5 Things About Knitting You May Not Have Known

5 Things About Knitting You May Not Have Known

Guest blog By Kath

Knitting, once associated with only older people used to making their own clothes and embarrassing jumpers made by well-meaning Grandmas, is on the up.  Crafts are increasingly popular amongst the young, and sewing and knitting your own clothes in a struggling economy is now not only sensible but also seen as a great way of making your clothes unique to you.

Are you thinking about taking up knitting and are curious to know more?  Here are 5 things about knitting you may not have known.

• The number of celebrities that have taken up knitting.  There are some celebrities that you might associate with knitting but there is a wide range of glamorous women that look to work their needles.  This includes Uma Therman, Debra Messing, Scarlet Johansson, Sarah Jessica Parker and supermodel Kate Moss.

• How old knitting is.  The earliest examples of knitting have been found in Egypt and include a wide range of items, including indigo blue and white cotton stockings, which have been dated between the 11th and 14th centuries CE.

• How important the kind of yarn you use is to the finished product.  Patterns will often come measured in stitches as opposed to being measured by size. This means that the kind of knitting yarns you use could mean the difference between it being fit for purpose or not.  Make sure that you choose the weight that they suggest to avoid problems in the future.  There are around 6 standard weights; super fine, fine, light, medium, bulky and super bulky.

• How important the needle you use is.  This is for the same reason as the kind of yarn you use is important.  Bigger needles do bigger stitches.  This doesn't mean you need a load of needles, you can just buy them as you need them, or there are a lot of starter kits out there that give you a range of needles in the most commonly used sizes.

• Knitting is for more than just clothes.  There are even some people allergic to wool, so if you enjoy knitting this doesn't mean that you have to get used to the idea of wearing wool if you don't want to or sending knitted clothes to anyone you know.  There are crafts you can do; household items, decorations etc.  These are also good for novices and those that only know a limited number of stitches.  They are also good for those looking to learn new stitches.

If you'd like to know more about knitting there are loads of websites and books dedicated to this up and coming craft, so you can make the most of and develop your skills to become a proficient knitter.

If you you'd like to try knitting check out this beginner video series!

(Editor notes by Kristen Mangus.  Welcome Kath to our GoodKnit Kisses blog! Kath comes to us from the UK.  By the way a jumper mean "sweater" in America if that bit confused anyone. We hope you enjoyed her and check our her regular blog site by clicking her name.)

What are your thoughts on Knitting?  Tell us your knitting experiences!  

Comment below, share and subscribe.  Much knitty love to you!

If you'd like to guest blog please email Kristen at kristen@goodknitkisses.com.  

Serious inquiries only.  This is not our help desk email.  Please visit our Facebook Page.

Swatch and Cast-On Calculator

Swatch and Cast On Calculator for Knitting (needles or loom)

Swatching for Gauge.  Three words we don't like to hear.

Have you read or heard that you need to make a swatch? Or check your gauge? 

Don't be scared.  

Yes, you will need to knit up a swatch in the yarn you intend to use with the tool (needle or loom) you intend for your project in the main stitch, but to find your gauge from there takes a few simple calculations.  If you simply want to find how many stitches you need for a panel, or even a small section to make a feature in your knitting (say a special stitch or even a 6" bound off slit for a strap to fit through), you will need to know how many stitches to work, bind off or even cast on.  

Below you will find help for that as well as how many rows to get the desired length!  If you have the "stitches per inch" or "rows per inch" from an existing pattern, you can compare those numbers to your numbers and calculate the difference you need. Then add or subtract stitches to achieve the same sizing or also the same as "obtain(ing) gauge".

Let's get started!  Use the notes and illustrations below to measure your swatch and calculate.  The first examples contain numbers to help you practice.  We encourage you to use the formula spelled out at the bottom, along with the example numbers in the example figures, to test our answers.  Below the examples are cleared out boxes for you to use for your own swatch measurements. 

