Picking Up Stitches on a Curved Edge

I fully intended to take photographs but it slipped my mind.  The conference in Indianapolis was lots of fun.  My classes went well.  The meeting was in a lovely area of town.  The students were great.  I hope Charlotte turns out as well.  When I got home, I had lots of lessons waiting.  After a day or two I was completely caught up.

I will be gone from August 1-9 on a road trip so no blog or salon next week.

STUDENT NEWS
It is always nice putting a face to a name.  Quite a few of my students were at the conference.  Someone will be picking up my mail while I am out of town. I just won't be getting them back with lightning speed.  I will be able to send out new orders.


TIP OF THE WEEK
There will not be another tip until August 16th.  Many of the new tips will be ones that came up while I was teaching in Indianapolis.

This week will be the last tip on picking up stitches.  This is very fresh in my mind as I taught finishing at Indianapolis.  In previous weeks I have touched on picking up stitches on horizontal edges (bind off edges) and vertical edges (selvedges).  A curved edge is a combination of both types of edges.  Often decreases are made on the horizontal edge to enhance the curve.  Curved edges are most frequently at necklines which is unfortunate since so many knitters more or less fudge picking up stitches on necklines.  Since a neckline is close to the face, you see it every time you look in a mirror so mistakes really stick out.  If you mess up a side seam you can always compensate under the arm which is easily hidden but holes between the body of the neck and the band are pretty obvious.

As with stair step seams, the problem is the where the bind off rows meet and the transition from horizontal edge to the vertical edge.  All of these locations have a space between the column of stitches and it is the natural tendency to put a stitch in the hole.  All that does in make the hole bigger and stretch out the neckline. 

This photograph shows the proper placement of the pick up row.  Notice the the "X's are in the SPACE BETWEEN STITCHES not in the stitch.  For the bound off edge, you pick up ONE stitch for every column of stitches.  For the vertical edge, or selvedge, you pick up an appropriate number of stitches.  By that I mean, a ratio of stitches you have figured out prior to beginning.  (See the earlier tip about picking up stitches on a vertical edge.)




This photo shows a band picked up properly.   Notice there are no holes or gaps.  When you do a band in a different color, it can look a little strange.  I used a different color to more clearly show where the stitches are picked up.



In this photograph, the stitches are picked up with the same color. It is a better demonstration of what the neckline should look like.



This photograph shows where NOT to pickup stitches.  Notice that there are holes where the stitches have been picked up BETWEEN columns of stitches.



The video for this week shows where to pick up stitches on a curved edge properly.  Picking Up Stitches on a Curved Edge

KNITTING SALON
Salon this week will be on Saturday from 1:30-3:20.  There will not be a salon next week or maybe the week after.  It depends on how quickly I can bounce back from my road trip. 

CURRENT PROJECTS
I didn't get that much time to knit in Indianapolis.  DUH!  I taught 18 hours, not including Masters Day and there were functions at night.  I basically went to bed earlier than I have in years.  This was a bit problematic as the Caduceus coat was due this week.  OOOPS!  Good thing I am going to the photo shoot so I can bring it.  I should have it finished by early next week.  I'm on the sleeves now which will take no time at all.  I do have to pick up the front bands but I am using Size 8 needles.



The fronts are blocked.  Disregard the dental elastics.  I will remember to take them out.  The coat is designed to fit Penny Sitler, the Executive Director of TKGA.  She likes to wear garments from the magazine when she is at shows.  Penny is tall and it is designed to come to her knees. 



Here are the sleeves.  I would panic but I know how fast they will go, even though my hands hurt.  (I overdid it hauling things around.)




I did buy a few things at the market in Indianapolis...  I was going around making everyone touch the yarn I bought.  (A knitting conference is the one place you can do that and not sound like a pervert.!)  The yarn is 100% MINK.  I was assured that the mink are not harmed but I didn't investigate too closely!  All I can say is the yarn is luscious.  This yarn is for me but I think I want to do a twin set with it for the Spring Issue of Cast On. 




I have been meaning to get some Kauni to do a sideways garter skirt for me.   I picked some up.  My skirt will have more short rows as I want it to flare more than the one I did for Cast On.

Picking Up Stitches on Vertical Edge

 

Everything except for loading the car is done for the meeting in Indianapolis.  I am so glad I can drive up.  It took much longer than I expected to get the photos transferred to my iPad in the order I wanted them and to put together the yarn kits.  I am hoping that all my preparations make the classes smoother.  I am disappointed by the quality of the copying of the handouts for the Finishing Class so I have given the students the option of having the actual files.  So many have tablets now they can load the files there or print out the offending pages in color. 

I won't be making a blog entry next week as I will be in Indianapolis.

STUDENT NEWS
Things are still pretty slow but I did get a few lessons to review.  I can review lessons up to Monday, the 15th.  After that I will be in Indianapolis until the 21st.  I teach until noon and then will be driving home.  I can process course orders as I will have my iPad with me.

TIP OF THE WEEK
Last week the tip was about how to pick up stitches along a horizontal edge.  This week's tip is about how to pick up stitches along a vertical, (or selvedge) edge.  Pick up stitches in the spaces  between the horizontal bars between the selvedge stitch and the first column of stitches. 

The difficulty in vertical bands isn't where to pick up the stitches but how many stitches to pick up.  Unlike horizontal edges where one stitch is picked up for every column of stitches, you must determine a ratio for picking up stitches.  The reason for this is that there are more rows in an inch that there are stitches.  For example, in the photograph below there are 4 stitches in and inch and 5 rows.  If you pick up one stitch for every row, it might ruffle (more about that later.)  If you look in reference books, they generally say to pick up 4 stitches for every 5 rows or 3 stitches for every 4 rows or some variation of that ratio.  In the photograph below, the 4 stitches for 5 row ratio works.   The Xs mark where there are two horizontal bars between the pick up stitches. 



This generally works but not always.  You should consider the gauge of the stitch patterns of the band and of the body of the piece as well.  For example, if the body is stockinette stitch and the band is K2P2, you might have to vary the ratio a bit.  You don't want a ruffled band but you don't want one that is too narrow either.  The upshot of picking up stitches along a vertical edges is that there is no one rule that applies to all bands.  I recommend saving the gauge swatch and using it to practice various ratios.  If you practice on the actual garment, you run the risk of stretching out the stitches.  It is better to work out the details on a separate swatch.

When you are working with a pattern and it says to pick up a specific number of stitches, you can generally disregard that number.  What if you knit more or fewer rows?  That number won't work.  The exception to this is if the band is worked in a specific stitch pattern which requires a multiple of stitches to complete the pattern.  If that is the case, just make sure you have picked up a multiple of the stitch pattern and you should be fine.  The photograph below shows a band picked up properly.  Notice that it abuts the first column of stitches.  Be sure not to pick up stitches in the first column of stitches.  Here is the video:   Picking up stitches on a vertical edge



KNITTING SALON
Salon will be on Saturday from 1:30-3:20.  There won't be a salon next week as I will be in Indianapolis. 

CURRENT PROJECTS
I didn't knit much this week.  All of the typing and yarn winding really tired out my wrists.  I still am recovering from the surgery to some extent.  I did start the fronts and blocked the back.  One of my students raised an interesting point.  She wanted to know if I had done a swatch to check the drag.  If you have ever knit a project like the Einstein coat which is all garter stitch, you have probably experienced this.  The weight of the yarn and the stitch pattern tend to lengthen the piece.  No, I did not test this but yes, I did think about it.  Most knitters learn about this the hard way, as I did.  When I knit a coat I am very particular about the fiber.  I knit a coat a few years ago using Debbie Bliss Rialto which is a beautiful yarn but it is extremely heavy.  The coat weighed a ton and it lengthened about 3 inches.  For this reason I selected Rowan Kid Classic which is an amazing light yarn. 

Picking up Stitches on a Horizontal Edge

I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and not put everything off until the last minute so I've spent the week finishing up my handouts for the meeting in Indianapolis and organizing my swatches.  Over the years I've created quite a stockpile.  This requires much more work than you would think.  I am doing a few things differently this year which also requires work.  Last year when a student showed up with black eyelash yarn to use in class I made the decision I would put together yarn kits for all of my classes.  This will be a major pain for me.  I also am taking my projector so I have to organize all of the photos for the classes and get them on my iPad.  I'll have to see if this is worth it for next year!

STUDENT NEWS
If I thought last week was slow, I was mistaken.  Not a single lesson arrived!  I've gotten several messages saying lessons are on the way so I expect next week will bring a change.

By the way,  I will be out of town July 16-21 for the conference in Indianapolis.  I will be able to process new orders but any lessons that arrive will have to wait until the 22nd.

