Best Darn Needle and Hook Tubes

Best Darn Needles and Hooks Tubes – scroll to bottom of page for ordering

-         Telescopic length extension 8 ¼“ to 14 ¼“  for up to 14″ needles
and hooks of all kinds
-         Ratchet mechanism locks at extended positions
-         Rigid, durable, humidity and oil-resistant
-         Speedy, efficient packing of needles and hooks
-         Use again and again
-         Square shape excellent for stacking and  storing
-         Clear, see through
-         great fit into knitting bags

IN U.S.:  5 Needle and Hook Tubes for $20 (includes s/h) click here for U.S. shipping

IN U.S.:  3 Needle and Hook Tubes for $15 (includes s/h) click here for U.S. shipping

IN CANADA:  5 Needle and Hook Tubes for $20 plus $10.00 s/h to Canada

IN CANADA:  3 Needle and Hook Tubes for $15.00 plus $10.00 s/h to Canada

To begin, wk 2 swatches:  co 20 sts (co row is Row 1); k 20 ridges, bind of on rs.
     
1.                                                2.                                                 3.
Photo numbers correspond with steps.

1.  Wk Lifeline:  Thread needle w/contrasting color yarn.  Beg w/bottom corner of piece on the right , Insert needle under a lp of the cast on (or bo) st at corner.

It is important to remember that two rows create a garter ridge, so one picked up st during seaming represents joining two rows/one ridge; it is picked up in the top row of a ridge in one piece and picked up in the bottom row of a ridge on the other piece.  They then merge during seaming.

Note:  be sure not to catch any yarn plies with the yarn needle while working with the pieces.

Fabric on right, for each ridge up to the top, identify which st of  ea two-row ridge on this piece should be picked up (as discussed above).  In photo 1b the right side lifeline is in each top row st of the ridge and the left side lifeline is in each bottom st row of the ridge.

For the fabric on the left, insert lifeline beg under a lp of the cast on st at corner.  Skipping the first st each time (photo 1b), insert needle under one st of ea ridge (the opposite top/bottom st as picked up w/other lifeline).

2.  Fabric on the right, shows top row st of a ridge picked up.  Fabric on the left, shows the bottom row st of a ridge picked up, skipping ea first st.

3.  W/contrasting second color yarn, *beginning on left piece, insert needle under first st in lifeline, then under first st in lifeline in piece on right, repeat*.   After ea repeat, tension the seaming thread as a straight line.

      
4.                                                   5.                                                  6.
4.  Shown above a couple more sts worked. 
5.  Gently draw up seaming yarn so that it forms a straight line, merging the sts from ea  side.
6.  Cont to wk a few more sts.

     
7.                                                8.                                                9.
7.  After several sts are worked, snip used lifeline, being careful not to cut fabric sts or seaming  yarn.
8. Cont to make a straight line of the seaming yarn as sts cont to be worked.
9. Notice the contrasting color used for s eaming is barely visible.  Cut seaming yarn, change to yarn same color as pieces and continue the process.

10.                                                 11.                                             12.
10.  Cont process w/matching yarn, pulling seaming yarn straignt and snipping
lifeline over completed stitches.
11-12.  Wk to last st ea side.  Photos  show needle positions for invisible joining at top of pieces.

13.                                                14.

13.  Completed invisible join at top edge.
14.  The first, bottom part completed in contrasting color seam.  Second, the top part seamed with same color as pieces.

Completed.  Photo before  steaming or blocking.  Can you see the seam?

Please click here for the PDF File

There is a bonus full size Spring Stained Glass afghan pattern, including sixteen motifs (four sets of those shown).

Spring Stained Glass in Knit Pattern $6.00

Sewing 
Machines include heavy duty sewing machine for tough, heavier fabric repair.
Minor upholstery projects.  Custom curtains.

