Category: technique
Options for Easy Care Projects
There’s a persistent myth floating around that acrylic is the only safe, stretchy, machine-washable choice for (generally) handmade baby projects, and that all wool is inevitably scratchy and high-maintenance. Wool can be every bit as gentle, durable, and user-friendly as acrylic, with a host of naturally engineered benefits no plastic fiber can match. This is…
3 tips for washing wool
After putting time and care into the making of every stitch, of course you want to care for your creations. Here are three of my favourite tips for washing woolen items, both in general and specifically for washing at season’s end. Tip one – Don’t wash more than necessary For years I washed my handknit…
tutorial: judy’s magic cast on
While Judy’s Magic Cast On (aka JMCO) is one of my favourite techniques, it’s taken until now for me to write about it here. This cast on was introduced to many knitters by Judy Becker in the Spring 2006 edition of Knitty, as a technique for toe-up socks. As with many ideas it developed a…
granny squares (& other motifs)
Happy Granny Square Day! Granny squares were the next thing I learned to crochet after perfecting miles of chains. When I was 7, my mother was still working on my baby blanket and I wanted to make the cute little squares too. I made at least one square for the blanket. Unfortunately I can’t find…
the simple magic of tubular bind-off
Little details can transform a simple item into something very special. A tubular bind-off can take a humble 1×1 rib edging and turn it into a finished and sophisticated feature. It sounds tricky and complicated, but is straightforward once you break down the steps. One quick word of warning — you do need to be…
keeping track of WIPs
I always have many works in progress (WIPs). The same thing happens to me with books. I may set a project aside for months … or years and return to it and continue as if there was no pause. How do I keep track of all the details? Carefully. The other day someone asked me…