Fixing Dropped Stitches in Garter Stitch

I spent time this week putting the yarn for the Tasting at Manchester into center pull balls and even more time working on the tags.  Hang tags are a problem as they tangle and I think I have found a solution.

This photo doesn't do justice to the color of this yarn which is called Pool.  It is gorgeous.  It does give you an idea of the look we are going for.  The tags can be attached to the swatches when knit.



STUDENT NEWS
Quite a few students have asked for the revised materials.  I am willing to send physical copies to anyone ordering the course now.  I believe I mentioned earlier that I will be sending electronic copies of the lesson along with my letter.  If you want a hard copy of the NEXT lesson, please let me know BEFORE the lesson arrives so I can include it with the swatches and not have to send it separately.


TIP OF THE WEEK
This week the topic is how to fix a dropped stitch in garter stitch.  The good news is that garter stitch is much more forgiving when fixing mistakes.  As I said last week, fixing a dropped stitch in stockinette can cause havoc with the tension. It isn't as noticeable in garter stitch.  For that matter, dropped stitches are really hard to spot on one side of garter stitch.  I really had to stretch the swatch in this photograph to even see the dropped stitch.  It is virtually invisible when not stretched.  Since you have a choice of which is the RS, you can always select the side where the dropped stitch isn't visible.



This photograph shows the other side where the dropped stitch is visible.  



The basic procedure for fixing a dropped stitch is the same as for stockinette.  You have to ladder down to the dropped stitch and then use a crochet hook to pick up the stitches.  You will notice that the ladders for the purl bumps are to the front of the work and the ladders for the knit stitches are to the back.  The photograph shows a purl bump.



You need to be careful that you work the knit stitches with the ladder behind the stitch and the purl bumps with the ladder in front.  Otherwise, you lose the "ridges".  This can take practice.  Many knitters find it easier to pick up the knit stitches and if you fall into this category you can turn your work to the other side when it is time to pick up a purl stitch as it is a knit on the other side.  Fixing a dropped stitch in Garter stitch


KNITTING SALON
Salon will be on Saturday this week from 1:30 to 3:20.  

CURRENT PROJECTS
I finished up the tunic.  Seaming it was not fun.  As you can see, the front and back are the same.  It is designed to be close fitting on top and flare at the bottom.  I like the way the vertical bands almost look pleated.  I have a light gray of this same yarn to make one for me.  It will be longer than a tunic.



Here is the back:



I've started work on the final project for this issue.  We are starting a new feature called "Confident Beginner".  It will have simpler patterns designed for new knitters and it will be very educational.  The first pattern will feature knits and purls together and the project is a scarf & hat.  Here is the scarf.  It is a checker board pattern.  Depending on the look that you want, you can block it or not.  Obviously the scarf isn't blocked yet.

This swatch has been blocked.  I will block it for the photo shoot.  The hat will use the same yarn but it isn't going to match the scarf.  I'm temporarily calling this the Boyfriend Scarf.