Category Archives: How To

How to Read Charts – It’s Easier Than You Think

How to read charts - my current project Joji Locatelli's Citadel

Charts. To many of us, they seem complex and difficult. Like a secret language or a code, you have to crack. A scientific formula, even. But they can actually make your knitting life easier and aren’t as scary as you may think. They can help you to learn how to read your knitting and can make it easier to memorize… Read more »

Second Sock Syndrome – What It Is and How to Fight It

      2 Comments on Second Sock Syndrome – What It Is and How to Fight It
Second Sock Syndrome - stockphoto of sock project

If you’re a sock knitter you’ve undoubtedly heard of it before: SSS or Second Sock Syndrome. Another affliction plaguing many knitters. But what can you do if you have it? Which strategies can you attempt to cope with it and which ones have the best chances of working for you? What is the Second Sock Syndrome? SSS usually refers to… Read more »

How to Make Knitting Through the Summer Heat Painless

knitting through the summer heat - Can anyone guess what this pile of yarn is supposed to turn into? A bigger project but lightweight and hopefully the heat wave will end before it gets too uncomfortable

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling like a roast in the oven. A heat wave has come to stay over Germany (and pretty much the entire northern hemisphere). With temperatures over 34°C (93.2°F), no air conditioning (typical for German homes) and us living right under the roof and with 30°C in our flat even at night – I’m… Read more »

How to Get Stuff Done – Time Management and Planning for Knitters

time management and project planning for knitters

A while ago I received a question about how one could better divide their time between multiple knitting projects. I replied with a few quick ideas and tips, but I thought it would make an excellent subject for the blog. So I did some more research. And apparently, there isn’t that much find on the subject of time management and… Read more »

How to Repair Holes in Your Knits like an Expert

You sock knitters out there know this: Sooner or later you’ll wear right through even your most robust socks. Sometimes it can happen quite suddenly because you snagged on something. Other times it’s a more gradual process; this often happens to your most beloved pairs first because you wear them so much. Other culprits are of course the dreaded moths…. Read more »

5 Easy & Beautiful Bind-Offs for Your Knitted Edge

A while back I showed you a couple of decorative cast ons and what else you can do to decorate a knitted edge. But there is still more to this subject that I haven’t talked about yet. There are also a number of beautiful bind-offs you can decorate your knitting with. And some of these may seem familiar to you because they… Read more »

How to Get Your Yarn Tension Just Right for Stranded Colorwork

yarn tension - Catching a float with the yarn held on each hand.

I’ve recently been asked by a reader (hello Clelia!) how I avoid my stranded colorwork from puckering up in some places and being too loose with floppy floats in others. Those of you who have tried to knit colorwork before probably recognize those problems from their early attempts. Maybe even your only attempts. Maybe you decided that stranded colorwork just… Read more »

How to Make Gauge Swatches Work for You, Part 2: Possible Problems

gauge swatches -Soaking gauge swatches

Last week, we talked a lot about how to knit gauge swatches and how to measure them. This week it’s all about possible pitfalls and problems. As a reminder and navigational help, here is the table of contents for this two-part part series again. How to Knit a Swatch (in part 1) When Designing (in part 1) How to Measure a Gauge Swatch … Read more »

How to Make Gauge Swatches Work for You, Part 1: The Basics

gauge swatches - teaser

Most of us have knit them before. We know we are supposed to. But many of us don’t like it. It’s boring and tedious, and we just want to get to the main part. Gauge swatches. Besides, they tend to lie to us, don’t they? It all depends on how you’re doing it and on what you are trying to… Read more »