The decision has been made! This site will 1 - show off my own knitting and 2 - hopefully become a resource for knitters, new and experienced. You'll find photos of some of my projects (with new ones every week or two, with luck), and soon you'll be able to send me a message to ask for help or make a comment. I'll add patterns as they come available, and links to good knitting sites, whether it's a manufacturer, yarn shop, magazine or a help site. And I just might get a little bloggy every once in awhile - consider yourself warned!

Knitting is...

more than just a hobby for me - it’s a passion! I rarely sit still for too long without knitting something. I love my Local Yarn Shop (you’ll see this abbreviated on knitting web sites as LYS), the woman who runs it and all the knitters I have met while working and teaching there. I’ve made lots of things, from tiny infant-sized mittens to queen-sized afghans, and sweaters in a variety of sizes and yarn weights. Some people have asked me, “What’s your favorite knitting project?” It’s a hard question to answer, because they’re all my favorites, otherwise they never would have been finished!

The Sock Page

Have you tried socks? Do ya wanna? There is nothing like slipping on a pair of socks made for you - and only you! You can make them any time - even in the heat of the summer - because they’re small. Imagine the looks you’ll get sitting by the pool with an iced tea knitting a pair of socks! If you’ve already made socks, click here for a few tips and some ideas to try. If you’ve never made them do to my Links page -what are you waiting for?.

About The Mitten Venture

The Mitten Venture started just before Thanksgiving in 2005. I had little bits, big bits, partial skeins and full skeins of yarn stored in my front bedroom (aka The Walk-In Closet), all left over from one project or another. I had been thinking about making mittens - they’re small, quick and easy to make - and donating them to the local Girl Scout Troop’s Mitten Tree. I had nothing on my needles, I reasoned, so why not start now? I started knitting on November 26 and by December 17 I had made 14 pairs of mittens in a variety of sizes and colors. In between I also designed tags to tie onto each pair. Each tag has a graphic of yarn and needles, says "Hand Knit for You" and "Machine Wash & Dry" and has a line where I write in the size. (Most of my stash is polyester, so the wash/dry note was easy. As I get into leftover wool blends, I'll revise the tags.) My pattern is easy, an amalgam of three that I really liked. The sizes range from infant (with no thumb) to a large child (a 12 year old), and are made on three needles so there’s no seam. Have you ever wanted to make mittens on three needles? Give it a try with my 3-needle mitten pattern. Have fun!

Knit Well!

Louise

This site is ©2007-2012 Katmandu Studio / Louise Cote
Updated October 2012
HOME

LINKS TO NEAT KNITTING-RELATED WEBSITES

PLEASE NOTE: I don’t know most of the folks that put these web sites together. I might have visited the sites once or twice, or they might have recommended to me by another knitter, but most of them have good information on them. All sites listed here, whether they be magazines, websites, retailers or other sites are for reference only and are trademarks of and copyrighted by their respective owners. No endorsement is intended (by me or by them) nor should be implied.

MAGAZINES - I'll add more as I find 'em
CastOn Magazine and The Knitters Guild Association- http://www.tkga.com/
CrochetMe (hey, some people crochet, too!) - http://www.crochetme.com
Family Circle Easy Knitting - http://www.fceasyknitting.com
Interweave Knits - http://www.interweave.com/knit/default.asp
Knit.1 - http://www.knit1mag.com/
Knitters Magazine - http://knittinguniverse.com/
Knitty (on-line mag, free patterns) - http://www.knitty.com/
MagKnits (on-line mag, not very pretty, but it has free patterns and articles) - http://www.magknits.com/
MenKnit - http://www.menknit.net/mag.html
Southern Cross Knitting (on-line mag, not very pretty, but it has free patterns and articles) - http://www.scknitting.com/
Spindlicity (have you ever wanted to spin your own yarn? Check out the) - http://www.spindlicity.com/
Spun - http://www.spunmag.com/
Ulla (a Finnish magazine; delete everything after “.net/” for the Finnish site) - http://www.ullaneule.net/info/english/index.html
Vogue Knitting - http://www.vogueknitting.com/

