Category Archives: Yarn Craft

Beginner Tips for Circular Knitting Machines
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May 8, 2018

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Addi Express/Machine Knitting, Yarn Craft

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Beginner Tips for Circular Knitting Machines!

Myth: Circular knitting machines require no skill.
Truth: There’s a learning curve. Master it, then creativity abounds!

Beginner Tips for Circular Knitting Machines

When I read poor reviews of circular knitting machines that I know work well, I feel so sad for the people who spent their money expecting a perfect out-of-the-box experience! Just like any craft, circular machine knitting has a certain skill set to be learned.

In this video tutorial, I share demonstrate some basic tips and tricks to help beginners find fast success!

Tip #1: Affix machine to work surface.
Tip #2: Start with light weight yarn.
Tip #3: Read and Research.
Tip #4: Try out different yarn.
Tip #5: Add weights.
Tip #6: Go slow; watch, catch, fix mistakes.
Tip #7: Patience. Give it 10-15 rows.
Tip #8: Beware of knots.

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December 29, 2017

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DIY/General Crafting, Yarn Craft

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Fun Pom Pom Scarf

ted baker scarfWhile Christmas shopping online, I ran across this Ted Baker “Tizzy” Pom Pom scarf for $125 at Bloomingdales. It’s no longer available but you can purchase it from the designer’s site for the same price if that floats your boat.

pom pom scarf

Naturally, this prompted the “I Can Make That”

mindset so, knowing I couldn’t get the nice materials Ted used, I went with a more silly option with endless theme or color choices. Since it’s close to Christmas, I was thinking about Santa and thus, we have this version!

This was a simple, fun and fast project and I can see it being a great indoor project for kids to tackle. It took about 2+ skeins of Herrschener’s Worsted 8 yarn. (It was hard to tell because I used scraps along with one brand new skein.)

Here ‘s the tutorial:

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November 8, 2017

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Yarn Craft

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Spiked Mesh Stitch Hat (Crochet)

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Another Scrapbuster Project! This hat uses a type of Spike Stitch – Mesh Stitch combo to create a lighter hat with lots of impact.

Skill level: Intermediate. While the stitches used are pretty basic (slip stitch, single crochet and half double crochet), the crocheter really needs to be comfortable “reading the work.” This term refers to the ability to look at completed stitches and understand exactly what they’re looking at! It’s necessary to know so you can place the stitches in the right places.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

RIGHT HAND Video Tutorial
LEFT HAND Video Tutorial

Spiked Mesh Stitch Hat Pattern

Hat Sizing Charts

Need help? Click below for the Video Tutorial!

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April 7, 2017

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Yarn Craft

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Brilliant Viewer Tips for Knit and Crochet!

For the CrochetCrate Giveaway, I asked that people give me something I can Sheepishly Share in the comment section of the giveaway video. (Tips, questions, stories… doesn’t matter!)  What a collection of brilliance we received so I’ll be sharing them in my videos!

In the first one, you can learn things like:

  • addressing pom pom problems
  • crochet hook technical info
  • bobby pins and hair clips can be useful
  • tips for organized project planning
  • free version of “Yarnit” type products
  • dyeing yarn with Easter Egg dye
  • felting tips
  • bag construction tips
  • resizing patterns without math
  • jogless stripes
  • inexpensive project bags
  • what to do with yarn scraps
  • AND MORE!

In the second one you’ll find tips on:

  • traveling with supplies
  • storing supplies and open skeins
  • mixing yarn crafts
  • making neck warmers
  • pattern organization
  • saving yarn for repairs
  • adding fragrance
  • knitting cast on tips
  • proper task lighting
  • best yarn for stitch definition
  • surprising benefits of wool
  • more great uses for yarn scraps
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March 30, 2017

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Product Reviews, Yarn Craft

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CrochetCrate Giveaway!

Click here to watch the video to see all the crochet goodness and enter to win this March CrochetCrate sent to us from KnitCrate! This version is completely SOLD OUT so here’s your last chance to get it! (Knitcrate is a subscription box service filled with yarnie goodess!)

* INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTERING: Leave a comment on the YouTube Comment Section (not on this blog post) that’s something interesting I can share! Got a question for me? Or maybe a favorite tip? Have you used this yarn before? Do tell!

*Must be 18 or older to enter or have the permission of a parent or legal guardian. This giveaway IS open internationally.

**************************************
Want your own subscription?? KnitCrate is Sheepishly Sharing!

Go here: http://mbsy.co/knitcrate/matolander and enter our code SHEEP20 when checking out! (20% off your first box!)

**************************************

 

 

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March 21, 2017

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Yarn Craft

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Crochet Tutorial: Better Late Than Never Beanie

One of my “go-to” hats for donations AND it’s great for using up left-over yarn! I got permission from the designer, Kathy North, to do a video tutorial and here it is!

(CLICK HERE for the LEFT HAND version.)

RIGHT HAND version:

Here’s a quick link to the original written pattern.

Convertible balaclava beanie
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February 19, 2017

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Addi Express/Machine Knitting, Yarn Craft

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Balaclava: Addi Express Tutorial

A requested tutorial for a balaclava done on a circular knitting machine!

Convertible balaclava beanie

Wear it 2 ways!

(This is not for a rank beginner!) Skills needed:

~ Basic Circular Knitting Machine Skills (casting on/off, color changes)
~ Hand knitting OR Crochet skills

Essentially, it’s a long tube (like a reversible hat). One end is closed like a hat, the other end is finished with a stretch bind off. Waste yarn is inserted in the middle of the tube to allow for the face opening. Simple concept!

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January 26, 2017

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Product Reviews, Yarn Craft

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Review: Knitter’s Journal

I was never a fan of a hard-copy-yarn-craft-journal. As a Techno Nerd, I always thought Ravelry was the only way to go. But then I was contacted to review this one.

Yep. It’s worth a look. AND I began to think of other benefits… like passing it down to another knitter in the family! Hmmm….  What do YOU think?

Get it from their site by clicking here.

*Get it from Amazon here: http://amzn.to/2fiGsmr

The official website: https://www.janesknittingkits.com/

 

DISCLAIMER:  All opinions are my own, honest opinions, regardless of sponsorship, referral links, and/or affiliation. Links denoted with a ❋ denote a referral and/or affiliate link.

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January 23, 2017

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Yarn Craft

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Hat Sizing Chart

The majority of my knit and crochet hats are done for charity, therefore, I don’t have a way to measure the heads that will wear them. Sooo… my secret is to keep sizing charts handy! 

Download my Hat Sizing Charts! You’ll find 2 charts included in the download… one for crochet and one for knitting. Keep it handy in your phone or print it for your yarn bag!

Crochet is simple to size and the same chart can be use with any gauge, yarn weight or hook size.

The Knitting Chart will include cast-on numbers. This is great when you have a open skein of yarn and no plan or pattern in mind! After a quick glance at the cast-on numbers, I can knit a simple, basic beanie without having to go on a pattern hunt! (IMHO, this is perfect when the yarn needs to do the shining. I like solid colors for cables and fancy stitches.)

And there’s now a THIRD chart added to help you avoid the harrowing game of Yarn Chicken! I’ve shared my tricks for determining yarn length for 1 row in crochet, knitting and circular machine knitting, too!

 

Interested in charity work? There are several things to consider before jumping in! Click this link for a video I did a while back on the topic.

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December 9, 2016

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Addi Express/Machine Knitting, Yarn Craft

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Addi Express: Dog Scarf!

Feeling Christmas-y so I wanted to dress up Bentley. However, a shepherd-mix has too much fur for a sweater so I decided on this!

Looking for more Holiday Addi Express projects? How about a Snowman Scarf Tutorial, Santa Scarf Tutorial or Nutcracker Scarf Tutorial?

Addi Snowman ScarfAddi Santa ScarfAddi Nutcracker Scarf