No Idle Hands Organizational Services for Home & Business
Sort, Declutter & Rreorganize
Paperwork Sortoing & Filing Solutions
Newe Space Creation
Storage Systems Evaluation
Business Organizational Solutions -
Efficiency, time & Motion, Productivity Emphasized

‘Myrna Loy’ knitted afghan pattern
Mock pleats and laced cables. Mock pleats create the top and bottom band; afghan body has 3st garter edge, symmetrical and balanced panels of mock pleats and laced cables.  Two afghan patterns include two versions from which to choose – cable panel may be worked with ‘defined’ cables in Version #1 shown in blue color yarn, or Version #2 with textural play in the cables shown in spearmint color yarn.   Knit in one piece. When the last row is knitted, it’s about done and ready to block. Afghan shown is of Red Heart 4-ply worsted.  Finished measurements approx. 47×49″.
Skill level Beg Intermediate.

Above, Version #1 with defined cables.   Below Version #2 with textural play in cables.

  
Myrna Loy Afghan Pattern $6.00

Skerin Aran in Crochet worked in 4-ply worsted

Skerin Aran In Crochet,  of 4-ply Worsted.
Highly textural afghan includes working clusters, post stitches, top chain stitching, Worked in panels, two of the panels easily merge  into the top and bottom border bands for a seamless transition.  Border  is worked in a large hook holding 3 strands of yarn with a different twist on the single crochet finishing touch!  Afghan worked in just one solid color is equally pleasing.

Skerin Aran in Crochet Afghan Pattern $6.00

Topics include lively discussions of tips, techniques, how-tos, yarn properties,
and why patterns are written the way they are, how to effectively read, dissect and  execute a pattern  in both knit and crochet, the design process and how it works from idea conception to the final stitches and publication of the written pattern.

Materials:  Please bring a small ball of yarn for hands-on participation.
Plan to arrive early to view a full room of samples and swatch boards.  Much of which will be on display will be projects featured on this website.

For more information …
If you are looking for an interesting event for your
Needlework Circles, Church Activities,
Community Groups, Clubs
call  410-641-8290

CERAMIC MUG 15 0Z. $20 (includes shipping).

Mug $20.00

There are two versions of this tutorial.

Part I  is two tutorials, one on Increasing Evenly, one on Decreasing Evenly with hows and whys explanations after each numbered step.

Part II is a quicker version of Part I, no tutorial, just the steps.

You may jump to Part II but still refer back to Part I if you feel the need.  So, here goes!

The pdf download (scroll down past abbreviations) includes a Bonus third version,
the briefer, quicker, dirtier version so that you may  ‘Knit ‘er Done’ …

Part 1, Increasing -  How to Increase Evenly Across a Row – The Perfect Formula
1) Example – 149 sts inc by 34 = 183 sts.   First do the math:  149 ÷ 34 = 4.38

2)  Discard  the fraction (always use the whole number before the decimal; the rem fraction works in later): 149 ÷ 34 now = 4.

3)  Now we know that for 34x, we will inc one st for ea set of 4 sts.

4) Identify patt rep.  For evenly spaced inc and symmetrical row ends, we want to begin and end with an inc, so the patt rep will be a multiple of 4 sts plus 1: (x = inc 1 st, o = k)  xooo / xooo / xooo / x

5)  In #4 we have added an inc to the total number of inc. Now we will take one away from the 34 sets of 4 sts, to make 33 sets of 4 in order to get back to a total of 34 inc.

6)  So, how many sts are we going to use?  Answer:  33 sets of 4 = 132 + 1 = 133.

7)  Next, how many sts are leftover?  Answer:  149 – 133 = 16 sts.  Split them In half and put them on either side of the 133 sts (beg and end of row now balanced).  For uneven number, e.g. 7, wk as 3 on one end and 4 on other.

8)  Wk row as:  k8, inc 1 st in next st, (k3, inc 1 st in next st)33x, ending k8.
k ___, inc 1 st in next st (k ___, inc 1 st in next st) ___# of times, end w/k___

PROOF – Upon completion, read row (rs facing) right to left:
8 + 1 + (33×4) + 8 = 149 + 34 sts inc = 183.

Part I, Decreasing  – How to Decrease Evenly Across a Row – The Perfect Formula
1) Example – 149 sts decreased by 34 = 115 sts.  First do the math:    149 ÷ 34 = 4.38

2)  Discard the fraction (always use the whole number before the decimal; the rem fraction works in later): 149 ÷ 34 now = 4.

