Knitting Instructional Articles at JimmyBeansWool.comhttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/The latest knitting and crochet product reviews from the leading supplier of knitting and crochet products.en-usTue, 17 Nov 2009 01:12:19 GMTTue, 17 Nov 2009 01:12:19 GMTrss@JimmyBeansWool.cominfo@JimmyBeansWool.com Knitting Instructional Article: Knitting in the Round 101: Joining in the Roundhttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=58Here in the shop we see quite a few projects, and we've noticed that about half of the projects we see knit in the round haven't been joined properly. What's this? There's a right and a wrong way to join in the round? Well, sort of -- like anything else in knitting, there's more than one way to go about it -- but some ways create a more seamless join, while others give something like a curb on your cast-on edge. Maybe you've done a project in the round already (and are nodding at the curb reference), or perhaps you've shyed away from projects knit in the round because (eek!) you have no idea how to 'join in the round'. Either way, read on and learn two of our favorite methods for joining in the round!

Method One: Slip over

  1. Cast on the number of stitches your pattern calls for.

  2. With the cast-on edge pointing away from you, slide the 1st cast-on stitch (if you did a Long Tail cast-on, this is the one in your left hand) to the end of the other needle (the right needle for a Long Tail cast-on).

  3. Slip the last cast on stitch UP and OVER the 1st cast on stitch - and put it on the opposing needle (Basically, the first and last stitches are just swapping places... the end stitch from the right needle goes to the left needle - and vice versa.)

  4. Pull both your working yarn and the cast-on tail tight. Begin knitting!

Method Two: Knit two together

  1. Cast on the number of stitches your pattern calls for, plus one (ie, if the pattern says to CO 15, you'll CO 16).

  2. With the cast-on edge pointing away from you, slide the first cast on stitch to the end of your left needle, and the last cast on stitch to the end of your right needle, so both are ready to be worked (similar to the method above).

  3. Slip the last cast on stitch off of your right needle back onto the left needle.

  4. Knit those 2 stitches (the last and first cast-on) together. This will bring your number of stitches down to the correct amount. Begin knitting!

Note: when knitting in the round, you will always knit from your left needle to your right needle (just as if you were knitting on straight needles). Also, if you set your knitting down be sure you always start out with your working yarn coming off of the last stitch on the right needle. Many a knitter has accidentally begun knitting in the wrong direction when learning to knit in the round!

Posted by Laura of Jimmy Beans Wool

]]>Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:02:43 GMThttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=58 Knitting Instructional Article: How To Make Our Support Scarves from Knitting Daily TVhttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=57This is an excerpt from Knitting Daily TV Episode 305 where they describe how to make our Charity Breast Cancer Support Scarf Project. The same techniques are used for our other support scarves. This video was posted with permission from Knitting Daily TV / Interweave.

Posted by Doug of Jimmy Beans Wool

]]>Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:56:19 GMThttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=57 Knitting Instructional Article: How to do a Knit an I-Cordhttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=54Our very own Ashley stars in this knitting instructional article about how to knit an i-cord. We hope you enjoy it!

Posted by Doug of Jimmy Beans Wool

]]>Thu, 6 Aug 2009 21:58:41 GMThttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=54 Knitting Instructional Article: How to do a make a Magic Ballhttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=55 What's a Magic Ball you say? It's a brilliant use of odds 'n ends from previous projects that almost always ends up in a beautiful one-of-a-kind ball of yarn. Depending on how many odds and ends you have (or how adventurous you are), you could end up with a ball big enough to knit a sweater... or maybe just small enough to create a hat or scarf. Whatever project you end up with, you're bound to have a good time working on it. So watch (and read!) as Sandy explains how to make your own Magic Ball.

  1. Begin with several balls (or odds 'n ends) of yarn of similar gauge. They can be as similar or different in texture/color as you like, but we think the more varied, the better!
  2. Cut about 1 yard (hint: for most people, an arm's length away from your body is about a yard) from the first ball. From the second ball, cut a piece that is slightly different in length. Your pieces can vary in length as much as you want, but we recommend at least 6-12" variation in length to keep from getting a completely uniform 'striping' pattern.
  3. Put the two pieces together and tie an overhand knot leaving approximately 2" on the tail end. (When knitting with your Magic Ball, you'll want to knit in all of those 2"ends, rather than weaving them in later!)
  4. Begin making a center pull ball by wrapping the yarn in a figure-eight around your first and middle fingers a few times. Slip the yarn off your fingers, lay the two sets of loops upon themselves, and begin wrapping yarn around this 'base' layer. (here is an article on creating a center pull ball)
  5. Cut another piece of yet another ball, slightly longer or shorter than the second piece.
  6. Hold the third piece with the long end of the second piece and tie an overhand knot, leaving about 2" on the short end.
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6, continuing to wind the ball as you go, until you've reached the desired length (or until your scraps are gone!).

Posted by Laura of Jimmy Beans Wool

]]>Thu, 6 Aug 2009 21:58:41 GMThttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=55 Knitting Instructional Article: How to do a Provisional Crochet Cast Onhttp://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/secure-html/onlineec/instructionalArticle.asp?iaid=56Our very own Sandy stars in this knitting instructional article about how to do a provisional crochet cast on. We hope you enjoy it!

Posted by Doug of Jimmy Beans Wool

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