So I mentioned not too long ago that I've been fiddling with some Twist stitch designs. To me Twist stitches or Traveling stitches are the ultimate in cabling and texture. They cross over and sway around and leave behind an image of embossed work. Neat little trails with a depth unmatched by any other kind of knit stitch (IMHO).
I'm sure some less experienced knitters may find Twist stitches and other sorts of cable type designs a bit intimidating so I thought it would be fun to do a tutorial. Like anything in crafting, or life in general, I believe that Twist stitching is only *difficult* until somebody shows you how to do it.
Many times I've heard non-knitters say they could never knit or somebody will comment on another hand-stitched piece of something and swear it must be awfully hard to do all those little stitches. Really. I think its just the unknown quantity that makes things seem difficult at a glance.
The first thing I'll go over in the tutorial is cabling without a cable needle. Though I know its been done a million times I'm going to go over it again so that anybody that hasn't gotten the hang of it can give it a go. There are good reasons for learning to cable without the use of a 3rd needle and I'll point a few of them out. If you're already comfortable cabling without the extra needle you're a step ahead.
Reading a chart is another all important factor in following Twist knitting. Again, I'm aware that reading charts is something that some knitters aren't comfortable with and some just refuse to do. I'll go over a few small charts and try to explain how/why learning to read charts, and your knitting, is so important.
Lastly, there will be a small practice/demonstration chart for you to use to give Twist stitches a try. There's no better way to tackle a knew knitting technique than a swatch!
If you're already an accomplished fan of Twist stitch/Traveling stitch knitting you can just ignore the tutorial or maybe pass it on to a friend. You might, however, be interested in the pattern that sparked the idea for a tutorial in the first place. (The prototype can be seen in that picture at the top but it isn't the final design. In fact its a swatch-hat I was fiddling with and since I took that picture one of the kids has stolen the hat!)
I'm *hoping* to have the tutorial ready to go next week but please be patient as its a work in progress and I want above all for it to be helpful and clear.
Yay! I'm up for it! I've cabled with a needle and dabbled a teeny bit in charts, but having a "knitting doula" is better still. Looking forward to it!
Posted by: kt | October 04, 2008 at 12:59 AM
I can't wait for the tutorial! I can cable, but would love to do it without a cable needle. I recently discovered your blog through ravelry while looking for patterns and am making my first ever sweater with one of your patterns. I read your blocking tutorial and the visuals made blocking make so much more sense for me. Thanks!
Posted by: Bridget | October 03, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I'm looking forward to the tutorial! I agree that cabling without a cable needle is way easier (and charts, too)!
Posted by: Jocelyn | October 03, 2008 at 10:12 AM
The tutorial is a wonderful idea and effort on your part. I know I will view it and use it. Thank you for putting it together!
Posted by: Debbie | October 03, 2008 at 08:54 AM