In this episode I present my finished, beautiful and warm Lanark sweater and Cargill Cowl. I provide updates on my many works in progress, and discuss future plans and dilemas. I have also signed up for an exciting test knit that I touch on in this episode and will be covering in detail in the future.
You can also now follow me on instagram and ravelry to get more regular updates/insight into my knitting adventures - https://www.instagram.com/the_
The episode can be accessed through this link - https://youtu.be/H7fLixGl_DU?si=OjFmDXDbS_rqJg8h
]]>In this episode I share my lovely finished Plateau cardigan. I give an update on my Lanark sweater, looking at the construction of this interesting pattern, and I talk about my future knitting plans. Finally we finish with a walk through the mining country of the North Cornwall coast.
You can also now follow me on instagram to get more regular updates/insight into my knitting adventures - https://www.instagram.com/the_
In this episode I share my lovely finished Plateau cardigan. I give an update on my Lanark sweater, looking at the construction of this interesting pattern. I share my latest acquisitions, the plans I have for these lovely yarns and I open the box to my Advent calendar from Blue Fern Yarns. Finally we finish with a walk along a woodland path beside the coast from Carbis Bay to St. Ives.
]]>I love a chunky yarn. Rowan’s brushed fleece has a high presence in my wardrobe and the only downside is it takes up a lot of space. I have just finished a T-shirt that I’ve been wanting to make for years. It’s a gorgeous circular knit, so took no time at all and it called for a chunky yarn similar in weight to Brushed Fleece. No surprises why I was drawn to it.
Looking at the pattern gauge and sifting through my stash, I found 3 cakes of Rowan Sultano Fine in pewter. I have been looking for a pattern to use this and here was the perfect choice. Although Sultano Fine is a DK weight the tension came up well on 6mm needles called for in the pattern. As a knitter, I do feel that enhancing one’s repertoire of skills includes the need to expand understanding of different fibres. Had I not been happy with the tension I would have played around with needle sizes until I was happy and perhaps made the garment in a larger size.
The result is a beautifully drapey fabric with quite open stitch work. I had intended this to be my Christmas sweater but I’ve also found being silk and cashmere blended with mohair, this is perfect for springtime evening wear as it is warm yet incredibly lightweight. Perfect for a trip to Cape Town to wow the relations and know that I’ll get plenty of wear out of it when I return and Autumn kicks in!
Pattern: BoHo blouse from Glam Knits -Stefanie Japel https://www.ravelry.com/
Yarn: Rowan Sultano Fine sh300 pewter
I made the smallest size and used under 2 of the three cakes, larger sizes could be comfortably accommodated by available quantity.
Photographed in Fraanschoek,SA
Photo: Jonny Allen
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You can access it through this link, https://youtu.be/q5XoDvFUP6I.
Thank you for all your positive feedback, I really appreciate them.
Frances
]]>You can access it through this link, https://youtu.be/1Y64lG9h9ew.
Thank you for all your positive messages, I really appreciate them.
Frances
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Click this link to watch https://youtu.be/cSGjXHEtTDE
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Click this link to watch https://youtu.be/DabNsJw2774
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I say again as we have just celebrated our first anniversary as a business! The start of Wool Winders was overshadowed slightly last year by the loss of a business that we both adored, but to be here one year on is extremely exciting indeed. Reflectively, what we’ve achieved in a relatively short space of time is impressive but to take the experiences so far and look forward and continue to plan is sobering.
I looked back last week at the original manifesto that we came up with when starting WWW. At the top of the list is authenticity. The effect of the pandemic for so many people was looking at how we spend our time. Making every second count and not missing out on the things we want to achieve in life is a very important approach; but achieving doesn’t mean trekking the entire globe on a sabbatical or taking up base jumping (perish the thought). Achieving can mean taking the time to learn more skills and enhance the ones you already have. Doing things well is something to strive for in all areas of life as the results speak for themselves and satisfaction is a feeling we should never underrate.
We started our second seasonal Knit Along last week with beginners creating the first garments. When asked what they wanted to get out of the project one answer was “to be the envy of the school run.” A perfectly achievable target, we all agreed. To be authentic is to show your best self, and in knitting terms showing your best work.
It is so important to plan when knitting your first garment. Creating knitwear is a real investment of your time, from choosing your yarn, understanding colour and the pattern choice. Here are some tips from us:
Start simple. Even if you can knit, choosing a straightforward pattern will build your skills and your confidence.
Think about the yarn you will use and the colour choice. Some people are flummoxed by colour, and designers make their choices for a reason. Trust it. Substituting yarns can be a minefield so if you aren’t sure on the first attempt stick to designer’s choice or seek help from a trusted source.
Read the pattern through to the end before commencing. Sometimes pattern instructions will ask you to do two things at once. It’s a good idea to highlight these points ahead of starting. I got so carried away with an intarsia panel on a sweater front I forgot to add in the armholes. Whoops!
