that your knitting will become faster, more comfortable and more efficient! Whether you’re new to knitting, or seasoned in English-Style, you’ll be happy you took this big step.

For our first lesson, we’ll focus on the knit stitch — Continental style. Learn how to tension and position yarn in your hands to make knit stitches flow effortlessly across your needles, then move on to the purl stitch. I’ll show you how to hold your yarn and move it into place so that your needle grabs quickly and easily, and we’ll work to keep awkward movements at a minimum, making sure your stitches are correctly oriented on your needles.

Depending on your stitches, you might notice that your knitting is too tight or too loose. In our third lesson, I’ll show you how this happens and explain how to get those stitches just right. At this point, you’ve likely gotten an idea of how Continental Knitting increases your efficiency, but it’s with techniques that require frequent stitch alternation where the value of this style really shines. As we talk about ribbing and seed stitch, you’ll see that getting working yarn to the back or front of your knitting is simply a matter of shifting your right hand!

Next, we’ll walk through basic increases, decreases and other stitch maneuvers you need as you find out just how easy elaborate patterns become when you’re holding your yarn in the left hand. That’s why lefties especially will love Continental Knitting! Then, whether your favorite fabric has cables, colorwork or beyond, you’ll learn how to tackle each. Just try not to get too excited when you see how much easier Linen Stitch and colorwork can be — we’ve still got one lesson to go!

For our final lesson you’ll face an inevitable truth: the way you’re holding your yarn might be causing you pain. I’ll give you tips to keep in mind so you can avoid pitfalls and pain, and troubleshoot why you may have trouble keeping tension and stitches even. We’ll end on an inspiring note, and run over some small, fun projects with which you can put your exciting new skills to use! Learn how to rejuvenate your knitting and ditch stitching strain when you sign up for Knit Faster with Continental Knitting today!

Over the years, I’ve found that venturing into something new can really pay off! If you’re looking to try your hand at Continental Knitting, then rest assured that I’ll do everything I can to help, because one of my greatest passions is helping students embrace their creative curiosities and push past their obstacles! It’s this affection for knitters drove me to own and operate my own business, City Knitting, from 2005 to 2009. Now, I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to focus on instruction, and help knitters get the knowledge they need to flourish!

Luckily for both of us, Craftsy is as dedicated to getting rid of those educational roadblocks as I am. In fact, Craftsy makes education easy, with classes that you can watch anytime, anywhere, as you enjoy lifetime access to personalized support!

So what are you waiting for? Hurt less, knit faster and finish projects with smooth, even tension. You’ll soon realize that efficient knitting is exciting knitting!