TIP OF THE WEEK
This week's tip is something that I am very fussy about...probably because I did it wrong for so many years (and I have the sweaters to prove it).  When you pick up stitches along a horizontal edge (bound off edge) you pick up ONE stitch for EVERY column of stitches.  (In upcoming weeks I will do tips for picking up stitches on vertical edges and curved edges.)  Many new knitters, when looking at a bound off edge say, "Isn't that convenient!  Those nice little loops at the top are perfect for picking up stitches."  The problem with this is that the stitches in the band should line up with the columns of stitches in the fabric.  If you use the bound off loops, that will not happen.  The loops actually span the spaces between stitches, not stitches themselves.  The two photographs below show the right and wrong locations for picking up stitches. 

This photograph shows a band picked up properly.  (I used super large needles so you can see the stitches clearly.)  Notice how the white stitches in the body of the swatch line up perfectly with the orange stitches of the band.  It is small details like this that make the piece look professionally finished.



This photograph shows a band picked up incorrectly.  The stitches in the body line up with the spaces between stitches to create the "dread 11s".  ICK!!  As I've said, I did this routinely until I was forced to research the topic for Level 2 of the Masters Program. 




The video shows how to do this.  Picking Up Stitches on Horizontal Edge

KNITTING SALON
I have to drive up to the Cincinnati airport tomorrow afternoon so Salon will be earlier...10am-1pm.  I need Sunday to make some headway on my preparations for Indianapolis.  My time this week has not been my own.

CURRENT PROJECTS
I am almost finished with the back of the Caduceus coat.  It is long...38".  I am just about ready to shape the armholes.   Again, the color in this photograph is completely wrong.  It is red.




I talked to Penny earlier in the week and told her I would have the time to knit up some of the kits she got at TNNA.  I'm going to do two hats and mittens.  I haven't knit from a pattern in about 15 years so this should be interesting.  The samples should match the kits.  I think this kits are so fun.  Here is a link to the designer:  Camas Creek Yarn

 

 

I started week at TNNA in Columbus.  I only went up for one day.  I didn't see all that much that was new but it is always fun to see the new products.  The main reason I go is to scout out things for Penny to review in Cast On.  The most novel thing I saw was some kits that a yarn store in Montana, Camas Creek Yarns, has put together.  The owner/designer has managed to get licensing agreements with quite a few universities to do hat, mitten and scarf kits.  Brown Sheep Wool has dyed the yarn to match the pantone colors.  This interested me as I generally knit something for the kids of friends when they go off to college.  Finding yarn the exact color can be very difficult.  The kits were very cute. 

Despite the heat and thunderstorms it was a very pleasant week.  I spend some time updating the handout for the finishing class I am teaching in Indianapolis and Charlotte.  It is very similar to the course I taught in Mackinac but there is not a workshop at the end of the second day.  We will spend that time weaving in yarn tails in different stitch patterns.

STUDENT NEWS
This was the slowest week I've ever had!  I got just one lesson to review and two new students.  Summer slow down!

TIP OF THE WEEK
The past couple of weeks, the tips were from requests.  If you have something you would like me to video, just ask.  If it is something that doesn't require a ton of knitting and can be demonstrated in a 4 minute video, I am happy to consider it.  (For example, don't ask me to do a video on planning increases on a sleeve,  too long and too complicated. 

So I'm back to finishing tips.  This one is for the three-needle bind off.  This is probably something most knitters have done.  A quick look through patterns will show you that most designers recommend this as a way to seam shoulders.  There is a swatch for this in Level 2 of the Masters Program.  I am not a particular fan of this technique but I will get to that later.



To work a three-needle bind off, the stitches for the shoulders are placed on holders until you are ready to join them.  (Before starting make sure you have the same number of stitches on each shoulder.)  There are some holders that look like DPN needles.  I would recommend these.  Invariably if you use the type that look like big safety pins, you will have the stitches oriented incorrectly.  With the wrong sides facing out, and the needles parallel, you knit the stitches on both needles together.  You then work a regular bind off.   You can see the bound off loops in the photograph below.  By the way, these swatches use short rows to shape the angle as if for shoulders.  Here is the video:  Three-needle bind off.  By the way, I apologize for George's appearance in the video.  He wanted to help.



I rarely use a three-needle bind off for my projects for a variety of reasons.  First of all, I always block pieces before finishing.  When the stitches are on holders, they can become stretched out during blocking.  The shoulder seam must be sturdy to hold the weight of the sweater.  This is particularly important for heavy sweaters, like Aran sweaters, or drop shoulder sweaters.  Next time you work a three-needle bind off, stretch the seam.  Notice that it has quite a bit of give.  Picture this seam supporting a drop shoulder sleeve worked in a dense stitch pattern with worsted weight yarn. 

