At the beginning of January, I went to JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Store, where there was a sale. 

The store in Florence, SC is less than a year old.

As I was checking out, the clerk asked if I wanted to take any classes.  Well, one thing led to another and they needed a knitting and quilting teacher.  Two of my favorite crafts!

This past weekend I taught my first knitting class. More importantly there are now three new knitters!

Jackie, Marcy and Pamela did GREAT!  The time flew.  They made my job of instructor easy – and fun!

We had a nice discussion about how much easier it is to learn to knit from a live instructor.  Rather than a book.  Videos are nice, yet when you’re stuck it’s nice to have the hands on of an experienced knitter.

They learned to cast on, knit, purl, bind off and even started to read their knitting stitches!  They are pretty amazing, and I’m looking forward to seeing their projects.

All of them consider themselves crocheters, so they were comfortable holding the yarn.  Sometimes juggling the yarn and needles is the most difficult place to start.  As crocheters, they are used to a single hook and yarn although I think all will do well as knitters too.

Are you looking for a knitting instructor or for knitting help?

I’m starting a Gold Membership on The Knitting Yarn with webinars to answer your questions.  To get all the announcements about the new membership, you’ll want to become a Bronze member if you’re not already.  Just click here now for your free Bronze membership!

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

I have finished my first sock of 2012!

And what I have decided is I’m working on my own version of a generic sock.  Right now it’s knit cuff down, because the arch shape seems to work best that way.

The arch shape is based on Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen’s “Arch-Shaped Stockings” pattern, available from Schoolhouse Press.

My current interest in socks started while caring for my mother.

In her later years, it was often hard to keep her warm.  And her feet in particular would get cold.  The socks available in the stores were seldom what she wanted, so I decided to knit her a pair of socks.

I knit the first pair cuff down.  Some knitters say to fit precisely you need to start at the toe and work up. I wanted to be sure these fit as well as I could.  So, I slipped them carefully over her foot to frequently check the fit.  I wanted to be sure there was no problem with too tight socks cutting off her circulation or too loose socks causing wrinkles  and maybe sores.

Could they easily be slipped on and off?

Yes!  While I knit the socks with double pointed needles, initially I slipped the stitches onto circular needles to check the fit.  After the practice of a few fittings, leaving the stitches on four double pointed needles worked fine.

Ribbing tends to fit more snugly than other patterns, and seems more forgiving for three dimensional projects like socks.

I ended up using a spiral ribbing pattern on the leg and top of her foot, which worked out very well. They socks fit, and she enjoyed wearing them.  Even if they were turquoise blue!

My current socks are for myself, and they are also knit from the cuff down. 

And, yes, once again I altered the pattern.  I like the arch shape.  The other options, not so much. 

Wondering how many ways I deviated from the how to knit socks instructions?  Here are three ways…

1. The cast on.  Might as well start altering the pattern immediately!  Actually, I discovered this when knitting socks for my mother.  Using a provisional cast on and then when the sock is off the needles, going back and binding off with an elastic bind off makes a great cuff edge for someone with concerns about leg swelling. Or just a different shaped calf (larger or smaller than usual). The bind off expands nicely yet snugly fits.
2. 1 x 1 ribbing in the leg and foot instead of the pattern.  I still like ribbing, and feel the socks stay up better with it than with stockinette stitch.  For beginners, stockinette stitch is often easier because in the round the stitches are all knit.
3. The heel is a mitered heel instead of a saddle heel.

Do you see how important knitting was to my caregiving?

Not only did it help relieve the stress of caregiving giving me a much-needed few minutes respite, it also provided some great projects!

Without knitting, I probably would not have come out of caregiving whole and happy.  Even with my family’s help and my professional caregiving experiences. 

Of course it’s not just knitting that helped me survive.  It was much more.  It seemed at times like traveling along roads without a map.

Easy to get lost and off track if you don’t know the route.

You know what I mean?

It takes a road map to successfully navigate caregiving, to more than survive – to thrive – emerging happy and whole.

Now you can download your own road map.  Just click here right now to download!

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

One of the challenges I’ve had as a knitter is getting the pattern’s gauge to match my swatch.

I have this problem with following patterns – usually when I get the stitches per inch to match the gauge, the rows per inch don’t.  Probably because I knit loosely. 

The other day I realized the pattern I planned to use just wouldn’t work with my knitting.  I couldn’t knit the yarn tightly enough to get close enough to the gauge for the pattern to fit.

I could have been frustrated, but instead decided to redo the pattern with my gauge. I knit a swatch in the pattern, with my yarn and needles, and like it. So, I got out some paper and a pencil, and used my math skills to adapt the pattern.

I like to be as precise as possible, so try to do it on paper. Some folks like to wing it, and that’s fine too. Whatever works —and isn’t stressful is okay.

