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. 71 - Casting on: loosen up!

It's important when casting on to make sure it's neither too tight nor too loose. If you find that it's difficult to knit the first row after you've cast on then you need to loosen it up a bit; try one of the following methods:


1. As you cast on space your stitches out across the needle, it might be tempting to push them neatly together but this can make your stitches too tight.

2. Use a needle one or two sizes larger than the one you plan to use for your project. This naturally means the cast on stitches are looser.

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

© Gail Johnson - Fotolia.com

SIO Tips no. 31

Make a photocopy of your pattern so you can write on it to mark off complete rows in knitting or crochet.

SEEKITOUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

Craft Tips for Newbies No 6

Knitting needles come in bamboo, plastic, metal, even milk based. Bamboo is flexi so good for newbies. Metal last a long time and milk is good for those with stiff hands but not recommended for newbies as need special handling. http://ow.ly/c5zR0

Seek It Out: Changing the world a stitch at a time

CraftTips‬ for newbies No3

Knitting needles come in many lengths, use shorter ones when starting out easier to control.

Seek It Out: Changing the world a stitch at a time

CraftTips‬ for newbies No1

Knitting pins and knitting needles are one and the same.Confusing we know!


Seek It Out Changing the world a stitch at a time