Provisional Cast On Part 3

I am turning into the laziest person when it comes to keeping up this blog.  I have very good intentions but something always seems to get in the way.  I hate hearing excuses but here I go.  The new Professional Knitter Certification (PKC) course has just been a huge time suck.  I really thought I could knock it out over a couple of weeks.  Module 1 has been released and there have been quite a few orders. I have almost finished Module 2.  Carolyn, who will be the first graduate, is beta testing the materials and doing all of the samples.  I did have to design a hat as part of it for it that required actually knitting it.  It took much more time than I thought.  The good news is that I should have it finished before the first student finished Module 1!

Student News
I have lots of new students, mainly due to the Professional Knitter Certification.  There are five of us doing the teaching.  All of the other teachers are co-chairs of the Master Hand Knitting Program so the students will definitely be getting their money's worth.  Quite a few people have signed up for the Basics class as well as it can be a preliminary to our other programs.

Tip of the Week
I was writing for the PKC Reference document which has a swatch for grafting different stitch patterns and as I was checking my index I realized that I have omitted a technique for provisional cast on which is the one I use the most!  I immediately did a video and now I am doing the blog entry.

I've done videos for two of the other techniques.  For one, you crochet a chain and pick up stitches with the working yarn in the bumps on the back of the chain.  The problem with this is that it can be a real pain counting the links in the chain and an even bigger pain unraveling the chain when you are finished.  In the other method, you cast on stitches directly to a circular needle which stays in place until you use the provisional cast on.  The problem with this technique is the tension of the stitches can be difficult to control and they sometimes stretch out further on the circular needle cable.

I find this method absolutely pain free.  You need some waste yarn, a knitting needle and a crochet hook.  The video shows how to start this but the basic procedure is to make a slip knot on the crochet hook, place the crochet hook on top of the knitting needle, bring the yarn under the knitting needle and pull a loop through the crochet hook.  The photo below shows the finished process. 

Notice that the cast on edge looks like standard bind off.  If you want your cast on to match the bind off you can use this technique.  Next you use your working yarn to start your project.  When you are ready to use the provisional cast on, you unravel the change and insert a needle in the stitches.

There will be one less stitch on the cast on edge.  The video show how to fudge an additional stitch.  If you look at the far left stitch on the bottom you can see the fudged stitch.

Knitting Salon
I'll be having salon tomorrow (Sunday) from 2-4 pm.  I spent four hours today at the Met HD Simulcast of Massenet's Manon.  It was a marathon.  I forgot how long the opera is.  Lovely but long.

Current Projects

I did finish up all my projects for the winter issue.  I didn't take a photo of everything but I did manage a photo of this baby dress knit in Hazel Knits Jolene.

I spent quite a bit of time working on the hat pattern for the PKC Module 2.  I knit one for a child first and then decided to do a baby one instead.

This is the top of the child version.

Here is the top of the baby hat.

Before I start on things for the Spring issue of Cast On I'm making a baby sweater.  I hope to get it to the baby before his first birthday!  This is the back.  The actual color is a richer red.

Yarnovers, Redux

Yes, it has been quite some time since I have posted.  I spent June and July getting the fall issue of Cast On out (August 1st) and since then I have been working on our newest certification program--The Professional Knitter Certification.  It covers much of the same topics as the Masters Program but doesn't require writing or research.  Practical applications of techniques are tested.  It is geared towards sample and test knitters but anyone who wants to improve their skills would benefit.  We have decided to release it in Modules.  The first Module should be ready for sale on September 25th.

Student News

My students have been busy this summer.  I've reviewed quite a few lessons.  Most take the Basics class as preparation for the Masters Program.  It will be interesting to see how many decide to the Professional Knitter Certification instead.

Tip of the Week

This tip is in response to things I saw in a sample for Cast On (and the Skill Building article for the Winter issue is on this topic as well).  One of the sweaters in the Fall issue was knit in cotton and had a lace pattern that abutted some reverse stockinette.  The size of the yarnovers on either side were radically different in size.  I've always known that yarnover size can vary depending on the stitch before and the stitch after the yarnover.