YARN - so much yarn so little time! - you’ll find patterns here, too
Bernat Yarn - http://bernat.com/
berrocco - http://www.berroco.com/
Debbie Bliss - http://debbieblissonline.com/index.htm
JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts - http://www.joann.com/joann/
Knit Picks - http://www.knitpicks.com/
Lily/Sugar ‘N Cream - http://www.sugarncream.com/index.php
Lion Brand yarn - http://www.lionbrand.com/
Michaels Crafts - http://michaels.com/art/online/home
Patons - http://www.patonsyarns.com/
Patternworks - http://www.patternworks.com/
Plymouth Yarn Co.- http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.
Puppy Yarn - http://www.puppyarn.co.jp/ (WARNING - Japanese language site)
Red Heart/Coats and Clark - http://www.coatsandclark.com/
Rowan - http://www.knitrowan.com/html/home.asp
Schaefer Yarn Co. - http://www.schaeferyarn.com/
Sirdar - http://www.sirdar.co.uk/
Tahki Stacy Charles - http://www.tahkistacycharles.com/
Webs (wonderful yarns at reasonable prices) - http://www.yarn.com/

REFERENCE - stores, free patterns, knitting help and fun (and I haven't seen them all!)
American Red Cross WWI and WWII patterns - http://www.redcross.org/museum/knitting.html
TKGA Jon's blog (you gotta have a sense of humor!) - http://coloradoknits.typepad.com/
A nice reference and some free patterns - http://www.extremezone.com/~binky/
TKGA Flory's site - isn't she amazing? - http://floryknits.com/index.html
Distributer for fine knitting stores in the US - http://www.knittingfever.com/
Another nice reference sitehttp://www.knitting-and.com/
About.com (a great reference site) - http://knitting.about.com/
KnitCast - audio magazine - http://scifiville.typepad.com/knitcast/2005/02/first_edition_o.html
Random Stripe Generator - http://www.kissyourshadow.com/stripe_maker.php
Socknitters Unite! - http://www.socknitters.com/default.htm (see the tutorial on the toe-up sock!)
Freepatterns.com (it doesn’t get any better than this!) - http://www.freepatterns.com/list.html?cat_id=3
The Knitting Garden has beautiful yarns for sale - http://www.theknittinggarden.com/
Wool Works (patterns, gallery and more) - http://www.woolworks.org/
The Websters (yarn and spinning) - http://www.yarnatwebsters.com/home.html

Special for Mrs. Arico’s class: http://www.paradisefibers.com/knitting_101_beginners_resource_guide

OTHER PATTERNS AND SILLY STUFF
It doesn't get much more silly and a knitted car cozy -
First the photos - http://www.artcar.blogspot.com/2008/07/knitted-car-cozy-for-your-vw.html
Then the pattern - http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/emborsky/CarCozy02.jpg

Stitch N’ Pitch™ encourages knitting at the ball game - http://www.stitchnpitch.com/

This site is ©2007-2012 Katmandu Studio / Louise Cote
Updated October 2012
HOME

The Mitten Venture Mitten - Knitting a Basic Mitten on Three Needles

There are literally dozens of mitten patterns around - you can find them in knitting books, pattern leaflets, knitting magazines and on the web. This is a basic mitten pattern for people who have never ever knitted on three needles but do have knitting experience. (I'll give some hints in italics when appropriate.) I developed this pattern using parts of mitten patterns that I like making.

I wrote these directions telling you the number of rounds you need to work first, without measurements. In doing this, you won't have to dig around looking for your ruler or tape measure - just use your favorite method of counting rounds! MAKE SURE YOU KNIT TO GAUGE and you’ll be fine!

A word of warning: While knitting on three needles looks and sounds really hard, once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to knit flat again! That being said, let’s get going and have some fun!

MATERIALS:
Worsted-weight Yarn - quantities will vary depending on size, see below
Size 7 US / 4.5mm 7" double-pointed needles (or whatever size you need to make the correct gauge)
Size 5 US / 3.75mm 7" double-pointed needles (for starting - should be 2 sizes smaller than the ones with which you made gauge)
Row Counter
2 Stitch Holders (or more, see below)
Stitch Markers
Tapestry or Yarn Needle, size 16-18

GAUGE:
5 sts. = 1" (20 sts = 4") in stockinette stitch, worked flat

Gauge is enormously important! Make your gauge by casting on 20 sts and work stockinette stitch with your size 7 needles until it's square. If it measures 4" across the middle of the work (parallel to the needle), you're fine! if it's small, re-do the gauge with larger needles; if it's too small, re-do with smaller needles.

SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS:
dpns = Double-Pointed Needles
K2tog = Knit 2 together

These are two types of lifted increases that, used together, give you symmetrical increases (in this case, along the thumb gusset).
M1L = Make 1 Left. Insert the left needle from front to back under the horizontal yarn between the last stitch worked (on the RH needle) and the next one to be worked (on the LH needle). Knit through the back of this strand to twist the stitch to the left.
M1R = Make 1 Right. Insert the left needle from back to front under the horizontal yarn between the last stitch worked (on the RH needle) and the next one to be worked (on the LH needle). Knit through the front of this strand to twist the stitch to the right.

THE SIZES:
This pattern will make 6 sizes of mitten to fit: Infant, 1-2 year old, 2-5 year old, 6-9 year old, 10-12 year old/small adult and woman/medium adult. The number of stitches or lengths for each step will appear in this order. I strongly recommend that you print these instructions and circle or highlight the size you are making and all the counts and measurements that correspond to that size.

THE YARN:
I have made dozens of mittens using up my 'stash' of leftover yarn, and wanted to use it all, no matter how small the ball was. I made mittens and weighed them on my small postage scale (you can get one at your local office store for around $20) to see how much yarn, by weight, eash uses. You may find that you need more or less than these weights. If you have two small balls (or one that's not quite big enough to make a size you want) you can combine colors and make striped mittens. (See the note about stripes at the end of the pattern). These are just estimates, your yarn usage might be different! {Infant - 3/4 oz; 1-2 - 1 oz; 2-5 - 1.25 oz; 6-9 - 1.75 oz; 10-12/small adult - 2.5 oz}

NOW FOR THE PATTERN! (Remember, you're going to make 2 mittens)
Your mittens will have a ribbed cuff, symmetrical increases along the thumb gusset, a thumb knit in the round, and a hand. (An infant mitten does not have a thumb.) See the end notes if you want to make your mittens with stripes.

THE CAST ON AND CUFF:

• Using your smaller needles, cast on {22, 24, 26, 30, 34} stitches. Work 2 rows in K1, P1 rib flat. (Working these two rows flat makes joining without twisting easier.) You can work in k2, p2 rib if your cast on stitches are divisible by 4.

• Divide your stitches onto three dpns, with 8 sts on the second needle and the remaining stitches divided evenly on the first and third needles. (NOTE: Why 8 sts on the second needle? You will be creating your thumb gusset on this needle and, for the larger sizes, will need more room.) Know the beginning/end of your rounds.

• Join and continue ribbing in the round for a total of {16, 16, 16, 20, 20} rounds.

• Change to larger needles and knit four rounds.

(NOTE: If you are making mittens for an infant, skip to THE HAND. You will not be creating a thumb.)

THE THUMB GUSSET:

• ROUND 1: Knit {0, 11, 12, 14, 16} stitches and place a marker; this should be on needle 2. (NOTE: You won't be making a thumb for the infant size, so skip down to THE HAND.) M1L, Knit 2, M1R, place marker. Knit to end of row.

• ROUND 2: Knit

• Repeat the last two rounds, making an M1L increase just after the first marker and M1R just before the second marker on the odd-numbered rows, and knitting the even-numbered rows, until there are {0, 10, 12, 12, 14} stitches between the markers, ending with Row 2.

THE THUMB:

• Knit to second marker. Slip the remaining stitches in the round to a holder. Slip the stitches from the beginning of the round (up to the marker) onto the other holder. You will only have the thumb stitches on one needle.

• Divide your stitches as evenly as you can on three needles. Join, noting the beginning of round and knit {0, 6, 8 12, 14} rounds.

• DECREASE ROUND 1: K2tog all around.

• DECREASE ROUND 2: K2tog all around. if there are any stitches left over, just knit.

