Skinny Scarf in 2x2 Rib - Beginner Scarf

Here is the next project that I am doing for the beginners.  If you have already done the garter stitch scarf, and would like to move on to something a little more advanced, give this scarf a try.

In addition to the knit stitch, you will be purling, knitting two stitches together, purling two stitches together, and finally knitting into the front and the back of a stitch.

Knit two together (K2tog) and Purl two together (P2tog) are decreases, and by knitting into the front and back of a stitch (KFB) you will be increasing.

This scarf starts out on forty stitches, and this is decreased down to twenty after ten rows.  At the end of the scarf, we will increase back up to forty stitches, work for ten rows and then bind off.

You will need two balls of Cascade Cash Vero and US Size 9 needles to make this scarf or any yarn you like with the appropriate needle size for the yarn.

Happy Knitting!

Wind a Center Pull Ball of Yarn by Hand

You don't need any fancy equipment to wind your yarn into a center pull ball.  All you need is a toilet paper or paper towel tube cut to a comfortable size, and your own two hands.

Take the tail of your yarn and drop it down the tube until it pokes out the other end.  Hold it in place until you have wrapped the yarn a few times.  Just start winding the yarn around the tube.  Wrap at an angle after the first few wraps, turning the tube every so often.  Keep going until you have wound all of the yarn around the tube.  Then, pull the tail out of the center of the tube, and slide the tube out of the ball of yarn.  And there you have your very own center pull ball of yarn!  

Here is a short video showing how it is done.  Happy Winding!

How to Make a Tassel

Tassel on the left was made with some wool yarn I dyed myself.  Tassel on the right was made with Sugar n Cream cotton yarn.

Tassels are easy to make.  You don't need any fancy equipment, either.

You will need:

1. A piece of cardboard or something else you can wrap your yarn around.  It should be a little longer than you want your finished tassel to be.  That way you can trim up the end without having a shorter than desired tassel.  (I used a piece of folded cardboard to make mine, as you will see in the video, but you needn't fold yours. )
2. Scissors
3. Crochet hook
4. Yarn, of course

To keep things brief here, I am not going to go into great written detail.  Not that it is complicated to make a tassel, but it is much easier to see it being done than read how to do it.   Basically, all you do is wrap your yarn around the cardboard, until the tassel is as thick as you want it.  The more wraps you do, the thicker your tassel will be.  Then, cut a length of yarn, slip your crochet hook under the wraps, pull the length of yarn under them, and tie it a couple of times tightly so that the tassel doesn't come apart. These are the strands you will use to attach the tassel to your project.  Next, cut the wraps on the opposite end from where you tied them together.  The tassel can be used as is, or you can cut another length of yarn, and tie it around the tassel a short distance from the top.  You can see in the picture above where I have tied my tassels.  I like to wrap my yarn a few times around the tassel, but you can just tie and be done.  With your crochet hook, pull the tails from the yarn you used to tie around the tassel underneath itself and voila. Trim if necessary.  To attach your tassel to a hat or scarf, or whatever you like, just use the strands from the top of the tassel to tie them on.  That's it.

So, here is the video.  Happy Tasseling!

Piecework March/April 2012 and Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2012

In this issue, explore traditional tools such as Tambour, Knitting, Crochet, Punch Needle and Flowermaking; Knit a Viking cable beret; Discover the ultimate helper - sewing birds; and finally, Bosnian Crochet.

NOTE:  As of the date of this post, their website is not reflecting the latest issue

This issue features quick and easy knits such as scarves, drop stitches and little girl dresses; Beach coverups; Flower Looms and 5 easy flowers to make - Be sure to enter for your chance to win a Bloom Loom!  Check out the website (link can be found in the "Magazines" tab at the top of the page) for details.

Happy Reading!