Stranded Knitting Presentation at LI Knitting Guild

I’d like to send out a big, warm “Thank You!” to everyone at the Long Island Knitting Guild.  This past Friday, I presented my talk to them, “Stranded on Long Island – Tips and Tricks for Developing Your Very Own Stranded Knitting Obsession“.  I really had a wonderful time.  Every single one of those knitters was as sweet as sugar! Hopefully, I won a few new stranded knitting converts, too.

Sorry you couldn’t all be there.  Maybe next time!  For now, I’ll share just a few of my slides, to give you a taste:

"Stranded Knitting", Copyright 2013 Mary Ann Stephens

“Stranded Knitting”, Copyright 2013 Mary Ann Stephens

knitting color value placement

The placement of color values – light motifs on dark backgrounds, or dark motifs on light backgrounds – can be simply a matter or taste…or, with some motifs, it can make a huge difference!
Copyright 2013 Mary Ann Stephens

 

Row gauge can be crucial in stranded knitting

“Goldilocks, get those Three Bears juuuuuust right!”

 

 

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Same Old Yarn, Brand New Gauge???

Heilo yarn gauge was 6 sts / inch, now 5.5 sts/inch!!

Newer Heilo cards imply DK gauge for a Sport weight classic. I say stick with the 6 sts/inch gauge, used for decades.

Vintage grey Heilo, pulled from my stash, all = 24 sts / 4".  Brand new off-white Heilo, far right = 22 sts / 4".  All 4, old and new = 50g with 100m.  I guess the new, looser gauge is an attempt to associate it with lighter weight, more flowing designs.  Thanks, but I'm sticking with the time-honored 6 sts/inch sport weight gauge = sturdier clothing with crisper colorwork.

Vintage grey Heilo, pulled from my stash, with all 3 ball band gauges = 24 sts / 4″. Brand new off-white Heilo, far right, with ball band gauge = 22 sts / 4″. All 4, old and new, weigh 50g, with length = 100m.  The product is UNCHANGED!  I guess the new, looser suggested gauge is an attempt to associate the same old Heilo (and Falk, too) with lighter weight, more flowing, contemporary designs. Although decades of sport weight Dale designs using Heilo suggest the time-honored 6 sts/inch sport weight gauge, some of their recent Heilo / Falk designs are done at 5.5 sts/inch, a typical DK gauge.  Thanks, but I’m sticking with the time-honored 6 sts/inch sport weight gauge …for sturdy, warm sweaters with crisp colorwork.  (And for hats, mittens, socks, I shoot for 7 sts/inch.)  If you want a lighter-weight result, simply use a lighter weight yarn! 

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The Spring Sale at Kidsknits is ON!

The Kidsknits.com Spring Sale has officially started! Check out the great, low prices on ALL of our great Dale yarns, including all-time favorites, like Heilo, Falk and Baby Ull.

Happy Shopping and Happy Spring!

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“More monkeys, please!”

monkey hat colors

A common request around here lately: “More monkeys, please!”

Today’s answer: “Coming right up!”

You’re just one click away from one dozen new colorway ideas for my Monkey Hat using Dale of Norway Baby Ull yarn, our hands-down favorite for the newborn & toddler sizes.

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Shamrock Mittens

shamrock mittens

My new Shamrock Mittens, knit in Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift.  Sized to fit an 8″ adult female palm circumference.  The  PDF is available for purchase and download through Ravelry.  The Spindrift yarn (in natural white and…you guessed it…”leprechaun”) is available through Kidsknits.com.  Kit link coming shortly.  (Call my US toll-free 877-631-3031 to order in time for St. Patricks Day.) UPDATE: Here’s the kit link!

mittens

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Free Crochet Pattern – The Quickest, Easiest Hat

free crochet hat pattern

The “Blizzard of 2013″ (the first one, at least) swept in this past Friday, bringing 30+ inches of snow to our area, along with frantic cries of “Ahhhh, what’s your quickest, easiest hat?!?!?”  I was tempted to pull out some newspaper and get folding.  Nah, that won’t do!  Want something reeeeeeally quick?  Time to break out the old crochet hook.  Add to that some super bulky Hubro, maybe a few scraps of Heilo, if you want to get fancy, and in no time at all – presto – one pretty fine looking chapeau!

Here’s the free crochet pattern as a downloadable PDF: QE1

Stay cozy!

flower from free crochet pattern

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More Riverside Cowl Colorways

Riverside Cowl knit in Dale Alpakka

Riverside Cowl, Knit in Dale of Norway Royal Alpakka.

Some alternate colorway ideas for my Riverside Cowl design:

 

 

Riverside colors

Got a favorite?  Get the customizable kit here.

 

 

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