Please note that directions below are written for our Phone and Tablet app.  We thought best to provide a blog to help others with what we already had. If you would like to download and use the app for your convenience please click here.  It is a free iOS app.  At the bottom of this post is a video showing how to use the app and this calculator.  Should you not have an iOS device you are welcome to print this blog for personal use to use as a guide. It would also be a nice paper to keep as a reference for your projects or a swatch reference for your tools (needles and looms).  We would recommend writing at the top the yarn, tool, stitch and project for your reference. Note that gauge can change slightly with your own mood and tension as well as from yarn to yarn even on the same tools.

**(A note for our metric friendly international users.  The calculations will work the same, just change inches to suit your needs.  Its the ratio that's important).**

For the Cast-On Calculations: 

First make a swatch using the selected project yarn of about 5 inches by 5 inches or 6x6. In making the swatch use the same needles or loom that you intend to use in making the project.

Then measure about a 4 inch by 4 inch area on the swatch. A smaller size measurement may be made. However, the estimate provided by the calculator will be more accurate as the measured area increases. 

Enter in the number of stitches counted in the measurement. Then enter the width measured when you counted the stitches.

Now for first project requirement entry: 

Enter the desired width or circumference of your project and for the calculated estimate press: 'Stitches to Cast-On ->'. If width is a circumference for a snug fit, an adjustment to the number to enter may be needed. For example, for socks measure arround the widest part of foot snugly and substract 1/2 inch then enter this for the desired width. 

Cast-On Formula used: 

Swatch is S stitches and measures W wide. The stitches per inch is S/W and desired width is dW. The Stitches to Cast-On = (dW x S/W). 

Now for the Rows Calculations: 

Measure the swatch number of rows and enter the number of rows and the measured length. Then enter the desired length of project and press 'Rows needed are->'. 

Formula for rows needed = (dL x R/L) where dL is desired length, R is number of measured rows and L is length measured.

We hope this has helped you today and will be used as a reference. Please bookmark and share this post!

Kristen Mangus

©2014 GoodKnit Kisses

Http://www.goodknitkisses.com

Http://www.youtube.com/goodknitkisses

For an electronic/ usable version of this calculator please download the iOS device only app GoodKnit. We apologize for any inconvenience if you do not own one of these devices. For personal use only, We (GoodKnit Kisses) give permission to print out these directions in whole. Please do not make multiple copies to distribute. Downloadable PDF copies can be made available upon request by GoodKnit Kisses for large groups or individuals if needed. Please submit request to goodknitkisses@gmail.com with the Subject line "PDFGauge  Calculator".

DISCLOSURE:

Calculations are an estimate of your desired project results. GoodKnitKisses and Sagafuse will not be held responsible for any losses occurred using this application. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXKe-fIE7cE

also called: swatching, knit swatch, loom knit swatch, check you gauge, make a swatch

also called: swatching, knit swatch, loom knit swatch, check you gauge, make a swatch

Picot Triangle Shawl Pattern

Picot Triangle Shawl 

by Kristen Mangus
GoodKnit Kisses

June 27, 2013

Triangle design shawl using wedge technique inspired by Hexagon blanket by Charity Windham. Charity and I talked about combining her wedge and my picots for a frilly garter ridge reversible shawl.  This shawl is a generous size for larger sizes up to 76" wide from end to end! Cast on Edge is 53" and can be made smaller for smaller sizing needs.

Stitch gauge: 4 sts per inch x 8 rows per inch in garter stitch

Loom: 7/16" gauge loom to be single knit with at least 168 pegs. Loom used in sample Knitting Board 28" with peg extenders.

Alternate loom(s): Kiss Looms can adjust to appropriate guage. Be sure to swatch. Use Kiss Fine Gauge Fixed 2; set up with two 83 peg long sides and two 7 peg ends. Use 165 pegs (loom will be 180 pegs). For Martha Stewart (MS loom) use two kits; set up with four 36 peg straights, two 12 peg medium straights, and four 6 peg corners with pegs in all holes for 3/8" gauge. Cast on 189 pegs (192 pegs on loom).

Yarn: 800 yards medium weight (4) Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable color Petunia.  3 balls used in sample. 9.85 oz/280 grams finished weight.

Loom Along Video: http://youtu.be/xicPyxHNVmQ

Abbreviations:

EW - Ewrap

P - Purl

HS - Half Stitch

SL - Slip (skip first stitch)

st - Stitch

CO - Cast On

BO - Bind Off

Cast on: Picot CO 165 pegs. (starting on left working to right if right handed, Place removable Stich Marker on peg 1) http://youtu.be/MdtQZm9wUE0

Row 1: SL 1, P to marker (all odd rows will repeat this way.)

