The Friendly Scarf Project, Square 9/10

The dropped stitch gives an inch (more or less) and you feel like you've gained a mile in your project in not much time. Plus it's a fun design element to show off your more-interesting yarns.

On the loom

The dropped stitch is as easy as the first stitch you probably learned — the e-wrap. Knit your first peg. Next, e-wrap that same peg as many times as the pattern dictates. (You might run out of room after four wraps though.) DO NOT knit over the e-wraps. Continue onto the next pegs in the pattern. When you have completed your row, you should have several wraps secured on each peg.

If you are knitting in the round, you can continue onto the first peg in the next row. First, pick off the extra loops you e-wrapped. Don't worry, you won't lose your stitch. Then knit the peg and continue on.

If you are knitting flat, like these scarf squares have been, you won't be able to release the e-wraps on Peg 1 on this row. That is because they haven't been secured. So you're going to skip (slip) the first stitch and you'll release those e-wraps on the next row.

As you release your wraps, tug gently to pull through the dropped stitches. They will hang nice and neat.

Normally, dropped-stitch patterns have several rows of garter or stockinette between. Just for a different spin, I used seed stitch instead.

Dropped seed stitch
Multiple of 2 sts. plus edge sts., knit flat
Row 1: *(K1 P1), rep from *
Row 2: *(P1 K1), rep from *
-- Repeat Rows 1-2 four times or as many as desired. --
Row 9: *(K1, e-wrap 3 times), rep from *
Row 10: *(Drop 3 sts., K1 on same peg), rep from *

The Friendly Scarf Project, Square 8/10

As we near the end of the scarf project, I'm getting yarn antsy. I had to mix it up with some more interesting colorways. So I offer my apologies if they are not the best at displaying the stitch. But I need some spice to keep me going.

I marvel how my new original stitch — basketweave slip-stitch — turned out with James C. Brett Marble Chunky. While the striping yarn has "chunky" in the name, it knits more like a heavy worsted so it just fit the extra-small gauge loom.

On the loom

Here's how to create a slip-stitch on the loom. Remove the loop from the peg and hold with your pick. Take the working yarn and place it behind the peg and in front of the knitting. You are not wrapping the peg, you are skipping it — or slipping it as they say. Slip as many pegs as stated in the pattern. Then bring the working yarn back in front of the peg to knit. In my pattern, the slipped pegs are noted with "sl wyif," which stands for "slip work yarn in front." Enjoy!

Basketweave slip-stitch
Knit flat, multiple of 4 sts., plus edge stitches
Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: *(K2, sl wyif 2), rep from *
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: *(sl wyif 2, K2), rep from *


If you want an easy way to see all the squares in the project, check out the bottom of my Patterns page for the links.

The Friendly Scarf Project, Square 7/10

Here's an easy but pleasing square for the scarf project! The rib patten just jogs over every few rows to create the diagonal, almost twisted, look.

I don't think I chose the best yarn to show off the stitch. The twisted specks of pink and green are a bit distracting. But it's still a great stitch to keep your edges from rolling on flat projects. And it's reversible, too.

Diagonal rib (to the left)
Knit flat; multiple of 6 sts. plus edge sts.
Row 1: *(P2 K4), rep from *
Row 2: *(K4, P2), rep from *
Row 3: *(P2 K4), rep from *
Row 4: *(K4 P2), rep from *
Row 5: *(K2 P2 K2), rep from *
Row 6: *(K2 P2 K2), rep from *
Row 7: *(K2 P2 K2), rep from *
Row 8: *(K2 P2 K2), rep from *
Row 9: *(K4 P2), rep from *
Row 10: *(P2 K4), rep from *
Row 11: *(K4 P2), rep from *
Row 12: *(P2 K4), rep from *

WIPs and what-might-be's

It's the eve of a heavy work period for me. So I want to talk about play! First up, we did get to knit a bit while in California for the Interlacements trip. Here's what I started ...

I cast on Interlacements' appropriately named California yarn for a shrug. I'm working off the Waves Shrug pattern in the Loom Knitting Primer book. The ribbon yarn is knitting like a worsted. I can already tell my gauge might be a little small so I'm hoping it will just take adding more rows in the back section.

I worked on this pattern during down times for our last day in the booth and invited many curious glances. Attendees were intrigued by loom-knitting and we're hoping to introduce it to a wider audience. I'm now working on my first loom-knit pattern for Interlacements Yarns.

I won't give away what it is yet. I want to see the pattern go well first. But it will be soft, cuddly and perfect for spring! I'm knitting with Interlacements' Mississippi cotton yarn.

