The SweaterBabe Blog

How many stitches to cast on for a scarf?

Hi SweaterBabe, I was wondering if you could tell me, how many stiches shall i cast on when i’m doing a scarf. I want to do a average scarf but i don’t know how many stiches to cast on. Many Thanks Toni x Age 13 x Dear Toni, Good question. And the answer is - it totally depends! What needle [...]

Pattern Pick: Kiana Vest Knitting Pattern

Kiana Vest for Girlsby SweaterBabe My girls always need a layer for the morning chill as we head to school. And what better way to arrive to school in style than with this lovely cabled vest! A beautiful center panel features a medallion-shaped double cable that frames a single lace leaf motif. This pattern-stitch combination is all [...]

Determining how much yarn to order for a Knitting Pattern

Dear SweaterBabe, I have found some bulky yarn on sale. The yarn skein contains 57.5 yards, needle size is 10-11 and 3.75 sts over 4". My vest pattern that I want to knit is for a needle size 13 and 2.5 sts over 4″. I need 400 yards for my vest. My question is there a mathematical [...]

Working 3 sc in one st in Crocheting

hi sweaterbabe, i know this is going to sound dumb but i am trying to teach myself how to crochet. i started an afghan and it says to do 3 sc in a stich and i don't understand after the first sc where to place the hook to start the next on. do i place it at [...]

Shaping Neck and Shoulders in Knitting Patterns

Dear SweaterBabe, Love your site - well I'm knitting my first summer top (I'm tired of making hats, scarfs and blankets) and have a question regarding the back. I find the "knitting language" to be challenging and I feel that I am doubting and questioning everything about this pattern - can you help me with this? "For the [...]

Some Tips on Yarn Substitution for Knitting

Dear SweaterBabe, I purchased the pattern #73 women's top down short sleeved cardigan from you and was hoping to be able to use yarn I have the my gauge is 10 stitches to 3 inches. I was thinking of making the smaller size and using this yarn. It is a softee chunky yarn with a gauge [...]

Uneven Ribbing with DPNS in Knitting

Dear SweaterBabe, I am knitting a sock on DPN's and my ribbing looks awful....Any tips or tricks to make it look neater would be great.....thanks -- Kim Dear Kim, Yes - keeping your knitting even with DPN's and ribbing can be challenging. One thing is to make sure you keep a firm tension on the yarn when you are ribbing [...]

Edges Curling on Knitting Scarf

Dear SweaterBabe, I'm a new knitter. Why is it that the edges curl on the scarf that I knitted? Thank You. Dear New Knitter, I'm guessing that you are doing the Stockinette Stitch, i.e. knitting row, then purling a row. Unfortunately, this is a pattern stitch which will give you curled edges. These same curled edges are like what [...]

Explaining a Crochet Cluster Stitch Crochet Technique

Dear SweaterBabe, Cluster (CL): Keeping last lp of each dc on hook, 2 dc from front to back to front around post of st indicated; YO and draw through all 3 lps on hook - CL made. I understand how to do the dc (double crochet), YO, & I know where the "post" is, but how do [...]

Measuring Rows in Knitting Projects

Hello Sweaterbabe, When a pattern says, "Knit until the length is so many inches", do you measure from the stitches on the needle, or only the actual fabric just below? Thanks, Carolyn Dear Carolyn, I believe it doesn't really matter, as long as you are consistent for the same project. That being said, I always measure from just under [...]

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