* Cut yarn approx. 3" away, and thread onto a tapestry needle. Draw through the remaining stitches. Pull tail to inside and secure.

THE HAND: (NOTE: This is the home stretch!)

• Slip the stitches from the beginning of the round onto one needle (needle 1), and the stitches from the end of the round onto another (needle 3).

• Put the last three stitches from needle 1 on a third needle; join yarn and pick up two stitches at the base of the thumb. Knit three stitches from needle 3; you will have 8 stitches on needle 2.

• You will have {22, 24, 26, 30, 34} stitches. Knit even for {12, 10, 12, 16, 22} rounds.

• DECREASE ROUND 1: (K2, K2tog) all around, knit any remaining stitches.

• DECREASE ROUNDS 2 AND 4: Knit

• DECREASE ROUND 3: (K1, K2tog) all around, knit any remaining stitches.

• DECREASE ROUND 5: K2tog all around, knit any remaining stitches.

• DECREASE ROUND 6: K2tog all around, knit any remaining stitches.

• Cut yarn approx. 4" away, and thread onto a tapestry needle. Draw through the remaining stitches. Pull tail to inside and secure.

FINISHING:

• Turn mitten inside out. Weave in and trim all the tails making sure all joins are secure.

• Use the cast-on tail to sew the first two rib rows; weave the excess yarn up the cuff and trim.

• Take a different color yarn and tie the mittens together, along with a tag stating the size and washing instructions (see the picture in the background for mine!).

NOTES:

• You can stripe the cuffs or the hand of your mittens. Just tie on the stripe yarn (CC or Contrasting Color), and work as many rounds as you want. Carry the main color (MC) up, twisting it with the CC yarn every-other round. Let's say you know you have just enough (or are a bit shy) of what's needed for a pair of 6-8 mittens. Start the mitten and work 4 rounds, add the CC and work 4 rounds then 4 rounds in MC 4 rounds in CC then 4 in MC. You can cut the CC and continue with the MC. Use the bit that's left to tie the mittens and the tag together.

This site is ©2007-2012 Katmandu Studio / Louise Cote
Updated October 2012
HOME

PATTERN LINKS

This page will have links to specific patterns. Some I’ve used and just like. Others I’ve found useful or have been recommended to me.

Here’s my Three-Needle Mitten pattern.

And my Sock-Making Tips and Suggestions

This site is ©2007-2012 Katmandu Studio / Louise Cote
Updated October 2012
HOME

THE SOCK-HINT PAGE

PLEASE NOTE: Along the way of life I broke a bone in my foot. That winter (2002-2003) I became totally obsessed with socks, since my foot was always cold! I had only made one pair (“Cottage Socks” from the Lion Brand yarn’s website). I spent a lot of time that winter sitting - and knitting - with my foot up and in the way. As I knit, and as many of my students became sock knitters, I became aware of issues and concerns with every pattern I come across. I hope to help make your next sock journey a better one!

CASTING ON:

* Everyone has a problem with casting on 40-50-60 or more stitches on a very small needle, dividing them between three needles and joining without twisting. So, cast on using a regular length needle. Double-pointed needles are usually only 5-7” long and managing all those stitches can feel clumsy.

* Work 2 rows in pattern on the longer needles without dividing. Now that you have 2 rows already worked, it will be easier to see whether you’re twisting the cast on. Divide and conquer!

* If you’re having a gaping problem where the end of the first needle meets the beginning of the second needle, remember to pull the yarn a little tighter when starting the next needle. You can also use a split marker to hold the tail end to the working end together.

RIBBING:

* Ribbing is boring, and there are no short cuts or quick way to do it. If you’re going to have just 1” of ribbing around the top, it’s not so bad. You might want to rib the entire leg; see below.

THE LEG:

* So ribbing is boring and stockinette makes your socks fall down - what to do? You can make it more interesting. Hate [K1, P1]? Tired of [K2, P2]? Jazz it up - how about [K3, P1]? Or [K3, P1, K1, P3]? Come up with a stitch pattern that’s easy to remember and fits with the number of stitches you cast on (which is usually a number divisible by 4).

* Decide whether you want to continue the ribbing (or whatever patttern you’re using) all the way to the toes.