Row 2: HS 1 at marked peg & move marker 1 peg to right (do NOT work HS st), EW to peg 165, Cable CO 3, BO 3 to form picot (See notes below on details for Cable CO and BO). I like to have 3 st markers on pegs 166-168 to show where picots need to be added on even numbered rows. For less picots on edging only, add picots every 4th row. As the pattern reads, this edge will be fuller than the cast on picots to give it a ruffled look when draped.

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until last HS is at peg 164 & ending on row Row 2. This row will be HS 1, EW 1.

Begin Picot Bind Off*.

*This is an alternate to my standard picot bind off just for this pattern.

**Cable CO 3, BO 4 (** rep between **,** til one st left on loom, EW 1 cut tail and pull through) See video at minute 21:14; it should start there. http://youtu.be/xicPyxHNVmQ?t=21m14s

Weave in both tails into project.  If using color changing yarn be sure to weave like colored tails to closest color.

Blocking may be needed due to tension and eveness of such a large project. Do NOT steam block acrylic or it will "kill" it! Block with a light washing and let dry pinned on blocking board if needed. See bottom of pattern on Mitered Square Lovey for wet blocking instructions. http://goodknitkisses.blogspot.com/2013/07/mitered-square-picot-lovey-free-pattern.html

Notes on HS

Unlike an EW (where the working yarn is wrapped from the back between the next peg and around the front of the  desired stitch/peg to the back) the HS wraps to the front between the previous peg to the front of the desired stitch/peg then between the next stich (peg).

Cable CO Notes. 

Refer to this video for visual instructions. 

http://youtu.be/ON7dw4-D0hI

Non-Picot shawl option: Cable Cast on 165 stitches and continue in main pattern.  Do not add edge picots.  Bind off in Stretchy Bind or a very loose Basic Bind off using the E-wrap stitch for knit stitches.  Do not pull tight.

Happy Looming!!
Kristen



Copyright 2013, 2014 GoodKnit Kisses, Kristen Mangus.  Pattern is for personal use only.  Do not reproduce pattern in part or whole as written.  Items may be made for personal use. Contact Kristen Mangus if you are a crafter selling individually and Kristen will give permission.  kristen@goodknitkisses.com

Picot Layette Pattern

Hello everyone!  This month is a Facebook Loom Along for the Picot Layette set.

Loom knit the whole set or just what you need.  The Set: A Picot Lovey (mitered square with picot optional add-on edge), Picot Booties, and a Picot Bonnet.

The set is girl centered but there are alternate to tweak for a boy or more unisex.

These patterns are written out in separate blogs and have a few video references.  There are no full video loom alongs at this point.  I'm finding my full time job and home life has hindered making one.  However, I challenge you to stretch yourself if you find you rely on full loom along videos too much.  The technique visas help demonstrate the techniques spelled out in the patterns.  This blog is a quick reference to all of the patterns in the layette set.

The set was conceived by me and I partnered together with Charity, to design a mitered square that will work well for you. You can actually do this on any loom and with more stitches. This particular pattern was created to go with my Picot Layette set and was inspired by the new sock loom 2 from Authentic Knitting Board. I was privileged to get an advance preview of the loom and got so excited that I created 3 new patterns.

If you are familiar with Charity Windham's Hexagon baby blanket you will be able to make the mitered square in no time. The video for the Hexagon will help you understand the principle

Here are the pattern links below. I might create PDFs individually on Ravelry for convenience to have on your mobile device or to print off for personal use.  Enjoy!

(Originally written June 11th, 2013)

Picot Bonnet

Best for girls; for boys or unisex substitute bind off for stretchy bind off.

Picot BOOties (sock booties for baby)

Best for girls; for boys or unisex substitute cast on for ribbed cast on or a double ewrap.

Picot Lovey (small blanket that's perfect for a carrier)

Best for girls; for boys or unisex do not add on the picot edging.

Happy Looming!!