Yarnovers can be placed between 1) two knit stitches 2) a knit and a purl, 3) two purls and 4) a purl and a knit.  Most knitters assume the yarnovers will all be the same.  They are not.  If you look the next time you work a yarnover between two knit stitches, you will see that when you bring the yarn forward around the needle and then knit the stitch, that the yarn does not go fully around the needle.  The way most knitters make the other types of yarnovers they go completely around the needle before working the next stitch.  Since knitted fabric is so forgiving, particularly if you are working in an elastic fiber like wool, you never notice this.  If the yarn isn't elastic, these yarnovers can vary quite a bit in size.

In the photograph below I've worked several yarnovers.  If you look very closely, you can see that the yarnovers go completely around the needle for those where a purl stitch is on one side.  The first on one the right (between two knit stitches does not.

 The next photo shows the yarnovers worked.  The ones where the yarn went completely around the needle are larger (duh).  In most lace patterns there is so much going on that you don't really notice the differences in size all that much but for some type of projects it is a usually thing to know about this.

In the video I demonstrate alternate ways to make the yarnovers smaller to match the ones between two knit stitches.  (You can also make the one between two knit stitches larger by wrapping the yarn from the back to the front and going completely around the needle.)

In this photograph you can see that the yarnovers look pretty strange compared the other photograph. The good news is, they are easy to work and look just fine when the next row is worked.

This photograph shows the yarnovers using the method in the video.

Knitting Salon
I did finish the thigh high socks in time for the Fall issue.  They were fun to make.

After I finished those, I did two kid sweaters with a cat head motif.   I did samples for both sizes as it was so fun to knit.

Now I'm hard at work on the items for the Winter issue.  I had two extra skeins of Zealana Cozi left over from the slip stitch cable mitts I did for the Fall issue. I love this yarn.  It produces such a wonderful fabric.

The Fashion Framework article is on pleats so I did a skirt with faux pleats with a button closing at the side.  I used some wonderful vintage Bakelite buttons I got from Dusty's Vintage Buttons at TNNA this past June.

I'm currently working on a tunic but I haven't photographed it yet.

Gauge Measurement vs. Finished Measurements

Yes, it has been quite a while since I've posted.  It was a busy spring.  Travel, getting Cast On out, developing a new certification course have all taken precedence.  Masters Day at the DFW Fiber Fest was a success.  We hope to go back next year.  The Spring 2019 issue of Cast On came out on May 1st.  Since then I've been working on the new Professional Knitter Certification Course.  It is basically the Masters Program without research, writing and design.  It is designed for those who want to improve their knitting skills but don't want to do the Masters and those who hope to work in the knitting industry as sample/test knitters or finishers.

Student News
I've been keeping up with my student's work.  I've been getting a lesson just about every day for review.  I will be one of the instructors for the new certification program.  I think the workload for just one instructor.  We announced the program at Masters Day and the response was positive to say the least.  There will be a team of us but the instructor will work with the student as a mentor throughout the process.

Tip of the Week

This is a request from several people working on Level 1 of the Masters.  One of the questions concerns measuring for gauge and measuring finished measurements. This has always seemed a no brainer to me but I've noticed that sometimes it is the simplest questions that cause the most concern.  The knitter over thinks it and makes it more complicated.

The majority of knitters I encounter do not calculate gauge in a way that is going to produce useful information.  Casting on 10 or 12 stitches, knitting an inch, binding off and then counting the stitches/row for an inch isn't the best way to do it.  For specifics on how to work a gauge swatch and calculate gauge, look at the index for this blog. I've discussed is many times.

Gauge Swatch

You do not want to measure the entire swatch.  Selvedge stitches and the cast on/bind off edges are not the same size as stitches and rows.  You want to measure a large enough area that you get a good average over four or more inches.  Nobody's knitting is absolutely perfect.  There will be variations in the stitch size even for knitters with good tension.  In the photograph below (which isn't a real gauge swatch, I was just lazy) I've placed markers to show exactly what I would measure and count for the gauge--no edges are included.  ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS block the swatch and let it dry completely before taking the measurements!  The gauge swatch is a snapshot of your garment.

Your gauge swatch for a project should be for the stitch pattern specified in the pattern.  If it is for a lace pattern, working a gauge swatch in stockinette isn't going to be helpful.  If is it a design with multiple stitch patterns, make sure you work a swatch for the predominant pattern.  If you look below at my current projects, I've just finished a sweater with a single cable panel.  My gauge statement is for stockinette.  If you are designing a project and it has multiple stitch patterns (as for an Aran design), do a gauge swatch for all the patterns.

