Twisted Check

This stitch was paired with Swedish Check entry in "A Treasury of Knitting Patterns" because Barb felt both form a nice allover fabric for sports wear, coast and sweaters.
I separated my entries because I feel the Twisted Check creates a much denser fabric than the Swedish Check. I mean all the twisting of the knit and purl stitches (also paired with the fact I knit pretty tight) created something that would be most appropriate for cleaning dishes or used for a Swiffer.

Swedish Check

This is paired with the Twisted Check Pattern, but I decided to write about each swatch separately, mainly because I don't think they are very similar.

Barb says that both create a nice allover textured fabric for "tweedy" sports wear, coats and sweaters.
I think that is true with the Swedish check, but I beg to differ with the Twisted Check.

The Swedish check has a great nubly feel, and a decent drape, so it shouldn't have that heavy feeling that I associated with tweed from the 70s.

This swatch was knit with Cascade Yarn Pima Tencel, leftover from when I knitted Anouk for one of my nieces.

Block Stitch or Dice Pattern

This pattern has three variations, I just don't know where I placed the third one. When I find it, I'll update this post.

So, the top picture is the garter stitch variation and the bottom one is the seed stitch variation. (The one missing is the Knit-Purl Block variation.)

Barb says that this is the simplest form of knit-purl checks and that all three consists of knit stitches, with the variations being either of garter or seed stitches. The one that I left out, the knit-purl variation, Barb claims it looks the same on both sides, which hasn't made it any easier to find among my pile of swatches.

Oh, a little side note, the color isn't messed up, I used two different yarns for the swatches. The first one is a made of Cascade Yarns Pima Tencel, leftover from when I knitted this. And the second is Tahki Classic Cotton.
I forgot how totally enjoyable it is to knit the pima tencel. Great summer yarn to work with, very cool to the touch. I would dare to say even refreshing to knit with on a hot summer day.
And the cotton is a really stable. I hate it when cotton yarn is so loosely spun that it unravels as you are knitting it. Not to mention pretty affordable, with a great range of colors.

Update



I found it! Above is the knit-purl variation of the Block Stitch or Dice pattern. It is knitted with the Cascade Yarn's Pima Tencel.

Square Check Pattern

I love the look of this stitch! I want a whole blanket out of this stitch.

Okay, that might be a lot of boring knitting.

Then, let's just say it would make a great edging for a blanket.

Swedish Block Pattern

Barb describes this cross-rib stitch pattern as "very attractive for sports wear - and [is] so easy to knit."

It is very easy to knit, but what sport would you wear this with? Bowling?

I understand that sports wear meant something different a generation ago, but what was the thought process behind classifying clothing that was not "business wear" as "sports wear?"

Sorry about the bitch, now back to the stitch.

The Swedish blocks has a very satisfying texture about it. I think it would make a great alternative to anything with the dragon scale pattern.

Elongated Rib Check

I'm all out of sorts, I hope this is where I left off. I knitted this a few months ago, but forgot to post it. (At least I think I forgot to post it.)

Barb says this a a variant of Double Seed Stitch, and it is the same pattern on both sides. I love anything that is the same on both sides because it allows for reversible things. So I think this would be lovely as a scarf or a hat. I would like to also have a pair of reversible mittens, but I don't think I could finish it off in such a way that one of the sides wouldn't be "the bad side."

I think the stitch looks a little smock-like. It was pretty simple to knit, so anywhere you might like the look of smocking (the top of a baby-doll dress perhaps?), you could use this stitch instead.

There is a variation of this, but I didn't knit the swatch. (At least I can't find the swatch to scan in.) But it looks like from the book that it would look even more smock-like, since there is a garter ridge separating the rows of check

Basketweave

I know, it's been a while with the stitches. So long, that I forgot where I was. It didn't help that I had some stitches swatched that I hadn't blogged about, so if you are keeping track (and I really hope you have more in your life than keep up with my swatch count) I apologize if I missed a stitch or two.

Barb says this pattern is known for it's "ease of working and handsome appearance."

I have to agree, it looks really good and I don't remember it being a pesky pattern at all. (Probably because I don't remember knitting it.)

