Useful Goodies for Girl's Best Friend Pullover

This is such a simple, fun, satisfying knit! And you get to use some cool tricks of the trade.

Neaten Bind Off in the Round

I love this trick! As you know, when you knit in the round, you are really working a spiral, so there is always an annoying "step" where you leave off. Not anymore! Check out this nifty magic:

Neaten the Last Stitch

Backward Loop Cast On

This is my favorite technique for adding a few under-arm stitches when knitting a top-down raglan. This tutorial has it all: written and video!

Backward Loop Cast On

Let me know if there are other tricks or treats you want to learn by leaving them in the comments!

Useful Goodies for Declan Baby Pullover

Declan is super-sweet, super-fast, super-seamless, and super-stashbusting! Baby not included. Here are some clever tricks and goodies to make your super baby pullover extra super!

Neaten Bind Off in the Round

I love this trick! As you know, when you knit in the round, you are really working a spiral, so there is always an annoying "step" where you leave off. Not anymore! Check out this nifty trick:

How to Neaten the Last Stitch of Your Bind-Off in the Round

3 Needle Bind Off

No, I wasn't lying. It really is seamless! But you use a technique just like the 3 Needle Bind-Off, minus the binding off part, to connect the base of the neck with a little cross-over. Here is a video tutorial: 

How to Knit the 3 Needle Bind Off

And here is a written one: 3 Needle Bind Off

Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off

This is my preferred stretchy bind off. Perfect for baby sleeves!

JSSBO

Backward Loop Cast On

This is my favorite technique for adding a few under-arm stitches when knitting a top-down raglan. This tutorial has it all: written and video!

Backward Loop Cast On

Did I leave something out? Nudge me in the comments!

Useful Goodies for your Shiny Happy Socks

So many fun techniques! Here are the cheats:

Judy's Magic Cast-On

Truth be told, I hardly ever use video tutorials. When it comes to Judy’s Magic Cast-On, however, I was about to give up on toe-up socks for good after several attempts to use a written tutorial, when I was miraculously rescued by Cat Bordhi and her video tutorial. (I’ve included the link to Judy Becker’s article in Knitty.com in case you are smarter than I.)

Judy's Magic Cast-On Written Tutorial

TAAT Socks

I love knitting socks two at a time (TAAT). I love seeing both socks grow, I love being done when I am done. And I love feeling clever. Here is a tutorial that walks you through how to do it!

Two at a Time Written Tutorial

Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off

I find Jeny’s written tutorial of her inspired technique to be easy to follow. If you prefer video tutorials, I’ve included Cat Bordhi’s on the assumption that it is as helpful as her cast-on video was to me.

Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off Written Tutorial

Erase the Jog in your Bind-Off in the Round

Don't you hate it? That unseemly step between the first and last stitch you bound off? There are many versions of this quick fix. Here is a tutorial that includes a video and written instructions:

How to Neaten the Last Stitch of Your Bind-Off In the Round.

Anything I left out? Other neat-o tricks to share? Leave me a comment!

Happy Knitting!

Useful Goodies for Your Roberta the Librarian Mitts

Mitts are quick and fun and let you use some nifty techniques. Here are some handy links to some dandy tricks!

German Twisted Cast On

My new, go-to stretchy cast-on. So easy and clever. It is like long-tail cast on with a kick!

New Stitch a Day has both video and written, conveniently all in the same place.

Personally, I'm a written tutorial kind of gal, and I think Craftsy does a stand-up job.

Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off

This is just a lovely bind-off for the top of your mitts (or socks, or neckline...) It is pretty easy to do. Check out the Knitty Tutorial.

Erase the Jog on your Bind Off in the Round

Don't you hate it? That unseemly step between the first and last stitch you bound off? There are many versions of this quick fix. Here is a tutorial that includes a video and written instructions: How to Neaten the Last Stitch of Your Bind-Off In the Round.

Anything I left out? Other neat-o tricks to share? Leave me a comment!

Happy Knitting!

Useful Goodies for your Madame Papillon and Paraíso Shawls

Here are some helpful tutorials and tips for your Madame Papillon or your Paraíso Shawl. Don't hesitate to poke me and say that I left something out!

Garter Tab

Garter tab is that nifty way to start a top-down shawl that leaves you with an unbroken garter edge at the top of your lacy work of art. I will say, these things can drive you crazy, and having an inch-long dip at the top center of your shawl is a worthwhile exchange for your sanity. But once you figure it out, you will seek out projects that start with this sweet little trick.

Some tutorials tell you to start with a provisional cast-on. For me, that is crazy - picking up 3 or 4 stitches and having a teeny-tiny seam over said 3 or 4 stitches on the back of my shawl is fine by me. Here is a written and video tutorial:

New Stitch a Day - How to Knit the Garter Stitch Tab

Crochet Bind-Off

There are many different kinds. I walk you through kind that gives you loopy goodness. Here is a written tutorial that walks you through something pretty similar, with photos.

Stolen Stitches Looped Crochet Bind Off

Free Pattern - Annie Cowl

Meet Annie Cowl.

Annie is a seamless, lacy cowl, offered in 2 sizes. It is a perfect project for one skein of your favorite luxury yarn. The simple lace pattern makes Annie look fancy, but it is surprisingly simple and a great beginner lace project. It knits up in a flash in worsted weight yarn.

(Have I mentioned I really hate being my own model?)

And of course, you can download now. I hope you do.

Happy Knitting!

Useful Goodies for your Cascada Shawl

Here are some helpful tips and tutorials to get you through knitting your very own Cascada Shawl.

What Yarn to Use?

Well that's easy! Use Knit Knerd's Hand Dyed Yarn. [End commercial here.]

German Twisted Cast-On

This is a fabulous stretchy cast-on, and just about as easy as the Long Tail Cast-On.

You can do one-stop shopping here, with a video and written tutorial: New Stitch a Day Tutorial.

I like Craftsy Tutorial (but I'm partial to written tutorials - scrolling ahead is faster than fast-forwarding a video).

I-Cord Bind off

This is an excellent trick for your bag of them. I love the way an i-cord bind-off looks, especially in finer yarns. I am including a written and video tutorial. The written instructor uses ssk and the video instructor uses k2tbl – you can decide which you prefer. I used ssk and think it looks pretty snazzy.  For a 2-stitch i-cord, you'll have to adjust the tutorials. 

I Cord Bind Off Video

I-Cord Bind Off Written Tutorial

Let me know in the comments if there are other techniques you want help with! And most of all, Happy Knitting!