Finished Measurements
In the Masters Program you have to provide finished measurement for all of the projects and that includes the swatches.  The finished measurements are exactly what it says.  The piece is measured after any finishing...seams, bands, blocking, etc.  The whole thing is measured and for swatches that means selvedge stitches and cast on/bind off edges.  If you look at any pattern you will see finished measurements include length and width.  For a swatch, this is simple.  For a garment, it can be more specific.  The photo below shows an old project.  The finished measurements for this piece is the length from shoulder to hem, circumference at the chest AND and the bottom since this is an A-line design. 

Finished measurements are different from schematics generally found at the end of patterns to show the "pattern pieces."  Schematics are particularly helpful for blocking.  Schematics can also help for items which might have an unusual shape, such as shawls.

I hope this helps clear things up.  Also, I'm working on the Fall 2019 Cast On and the On Your Way to the Masters addresses this.  Here is a video.  I know the sound is not great, some sort of technical issue but I don't have time to redo it today.


Knitting Salon
Salon will be on Sunday, the 16th (yes, I know it is Father's Day) from 2-4 pm.

Current Projects
I've finished two of the things I'm doing for Fall 2019.  This is the When the Snakes sweater.  The yarn is Miss Babs Yowza in color Oyster.  The cable panel runs diagonally from the hem to the shoulder.  It is slightly wider at the bottom.  I wanted a big old comfy sweater with extra long sleeves.

Here is the back. The cables meet at the shoulders, sort of.  I did saddle shoulders.

You can see the cable panel runs up the sleeves to the neckline.

The Special Topics in Finishing article is about cleaning up thumb/finger joins in mitten/gloves.  I decided to do fingerless mitts (to keep it simple) with a slip stitch design.  The yarn is Zealana Cozi.  It is lovely to work with and produces a rustic fabric perfect for these mitts.  I'm thinking of doing a matching hat for the Winter issue.

Next up, thigh high lace socks.  When I was in Vegas this spring I saw a mannequin at a lux store with lacy thigh highs and I thought that would be fun.  You can see I have a LONG way to go. When the socks are on an actual leg, the lace pattern opens up.  The yarn is Wollmeise and the fabric is really stretchy.  Next up, two kid stranded sweaters.  I haven't got the yarn yet but it is Lornas Lace,

Selvedge Tension Issues

To distract me from all the knitting and writing I am supposed to be doing I decided to sort my button collection.  A month or so ago I bought a large box of buttons from a woman who was selling her mother's odds and ends.  I figured this was a good time to sort through all of those I've bought over the years primarily from Dusty's Vintage Buttons (if she has a booth at a show, definitely visit).  The photos represent the tip of the iceberg.  The first box is a SMALL part of my mother of pearl  buttons and the others are bakelite.  I've got quite a few boxes and many more to go.

Student News

I've reviewed quite a few lessons and received many course orders.  It seems a lot of knitters plan on working on their skills over the spring.

Tip of the Week

Again, what I've been seeing in the lessons has prompted this discussion.  I've reviewed many lessons where the knitters' overall tension is very nice but there is a problem at the sides only. This is a different issue that the entry I made last year about ugly selvedge stitches (link).  This tension issue is where the stitches next to the selvedge stitches vary in size.  It is very unattractive particularly if the edge is to be seamed or is next to a band.  

I've been working with non-wool fibers for the Summer 2019 issue and it is more of an issue with inelastic fibers.  In the sample below, worked in 100% cotton, the lower part of the swatch shows what this issue looks like.  The first photo is the RS and the next photo is the WS.  Note the gutters at the bottom of the swatch.  

There is an easy fix you can try.  For most knitters, if you tighten up at the beginning of every row and loosen up a bit at the end of every row, you will eliminate this problem.  However, you must be careful when beginning the row.  I've seen knitters who tighten up so much BEFORE beginning the row that all they do is draw the yarn from the previous row making those stitches even smaller.  What I generally do is work the first two stitches normally and then work the next three stitches more tightly.  When I get to the end of the row I use just the needle tips to work the last three or four stitches and I try not to slip them too far down the needle barrel.

Here is a video showing this technique:  Tension issues at the side

Knitting Salon

I was thinking of having Salon on Saturday but the Metropolitan Opera's simulcast is Die Walkure so I'll be at the theater for 5 1/2 hours.  Salon will be on Sunday but I'm not sure of the time yet.

