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Sheila Ryle uses duplicate stitch for repairing holes in knitted pieces. Her method:
Follow back the piece of yarn that was broken. Thread a tapestry needle with a piece of the same yarn and duplicate that thread, working a couple inches or so from the hole. If the yarn is a smooth one, you may need to re-knit some of the stitches near the hole. Work across the hole for an inch or two on the other side.
Sheila recommends that you try this technique first on a practice swatch by cutting a hole in it. She says, "That's what swatches are for!" If the mends are not as invisible as you'd like, embroider a flower over them. Then, so it looks like a design feature and not a mistake, embroider a few more. Our thanks to Sheila for sharing this helpful hint...
February 2001 tips and ideas
Having problems shaping felted hats? Kay Blackburn shared a tip with us discovered when felting a FIBER TRENDS hat. Her daughter placed it on her head, then carefully took it off, blew up a balloon inside the hat and it dried perfectly. The balloon can be deflated when the hat is dry. Thanks, Kay!
Intimidated by charts? Sheila Ryle shared this information about on KnitU digest #1169 and granted permission to re-print: "Charts are representations of the stitches. Until the chart police decide which method of charting is the best, different publishers and pattern writers use different symbols, so you must check with the particular pattern you are using.
Don't try out your pattern on the actual garment , because if you have to keep ripping it out, the yarn will wear and it will show. Test out your pattern on a swatch. Screw your eyes up and look at the chart and compare it with a picture of the garment / stitch. The pattern should show.
Whether you are knitting in the round or backwards & forwards, remember that every time you knit a sitch it appears on the back of the work as a purl. Think of stocking
(stockinette) stitch. On the knit row, you are looking at the smooth side of the work, but the side away from you is purls. When the purl side is towards you and you are working purl stitches, you are creating a smooth surface on the side away from you."
Sheila tells her knitting students to try new pattern stitches or patterns with an unusual stitch or technique on a swatch, using spare yarn. Or, try purchasing one sample ball rather than all the yarn needed for the entire project. You may dislike the stitch for some reason and decide that you would not want to knit a whole garment in that stitch -- you haven't spent a lot of money or wasted much time. Our thanks to Sheila!
Not sure how long to make a scarf? Peggy Maguire recommends placing a 60" tape measure around your neck to get an idea of what length you would like. Thank you, Peggy, for sharing this at the Laurel Highlands Knitting Guild meeting...
Have you noticed the national television news reporters wearing lovely scarves? Pattie Sweeney spotted a fashion trend in how scarves are being worn. Fold your scarf in half, and place around your neck. Draw the open ends through the loop at the fold, pull snugly for comfort, and voila! A very trendy look, which stays in place, works with any weight or type scarf, looks neat and keeps your neck warm. Thanks, Pattie -- this really works great for skiing, too!
March 2001 tips and ideas
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