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The SweaterBabe Blog

What does a Multiple of 8 plus 2 mean in Knitting Instructions

Hi SweaterBabe, Just wondered when a pattern says to chain in multiples of 8 plus 2, how do you decide how many chains to do? Thanks -- Maya Dear Maya, When a pattern says to cast on or chain a multiple of 8 plus 2, it is only explaining how the stitch pattern works.  That lace, cable, or whatever stitch [...]

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Turning a Dishcloth Knitting Pattern into a Blanket Pattern

Dear SweaterBabe, I have a lot of patterns for dishcloths that I would like to make into afghan sizes and baby blanket sizes. Is there a formula for increasing a crochet pattern or decreasing a pattern. -- Dawn Dear Dawn, Without seeing what your dishcloth pattern looks like, I can try to give some general advice. Most crochet patterns have [...]

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Make Beautifully Textured Knits!

Texture is everything when it comes to knitting! Whether it's cables knit up in a soft cashmere that begs to be touched or a clean linen blend that is knit up in a simple stitch juxtaposed with a more open lace, the end results are always worth the time and money spent knitting! Above are some [...]

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Techniques for the Aria Cowl knitting pattern

The SweaterBabe Aria Cowl design is all about the elongated crossed stitches! They are not hard to do, but do need to be done with care. These two videos below will demonstrate the special techniques that make the Aria Cowl such a beauty! This first video shows the triple yo's.   This video shows how on the next [...]

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Crocheting Again!

Every once in a while, I get re-obsessed with crocheting. It just happened again! Here is a cute little stash-busting pattern I happened across. They are perfect little gifts to crochet and send to loved ones ;-) The pattern is called the Positive Potato from Leanna's Designs. Thanks, Leanna, for the free pattern! I used up little [...]

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Gift Knit Suggestions in All Weights of Yarn!

 Here are gift knits in a variety of yarn-weights! Many only need 1 or 2 balls, so bust that stash! Super Bulky and Bulky Gift Knits: #310 Eliza Cowl (Shop on Ravelry), #301 Waverly Cowl (Shop on Ravelry), #293 Morgan One-Skein Hat [shown above: bottom, right corner] (Shop on Ravelry), #291 Lyra Cowl (Shop on [...]

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Cowls for Every Season and Reason!

It's almost always cowl season! Especially when there are so many different cowl knitting patterns to choose from! Whether you need a quick knit chunky one for the colder temps or as a gift, a delicate lace number as a pretty accessory that's easy to carry with you, or anything in between - SweaterBabe has [...]

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Gift Knitting and Crochet Ideas

Happy gift-knitting and crochet season! Some great knitting project ideas shown above: #310 Eliza Cowl [top left]. Also on Ravelry. #358 Succulent Coaster Set [top, center]. Also on Ravelry. #337 Maren Cabled Beanie [top, right]. Also on Ravelry. #110 One Skein Cabled Fingerless Gloves [center row, left]. Also on Ravelry. #357 Lara Cowl [center]. Also on Ravelry. #34 Wavy Edged Crochet Scarf [center row, right]. [...]

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Knitting Question: Bind off 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows.

Dear SweaterBabe, Bind off 4 stitches at beg of next 2 rows. Does this mean bind off 2 stitches each side to equal 4? or Does it mean 4 stitches on each side witch will equal a total of 8?  Thank you. -- Irene Dear Irene, YES - it means to bind off 4 sts at the beginning of your [...]

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Knitting Question How to Use Stitch Markers

Dear Sweaterbabe, I am a new knitter. I have read somewhere that markers can be carried up as one knits. I wonder if this means that as one knits, the markers can be knitted into stitches of the next row (thus carrying them up) instead of manually removing them and then placing them into the relevant stitches [...]

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