Waving Rib Pattern

This is lovely and worth extra effort. I think I would be great for a sock leg, but you would need an edge that could keep the sock up, there isn't much elasticity to this stitch. With a tight gauge, it could make a great texture for a tank. There is definitely a front and back to the stitch, but if you knit a scarf with it, the back forms a cool checkerboard pattern. I see it looking a Waving Rib Pattern scarf looking might fetching if you know a professor with a tweed jacket.

Escalator Pattern

This was interesting to knit, but the only thing I could think it could be a useful stitch would be a baby's blanket. It's not difficult to keep up with, just not enough wow power to justify the added labor.

Ripple Stitch, Ribble Rib Stitch

Thanks for all the support about the classes, I really need it. I spent all Sunday working on class stuff. Yikes! I didn't even know how much time past. I'm really hoping I get faster at reading and doing homework and stuff, because I'm willing to give up some knitting time, but this is now seriously interferring with spousal time.

Oh, and can I tell you how much Tony Romo has messed with my world! I thought I could go back to normal days off, but the Seahawks season lives on because of Romo! I'm still fuming. It's not like the Seahawks are going to beat the Bears, so it just prolongs my crappy hours at work.

Anyways, here's the Ripple Stitch and the Ripple Rib. Both are quite simple, I could keep up with watching tv and knit them at the same time.

They don't look like much here, but I think both would shine with multicolor yarn.

oh, and the bike ride wasn't too bad, I was pretty surprised about that.

p.s. I forgot to update you, just in case you didn't watch the Fiesta Bowl, Ian Johnson, the crocheter/football player, his team won in overtime, with Johnson scoring the winning touchdown, then proceeds to get on his knee and propose to his cheerleading girlfriend. How great is that.

And speaking of orange and blue, watch tonight. My alma mater, the University of Florida is playing Ohio State for the National Championship. GO GATORS!!!!!!

Roman stitch, Roman rib stitch

Today is the first day of my class, which I'm kind of nervous about, not because of the coursework or it will be the first time that I have stepped foot in a classroom in 12 years, but traffic will be bad that time of day, so I've decided to bike from where I work to where the class is being held and I'm in terrible shape. And it's cold outside, and rainy (I know, Seattle is known for such weather). So if you don't hear from me in a while, it's because I'm still trying to bike up a hill in downtown Seattle.

So today, or last night really, I got back to knitting swatches. I think this is where I left off ...

The Roman stitch is quite blah, but the Roman rib, I can get excited about. It has a beautiful texture, kind of smock-like, very easy to remember. Would be lovely as the bust portion of an empire waist top.

SSK, K2 TOG TBL

I got this from Kaye Collins, the instructor from my little spinning retreat a month ago. I remembered all the frustration I had with the ssk, and k2 tog tbl, so I don't know if this clarifies anything, since I don't know the Eastern method. But I put it out there if it will help someone else.

A question came up regarding the difference, if any, of SSK verses K2tog
tbl. YES there is a difference as I try it at home. When you SLIP (as if
to knit), SLIP, KNIT (ssk) you twist the stitches as you slip them to the RH
needle and then knit in the back of those stitches. BUT K 2 tog tbl does
not work on twisted stitches. The only exception is when using the Eastern
crossed method of purling which twists the stitches so when you knit the
next row you must k tbl to untwist them AND when you K 2 tog tbl on these
stitches (that are twisted) is exactly like SSK. I use the Eastern method
so SSK and K2 tog tbl are always the same for me- but my answer to you was
not complete in that most folks do not use Eastern crossed way of purling.
SSK gives a slightly crisper decrease because the stitches are crossed when
slipped then knit in the back and that uncrosses them so actually they lay
uncrossed and that does look a bit different.

Broken Rib, part 2

I made a mistake, Lauren pointed out the Broken Rib photo was upside down, so I fixed the original post. I apologize if it made any of you quezy to look at it.

Broken Rib, Broken Rib Doubled

This was a nice distraction from the orange sweater and the steeked bag.