Kristen Mangus

GoodKnit Kisses

http://www/youtube.com/goodknitkisses

Picot Bonnet free loom knit pattern

Picot Bonnet

By Kristen Mangus at GoodKnit Kisses

May 27, 2013

Loom(s): KnittingBoard Basics Loom for preemie size 11/16" guage (AllNOne or Sock Loom 2 as alternate for newborn size - 3/8" gauge)

Yarn: Worsted weight. Lion Brand Unforgettable color Petunia used in sample.

Adjustable cast on flat panel 32 peg (54) Video here: http://youtu.be/TIVTH8MI0ec

Flat knit 3 rows (6)
Fig-8  12 (20) rows
K2, p2 rep 6 (15) rows
Picot bind off* http://youtu.be/qWkTu8T8KeM
**Cable CO 2, BO 4 (** rep between **,** til one st left on loom, cut tail and pull through)
Weave in tail

Pull drawstring at cast-on, leaving an opening eyelet, and tie off with a knot. Weave in tail.

Make 1 tie off cord. Chain 40 (40 to desire length). Before pulling through last loop place crochet hook on between 1st and second stitch between last figure 8 row and ribbing rows. Slip stitch through and pull through to knot. Tie on one more knot to secure. Weave in tail into bonnet. Weave in tail at beginning of cord. Repeat to make a second cord on opposite side.

ALTERNATE Pattern (Derivative work):

Picot Hat or Slouchy (With our without picot)
Cast on in stitch count above (or desired size) but connect in the round in drawstring cast on.  Continue knitting pattern above in the round until desired length.  Bind off as above for picot edge or use stretchy bind off. Enjoy!

©2013 GoodKnit Kisses
For Personal Use

Picot BOOties Loom Knit sock booties for baby

Picot Booties

By Kristen Mangus
GoodKnit Kisses 

Free Pattern in Picot Layette Set

Loom Knit

May 27, 2013

Loom- 3/8" gauge adjustable loom. KnittingBoard Sock Loom 2 used in sample. (AllnOne adjustable loom is also recommended)

Yarn: Worsted weight. Lion Brand Unforgettable color Petunia used in sample. Less than 1 skein.

K - Knit
P - Purl
FK - Flat Knit
Dcr - Decrease
St(s) - Stitch(es)

Picot CO 24 stitches in the round. Watch this video, after last peg in round knit peg 1 to connect. Row 1 will new start on peg one although it was just worked. Loom Knit Cast On: Picot Cast On  http://youtu.be/MdtQZm9wUE0

Row 1 purl
Row 2 k2,p2 rep
Repeat row 2 until reaches 1"

Heel section: short rows on 12 pegs. Wrap 2/3 of the 12 using short row technique.  (Use standard short row technique used for heels & toes) see video if you need help http://youtu.be/5e3J0fuYz-U PART 1
http://youtu.be/HDCtTqjDDPE PART 2


Row 3: FK
repeat row 3 until bootie measures 3 1/4" in length from back of heel.

Toe: Use Heel technique again then close with Kitchener stitch, Russian grafting or use decrease & drawstring method below.

Decrease by 4 stitches; adjust loom down as you go. It is suggested to place yarn on scrap yarn and adjust loom down, then place stitches back on and double peg that will decrease.
FK 1 row
Dcr by 4 sts; adjust loom
FK 1 row
Dcr by 4 sts; adjust loom
FK 1 row
Drawstring bind off
Weave in tails.

Make two booties.

©2013 GoodKnit Kisses
For personal use only.

Written Patterns vs Video and the People Behind Them

Which type of pattern do you prefer?  Do you like a written out pattern or one that is fully photo or fully video?  I think there is a happy medium.

Personally, written patterns with graphs or diagrams and/or a few progress photos are my preference. BUT I do like links to technique videos for those harder skills. These make it easier for people to dive into more intricate skills, especially if they don't have access to someone local to teach them on something they might otherwise pass up. 

Of course for GoodKnit Kisses I do this in all of my patterns, but I also make some patterns full video tutorials as well.  Even though the pattern is video I'm making an effort now to put the pattern on Ravelry or a digital store like Vivaloom.com or Etsy. In doing this I hope my video heavy audience will make the effort to leap into patterns for themselves.  