** See below for some alternatives to mind-numbing ribbing!

THE HEEL FLAP:

* Did you know that the slip stitch pattern reinforces your heel? This means it will take longer to wear out. And who darns socks these days anyway?

TURNING THE HEEL:

* If you’re a first-time heel turner, read this: You will be working what is called short rows - there will always be stitches left on the needle in your left hand.

* Instead of [K2 tog TBL] try this - SSK. SSK (slip, slip, knit two together) is a left slanting decrease, a mirror image of [k2tog]. First, slip one stitch as if to knit; then slip the next stitch as if to knit. (These stitches are on your right-hand needle.) Insert the left needle into the front of these two stitches, and knit the two together. It is very important that you slip as if you were going to knit, not purl, the stitch.

* Remember the first time you turned a heel? And your feeling of accomplishment? Share it with others and encourage them!

THE HEEL GUSSET:

* You have the Heel Stitches on one needle and the Instep Stitches on another. Use the other two when you pick up the stitches; you’ll have the Heel Needle, Needle 1, Needle 2 (the instep) and Needle 3. Now knit half of the Heel Stitches onto Needle 3 and slip the rest (one at a time, purlwise) onto Needle 1. TaaDaa!

* I find the best way to pick up stitches along the heel flap is using a little crochet hook. If you’d rather use a knitting needle, go for it!

* Remember to continue the stitch pattern you used on the leg (if you want to).

* Use the SSK instead of the [K2 tog TBL] here, too. It’s a much cleaner decrease.

THE FOOT:

* Keeping the instep in pattern, keep on going down to the toes. I don’t recommend ribbing under the foot, just the instep. Remember to maintain the pattern starting with your heel gusset!

ALTERNATIVES:

* The multi-color sock was done in [K3, P1] rib. I wanted to see the colors in the yarn and not have my socks falling down. This does it! And it’s SO simple: [K3, P1] all the way around. I even continued the pattern down to the toes.

* The blue sock isn’t really a rib; it’s an occasional (but not random) purl stitch in stockinette. I call the pattern Purls in the Ocean (hey, the sock is blue, what can I say?). Note that the pattern continues to the toes. Knit in the round as follows:
• Round 1: [K3, P1] all around
• Round 2: Knit around
• Round 3: K1, [P1, K3] all around, end P1, K1
• Round 4: Knit around

* The aran colored sock starts as [K2, P2] rib, then adds simple cables every 5th rib, so I call it Baby Cable Rib. You do not need a cable needle to do this! Make a test swatch (knitting flat) as follows:
• Cast on 14 stitches.
• Work 6 rows to establish K2, P2 rib.
• Row 7: P2; K2 tog without taking off the left needle, insert RH needle into the first st on the LH needle and knit, remove from LH needle; P2; continue in rib. (NOTE: If you need to see the first stitch better, pull the second st away with a fingernail!)
• Row 8: Rib
• Row 9: P2, K2, P2; work Baby Cable as in row 7; rib to end.
• Row 10: Rib
• Row 11: work as established to third rib;work Baby Cable as in row 7; rib to end.
• Row 12-15: Rib
See how simple the cable is? Now (as Emeril says) we’ll kick it up a notch - this is how I used it. I cast on 52 stitches which gave me 13 K2 ribs. I divided 13 in half (6.5), rounded down (6) and subtracted one (5). My baby cable was made in every 5th K2 rib all the way around. I made a table that looked like this:

This chart made it easy for me to keep track of where I was.

THE PHOTOS
(still working on the links - come back!):

To show off my pics, I've listed them here with a link, and you can click and see them. I'll try to group them by the month/year they were finished, just to keep 'em organized. Some of these might be Christmas presents (marked by an *), so don't tell! And yes, that's ME modeling them! Click on the link and each photo will come up one at a time, then use your BACK key to return to the menu. Easy, hunh?

The Mitten Project - December 2008 (what does 52 mittens look like?)

Flannel Garden - August 2006 She who lives by the bead, dies by the bead!

The Stóra Dimun Shawl - August 2006 Remember - when I say to read the entire pattern to the end I mean ALL of it! Don’t be surprised when it starts with the following line: “Cast on 449 stitches very loosely....”

