STUDENT NEWS
I was surprised by the number of students who completed Lesson 3.  Keep up the good work!  It keeps me busy.  One thing I have noticed about Lesson 3 is that how to measure for gauge can be confusing.  This is true for Level 1 of the Masters Program as well.  The tip and video next week will be about how to measure for gauge.  The WORST POSSIBLE method is to knit a few stitches, hold a ruler below them and then count.  More about that next week. 

TIP OF THE WEEK--WEAVING IN YARN TAILS IN REVERSE STOCKINETTE
The tip this week is about how to weave in yarn tails where reverse stockinette is the RS (as in many cable patterns).  There aren't any swatches in the Basics class where you need to know how to do this, but it does come up in the Masters Program.  The duplicate stitch method of weaving in ends is recommended in the Basics Course and in the Masters Program and it is ideal where the WS is reverse stockinette.   Duplicate stitch to weave in ends is different from the duplicate stitch used as an embroidery technique on the RS.  In this technique, you insert your needle and go through to the WS of the work.  Obviously, you can't do this for yarn tails. 

When you use duplicate stitch in stockinette to weave in yarn tails, it is necessary to split the yarn to keep the tail on the WS of the work.  The video shows this technique.  Sometimes  this technique can add quite a bit of bulk to the area.  If that is a concern, you can also use the vertical technique you use in ribbing (running the tail up a column of the knit stitches).  To make sure the tail doesn't pull free, anchor the tail with a duplicate stitch or two at the top as shown in the photo. 

Notice in this photo that the only tail that shows through is the duplicate stitch technique used for embroidery.  The others are invisible.  Weaving in Video

KNITTING SALON
Salon this week will be on Saturday from 2-5pm. 

CURRENT PROJECTS
I am plugging along with the Decoration Day sweater.  I generally read while I knit but not with this sweater.  I've really had to pay attention.  I also switched to Addi Lace Needles after I had stitches slip off the needle.  Luckily Magpie Yarns has a very complete selection of needles.  Not every yarn store carries many options in 0 (2.00mm) needles.  I have divided for the armholes and have finished the fronts.  Don't be impressed.  The fronts are VERY narrow.  There will be a very broad band picked up along the front and neck edges.  The color changes give the sweater a striped look and I wanted to break up the horizontal stripes with a vertical on the fronts.  My goal is to finish the back this week, block it and get started on the sleeves.  I generally work sleeves at the same time but with stranded work, I do them separately.  Less yarn management.

No, those aren't apron ties.  Those are the fronts.  They will be wider when blocked.

I am very pleased with the way the flower design has turned out.

The selection meeting for the August-October issue of Cast On was on the 12th.  The Stitch Anatomy lesson is on cables and the Fashion Framework topic is mittens. There were lots of wonderful submissions.  The issue will have many cabled sweaters which will perfect for the fall and winter.  The initial proofs for the May-July issue was available.  That issue features shawls--perfect for the summer. 

STUDENT NEWS
It was a quiet week.  I reviewed a few Lesson 1 packets and one Lesson 3.  I blame the weather!  It has been beautiful here.

The registration for the Mackinac Retreat closes soon.  When I checked last, there were two spots available in my class.  Penny Sitler, the Executive Director of TKGA showed me some of the items she has collected for the goody bags and door prizes.  The companies in the industry have been very generous!

TIP OF THE WEEK--WEAVING IN YARNTAILS IN SEED STITCH
I know the topics for the tips can seem fairly random.  Things I see in the knitting I review and questions that come up in the TKGA group in Ravelry frequently determine what I pick.  Several weeks ago, someone was curious about how to weave in yarn tails in seed stitch.  (There is a seed stitch swatch in the Basics class and one in the Masters Program.  Also the cable and lace swatches in Level 2 are bordered in seed stitch.)  Keep in mind, that for projects which will be seamed, the tails can be woven into the seams.  For projects which are not seamed (like swatches) this isn't an option.

The duplicate stitch method is recommended in the Masters Program since so many of the swatches are stockinette but other methods work well for different stitch patterns.  You can use any method you like to weave in ends as long as:

• The tail is not visible on the RS
• The tail doesn't pull free
• The tail doesn't alter the elasticity of the fabric when stretched

The duplicate stitch method requires that you follow the path of the yarn (or duplicate the stitch).  This can be tough in seed stitch since there are both knit and purl stitches. 