Make notes that you will understand. Even if that means writing out instructions in longhand, on a single line of notepaper, ticking them off as you complete. Also use markers and annotations to find your place again.
Make time for your project. You won’t enjoy it if feel any guilt or pressure about taking time for yourself, and that is the most important time of all!
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Alison and I are excited to share with you our latest adventure - knitting on LNER’s Wellness train as part of Mental Health awareness week.
We’d love to have you join the LNER Wellness Train ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week to learn more about how to get the most mindful experience out of travelling. The LNER Wellness Train on the 7th May will provide customers travelling between London King’s Cross and Lincoln with a unique experience to engage in some of the most mindful activities you can do from the comfort of your own seat onboard the LNER Azuma service. A session in Knitting will be led by ourselves - Wool Winders and we’d love for you to join us!
Those joining the LNER Wellness Train Experience will be able to select from a bespoke menu provided by the expert LNER catering team, along with a hand picked goody bag. Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Early bookers who book by Monday 25th April will receive £10 off, quote code - WOOL10
To find out more and book please visit https://www.eventbrite.
In this video Frances and Alison chat about their knittings works in progress.
]]>In this video, I show you how to strand and catch in the yarn that you are not using when knitting a run of 5 or more stitches in one colour using the two handed fairisle technique. It is important to catch in the yarn every 4 to 5 stitches to prevent long floats on the back.
]]>In this video, I show you how to strand and catch in the yarn that you are not using when knitting a run of 5 or more stitches in one colour using the one handed fairisle technique. It is important to catch in the yarn every 4 to 5 stitches to prevent long floats on the back.
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In this video, I show you how to knit Fairisle or stranded colour work with one yarn in each hand using the English method in your right hand and the Continental method in your left hand. For tuition on how to catch in the yarn please see my other video - https://woolwinders.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-strand-and-catch-in-yarn-on-two-handed-fairisle
]]>Our next drop-in is tomorrow morning, Friday 4th March, 10am - 12pm at the Trestle Arts Base Cafe in St. Albans (AL4 0QJ).
We'd love to see you, so come along if you have any knitting questions, or just bring your knitting for a chat and knit.
]]>In this video we show you how to simply and effectively join two ends of yarn together so there are no ends to weave in. The ends are joined using wet felting - note that the yarn must be wool for the felting to work. This technique is very useful where you can't hide weaved in ends.
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In this video, we show you how to knit a cable cast on. This is a popular cast on method and a straight-forward technique to learn giving a firm and attractive cast on edge.
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In this video, we show you a technique to prevent a loopy last stitch in your cast off.
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Here we show you how to cast on using the long tail method. We show you two different ways of casting on. Long tail cast on gives a stretchy edge ideal for hats etc.
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This video shows you how to join your knitting at the beginning of your first round. Knitting in the round is used on either a circular needle or double pointed needles (DPN's). It is a great method to create seamless knitting.
]]>In this video I show how I approached knitting the patterned border on the Dee Motif cardigan from ColourWork Knits by Dee Hardwicke.
]]>With that in mind I am focusing on preparation being key to success, with the aim of clearing my decks and leaving more time to be spontaneous and enjoy free time more.
Planning of knitting projects (naturally, at the top of my priorities list) has already gone awry. Where I thought I’d be knitting for one new arrival this spring, it turns out they’ll be two (Both friends - not me, I assure you!). Luckily I have enough stash to see me through ‘til doomsday so I have launched myself into dual projects with gusto. Knitting two baby blankets at once - what could POSSIBLY go wrong?!
The blankets I’m knitting involve charts, so the first thing I did was to prep them using colour highlighters coded to the wool choice, to prevent picking up the wrong chart and knitting the wrong design. So far so good.
My plan is to work both blankets simultaneously, knitting each one ball at a time, one after the other. This proved beneficial early in the process as it's allowed me to count up the rows and mark on each chart an estimate of yarn usage throughout and when I can anticipate changing to a fresh ball. Another handy little tip!
My epic fail came upon starting the second blanket. The designs I’ve chosen are gorgeous. Created by the extremely talented Katherine Johnston - please check her out on Instagram, Ravelry etc. @knit_sew_make (but I’m not telling you which ones I’m doing as it’s a surprise for the recipients). I failed to check the stitch count and cast on the same as the first blanket and started merrily knitting away only to realise upon hitting the first row of the design that I had the wrong stitch count. Oops!
Organisation is key to all undertakings, as time spent on any activity is an extremely precious commodity. But there’s no excuse for not checking your stitch count!
]]>We started on Thursday with our Finishing techniques, mastering mattress stitch for different seams and stitches. We perfected picking up stitches, talked blocking and discussed putting in sleeves.