The Green Stretchy T-Shirt - June 2006 (made with 99% cotton and 1% Lycra® yarn)
Burgundy Cape - April 2006
Opal Multi-Color Socks - March 2006
Blue-and-Cream Flame Stitch Afghan - March 2006
Blue "Town Square" Jacket - February 2006

Grey and Burgundy "Rosette Jacket "- November 2005

My Purple Short-Sleeve Cardigan -July 2005
And the two sleeveless shells that go with the Purple cardigan - Matching Purple - Dark Purple

My Red-and-White Socks - June 2005
My Pink Ribbed Eyelet Sweater - May 2005
Dark Blue Socks - May 2005
Emma's Poncho and Hat - March 2005A close-up of My Shawl, made with yarn from England - March 2005
My "Cashmerino Canyon" Sweater (from CastOn Winter 2004/05)- January 2005
Detail 1 Detail 2 from "Cashmerino Canyon"

Deeya's Ponchette - December 2004
The Dreaded Christmas Mitten Ornaments! - December 2004 why dreaded? It took years to finish all of them!

Mom B's Cardigan - November 2004
Detail of Mom's cardigan
Mom's Matching Tam - November 2004
Dad B's Cardigan - November 2004
Detail of Dad's cardigan

Marilyn's Poncho, Hat and Scarf - November 2004
Courtney's Poncho, Hat & Scarf - November 2004
Ashley's Poncho, Hat and Scarf - November 2004
Mary's Poncho, Hat and Scarf - November 2004
Jennifer's Poncho, Hat and Scarf - November 2004 *

Rachel's Afghan - October 2004
The Ponchette (my design) - October 2004
Jordan's Cardigan & Hat - October 2004
Hallowig! - October 2004

My Toe-Up Socks - September 2004
My "SitCom Chic" Sweater (from knitty.com) - September 2004
Detail of SitCom Chic

Martha's Afghan & Elephant - June 2004
Roger's Hat, Scarf & Two-Finger Mittens - June 2004 *

Riley's Cardigan & Hat - May 2004

Bob's Socks - April 2004
My Blue Leaf Cardigan - March 2004 (no photo, because my girlfriend stole it! 8-) )

Emma's Afghan - February 2004

My Snowflake Pullover - January 2004

Annmarie's Irish Knit Pullover - December 2004
Mom & Dad's Afghan - December 2004