The duplicate stitch method is used in the center of the swatch.  If the fabric will be reversible, use this method.  It is less noticeable.  By the way, unless you are doing intarsia, avoid mid-row joins.  When you are nearing the end of a skein, don't continue using it until you only have six inches left.  Start the new skein at the beginning of a row.  The red yarn shows an alternate way of weaving in yarn tails for seed stitch.  You can weave the yarn in vertically through two columns of purl bumps.  Don't run the yarn up one column of stitches.  The tail is less likely to pull free if you use two columns.  Also if the fabric is stretched lengthwise, it won't cause a pucker.  I always "anchor" the tail by working one duplicate stitch at the end.  This method is more visible on the WS of the work and therefore should only be used when there is definitely a RS and WS.  The video shows both techniques.  If the seed stitch is very loose (lots of holes between stitches) the vertical method is not ideal.  The duplicate stitch method should be used.

Weaving in Yarn Tails in Seed Stitch Video

KNITTING SALON
I check the paper this morning to see what time UK plays on Saturday.  It is TBA so I went ahead and scheduled the salon for Saturday.  If the game is on, I will have the game on (sound off).  Saturday is a busy day.  In addition to the NCAA tournament, the St. Patrick's Day parade is Saturday afternoon and the Sweet Sixteen Tournament (KY high schools) finishes up. 

CURRENT PROJECTS
I finished up all of the birthday projects.  

Babel's Socks

When I finish up the Cast On projects, I'm sending this pattern off to Miss Babs.  The socks are fun to knit but there are quite a few ends to weave in!

I really like Lorna's Lace Solemate.  It is wonderful to work with.  I used the arrowhead lace pattern for the socks.  It is a very stretchy pattern. 

I spent ALL DAY (and I mean ALL DAY) Sunday working on the charts for the stranded sweater for the August-October issue.  In the past I would have done just enough of the charts to get started with the knitting.  For this sweater I did all of the charts for every size.  I used Stitch Painter to plot out all of the designs for the entire piece and then did the individual charts for the various borders using Knit Visualizer.  It took all day.  The sweater is worked in one piece to the armholes.  I prefer to work Fair Isle flat.  I know I am in the minority.  I work Fair Isle using both hands and I don't mind purling.  My stranded tension is very good and I think that is this largely due to looking at the stranded side every other row.

This is the bottom border.  In all of the sweaters in this series, I include a nod to the next season.  The summer sweater (to be done next year) is inspired by the night sky in the Uinta mountains where my husband fly fishes.  The border is stars with two fish at the center.  (There is a folded hem.)  Now I am working on the floral design.  There are four shades of pink.  The darkest shade will be used only in the borders.  The other three shades will alternate in the floral pattern.

I will post more photos next week.

Whine, whine, whine...still sick.  I had a relapse.  I hope this is over before I get on the plane to go out to Stitches West!  By the way, I will not be making a blog entry next week.  I will be in Santa Clara at Stitches.

The photo shoot for the Summer issue of Cast On was at the Granville Inn in Granville, OH on the 15th. It was lots of fun. The Stitch Anatomy Lesson is on Double Knitting and the Fashion Framework lesson is on triangular shawls. Cast On is not seasonal unlike most knitting magazines but the shawls would make great summer projects. A shawl is a useful accessory thanks to air conditioning, particularly if you live in a warm climate!  There are lots of lovely shawls in the issue including some that are quick knits.  I was very pleased by the way my garments turned out.  I took a few photos.  Luckily Cast On's photographer is better than me!  I didn't use a flash as I didn't want to screw up his photographs.  The Granville Inn was a lovely location for the shoot.  The staff was all very helpful considering how we took over the public areas.  One advantage to the location is that the Inn is very close to Goumas Confections.  Penny Sitler introduced me to their chocolates a few years ago.  I never to go Granville without stopping by.  It is long drive from Lexington to Granville but I know I will chocolate to help me on the way back! 

I promise, the photos will be better in the magazine which comes out in May!

