When I talk to knitters about helical knitting, if they are familiar with the technique it is almost always in the context of 1x1 helical stripes. I have to admit that this was how I first met helical knitting, but I’m fast coming to the conclusion that it’s helical garter stitch that is the most exciting application of helical knitting.
Read moreFO: Cardiganised Ola Yoke
I can hardly believe it, but in just under 12 months I have knitted myself a 4ply cardigan!
I’m totally thrilled with how it turned out, and I’m already wearing it a great deal! I thought it would be helpful to talk through how I took Ella’s absolutely beautiful Ola Yoke sweater pattern and converted it to a cardigan, as it’s really not a difficult transformation to make. I should say of course that the sweater is fabulous, and doesn’t need modifying at all. I just know that I wear cardigans a lot more than sweaters, and wanted to get the most from this lovely knit.
Read moreMomo hat
Clearly I’m not yet done with helical designs! If you’ve already purchased Something New to Learn About Helical Knitting, this bonus design will be added to your Ravelry library later today, but this is also available as a single pattern download. Giuseppe Momo is the name of the architect who designed the newer 1932 double helix staircase at the Vatican Museum in Rome (below). This is one of the most spectacular double helix staircases, and so it seems a fitting name for a hat that features both helical garter stitch, and a cable panel that has a bit of a helical look to it!
Read moreSangallo cowl and Bramante mittens
Yesterday I talked about working shaping and charts at the same time as helical knitting, and today I’m sharing the two patterns that come with chapter 3 of Something New to Learn About Helical Knitting…
Read moreWorking helically
I’m sitting at my desk, surrounded by helical knitting swatches and samples. In case it wasn’t already obvious, I’m rather in love with this unusual technique! As I’ve published helical designs, there are a few questions that have popped up regularly, and one of the most common themes is around working other instructions at the same time as working helically.
Read moreVideo: i-Cord cast-off method
I-cord cast off gives a smooth, rounded edge to your knitting. Find out how to do it from this straightforward video tutorial.
Read moreFO: Ecliptic Hat
I have already waxed lyrical about my love of the dip stitch designs in Hunter Hammersen’s book, Firmament. They really are so compelling that I found both my Constellate and Ecliptic hats very hard to put down. But now that I’ve finished my Ecliptic hat I want to swoon over the crown shaping in a bit more detail…
Read moreVideo: Waste yarn cast-on method
Learn how to work the simplest of provisional cast ons with this video tutorial.
Read moreVideos: Basic 1x1 helical stripes
These two videos cover the basics of working jogless helical stripes, whether you use circular needle, or double-pointed needles.
Read moreHelical stitch patterns and a pair of cowls
It has been brilliant to see a number of people in the helical knitalong saying how magical they are finding 1x1 helical stripes. It’s this sense of wondrous ease, and yet cleverness that has driven the development of the stitch patterns in today’s new chapter of Something New to Learn About Helical Knitting. I had already dipped my toe in the water of helical stitch patterns with my Spiralling Socks designs. They use the combination of a knit round and a slipped stitch pattern to create a pleasing helical effect, and I was quite sure that there must be plenty of other patterns that would be fun to work in this way.
Read more