Current Projects

I finished up a few late Christmas gifts before starting on the Summer 2019 projects.  I made a skirt and top set with 100% hemp.  I can't say it was fun to kit but the drape on the skirt is amazing.

Here is a closeup of the puntas edging.

Here is the top.  I CLEARLY need to steam it before the photoshoot.  (I used some of my vintage buttons...)

Next up was the Confident Beginner project which accompanies Binka Schwan's Skill Building article.  This one was on double decreases worked on the RS and WS.  I used the yarn left over from the Intarsia Top in the last issue.  I found an interesting stitch pattern with a 5 row repeat which meant that the rows would alternate on the RS and WS when worked flat.  It was perfect for the scarf.  I used a provisional cast on so that I could work one side with CDD decreases and the other with S1k2tog psso decrease.  

The colors in the photo above are more accurate but here is what it looks like at the cast on.

I've finished the baby sweater but I'm still working on the child size.  Then I'm done.

Starting a Seam

I've finally recovered from getting the Spring 2019 issue of Cast On out.  Today is the deadline for submissions for Summer.  It never ends!  After I make this post that is what I will be doing.

I took this video of George when he discovered the roving I'm using for the booties (see below).  I hope my friends don't mind a bit of cat spit.  I posted a longer version on Instagram.  He really is a sweetie.

Students News
Now that the holidays are over, I'm getting more and more lessons.  Keep up the great work.  The postal rates changed on January 27th.  Since I use Stamps.com, I actually prefer the way the new First Class postage is calculated.  Just a reminder for non-US students, please photograph your swatches, front and back, before you send them to me.  I keep them until the course is complete to keep the cost the same.

Tip of the Week
I've reviewed several finishing lessons and the same question has come up.  The Figure 8 method for beginning a seam causes all sort of problems.  I've done several entries on it before but I realized I need to focus more on exactly where to begin.  My method is different but I've found it works quite well and it avoids the issue of rows not lining up.

The long-tail cast on produces the first row of stitches and there are two strands of yarn below the stitch.  I use both of these strands in my seams and I start the seam in the lowest strand.  I do this as, in the past and I'm in a hurry, I have lined up the second strand on one side and the strand from the first row.  If you do this, the seam is slightly off and the rows don't line up.  If you take the time to use both of the strands in the seam, it happens less.  I see this all the time in my students' work.

The photos below show the start of the seam on the smooth side and on the bumpy.  This video shows the technique.








Here are photos of the completed seams.

I'll do another video soon on how to finish off the seam at the bind off edge.

Knitting Salon
Salon will be on Sunday from 2-4pm.

Current Projects
Here is the reason I didn't get any knitting done before Christmas...I don't know what I was thinking.  My New Years Resolution several years ago was to write patterns IMMEDIATELY after I finished something.  Well, I was so afraid I wouldn't make the photo shoot date, I held off on writing the patterns.  That was a very unpleasant experience I hope NEVER to repeat.

Now that all of that is done, I'm trying to get out the presents before I start working on the summer issue.  Everyone except my nephew is getting thrummed booties AND I am using yarn that has been in my stash for at least 10 years.  (That is this year's resolution, to make a dent in my stash for personal projects. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't be buying more yarn!)  

Here are Martha's booties.  (They were accompanied by a bourbon tasting.)

Here are Nora, Stephanie and Christian's presents.  I used Carolyn Vance's pattern for the Swedish Block Scarf from the last issue of Cast On for Christian's scarf.

I'm hoping to finish up the rest this week....

Neater SSK Decreases

I apologize for not posting sooner but between travel, the holidays and the Spring issue of Cast On (see Current Projects) I haven't had much time.  I have really been knitting like mad to make the deadline for the photo shoot.

Student News
Quite a few people have signed up for the Basics course and several for the Finishing Course.  I haven't received many lessons yet but I expect an uptick now that the holidays are finally OVER!

Tip of the Week
I've had several students sent me links to videos show a new way to make neater SSK decreases.  This new method (I'm not going to put links in for this method as they all omit one rather important detail) is fine for your own projects but if you are working on the Masters Program the results of this technique are not acceptable.  

