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.

Yarn Class 101 Yarn Lingo & estimate yardage

Yarn Slang explained (skein, ball, hank, cake), How to use a Yarn Swift and Ball Winder, and How to  calculate yards used on a knit or crochet project.

What is a skein of yarn?
What is a center pull ball?
What is an LYS?
What is a hank?
What is a yarn cake?
What is a Yarn Swift and how do I use one?
What is a Yarn Ball Winder and how to I use one?
How to figure out how much yarn I need or know how many yards are left?
How can I use a gram or postal scale to determine yards of yarn?
http://youtu.be/H8GCve7Vm8Q

All these questions compacted into this class less than 15 minutes.  Sit back, watch and share.  If you like what you see please subscribe!

Happy Crafting!!

Kristen Mangus
Copyright 2014 GoodKnit Kisses

Website                    Http://www.goodknitkisses.com
GKK YouTube            Http://www.youtube.com/GoodknitKisses
Blog                          Http://goodknitkisses.blogspot.com
Http://www.facebook.com/groups/LoomKnitClub

Patterns for sale:
Cowl-lick Knitwear a miniponcho Triangle Cowl http://etsy.me/127HQh9
Chic Retreat Cowl http://t.co/D05voukj
Striped Afghan on S loom http://ow.ly/fQveA
Slouchy Newsboy Hat (with alternate for no slouch) http://ow.ly/fQwgj
Twisted Keyhole Scarflette or Scarf Double Knit (unisex all ages) http://ow.ly/fQwNB
Mossy Earflap Hat (specify for infant or toddler) http://ow.ly/fQxjN
Ribbed Banded Beanie with 4 point flower top (EASY) http://ow.ly/fQxGA

Thank you for subscribing & watching!

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

Yarn Giveaway & Granny Round Challenge 2013

GoodKnit Kisses is giving away 10,000 feet of free yarn!!!

Check out my Website for details on how to enter the Granny Round Challenge! Also check out the YouTube video vlog for more.

This month GoodKnitKisses celebrates our 2nd year on YouTube!  We are nearing 10,000 subscribers! (Currently we’re at 9,388 as of 01/03/2013). In celebration we will be having CHALLENGE GIVEAWAY!  We’re challenging YOU to make something, submit your photo & be entered to win 10,000 feet of yarn!

Please see the Contest Rules at the link below. If you do not know how to make a loom knit granny round you can access my free pattern & also a video loom along by clicking here! It’s a popular quick project.  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://youtu.be/nICdjeEBMQc

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

That's Loom Knit?! Chic Retreat Cowl

LOOM PATTERN & VIDEO ALERT! Hi everyone, I hope you're doing well!

I wanted to announce to you today that my latest pattern is up on the vivaloom.com website! It is for my Chic Retreat Cowl with a lot of visual interest and texture. There is also a LOOM ALONG VIDEO, to go along with it & help you. I'd love for you to tackle this intermediate-advanced project to learn something new and exercise your creativity knowing there is a video to aid you the whole way.

You need to be able to use a small gauge loom with ability to knit in the round 96 pegs. It was written for the All-N-One loom but you can use the Martha Stewart loom with the for corner pieces and the two longest straight pieces & small pegs in every hole.

Here is the link: https://www.vivaloom.com/node/171


If you want to try a stitch sampler, cast on 17 stitches. Use the chart in the pattern to guide you. It will help with technique. The 17 stitches are for the chain lace part. The crossed sections won't be totally be even on crosses but you'll get the idea.

Have fun and Happy Looming!!



Blessings,
Kristen

http://www.GoodKnitKisses.com
For pattern shop, blog, & tutorials

LOCS of Love - A Loom Knitting movement

IDEA!!! Mission: Occupy Craft Stores

Think of how impacting our loom knitting community could be if we all ban together to promote looming! That would be an amazing thing we could all do by going to our local Craft stores and bring some of our more unique items with looms to show to workers and passers by! It can just be you bringing your project bag at first. If it expands maybe they'll let some do their own demo table. Let's call it "Looms Occupy Craft Stores"! Or LOCS for short. LOL!!! LOCS of Love!

