Wednesday 11 August 2021

How to secure a dropped stitch

In the summer holidays, I am all about vanilla knits: knitting in the car, at the cinema, on the beach, while I am too tired to concentrate on anything else! Once in a while it doesn’t quote go to plan, and I notice that I dropped a stitch *many* rows ago. Often (pretty much always…) I can’t be bothered to unravel all the way back to where I dropped the stitch, so instead I secure the stitch into the knitting at the end. Want to know how to do that (it’s really simple)? Keep reading.

 

How to temporarily secure the stitch

You will need:

  • a locking stitch marker


When you realise you’ve dropped the stitch it’s important to secure it so your knitting doesn’t unravel. You can do this temporarily using a locking stitch marker: open the marker, and insert the pin through the loop of the stitch, then close the marker so the stitch is temporarily secured.

 

How to permanently secure the stitch

You will need:

  • A length of waste yarn (in the same colour as your knitting)
  • A tapestry needle

1. Thread the tapestry needle with a length of waste yarn, and post the yarn through the dropped stitch


 

2. Thread both loose ends of yarn through the eye of the tapestry needle

 

3. Draw the needle through the knitted fabric at the point where the dropped stitch is, pulling the waste yarn to the wrong side of the fabric

 

4. Weave the loose yarn ends in on the wrong side of the fabric to secure the ends 

 

5. Ta dah! You have secured your dropped stitch!

Friday 6 August 2021

Daisy Chain Blanket - the crochet version

Did you see yesterday’s Daisy Chain Blanket – the knit version? Well it’s got a friend, the crochet version!


Are you looking for a baby gift that is bright and bold, and can be finished in just a few days? The Crochet Daisy Chain Blanket is just the thing! The blanket uses mini-corner-to-corner crochet, which is really easy to learn and gives a satisfyingly speedy finish.

The pattern is written for the smallest size (a good car seat or Moses basket blanket size), if you want to make a larger blanket, you can make multiple panels, seam them and add the border at the end. This blanket isn’t just for babies, and could also be made as a throw or lap blanket. The blanket is crocheted in machine washable, aran weight yarn, making it quick to work up and easy to care for.


This pattern contains both a chart and written instructions for the multi-colour section (mostly because I hate reading charts diagonally, and I may as well do the hard work so you don’t have to!).

This pattern is written using US terms. Where applicable, UK terms are given in square brackets: US [UK]. Full photo tutorials for both the mini-corner-to-corner crochet technique and border, making this pattern suitable for advanced beginners.

If the Daisy Chain Blanket – the crochet version looks like your sort of thing, head to my Ravelry* and PayHip stores now. Fancy a discount? Use the code DAISY to get 15% off. Code expires 11.59pm BST, Thursday 12th August 2021.

If knitting is more your thing, you can find the knit version here.

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity; proceed with caution.

Thursday 5 August 2021

Daisy Chain Blanket - the knitted version


Waiting for a new baby to arrive? A new niece or nephew perhaps? Perhaps you’re looking for a bold new throw for your sofa? Or maybe The Daisy Chain Blanket – the knit version might be just the thing – it’s big and bold, and perfect for Spring and Summer.

The blanket is knitted from the bottom up, starting with a moss stitch border. The daisy pattern is knitted into the main body of the blanket using the intarsia technique, and the moss stitch borders up the sides of the blanket are worked at the same time as the main body. Once you’ve worked the main body of the blanket, you finish it with a top border made of moss stitch. All you need to do at the end is weave in all the loose ends (ok, that might take you a little while, but if you weave some in every few rows, by the time you finish the blanket, there won’t be many left to weave in) and you’re done.


The intarsia blocks in this blanket are nice and large, which means the colour changes aren’t too frequent, making this a good project if you’re fairly new to intarsia – just take it slowly and you’ll be amazed what you can do! The colour changes are included as both a chart and as written instructions.

The pattern is written for three sizes: small, medium and large, so you can choose how large a blanket you’d like to make. Don’t have anyone to make the blanket for? Why not knit it for yourself? The blanket would be perfect for resting over your knees while out on the patio on a summer’s evening.


I very rarely make the same thing more than once, but look what’s currently on my needles… it’s a Daisy Chain Blanket – the knit version with a purple background!


Does the Daisy Chain Blanket – the knit version look like your sort of thing? You can find the pattern now in my Ravelry* and PayHip stores.

Use the code DAISY to get 15% off. Code expires 11.59pm BST, Thursday 12th August 2021.

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity; proceed with caution.