On Friday we started the day developing Fairisle skills, learning how to catch in floats, change yarns and not get in a tangle. Then after lunch we had a fun afternoon knitting Cabled hats and tea cosies. Even with distractions of tea, cake and lots of chatting many hats and teacosies were completed by the end of the afternoon!
Finally on Saturday Alison and I had a very exciting day out, planning a possible new Knitting escape day.... watch this space!
Thank you to everyone who attended and let us know how much they enjoyed their workshops. Our next selection of workshops and Escape days will be announced soon, on our Newsletter, Instagram and Facebook.
Until then, Happy knitting
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For successful garment knitting, I recommend putting a little time into the pattern before you start knitting.
Firstly, before purchasing/starting a pattern skim through to understand the techniques used in the pattern and how complicated it is. A challenging pattern can be very satisfying and can be an opportunity to practice new techniques, but if you know you are wanting to knit whilst following a film, a conversation to relax or even when tired, a simple knit can be a wise choice. Many knitters (including myself) have two projects on the go- a simple project and a challenging one.
When I am helping knitters who have come unstuck on a pattern, the most common obstacle is following two consecutive instructions, such as increasing/ decreasing whilst following a pattern repeat or a second set of decreases. The most effective way to prevent mistakes is to plan those complicated parts of your pattern by writing out row by row, this only needs to be in your own shorthand version, so it makes sense to yourself.
This is the way I plan my pattern: If I have two sets of consecutive instructions, start with inserting the first set into the pattern plan, then the second set, therefore ”Dec 1 st on next row and 8 following 4th rows for armhole ”, would mean that I would mark Row 1, and Rows 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29 and 33 as decrease one under the armhole heading. I could then add other instructions such as neck decrease or pattern in the same way. This means I have a quick reference as to what I should be doing on each row as I knit, without deciphering the pattern each time.
I also add other notes - such as how many stitches the pattern states you should have at certain points, so you can check that you are on track. Then as you are knitting tick off each row as you go and then you will always know where you are. Once done I find mistakes are rare (tip: I write out when I am not tired otherwise I am asking for trouble!) and knitting enjoyment is even greater and smoother!
Below is a pattern plan as an example, showing how you would plot the pattern on a plan before you start knitting.
Growing up in North London, and with my Dad sometimes working at Ally Pally, I have a fond attachment to this amazing location and it was good to finally return.
Donna, Alison and I met up with knitters from our knit group at our old store (Rowan@Osprey). It was lovely to meet up and share what we had been unable to resist purchasing (despite all declaring we were not going to buy much!).
There were less exhibitors than in previous years with more open spaces and areas to sit down. Although there were less yarn stalls, it was easier to move around and we were able to appreciate what was there.
We all really loved The Loveliest Yarn Company stall, with lots of wonderful yarns, patterns and accessories. Another stand we were really drawn to, was newcomers Wool Decanted selling beautiful small batch fine British wool in fabulous colours. There were also many other exciting creative stalls with lovely sewing patterns, felted creations, wooden stamps and so much more.
I’ve come home with knitting accessories, unique presents and lots of ideas! But mostly I’ve been reminded of how lovely it is to share a day with like minded people. Looking forward to the next time already…
]]>As we start with casting on in knitting, that seems as good a place to start as any!
A cast-on edge should be firm but have some give, if your cast on edge is too tight consider casting on with a larger needle or changing your cast on method.
There are lots of different cast-on methods and many are multi purpose, sometimes a pattern can specify a type of cast on, such as a stretchy cast-on, provisional cast-on or decorative cast-on but for most patterns, as long as your cast-on method is neat and firm with some stretch then there is no need to change.
If you are casting on a lot of stitches, you may want to consider stitch markers every 10 stitches to allow easy counting and maybe longer needles or a circular needle. Circular needles are also useful if you suffer from any aches in your hands or wrists, as the weight of the knitting is held in your lap rather than on the needles and the actual needle shaft is much shorter.
Once cast-on you will notice your cast-on tail is on the left if you used the cable cast-on, or on the right if you used the thumb method. Depending on your cast-on method, which ever side the tail is on at the this point, is where it will always be when the right-side of your work is facing you.
My preferred method of cast-on is cable cast-on - it is a good multi purpose cast-on, easy to teach and most importantly, it is what my Granny taught me..
]]>We are Donna, Frances and Alison and we are passionate and experienced knitting and crochet teachers, having all worked for Rowan until August this year.
Since then, we have created Wool Winders Workshops - where we will offer the opportunity to relax and enjoy knitting and crochet through our workshops and escape days.
More information on our workshops are soon to be added to our website with dates and the opportunity to book following shortly afterwards.
As we speak we are busy finalising our plans and putting in the essential services that sit in the background but ensure we run smoothly.
Follow our blog and on Instagram, to find out what we are getting up to.
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