I could put together a video to promote it and even send mailers to people to pass out or email a PDF you could print and pass with a QR code to link to a video or my learning YouTube channel.

Let me know what you think!

Also PLEASE come request to join my Facebook closed type group mainly for loom knitters (open to needle & crochet, too!). We are on there 24/7 sharing ideas and helping each other. Here is the link. By the way it is a closed group to make our posts private to the rest of Facebook. It is also a safe zone there rated PG for my younger audience and friends. No bullying allowed. I hope you'll join us!
Http://www.facebook.com/groups/LoomKnitClub

Happy Looming!!
Kristen

Http://www.goodknitkisses.com
Http://www.youtube.com/goodknitkisses

Vlog: Upcoming Patterns Blog on Video

This is Kristen at GoodKnit Kisses. Join me as Io Vlog on my upcoming patterns and projects I'm working on.

©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Banded Beanie with Decreased Crown FREE LOOM KNIT PATTERN!

Well I finally sat down and wrote my own pattern!  It is now published on my website and Ravelry. I will post it here as well.  I have also made a video of it and will be releasing it in parts (UPDATE 5/31 added videos at bottom of post!).  I hope you all like it.  I started with the basic beanie.  I added the brim for finishing.  Adding a few horizontal bands for fun I think it looks nice. But the biggest thing is the decrease top or "crown" of the hat.  Usually the basic loom knit beanies are very bulky but this one is nice and clean. 

Here is the pattern.  Keep watching for the videos, Happy Looming!!''


Banded Beanie with Decreased Crown
by Kristen at GoodKnit Kisses

Skill Level: Beginner, level up

You will need:
*2 balls of main color (white) worsted weight
*1 ball of 2nd color (pink) worsted weight
*loom knitting hook
*crochet hook (J or K)
*round 24 peg loom (I used the Knifty Knitter or KK in blue)
Note: You can adjust the pattern for a larger hat by adding more rows of color or bands till you get the size you desire. Note to adjust for the rows at the top for decreasing.

We will use the E-wrap or Twisted Knit Stitch (also called TBL through the back loop) for all stitches. Feel free to change the stitches and make it your own.  I’m keeping it basic but adding the banding for fun.

(Watch http://www.youtube.com/goodknitkisses for video tutorials on this hat)

*Color & Alternates: Please note that you can skip the brim for a rolled look and leave out rows 2-5 (4 rows total) The E-wrap is a stockinette and the stitches will roll if a brim is not created on the hat or a use a Garter Stitch Pattern for the brim. This pattern can also be done in a solid or variegated yarn without changing color.  Use 2-3 strands of yarn and knit till desired length, then skip to the DECREASED CROWN section.

Abbreviations: KO = Knit offEW = E-wrap

CAST ON: (Click for VIDEO of PART 1)
1.Cast on to KK with 1 strand of each color (1 white & 1 pink) in the E-wrap method.  Place your slipknot on peg 1 and let the tail fall inside the loom.  This will get wrapped up inside the brim or you can wrap it on your cast on pegs. Cast on wraps all pegs one time all the way around the loom and then wrap around again.  Knit off (KO) which is lifting the bottom 2 loops over the top two loops (the pink & white).  Your cast on row is round 1 or row 1.

MAKING THE BRIM:
2. Rows 2-9: EW
3.Take the first row the loose stitches and place them back on the pegs.  Be sure you are following the line of the stitches back up and not twisting them to the left or right.  KO

MAIN HAT BODY: (Click for VIDEO of PART 2)
4.Rows 10-12: EW
5.CHANGE COLORS:  tie on your second ball of white yarn to the pink strand and cut the pink. Now you have 2 strands of white.
6.Rows 13-16: EW – makes 1st white “band”
7.ADD COLOR: Either tie on the pink to one of the white strands or make a slip knot and add the pink on peg 1. You will have 3 strands on your loom.  *ALTERNATE I did this for a small fade from white into two color or you can go ahead and cut off one ball of white.
8.Row 17: EW
9.TAKE OUT COLOR: Cut off one of the white strands leaving 1 pink and one white on the loom.  Wrap the tail end on the loom.
10.Rows 18-20: EW
11.CHANGE COLOR: Tie on white and cut off pink, wrapping in tail
12.Rows 21-23: EW – makes smaller 2nd white “band”
13.ADD Color: Tie on Pink strand and leave all 3 strands on for the rest of the hat.  This masks holes in the top when decreasing.
14.Rows 24-26: EW (Note my hat is now about 5 ½” long before decreasing the crown.  Add rows here if you want longer length.)

