Smoother Purling

When I learned to knit and then purl I was irritated by the difference in my purl stitches on the front side of my work when making stockinette. I tried my hardest to pull those stitches tighter. It got to the point, my mom still makes fun sometimes, that I disliked purling and would changeContinue reading “Smoother Purling”

Carrying Yarn in Rows, Crochet

Some patterns will be more enjoyable, less ends to weave in, if the yarn is carried and not cut. However, you want to do this in a way that doesn’t distract from the beauty of the piece. The easiest way to do that is in a piece that has an edging. It is possible toContinue reading “Carrying Yarn in Rows, Crochet”

Executing a Project Successfully

How many times have you been so excited to start a new project? I know I have. Especially when I just bought a new book, downloaded a pattern or received some great new yarn. That bug hits when I go stash diving for another skein for a current project and I have to exercise someContinue reading “Executing a Project Successfully”

Carrying Yarn in Crochet

Sometimes when working with more than one color in crochet, I’m thinking stripes, it is more practical, and economic, to carry the yarn and not cut it until you are finished with it. Cutting the yarn creates more ends to weave in, very few of us actually enjoy that, and it often uses more yarnContinue reading “Carrying Yarn in Crochet”

Picking Up Stitches to Knit

Knowing how to pick up and knit/purl stitches is a valuable skill that is pretty simple to learn. Most knitters worry about leaving holes when they pick up stitches. That is a legit concern but there is an easy way around that to give you the assurance and confidence that your finished work will lookContinue reading “Picking Up Stitches to Knit”

Caring for Your Body While Stitching

While stitching has many health benefits, it can be hard on our bodies if we aren’t intentional and careful. I know many of you have probably heard this before, but are you listening? Have you applied what you’ve heard? In this convenient, everything-at-your-fingertips-on-your-phone world, it has become all too easy to sit in one placeContinue reading “Caring for Your Body While Stitching”

Bag of Tricks Lesson 1

I am a Western knitter! Still a left handed knitter but a Western knitter. The Western part, thankfully, doesn’t change how I read a pattern. It does change how I want to teach others how to knit moving forward and what words and phrases I will use when writing patterns. It’s not the Western partContinue reading “Bag of Tricks Lesson 1”