The email I get most frequently from knit, Swirl! readers goes something like this: “I love your book and all the patterns in it. My problem is I just can’t decide which silhouette and size is right for me”. In an attempt to facilitate the deci ... [More]...
Really want to knit a Swirl, but feeling a bit too daunted by the prospect to start? Don’t want to knit that all-important swatch because, phooey, all you end up with is a dumb square?
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If there’s one topic that gives Swirl knitters trouble, it’s gauge. I have been finding that using the traditional methods of knitting and measuring 4” swatches to assess gauge has been leading Swirl knitters astray, most often resulting in Swirls that are too large – and use too much yarn. I’d like to take you s ... [More]...
This tutorial is designed to help you choose a substitute yarn that will behave the most like the yarn I used in the book, so that you can get the expected result – a Swirl with the look, drape and feel of the original. Along with choosing the appropriate size, substituting yarns can have the biggest impact on how your Swirl fits ... [More]...
In the tutorial, technique: choosing a substitute yarn, I walked you through the steps I recommend for identifying a substitute yarn that will behave the most like the yarn used in the original pattern. Now we’re going to apply those steps to the task of finding good substitutes for the yarn used in the pattern Shade ... [More]...
I remember the first time I encountered a sweater pattern that blithely directed me to to cast on 625 stitches. My jaw dropped. My mind reeled. Why so many stitches? How on earth was I going to accurately count them all? How many miles of yarn tail would a long-tail cast on require--and, OMG, what if I run out of yarn tail as I cast on stitch ... [More]...
Joining numerous stitches in the round requires that you carefully align the stitches on the needle in order to avoid twisting the cast-on edge around the needle.
Here is the way I go about it:
I’m finding a number of Swirls knitters are running into trouble because they are ignoring the instruction to join the circle/oval at the end of row 3. Knitting pattern instructions are written based on assumptions of which direction the knitter will be working on in any given row. &nb ... [More]...
Work flat? What’s that?
Turn? Huh?
I get some form of these questions a lot. Work flat means to knit (or purl) back and forth rather than in circular rounds. Turn m ... [More]...
To begin, you will need your center back neck to cuff measurement. This isn’t a measurement you can take on your own, so enlist an assistant. Stand with one arm slightly bent while your assistant measures from the center back base of your neck, across a shoulder, around ... [More]...
Blocking is always important in making the most of any knitted garment, but especially so when it comes to a Swirl. Swirls, by nature of their welted structure, tend to pull up, each welt snuggling up against the welts immediately above and below. Wet blocking opens up the welts, enhancing the drape and sculptural qualities th ... [More]...
So you've studied the book, but still can't envision how it is that the oddly-shaped, one piece knitted object finally becomes a Swirl. It is a bit like origami! Here's an illustration that will help:
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The knitting is done, ends are woven in, Swirl blocked, and now it is time to put it all together. If you're still unsure of how that funny shaped thing actually becomes a jacket, not to worry. It will make all make sense very soon. Find yourself a nice big flat working space and gather up the tools you'll need: a couple of pack ... [More]...
The nature of the sleeves in a Swirl is that they tend to elongate during blocking and wearing. This is because the rows and welts run the length of the sleeve giving the sleeve tremendous lateral stretch potential. As the hand and arm travel through the sleeve, the sleeve lengthens. Gravity comes into play as well, especial ... [More]...
NOTE: This is the first tutorial on gauge. It was my best effort at the time, but after a year and half of working workshops, trunk shows and knitting events, I found what I hope are better, and more succinct ways of explaining How to Measure Gauge in a Swirl. I save this version because it has lots of photos and adds to the discu ... [More]...
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