Cranked a Pair of Socks Today

 

I wanted some knee length socks while the weather is cool. My factory-made knee length socks have a seam on top of the toe that bugs me.

Today I modified my favorite circular sock machine pattern to make the ankle long and the cuff short, and I'm pretty happy with these.

Here are the details for those of you use CSMs to make socks. I used the 72-stitch pattern from The Happy Cranker with my 100+ year-old Legare. This has ribs up the top. I measured my leg and followed the ankle routine for 126 rounds (!) to make the calf and then made the cuff just 18 rounds. I had the heel spring on the whole time. With the heel spring for tighter stitches and the ribs, I get a warm sock that is dense and comfy and not too big even though it's a 72-stitch cylinder. I have an 8 wide shoe size and I have to have enough leg width to go around my not-thin calves.

This yarn is Print Sock from Ice Yarns (Yarn Paradise). This was such a catchy wool! It doesn't seem as soft as other 75% Superwash wool/25% nylon yarns. It took me a long time to rewind it and wax it, as I was constantly untangling it. Then I spent another long while trying to figure out the color repeats and match the stripes. They almost match, but they're slightly off, maybe 1-2 rows. I'm okay with that. On my next pair I plan to crank 25 rounds for the ankle and then take off the heel spring for the other 101 rounds of the leg. Then I'll put the heel spring back on for the top cuff. I really do not have skinny calves!

On my monitor, the color in the photo looks wrong. The sock is pink, lavender, rose, and a dark brownish purple. On my monitor it looks like it has gray and blue - nope, all pinks/purples.

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What's Going On With My New Facebook Group?

 I was advised by family and friends to do a Facebook group.  I'm really NOT quick to adopt social media strategies.  I have this ugly vision of myself strapped to a computer and forced to fool with social media all the time.

However, Facebook worked very well for online virtual seminars, and I simply put up some ground rules - stick to knitting and be nice.  I started a Facebook that is free and fairly wide-ranging in content:  Knitting With Diana Sullivan.   Join up and see!

We have about 2,600 people there now, and I am getting a huge kick out of what people are posting, gosh, especially the photos of what people are making.  A wonderful lady is helping me moderate.  

I've been posting free patterns and videos in this group to help a children's charity. The upstate New York knitters are making clothes for a huge number of Build A Bear bears.  The bears are being supplied through a counseling service to children in crisis.  You know how much kids like to dress up their toys!

The needs are ongoing and persistent, and there isn't really an end date for this project.  Of course we could use your help.

Want to learn to knit teddy bear clothes?  Or would you just like patterns that actually fit the Build A Bear bears?  These are specifically sized for the Build A Bear toys that are available for the charity.  They send me measurements and I even purchased a bear for a mannequin.  These bears are about 17 to 18 inches tall and they are CHUBBY.  The clothes look short and wide, but do fit Teddy beautifully.  

So far, I have put up the pattern and video for the top-down raglan, the beret hat, the Mary Jane slippers, and the dress.  The beret is a round, flat tam, and after putting up a video showing with and without ear holes, the group asked for both options, so that's how I did the pattern.

Come and join us!  This is a worthy cause, and it is so much fun to knit these small projects!

New Video - Seashell Shawl Techniques

 I posted a new video the other day about how to make the Seashell Shawl.

This is a really interesting stitch.  I've been working on the pattern the last few years, changing thing up to make it easier to do and to make it possible to knit it on all three gauge machines - bulky, mid-gauge, and standard gauge.  

I have tried this shawl in SO many yarns!  I never quite know how it will look in a particular yarn until I try a shell or two, and I especially loved it with two strands of thinner stuff and in self-striping yarns.  

I am not quite sure how many I have knitted, as I have given some away.  They take me a long afternoon (after some practice) but the standard gauge takes about twice as long.  More stitches, you know!  This is all short-rowing.

This pattern is available at www.dianaknits.com and at Etsy.  It's a digital download.  It's actually three separate patterns for the three gauges, and I've added lots of photos and diagrams.  There's also a big diagram you can use to track your own progress.  

Here's a little video "ad" I did to Etsy.  You can see some of the other versions of the shawl in this quick little video.

Lion Brand's "How Much Yarn Do I Need" Chart

Click here to see Lion Brand's yarn requirements chart:

So, what do you think of this?  I just noticed it this morning, looking at one of the Lion Brand advertisements that hit my email, and I plan to check it over a bit, comparing it to some known yarn amounts on previous projects.  

This chart is denominated in yards, which is a really good thing.  The yards-per-pound of various yarns have tremendous variation, and it is yardage that matters most.

I expect that a chart put out by a yarn company will tend to overestimate yarn requirements, but I think this is a GOOD thing.  I try to overestimate yarn requirements at least a little when I write patterns.  What's more, I tend to buy an extra ball beyond when I'm following someone else's estimate.  

Here's why overestimating is good:

1.  If you don't buy enough yarn on your initial purchase, you will probably have difficulty finding it later.

2.  If you do find the yarn you need later, you may not be able to get the dye lot.  New knitters are often shocked at how different two different dye lots can be!

