Welcome back to my Learn to Knit for Beginners course. You’ve made it to Lesson 6, well done! In this lesson we’re going to learn about how to increase knitting stitches and how to decrease knitting stitches. That basically means we’re going to look at how to add or reduce the number of stitches using […]
Crazy Stripes Cardigan Update
I’m feeling the “pull” of a new project. My phase as a monogamous knitter may be over!! Last night I spotted an error that I couldn’t live with (it was an actual hole!) in the sleeve of my crazy-stripes cardigan and had to rip-back 20 rows…!!! I was so sad and a bit cross!! I […]
Sunny Autumn Garden-based-knitting
Its Mid-October in a usually chilly Warwickshire and I’m sitting in the garden, happily knitting away…the only cardigan in sight is the one I’m currently working on! It’s a glorious 19 degrees and the sun is out to say hello! I thought I’d quickly put down my work to share my progress on my “Stripes […]
A blanket, a scarf, a cardigan and several episodes of “Tin Star”….
Hey Guys, I’ve not been away deliberately, I’ve just been VERY BUSY actually doing some knitting and crochet! So much that I’ve been too busy to blog! eek sorry! I’m happy to be able to share my progress today though. Starting with….”a blanket” You’ll remember in these posts here, I confessed my WIP shame for […]
Making Yarn Overs and Picking up Dropped Stitches. Learn to Knit for Beginners – Lesson 5
Welcome back to my Learn to Knit for Beginners course. In this lesson we’re going to explore some of the reasons you may have ended up with a greater or fewer number of stitches. When you didn’t intend to! In particular we are going to look at making a yarn over accidentally. I’ll also show […]
How to knit a simple cable. Its not wizzardry!
Hello, here is a quick “knit-bit” lesson for you! This post is to describe how to knit a simple cable. It’s REALLY simple, not wizzardry and once you learn how simple I’m sure you’ll be off cabling everything…because other people think you are magic!!! 🙂 For this tutorial you will need a pair of knitting […]
Another quick and easy Hat Knitting Pattern for you! – This time with cables!
You’ll have seen in this post here that I’ve been designing some new knitted hats. Because I love to share, I thought I might as well share my hat knitting pattern, just in case you wanted to have a go at a knitted hat yourself! This knitted hat pattern is super-quick. Like my other hat […]
Too many WIPs – a tale of someone who gets bored easily! – the Knitting Edit
This is definitely one of those posts that I’m almost ashamed to write. I have to write it though as I promised CelineDay-Jardinz that I would share her shame and post the WIP lurking in the WIP Graveyard in my house… I have a couple of other genuine WIP projects, which I am working on […]
Learn to Knit for Beginners – Lesson 4, “tinking”
Welcome back to my Learn to Knit for Beginners course. I’m sure by now you are getting into your knitting and may have been making some easy knitting mistakes. If you’ve missed them, you can find the Introduction to this Learn to Knit course here. In Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 We’ve been learning how […]
Super-quick (and free!) Hat Knitting Pattern
With the weather turning slightly cooler, my mind has turned to winter and Christmas. I love making something to give to friends and family. I really don’t have a lot of time though so I want them to be “quick-knit” type gifts. This knitted hat pattern is super-quick, you can easily make one in an […]
How to read a knitting pattern – Learn to Knit for Beginners Lesson 3
Welcome to this Lesson 3 of the Learn to Knit for Beginners course. In this lesson we’re going to look at how to read a knitting pattern. I’ll also share my favourite place to find knitting patterns and how to decide if the pattern is right for you. I’m using the pattern for a knitted […]
Learn to Knit for Beginners – Free Scarf Pattern
Hello. I’m hoping you’re here to find the details on the free scarf pattern that I’ve been promising in the Introduction, Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 of my Learn to Knit for Beginners course. If you’ve stumbled in here by mistake then welcome anyway. Fancy a free scarf pattern? You’re welcome to join in with […]
Difference between a Knit and Purl Stitch – Learn to Knit for Beginners – Lesson 2
Welcome to lesson 2 of my Learn to Knit for Beginners Course. One of the first things we will learn in this lesson is the difference between a knit and purl stitch. We will start learning about the different knitted fabrics you can create using knit and purl stitches. We are also going to look […]
Learn to Knit for Beginners – Lesson 1, How to Knit and Purl
Welcome back to my Learn to Knit for Beginners series. This lesson we are going to start to learn how to knit! If you missed it, I put an introductory post here describing the course and the equipment you will need to learn to knit. If you didn’t already, please check it out! For this […]
Learn to Knit for Beginners Lesson 1 – How to Knit and Purl
Welcome back to my Learn to Knit for Beginners series. In this Lesson we’ll be learning how to knit! If you missed it, I put an introductory post here describing the course and the equipment you will need to learn how to knit. If you didn’t already, please check it out! For this lesson you […]
Learn to Knit for Beginners – Introduction to Knitting
Hello! Welcome to my Learn to Knit for Beginners series of posts. In the next few posts I’ll be exploring the basics of knitting. I’ll also provide some hints tips and tutorials to help you learn to knit. What’s this all about? In this introduction to the Learn to Knit for Beginners course I’ll describe […]
Freddie the Field Mouse (my Free Knitting Pattern) got some Friends!
