For me, this week has been all about learning new skills.
The August squares for my year-round afghan project required me to do crossed stitches for one of the blocks and I hadn't done this before. It turned out to be a lot like cable stitches, only with one stitch crossing over for the most part.
The photo doesn't do it justice but this square is one of my favourites.
I bought myself Cast On Bind Off because I had no idea that there was more than one way to bind off and I have never managed to work out long tail cast ons. The book has surpassed my wildest dreams of what can be achieved in the first and last rows of knitting from practical ways to make my work more (or less) stretchy right through to beautiful ways to edge work - even casting off with more than one colour to make a braided effect! There are 54 in total with tips on how to customise and vary them, too.
Although I originally taught myself to knit using a library book I tend to work better with videos to learn new skills because I am a visual learner however this book has step by step instructions and photographs and I'm finding it really easy to follow.
This week I had a try at Picot cast on and bind off and LOVE it! It's recommended for socks but I can't help thinking it would make a lovely cuff detail for mittens.
Next week I will show you my finished Vinelle project (she says, confidently!).
What are you knitting/reading this week?
Interesting book! I will give it a flip through next time I see it. Your knitting skills are perfect to me and I love the afghan square.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think the great thing about knitting is that you could do it all of your life and still there will be more skills to learn.
ReplyDeleteIt really is an interesting book - I'm thrilled with it.
Congratulations on learning new techniques. I am going to find a copy of that book. I taught myself to knit from Youtube videos and know there is still so much I need to still learn.
ReplyDeleteCrossed stitches? I want to learn how to knit them!
Thanks, Tracey. I love youtube for readily available advice when I need it - it's like the grandmother I never had!
DeleteI love a picot bind off. And I love those crossed stitches. I've never done them before either. x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Greer :o)
DeleteOh thank you for showing me an open page of that book, I had seen it and was interested, but a spiral bound book appeals x10000. Your square looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah - the spiral bound books are so handy, aren't they? I'm glad to have helped :o)
DeleteI've just been asked to teach someone to knit this might be a useful tool for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Deb
How exciting having the opportunity to get someone knitting! Good luck :o)
DeleteThat book looks amazing, my co-worker bought it last week, and it's on my list!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying it, Jess :o)
DeleteI'm glad you like that book. I saw it in a give away and I really wanted to win it. I used about 20 different cast on methods and countless ways of binding off. I'll have to pick it up next time I see it. Your afghan looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andee :o)
DeleteOh, that sounds like a great book to have. As long as I've been knitting, I've always used the same cast on, bind off method. Maybe it's time to change that...
ReplyDeleteI had been using two different methods unknowingly but finding out there are 54 or more is just mindblowing!
DeleteWow, what a fun undertaking to learn other CO and BO methods! Lovely results so far!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria :o)
DeleteI had no idea there were other cast on and bind off methods until I took a top down sweater class and the instructor wondered aloud what I was doing. I learned the method I use when I was five. Good to know there is a book out there should I need it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen - I think we all stick with what we learned with as it's safe, isn't it? The book is really useful for learning new ones.
DeleteWow, that book does look good, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by :o)
Deletehmm as a new knitter I always wonder if when binding off a rib stitch I should bind off in purl and knit stitches instead of just knit?? I think I need to read this book!!
ReplyDeleteI have seen patterns that have recommended whether to be binding off rib in knit or purl (or alternating). This book goes way beyond that, though. I can't wait to learn more and more!
DeleteLooking forward to seeing your Vinelle. I managed to get a pretty good start on the second sleeve while finishing up some other projects. I'm thinking the yoke shouldn't take me too much time to finish up. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe yoke part is quite quick - I'm almost done!
DeleteHumm, I may need to pick that book up too. Like you I prefer videos but that book does seem visual enough to do the trick. This would mean I won't have to wait for hubby to get off the computer in the evening inorder to learn something new.
ReplyDeleteHi Meadow - that's a great idea. It's nicer to knit out of a book than off the screen, too, although I'm terrible for doing it!
DeleteI am crocheting Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon. The pattern is APPALLINGLY written, but I'm getting there. I too learned recently about the myriad ways to cast on/bind off when knitting (in a book called Simply Fabulous Knitting - it's quite twee, but the basics are there). Mind blowing! I have made a promise to myself to finish The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland as I started it...er...about a year ago! Then there's The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers...should really finish one before I start another XD
ReplyDeleteIt's so difficult when patterns are badly written, isn't it?
DeleteGood luck with finishing your book! Sometimes I just abandon them if it's not inspiring me to go back.
Oh, that book looks like something for my wishlist! I love finding new reads on Yarn Along...
ReplyDeleteHi Nadja - me too! I've picked up so many great book recommendations from Yarn Along!
DeleteThat book looks great and I love the picot edge too.
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
DeleteThat certainly is a lovely stitch pattern for your square. That sounds like a great book too. The picot edge looks very pretty indeed. It would look lovely on the hem of a little girls dress too. Happy experimenting. Jacinta
ReplyDeleteIt would! Unfortunately I don't have any girlies to knit for...
DeleteOoh, that book looks amazing. I've not seen it before. Your work is gorgeous too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
DeleteLove your square, and the whole project. New to your blog, it's beautiful. Looking forward to following in the future.
ReplyDelete