3.  If you buy too much yarn, you can return the extra if you do it reasonably soon.  

4.  This is a risk/reward calculation.  Suppose you buy 10% too much yarn, or even 25% too much yarn.  Suppose this increases the cost of your project from $60 to $75.  You are out $15, right?  Suppose you can't return it.  Suppose you can't find anything to make from it.  You still have the finished project.  If you don't buy enough yarn, you have wasted your money and your time knitting, and you are unable to finish your project.

5.  We can always find something to make with leftover yarn!  

New Video - How to wind center-pull balls by hand

My new video is a simple little thing, how to hand wind center-pull balls.  It's also  useful for hand knitters and crocheters: 

Guest Article by Abby Holt

I don't run a lot of guest articles, but Abby Holt hunted down some interesting links and ideas, and it's so timely during the holidays!

Made with Love: DIY Holiday Crafting That Won't Bust Your Budget

 With the holidays approaching, it’s easy to get sucked into feeling like you have to spend a lot to show how much you care. But who says gifts have to come from a store? There are plenty of  DIY ideas for presents and decor that don’t bust your budget. From zeroing in on the best gift ideas to finding deals on crafts and supplies, Diana Natters has the resources to help you get started.

 Crafting Gift Ideas

 Here are some fun and budget-friendly crafting gift suggestions:

     ●      Visit Diana Natters’ Blog About Machine Knitting

●      30 DIY Christmas Card Ideas to Send Out This Season

●      20 Inexpensive Homemade Gift Ideas

 Shopping and Saving Tips

 Learn how you can save on craft and art supplies:

      ●      15 Super Places to Buy Art and Craft Supplies Online

●      Find Local Art Supplies & Craft Stores

Crafting Supplies

 Here are some supplies you may need for your next crafting project:

      ●      Craft Supply Checklist

●      Versatile Crafting Supplies for Multiple Crafts

●      The 16 Tools Every Crafter Must Have

 Starting a Crafting Business

 As you improve your crafting, you may want to start a side hustle or even your own business.

     ●      How to Start an In-Home Craft Business

●      How to Sell Online: The Complete Guide

●      Learn the best way to start an LLC for Your Crafting Business

 It’s important to note that creating gifts shouldn’t be a stress inducer but a stress reliever. Make sure you don’t overextend yourself or attempt a project you might not finish. This is supposed to bring a smile to your face and the giftee!

 So without further ado, roll up your sleeves, crank up those holiday tunes and get into the spirit of the season.

 Diana Natters is your ultimate blog resource on machine knitting. Read more informative articles today!

Needle Beetle Madness

 I can hardly call these Needle Beetle videos reviews at this point - I think the device is awesome and am now quite biased!  I don't have a financial arrangement with Kris Basta, but she has given me some Beetles to demonstrate with videos, and I certainly had fun doing that.

I put up two more Needle Beetle videos today because my husband John pointed out that they would make GREAT Christmas presents, and maybe if I got the videos up, people would buy them for gifts.  So, if you want to give a machine knitter with a plastic bed machine (Brother 350, Brother Convertible, Studio LK-150), they will be absolutely wowed.  You can purchase them at www.kriskrafter.com.  You will need to know the model number the person has so you can choose the correct model.  Sorry, these are NOT for metal bed machines.  They're for the most popular plastic bed ones.

I'm not the only one doing Needle Beetle videos.  Kris has some good ones on YouTube and other people, do too.  

Here are my two latest videos:

This first video is using the Brother convertible 395 as a standard gauge machine.  My friend Angelika has one of these, and she brought it over to my house, then we played with it all morning using the Needle Beetle and getting a decent Fair Isle routine.  Here's the amazing thing - as a standard gauge machine, you can get 16 stitch pattern repeats!  Wow - look at the fancy star I was able to knit after I finally got the hang of it.

If you use it as a bulky machine by swapping out the striker combs, then you get 8-stitch repeats, as usual.

Next video:

 

Now this is the 8-stitch repeats on the Brother 350.  I have one of those - it's very similar to the LK-150 except that it is a 7 mm machine, rather an odd duck size, but quite good for many weights of yarn.  It has 132 needles.  I was able to do Fair Isle quite quickly using the trick where you pull the needles (using the Beetle) but then you set the carriage to knit B-position needles only going to the left and knit held needles only going back.  Sometimes this isn't so good - the floats are on top of the held needles - but it was fantastic with this machine and I'm glad I did it that way.  Try it on YOUR machine, since it will save you time.  I also showed how to deal with the end needles to avoid messy edges.

Here's an older video, my first one with the Needle Beetle, and using the LK-150.  I was doing tuck and slip patterns, because they're quite easy with the Beetle and look great:

And here's the last one, also using the LK-150 and another great Kris Krafter goodie, the Weave-R.  It's a little weaving arm for the LK, and I had a great time with it.

Do you need some 8-stitch pattern charts?  I have them in my FREE Facebook knitting-only group, "Knitting with Diana Sullivan," which you can join here.  Look in the files after you join.  It's a big .pdf file.  There isn't a lot of content over there, but you can join at pretty much the beginning of the group and watch it develop.  

