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.