Since teaching on YouTube, obviously video works for myself and my audience. I find that we dismiss, as a whole, the auditory learner. I understand there is a discussion on Ravelry right now and some circles to dissuade and bad mouth videos in general.  I have not read these discussions or been dragged into any (only told by a few there are these discussions happening).  Honestly I don't feel the need to go into forums and justify what I do.  It's not for everyone.  However, some need to put auditory and visual moving cues together to tactically become aware of how to manipulate stitches. Many around the world do not have access locally or even regionally to a person or place to teach them advanced skills. Photos and videos do assist well for those people.

For me starting out I had no idea where to go.  My Local Yarn Store (LYS) that was still in business at the time was extremely rude to me when calling because I was loom knitting.  When searching for information on loom knitting I really didn't know what to search for.  All I knew was to search for the brand I was using. At the time I wasn't proficient at all how to use Google to my advantage and search for things.  My life in Interior Design and Commercial design, then floor covering, was completely unrelated.  No one near me had a clue and even craft stores at the time looked strangely at me.  At the time it was random to get a YouTube or any video to appear in search results.  Happily, a video popped up and I devoured watching it.  It was terribly done but really helped me.  I started clicking on and watching the few I could find.  As I learned terms and resources I gobbled up what I could but had this desire to help others who may need help like me.  You see, I also had a memory issue.

Back in 1995 I sustained a head injury which caused memory issues ever since.  Retaining skills and translating things from books into tactile knowledge and working the stitches over and over required more than repetition.  It caused a real NEED to see it over and over again.  There was no one to help me.  I would work on converting needle stitches over and figure it out but the next day would completely forget what I did or what the notes I had written meant. I started making videos to help myself and putting them online.  Knitting was becoming a therapy not only for my memory but was also helping me with post-partum.  I took it up after being inspired when reconnecting with an old friend on Facebook now living in another state.  She was knitting with needles but I had carpel tunnel and so the loom worked well for me then. Feeling worse then the "baby-blues", I took up arms strong in the knowledge I was crafty and smart.  "I can do all things!", I said to quote a popular scripture (Philippians 4:13).

I could talk all day about how I've progressed through the years and learned and even gained healing in many areas but its strays too far from the point in this article.  My point is, videos help people of all backgrounds and strengths.  SO when you go forward, think about what makes you uniquely you.  Think about how others may need to learn different because they are special in a different way as you are.  However, if you are someone like me who really does need that movement of video and audio working harmoniously…would you take the time to save the pattern, read through it and make an effort to learn?  Challenge yourself to new heights and even find more difficult things to learn.  You may discover a new part about yourself and LOVE it!  Besides, there will always be a community of people along the way who understand and can encourage you.

Much love to you all this Valentine's week.  Please comment below and let me low your story.  It is in sharing our own lives that we enrich others and even heal!

Happy Yarn Crafting everyone!

Blessings,

Kristen Mangus

GoodKnit Kisses

Beginner Loom Knitting (playlist)

Beginner Loom Knitting (playlist)

Here is a playlist with tons of videos to take you through techniques, tips, stitches and even projects as you learn.  Bookmark and share. Be sure to subscribe and stay in stitches! :-)

Kristen
GoodKnitKisses

Click here for the playlist


How to Loom Knit a Hat - Beginner (baby beanie)

Loom Knit - Baby Cocoon loom along

Loom Knit: Looms, Tools & Basic info Part 1 of 2 with CC

Yarn Class 101 Yarn Lingo & estimate yardage

How to Loom Knit: Beginner E wrap (ew) Stitch now with CC

How to Loom Knit: Purl (p) Stitch

Show & Tell Stitches: Loom Knit vs Needle Knit Talk (knit, u, flat, enwrap)

Loom Knitting: How to Basic Bind Off

Loom Knit Stitch Patterns: Garter (k & p)