3)  Now we know that for 34x, we will dec one st for ea set of 4 sts.

4)  Identify patt rep.  For evenly spaced dec and symmetrical row ends, we want to begin and end with a dec, so the

patt rep will be a multiple of 4 sts plus 2:  xxoo / xxoo / xxoo / xx      (xx = k2tog, o = k)

5)  In #4 we have added a dec to the total number of dec. Now we will take one away from the 34 sets of 4, to make 33 sets of 4 in order to get back to a total of 34 dec.

6)  So, how many sts are we going to use?  Answer:  33 sets of 4 = 132 + 2 = 134.

7) Next, how many sts are leftover?  Answer:  149 – 134 = 15 sts.  Split them in half and put them on either side of the 134 sts ( beg and end of row now balanced ). For uneven number, e.g. 7, wk as 3 on one end and 4 on other.

8)  Wk row as:  K7, k2 tog, (k 2, k2 tog)33x, end w/k8
k ___, [k2 tog,  (k ___, k2 tog) ___# of times, end w/k___

PROOF – Upon completion, read row (rs facing) right to left:  
                   7 + 2 + (33x4) + 8 = 149  - 34 dec = 115 sts of dec row.

Part II, Increasing - To Inc Evenly Across Row - Always Follow These Steps
Example:  149 sts to be inc by 34 sts = 183
1)  149 original number of sts divided by 34 inc  =  4.38 and drop all fractions  = 4
sts in ea inc set of sts. Patt rep is multiple of 4 plus 1.
2)  Take the number of inc and subtract 1:   34 – 1 = 33
3)  33 inc sets of 4 sts ea  = 132 total sts; add 1 st to total:  132 + 1 = 133 sts of
original number on needle to be used.
4)  149 original sts on needle minus 132 total sts used = 16 unused sts
5)   Divide leftover sts by 2 for number of sts to wk on ea end:  16 ÷ 2 = 8 sts.
For uneven number, e.g. 7, wk as 3 on one end and 4 on other.
6)  Wk row as:  k8, inc in next st, (k3, inc 1 in next st)across to last 8 sts, k8.
7)  Proof/Read completed row below right to left:
8 + 1 + 132 (34 sets of 4) + 8 = 149 original sts plus 34 inc made = 183
___ / ______________________________  / 1  / ______
8         165  [33  sets of 4 (k3, inc 1)across]  2 (1 inc).  8   =  183

Part II, Decreasing  – To Dec Evenly Across A Row – Always Follow These Steps
Example:  149 sts to be dec by 34 sts = 115
1)  149 original number of sts divided by 34 dec  = 4.38 and drop all fractions  = 4
sts in ea dec set of sts. Pattern rep is multiple of 4 plus 2
2)  Take the number of dec needed and subtract 1:   34 – 1 = 33
3)  33 inc sets of 4 sts ea  = 132 total sts; add 2 st to total:  132 + 2 = 134 sts of
original number on needle to be used
4)  149 original sts on needle minus 134 sts used = 15 unused sts
5)  Divide leftover sts by 2 for number of sts to wk on ea end:  15 ÷ 2 = 7 + 8;
for uneven number, e.g. 7, wk as 3 on one end and 4 on other
6)  Wk row as:  k7, k2 tog, (k2, k2tog)across to last 8 sts, k8.
7)  Proof/Read completed row below right to left:
7 + 2 + 132 (34 sets of 4) + 8 = 149 original sts plus 34 dec made = 115
__/ _______________________________  /  2   / ________
8    99   [33 sets of 4 (k2, k2tog)across]     1(k2tog)   7  = 115

To download the pdf, please click here; it includes a bonus third version called the
“Even Quicker, Plus Dirty, Version to ‘Knit ‘er Done’”

‘Madaline’ Afghan in Knit & Crochet

The bests of both worlds if you can’t decide whether you’re in the mood to knit or crochet — just enough of both!Finished Measurements approx 44-46x 54″

Madaline Afghan Pattern $5.50