DECREASE & CAST OFF: (Click for VIDEO of PART 3)
15.We are going to divide our loom visually into 4 sections (6 pegs in each section for a 24 peg loom). In round 1 of this section we will move the 2nd peg loop over to the 1st peg.  Do not KO at this time.  Move to the next section and do this again. Repeat 2 more times.  Now KO.  Wrap all remaining pegs again & KO. This completes hat Row 27. (You should have 20 pegs remaining).
16.Now take peg 4 over to peg 3 and wait to KO.  Repeat for all 4 sections. KO all four pegs.  Wrap all remaining pegs & KO. This complete Row 28. (You should have 16 pegs remaining).
17.Now take peg 6 over to peg 5 and wait to KO.  Repeat for all 4 sections. KO all four pegs.  Wrap all remaining pegs & KO.  This complete Row 29. (You should have 12 pegs remaining).
18. CAST OFF with draw string method.  I don’t use a tapestry needle here but you can.  Leave the balls of yarn attached & wrap the loom 2 times all the way around.  Cut off the strands from the balls of yarn.
19.Start to the left of the peg where the working yarn is coming out of; Leaving the yarn attached take your working yarn under the loop on the peg & with your loom tool reach under the loop & scoop out the working yarns (like a purl) continue pulling all the extra yarn through the loop.  LEAVE the loop on the peg. WEAVING IN THE LOOSE YARNS TO MAKE A DRAWSTRING.
20.Move to the next loop to the left and pull the working yarns through again and leave loop on the peg. Continue until ALL pegs have the working strands woven through, including the beginning loom the strands came out of.
21.Take all loops off of the loom & pull the drawstring. Feed the extra through the top & turn your hat inside out.  Using a crochet hook loop the extra through a few spots tying off to secure.  Cut off the access.
22.Weave in all loose strands from changing colors with hook & turn inside out. 


©2011 GoodKnit Kisses (Original publish date May 23, 2011)

Garters: Ain't just for holdin' stockings!

Garter Belt? Garter stitch!

Yes, it is the Garter Stitch.  The tried and true.  The classic knit sequence stitch pattern of running a row of knit stitches and then a row of purl and back to knit. Start your project & finish in this stitch on your panel, scarf, or hat won't curl on you like a stockinette.  Below is the video for the Garter Stitch.  If you need to slow down for a tutorial on the knit & the purl stitches I've placed them in this blog as well.  As always please subscribe to my channel and 2nd click on it to email you when I upload so you'll get the latest.  Stay tuned for the Seed and moss stitches.

Happy Looming!   ©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Up in Stitches!!

Getting started on the loom? START HERE for your first cast on and stitch technique.

First Loom Stitch: E wrap or Single Stitch

When you first pick up a loom, the instruction book usually teaches you ONE stitch.  It is called the Ewrap or in regular knitting also called the single stitch. These stitches are abbreviated as ew or ss respectively.  The Ewrap makes a stockinette type stitch.  This type usually curls on you. Lets say you make a hat. If you don't make a brim from the instructions (or pattern) then the end of the hat will curl.  You can solve this by learning new stitches to start a project in and then continue in the ewrap for the remainder.  Many times I will start with a garter stitch as my brim and then ewrap.  BTW a hat is the quickest beginner project.  It works up fast and tells you you're doing well.  Be sure to pick up a Bulky #5 yarn for your first project or 2 skeins of worsted yarn in a #3 or #4 to use together at the same time.

The ewrap simply wraps the peg in a lower case "e" fashion where it crosses on the inside of the loom.  Check out this beginners tutorial below to see it and hear some tips along the way.  As always..I'm a goof.

(Stay tuned fairly quickly for I will show you both the knit (k) and purl (p) stitches to make the garter stitch pattern.)

