it's just knitting #4 : semi-grafting 1X1 ribbing

so when i just can't avoid a seam in a knitted garment, no matter how much designing i try to work around it, i love a good ol' provisional cast-on w/ a three needle bind off, in most cases. but what if it is a lot more tricky than that, say a ribbed cowl.well,  i've found this option for a semi-grafted 1X1 ribbed bind off, to really do the trick. useful for the FREE lambton cowl/maxi scarf good night, day  pattern (that is available as a downloadable pdf here). please share your good night day knitting projects, also add me as a friend on ravelry, & if you post on instagram please tag #goodnightdayknits. more knitting tutorial & tips here.

to begin: holding CO edge on top & open/live sts. on bottom & threading tapestry needles (top photo)
step 1: First pull needle from back to front of first stitch on knitting needle, dropping stitch off
& pulling through (above)

step 2: Insert needle through both legs of stitches on CO edge. (above photos 3 & 4)
Go back to CO stitch (that was dropped off), insert needle from same knit stitch from front to back.
(below photo 5)

step 3: then w/ CO sts slip purl st knitwise  on needle (above photo 6) & then slip tapestry needle into next
st from back to front, slipping sts off needle . Pull wool through. (below photos 7 &8)

repeat repeat steps 2&3

free good night day cambridge cowl knitting pattern

i've added another free good night day knitting pattern,

  the cambridge cowl, that is available as pdf download here.

i think it is easily a perfect intro pattern for new knitters, since it allows pure instant gratification w/ a few basic skills like casting-on, garter stitch, drop stitch but gives interesting results. as well, i think other knitters can just really customize this up (like i did here) & also enjoy knitting for its pure relaxation & de-stressing benefits.

(photos c/o kennedy holmes)

free pattern good night day : lambton extra chunky cowl / maxi scarf

the lambton extra-chunky cowl / maxi scarf

this good night, day pattern is available as a FREE pdf download 

share your projects

on ravelry & instagram just tag #goodnightdayknits

(photo: eriver hijano, model: bryana johnson)

hannah metz of the loved one, in her own lambton maxi scarf
photo: hannah metz

time for some indulgent knitting for yourself,now that all the holiday gifts are knit.

 Or that time to learn to knit it yourself. nothing like getting something for free right?! this is my first of many free patterns to come (that will be pdf downloads), i will be choosing staple & archived good night, day patterns that have been favorites since this all started. the lambton cowl pattern for me is all about choosing the perfect wool, i love it chunky, it really is a stand out silhouette piece.

 this lambton cowl, is a versatile pattern, that allows for customization, & also includes maxi scarf & cowl options, that involves an (optional) semi-grafting technique for 1X1 ribbing, for a perfect seam (i will be adding this to the it's just knitting tutorials & tips soon too).

more free patterns, coming soon the cambridge cowl/scarf (a drop-stitch knit). 

audrey cantwell, designer of ovate in her own lambton cowl
photo: yuli sato

alyssa garrison of random acts of pastel,
in her own lambton cowl

it's just knitting>> #3 knitting cables

nothing seems more daunting to a new knitter then cables, & then nothing is more gratifying to a new knitter than having mastered cables, you'll even be surprised that it wasn't so difficult after all, & now look how impressive a knitter you have become.
the petawawa cable toque (from knitting booklet #2), w/ it's honeycomb cable pattern, is one of my favorites, you have all these easy stockinette rows (just mindless knitting on circulars) & then these front & back working cables on that same row that seem to magically unravel into this amazing design, kind of all of a sudden you notice the honeycomb just taking over, trust me instant gratification.

ok so here is an example of the front working cable in this pattern, i've slipped the front cable stitches onto a stitch holder* & they are placed in front of the work  & if it is the back  cable sts you will simply hold the sts in the back.
*as for tools needed, i have a cable needle hanging around, so i do use that, & sure it helps to keep the stitches from not slipping (although, mine is metal, making it a slippery nuisance, i do love the wooden ones, but?!) & as a new knitter having proper tools is all part of the joy. i'm also confident that in most cases a dpn (double pointed needle) does the trick just fine too, seriously it is what i usually use.

  i've already slipped the front cable sts required onto the cable needle  (above), holding it infront, & have begun knitting the next required amount of sts. in comparison,  (below) i've already slipped the back cable sts required onto the cable needle, holding it in back fo the work & have begun knitting the next required amount of sts.

(below) finally,  i can go back to the sts being held on the cable needle (in this case, from the cable sts held in front of the work) & knit those, then continue in this way for the cables. Easy right?!

the following patterns include cable techniques, petawawa cable toque, windsor headband & auora reversible cable cowl (from knitting booklet #2), also, simcoe headband from (knitting booklet #1)

MORE knitting tips & tutorials for the knitting patterns from good night day:modern & minimalist knitting booklet (vol. 1 &2)

it's just knitting #2: avoiding that unsightly gap

Of course, I am sucker for raglan sweaters, & not just aesthetically either, they are the perfect try on as you go no regrets later project (ok, & yes aesthetically absolutely modern & minimalist). Yet, they can have a very unsightly problem, that arises from a gap that appears right under the underarm, it is pretty awful. Here are the guidelines in photo instructions (nothing beats visual aids) from my kingston sweater pattern from modern & minimalist knitting patterns vol 2. that will rid you of that unslightly gap altogether.

>>At the point when you have reached beginning the sleeves, you can congratulate yourself on already being done knitting the perfect fitting raglan body of the sweater, & the stitches are waiting for you on the waste yarn. Be brave & open up the waste yarn, grab those dpn(s). Using a flat surface makes it easier. >>

>> You will transfer all stitches evenly (more or less) across your dpn(s), you will also pick up 3 extra stitches between the first working needle & what will be the last stitches.<<

>> Knit the new stitches first, knit around all sts. then knit the last stitch together with the first new stitch to avoid that gap. Alternatively, (it is a little trickier)I prefer for an even tighter close, to knit what would be the last stitch from that last needle,  together to the first new stitch on the first working working needle  & then knit around the sts. <<

>>another tip: I always prefer to leave the waste yarn in until the very end, in case you have the dreadful misfortune of dropping one of those stitches from the waste yarn when placing them on the dpn(s), & also it really helps when measuring too. <<

(coming soon: how to avoid the jog in circular knitting, that uneven ladder in joining that appears, & also circular knitting needle tips)

it's just knitting >> #1 double pointed needles

Honestly, i have to be frank, it was ages even before meredith of one sheepish girl blog asked if i could share some knitting tips on her blog, that i had wanted to do a series like this, but well procrastination & all. However, since doing this mini photo guide on dpn(s), i already have the photos for many upcoming posts, that will all include skills found in my knitting booklets good night day: modern & minimalist knitting patterns. The following tips for dpn(s) will be useful for the following patterns, elora toque from vol #1, & also from vol #2, petawawa toque, jarvis toque, kingston sweater (a used in these photos, as the neck is worked first). Please note, you can also use circular needles for these patterns, which is my next post.

>>To begin for double pointed needles,  cast on the stitches onto one needle at first, because it is the easiest & then begin to divide evenly,  more or less, across the rest of the needles. If you find you are still having difficulties, or as a beginner, try knitting the entire first row on one needle, then dividing & distributing the stitches.  >>

>>Make sure to arrange the needles, & to straighten out the stitches, so that none are twisted. Try laying them out flat on a surface, then fix all twists, straighten all stitches, putting needles in order.>>

>>You will begin knitting with the empty needle, with the working yarn on the right needle point, this will join your work. Although, it seems daunting at first, you are still just knitting with two working needles at a time & then switching to the next needle & once the initial  first rows are complete, you will find it much easier & sturdier.>>