Loom Knit Hat Brim that doesn't roll in Garter Stitch

Loom Knit: Roll Free Edge Rib Stitch for hat brim or blanket

Loom Knit Basics: Weave in extra yarn tail

Loom Knit Finish off Beginning Loose End of Panel

Finish and Weave in drawstring of hat

How to Drawstring Cast on a round loom Loom Knit

Loom Along: Soap Mesh Bag with Drawstring

Loom Knit: i Cord on a Spool Loom

Loom Knitting: Figure 8, Fishnet or Diamond Lace Stitch

Crafts: How to Make an easy PomPom

Loom Knit: Granny Round

Loom Knit: Stretchy Bind Off no crochet or needle

Easy Loom Knit Mesh Bag

Kids Korner: How to Finger Knit

Loom Knitting: How to Decrease Bind Off

Loom Knit: Seed Stitch

Loom Knit: Moss Stitch

Loom Knit: Picot Edge Bind off or Cast off Martha Stewart Loom

Loom Knit: Easy Stretchy Bind Off or Cast off

Loom Knitting: Increase Figure 8 Stitch

Loom Knitting: Decrease Figure 8 Stitch

Loom Along: How to Loom Knit a Lacy Infinity Scarf on Martha Stewart Loom

Stitch or Sew: Loom Knit Panels Together Invisible Seam for Blanket or scarf

Cowl Loom Along: Ridged Cowl by Lion Brand Yarns on Martha Stewart Loom

VLOG Loom Formulas Ear flaps, Visor Brims & Decreased crowns

How to Loom Knit: Visor for Newsboy Hat 48 peg loom

Loom Knit: P2tog or Purl 2 Together and YO or Yarn Over

Loom Knit: Triangle for Shawl or accent

Loom Knit: Earflaps Part 1 Start Earflaps

Loom Knit: Earflaps Part 2 Join Earflaps to hat

Loom Knit: Easy Bobble or Popcorn Stitch

Loom Knit: Kitchener Stitch or invisible stitch (socks, panel, headband)

Infant Hat Loom Decrease Crown 24 Peg Round Loom

Youth Hat Loom Decrease Crown 30 or 31 Peg Round Loom or Child beanie

Adult Hat Loom Decrease Crown 36 Peg Round Loom with CC

PART 1 Decrease Crown 48 Peg Round Purple Knifty Knitter loom sm gauge Adult

PART 2 Transfer 48 peg Decrease Crown to 24 peg Round Knifty Knitter Loom

Loom Knit - Baby Cocoon loom along

Loom Knit: How to Change Colors

Loom Knit: Easy Chain Cast On with crochet hook was crochet cast on by error

Loom Knit Stitches: Crossed Stockinette (ew & k)

Dew Drop Shawl loom along pattern on the AllnOne

Loom Knit: Quick Half Hitch Cast on

Fast Way to Finish yarn tails Weaving ends with Latch hook

Loom Along Hexagon Blanket by Charity Windham

Pattern - Triple Flip Scarf

Announcing the Triple Flip Scarf.

The Triple flip is a simple stitch pattern repeated until it reaches long enough to wrap around your neck 3 times and still be loose.

Loom(s): sample tested on AllnOne Knitting Board at 1 cm setting. Can use any knitting board or long loom at 3/8" gauge to 3/4" may need to adjust yarn size or number of strands to eliminate gaps. New Sock Loom 2 would be the same gauge (3/8") and smaller, less bulky loom choice for this small width pattern. The new Basic loom from KB basics kit would be nice and lightweight as well but is a slightly larger gauge (7/16").

Gauge: not important; just use an appropriate weight yarn for your loom for an ewrap stitch.

Yarn:
Sport or Worsted Weight. Purple Worsted weight used in sample and was heavier for cooler weather. 2 balls of Vanna's choice used in sample. White sample is Red Heart Shimmer. It was nice and light weight.


FB - Front Board
BB - Back Board
CO - Cast on
EW - EW
Sl - slip stitch
St - stitch(es)

Cast on 20 pegs in ewrap cast on in the following pattern
FB: EW CO 4 pegs
BB: Skip pegs 1-2. Cast on 3 pegs
FB: CO 3 pegs
BB: CO 3 pegs
FB: CO 3 pegs
BB: CO 4 pegs.

See Illustration for set up. Tech drawing courtesy of Charity Windham.

Slip 1st st of each row. EW remaining stitches. Knit till length is approximately 90" long with the working strand on the last peg (#20). Leave at least 1 yard of working strand and cut. Sample used 2 balls and ended at 500 rows of triple knit stitch (looks like 3 columns of ribs; the reverse is identical if item flips).

Bind off method options: Kitchener, Russian graft or sew.

Setup for bind off:
Leave live stitches on loom. Slide knitting needle on beginning end of panel. Fasten beginning end and live ends together using Kitchener method. Can transfer loom to needles to use needle Kitchener method or choose loom method by doing the following: use scrap yarn or cable needle to move live loom stitches to front board in order of stitches. Now place beginning end of panel on back board making sure to come up through the middle of the loom and placing all 20 stitches back on the loom onto the back board.

Use loom knitting Kitchener stitch notes as below. See video link for additional help.
http://youtu.be/2IBM8CbvmNo

An easier method is to use the Russian grafting technique with a crochet hook; it navigates back and front working each stitch. Use knitting needles of a smaller size than your loops just to hold the stitches. See end of the following video of the hexagon blanket for this technique. Start at minute 24:40. http://youtu.be/SZZt6cOFu2Y

As always in grafting there will be a half stitch jog. You can also sew your ends together with a tapestry needle and matching yarn.

Weave in tails.

Have fun playing with ways to wear your scarf. You can also stack them to look like a taller and thicker cowl as well or infinity scarf.

Happy Looming!

Kristen Mangus

P.S. This pattern was designed in 2012 by Kristen.

©2013 GoodKnit Kisses
Http://www.goodknitkisses.com
Http://www.youtube.com/goodknitkisses

Mitered Square - Picot Lovey free pattern

Have you wanted to make an easy mitered square on a loom? Together with Charity, we have designed a mitered square that will work well for you. You can actually do this on any loom and with more stitches. This particular pattern was created to go with my Picot Layette set and was inspired by the new sock loom 2 from Authentic Knitting Board. I was privileged to get an advance preview of the loom and got so excited that I created 3 new patterns. A Picot Lovey (mitered square with picot optional add-on edge), Picot Booties, and a Picot Bonnet.

If you are familiar with Charity Windham's Hexagon baby blanket you will be able to make the mitered square in no time. The video for the Hexagon will help you understand the principle

Here is the pattern below. Enjoy!
(Originally written June 11th, 2013)

Picot Lovey
By Kristen Mangus & Charity Windham
Designed on June 11, 2013

Loom: small gauge loom 3/8" at least 54 pegs. Knitting Board Sock Loom 2 was used on sample

Notions:
Removable stitch marker
Crochet hook

Yarn: Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable color Petunia. Less than 1 skein used.

Size: approximately 14-15". Sample lightly water blocked and pinned.

Gauge: swatches in garter stitch 4 stitches per in. And 7 rows per inch. For a 24" square cast on 96 pegs on a 3/8" loom

Abbreviations:
HS - half stitch
K - ewrap (you can also u knit)
CO - cast on (cable method for border see video)
Sl - Slip stitch (skip/ignore this 1st st)
St - stitch
BO - Bind off

Cast On 54 pegs from 54 to 1 (I like to use the chain method to do this but a double ewrap or yarn over cast on will work well. See video to help on start)

Place marker on peg 2
* peg 54 is always HS*

HS peg 1, K 52, HS peg 54
Sl 1, p back to marker making sure to purl the marker stitch (note all purl rows will always slip the 1st st even if not stated)
HS where marker is
Move marker one peg

*K to peg 53, hS peg 54
Sl 1, Purl back to marker (purl at marker)
HS where marker is
Move marker one peg*

Continue until all pegs but peg 54 have been wrapped. Purl last peg.

*HS peg 54, k to marker (lift 2 loops over 1)
Purl back to peg 53*
Repeat until all 54 pegs have only 1 loop and complete 1 more purl row.

Loose bind off.

