Where to go for Knitting Help?

It never fails.  When you need to ask a knitting question, the one that really stumps you, it is 1:00 am and there isn’t a knitting shop open anywhere!  Where do we turn?  What do we do?  HELP!!!

When I started to put this blog together I thought it would be short and I would reference a few sites that I have found helpful throughout my knitting tenure.  I asked a few of the amazing folks who help me out at the shop and I got an abundance of replies.  Too many for one post!  So let’s begin a short series of places you can turn when we want to learn more.

My personal favorite for basic technique videos is www.knittinghelp.com.  The site shows easy to understand videos that can be played over and over again, late into the night.  Whether you are a new knitter or need to learn a particular skill or stitch, this is a “must have” bookmark in your knitting favorite’s folder.   When a new knitter comes into the shop, this is where I frequently turn.  Being a continental knitter, I admit, I need the videos to help teach the English method of knitting.  Both methods of knitting are displayed with each technique given.  There are several methods of cast-ons and bind offs.  With the new cowl frenzy, I have turned to this many times for the Provisional Cast On.  It’s a lifesaver.  And, every time I close a cuff down sock, I turn to the best video on the Kitchener Stitch that I have found.  It gets you saying the mantra of “Knit, purl, purl, knit” over and over again.  Circular knitting is explained in detail with Magic Loop, two circular needles and using DPNs.  The site explores double knitting, intarsia, Fair Isle, button holes, short rows and so much more. 

One of the hardest things for me is how to get stiches to look smooth when doing short rows.  How do you avoid the “purl bump” when picking up the wraps?  So many of our shawl and cowl patterns incorporate short rows.  Short rows are a MUST if you are a full figured woman who wants to make a jacket look like the pattern was written just for you.  (Those necessary bust darts as explained by Jean Frost in Custom Fit Knit Jackets.)  So, where do I turn?  Where Peggie insisted, Cat Bordhi’s tutorial on short rows Part I and Part II.  Peggie recommends you review this tutorial before using short rows for a Top-Down Set-In Sleeve.  The sleeves are picked up from the shoulder and body of the sweater.  Instead of knitting straight down, short rows give your garment a smooth roll from your shoulder to your arm.  Hey, we are not made from geometric squares and rectangles like the pattern graphics may imply.  We have many curves and short rows get us over them.

Chuck and Pam have sent me a plethora of sites where they like to go for more knitting knowledge.  I will continue with these in my next post.  Feel free to share your favorites here or on our Facebook page.  One of the best qualities in knitters is our willingness to share what we love.  Keep the information flowing!

Andrea
The Yarn Club, Inc.
http://www.yarnclubknits.com/
email your favorite help site to andrea@yarnclubknits.com

A Chill in the Air and Chili on the Stove!

Malabrigo Rasta

Finally!  Winter has hit Hampton Roads.  We can now wear our Malabrigo Rasta Cowls, our Madelinetosh Honey Cowls and our Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Shrugs.  I bundled up in my first knit sweater made with Alpaca Boucle and a crazy yarn from Ironstone.  Oh, it feels good to wrap up in all those wonderful knits!


Rasta Cowl by Carla



Madelinetosh Honey Cowl by Mickey

Today was a fun day at the shop.  With the cold air blowing at 35 mph, I discovered that the windows in the front of the store were terribly drafty.  So out came the coffee and the caulk gun.  While the ladies enjoyed a fresh cup from the Keurig I hopped from window to window killing that frigid draft.  Luckily, it worked!  But, after all that, I decided to leave early.  After Kiki arrived I ran home to put on a pot of Chili.

My recipe is simple.  It is an alteration of a recipe from an old friend of my husbands.  I cook by adding a handful of this and a drop of that, so bear with my measurements.  They are not exact, but they work. 

Andrea’s Family Chili

1 Package stew beef

1 onion diced

1-2 lbs lean ground beef cooked and drained (or cooked on the grill if it’s not too cold out)

2 McCormick brand Original Chili Seasoning packages (do not substitute)

1 can diced or crushed tomatoes 29oz

1 large can tomato sauce 29oz

1 large can tomato paste 16oz

2 cans light kidney beans 16oz

2 cans pinto beans 16oz

2 garlic cloves crushed or minced

Optional hot seasoning mix or other hot chili powder to taste (I don’t add any to mine)

Top with Cheddar cheese and diced red onion

Directions:  Cook Ground beef separately and drain well.  In a large pot, brown stew beef with onion.  Once brown, drain the fat and add all of the canned goods (tomatoes, beans, paste, etc.)  Stir well.  Add cooked ground beef.   Add seasoning packages and garlic. Additional hot chili powder or other hot seasoning can be added if desired.  Cook on medium to low flame for 1 ½ - 2 hrs or more.  The longer, the better.  Stir often.  Stir again.  Stir some more.  There is nothing worse than burnt Chili.  Top with minced red onion and cheddar cheese to taste.



Dragonfly Fibers' Traveller

 Hopefully this recipe and some chunky wool from The Yarn Club will keep you warm this week.  I’m off to work on my CasuCowl in Dragonfly Traveller.

Happy Knitting,

Andrea