The only time I use a three-needle bind off for shoulders is on baby sweaters.  They have such big pumpkin heads, you need all the give you can get.

Why is this such a popular finishing technique?  You don't need a tapestry needle.  Many knitters are into quick finishing.  Just look at the titles of many books and you will see what I don't mean.  I don't mind finishing and I don't panic when I have to use a tapestry needle so I generally seam shoulders.  Stretch a shoulder seam and you will see there is very little give.  Again, this is a personal preference of mine so I will get off the soap box now. 

KNITTING SALON
Salon will be on Saturday from 1:30-3:20. 

CURRENT PROJECTS
I finished up the left front of the sweater.  I've blocked it.  I need it to plan for the buttonholes for the other front.  (See, I practice what I preach!)  The front bands fold over so there will be two buttonholes for each button.  I spent quite a bit of time swatching trying to decide what type of buttonhole to work.  I finally decided vertical buttonholes will work best.  I generally do some form or an eyelet or a one-row horizontal but the yarn tails from the vertical buttonholes will be useful for reinforcing the two buttonholes together. 

The bottom bands are a provisional cast on worked directly onto a needle cable.  When the sweater is finished I will graft the band to the sweater body.  The front bands have mitred corners which I've just noticed don't appear in the photograph.  When it is finished I will be sure to do a close up. 








I am putting that project on hold to do the coat for the Winter issue of Cast On.  It is a cabled swing coat.  I'm calling it the Caduceus Coat.  There will be a cable motifs which resemble a Caduceus.  It took a bit of time to design this thing.  I've learned over time it is best to consider ALL sizes when working the sample.  It is really hard to back track for sizes.  This coat required charting out the entire length (approximately 40" long).  The loops on the caduceus get smaller. 

In this photograph, the color looks like a dark pink but it is really a deep red.  It is Rowan Kid Classic in Cherry Red.

My surgery went fine and the stitches were removed today.  My hands are sore but it doesn't hurt to knit or type so everything is fine.  So what if I can't vacuum yet?

Driving is a bit tricky but I feel well enough to drive up to Columbus on Sunday for TNNA.  I usually spend a couple of days but this year it works out for me to go up Sunday.  I'll probably drive back Sunday night but I might stay until Sunday.

STUDENT NEWS  
I didn't receive many lessons to review while I was recuperating.  I think summer must be here!  Registration has opened for the meeting in Charlotte.  (Registration for the Indianapolis meeting is open until June 24.)  I'm teaching the two-day finishing course at both meetings.

TIP OF THE WEEK 
A student requested the topic for this week's tip.  She was working on a project where she was supposed to bind off stitches in the middle of a row and was having trouble counting the bound off stitches.  This is something I find hard to describe when writing a pattern so I thought it would be a good topic.  If you are binding off stitches and get distracted, it can be hard to figure out how many you have bound off.  The key is to ignore the bind off loops on top of the stitches and instead count the column of stitches.  Binding off requires two stitches.  You work them both and then pull the first stitch over the second.  The resulting loop appears to be between the two stitches.  If you count the loops you probably won't count the first stitch.  When you bind off the last stitch, you pull the last stitch over the next stitch.  When you are binding off center stitches, this means that the next stitch (the first "live" stitch) after the bind off has a stitch around it.  If you look at the photograph below notice that the stitch labeled "1" after the stitch labeled "10" has a stitch around it.  I think this is what causes the problem in counting bind off stitches.  It is easy to count this stitch. 
 
 

When you are working with a pattern of this type, it generally reads, "Work X sts, BO next x sts, work to end of row--xx sts remain on each side."  If you have trouble counting bound off stitches or you want to be completely sure that you have bound off the correct numbers, consider placing safety pins in the stitches to indicate where the beginning and end of the bound off stitches. 

Another confusing aspect to binding off stitches in the center, is the "live" stitch at the end of the bound off stitches.  This live stitch is not part of the bind off.  In the example above, when the 10th stitch is bound off, there is a stitch on the needle.  This is the reason I had trouble with a pattern not too long ago.  I originally wrote it, "Work 5 sts, BO 10 sts, work 5 sts."  The problem I had was that when you got to the last stitches, there were only 4 since the 5th stitch is worked with the last bound off stitch.  I decided this would be confusing so I avoided the issue, as other designers do, with the "work to end of row" instruction.  Here is the link to the video:  Counting Bind Off Stitches

Counting stitches when you are binding off all of the stitches isn't really important, provided you have the required number on your needles.  You just bind them all off.