Probably the simplest way is  to just recalculate the stitches. For example, if the pattern gauge is 5 stitches to the inch, and calls for you to cast on 20 stitches, that’s 4 inches:

20 stitches × 1 inch/5 stitches = 20 stitches × 1 inch/5 stitches = 20 × 1/5 inch = 20 ÷ 5 = 4 inches

Most of that I do in my head, and you probably do too. I wrote it all out in case you don’t.

So, if my gauge is 4 stitches per inch, and I need 4 inches, I need to cast on 16 stitches:

4 stitches/ 1 inch × 4 inches = 4 stitches/ 1 inch × 4 inches = 16 stitches

You can go through your pattern, and make similar changes throughout.

Or you can use a pattern that doesn’t have a gauge. 

Like a knitted dishcloth pattern. While some have a gauge, many do not.

This my pattern, and the suggested gauge is just that.  Suggested.  If your gauge doesn’t match, it’s okay.  As long as you like the finished project!

And dishcloths are nice because sometimes a tighter weave is nice, and sometimes a looser one.

Get your copy of this knitted dishcloth and towel set by clicking here right now.

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder of www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Creator of A HEART PLAN
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Recently I finished a pair of socks.

They are based on a pattern designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen.  The pattern is called Arch-Shaped Stockings.  And they are.

The socks have an arch shape, and snugly fit the sole of your foot.

I have a high arch.  And despite what the so-called experts say about knitting socks, just adding extra length to the arch is not nearly as comfortable as the curved arch in these socks.  So the socks I knit from this pattern are among my favorites.

I like a ribbed sock, because it hugs my leg and foot better.  And yes, you can alter patterns for socks too.

Personally I’m not fond of the saddle heel turn to wear.  A Christmas stocking is a different matter.  I did put saddle heels in my Christmas Stocking Patterns, which are not worn.  It makes a nice heel if you want a different color for the heel.  And knit Christmas stockings are not meant to be worn!

For the saddle heel, basically you knit a square, and then turn the heel near the bottom of the foot.  You end up picking up 12 or more stitches along two sides of the square.  I found a heel from a book in the 1940s that only requires picking up 3 or 4.  The turn begins higher, and makes more of a mitered heel.  

I like the way it fits my foot.  You may like a different heel.  And that’s perfectly fine…

So, what are my “Rules For How To Knit Socks”?

1. The right way to knit is your way.  This goes for anything you knit!
2. Choosing 2 circular needles or double-pointed ones is a personal preference.  I have some bamboo double-pointed needles I like to use for knitting socks.  The wooden needles seem to hold the yarn better.  And I find 2 circular needles require more concentration to remember which needle to use when. 
3. If you’re just starting to knit socks, very dark colors like navy blue, dark chocolate brown, black and dark forest green are very hard to knit.  My most recent socks were enough for me.  I started with 2 skeins of sock yarn, so probably will use the rest for a shawl or scarf.  Something I can knit on larger needles!
4. Enjoy yourself.  Knitting should be FUN!
5. Rules 2 and 3 are optional and can be broken.

Ever wonder how knitting rules started?

Mostly they were passed down by mouth from teacher to student.  And probably worked well for most, but not necessarily all knitters. 

It’s fine to have knitting “rules” when they help you knit easier, faster or with more fun.  When they become burdensome and take the pleasure out of knitting, it’s time to break the rules or make new ones!

Have you lost the joy in your knitting?  

Maybe you need to rediscover the power of FUN!  “The Laugh Doctor” is ready to show you how.   Click here right now to download this book now to put FUN back into your life – quickly, easily and almost effortlessly. 

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

One of the most popular knitting books this Christmas is a book for knitting Christmas decorations.

Here’s one of the best reviews I read…

55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colourful Festive Ornaments * Tree Decorations * Centrepieces * Wreaths * Window Decorations
by Arne & Carlos
Search Press 2011
ISBN: 978-1-84448-781-3

 

This book was first published in Norway in 2010 and was a huge hit. Under the title Julekuler it sold 37 000 copies, and was on the Norwegian bestseller list for four months. To follow up this success, versions of the book are now (October 2011) available in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, France, UK and USA. So, what’s the appeal?

The concept is very simple. The book contains just one pattern – the shape of a knitted ball to use as a Christmas decoration – presented as written directions. Then there are 55 different stranded knitting motifs that can be worked on the basic shape. These appear in charts, which also show the basic shape. This simplicity hints a one aspect of the phenomenon – people get hooked. You make your first ball, then just have to get started on another one with a slightly different design.

The way the book is presented also adds to the enjoyment. We meet Arne and Carlos, a pair of knitwear designers who live and work in the Norwegian mountains (this video is worth a look). The book is full of photographs of their knitted balls artfully arranged around their home, or together with related items. I especially like the photo on p115. I thought a first they’d made a very large ball – but it turned out to be a normal sized ball inside a dolls house. As well as photographs, there are quotes from seasonal poems and even a little story from Arne’s grandmother.