This pattern and hopefully one more will debut at an April show in Pewaukee, Wis. Pattern #2 should feature ...

Baby Bison yarn

So if I have time, I'll be writing up a new fingerless mittens pattern for this springy wool yarn. I have a few ideas already brewing. Just to add one to the pot — I'm also hoping to write a lacy shawl pattern for this later on ...

Colorado yarn

I'm taking some time to study shawls a bit more before I jump on this project. Is there a type of shawl pattern you'd like to see for the loom? Let me know in the comments!

And in case I get "bored" or simply cast-on crazy, I have one more project just begging to be touched.

I will be translating a beaded scarf pattern to the loom ... probably for personal use. Tracey of Interlacements helped me wind the yarn and Em taught me to string on the beads. This project will be deserving of a blog all to itself once I get started!

Hoping off the Interlacements train, here's a WIP tease for my sis. That's Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, one of my favorites for the large-gauge loom. It will probably be warming up before I set this project down but it will be something to match her hat next winter!

It's knitting up quite fast when I squeeze it in between work, pattern design and the weekly Friendly Scarf Project square.

Yep, if only I had more time (and wrist strength) to knit away my days. It makes sense that these two alpaca beauties are in my "someday, oh someday" pile. I finally took a photo of them today.

 

A few months ago, the knitting guild, Zoe and I trekked to London Dairy Alpacas in Two Rivers, Wis. We got to almost-pet a few critters and shop a bit, too. The yarn feels so much more authentic when the woolies are just outside!

 

The Friendly Scarf Project, Square 6/10

I've loom-knitted past the halfway mark for the scarf project! I did miss a week but I feel so much more far behind the other knitters in the Saturday group. I think some of them are sneakily knitting two squares a week. ;-)

On the loom

For this week's stitch, I dug up a diamonds pattern from a needle-knitting dictionary. I really like the combined texture of the stockinette, garter and purl diamonds. I'd like to apply it to a hat pattern someday.

Raised Diamonds
Worked flat, multiple of 8 sts + 1 edge st. on both sides
Row 1: *(P1 K1), rep from *
Row 2: *(K1 P1), rep from *
Row 3: *(K1 P1 K2 P2 K1 P1), rep from *
Row 4: *(P1 K1 P2 K2 P1 K1), rep from *
Row 5: *(P1 K3 P3 K1), rep from *
Row 6: *(K1 P3 K3 P1), rep from *
Row 7: *(K4 P4), rep from *
Row 8: *(P4 K4), rep from *
Row 9: *(K3 P1 K1 P3), rep from *
Row 10: *(P3 K1 P1 K3), rep from *
Row 11: *(K2 P1 K1 P1 K1 P2), rep from *
Row 12: *(P2 K1 P1 K1 P1 K2), rep from *
Row 13: *(K1 P1), rep from *
Row 14: *(P1 K1), rep from *
Row 15: *(P1 K1), rep from *
Row 16: *(K1 P1), rep from *
Row 17: *(P2 K1 P1 K1 P1 K2), rep from *
Row 18: *(K2 P1 K1 P1 K1 P2), rep from *
Row 19: *(P3 K1 P1 K3), rep from *
Row 20: *(K3 P1 K1 P3), rep from *
Row 21: *(P4 K4), rep from *
Row 22: *(K4 P4), rep from *
Row 23: *(K1 P3 K3 P1), rep from *
Row 24: *(P1 K3 P3 K1), rep from *
Row 25: *(P1 K1 P2 K2 P1 K1), rep from *
Row 26: *(K1 P1 K2 P2 K1 P1), rep from *
Row 27: *(K1 P1), rep from *
Row 28: *(P1 K1), rep from *

Remember if you translate this pattern to an item connected in the round (such as a hat or sock), make sure that your row pairs stack and you work the stitch as it presents. What does that mean? For example, Row 27 would be (K1 P1)* and so would Row 28 since you haven't reversed directions.

Transferred to needles

Pattern: Trisha Ann Hat

I know spring is just around the corner but we're still getting a few blustery days here in Wisconsin. So if you're looking for a quick loom-knit to end the season, check out this fun one!

Photos by Nicholas Wautier

My beautiful sister is the namesake and model of the Trisha Ann Hat. A few remnants of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick will do the trick. When you knit with super-bulky yarn, you'll have a hat in just a couple hours!

This FREE pattern features techniques discovered by other fellow loom-knitters. Learn more about the drawstring cast-on by Brenda Myers (PDF link) and the mock crochet stitch by "ladydove" Tina.

Download PDF now