YARN EQUIVALENTS

2 strands of thread weight = Lace weight to fingering

2 strands of lace weight = fingering to sock to sport weight

2 strands of sock = sport weight to DK

2 strands of sport = DK or light worsted

2 strands of DK = Worsted or Aran

2 strands of Worsted = Chunky

2 strands of Aran = Chunky to Super Bulky

2 strands of Chunky = Super bulky to Jumbo

SUBSTITUTING YARN

Can't find the right yarn to use? I recently stumbled upon this page. You might find it helpful. Yarn Subs

5 WAYS TO GET OUT OF YOUR KNITTING RUT

Have you ever been in a knitting rut? What a difficult spot to be in! You just can’t seem to put the finishing touches on a sweater, or you put something aside because it doesn’t need to be worked on right away, or a project became overwhelming and you put it in ‘time out’, or your creativity seems to have completely vanished! And there can be other reasons for feeling blah about knitting. I’ve tried to make a small list of ways to help you get back on track.

1. Re-think the projects that you have on the needles.

When you have a lot of WIPs, it sometimes is a good idea to really take a look at what they are and if you really need, or want, to finished them. There is nothing anywhere that says you have to finish a project that you have cast on. Sometimes you simply are not interested anymore in finishing an item. If you have a long list of WIPs, it is helpful to prioritize the projects and finish them up starting with the one that will take the least amount of time. Before you know it, they get done. It’s energizing to check them off the list!

2. Have you hit a wall with a new or complicated stitch or pattern?

Sometimes we get stuck in mid-knitting with a stitch or pattern we just can’t seem to understand. Pick a quiet time to work on the problem. Check with your local yarn shop for a class. Google for the information. Or get together with a knitting friend who can help you. It’s always very freeing to solve these problems so you can get on with you knitting.

3. Take a class at your local yarn shop.

Most yarn shops offer group and/or private lessons. Learning a new technique can open up a whole new excitement about knitting. If you find you’ve been feeling a bit underwhelmed by your latest projects, maybe it’s time to learn something new.

4. Give yourself a challenge.

Have you ever done a MKAL or KAL? They are challenging and usually a little time sensitive. It kind of prompts you along to get it done!!! And often you are learning something new.

5. If all else fails.

Try working on a project that supports your knitting. Reorganize your stash. Make up kits of projects you would like to make, using your stash. Make stitch markers. Create a new projects journal. Sew a project bag.

HOW TO MAKE BOBBLES

3 Stitch Bobble (K1, YO, K1) into the same stitch. You now have 3 sts on the right needle. Pass the 2nd and 3rd stitches over the 1s stitch on the right needle. Bring the yarn to the front. Slip the first stitch on the right needle to the left needle. Bring the yarn to the back again going in between the needles wrapping around and under the bobble. Slip the stitch back to the right needle.Give it a little tug to strangle it into place.

5 Stitch Bobble (K1,YO, K1, YO, K1) into the same stitch. You now have 5 sts on the right needle. Turn and P5. Turn and K5. Turn. P2tog, P1, P2tog. Turn. Sl 1, k2tog, psso. Bring the yarn to the front. Slip the first stitch on the right needle to the left needle. Bring the yarn to the back again going in between the needles wrapping around and under the bobble. Slip the stitch back to the right needle. Give it a little tug to strangle it into place.

STOCKINETTE STITCH KITCHENER STITCH METHOD

Thread a tapestry needle (TN) with yarn. Holding needles parallel with working yarn on back needle, insert TN as if to purl in first st on front needle, leaving st on needle. Insert TN as if to knit on first st on back needle, leaving st on needle.

*Front needle: Insert TN as if to knit in first st, sl st from needle; insert TN as if to purl in next st on front needle, leave st on needle.

Back needle: Insert TN as if to purl in first st, sl st from needle; insert TN as if to knit in next st on back needle, leave st on needle*.

Continue from * to * until one stitch remains on each needle. Capture these 2 stitches to finish.

GARTER STITCH KITCHENER STITCH METHOD

Thread a tapestry needle (TN) with yarn. Holding needles parallel with working yarn on back needle, insert TN as if to purl in first st on front needle, leaving st on needle. Insert TN as if to purl on first st on back needle, leave st on needle.

*Front needle: Insert TN as if to knit on first st, sl st from needle; insert TN as if to purl in next st on front needle, leave st on needle.

Back needle: Insert TN as if to knit in first st, sl st from needle; insert TN as if to purl in next st on back needle, leave st on needle*.

Continue from * to * until one stitch remains on each needle. Capture these 2 stitches to finish.

Underarm Kitchener Stitch

Sl sts from body underarm to one knitting needle and sts from sleeve underarm on another, with outside of work facing you. Make sure the sts are mounted on the needles in the correct direction. Follow directions for Kitchener st *to*. To fill in small holes that remain on both sides of underarm sts joined by the Kitchener st, thread tail ends of yarn in TN. Turn sweater inside out, gently circle the hole with threaded TN, turn right side out, check it to be certain it is the way you like it, go back inside and weave in yarn end. Weave in any remaining yarn ends..