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KnitBits®
#51
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The free e-mail newsletter from Berroco
http://www.berroco.com
#51, November 21, 2003
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Dear Knitters and Crocheters,
For months, all I have been knitting and thinking about is garter
and stockinette stitch. This is because of all the scarf knitting
that I have been immersed in. I have been exploring the infinite
combinations of our extensive collection of novelty and FX yarns
to create unique fabrics with basic stitches.
Lately, though, I have been dreaming about pattern stitches. As
I peruse my well-worn volumes of Barbara Walker's brilliant stitch
dictionaries, I remember the day I discovered Barbara Walker. Many
years ago I borrowed her first Treasury of Knitting Stitches from
a knitting friend. On that very day I decided to make a career for
myself in the hand knitting industry. I resigned from my job as
fashion coordinator for a ready-to-wear company and I struck out
on my own with my fashion background and my drawing, knitting and
sewing skills. I took a course in flat pattern drafting and I learned
to drape a "muslin" on a dress form. I submitted my designs
to magazines and yarn companies and soon I was getting more work
than I could handle. I was fortunate to find a group of excellent
knitters who became my sample makers. I would have them knit all
the pieces and I would do the blocking and finishing. Finishing
is still the part of designing that I enjoy the most. It's a final
opportunity to put my signature on each piece.
One of my favorite stitch patterns from the Barbara Walker compendium
is called Frostflower. A Berroco sample knitter made a lovely shawl
for us in this stitch pattern using Quest
and Lazer FX. She knit it on
a #13 needle working Quest and joining Lazer FX every 3rd row.
I think it is lovely. Click below for a photograph
of our model Paula wearing this scarf.
Click below to see a close up of this
lovely lace pattern stitch.
It was worked in silver Quest
with silver and white Lazer
FX.
If you would like to knit this shawl, we are posting this Free
Web Exclusive pattern on our website today. To see four optional
color combinations click below and scroll to bottom for free instructions.
If choose to knit the shawl in Quest alone. It will certainly be
lovely. I have found that the allure of the iridescent sequin is
truly worth the extra dollars. If you plan to dress up for the holidays,
Marguerite will surely turn the heads of all scarf and shawl aficionados.
BEGINNER'S Q & A
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Kathie from Douglas, MA told me that she bound off her scarf and
discovered that it wasn't long enough to be the fashion scarf that
she had
envisioned. She was so disappointed. Kathie assumed that once she
bound off it was
done. For her there was no going back. She thought that is was impossible
to make a scarf any longer after she had executed that tedious "bind
off
row". This is not true. If you unfasten the last stitch that
you bound off, you
can simply pull the end and it will unchain easily. It's kind of
like
opening a burlap bag of Basmati rice. Then you can slip the "live
stitches" back on the needle, join the yarn again and continue
to knit.
Another tip for the scarf knitter who wishes to achieve added length:
You
can always add fringe!
Till next time, keep knitting.
Best,
Margery Winter
Creative Director
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