STUDENT NEWS

I received lots of lessons to review.  Keep up the good work!  For anyone planning on sending in lessons next week, I will leaving for Santa Clara first thing in the morning Thursday.  If your lesson arrives while I'm gone I won't get to it until the following Tuesday.  I decided to take a red eye back from California and I have a long layover in Salt Lake City which sounds crazy but I have a sister in SLC who I am hoping will come to the airport to fetch me.  I don't get back until Monday morning.  I try to review lessons the same day I get them but if I have 10 waiting for me that might not happen!

TIP OF THE WEEK--WEAVING IN YARN TAILS IN RIBBING

Recently I've had several knitters ask me how to weave in yarn tails in ribbing.  I did do a video several years ago about weaving in yarn tails but how to deal with ribbing is sort of embedded in the duplicate stitch information.  

Those of you doing the Masters Program know that we recommend the duplicate stitch method for weaving in yarn tail since it avoids many of the pitfalls of other methods.  A yarn tail should not be visible on the RS.  If you weave in the tails diagonally or using the "fish hook" method, you can see the tails.  The location where the yarn tails is woven in should have the same elasticity as the surrounding fabric.  This is the one that rules out most other methods.  If the fabric doesn't stretch the same, it is easier for the yarn tail to pull free (and generally work its way to the RS).  

You can use the duplicate stitch method for ribbing but it does make the fabric a little thicker and it can make the ribbing a little less ribbed.  For projects like a sweater, you can always run the tail up the seam but for socks and other projects that won't be seamed, it can be a problem.  Running the tail up one side of a knit column works just fine.  

In the photo I have woven in some red yarn using the duplicate stitch method as well and you can see it does enlarge the ribbing section.  I have been using this method on all of the socks I have knit over the years and I have yet to see a yarn tail work its way out.

I've stretched the ribbing a bit for this photo to demonstrate that the yarn tails, using both methods are not visible.  If the red yarn isn't showing through you can be sure the yarn tails in the same color will not.  Here is a link to the video:  Weaving in Yarn Tails in Ribbing

KNITTING SALON

Salon this week will be on Sunday since there is a home basketball game at 4pm.  I should still have some of the candy from Goumas Confections.  Their dark chocolate toffee is absolutely wonderful.  They have a new salted caramels which I got as well. 

By the way, the opera last week was wonderful.  I always cry when Brunnhilde throws herself on Siegfried's funeral pyre.  Now that is opera!  There will not be a Salon next week since I will be at Stitches. 

CURRENT PROJECT

I did manage to finish up everything for the photo shoot with time to spare.  I now have time to knit for myself (or rather catch up on presents!)  The next selection meeting for Cast On is in early March so I should be able to catch up.

Since the editors at Cast On signed off on my series of season designs inspired by Utah and RedFish Dyeworks yarn, I have to have a pretty good idea of what I want to do by the time I get to Stitches.  RedFish will have a booth.  I have finalized the silhouette for the garment.  It will be an open jacket with a broad band picked up along the front.  I have been going through my Fair Isle and Scandinavian books for inspiration and I will start graphing today.  The body of the sweater and sleeves will have the same motif worked in different colors (like the Autumn on Routes 12 and 24) but the broad band will have a different one (maybe).  I always like to include a design element for the next season (Summer) and as a tribute to my husband's passion for fly fishing, it will be a fish.  I am really looking forward to seeing Elff & Sandy to select the colors.

I plan to stop by and see Miss Babs as well.  I think she'll be pleased by the tunic photos.

I have knit one sock for Jan's birthday (November 2011). She likes practical colors and designs and I am willing to accommodate her boring taste! Yes, it is khaki colored. Last year it was gray and cables.  The second sock will have to wait a week.  I have to do a baby present.  One of my husband's fishing buddies has just had his fourth (!!!!) boy.  I made the mistake when the third was born to make hats for all of the boys and now my husbands expects me to do the same.  Here is a link to the project in Ravelry:  Hats

I like a challenge and since these boys live in Oregon and are very much outdoor kids I plan to make snowboarding hats.  The hats will be four different colors with I-cord dreads using all of the colors.  Penny (editor at Cast On) liked the idea so maybe we will do them for next winter.   The other hats were in Cast On last year.  

Another one of my New Year's Resolutions is to use stash yarn.  I will use this yarn for the hats.  Since my husband is visiting his friend in early March, I do have a deadline.  No problem.