Friday, April 16, 2010

Do You Believe in Magic?


magic  |'ma-jik|  n.  mysterious trick or quality that makes somthing seem removed from everyday life, esp in a way that gives delight.

My last post with the pattern for a Baby Cocoon brought up a question from my Minnesota sister:  "I don't like to knit with double-pointed needles.  Could this be knitted flat, then joined with a seam?"  I replied, "Of course!  Just be aware that the seam will run down the front of the project."


That got me thinking about the number of great ... and wonderfully seamless ... patterns she's missing out on.  I 've knit "in the round" using  circular needles, double-point needles, 2 circular needles at the same time,  AND using the Magic Loop method.  Given that it is by far the easiest method of knitting small circles on 2 needles, I thought I would share a video that clearly demonstrates the Magic Loop method.  I don't mind knitting with double-points, but sometimes this is just so much easier and faster.



I hope this opens up a whole new array of patterns for those who have an aversion to knitting with double-points! 

Challenge:  cast on 30 stitches and knit a 4-inch tube using the Magic Loop method.

Keep your needles clicking and clacking!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Snug as a bug ...

co - coon  |ke 'koon| n.  something that envelops or surrounds, esp. in a protective or comforting way.


While searching around for something to knit for the new grandson, I came across patterns for "Pea Pods" -- knit sacks to cuddle your newborn baby in.  I loved the concept so embarked on trying out one of the patterns.  I quickly decided the first pattern would not be as "cozy" as I thought.  So I tried another pattern.  This time it was apparent this was really designed for preemies.  Not what I needed!

What to do?  Design one myself!  It took a few tries and some jigging here and there, but I came up with a very quick, very cozy, very easy pattern.  Here it is:

(click to go to the printable pattern in a Google Doc.)


Happy baby gift knitting!