Category Archives: Blog posts

The Steek: Reinforcing, Cutting, and Finishing

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This photo tutorial is meant to accompany my Two-Color Fair Isle Wrap pattern in the Fall 2020 issue of Cast On magazine. It may be useful to others looking for basic information on steeking. In this case, the steek is formed by five stitches of alternating colors.

As you can see in the image below, the first step is to mark the stitch column where you will cut. The red thread is run along the left leg of the center stitch (column 3). The actual cut will be made in the center of that stitch, just to the right of the red thread.

After marking the center stitch, it is important to secure the steek so that the stitches do not unravel when cutting. With some yarns – Shetland wool, for example – the fibers “stick” together and little or no securing before cutting is necessary. That is not the case with smoother yarns – such as the ones used in this wrap.

The photo below shows the reverse side of the steek after machine sewing: it is not all that visible from the public side as I used a dark grey/black thread. The reinforcement involves sewing through the center of the stitch column next to the center stitch (numbers 2 and 4 in the photo above), and also through the center of the next stitch column – on both sides of the center stitch (numbers 1 and 5 in the photo). You will have 4 rows of stitches.

Cutting the steek is next. Following along the red line of stitches, cut through the center of the center stitch (number 3).

Fold along the edge of the second stitch column from the center column (to the left on one side and to the right on the other (numbers 1 and 5). There will be 2-1/2 columns folded under on each side of the steek.

With the lighter color yarn, tack the folded stitches down by hand as shown in the next photo – between stitch column 4 and 5 on one side and 1 and 2 on the other. Run the tapestry needle under the corresponding float and then between the two stitch columns as indicated. keep the stitches snug but not overly tight.

As you’ll see from the photo below, the finished edge with not be straight or flat – yet. This will be taken care of with blocking.

So, now would be a good time to block the wrap. When it is still wet, pin it to measurements, ensuring that the finished edges of the steek are straight and that a column of stitches evenly forms the edge.

I hope you found this helpful. Leave a comment if you have any questions.

Winter Holiday KAL – Pattern Now Available

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Get your pattern now for our Winter Holiday Knit-Along that begins on Sunday November 3, 2019 and runs until the end of the month. The price is discounted from today until the KAL actual begins.

Pattern on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winter-holiday-shawl
More information on the KAL:
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/winter-holiday-kal
Hope you join us!

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Winter Holiday Knit-Along (KAL) – November 2019

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Although I’ve been publishing patterns for a number of years, this is the first time I’ve organized a knit-along. I hope you enjoy it and hope we can enjoy additional projects over time.

This new pattern – Winter Holiday – was designed to celebrate the winter holiday season. It is a triangle-shaped shawl, measuring around 55×20 inches – and includes knit-purl texture, mosaic, and seasonal and holiday eyelet patterns. The yarn for the project is Cascade 220 Sport: one 50g skein each of Ruby, Lake Chelan Heather, and Silver Grey colorways. My thanks to Cascade Yarns for providing support to this KAL.

On November 1, 2019 the pattern will be published on my Ravelry page.
The price on November 1st and 2nd will be $3.50; from the 3rd the price is $4.00

The KAL runs for four weeks, beginning November 3. A video will be uploaded on Sunday the 3rd and on each of the following Sundays in November.

Click here for the KAL page on Ravelry.

Hope you join me.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Fair Isle Wrap with Steek

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Pattern available on Ravelry at https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fair-isle-wrap

This rectangular wrap features an overall traditional Fair Isle design that is worked in solid colors of worsted-weight yarn. The background is created with variegated worsted-weight yarns.

The accessory is knit in the round with a seven-stitch steek that is cut, folded back, and stitched in place before blocking.

Lighter weight yarns can be substituted, with the stitch and row counts adjusted for the change in gauge.

I realize that the Poems Silk is a discontinued yarn, but it is available if you search online. Any other worsted-weight variegated wool yarn would be a suitable substitute. Just decide on some colorways that appeal to you! You’ll need just over 325 yards / 300 meters of each of the background (variegated) colorways.

I hope you enjoy knitting this – and be sure to let me know if I can help!

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Print ‘o the wave Lace knit wrap

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This rectangular lace wrap features a traditional Shetland pattern known as Print ‘o the Wave. It is knit flat and then a narrow eyelet edging – worked in the round – is added. A 2-ply, undyed white Shetland wool yarn is used for this accessory.