I’m very very excited to announce that Freddie the Field Mouse (my free knitting pattern – available here!) has got some friends! Thanks to my test-knitters Hennie and AnneDoug (on Ravelry!) First there was Mulberry. She came with an AMAZING poem written by the brilliant Hennie who made her. See the Ravelry post here. Isn’t […]
Get more organised. Simple craft storage ideas for the untidy (like me!)
Is your yarn piled up and shoved in a box (like mine used to be!)? Or are you super organised and neat (like I’m trying to be!). I’m the furthest thing from “neat” that you can imagine, much to the exasperation of my other half. As a result, I’m always looking for craft storage ideas!
Sneak a look at my Instagram Round-up
Instagram, for those times when you don’t have a whole lot to say, but the picture is pretty….!
Exploring Ravelry..which Groups are the best?
Strange title for a post I know, I don’t really have anything to say but I’m interested in your responses. I’ve used Ravelry for a while and LOVE it. I’ve not explored the groups / forums side of it though and to be honest I’m not sure where to start. There seem to be so […]
How to Knit an i-cord, using DPN or Circular Needles – its easy!
Welcome to this Jo-Creates “knit-bit” lesson. In this lesson I’m going to show you how to knit an i-cord. This is a super simple technique for knitting a cable / cord. It has a sort of “rope” effect and is often used in knitting patterns.
Free Knitting Pattern…Meet Freddie the Field Mouse
Meet Freddie, he’s a field mouse, but the cute kind, not the “sneak into your kitchen and eat all your food kind”….oh…he tells me that he is the “sneak into your kitchen and eat all your food kind”,
Find out what I’ve been up to this week in my WIP Update
Soooooooo….this week I have mainly been knitting to be honest (sorry Crochet!) I’ve been making some solid progress on my new shawl design (Need to think of a name, any ideas welcome!) I was even doing my bit for “knitting in public” earlier and I knitted on the train down to a customer meeting in […]
How to … m1L and m1R … and to never forget which is which …
I’m making a new cardigan and it has tonnes of M1L, M1R, M1pR M1pL in it, I’m constantly forgetting which is which but this is a really handy tutorial to remember which is which! 🙂
A Giraffe is born – meet Gerty…
Some time ago, one of the members of one of the many Facebook groups that I’m in was doing a “WIP-dive” project. I thought it was a great idea so I went into the box of WIP that I have and found a half-finished giraffe. I decided to finish her off…and today I have! 🙂 […]
Knitting Espionage -reblogging
Fascinating article about knitting as a code during the war….blogged about on “Chris and Shana Craft shack”. I’ve often thought that knitting patterns are a kind of code! Here the knitting itself might have been! check it out here! “I’ve mentioned to Chris on a few occasions about my design notes for patterns looking like […]
Take a peek at my weekly Instagram round-up
Here is a quick look at some of the pictures I’ve put on Instagram this week. This week I’ve been stalked by penguins…All over the place….they are even watching me now….sinister! I also have a lovely smooshy delivery of yarn… from All Wool that Ends Wool! Look at those lovely colours, can’t WAIT to start […]
Sore hands from knitting or crocheting? These stretches might help!
Do you get pains in your hands and wrists when crocheting or knitting?
The Long Tail Cast On – photo and video tutorial
Is it really sad to have a “favourite” cast-on? If so, sign me up, I’m sad! The long tail cast on is my favourite cast-on, its simple and quick and relatively painless (once you have your head around it!)
New Shawl design
So, the rain has driven me to yarn and needles…..
A WIP in time…or is it nine?
I’ve just got back from a nice sunny Saturday run. I went “nosing” around all the posh houses and gardens (all £1m plus!) today. I can only dream of owning one of those. I’ve returned to the more reasonably priced end of town and an sitting on my patio pondering what to do next! I […]
Keeping your brain active – can knitting and crochet help?
I was driving to work yesterday morning, when i heard an article on the news about there being a link between keeping an active brain and reduced risk of dementia. I thought about it on the way to work and decided to do a bit more reading on the subject. I’m in the unfortunate situation […]
Blocking – why bother?
I thought it might be useful to write about how to block different items that you have knitted or crocheted.
The Knitamals
I live with a whole host of knitamals….more keep coming to live with us each time I see a new friend that would like to be made! More are coming…beware!