The introductory material assumes some experience with knitting in the round and stranded colour work, but includes instructions on how to increase and decrease and how to stuff and finish your ball. Then the different motifs are presented. They have been arranged into 16 chapters of related designs, e.g. “Reindeer” and “Hearts”, and many are traditional designs. Most of the motifs are accompanied by a comment on the source of inspiration or a little seasonal reminiscence.

Arne and Carlos note that they could have come up with more variations, but chose to stop at 55. Clearly they recognise that once people have worked a few of these they’ll be coming up with their own designs – there’s an empty chart at the back of the book, ready for when inspiration strikes!

I’ve made one ball from the book – so far! The instructions were clear, it was easy to knit and took just a couple of evenings (faster knitters can produce two or three a day). The yarn used in the book is a sport weight (100 m to 50 g) yarn, but any yarn can be tried – the ball will come out smaller or bigger. Just choose a needle size to give a tight fabric so the stuffing doesn’t leak out.

So. Avoid the book if you just want to knit a Christmas ball – other patterns are available. But get a copy if you like the tactile pleasure of books, great photography, traditional designs, winter scenery and the charm of something just that little bit different.

I loved it.

Disclosure: I purchased this book. My review is of the Search Press paperback edition.

Original Post:
Helena Callum: Book Review: 55 Christmas Balls to Knit

 

When I first read the reviews, I thought it would be popular.  So much so that as of this writing, it is available at Amazon in one to three months!  There are some other online stores that have it in stock – at a higher price.  Significantly higher.  The ones I saw started at 50% higher before adding shipping!

In looking further I wondered if there is a 55 Christmas Balls To Knit pdf.

The answer is no.  It’s not on Kindle, and a search for a pdf or eBook format confirmed it’s not available.

Why not?

There are several possibilities.  Many knitters like books.  And it’s possible the publisher didn’t think about it.  Or maybe didn’t anticipate the success of the book. 

With today’s digital printing it would be an alternative to not being able to get the book for months – long past this Christmas knitting.  If you’re of a certain age you may recall the frantic searches for “Tickle Me Elmo” or “Cabbage Patch Dolls” in years past. 

Looking at this book as an outsider, it seems as though a digital version whether pdf, Kindle or something else would be a great alternative.

A Snowflake Christmas Ball in White Christmas Tree

Wondering what to do?

Instead of buying the book, I decided to create my own knitting pattern.  Last year I created some Christmas knitting patterns for Christmas stockings, and decided to use the snowflake patterns in designing my own Christmas balls.

The pattern makes a nice ornament in sock yarn 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter. And fits nicely in my tree, which is mostly decorated with handmade ornaments. Or those given to me by special people in my life.

Larger ornaments can be made with heavier weight yarn and larger needles.

Snowflake Christmas Balls

Even the larger ornaments take small amounts of yarn, and are a quick knit.

Carrying two strands of yarn can be challenging.  So next, I’m going to try knitting solid balls and using duplicate stitch to add the snowflakes.

If you’d like a copy of the pattern, click here right now.

And yes, it IS a pdf so it’s available right now.

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Yes, I’m serious.

Sure knitting with incomplete knitting instructions can be frustrating.  You know what?  They can also be a blessing.

Okay, maybe one in disguise or just hiding very well.

When I first started knitting lace I didn’t realize how challenging it can be.  Sometimes fearless knitting is the only way to start — and finish — a project.

I knit a purse that I thought would be easy.  I decided to use a yarn I hadn’t used before.  It’s actually no longer available, which is no surprise.  To say it was challenging may be one of those historical understatements.  And when you’re frustrated or busy like in caregiving, this is definitely not a combination — difficult pattern and yarn — to try.

The yarn is part rayon, and very slippery.  Add to that a fairly complicated lace pattern, and I ended up knitting and ripping and knitting and ripping the border until I was ready to give up.

I didn’t.  And was able to realize the direction while not incorrect were simply not clear.  In the process I learned how not to write directions!

What finally got me to complete the lace pattern was finding it in a knitting book.  It can be very helpful to see more than one version of the same instructions.  While it did not solve all the problems with the slippery yarn, it did reduce my frustration.  

And click here right now to get your FREE The Knitting Yarn Membership!

Keep knitting to your heart’s desire – or someone else’s!

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

This week I’m knitting a Christmas stocking and pattern.

Christmas stockings are interesting.  Basically they follow sock patterns and are often knit with larger needles and thicker yarn.  It can be plain or fancy. 

This stocking is a top down pattern, so the toe has symmetrical decreases.  Every other row is a decrease row.  And each decrease row has four decreases.  Two are left slanted and two right slanted.