		LINKS TO NEAT KNITTING-RELATED WEBSITES PLEASE NOTE: I don’t know most of the folks that put these web sites together. I might have visited the sites once or twice, or they might have recommended to me by another knitter, but most of them have good information on them. All sites listed here, whether they be magazines, websites, retailers or other sites are for reference only and are trademarks of and copyrighted by their respective owners. No endorsement is intended (by me or by them) nor should be implied. MAGAZINES - I'll add more as I find 'em CastOn Magazine and The Knitters Guild Association- http://www.tkga.com/ CrochetMe (hey, some people crochet, too!) - http://www.crochetme.com Family Circle Easy Knitting - http://www.fceasyknitting.com Interweave Knits - http://www.interweave.com/knit/default.asp Knit.1 - http://www.knit1mag.com/ Knitters Magazine - http://knittinguniverse.com/ Knitty (on-line mag, free patterns) - http://www.knitty.com/ MagKnits (on-line mag, not very pretty, but it has free patterns and articles) - http://www.magknits.com/ MenKnit - http://www.menknit.net/mag.html Southern Cross Knitting (on-line mag, not very pretty, but it has free patterns and articles) - http://www.scknitting.com/ Spindlicity (have you ever wanted to spin your own yarn? Check out the) - http://www.spindlicity.com/ Spun - http://www.spunmag.com/ Ulla (a Finnish magazine; delete everything after “.net/” for the Finnish site) - http://www.ullaneule.net/info/english/index.html Vogue Knitting - http://www.vogueknitting.com/ YARN - so much yarn so little time! - you’ll find patterns here, too Bernat Yarn - http://bernat.com/ berrocco - http://www.berroco.com/ Debbie Bliss - http://debbieblissonline.com/index.htm JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts - http://www.joann.com/joann/ Knit Picks - http://www.knitpicks.com/ Lily/Sugar ‘N Cream - http://www.sugarncream.com/index.php Lion Brand yarn - http://www.lionbrand.com/ Michaels Crafts - http://michaels.com/art/online/home Patons - http://www.patonsyarns.com/ Patternworks - http://www.patternworks.com/ Plymouth Yarn Co.- http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index. Puppy Yarn - http://www.puppyarn.co.jp/ (WARNING - Japanese language site) Red Heart/Coats and Clark - http://www.coatsandclark.com/ Rowan - http://www.knitrowan.com/html/home.asp Schaefer Yarn Co. - http://www.schaeferyarn.com/ Sirdar - http://www.sirdar.co.uk/ Tahki Stacy Charles - http://www.tahkistacycharles.com/ Webs (wonderful yarns at reasonable prices) - http://www.yarn.com/ REFERENCE - stores, free patterns, knitting help and fun (and I haven't seen them all!) American Red Cross WWI and WWII patterns - http://www.redcross.org/museum/knitting.html TKGA Jon's blog (you gotta have a sense of humor!) - http://coloradoknits.typepad.com/ A nice reference and some free patterns - http://www.extremezone.com/~binky/ TKGA Flory's site - isn't she amazing? - http://floryknits.com/index.html Distributer for fine knitting stores in the US - http://www.knittingfever.com/ Another nice reference sitehttp://www.knitting-and.com/ About.com (a great reference site) - http://knitting.about.com/ KnitCast - audio magazine - http://scifiville.typepad.com/knitcast/2005/02/first_edition_o.html Random Stripe Generator - http://www.kissyourshadow.com/stripe_maker.php Socknitters Unite! - http://www.socknitters.com/default.htm (see the tutorial on the toe-up sock!) Freepatterns.com (it doesn’t get any better than this!) - http://www.freepatterns.com/list.html?cat_id=3 The Knitting Garden has beautiful yarns for sale - http://www.theknittinggarden.com/ Wool Works (patterns, gallery and more) - http://www.woolworks.org/ The Websters (yarn and spinning) - http://www.yarnatwebsters.com/home.html Special for Mrs. Arico’s class: http://www.paradisefibers.com/knitting_101_beginners_resource_guide OTHER PATTERNS AND SILLY STUFF It doesn't get much more silly and a knitted car cozy - First the photos - http://www.artcar.blogspot.com/2008/07/knitted-car-cozy-for-your-vw.html Then the pattern - http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/emborsky/CarCozy02.jpg Stitch N’ Pitch™ encourages knitting at the ball game - http://www.stitchnpitch.com/ This site is ©2007-2012 Katmandu Studio / Louise Cote Updated October 2012 HOME




		PATTERN LINKS This page will have links to specific patterns. Some I’ve used and just like. Others I’ve found useful or have been recommended to me. Here’s my Three-Needle Mitten pattern. And my Sock-Making Tips and Suggestions This site is ©2007-2012 Katmandu Studio / Louise Cote Updated October 2012 HOME




