NEW 30 Free Patterns Spring/Summer 2006 from Berroco.

On my "In Love With" List:

Bronwin in Suede (I'm not a fan of the pockets, but I am a huge fan of the skirt!)

Aphrodite (I'm imagining this in an oceany, bluey-green on top and brown on the bottom with a sandy beige middle or some variation of those colours.)

Persephone (I love this sweater. Not the colours mind you, but I love the funky style. Maybe in some earthy tones with a wee bit of sparkle... hmmm...would look great with Bronwin!)

Also some cute knits for the wee ones..

Stuff you’ll need:

• waste yarn in a contrasting colour, preferably same weight as project yarn
• set of smaller needles (smaller than required for the pattern)

Method:

Look at the pattern to see the number of cast on stitches. Using waste yarn, cast on 1/2 the required  number of stitches. (If pattern calls for odd number, then cast on 1/2 the number of required stitches + 1).

1st row: Purl to end

2nd row: Knit to end.

Join in main colour yarn. Cont in stockingette st for 4 more rows so that the purl side is facing.

P1. Look down the four rows to the contrasting yarn and you’ll clearly see your project yarn as “purl bumps”. With your left needle, you will pick  up the first bump in the row, four rows down from where you have just purled. Knit into the back of this picked up stitch. Purl the next stitch; with left needle, pick up from 4 rows below, knit into the back of the stitch and so on. Cont in this manner to the end of the row. When you finish your last purl stitch, you’re not finished.  There is still one more to pick up and knit, although you may not see that. The end of the row is basically a knot. Just shove your needle in there and knit into the back for that final stitch.

Now you may remove the contrasting waste yarn as it is no longer needed. You can cut the contrast yarn, just don’t cut  your project yarn! Now, if your pattern calls for a 1 x 1 (K1, P1) rib, then you’re off to the races and you can ignore what comes next.

For anyone needing a lovely 2 x 2 rib, like I did ——> follow me. Here comes the tricky part. You now have to twist every other stitch. Just like cabling. In fact, I use a cable needle to bring the knit stitch forward. I do this as I go as well. So I’ll purl, then twist, then purl, then knit, then twist…. and so on. All of this may seem like a major pain in the ass, but  once you do it a couple of times and once you see the fruits of your labour,  you’ll feel triumphant! One side of the 2 x 2 rib, in the first row will look slightly wonky, but no matter, that’s the backside. Yay! I’ll post tutorial photos when I get a chance. I promise.

Patons Chunky Knits (Book # 500948)

Pattern: Cabled Pullover With Hood

Yarn: Shetland Chunky in High Plains Variegated.

Needles: 6mm Bamboo Circulars (divine)

Pattern book, 10 balls of yarn and the needles, were all Christmas gifts! My family thought it was time I made something for myself.

Completed to date: Back and part of the front (with right pocket). I'm about to join on the left pocket. I used the tubular cast-on method for the bottom ribbing. It's perfect. :)

Pictures coming soon....

Tubular cast-on links:

Amelia Raitte: My Fashionable Life

Knitting Techniques by Mary Ellen Meisters

Note: I'll write out my method later and post it for everyone since I like a little bit of this and a little bit of that. :)