Have fun! Be sure to come back and tell me what you've made and your progress! Happy Looming!!

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

© 2011 GoodKnit Kisses

AllFreeKnitting

Hi everyone!!
I have a few exciting announcements and TWO great tutorial videos are below:

I'm super pleased to announce I am now working along side of AllFreeKnitting.com to bring you the latest in Loom Knitting Tutorials on my YouTube Site and on AllFreeKnitting's site as well! A very big thanks to Mikey at mikeyssmail & The Crochet Crowd for hooking me up!

I am also happy to announce I have purchased my website but until I can get enough funding, through partnering with YouTube it will be delayed getting up and running.  WILL YOU HELP ME??? Please subscribe to my channel at goodknitkisses and pass the word to your friends.  You can opt to get an email every time I make a video or leave the box blank.  MY GOAL IS 800 SUBSCRIBERS!  Please help me get there :-)  For my videos to remain free, this will really go a long way. Thanks inadvance for your help.

My Publisher has approved of the following videos.  These are the first in the line and I have decided to start at the basics for beginners or traditional knitters who want to try their hand at learning.  Check out Part 1 for an introduction on looms and Part 2 for yarn selections and project ideas. Again, loom knitting is fun even for grade-schoolers.  SO grab a loom and get started today! Happy Looming!

DID THIS HELP YOU? Please comment below.  I'd love to hear from YOU!

Loom Knit: NEW Triple Rib Stitch Revealed

OMG I'm soooo excited! I did a totally original loom video!!! My YouTube - Please subscribe!

This stitch is usually done on needles only and I've never seen it on a loom...until Now! Yay!  

Have fun, Thanks for watching and Happy Looming!!
©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Rectangle Loom: Casting Off & Finish Loose Beginning End of Panel

Hi loom fans!

Today I've uploaded two new videos to my YouTube Site!

One video shows casting off the rectangular loom from a Twisted Knit Stitch or Single Rib Stitch.

The next video does something I've never found by using Google or searching videos on YouTube.  When I first learned to loom knit I figured out how to cast off or bind off my project from the loom but the starting end or side (beginning part you first cast on) always loosed "looser" than the final side.  If you crochet then it doesn't bother you.  You are probably finishing that end or adding a crochet border around he whole piece.  I didn't know how to make this EASIER so I made up my own.  The benefit was no extra yarn was needed!!  This is great if you ran out of that yarn after making a long scarf or panel.  It's also very quick!  I hope this helps you on your next project.  PLEASE come back and comment or let me know on my YouTube channel.  I'd love to hear from you.  Here is the video...thanks for tuning in and Happy Looming!! ©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for ALL new videos.  I may not always blog about them :-)

How To Loom Knit the Twisted Knit Stitch

Hello Looming friends!

I've uploaded my first tutorial.  The video will be included below or you can catch it and new videos by subscribing to my YouTube channel.  Just click subscribe and check the box to email you.  You'll be emailed when I upload videos.

This first video is my first attempt and I'm working out the kinks.  Thank you for your graciousness as I may fumble...don't we all? :-)

WHAT YOU'LL SEE: 
Quick Introduction to different Loom Types (showing some I have in the background)

Using Long green loom (rectangle)
Making a home made Styler (for quick setup of yarns on pegs)
We'll Cast On using two strands. (Note for beginners-This is how you put the yarn on at first to get started)
Cast On Method - Twisted Knit Stitch
Main Stitch Method/Pattern - Twisted Knit Stitch

WHAT YARN IS USED:
2 strands of #3 or 4 yarn in two different colors. 
(Just a standard crafting acrylic yarn.  You can use wool, cotton or acrylic.  This is just what I used.)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Beginner - This video I go a bit slow.  if you are new to loom knitting this is a great video for you.

IDEAS FOR THIS STITCH:
This stitch is great for scarves, lovey, blankets, placemats, pot holders (in cotton!) and a number of other projects you can build from panels.

Twisted Knit Stitch


Please come back and tell me what you made from this stitch.  I'd love to hear from YOU!

Have fun everyone, Happy Looming!!