I think I'm partial to the doubled variation. It would make a nice sock leg, maybe for a guy.
The single broken rib has a nice texture, not as elastic as the doubled version, but I guess that's true for any rib. I could see it as a nice edging for a cardigan, or mittens.

Sand Stitch, Dot Stitch

This might not look like much, and I don't see the resemblance to sand, but boy, did I have trouble swatching this one. It took me a bit to figure out where the pattern was going. But the good news is that you get two stitch swatches for the price of one. The reverse side is called Dot Stitch or Spot Stitch. Again, I don't see any dots or spots, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good looking stitch.



Barb's advice is to use Sand Stitch as sportswear and sweaters for men and boys. I like how she uses the term 'sportswear.' I know what she means, but I always get this mental picture of Andre Agassi, circa 1992 using a knitted headband to keep the flock of seagulls 'do from getting in his way of winning Wimbledon.

Someone asked about the yarn that I'm using, and well, in this case, it was Rowan All Season Cotton in a lighter bluish-gray. The swatches before were done in Mission Falls wool. I'm sorry it's not consistent, as I just wanted to use up bits of yarn from previous projects (I can't seem to bring myself to throw away yarn, I want to use up every little inch of fiber goodness) But this will change soon.

Double Moss Stitch

Barb notes that this really should be called 'Double Moss Stitch' since it requires four rows to complete. She also suggest it can be used in lieu of plain stockinette stitch, which would give it a nice texture, not to mention it's reversible and resist curling.

I wish I had more insight, but Barb leaves me speechless.

Garter stitch

Did the title bore you? Are you letting out a big yawn out there in cyberspace?

I was worried about this stitch because what could I say about it that you don't already know.

Which got me thinking about the knitting I've done with garter stitch, and then I realized I had a bunch to say. Probably not terribly insightful, but here they are...

Garter stitch tips

DO NOT KNIT LARGE FLAT THINGS WITH SMALL NEEDLES IN GARTER STITCH. You will NEVER finish it.

Garter stitch stretches like a mo-fo. Take precautions if you want a garter stitch sweater.

Garter stitch works really well for edges, since it will lay flat, unlike Stockinette stitch. But you knew that already.

To knit garter stitch in the round, you have to knit one round, then purl one round. But you knew that already too.

I find garter stitch really shines when you use plush yarn. (but really, what stitch does shine when you use crap yarn) The dense nature of garter seems to love (or maybe I love) cashmere and merino in particular. The ridges add the right amount of texture to all that fiber goodness.

My favorite baby blanket pattern is knit in garter stitch. It's from Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas' 'Knitting for Baby'

It's my favorite because you cast on 4 stitches. It's my favorite because it's easy and it's easy because it's knit in garter stitch.

Oh, and Barb has some interesting background. It's called Garter stitch because it used to hold up stockings, which were knit with, you guessed it, stockinette stitch.

Stockinette Stitch, plain, crossed and twisted

I have a beef with most stitch glossaries because I find them a bit cold. The entries often are just a bunch of k's and p's with some asteriks. You'll see a lovely little swatch of a stitch and think, 'how lovely that would be as a sweater' and then realize that it has this horrible tendency to snag on every door handle in your house.

Not with Barbara. She gives you these little tidbits of advice.

(You thought I was going to say 'purls of wisdom' didn't you. Well, just so you know, this is also a writing experiment for me and I feel like if someone is taking the time to read my little stitch journal, I have a responsibility not to make her throw up in pun agony.)

Also, right off the bat, Barbara is mixing it up. You would think she would start where everyone starts, with Garter Stitch. But she starts with Stockinette. And she gives you a variations.

So stitch observations for today...
1:) I didn't realize there were variations of a stitch, I thought there would just be different stitches.

2:) When I started knitting the swatches, I recognized the end product as that weird twist I would get in some of my previous knitting because I tried to pick up stitches that got knocked off my needles because I'm too lazy to use the needle protectors that prevent aforementioned lost stitches.

3:) I never knew you could purl through the back loop.

Oh, and Barbara's factoids on stockinette stitch - it has a tendency to curl and the crossed and twisted versions are from ancient Arabic methods of knitting.