Arenda Holladay

Why a blog?  I have actively avoided creating a blog as I have seen no need to add to the list of stuff that I need to do each week but I've decided it will be yet another way to reach my students.

What will you see in this blog?

Information for my students
I am the instructor for the Basics, Basics, Basics correspondence course offered by TKGA (The Knitting Guild Association).  It is my policy that I review and send out lessons the day I get them.  When I go out of town, this obviously doesn't happen.  I like to give my students a heads up so they can plan accordingly.  I update the materials ever so often and since I don't enforce a time limit for completion, I am more than happy to send out the updates.  By they way, I've recently added the materials to my DropBox so it is very easy to send out links... and that includes students who have completed the course.  When I add new courses (and I am working on two right now) I will announce it here. 

Tip of the Week
I am the advisor to the Master Hand Knitting Committee which certifies Master Knitters for TKGA. My brain is littered with tidbits on how to improve one's knitting and I think it would be helpful to start writing this down SOMEWHERE. The tip will usually include a video as well. To the right you will see the shortcut to the Tip of the Week. The blog will have the complete tip.

Current Projects
I do design work for Cast On, the official publication of TKGA and I thought it might be interesting to record the design process here for anyone who wants to knit the designs when they are published.

What will you NOT see in this blog?

Personal Information
I consider my personal beliefs and the lives of my family members to be very private.  I may periodically include things about the Knitting Salon that meets once a week at my house on either Saturday or Sunday depending on the schedules of the UK basketball team (I am not a fan but I am considerate to those who are) and the HD broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera (I am a big fan).

My cats, Petipa (named for the first choreographer of the Nutcracker ballet) and George Bernard Chat (named for George Bernard Shaw, the playwright) are fair game.  What would a knitting blog be without the obligatory cat photos?  Yes, I am a cliche. 

Petipa

George

TIP OF THE WEEK--RIBBING TENSION

Ribbing Swatches

Have you ever wondered why most patterns suggest using smaller needles for ribbing? The reason why is that going down a size or two will produce tighter ribbing. Instead of reaching for your needle case, try this. When you are changing from a knit to a purl, bring the yarn forward VERY tightly. You might even want to give it a bit of a tug. If you don't do this, the excess yarn between the knit and the purl stitch either works its way back into the knit stitch making it big and sloppy or it forms a "ladder" between the stitches. Neither is very attractive.  Compare the two swatches in the photo to see the difference this can make.

When you use smaller needles, the amount of yarn is reduced between the stitches which makes it look much neater.

This tip also works for seed stitch and cables as well. Give it a try!  Here's the video.

CURRENT PROJECT
I'm working on things for the Summer 2012 issue of Cast On.  I'm doing a skirt and shell set knit in Louet Euroflax.  Things haven't gone exactly as planned.  I was originally going to use a single strand.  After working a gauge swatch I discovered to my horror that it would be completely see through (not such a great idea for a skirt) if I did not use Size 2 (!!!) needles.  I rethought the design and tried using two strands together.  MUCH BETTER.  The bottom of the skirt will have a crossed stitch pattern. 

Crossed Stitch pattern

The skirt is now blocking and I am working on the shell.