Yarn Show Survival Guide

At this time of year we are gearing up for a number of shows that are just around the corner; Bristol Wool Fair and Yarndale in September; The Knitting and Stitching show In October and November. So we thought we would come up with a show survival guide just for you.

De-stash

Before you go to a yarn show, have a good look at your stash. If you are anything like us you can certainly get rid at a few balls to friends or charities to make room for your new purchases.

Make a shopping list

Why not take a look at your pattern books or Ravelry library and choose a few projects you would like to knit or crochet. That way you won't be tempted by random balls at yarn you are unlikely to use.

Make sure you can access your patterns

If you are substituting yams you may want to check the meterage you need. Whether on your Smartphone or printed out it is well worth having them to hand.

Take some big strong bags

This will ensure you get all your purchases home safely and won't lose anything. It's so easy to misplace a little bag when you stop for tea.

Take something to drink or eat

Exhibition halls can get very hot and the queues for tea and cakes get quite long.

Wear comfortable shoes

There's a lot of walking so we always plump for comfort over style!

Check your needles and hooks

Are you missing any sizes or do you need a spare?  There is usually someone selling our range of KnitPro products so you can pick up what you need.

And most of all have fun. There is nothing as exciting as getting home to unpack all your wonderful purchases.

Steek it!

We love Fair Isle knitting - it's one of our favourite techniques. But there is one element of this type of knitting that some of you may have been reluctant or even scared to try and that is steeking.

A steek is a panel that allows you to knit a Fair Isle project in the round- much faster than back and forth. It's great for cardigans or throws and is a very old technique.  You can read more about steeking on Kate Davies' blog here.

Once you have finished knitting you cut along the steek - yes we do mean cut - and pick up stitches to create an edging or button band. Cutting a piece of work you have invested a lot of time in can be daunting so we have created this post to show you some easy techniques for successful steeking.

As with so many things in life the devil is in the detail or in this case the preparation.

In some Scandinavian countries they are confident enough to simply cut the steek but we prefer to anchor our stitches using crochet or a sewing machine.

For the crochet method we recommend you use a finer yarn than the project and a smaller crochet hook than the knitting needles you used.  This is because crochet is a looser technique and you want to be sure your stitches are securely anchored.

We have knitted a mug cosy to demonstrate for you.

You can see the panel of steek stitches that aren’t part of the pattern.

Crochet a line of double crochet (English terminology) through each loop in a vertical line as you see here.

Then crochet another next to it like this.

If you would prefer to use a sewing machine, sew two vertical lines of stitches up each side of the steek as in the crochet example.

Your stitches are anchored so it is safe to cut them.  Take a deep breath and be brave!

Now you can pick up your edge stitches like this.

When your edging is finished it is used to encase the raw edge of the steek to keep everything nice and neat.

You have now completed your steek. Well done!  We’re proud of you.

If you want to practise your steeking you can download this mug cosy pattern for free here. 

We are always looking for new techniques to try so let us know if you have one you would like us to help you with.

Crafting Together

Stylecraft's Lily Pond CAL by Jane Crowfoot

Knit and crochet alongs are hugely popular at the moment and we have to admit we are completely addicted to Stylecraft's Lily Pond crochet along designed by Jane Crowfoot at the moment.

If you've never come across a CAL or KAL, as they are known, before let us explain the concept to you.

A KAL/CAL is an ‘event’ where people get together to knit and crochet a pattern together as a communal activity. You don't need to physically get together; in fact most KAL/CALs take place over the Internet these days. Knitting and crocheting is often a solitary past time, especially if you don’t have a local yarn store or knitting group near by.  Meeting like-minded people, even virtually, can be a great way to make new friends-there is nothing better than a yam buddy.

Seeing how other people are getting on with the same project can be really inspiring and can often help you to get to the end with their support especially if the project is quite large.

Here are some tips for you:

Choose your KAL/CAL carefully. Do you want to know exactly what you are making or would you like a Mystery KAL/CAL where the different elements are revealed in stages? Do you want a quick project or a major undertaking? The best KAL/CALs are structured into achievable elements that are released over a period of time so that you can stay focussed and on track.

Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket Club

Make sure you join in. Most KAL/CALs will have a group on Facebook or Ravelry where you can post any questions or simply meet new people. The best KAL/CALs might also run question and answer sessions on social media, which are really useful- you're sure to learn loads.

Sophie's Universe

Post your progress. It’s a great way to keep yourself motivated and you ‘ll be amazed how many positive comments you get.

Ysolda Teague's Follow Your Arrow

Knitters and crocheters are so social – it’s no wonder KAL/CALs have become so popular.

If you want to find one to join there are lots on Ravelry or have a search on Facebook. We also feature a monthly KAL/CAL on our Ravelry group so please do join in.

Most of all have fun!

Entrelac – a step-by-step guide

Entrelac is one of those intriguing techniques that leave you wondering how on earth it was knitted.  The method is actually quite straightforward because you are only knitting a little bit at a time, which is why it is sometimes called modular knitting. The word comes from the French entrelacer, which translates as interlaced which is exactly the effect that is created – a bit like a basket weave.

By trying out different types of yarn and different colours you can get a myriad of effects.  If you need inspiration you will find lots of wonderful patterns on Ravelry so do go and have a good browse.

We have created a simple step by step to get you started.

Our sample is knitted across 18 stitches or 3 groups of 6 stitches.

First cast on 18 stitches

To work the first base triangle purl 2 stitches, turn and knit 2 stitches, turn and purl 3 stitches, then turn and knit 3 stitches and turn, purl 4 turn, knit 4 turn and so on until you have worked all 6 stitches ending with the purl 6 row.

Do not turn.

Now on to the next triangle which you work in the same way as the first.

Continue until you have worked all 3 triangles.

Change colour.

Right side row

Now you are ready to work a right hand corner triangle.

Knit 2, turn, Purl 2, turn. Increase one stitch by knitting into the front and back (k1fb) of the first stitch then ssk (slip, slip, knit together) the last stitch in the second colour with the first stitch in the first colour, turn and purl 3 stitches.

K1fb, knit 1, ssk, turn and purl 4 stitches.

Continue increasing one stitch at the beginning and decreasing at the end of each purl row until you have used up all the stitches in the first base triangle on a right side row.  Do not turn.

You have completed your first corner triangle.

Now you are going to create a rectangle on the right side.

Pick up and knit 6 stitches down the side of the first base triangle. 

Turn and purl these 6 stitches, turn.

Knit to the last stitch in the second colour and ssk it with the first stitch of the next base triangle, turn.  Purl 6 stitches and turn.

Repeat until you have joined all the stitches to the base triangle.

Repeat  until you have created one more rectangles.

Now it’s time to create a left side triangle.

Pick up and knit 6 stitches down the left hand side of the final base triangle, turn.

*Purl 2 stitches together (p2tog) then purl the remainder of the stitches you just picked up, turn, knit the remaining stitches, turn*. Repeat  from * to * until you have just 2 stitches on the needle.

Change colour by purling the two stitches together with your third colour.

Wrong side row

Pick up 5 stitches down the left hand side of the left hand corner triangle, turn and knit 6 stitches.  

Turn and purl 5 stitches, p2tog (one stitch of current rectangle with one of rectangle from the row below. Repeat until you have used up the stitches from the rectangle below.

Pick up 6 stitches and repeat as above until you have created all 3 rectangles in the third ‘row’.

Change colour and repeat the right side row. Finish by changing colour.

Now we are going to finish off our sample by knitting the end triangles.

Pick up and purl 5 stitches down the left hand side of the corner triangle, turn, knit 6 stitches.

P2tog at the beginning of the next row and purl across the row to the last stitch which you p2tog with the first stitch of the rectangle from the row below, turn and knit. Repeat until you have just one stitch on the needle.

Pick up 5 stitches down the left hand side as before for the second and the third triangle.

We hope this little taste of entrelac has encouraged you to try some more of this lovely technique. If you want more information and some patterns using entrelac there is a fantastic book by Rosemary Drysdale calledEntrelac – The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting.

We’d love to see how you get on so do share your pictures with us here.