In stitches

Was on the fence about this color work with the rainbow yarn but it’s coming along nicely.

Lifted increases

I recently posted a video showing how to make symmetrical raglan increases using the make one increase.

Another option are the lifted increases: RLI (right lifted increase) and LLI (left lifted increase).

To make a RLI, using your right needle, lift the right leg of the stitch below the stitch on your left needle onto your left needle and knit it. Continue by knitting the stitch on the left needle as you normally would.

To make a LLI, using your left needle, lift the left leg of the stitch two stitches below the stitch on your right needle and knit it through the back loop.

I have finally sat down and turned the heel on this sock and it progresseth! Soon, soon there will be TWO SOCKS. And I can wear them. Which is good. I'm cold.

i’d been planning to cast on the pure mesh pullover for a long time and when i finally decided to do it yesterday i realised i didn’t have 8mm needles which the pattern called for. i had never thought i would ever need needles that large in my LIFE—punishment for my hubris etc. i got on the bus to get to the closest yarn shop before they closed to get the needles and on the bus a goth (all black & platform boots & the hair and everything) sat across from me and was crocheting. i believe that’s a sign from the universe that i should definitely knit the mesh top.

The mitten looks like a mitten! I'll post pics when I go home in a few hours but I think my sister will be happy :] on to the next!

It fits like a mitten too!

i seriously need to upgrade from my cheap acrylic interchangeables that literally pop off the connector while i am knitting so i have a very important question for knitblr

my current ones are knit pro/knitters pride trendz and i think you can already tell how i feel about them. the two listed are the two i have been considering most heavily. my main drawback on the chiaogoo is the price but i have heard amazing things on facebook so i want yalls opinions here

I have the Chiagoo mini set and I adore it. It was one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever gotten.

The rest of my interchangeable needles are all knit picks. Now, keep in mind I can buy tips or cables locally so I don't have to worry about shipping time/costs, so that factors in. However knowing I can pick up whatever I need - including the occasional pair of wooden tips because for some yarns my usual metal is just too slick - is better for me than having an expensive brand.

Tips/cables will get damaged occasionally. Chiagoo is better quality, and I would invest in them if I could afford it, but even with my whole "invest in quality and enjoy your hobbies" mindset, a full set of chiagoos isn't giving me enough improvement over what I currently have.

That said - as of last time I looked into it, knit picks and knit pro were similar enough to be interchangeable with each other (if not outright the same manufacturer), so consider what it is you don't like. I've never used their acrylic tips, but I'm a fan of the metal and rainbow wood. The cables aren't as good as chiagoo, but I've never had a major issue and as noted I can pick some up easily if they do come apart. Unless the tips themselves are the problem, you might be as unhappy with the knit picks. (In which case I'd suggest looking at addi sets)

If you do a lot of magic loop, chiagoo is notably better (I will only knit socks on my minis), but otherwise I wouldn't say there's that much difference.

i cannot tell if i like this yarn combo to knit a vest with. i should like it in theory but in practice i kinda hate it

I finished a shawl. The pattern is backcountry by Emily Clawson (although I added an extra bit before doing the finally section). I used all handspun yarn (mostly from my pancake and lulu 2023 advent, but also one old spunky eclectic yarn).

started a different yoke down jumper. i am living for the drape of this yarn:

the real question will be how will the sleeves look since i couldn't find the same dye lot for this yarn

Bear Claws was designed to celebrate the 10th birthday of the stacked stitch technique and the Fox Paws pattern. This engaging striped colorwork project features a large scale flame stitch motif. The pattern is relatively simple, using only a few rows of shaping in combination with color to create a distinct claw motif.

The wavy colorwork in Bear Claws is created using stacked increases and decreases. There are no loops on the wrong side and the wrap is very stretchy and drapey. The fabric is light and airy, not dense like stranded colorwork and mosaic knitting. If you're new to stacked stitches, check out my playlist on YouTube. You'll have an easier time with these stitches if you've tried increases, decreases and slipped stitches.

This pattern can be recolored in many ways, the coloring page available to anyone who wants to download it. You can use any number of colors you like, as long as they have good contrast. I recommend picking a Main Color that is not too bright or flashy in comparison to the others.

Written instructions are included in the pattern alongside a visual guide called a “stitch map.”  It's not the same as a traditional chart and is meant to be used with the written pattern. The rapidly fluctuating stitch count of the stacked stitches doesn’t fit nicely into a square grid. Instead, the map uses symbols and lines that bend and flow as the rows do, as they would in a crochet chart. The primary use of the stitch map is to show how each row relates to the last and to help you find mistakes and get back on track. 

