Knit the Knits, Purl the Purls

Perhaps you have come across this phrase in your knitting, maybe not.  These instructions used to confuse me to no end. The first time I saw this was in a cable stitch pattern.  It was the first time I was attempting a cable, which can be daunting enough for a new knitter.  This was before I had discovered the wealth of information available on the internet, so although unsure of what I was supposed to do, I forged ahead in the manner I thought was correct.  I thought I was supposed to knit the stitches that had been knit on the previous row, and purl the stitches I had purled.

The first attempt was not good; I ended up with an ugly, lumpy thing on my fabric that did not look anything like the beautiful, winding cable in the picture.  I decided to try again.  I had not yet learned to recognize how each stitch looks, so I copied down the previous row on a piece of paper so I could mark off each stitch as I came to it, to make sure I got it right this time, and started again.  Of course, I got another lumpy mess of yarn instead of cable.  I was beginning to get frustrated at this point, and after a couple more attempts, I just gave up.  It didn't dawn on me to do anything different; I just thought I somehow kept making a mistake with only one stitch, which was causing errors in the rest of the row.  Having nobody to ask for clarification, I avoided all stitches and patterns that contained this phrase for a long time.

I can't remember what made the light bulb go off in my head, but one day it just hit me.  And now I understand what it means when the pattern says to knit the knits and purl the purls, or work each stitch as it appears.  So, if you also are confused by this, here is a video and picture that will hopefully help the light bulb go off for you.

If you are to knit the knits and purl the purls in this row, the stitches that are marked with blue arrows would be purled, and the stitches marked with red arrows would be knit.

Bloomin Yarns

**AS OF 11-10-2012, BLOOMIN YARNS IS CLOSED**

As if I haven't bought enough yarn lately (if you follow me on Face Book, you know what I mean), I discovered a lovely little yarn shop today!!   It is Bloomin Yarns in McMurray PA.   Small but well organized and packed with lots and lots of gorgeous fiber to feed your addiction.  Of course I couldn't leave without buying anything, so I got 4 hanks of Jojoland Cashmere and 2 of Asland Trends Class.  I have no immediate plans for this gorgeous fiber yet, so it's just going to hang out in my stash for now. And of course I really should finish a few of my UFO's that are hanging around begging me to pick them up and finish them.  Like..... the sweater I have been working on for a few years now.
Now, I could swear the girl in the shop told me her name, but now I simply cannot remember.  I do have the link to her blog - Have Projects, Will Travel, so check it out.

I was also at Jo-Ann's today, where they cruelly made me buy some more yarn... and beads for that tutorial I am planning.  Anyhow, they had the Sensations Boucle on sale.  Not that I need any more, but I went ahead and got two skeins -- but with a purpose.  My very first YouTube video was me working on a double knit triangle shawl.  It wasn't really instructive, I just wanted to see what would happen if I put up a video on the WWW.  I have had a number of requests for the pattern for the shawl; unfortunately I don't have a pattern.  I was just doing it from my head.  Scary, huh?  Also, I got bored with the project and actually frogged the whole thing.  Looking back, I wish I had finished it.  So the purpose for purchasing more of the Sensations Boucle (which I was using for the ill fated shawl) was so that I could start over, write up the pattern, and share it with anyone interested.

 I hope to get the next podcast recorded tomorrow and posted by next weekend; I have a ton of new books and yarn to share!  I also need to get my needles in gear and work on the next stitch for The Weekly Stitch - that should be up by tomorrow evening.

Well, I think I have blabbered on enough for now.  Here is a picture of the yarn I got from Bloomin Yarns today, as well as a few shots of the shop.  Enjoy!