New Knitting and Crochet Patterns Coming Soon!

 

Here are two new projects that will be written up soon for the website. 

The first is this lovely, easy to wear long, shaped cardigan. It’s done from the top down (yea!), so there is only a little sleeve seaming.  The sleeves are wide, the waist is shaped with a flattering ribbed waistline, and there are two really fun gathered patch pockets in front.  A pretty vine lace panel is worked in the front and the collar is shaped and generous.

Here’s the great-looking back view:

Then, there is my new purse!  It’s crocheted in a soft cotton/microfiber blend.  LOVE the colors (matches our living room, actually!).

The front and back pieces are crocheted from the center out.  The two pieces are then crocheted together and the strap pieces are crocheted.  Notice the knotted crochet accents that gather the leather straps at the base of each silver ring.  Pretty cool, huh?

The pretty texture of this stitch inspired the whole design!

 
And here is a view of the great lining fabric I found!  I just loved the graphic floral print!

Increasing multiple stitches at the end of a row.

Dear Sweaterbabe,

I am working on a pattern for a baby undershirt and it calls for some drastic increasing. I can manage the part that says increase one stich at each end six times. But how do you increase 3 stiches at each end for two rows and then increase 5 stiches at each end for two rows??

— J

Dear J,

To increase multiple stitches at the end of a row, you really need to “cast on” those stitches.  Is this increasing part to add the arms to the undershirt and you are working the undershirt from the bottom up?  That’s my best guess.

To increase 3 sts at the end of a row, you can use the single strand cast-on method to add 3 sts.  First, wrap the yarn around your left thumb as shown:

Then, use your right needle tip to pick up the strand in FRONT of your left thumb from the BOTTOM up:

 Here is the strand getting picked up:

Remove your left thumb from the loop and let it form on your right needle.  You’ve just increased the 1st of the 3 sts.  Repeat from the first photo 2 times for 3 sts.  [Note: It looks like you added 2 sts here, but these photos were from a project that illustrated another technique as well.)

Alternately, you can increase 3 by using a “knit on” cast on method.  For instance, if you just turned your work, knit the first stitch, but place this completed stitch on your left needle (just by slipping it back on – inserting your left needle tip into the stitch front to back).  You’ve just increased 1 stitch.  Knit this new stitch again and place the just completed stitch on your left needle.  Now you’ve increased 2 stitches.  Repeat again for 3 stitches.  Turn.

Knit your 3 new stitches and complete the row, then turn your work and add on the 3 for your other end using the same method to get your “increase 3 sts at each end.”

Hope that explains it!

— SweaterBabe

If you have a knitting or crochet question for SweaterBabe, please email it to advice@sweaterbabe.com.  Please do NOT post it as a comment here.  Not all questions can be answered due to the large volume of questions, but many are selected and answered each month here on the Blog and in the SweaterBabe.com newsletters.  Thanks!

Changing Colors and Weaving in Loose Ends

Dear SweaterBabe,

I am sooooo frustrated with adding a different color to crochet item. I try and try to do the loop thru stitch before– but ALWAYS they are the 1st ones to com apart when i wash the item. N E advice to help??

— Donna from Iowa

Dear Donna,

As a knitting and crochet instructor, I always make sure I cover the topic of weaving in loose ends as the proper way to finish all knit and crochet items.  Unfortunately, so many knitters and crocheters are completely unaware of this finishing technique or were never really taught the right way to do it!  It’s too bad, because doing it right can make all the difference in how long your projects will last (especially if they are to be washed frequently).

So, to answer your specific question, you are correct in changing to the new color by using the new color for the final “yarn over and pull through” of your last stitch.  However, I highly recommend that you leave a 6-8″ tail of BOTH the new and old color.  These 6-8″ tails will be the loose ends that will hang from your work until you are ready for finishing.  Then, they will be “woven” in at finishing to complete the project.

You can also tie the new and old colors together in a loose knot if you prefer (keep it loose so that you can undo the know when you are ready for finishing).  Otherwise, just leave them loose and any stitches next to the joining that need to be tightened can be tightened when the loose ends get woven in.

How do you weave in the loose ends?  Thread each of the 6-8″ tails into a yarn/tapestry needle (a sewing needle that is made for yarn) and “weave” the needle into your knitted or crocheted fabric with the goal of hiding your needle (so that the loose strand will get hidden in your work).  For instance, if your loose end is at the edge or your work, begin poking your tapestry needle into your work starting at the edge and working in or along the edge (depends on where it can best be hidden).  As you poke your needle in the fabric, if you see large parts of your needle through your work, you should pull the needle out and try again. 

The goal here is to really bury the yarn inside the fabric.  For crochet fabrics, this is a bit easier due to the thickness of crochet.  I often hide loose ends in the insides of a row of single crochet, or along the base of a row of double crochet stitches.  For knitting, I often split the yarn and hide the loose end that way. 

I recommend weaving in the loose end for about 2″ in one direction, then changing directions and weaving in the loose end another 2″.  This sounds like a lot, but I believe it’s necessary to ensure that that loose end will never worm itself out enough to cause anything to unravel.  This is especially important if the yarn is a slipperly silk or rayon blend.

Be sure to hide each loose end in its same color area.  And if you are hiding loose ends near a seam, just hide the end in the inside of the seam.

Hope that answers your questions!

— SweaterBabe

Do you have a knitting or crochet question for SweaterBabe?  Email it to advice@sweaterbabe.com.  Please do not post it as a comment here.  Unfortunately, not all questions can be answered due to the large volume of questions, but many are chosen and answered here on the Blog and through the SweaterBabe.com newsletters. Thanks!