Finished Size: 14 (23.75)˝ x 82 (82)˝ / [36 (60) x 208 (208) cm] rectangular scarf including fringe.

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK; 191 yards (175 meters) per 50 gram skein, 50% Merino Wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Viscose.

Pink Scarf - 5 colors and 3 repeats wide

Main Color: Peony, 3 balls

Outer Color: Zinnia, 2 balls

Inner Color 1: Pink Bliss, 1 ball

Inner Color 2: French Mustard, 1 ball

Stripe Color: Barbara, 1 ball

Brown Wrap - 7 colors and 5 repeats wide

Main Color: Ginger, 4 balls

Outer Color 1: French Mustard, 2 balls

Inner Color 1: Stone, 2 balls

Stripe Color 1: Zinnia, 1 ball

Outer Color 2: Duck Egg, 1 ball

Inner Color 2: Watery, 1 ball

Stripe Color 2: Canary, 1 ball

Needles: Size 6 (4mm) 32˝circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 16 sts x 36 rows = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in garter stitch.

Other Materials: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, blocking wires, blocking surface.

Get the pattern on my website and on Ravelry.

From now until the end of October, take 20% off all patterns, pins, books and stickers when you use the code "FoxyBday" on Ravelry or on my website.

Video Resources:

Bear Claws Playlist

Weave in tails as you knit

General Stacked Stitch Resource Videos

Yarn for this project was provided by Rowan

You asked whether the bear claws pattern is easier than the fox paws pattern. There are a lot of similarities between the two designs. I made a conscious effort to make Bear 🐻 Claws just as visually interesting as Fox 🦊 Paws, but a lot easier.

In Fox Paws, there are multiple different rows with stacked stitches and they're all different, the pattern can be difficult to memorize.

The Bear Claws instructions only have one shaping row with increases, one with stacked decreases, and one in a basic Chevron pattern. The pattern is created by combining these 3 instructions in different ways the color changes and proportions make the project interesting.

Bear Claws has wider stripes, so there are less color changes to deal with. There are also fewer rows with stacked increases and decreases. Most of the pattern is just chevrons-tv knitting for me.

Stacked Decreases can be tricky, especially for continental knitters.

I removed all k5togs from the stacked decreases in Bear Claws. I also use a completely different decrease method than the one used in #foxpaws. It should make the knitting a little easier for everyone. You can compare the different decreases, both video tutorials are on my YouTube Stacked Stitch playlist

There's no chart of Fox Paws. Stacked stitches don't work very well with a grid. I make myself diagrams of the stitches when I'm working on these patterns. Sometimes I use these "stitch maps"in classes but I've never put one in a pattern before. I decided to include the stitch map of bear claws motif to see whether people understand and enjoy having a visual reference.

I hope that this explains some of the considerations that went into the bear claws design.

the hexagon cardi so far. I've got about a quarter left of the bottom edging, and then just the edging for the center front edges and neck left.

I have vague ideas around painting the motifs (thinned down acrylic, probably - it should survive the washer on cold) and then overdying the whole thing to keep it from being overly gaudy. No, it cannot stay white. It will magnetically attract every stray bit of ink, paint, stain, oil, mustard, sticky crud, tomato sauce, melted candy, wine, and any other substance with the potential to stain cotton just by virtue of being in my presence. So if I have any hope of wearing it, it has to be dyed. I just have to figure out the logistics of actually making it happen.

Finished the socks!! Not pictured: sock #1. But that means I got to start the Dramatic Bitch lace up opera gloves I'm making my sibling for Yule! Here's a photo of the one I started today!

It's twice as long as it is in the pic now! I normally attend the weekly Sunday temple teaching over zoom and knit while I listen so tomorrow I'll hopefully have more to show! I'm making it up as I go. We'll see if I have to frog the whole thing! I'm doing an icord edge to keep it from curling too terribly and I used the German twisted cast on.

obviously distorted by gravity and appearing weirdly stretched but i finally finished the human skeleton scarf for @cat-boy-tits!

we do not discuss how long this took

This is KidK's (@noirandchocolate ) Dragon Scale shawl. It's a gorgeous colorway and the yarn is super soft and warm. It's handmade, knitted, one of a kind, and on sale over on our Etsy page for $70, and free shipping. It's perfect for fall weather, or for a holiday gift.

Dragon Scale Shawl - $70

Just a lil’ something made by meeee~ You can put it on your body styled multiple ways! And hey, if you’re in a part of the world that’s getting colder soon, ‘‘tis the season for warm accessories…