Optional: Picot border around entire piece.(see below)

Place all stitches of one side back on the loom (54 stitches or the same that were originally cast on)
CO 2, BO 4 until all stitches have been worked. * http://youtu.be/qWkTu8T8KeM Begin Picot Bind Off*.
*This is an alternate to my standard picot bind off in the round just for flat panels.
**Cable CO 2, BO 4 (** rep between **,** til one st left on loom, EW 1 cut tail and pull through)
Details on adding the picot:
Place 1 side of your panel on the loom being careful to take one stitch from each side.  Start with your finished end and pick up 54 stitches evenly. (see below for NOTES ON ROWS).  For every 2 stitches it will make 1 picot between them.  Make sure you have two empty pegs to the right. Place a slip knot on the 3rd peg (the first one with a stitch from the existing panel). Now Cast on 2 then bind off 4 pegs. When you do that the first two stitches on the panel will be done and it leaves you with one picot. Repeat for remaining stitches on that side. Repeat for all sides. TIP: Use a removable stitch marker.  Place on 2nd stitch from end (with will be your 4th bind off stitch).  When you have bound off enough stitches it will be uncovered and you'll know to move the marker back two stitches and cast on your next 2 stitches.

NOTES ON ROWS: For the side with rows, with the sets of garters and not the columns of stitches, you'll want to pick up the same number of stitches as you do on the beginning and finished sides of your knitting.  The two true "sides" will give you too many picots if you pick up too many stitches.


Repeat this process for all 4 sides.


Weave in tails.

Block.

Blocking instructions:
I suggest a wet block approach.  This is safe for all types of yarn.
If you have a machine washable fiber you can run it through the washer then follow pinning instructions below.  If a natural fiber wash by hand with a recommended mild detergent then follow pinning instructions below.










Washing Instructions:

I prefer washing by hand in my plastic basin with a product called Soak. This detergent is formulated to not need rinsing. Mix with one tsp of detergent to 1 gallon of water.  Use spring or filtered tap. Mix up with your hand in a clean sink or basin. Place knitting in and let soak in for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze the water out or place in a dry white towel and roll.  Knitting will be damp.







Pinning Instructions:
Need:
Blocking Board(s) or clean kids play-mats
T-pins that are rust-resistant

Lay knitting on blocking board and pin the corners evenly with 1 pin in each corner.  On one side start pinning behind each picot to have a nice straight line. Adjust corner pins as necessary.  Repeat for adjacent side and work your way to the corner opposite your first starting pin.  Try to match the sizing pinned from the first side. Now skip the adjacent side and go to the side opposite of the 2nd side you pinned.  After pinning behind each picot  Adjust the criers as needed and complete the last side.

Leave knitting until it is dry.  Be sure to place in a well ventilated area with good air circulation.


Pattern for personal use only.

Happy Knitting!









Sock Loom 2 Review

Virtual Loom Along and Challenge - loom knit picot flower

April Showers have certainly brought May flowers!

In a festive flower celebration, I'm hosting a virtual 

loom along from May 1 through 14th!  

Come join me on my Facebook or Google+ pages for fun posting and knitting together.  

Lets share photos of what we make and creations to use our flowers on.  Email me your photos @ gkkcontests@gmail.com by May 14th (see challenge rule details) and I'll be drawing for a winner.  Winner(s) will receive PDF patterns and I might get to throw some yarn in the mix!

We'll upload them to our Flickr site to feel the love of all the flower power!


Patterns and yarn to give away?! What?!


Check out my Website for details on how to enter the Picot Flower Challenge!

We’re challenging YOU to make a Picot Star or Picot Petal, submit your photo & be entered to win!

Please see the Contest Rules at the link below. If you do not know how to make them you can access the free flower patterns & video loom alongs by clicking here! 

Please visit out my main YouTube channel and if you are not subscribed, I’d be honored if you’d subscribe and check it out.  I am a YouTube Crafting Guru.  I teach how to loom & needle knit with a little crochet, general crafting & design as well. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhmDNssauW8

                                                       

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RaESjWsWEU

Here is the Yarny Link:

http://goodknitkisses.com/GoodKnit_Kisses/Giveaways_Contests.html

If we have an overwhelming response 2nd & 3rd drawings will take place for additional winners.  All winners will receive a GoodKnit Kisses pdf pattern of their choice (by email) and a signed postcard from Kristen just for fun! :-)  See this link for the card.  Feel free to download to make your own card to keep or hand out for other loom knitters. 

Good Luck & Happy Knitting!!

©2013 GoodKnit Kisses

http://www.goodknitkisses.com

http://www.youtube.com/goodknitkisses.com