 

KNITTING SALON 
Since I am not leaving for Columbus until Sunday I will have Salon this week.  It will be Saturday from 1:30-4:30.

CURRENT PROJECTS 
The selection meeting was the day before my surgery.  Since I wasn't sure what shape my hands would be in, I only proposed one thing...a cabled swing coat.  I got the yarn a few days ago but I haven't started to work on it yet.  The photo shoot isn't until August.  I'd like to finish up my sweater.  The back is done and I'm almost to the armholes on the left front.  The button band is worked with the front and will fold over.  I had to do a bit of origami to figure out how to do the mitre but it should be fine.  I am dreading the sleeves...So much knitting.  I've photographed the sweater I am recreating.  You can see I opted for a different shade of blue.  The yarn is Miss Babs Yasmin, color Regent.  It is too bad you only get this type of drape with such fine yarn & itty bitty needles.

I was in Magpie Yarn ( a local shop here) and was reminded of how much I like Shibui Linen.  I've had Jane order me a bag of the latish gray.  I want to do a version of my wasp wing coat.  The first one used Redfish Silk & was worked on 000 needles.  I've been asked for the pattern but I am not doing a pattern for that version.  I have been looking for a lightweight yarn with the right drape.  The Shibui Linen should be perfect.  I will knit it up for me and then determine if I want to write the pattern.

I am finally back from my travels.  The Retreat at Mackinac was wonderful even if the weather was a bit disappointing.  Suzanne took this photo as we walked back to the hotel.  (You can see a bit of Charles at the right.  My students were terrific.  I was a bit apprehensive about teaching two days of design with absolutely no knitting but I felt the students learned a lot.  (I hope they feel that way as well.)



The best part of staying at the Grand Hotel is hanging out in the lobby knitting.  Suzanne also took this photo.  It must have been early in the day as I don't see any knitters there!



I spent a few days at home before heading out to the Olympic National Park.  I don't suppose you can complain if it rains when you are visiting a rain forest.  We didn't see the sun the whole time but the rain just adds to the appeal of the scenery.  This is one of the beaches. 



We spent our last night at Lake Quinault.  It was interesting to compare it to the Grand Hotel.  This is the view from the back of the hotel.  Not bad!




I may not be making an entry next week as well.  I am having surgery on both hands on Tuesday.  It shouldn't be a big deal but I may not feel up to typing by Friday.

STUDENT NEWS
An assortment of lessons arrived while I was traveling but it didn't take long to catch up.  I am continuing to be impressed by the quality of the lessons for the finishing course.  I received a few orders as well.  Luckily, none arrived while I was in the Olympic National Park.  Cell services was very spotty.

TIP OF THE WEEK
Before I left town I received an email from a former student of the Basics class who was having difficulty seaming seed stitch on a horizontal (bound off) edge.  I realized that my tips regarding how to seam horizontal edges showed just stockinette stitch.  I didn't bother to use other stitch patterns as examples as the process is exactly the same.  I promised I would have some examples this week.  When you seam ANY horizontal edge, you ALWAYS place the seam in the stitches IMMEDIATELY below the bound off edge.  It doesn't matter if those stitches are knit or purl stitches.  For knit stitches, the needle goes in and out of the "V".  For purl stitches, the needle goes in and out of the center of the purl stitch which is right below the "frown."  (I discussed the anatomy of purl stitches in an earlier posting.  You want to be careful not to insert the needle above the "smile."  the "smiles" are the space between stitches.  The goal, as for any seam, is that the stitch pattern lines up. 

In the photograph below, notice how the seaming thread seems jagged.  It may look like the seam is jumping from row to row but it is actually placed in the same row.  When it is pulled tight, the seam will be straight.



This example shows what the shoulder of a cabled design might look like.  The reverse stockinette stitches are seamed in the center of each stitch immediately below the "frowns" while the stockinette stitches are seamed in the center of the "V".   The cables will be aligned at the shoulders when the seaming thread is pulled tight.



When you are seaming horizontal edges in a stitch pattern, make sure you have the same number of stitches on each piece and that the stitch patterns will line up.  The video shows the process of seaming both the seed stitch and the cable pattern.  Seaming stitch patterns on horizontal edges.

The next tip will be about how to count stitches when binding off.  A former student requested this topic.  Again, it may not be next week.

KNITTING SALON
Salon will be tomorrow from 2-4:30.  It will be nice to see what everyones' projects!