		THE SOCK-HINT PAGE PLEASE NOTE: Along the way of life I broke a bone in my foot. That winter (2002-2003) I became totally obsessed with socks, since my foot was always cold! I had only made one pair (“Cottage Socks” from the Lion Brand yarn’s website). I spent a lot of time that winter sitting - and knitting - with my foot up and in the way. As I knit, and as many of my students became sock knitters, I became aware of issues and concerns with every pattern I come across. I hope to help make your next sock journey a better one! CASTING ON: * Everyone has a problem with casting on 40-50-60 or more stitches on a very small needle, dividing them between three needles and joining without twisting. So, cast on using a regular length needle. Double-pointed needles are usually only 5-7” long and managing all those stitches can feel clumsy. * Work 2 rows in pattern on the longer needles without dividing. Now that you have 2 rows already worked, it will be easier to see whether you’re twisting the cast on. Divide and conquer! * If you’re having a gaping problem where the end of the first needle meets the beginning of the second needle, remember to pull the yarn a little tighter when starting the next needle. You can also use a split marker to hold the tail end to the working end together. RIBBING: * Ribbing is boring, and there are no short cuts or quick way to do it. If you’re going to have just 1” of ribbing around the top, it’s not so bad. You might want to rib the entire leg; see below. THE LEG: * So ribbing is boring and stockinette makes your socks fall down - what to do? You can make it more interesting. Hate [K1, P1]? Tired of [K2, P2]? Jazz it up - how about [K3, P1]? Or [K3, P1, K1, P3]? Come up with a stitch pattern that’s easy to remember and fits with the number of stitches you cast on (which is usually a number divisible by 4). * Decide whether you want to continue the ribbing (or whatever patttern you’re using) all the way to the toes. ** See below for some alternatives to mind-numbing ribbing! THE HEEL FLAP: * Did you know that the slip stitch pattern reinforces your heel? This means it will take longer to wear out. And who darns socks these days anyway? TURNING THE HEEL: * If you’re a first-time heel turner, read this: You will be working what is called short rows - there will always be stitches left on the needle in your left hand. * Instead of [K2 tog TBL] try this - SSK. SSK (slip, slip, knit two together) is a left slanting decrease, a mirror image of [k2tog]. First, slip one stitch as if to knit; then slip the next stitch as if to knit. (These stitches are on your right-hand needle.) Insert the left needle into the front of these two stitches, and knit the two together. It is very important that you slip as if you were going to knit, not purl, the stitch. * Remember the first time you turned a heel? And your feeling of accomplishment? Share it with others and encourage them! THE HEEL GUSSET: * You have the Heel Stitches on one needle and the Instep Stitches on another. Use the other two when you pick up the stitches; you’ll have the Heel Needle, Needle 1, Needle 2 (the instep) and Needle 3. Now knit half of the Heel Stitches onto Needle 3 and slip the rest (one at a time, purlwise) onto Needle 1. TaaDaa! * I find the best way to pick up stitches along the heel flap is using a little crochet hook. If you’d rather use a knitting needle, go for it! * Remember to continue the stitch pattern you used on the leg (if you want to). * Use the SSK instead of the [K2 tog TBL] here, too. It’s a much cleaner decrease. THE FOOT: * Keeping the instep in pattern, keep on going down to the toes. I don’t recommend ribbing under the foot, just the instep. Remember to maintain the pattern starting with your heel gusset! ALTERNATIVES: * The multi-color sock was done in [K3, P1] rib. I wanted to see the colors in the yarn and not have my socks falling down. This does it! And it’s SO simple: [K3, P1] all the way around. I even continued the pattern down to the toes. * The blue sock isn’t really a rib; it’s an occasional (but not random) purl stitch in stockinette. I call the pattern Purls in the Ocean (hey, the sock is blue, what can I say?). Note that the pattern continues to the toes. Knit in the round as follows: • Round 1: [K3, P1] all around • Round 2: Knit around • Round 3: K1, [P1, K3] all around, end P1, K1 • Round 4: Knit around * The aran colored sock starts as [K2, P2] rib, then adds simple cables every 5th rib, so I call it Baby Cable Rib. You do not need a cable needle to do this! Make a test swatch (knitting flat) as follows: • Cast on 14 stitches. • Work 6 rows to establish K2, P2 rib. • Row 7: P2; K2 tog without taking off the left needle, insert RH needle into the first st on the LH needle and knit, remove from LH needle; P2; continue in rib. (NOTE: If you need to see the first stitch better, pull the second st away with a fingernail!) • Row 8: Rib • Row 9: P2, K2, P2; work Baby Cable as in row 7; rib to end. • Row 10: Rib • Row 11: work as established to third rib;work Baby Cable as in row 7; rib to end. • Row 12-15: Rib See how simple the cable is? Now (as Emeril says) we’ll kick it up a notch - this is how I used it. I cast on 52 stitches which gave me 13 K2 ribs. I divided 13 in half (6.5), rounded down (6) and subtracted one (5). My baby cable was made in every 5th K2 rib all the way around. I made a table that looked like this: This chart made it easy for me to keep track of where I was. This site is ©2007-2012 Katmandu Studio / Louise Cote Updated October 2012 HOME