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How To Knit Cable Cast On

Sine Qua Non means an essential condition – a thing that is absolutely necessary. For knitting, the absolute beginning is to use cable cast on stitches to start any project.  Cast-on, essentially is a technique where we attach yarn to the knitting needle in the form of stitches, so that we can build upon this foundation row and create what we want to create.  There are about 40 ways this can be done, and all knitters have their favoured methods. However, it is good to remember, that each cast-on technique depends on what kind of project is being made. Today I will talk about the Cable Cast-On Method. It is simple, and gives a very neat edge. However, it is […]

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Bubble Stitch

A recent test knit that I worked on introduced me to knitting bubbles. Not bobbles, not popcorns, not puffs…but bubbles. The name and the stitch both intrigued me, and I really would like to show it to you today.  The bubble stitch is essentially a stockinette stitch – knit one row, purl one row. The drama begins when the ‘knit 4 below’ technique pops in every 6th row. Do check out the video in part 2/3 to see how to work this technique.  I have to admit, the bubble stitch looks like a bubble wrap as well. I did spend some time poking the stitch in and out; it sure is a stress buster 😛 Bubble stitch is a brilliant […]

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Finger Knitting

One of the fun parts of knitting is trying to use different ways to knit. Of course, needles are the true-blue way, but one could also use chopsticks, pencils, fingers, arms… just about any two same, strong, slender and smooth objects would do. Bring in finger knitting. For today’s Saturday stitch, I would like to show you finger knitting with a very loopy yarn, aptly called Loops Pastel by @loopsandthread. The loops are just about right to knit with adult fingers, but its perfect to teach a child as well on the structure of a knit.  As you swipe through the self-explanatory photos, you will see how to begin.  Stretch the first loop, and you will find a white thread […]

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1×1 Knitted Ribbing

A Rib Stitch is something everyone must have certainly seen on a knitted garment.  Really? Where? At the cuffs, collars and waist of a sweater. Or in the borders of hats, socks and gloves.  What does this stitch do? It contracts laterally, forming small pleats in which the purl stitches recede and the knit stitches come forward. How does this help? It adds elasticity to the any form fitting portion of the garment. Imagine having an extremely stiff cuff or collar – how uncomfortable that would be. This is where a little bit of stretch would be appreciated, and this is where ribbing helps. What is this Rib Stitch exactly? It is a knitting pattern, where vertical stripes of stockinette stitch alternate with […]

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Knitting Lace

Knitting stockinette after a long time does get boring. It is great if the pattern requires it, or if you want the final product to look that way, or if you want some uncomplicated rhythm while clearing your head. Which is what I do, many times, when I need to sort out my thoughts. But then yes, it does get monotonous.  Which is why then knitters start playing around, making all kinds of textures by purposely dropping stitches and creating gaps in their work. As a newbie this might sound exactly the stuff nightmares are made up of…but yes this dropping and adding stitches is how lace is created.  Is it tough? Yes, if you are new to it.  Is […]

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BRIOCHE KNITTING – ATTEMPTING MISS B

Designer Nancy Marchant, the Queen of Brioche, is the one who realized Brioche knitting was really underdeveloped, as compared to other knitting techniques. She created the key terms of Barking and Burping as well as a charting system which uses symbols for each brioche stitch or technique, so knitters across the world could share their patterns using the same language.  Her research shows that the name “brioche” arose in reference to a type of cushion that was fashionable for ladies to make in England in the mid-1800s. These brioche pillows were named for the fluffy French baked goods, and the special ribbed fabric that lent them extra poof took on the same name. The Brioche Stitch resembles a ribbed knitting […]

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