CURRENT PROJECTS
Since I'm not sure how much time I will have to take off from knitting, I am finishing up all of the socks for upcoming birthday gifts.  I found a stitch pattern I liked in my Japanese stitch pattern books.  I made some slight modifications.  I'm not sure what I will call it...maybe gum drops?  Here are the socks for Cara, Jordan, Susan and Martha.













The dark purplish yarn is the new Rowan sock yarn.  I had started these socks in a different purple variegated yarn but the pooling was very unattractive.  We stopped at Churchmouse Knits on Bainbridge Island and I picked up this skein.  I love the way these socks turned out.  Very Subtle.  I am happy to say that Magpie Yarns here carries the yarn.  I am going to stock up!  I always swear I will NEVER EVER buy variegated yarn again.  It looks so nice until you knit it up.  The dark pink socks are for Susan.  I love this color.

The final thing I had to do before surgery is work up a few pairs of baby socks for Stephanie as an accompaniment to  a darling kimono she is making for the new daughter of a nephew.  (Is that convoluted enough?)  Baby socks are a great way to use up leftover sock yarn. 

The only other thing I am working on is a sweater for myself.  I am replacing a beloved commercially knit sweater which has finally fallen apart.  I'm using some lace yarn from Miss Babs.  The color is Regent which is spectacularly beautiful.  Babs stayed with me while she was at the Kentucky Fiber Festival.  It was great seeing her again.  Her yarn is so lovely.  I especially love the names. 

I put the finishing touches on the garments for the Fall issue of Cast On.  I hadn't woven in the edges on the hats, scarf and socks.  They are all done now and ready to go.  The photo shoot is Tuesday.

I have a few things to get ready for the Mackinac meeting which I will do on Sunday.  By the way, I will not be making a blog entry until June (most likely).  After the meeting in Mackinac I am going to Washington state for a week.  If I have time to do one before I go, I will.

STUDENT NEWS
If any lessons arrive while I am gone, my neighbors will take in the packages.  I'll be able to process new orders while I am gone.

TIP OF THE WEEK
Last week I discussed seaming horizontal edges (bound off stitches).  Where you will use this technique more often is for shoulder seams.  There are a variety of ways to shape shoulders.  The easiest way is to simply bind off the shoulders.  This produces a straight edge.  Some pattern call for shoulder shaping.  If you use short rows to shape the shoulders, the edge is easy to seam.  Another way to shape shoulders is to bind off stitches incrementally.  Seaming this type of edge can be tricky as the bind off process leaves "stair steps."  A common mistake is to place a seaming stitch IN the stair step.  If you insert a needle into a hole, it just makes the hole larger and this is true of seaming.  When you insert the needle into the stair step, you disrupt the stitch pattern and leave a hole. 

When you seam a horizontal edge, the rule is to seam in the stitch BELOW the bind off edge and this is true for stair step edges as well.  It looks like it will not work, but trust me, it does.  This photograph shows where to place the seam.  Notice the stair steps are skipped.   



This photograph shows the seam in progress.  Notice how the seaming thread seems to jump over two rows at the stair steps. 



This photograph shows the seaming thread pulled tight. Keep in mind, I used size 11 needles to knit these swatches so that you could clearly see the stitches.  This swatch isn't very attractive due to the tension, etc.  On a real swatch it looks much better.  I have stretched and pulled it so that the seam is clearly seen.



Short row shoulder do make the seaming easier but sometimes short rows are not practical.  Some stitch patterns make it difficult.  Binding off stitches to shape the shoulders may be the best solution.  Here is the video for this week:  Seaming Stair Step Shoulders

KNITTING SALON
Salon will be on Saturday as I need Sunday to work on my workshop.  I looked at a calendar this week and realized I am running out of time!  I like to bring extra rulers, etc. in case the students forget.  I have to look at a calendar to see when the next Salon will be...not next week as I will be leaving Saturday for Mackinac.


CURRENT PROJECTS
The Blue Pansies socks are done and blocked.  I am very pleased with how they turned out. 



Now that I am finished with the things for Cast On, I can catch up with birthday presents.  I've finished the socks for Cara.  She loves pink.  I found this stitch pattern in one of my Japanese stitch dictionaries.  I think it looks like gum drops.  That might be due to the color.



The other sock is blocking.  I am going to use this same pattern for another pair of socks.  The yarn is a solid color so the pattern should be easier to see.  Here is a closeup of the stitch pattern.  It is mindlessly easy (nice break after the Pansies).



After I knit the hat I skipped, I took this photo.  I think they are fun.  I put the scarf in the hat as well.