When you need to use mirrored decreases (to shape a neckline, for example) there is a problem.  K2tog produces a neat, right slanting decrease.  (It slants to the right since the stitch to the left is on top of the stitch to the right.)  Left slanting decreases aren't quite so neat and tidy.  When I first started knitting, the preferred technique is the SKP (and this is still the preferred technique in Britain and Japan).  Since just the first stitch is slipped and then passed over the second stitch, it often produces a very stretched out, large left slanting decrease (the stitch to the right is on top of the stitch to the left.)  A big improvement on SKP is the SSK since two stitches are slipped, the decrease is smaller.  How nice the SSK looks depends on your technique.  If you use just your needle tips and really baby it, you can get  a pretty good decrease.

One improvement over this technique that my students suggest is slipping just the first stitch when working the SSK.  Yes, this is does make the decrease slightly smaller but it twists the stitch to the left.  For decreases to be fully mirrored, they have to be the same type of decrease, that is untwisted or twisted.  A newer version of the same decrease is making the rounds now where you insert the needle into the first stitch and then into the back of the next stitch and then pull the yarn through both.  It produces the same result.  None of the videos I've seen make mention of the twisted stitch.  After teaching the Basics class for 10 years I have learned that many knitters cannot read their work and can't tell the difference until it is pointed out.

In the photo below I have worked a swatch using larger needles that I normally would.  If you look at the left side, I have worked a series of K2tog decreases.  On the right side I've worked SSK and variants so you can compare.

First look at the K2tog decreases.  Notice that the stitch to the left is on top of the stitch to the right AND that stitch is open at the bottom, that is not twisted.  That is what we are looking to match on the right side.

Look at the decrease on the right side with a 1 to the left.  I used just the standard technique for SSKs (which I demonstrate in the video) but I have used just my needle tips and really babied.  I must say, it looks pretty good.  When I worked the decrease labelled 2 I used a technique where on the row before the decrease row (the WS row) you wrap the stitches to be decreased the wrong way.  This alters their orientation on the needle.  When you slip the stitches for an SSK this is what you are doing so this technique skips that step.  Since they aren't slipped, they are less stretched out.
  It looks pretty much the same as the SSK where I babied the stitches.  Notice that the stitch to the left is open at the bottom and matches the K2tog.

Now look at the decrease labelled 3 and notice that it stands out more than the others.  The top stitch is twisted as well as the next stitch.  This happens if you don't slip the stitches knitwise before making the decrease.  Twisted stitches are tighter than regular stitches and have a different gauge which is why you generally avoid them unless you are working Bavarian patterns or come lace patterns.

The decreases labelled 4 and 5 use the techniques I mentioned above.  The second stitches are twisted.  If you look closely you can see that they do not match their counterparts on the opposite side of the swatch.

 

In the photo below I've placed arrows below the second stitches so you can see the twisted stitches and compare them.  This video demonstrates all of the techniques I've discussed here.

Knitting Salon
Salon will be today from 2-4 pm.  Despite my laziness in not posting I have had salon most every weekend.  Hopefully those coming today will help me get rid of all of the lovely chocolates left over from the holidays!

Current Projects
My holiday knitting never got done, or even started!  We start working on the Spring issue in November and it is ALWAYS a problem getting designs for this issue.  Knitters do not want to commit to extra knitting over the holidays (even when I try and guilt them into it!) What seems to happen every year is I wind up taking on more that I'd like so I have been knitting like a mad person to get these things done.  The worst part is that I've put off writing the patterns so the week after the photo shoot will be a horror show!  Not shown is a pair of knee high socks.  I'll photo them in my next entry along with (hopefully) very belated Christmas gifts.

This one is a cover up.  I envision it being worn over yoga clothes.

The Stitch Anatomy article is about elongated stitches. The bottom of the sweater & cuffs are the sea foam pattern.  The Special Topics in Finishing article is about sewing on buttons which I better read before I put on these buttons...

I loved Leslie's article on Puntas so I designed this top to use the intarsia technique but added the bottom border.  Puntas are really fun.  I plan to use them again.

This is the Confident Beginner garment to accompany the Skill Building article on WS decreases.  That lace at the bottom doesn't have any plain rows.  I love it.  Thank you Barbara Walker.

I think you can see I will be busy this week.  None of the yarn tails (except on the Puntas Top) have been woven in and I also have to knit those knee highs....