Category Archives: Technique

On Swatching for Gauge

Posted on November 4, 2016 by twostrands

A knitter wrote to me this morning, wondering if she had misinterpreted something or done something wrong because she could not get the 32 x 38 stitches per 4″ gauge for a Dale Baby Ull pattern (Peace Sweater).  Her stitches, … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Tips for Machine-sewn Steeks

Posted on December 21, 2015 by twostrands

UPDATE:  My post on steeking has been updated, formatted as a free, downloadable PDF and moved to the Technique page on my new website, MaryAnnStephens.com.

Posted in Fair Isle Knitting, Knitting, Mary Ann's Designs, Norwegian Knitting, Technique, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Knitted Hem Fine Points

Posted on January 6, 2015 by twostrands

Happy 2015!  I hope you all had a wonderful 2014 and are ready for an even-better 2015.  Now, it’s time to get to work on those resolutions! One promise that I made myself for 2015 was that I’d stop letting … Continue reading →

Posted in Fair Isle Knitting, Knitting, Mary Ann's Designs, Norwegian Knitting, Technique, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Christmas Balls – A Brilliant Blocking Idea

Posted on December 17, 2014 by twostrands

I’m so lucky – I have the coolest, most talented customers!  Here’s a nifty blocking idea that one of my brilliant customers shared recently on Ravelry: She’s been using my free Christmas Balls patterns. Before she stuffs and closes up … Continue reading →

Posted in Fair Isle Knitting, Free Knitting Patterns, Knitting, Mary Ann's Designs, Norwegian Knitting, Technique | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On Flat Charts for Round Shapes

Posted on December 2, 2014 by twostrands

This popular post on using flat charts to knit rounds shapes has been moved to the “Technique” section of Mary Ann’s new website, MaryAnnStephens.com.

Posted in Fair Isle Knitting, Free Charts, Free Knitting Patterns, Knitting, Mary Ann's Designs, Norwegian Knitting, Technique | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Blendoku – a great game for Fair Isle fanatics

Posted on April 21, 2014 by twostrands

What’s Blendoku?  It’s an intriguing free app that sharpens your color management skills.  Should disaster strike and you find yourself without your knitting (gasp!) it’s a fun way to sharpen your skills for setting up smooth color gradients for your … Continue reading →

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Steek stitches – how many???

Posted on February 25, 2014 by twostrands

Someone just posted an interesting question in my Two Strands group on Ravelry.  It’s one I’m often asked regarding Norwegian steeks, so I’ll share it with you folks here, too. She’s thinking about knitting the Dale Sirdal design from their … Continue reading →

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Circular knitting intro for use with Christmas Balls PDF

Posted on October 1, 2013 by twostrands

When I wrote my “Christmas Balls” free knitting patterns last year (and my free “Star of Bethlehem” pattern this year) I had my “typical” knitting customer in mind.  Not that any of you are typical – you’re all special and … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Knitting Patterns, Knitting, Mary Ann's Designs, Norwegian Knitting, Technique | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stranded Knitting Presentation at LI Knitting Guild

Posted on April 23, 2013 by twostrands

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 … Continue reading →

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Catching long floats on the Polar Chullo

Posted on November 29, 2012 by twostrands

I know quite a few of you are working on your Polar Chullos, hoping to get them done in time for the holidays. I’m reposting a response I just sent to a knitter in Ravelry who is working on her … Continue reading →

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Fishy Booty

Posted on March 28, 2012 by twostrands

…Or, how to get maximum cuteness from one tiny pile of sock yarn scraps… The Fishy Booty design is knit circularly and seamlessly, using mainly garter stitch, with a few priceless little rounds of stranded garter stitch (which is explained … Continue reading →

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Perfect Mitten Blockers, on the Cheap

Posted on December 14, 2011 by twostrands

Right about now, I’d guess quite a few of you are finishing up Mitten #2, and you’re looking forward to that sparkling moment when you present your beautiful work to a (hopefully deserving and endlessly appreciative) special someone.  Before you … Continue reading →

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I’ll be teaching a class for my Vogue Knitting hat

Posted on October 30, 2011 by twostrands

Please note: This class was offered in 2011; it is not offered currently. I’ll be teaching a class for my Vogue Knitting Fair Isle Hat #08 this November / December with the wonderful folks at Keep Me In Stitches, here … Continue reading →

Posted in Knitting, Mary Ann's Designs, Norwegian Knitting, Technique, Uncategorized, Vogue Knitting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Norwegian Sweater Techniques for Today’s Knitter” by Therese Chynoweth

Posted on August 28, 2010 by twostrands

I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on “Norwegian Sweater Techniques for Today’s Knitter” by the wonderful Therese Chynoweth. At last, it made its merry way to my desk last week.  What a treat!  I’m so delighted by this … Continue reading →

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Vancouver V-neck progress report #1

Posted on October 8, 2009 by twostrands

All three of my sons play football,  so I’m a very busy spectator, this time of the year.  Vancouver is the perfect project for my purpose – simple enough that I can blast through the stockinette portions without missing any … Continue reading →

Posted in Knitting, New From Dale of Norway, Technique, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Decisions, decisions…Fun with choosing yarn colors

Posted on August 5, 2009 by twostrands

I really want to make the new Vancouver v-neck, but I’m not the copying type. As much as I like the light blue model… I feel the need for a different colorway. So… I’ve been playing around with some possibilities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Knitting, New From Dale of Norway, Technique, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Like the blog? Join the group!

Posted on June 6, 2009 by twostrands

I’ve just started my own Ravelry group, “Two Strands”.  I’m hoping it will grow into a fun place to discuss stranded knitting in general and my work in particular.  You’re all welcome to join in the fun, talk about whatever … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogroll, Knitting, Mary Ann's Designs, New From Dale of Norway, Technique | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Steeks

Posted on September 11, 2008 by twostrands

A number of knitters have been looking around this blog, wondering where the heck I’ve hidden my steeks article. Actually, it’s on my Kidsknits store site, right where it’s always been. You can get to it through the menu bar … Continue reading →

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Fair Isle Repeat Offenders – managing motif layouts in Fair Isle knitting

Posted on April 2, 2008 by twostrands

We all learned at a very young age that even numbers split nicely and odd numbers create those troublesome leftovers, remainders. For some, that thought alone is the only seed needed to sprout an appreciation for optimal knitting design layout. … Continue reading →

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How to knit a hem

Posted on December 16, 2007 by twostrands

A few knitters have asked me lately how I finish a knitted hem. I just came across the above old photo and thought it might be useful in answering that question. This photo shows how I slipstitch the hem inside … Continue reading →

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Grafting 911 – How to save your knitting with kitchener stitch

Posted on June 7, 2007 by twostrands

Knitting patterns start with the presumption that we will all follow every direction to a “T”. Experience teaches us that none of us is perfect, and, no matter the skill level, we will all eventually make some mistakes. Furthermore, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogroll, Knitting, Norwegian Knitting, Technique | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments