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by Jenny K on May 1, 2012
Buttonholes seem like the simplest of closures but you will want to take careful consideration of the size of your buttons relative to the size of your garment as well as the function of the button (is it decorative or utilitarian?). To help make this potentially tricky process a bit easier, we have created a guide to three different buttonhole styles - including the one row buttonhole, two row buttonhole, as well as a buttonhole for ribbing. Usually shank buttons are best for knitted garments since the button shank gives more vertical clearance for the thickness of the knit fabric. If you are using a flat button, you may want to create a shank by wrapping thread or yarn around the stitches that attach the button to the fabric. Wrap the stitches between the button and the fabric, then secure the thread or yarn with a knot at the back side of the fabric. |
Category Archives: Finishing Techniques
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by Jenny K on April 19, 2012
We've all been there. The anxious phone call from a friend or family member asking is there was any way to stretch out the lovely handknit or crocheted project "just a bit". And after a few investigative questions to determine just exactly how much just a bit was and why the fit was off, the real reason reveals itself - the gift that was carefully made stitch by stitch was accidentally thrown into the wash or taken care of in a way that wasn't good for the yarn. After having this happen on an occasion (or two), I knew that things would be different for my knitted gifts in the future after I saw these adorable care labels we have at Knit Picks! These small care labels are perfect as that little reminder to the recipient as to how to wash your gift. We even made a video tutorial that shows exactly how to sew the labels onto your knitted or crocheted project in two different ways. The first way shown in the video lets you attach the label in a way that can be easily removed (if you want the recipient to know how to care for it, but be able to snip the tag off) and the second way in the video will show you how to firmly attach the label in place by using a simple backstitch. |
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by Hannah on March 21, 2012
I told my mother at the end of February that if anything in my Ravelry queue caught her fancy, I would knit it for her. We browsed through all the 514 patterns together and none of them were really speaking to her, until the Swirled Pentagon Pullover from Knitting Nature. Her eyes lit up and we read through the pattern details. On a whim I clicked through to see all the patterns in Knitting Nature and that's when my mother saw the Hex Coat, the pattern that really won her heart. |
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by Jenny K on March 13, 2012
I have to admit that putting the finishing touches on any project is not my strong suit - mainly because as soon as I bind off my last stitch, my brain automatically categorizes the project as done. And most of the time, there is still a lot to do until it reaches the official status of finished object! Whether it be seaming, grafting, or weaving in ends, I usually take a break from my project before I muster up the enthusiasm for tidying up any loose ends and finishing everything up. However - when I do get into the finishing zone, I usually take a whole day to wrap up any projects I have laying around that need those finishing touches. And since motivation for a finishing spree doesn't happen too often, I do take advantage of it when it strikes and I end up feeling a huge sense of accomplishment (and relief). Although I do tend to put off the finishing aspect of my projects, knowing which techniques to use and how they work is a huge help! Mattress stitch is one of the more common techniques you might come across and it allows you to stitch together two pieces of stockinette stitch fabric, side by side. This method is nearly seamless and it is hard to tell where the seam lies from the right side. On the wrong side, you'll find the first stitch of either side tucked away. And for those of you who might be putting off seaming up those sleeves or stitching together parts of your sweater, we've made a Mattress Stitch video tutorial to help guide you along, step-by-step! |
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by Jenny K on February 8, 2012
No matter how much I love working with wool for my projects, I know that it is not always the most appropriate choice. Whether I am working my way through yarn options for baby items, afghans and throws, or simply a project request from a wool-sensitive friend, I look towards easy care yarns and other non-wool fibers. Now, when you see easy care – it can be tempting to simply toss your finished objects in the washer with the rest of your clothes. Instead, I like to think of these fibers as easier care yarns. Along with a few tips and tricks, you can ensure a long and happy life for your hand knit and crocheted projects made from easy care yarns such as superwash fibers, cotton and cotton blends as well as acrylic yarns. Swish Tonal Worsted |
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by Jenny K on January 31, 2012
Bags, purses and satchels are such fun accessories to make, in addition to being a quick and chic way to add a pop of color to any outfit. But sometimes, depending on the size and shape of your bag - it can lack the structure of a bag or purse you might find at the store. Lining and reinforcing your bag with a stiff interfacing is great way of adding structure and support to any bag, but it can seem like quite an intimidating process at first. This is exactly why I teamed up with Kerin to create a step-by-step video tutorial on how to make the most of your bag with a little fabric, stiff interfacing, and a few other supplies. |