 And because the yarn is heavier than sock yarn, I decided to add the decreases to my How To Knit Videos series.

To see the left slanted decrease video, just leave a comment on this post.  If you are reading this post on a site other than The Knitting Yarn, click right here now to leave your comment and see the video.

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Have you been thinking about knitting socks and don’t know where to start?

What about a Christmas stocking?

Oh, yes it looks like a large project.  Basically a Christmas stocking is a sock knit on larger needles with thicker yarn.  And because of that it may be easier to knit than using fine needles and yarn.  Or “toothpicks” as my sister calls my Size 1 double pointed needles.

Whether you’re just learning to knit socks or want a simpler project because your time to knit is unpredictable like in caregiving, a Christmas stocking may make a good option.  It’s still portable, even though it’s larger than regular socks.

Why start knitting socks by knitting a Christmas stocking?

• The yarn and needles are larger and easier to hold…
• The knitting stitches are easier to see than on sock yarn…
• You can use simple knitting stitches like stockinette stitch.  It can be jazzed up with duplicate stitch after the knitting is done if you like.

My knitting time has been reduced this past week.  However, I did take time after a rain shower to enjoy the view off my back deck -

Which inspired this picture of hand spun wool -

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

If you have not yet claimed your free membership, click here right now.

To your healthy and happy knitting and caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWIthPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Do you like knitting scrubbies?

They’re often a quick knit and practical.  Because they’re usually small projects, they make a great project for on-the-go.  Such as when you’re caregiving.  And a simple pattern like garter stitch is easy to work on, leave and then come back when needed.

One of my favorite patterns is a knitted scrubby called Tribble or maybe it’s Tribble2.  Click here for a link to the original pattern.

The knitted dishcloth pattern calls for knitting with worsted weight crochet yarn.  As I learned about eco Tawashi, I decided to try knitting one with acrylic yarn.  And found acrylic Tribbles are great for scrubbing, and easy to knit.  When needed, I’ve even thrown them in the dishwasher for cleaning (no heat on the dry cycle).

Why eco Tawashi?

Because they can be used with less soap or even no soap on dishes.  Acrylic scrubbies including Tawashi are too rough for skin, though.  They do make great scrubbers for dishes and cleaning.

So how can you improve a scrubbie knitted dishcloth pattern?

• Change cotton yarn to acrylic which often lasts longer…
• Consider changing the edging to suit yourself.  Such as adding a slipped stitch garter stitch edging, which looks like a row of single crochet when finished…
• Change the size and colors to suit you!

Acrylic yarn lasts longer and I notice the colors stay brighter longer.  Not as much fading as cotton dishcloths or scrubbies.

For the tribble pattern, using a slipped stitch garter edging makes it easier to gather the long ends into a circle, forming the three-dimensional scrubbie. 

The gathered circle is also more symmetric.

Often the size of needles are a suggestion.  You can of course change them to suit your gauge.  Or you can experiment with different sizes to see what works best.  And of course, changing colors is part of the fun of making small projects like knitted dishcloth scrubbies!

While using knitting tips and techniques may sound complicated, as you can see it can also be super easy!

For a free list of scrubbie patterns online, just leave a comment on this post.  If you’re reading this post on a site other than The Knitting Yarn, be sure to click here right now to leave your comment.

Keep knitting to your heart’s desire – or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.TheKnittingYarn.com and www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

P.S. If you haven’t yet signed up for your free membership be sure to click here right now!

Sometimes it’s nice to have small easy knitting projects. 

When your time is not scheduled for knitting, it’s nice to be able to drop your work and pick it up easily.  Without having to spend more time puzzling over following the knitting instructions than actually knitting!  I first learned that as a family caregiver, when I might get an hour without being called, or maybe only a few seconds!

This week has been one of those weeks for small projects.  The weather turned cooler, so I decided it’s time to try a head wrap.  It’s not quite cold enough for a knitted cap, and it’s too chilly for a summer hat.

A head wrap is a nice alternative.  Its openness in the back keeps the head from overheating in mild weather while it covers the ears nicely. This one was quick and easy.  2×2 ribbing in short rows for shaping.  Next I want to try my own version with a different stitch.  Maybe a Fisherman’s rib would work well.

The acrylic yarn I used is reused from a shawl I didn’t like.  There was a LOT of yarn in that shawl, so even after making a second shawl I still have yarn left over!

And my second project is a dishcloth made from cotton yarn left over from another project.  So in addition to getting my knitting in, I’m using up some of my stash.  Dishcloths wear out, and it seems like they all wear out at once!  It’s nice to have a stash of completed dishcloths. 

Their bright colors add a fun whimsical touch to kitchen chores.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Keep knitting to your heart’s desire – or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care, HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Full disclosure and disclaimer at www.TheKnittingYarn.com/Policies