NEW YouTube Video - Elf Hat

 I am having more digital patterns to keep the cost and shipping down and to reach different people.  

The problem with this is that I have always believed that an important part of my work was the companion videos showing all the techniques.  People who couldn't follow other patterns could follow mine!  Now I have the idea of putting up a free video showing the techniques that go into a pattern I am selling.  This kills two birds with one stone - it teaches techniques for free and helps sell a pattern and keep me in business.

I put up this Elf Hat (which I featured in Joy of Machine Knitting - if you were in that seminar, you already have this pattern in the private group and on your USB).  I love this one because it has a very interesting hem and lots of easy garter bar work.  Maybe if I can get folks to try the garter bar doing something easy but super useful, like even decreases, they'll use the bar more.  I have the Elf Hat pattern in five sizes for standard, mid-gauge and bulky machines.

I also put up an Etsy page where you can get a digital pattern much faster.  My regular shopping site doesn't support this, but Etsy does.  If you order at my regular site, I email you your pattern when I see the order the next morning.  At Etsy, you download it right away.  So that's new - I am old but I can learn!  Click here to see my new (very small) Etsy store.

I'm also suggesting to people that they join my new Facebook group.  I now have a free group that is knitting-related only and is going to be a very nice community.  I am not crazy about Facebook, but if you limit content to a topic and have sensible group rules, it's got some great features, including the ability to post videos and files and interact so easily.  I have already posted a bunch of 8-stitch patterns because I have been making Needle Beetle videos (they're not all up yet - just a little more to do).  Here is the link to the Facebook group, and I hope you'll consider joining.

Here's the new video:

New - I have a free Facebook Group

 I have a new Facebook group for all knitters - Knitting with Diana Sullivan.  Click here to get there!  

Please join my Facebook group - I promise, there is already some some good content.  For instance, I just put up a big file of original 8-stitch Fair Isle patterns for those of us using the Needle Beetle on our plastic bed machines.  More about that later, as I will have two more videos to put up about the Needle Beetle, one on the Brother 350 and one on the Brother 395.

This is a public, free Facebook group, unlike my private seminar groups.  I've been advised to use Facebook for a lot of the same things I do here, so, hey I'm diving in now that so much machine knitting content is on Facebook.   The other reason that I wanted my own permanent, free Facebook group is that people share their projects and photos and I love to look at that content.  

I learned, using Facebook for virtual seminars, that it can be a very happy experience.  We simply stick to knitting topics only!  Therefore, this new page is another encouraging space for those of us who need a respite from the divisive, click-bait, edgy, cranky internet.  

We knitters have an awful lot in common and really enjoy each other's company.  Aren't we lucky to have such a wonderful hobby community!

Lately, there's such a lot of new MK stuff going on with me.

I just finished another big virtual seminar, Joy of Machine Knitting.  This time, it was holiday-themed, and I did more patterns than ever.  I just mailed out the USB drives to members today, and they have over 58GB of patterns and videos on their USBs!  While I am teaching, I record the classes.  Since there were SO many patterns, I also made detailed, edited videos of most of the patterns.  And then there are all the written-out patterns included.  Yep, I know I need to offer the USBs for sale to non-members on my regular site.  I'll do it soon, I hope.  December can be overwhelming...

I think those of you who attended Joy of Machine Knitting who live in the US will see your USB drive by the end of this week.  Those of you who live in other countries, well, I just don't know.  Mailings during Covid are slow enough that we expect at least three weeks transit time to most countries.  

Another new thing - my shopping cart store doesn't do automatic digital download patterns.  Consequently, I've just started (like 30 minutes ago) a new Etsy store, not fully loaded.  Want to go look?  It's here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/DianaKnitsDesigns?ref=search_shop_redirect

I put up a new elf hat over there, as shown in the pic.  This pattern has five sizes (babies to grownups) and all three common gauges.  No ribber, but a garter bar is very helpful.  I have a YouTube I will put up that teaches the hat with the baby size, and then you'll be all set to make the other sizes and gauges as you need them.

If you order digital patterns at the usual place, www.dianaknits.com, I email them to you.  At Etsy, you get them immediately, even if I'm sleeping!  Anyway, we'll see how it goes.  I won't use Etsy for my other products until I've learned it a bit more.

Virtual Seminar VERY SOON

 I have been knitting and planning for months to get ready for the new seminar I am teaching in a couple weeks!

The Joy of Machine Knitting 2021 is a 4-session virtual seminar, in early November. This seminar is based on specific projects, great knits that your friends and family will love. You can watch the classes live or water later on Facebook. There will be detailed handouts, interesting patterns, surprises, and lots of interesting techniques taught along the way.

This is another virtual seminar based in a Facebook group. Too many commitments? Well, you can watch the classes live, or they are posted in the group so you can watch them later, or watch them again, or watch just selected bits. The private group will be open through 12/31.

Registration is limited and will close soon.

You can register or just look at all the details of the seminar by going to www.dianaknits.com and then clicking on Joy of Machine Knitting. Or, just click HERE.