SIO Tips no. 72 - Binding off

When you are ready to cast off; loosely knit the first two stitches of the row, then pass the first over the second leaving one stitch on your right needle. Loosely knit the next stitch and pass the previous one over it, again leaving just one stitch on your needle. Do this all the way across. When you get to the end cut the yarn, leaving about 8 inches of tail, and pull the end through the remaining stitch. Weave the tail in across the back of your knitting using a blunt yarn needle, doubling back to secure it.

SIO Tips no. 56: Using up wool oddments

Wool oddments can make your craft box look a real mess; there are some great ways to use up the funny assortment of colours out there. 
A big favourite is to knit a whole lot of squares for a knitted patchwork quilt; great for a baby blanket and family heirloom. 
This also makes a great project to teach a new knitter as the squares can be whatever size you like, great practice to get the hands used to knitting and quick to put together with amazing results.
 

Knitting is good for you...

Well, so a recent newspaper article said.  For two main reasons; firstly as a stress buster and secondly as away of keeping the brain active for older knitters. Relaxing some of the time I agree but not when struggling to learn or following a tricky pattern.

Our own research told us that newbee's often find knitting stressful; they told us that they want simple but not making endless doll's neck ties or small squares for charity blankets. In response the Nesta kit came to be. Simple to do and room for tension variations with easy to follow pattern but the result must be good enough to use, Nesta is just that. The pretty cushion would grace any decor and the process build confidence, as promised crafting without tears.

Nesta is named after a very talented lady, wife of a Snowdonia sheep farmer who transformed an ancient ruin of a large slate farmhouse into one of the most sympathetic and stunning restorations I have ever seen. The cushion would have fitted in a treat with its natural tones, so reminiscent of the sheep they farmed high on their Welsh mountain.

Rosie 

Creative Director SIO

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

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