Note that two 24”/60cm or 32”/80cm circular needles are needed for the edging, which is worked in the round.

I used 4 balls of Shetland Supreme Lace Weight yarn.

This pattern is available in my Ravelry store at: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/print-o-the-wave-lace-wrap

and also on Pattern Vine at:
https://patternvine.com/products/print-o-the-wave-shetland-lace-wrap

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Stranded Colorwork Knitting: Working with 3 or More Colors

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Made it to Riga, Latvia, this afternoon and I went in search of information on how to handle a third and maybe even a fourth color in a given row of stranded knitting. I had given up on the more complex patterns in Knit Like a Latvian due to frustration with managing more than two colors per row.

I went to two shops looking for advice and this is what I was told:

1. At Sena Klets (upscale national handicraft center): a young shop clerk who spoke English well acted as a translator for an older woman employee who spoke no English. She said she doesn’t worry about securing the strand of a third or fourth color even if they are carried for 10 stitches or so. What she does is tack the strands down using a tapestry needle and yarn when the project is complete. So, that’s one possible solution – from an experienced Latvian mitten knitter.

2. At Hobbywool Riga (this was my source online for the book “Knit Like a Latvian” and my first Latvian mitten yarn) – I spoke to the manager who is quite proficient in English and was very helpful. She took out a project and showed me how she handled a third color. Basically as she picks up the color to be used next she ensures that the strand is moved over the top of the other strands, and so on with each color change. Although this creates a twisted mess, on the following round she moves the strand to be used under the other strands and so on with each color change – basically untwisting the strands that became twisted on the previous round.

Also, she said that if a row called for the very infrequent use of a third color she used the duplicate stitch method after the project was complete and didn’t bother carrying the third color when knitting.

Don’t know if that’s of use to anyone – but clearly there are different methods for different knitters and doesn’t seem to be a “right” way of doing this.

Photos show Sena Klets, Hobbywool, and the meager purchase of 5 skeins for my next mitten/glove projects.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Shetland-inspired lace knit shawl

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This rectangular knit shawl is worked from the bottom edge up and features horizontal panels of Shetland lace patterns. It measures 59.5 x 10.5 inches.

Not long ago I visited the Shetland Islands, and on Unst, the northernmost island, I had the opportunity to learn a few traditional lace stitch patterns. Two traditional Unst patterns – Norik Drummie Bees (bumblebees) and Flukra (gently falling snowflakes) – are featured in this design. These are examples of true knitted lace in that the patterns are worked on both sides of the fabric.

Five colors are used, worked from the darkest color at the lower edge to the lightest color at the top, with an overlap of color on each panel. The wrap is framed with eyelet edges on the sides and double eyelets across the top and bottom edges.

This pattern first appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of Cast On – the educational journal of The Knitting Guild Association. It is now available in my Ravelry pattern store at:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drummie-bees-and-snowflakes

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Diamond Chain Lace and Eyelets Knit Shawl

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Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

I’m not sure if the Hyssop and Robin Egg colorways appealed to me because I miss Spring (living in Thailand) – or because the cold and snow plaguing so much of North America and Europe beg for better weather. Whatever the reason, I love the subtleties of these Hayton 4-Ply colorways by Eden Cottage Yarns and decided to use them in a large triangular wrap meant for Spring and Summer wear.

The center spine features a flat bottom edge as opposed to the point in a traditional triangle and the diamond chain lace is complemented by lines of eyelets radiating out to the edges of the shawl. All in all it’s a relatively simple pattern to follow and with the color changes and stitch pattern changes it will keep your interest as well.

One full skein of both colorways is required for the pattern. The finished size is 74×25 inches / 188×63.5cm.

The pattern is for sale in my Ravelry store: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diamond-chain-lace-and-eyelets

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Travel has its benefits: Embroidery-Inspired Fair isle neck warmer

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Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

This two-color Fair Isle pattern is a relatively easy knit and a good way to practice color stranding.

The neckwarmer/cowl is meant to be a snug fit – and measures 19.5 x 9.5 inches (49.5 x 24.1 cm).

The pattern is based on a traditional Russian Kargopol embroidery design – worked in red thread on a white background. I chose to knit this in a blueish green color as the primary color and a golden yellow as the secondary color.

The pattern is available on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/embroidery-inspired-fair-isle-neck-warmer

I hope you give this a try. If you do, please send a photo – I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH