Knitting Elegance KAL

Crescent Moon Shawl or The Beginning of a New Era

2011-05-30T03:17:00.000-07:00

When I've started this blog I only had Japanese knitting (and Japanese knitting symbols) in mind, as I could only knit.

Terrible limitation, now that I've discovered the new world of crochet :), decided to extend the scope a bit more.

This is my first crochet project ever and it has been really easy. If you're reading this and still not sure if you want to try crochet, please do: nothing has been so pleasantly rewarding in a long time. (I know, I should get a life :)).

Anyway, ladies, here it is, the Crescent Moon shawl:

The pattern is extensivly described on Ravelry:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cresent-moon-shawl-a

and the yarn I've used is Noro silk garden sock, colourway : 245, a bit less than 2 balls.

Worth mentioning: there is a very helpful discussion in the Japanese forum around the chart symbols which will help any total beginner. (Search the forum for 'Crescent moon shawl').

Over to you to publish your latest Japanese project ! (see, I'm not saying 'knitting project' anymore :)

Twisted decreases

2010-03-08T02:39:00.001-08:00

Very popular with Japanese patterns.

Comments in Japanese

2010-02-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

We've recently received a few comments in Japanese.
I would like to apologize but I had to reject them all simply because I do not speak Japanese so I could not decide if they were genuine and appropriate comments.

Please send comments in English only - I know it's a terrible limitation but I don't know what else to do :(.
Thank you for understanding.

Japanese Yorkshire Knit

2009-09-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

I was thinking to revive this blog a bit:

I found this pattern which I really like, and I've got the right yarn for it as well, now all I need is to be able to get a translation for the yarn and needle size in order to plan mine. I have a feeling the Japanese ravelry group will not let me down.

Class

2009-06-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

My class with Gayle roehm was wonderful - I swatched 3 patterns and learned how to interpret the charts. Now to select a project to make.

Class

2009-03-13T07:20:00.001-07:00

I am taking a class in Japanese knitting at the Knitters Connection in June. This is a wonderful 3 day knitters convention in Columbus, OH.

The Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-02-12T13:16:00.000-08:00

Sally nominated us for the Kreativ Blogger Award — thank you, we obviously feel great about it :).

Here is what we are supposed to do, and the rules for our nominees:

1. Copy the award to your site — done.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award — done.
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers — hmmm, I'm going to need help here
4. Link to the award recipients on your blog — easy, once Number 3 is done ( copied this from Sally's blog)
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominate — will do it.

Now, because this blog is the collective work of the wonderful people at knittinginjapan yahoo group, next I'm going to post the news there, and also ask for help with our nominations.

Stay tuned.

Butterfly sweater finished

2008-11-03T02:21:00.000-08:00

Enough posts about books - let's have something about knitting.

Fineshed the butterfly sweater (Let's Knit Series 11 - cover pattern). This was weeks ago just that I've got a new and huge project at work, which is draining all my energies at the moment, so I've got everything else, including blogs, on a very slow burner.

The stitch pattern is really simple - the only thing which was a challenge was the crochet adventure and I absolutely loved it. I bought the Clear and simple Crochet guide and this was a perfect start.

We had a mini KAL on ravelry - I've always regarded KALs as a waste of time -well, I have to admit I was wrong, as I really enjoyed knitting with a pal.

Let's Knit Series #13

2008-09-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

New book out - beautiful lace and unusual combinations of stitches.

Links in Amazon Japan and YesAsia in the side bar.

Click the Amazon Japan icon (in the side bar) and you can look inside the book. Anyone up for the white sweater, with a high neck?

I'm in!

2008-09-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Sylvia,
It's those little things we don't remember--like in the past when I already signed up for the Knitting Elegance KAL. So sorry for the trouble. Glad to be involved.
Sharon from Michigan

Elegance Knit Cover - Episode 3: Body Parts finished

2008-08-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Not much to blog about this, it's going much easier than I thought. I followed the book charts for all decreases. Here is the front ready for the crochet border (did I mention I'll have to learn crochet soon?)

Knitting Patterns Book - Pattern 133

2008-08-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

It looks like this

and that's one thing you could do with it:

It does involve a very impressive stitch combination ( page 123 bottom) but in real life it's quite easy, as the symbols have quite a clear logic.

The 'hook' symbol over 3 stiches, in row 17, will be the theme of the pattern and it goes like this:

drop the third st over the first 2 sts then k,yo,k. It is well described in the book.

Row 21, first grey block ( from right to left):

First start with an yo. What follows next is a decrease symbol: two lines merging : one line is the next st and the other is the stitch coming from the far end of the block, from pos. 5. So just slip the next st on the right needle, then save the next 3 sts on a cn at front and now, that we have access to the st in pos 5, slip the stitch from the right needle back and work a left slanted decrease. Next just work the 'hook' symbol using the 3 sts from the cn.

Row 21, second grey block ( from right to left):

Save the first st on cn at back (it will be used in the decrease later on). Work the 'hook' symbol as above, transfer the cn st back on the needle, right slated decrease, yo.

Row 25, first grey block ( from right to left):

Transfer 3 sts on cn, keep at front. Purl the next st ( see the little horizontal line? that's for 'purl'), then work the 'hook' symbol as above using the cn sts.

Row 25, second grey block ( from right to left):

One st on cn at back, the 'hook' symbol then purl the st from cn.

Easy !

Elegance Knit Cover - Episode 3: The Math

2008-07-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

I needed to resize and go up a bit, so I just added two more rows of twisted stitches at each side. One row is over 3 stiches.

This gave me 144 + 6x2 = 144 + 12 = 156 stitches. It measures 49 cm unblocked and I hope to go to 53cm after washing and blocking.

And here it is what I've managed in about 6 rainy days.

A closeup.

The pattern is easier than I thought. Each side of the butterfly has one yo and one decrease in each row and it's quite obvious where to place them, as the pattern flows in continuous lines.

I am using Addi Lace needles and they are GREAT for the job, with all these twisted stitches. Do not even think of attempting this pattern or anything similar without lace needles.

Intermezzo

2008-07-03T13:25:00.001-07:00

Finished the leaf white top.

and the indoor shot.

Easy knit, easy pattern.

Zarina is a bit too thin for this pattern and doesn't give much 'body' - I should have gone for a DK weight yarn but overall it's not very bad.

Elegance Knit cover - Episode 2: Swatching

2008-06-11T11:30:00.001-07:00

I've swatched today and here is the result.

The pattern asks for a provisional cast-on, that's the blue border. At some point I will start the new adventure called 'crochet' and I'll try the border.

My swatch is over 28 stitches (needles size 4 mm) and measures between 9 and 10.3 cm - so I guess more or less I got the pattern gauge...

I need to achieve 55 cm across my hips, so I'm going to start the chart for the front part the way it is in the book( 5 repeats of the main pattern plus those filler rows) , PLUS 2 extra filler rows at each side. If this will still be small, then I'll declare it to be the 'back' and I'll start another front with another 2 extra rows of filler stitches. Obviously I could do a diet instead.

If this is still going to be too small (!) , there is always the magic of blocking. After all, we are talking lace here.

I 'kind of' like the yarn - apart from the fact that it splits badly in between the yos rows. I have no idea what to do about it - it happened with all yarns I've tried before ( Rowan 4ply soft, Jaeger extra fine merino and Zarina). I can't keep buying and trying new yarns, so this will have to do. But I am bit upset about it.

Otherwise it looks good.

A few words about the chart and symbols. Well, the pattern is easier than you might think, but challenging, as you'll work in pattern on both sides.

Here is a small part of the chart for the sake of discussing the symbols.

The 'swimming fish' is a twisted stitch : knit tbl.

The leaning 'swimming fishes' merging into a short line are decreases, where the stitch on top needs to be twisted. My general approach to this is to first twist the stitch that needs twisting by doing a 'slip knitwise - slip back' operation, then perform the decrease.

Apart from the twisted left leaning decrease, which is easier done with a k2togtbl.

Confused?

Elegance Knit cover - Episode 1: Yarn

2008-06-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

I'm definitely getting closer and closer.

The pattern is from Let's Knit Series #11, Elegance Knit. The book is listed on the right side of this page, you can collect the ISBN etc. but it looks like it's not available any more. Neither in Amazon Japan nor in YesAsia. How many times did I tell you to buy it???

So, received the original yarn this morning : Tasmanian Merino , colour 701 ( off-white, light cream), 14 balls, 40 gr each.
I've ordered through JAA Japan Auction Agency ( which is a bit cheaper then Crescent) and from this Japanese yarn shop.
Here it is:

Prior to any knitting, I feel we need a good strategy with this pattern. Maybe getting in a proper Tasmanian mood first...

Anyway, bit more about the yarn.
The gauge is 22 on 5-6 needle size. The only yarn with identical gauge in my stash is Jaeger extra fine merino DK.
Comparing these two yarns : the Tasmanian Merino is a bit thinner - I would say 15-20% thinner.

That's how they got the same yardage in a 40g ball.

Stay tuned, next episode will be about swatching, the chart, and the twisted decreases.

Let's Knit Series #3 - White top

2008-05-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Decided to revive this blog a bit - here is a top I've started a few days ago.
It's from Let's knit Series #3 - the book is listed in the list on the right side of this page.

I'm determined to reduce my stash before jumping into buying new yarns again. Nice, isn't it? I mean knitting from the stash.

More about the 'leaf' challenge here.
The yarn is Zarina (Filatura di Crosa) ,on 3.5 mm needles and it looks very good up to now.

The problem is I only have 7 balls - I'll have to see how far is this going to take me, the firts ball is already gone, I'm into the second one.

It will certainly have very short sleeves.

Elegance Knits again

2008-05-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely obsessed with this top and I'm desperately trying to find out the original yarn.

For those of you who asked, the book is called Elegance Knits, Let's knit series 11 and it's listed on this page, on the right side, where all the other books are, - with links in Amazon JP and YesAsia.

Here are the requirements

hopefully somebody will help me translate this.

Up to now I've tried Rowan 4 ply soft - too thin, Zarina - didn't like the twist in the twisted stitches, Debbie Bliss cotton blend - too splitty... call me fussy, but I need to get this right as I will be probably knitting it for the rest of my life :).

Keito Dama 135

2008-03-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

Just received this Keito Dama magazine this morning.
The link above is in Amazon Japan, unfortunately the book is out of stock in YesAsia.

It has lots of unusual cabled patterns and delicate combinations of lace and cable motifs.

This vest bellow is my favourite and hopefully I'm going to start it very soon as it is, or a a short sleeve cardi.

And on top of everything I was so happy to find an article dedicated to our Romanian lace point tradition.

Can't describe my surprise to open a Japanese magazine in England, and see a picture of my Romanian hometown.

Lace point is really popular in Romania, probably the most popular handcraft - and everybody is designing and creating their own patterns.

My mother is a real expert, needless to say my house is full of similar doilies and tablecloths.

I'm glad somebody finally got an interest on it.

Shawl #3

2008-02-17T19:55:00.000-08:00

Finally, after nine months, I finished my shawl.

This is Shawl #3 from the Let's Knit Book 11.

I started it last May, and just finished it this week . . . and even that would have taken a lot longer if I hadn't eliminated two of the pattern repeats (grin).

The yarn was Zephyr's silk/wool in color, "Curry." I used JUST over one skein. (As in, about 3 yards of yarn from the second skein--just enough to bind-off the last 30 or so stitches.

I'm relieved to have this done (finally), but have enjoyed working on it . . . mostly. As much as I love the look and feel of Zephyr, we just don't really get along. (It's a long story.)

It sure came out pretty, though....

--Deb

Beautiful knits

2008-02-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

I recently came across Ishi's Knitting Diary. Most of her patterns are from Japanese magazines and I thought they'll be a great inspiration for us. Just pay a visit and you'll be in for a treat.

With Ishi's permission, I will publish here her latest FO - this beautiful sweater - pattern from Let's Knit Series.

The motif is very similar with the one I've used for my white top - but heavily modified towards the neck line, in order to achive the overall decrease. Ingenios and elegant.

New Style of Heirloom Knitting

2008-01-05T02:54:00.000-08:00

It's not the Am Kamin which is the winner with me, but the oak leaf and the acorn motif.

So I had to try it - in line with my new resolution of knitting only from my stash - as I just discovered this nice green yarn ( too long forgotten).

Here it is:

and it's really easy.

Or to be more specific it became easy when I've realised that the twisted symbols (or the 'flying fishes') are NOT 'ktb's but strand increases. They are suppose to be oriented towards the right (the bold ones) or towards the left, the plain ones.

A brilliant explanation here: Strand Increase. Read this and you'll be fine. The Strand Increase(1) is for the bold twisted stitch, the Strand Increase(2) is for the plain one.

Next challenge is the mini chart A (8 stitches). It's about a small 'bobble' and a cable - because you would like to 'push' the bobble a bit away from the leaf main body.

So it goes like this: save 3 stitches on a cn at the back, knit the bobble according to the mini chart for the bobble (5 stitches reduced to one) then purl 3 from the cable needle. Easy.

Chart B is the bobble on the other side, and it is symmetrical. I trust my readers to be able to figure it out.

My swatch above has two mistakes, unfortunately I'm too lazy to go back a long way to correct anything. First there are two purled lines in the acorn pattern and I missed one - then I've lost one or two stitches from the background at some point, so my main leaf is slightly leaning towards the left. Sorry :).

Let's just call it the Leaning Oak Leaf in a windy day.

The book can be found here in YesAsia. Or just collect the ISBN number and feel free to google.

Knitting Patterns Book 250

2007-12-12T06:50:00.000-08:00

This book is probably my favourite knitting book ever. ( The links in YesAsia and Amazon Japan are listed on the right side of the page).

I did a swatch for the cover pattern - following a discussion on the knittinginjapan yahoo group - just to see how it goes. It's pattern 086, page 40.

Pretty much straight forward, but I did a mistake on row 12 - it's a WS row with a kind of 'unexpected' change in pattern.

Apart from this, there are no particular challenges, it will only require an ambitious beginner to use it.

And I guess It will only work well with a yarn with a very good stitch definition.

Vintage Knitting in Tradition

2007-12-11T05:06:00.000-08:00

Remember the famous Am Kamin sweater and the acorn leaf motif ?
Well, Shimada Toshiyuki is out with a new book.
Arans, shawls, fair isle, a bohus style sweater and the acorn leaf slightly modified.
Click on the image bellow in order to browse a few pages on Amazon Japan.

The book is available in YesAsia, as well, at this address.

There are a few mistakes in this edition, an but there is an errata available in pdf format.

Let's Knit Series new book - Autumn Winter 2007

2007-11-11T10:37:00.000-08:00

New book out.
Browse a few pages in Amazon Japan (just follow the link with the same image, on the right side of the page).

250 Knitting Patterns Book - Part 1

2007-11-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

More on the topic of deconstructing Japanese knitting symbols.

The symbols bellow are from 250 Knitting Patterns Book, which is gathering lots of patterns from the Let's Knit Series books.

I will use the 'translations' provided by the KnittinginJapan group members, your comments and any other contributions I will obtain further. (So don't think it's me being very smart :)).

The numbers on top of the symbols refer to the pattern number in the book.

003 Procedure from itsacardigan:

right to left: o/ slip stitch 1 to cable needle, hold at back, knit stitch 2, yo k3t it's that funky centered k3t; you want to position the stitches so that the center stitch is on top. so, slip stitch 3 from left to right needle, slip stitch on cable needle (stitch 1) onto right needle, slip next stitch (stitch 4) onto cable needle, hold at front. you now have stitch 5 remaining on the left needle. slip stitch 1 from right to left needle, then slip stitch 3 from right to left needle, k3t\o yo and knit stitch 4 from cable needle.

Pending...

At a first glance the symbols involve a decrease (stitches no 1 and 3 merge together) - a twisted stitch (knit through the back loop) and an yo.

093 - 1 Procedure by Neel:

Slip one stitch to Cable Needle and hold back, Knit one stitch Through Backloop (right slanted 'fish' along the front), Yarn Over, Knit one stitch and Pass Slipped Stitch (of the cable needle)

093 - 2 Procedure by Neel:

Slip stitch, Slip stitch to Cable Needle and keep in front, Knit Slipped stitch Together with next one on left needle(k2tog), Yarn Over, Knit stitch on Cable Needle Through Backloop (left slanted 'fish' along the front).

Swatching in vain

2007-11-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

Remember this cover sweater?

http://knittingelegance.blogspot.com/2007/09/lets-knit-series-book.html

I did three swatches and still not sure about the yarn.

From left to right:

1. Jaeggerspun Zephyr DK - it has a certain plastic feeling - somehow I don't like knitting with it.

2. RYC Silk Wool - beautiful yarn - everything looks great - not my colour and nothing else appeals to me from their colour card. Maybe bramble ?

3. Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool - a definitely no-no for this pattern. Too thin and tweedy.

So I'm still looking for a nice DK merino-silk blend.

Any suggestions more then welcomed.

Swatch for Pattern 7 in Let's Knit 12

2007-10-28T15:44:00.001-07:00

This weekend I swatched for pattern 7 in Let's Knit 12. The gauge calls for:

27 stitches x 31 rows = 10 x 10 cm in pattern A

And I got:
30 stitches x 29 rows = 10 x 10 cm in pattern A (unstretched and unblocked)

Verdict: This is a very pretty pattern but it is unlikely I could do a whole sweater with twisted stitches (ktbl) and ptbl for an entire sweater. I think my hands would likely fall off before I completed the sweater. That said, perhaps someone else would like to knit the sweater and so I included the photo of my swatch for chart A above. The pattern as knit is quite stretchy but I am not a big fan of the large yarn overs on a sweater, maybe there is a trick to make them looks smaller. I used size 4mm (US 6) needles with Lana Grossa Merino 2000 Superfein in color 510. This is a very light sport weight yarn and I think the needle size is a bit large for it. In any case, this was a very fun swatch to knit with the wrong side being charted out as well; I did not get bored!

Next I will swatch for Pattern 8 (a vest) and Pattern 10 (a cardigan) in the same Let's Knit 12. In the magazine they are both knit up in black but I will probably swatch in a lighter color.

Scarf Completed

2007-10-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy over the last two weeks working on this scarf for my partner in the International Scarf Exchange 5. The scarf is from Let's Knit Series 3. The ISBN number is 4529042758. I bought my copy from The Needle Arts Book Shop. I am not affiliated with this website in any way. I am just a satisfied customer. I don't think I could have done the scarf without everyones help from the KnittingInJapan Yahoo group. Silvia did an earlier post with the mechanics of the scarf.

The scarf is worked IN ONE PIECE from beginning to end. I have never seen anything constructed this way. It's pure genius if you ask me. I did change a few things when I did the last section and edging. The edging is a crochet edging where you chain 7, single crochet in the next stitch, skip the next stitch, chain 7 etc. I did two rounds of the edging instead of 1, doing the single crochets in the stitch that was skipped the first time around. Also instead of keeping the entire scarf stitches live after finishing chart D I chose to cast off each D section and single crochet around to the next section where you would pick up the stitches to work another D section. For me, this was much easier than working it with all the stitches live. I would have gone nuts and this way I was able to do the double row of edging.

I must admit, I am very pleased with the final result. I hope the person it is intended for will feel the same way.

Pattern 7 from Let's Knit 12

2007-10-24T03:28:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm fbz, I'm new here and I have a quick question. If anyone has Let's Knit 12 and perhaps can understand the yardage requirements and/or needle size, gauge, etc., I am going to attempt to swatch for pattern 7 (shown above). I received yesterday both Let's Knit 12 and Let's Knit Start Series Mittens/Gloves (which is amazing by the way, it is pictorially very clear if you are interested in basic beginner glove construction). I don't speak or read Japanese, but I would love to learn. Thanks for any and all tips on the gauge and needle and yarn requirements for pattern 7. It does look quite a bit like the scale lace pattern of Pomatomus, but I am also eager to swatch the border to see how it looks.

edited to add the yarn requirement section of the pattern (click for large view):

Cheers from Berlin, Germany,
fabienne

Japanese scarf - Episode 2 - D

2007-10-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

Finally finished all A, B and C segments.

(If you read this and feel like not quite understanding what's all this about, you might want to check this post first.)

We are ready for the first D. Pick up 31 stitches along the C. I've switched again to a different colour - otherwise just keep knitting with the same yarn.

Fig. 1 - Ready to start Row 1

Work in pattern. D is a sequence of short rows. In order to avoid the holes at the end of these rows I've used the YO short row method. Every time you encounter a circle symbol in the chart, just make a YO, then ignore them on the next row.

Fig. 2 - Beginning Row 5 with an YO (RS)

After row 16, I ended up with 3 YOs on each side, marked by pins.

In the last two rows (15 and 16) you will have to work the YOs together with the next stitch. This will close the gaps.

Next, remove the provisional cast-on at the end of C - recover the live stitches and knit until you reach the border with B.

Pick up 31 stitches along B and make another D.

Carry on like this - knitting along the edges and filling all required D segments.

Cast off and voila. One tinny colourful scarf :).

I left out the crochet border out of two reasons: one is that I can't crochet, the other is that I feel I had enough of this scarf :).

It was entertaining and I should not forget to say THANK YOU Judith and May for helping with the translation and THANK YOU Joan for explaining the circle.

What else did I do apart from knitting?

Well, we've had a brilliant day today so we've just tried to make the most out of it, by going for a long walk along the reservoirs in Marsden, in West Yorkshire, the very heart of the Rowan empire.

What you get in return is Autumn at its best.

Japanse scarf - Episode 1 - ABC

2007-10-17T03:15:00.000-07:00

We recently had an interesting discussion on the group, about this scarf construction, and no way could I understand it unless actually knitting the bloody thing.

Let's start with the beginning. This is the scarf. Picture courtesy of Rochelle.

The pattern is published in the Let's knit Series #3; the links to the book, both for YesAsia and Amazon Japan, are published on the right side of the KAL main page - just scroll down a bit and you'll see them.

The scarf has an amazing architecture and it's meant to be done in one go - if you feel you need to break off the yarn between segments be sure you're doing something wrong !

Step 1. First segment, which is called A.

I've started with a provisional cast-on which is not in the chart by the way. At the time I thought I'm smarter then the designer - realised later it was not the case. Anyway - it's not crucial - both ways you'll be fine.

No challenge afterwards, just work in pattern.

I broke off the yarn when I finished the casting off row and that's only because I was changing the colours. Otherwise just carry on using the same yarn.

Step 2. Starting the second segment - B

Pick up 31 stitches from the left edge of A and carry on with the B segment chart. (Or pick up 30 and use the last loop of your cast off). Just make sure you've got 31 stitches.

I always slip the first stitch of each row so I had exactly 31 stitches along the edge.

And, by the way, the segments stitch patterns are identical.

If everything goes according to the plan, one hour later you'll be the proud owner of two segments : A and B.

You might notice I've broken off the yarn again - Only because I'm using a different colour next !

Otherwise leave it there and move towards the next step.

Step 3. Starting C

Start with a provisional crochet chain cast on. This will give you 31 loops on your left needle. Carry on using the same yarn ! and knit the first RS row. Now you've got B and C linked together at the bottom (see bellow). It's where I've got that knot between yellow and blue.

Knit the WS and turn. You are here.

Step 4 - Linking the C and B again.

Before beginning Row 3, transfer the SECOND stitch from the bottom from the B edge, on your left needle.

Begin the third row working the k2tog : the blue stitch and the yellow stitch, then just work in pattern for Row 3 and Row 4.

Getting ready to start Row 5 now.

Again - transfer the next edge stitch on your left needle and start with a k2tog.

Carry on like this - making sure to link the parts together with these k2togs, at the beginning of each RS row, picking up every single stitch from the B cast-off edge.

That's all. Next is another B, then another C and so on - till you reach the end of the pattern chart.

And then again, after finishing the last C - do not break off the yarn but move to the next step - The Ds.

This is to come in the next episode : maybe tomorrow.

Understanding The Rising Sun

2007-10-06T03:25:00.001-07:00

Weekend exercise - let's see what we make out of this combination.

1. Stitch no. 3 merges into stitch no. 2, so this will be a decrease. Stitch no 2 is the longest one, so it's a LEFT leaning decrease. Looks like a right leaning decrease but it's NOT. Just watch for the longest line.

2. Stitch no 1 and the decrease are crossing each other - this means we are dealing with a cable.

3. The first stitch has that small horizontal line underneath, which means Purl.

So, in real life that's what we've got to do:

-Drop stitch no 1 at the back, on a cable needle

- Slip, knit, pass over

- Yarn over

- Purl the stitch from the cable needle.

Was this easy or what?

I found this symbol on fleegle's blog here:

http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.%20com/2007/03/little-lesson-in-japanese-knitting.html

I thought it was very well explained (I specially enjoyed the Rising Sun story :)) - if you want to understand more about Japanese knitting symbols make sure you don't miss it.

FO: #11 - No. 3 Shawl

2007-10-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Finally finished, wet and currently being blocked. Notice anything different?

Yes, the edging. This is one huge shawl as it stands 200 x 103 cm , and I don't really like the original edging anyway. So I stopped after Row 166 and knitted the traditional scalloped edging.

My thoughts on knitting this shawl:

It's easier on my eyes, copy & enlarge the charts. I marked the row numbers after Row 49 all the way to 145.
Beware of K2tog's & SSK's on chart 2, especially row 43 & 45. I have made a number of errors, although I managed to fix them without having to rip out stitches.
While knitting, be sure that you could knit without being disturbed. Row counter & life line certainly would help. Since I did not use life line. there were times I feared that I might have to frog the whole thing.

As my next project (for work) will take me to York, England starting Oct. 6 for 5 weeks, return to Canada for 1 week and then back to York again for 5 and a half weeks for the remainder of the year, as well as other obligations, I will not be knitting any Japanese design till around Xmas time.

However, I will check e-mails and visit this KAL daily so that I would feel I still belong.

Japanese knitting

2007-10-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just wonder: was all this Japanese Knitting too much for some of us to digest?

Understanding Leaves

2007-09-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

This white top is one of the patterns from Let's Knit Series #3.

The book is still available and it is listed on the right side of the KAL main page.

Let's see our understanding of the Leaf knitting symbols, in the chart bellow.

- Purl all the blank squares. (This is stated at the bottom of the chart)

- A blank region on the chart means just this : a blank region. No stitches there. Just ignore it.

Row 1: The Swimming Fish symbol is a twisted stitch. Knit through the back of the stitch.
Row 2: The same, if you work in the round. Otherwise purl through the back of the stitch.
Row 3: 2-st Left Cross
Row 4: Purl through the back
Row 5: K, Yo, K, YO, K
Row 7: Drop one stitch on a cable needle at the back, knit 5 stitches, purl the stitch from the cable needle
Row 9: K, Centered decrease, K
Row 11: Centered decrease
Row 13 : Drop one stitch at the back on a cable needle, K, Purl the stitch from the cable needle.

Centered decrease- slip two stitches together as if to knit, K next stitch, pass slipped stitches over that knit stitch.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.

And here is the result:

Understanding Swimming Fishes

2007-09-26T07:35:00.001-07:00

Basically a 'Swimming Fish' stitch is a twisted stitch - knitted through the back.

Here are combinations of several 2-stitches cables, in which the foreground stitch is twisted - creating a leaning 'Swimming Fish' stitch.

Let's Knit #12, patt. #18, cable deciphering needed!

2007-09-25T15:40:00.001-07:00

hi all -

This is the cable framed by skinny ones on each side, shaded in gray.
Any help translating how to do this cable would be much appreciated. It looks deceptively simple, but I believe it requires a fair amount of manipulation. I believe the center sts. are always held in front, but am not sure how the other sts. are crossed.

Many thanks!

Judith

More Japanese Knitting and Crochet Patterns Books

2007-09-24T04:24:00.000-07:00

Japanese Knitting And Crochet Patterns Books

Knitting Patterns Book 250

Knitting Patterns 250 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 300

Knitting Patterns Book 300 in YesAsia

Knitting Patterns Book 300

Knitting Pattern Book 300 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 500

Knitting Patterns 500 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 1000

Knitting Patterns 1000 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 100 - Aran Patterns

Knitting Patterns 100 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 250

Knitting Patterns 250 in YesAsia.com

Crochet Patterns 300

Crochet Patterns 300 in YesAsia.com

Crochet Patterns 200

Not available in YesAsia.com

Let's Knit #11 - No. 3 Shawl

2007-09-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

I started knitting the shawl last night while watching (listening is more what I was doing)a baseball game on T.V.

I am using JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk Yarn, colour: Iris. I have completed the first chart (row 1 - 26). It went smoothly without a hitch. The only complaint I have is that the print (chart) is too small.

I asked DH to copy & enlarge the charts for me. I will take a photo of my progress and add it to the post later tonight.

This was taken after Row 50.
Now that I have started, I am eagaer to continue.

Japananese Knitting - Reading the charts

2007-09-14T03:56:00.000-07:00

Common Japanese knitting symbols in patterns

Common decrease/increase notation

A x-y-z sequence means: knit another x rows - decrease/increase y stitches - do this z times.
So the above decrease should be done like this:

1. Decrease 7 stitches
2. Knit 2 rows, bind off 2 stitches, do this twice
3. Knit 2 rows, bind off 1 stitch, do this 5 times
4. Knit 4 rows, bind off 1 stitch, do this 3 times
5. Knit 6 rows, bind off 1 stitch, do this 4 times

Let's do the math now: 7 + 2x2 + 1x5 + 1x3 + 1x4 = 23 stitches.

Other very useful resources on Japanese Knitting

Japanese Knitting Basics

Japanese Basic Stitches

Japanese - English Knitting Dictionary

How to read Japanese Knitting Charts

Let's Knit Series #12

2007-09-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

New issue out and available in YesAsia.

Check the links on the right side for a preview.

A Website to View Porjects in Books

2007-09-12T12:18:00.000-07:00

As I was reading through patterns, I noticed at the bottom of the book says: "Handknits is supported by tezukuritown portal site." (tezukuri means handmade). So I went to the site and had a look.

I found that there's a page for the books (Ladies & Let's Knit series books) and by clicking on each cover of the books, you will be able to see the detailed info on the books.

If you click on the book, it will take you to another page. On the right side where you could see ISBN and such, click on the button immediately below the size (257 x 210mm) of the book, it will show a virtual tour of the projects.

The link is here.

Book 11 Shawl #3

2007-09-11T15:02:00.001-07:00

Silvia pointed out Nina's cry for help and asked if I could help her out, since I'm working on this shawl. (Which I still wish had, you know, a name. Or at least, a name I could interpret.)

Well, first, I don't read Japanese at all, so I've solely been working from the charts. Which means that, while it's possible the text says differently, I literally started by casting on 7 stitches and then just starting with Row 1 on the chart . . . knit, knit, YO, knit, YO, knit center stitch, YO, knit, YO, knit, knit.

The first chart is pretty self-explanatory . . . just knit straight across each row. The blank squares are stitches that don't exist yet (each row grows by four stitches).

The second chart is actually used 5 times, with one extra repeat section each time. (Currently, I'm on the third repeat.) Then, charts three and four are used one time, each.

Did this help? It's my first Japanese pattern, too, but I find it to be pretty much the same as any other triangular shawl lace chart I've done. There might be something I'm missing out of the text-instructions that I can't read, but . . . everything seems to be going smoothly.

You know, even if I haven't worked on it in a couple of weeks now, poor thing.

--Deb
www.chappysmom.com

New Member

2007-09-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hi, another new member here. Very happy to be part of this talented group.

I was born and grew up in Taiwan where just about all of the knitters learned to knit the Japanese way. In fact, it took me a long time to learn how to read written instructions when we moved to Ontario, Canada way back.

I do read, speak & write Japanese fairly well and would be more than happy to help if there's any questions regarding patterns, etc.

Just received #11 last Friday, and would like to start the shawl as soon as I could find time between my new home & new project at work, hopefully soon. :)

New Member

2007-09-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hello all. I am glad to be a member of this group. I live in Pacifica, California overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We need shawls all year, fortunately! I am hoping someone can help me find a translation of the shawl on the back cover of Let's Knit 11. I see that Queen Mudd has knit it and her version is lovely. I have a cone of sage green Zephyr waiting. Is there a written translation of the instructions someone can share? I can figure out the symbols on the chart with the help of Fleegelsblog but the rest of the instructions are a mystery. Thanks in advance!
Nina, Pacifica, CA

Let's Knit Series Book

2007-09-10T07:36:00.001-07:00

This is another beautiful book I just received. It is still available in Amazon Japan. I could not figure out the title, but I am posting a few images bellow.
I will swatch the pattern for the cover sweater tonight - I think I've got the right yarn for it as well.

My favourite one.

New to the Group

2007-08-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am new to the group and am also new to blogging. I am not sure of what I am suppose to do or write about. I would like for everyone to know that the sweaters displayed on the site are very beautiful, and I would like to start knitting some. Are there any suggestions for which books I should start out with to purchase? I am an intermediate knitter. I do some designing on my own by using the computer program called Sweater Wizard. I have several stitch pattern books and love looking through them to get ideas of stitch patterns I would like to incorporate into a sweater. Then I use Sweater Wizard and draft my pattern. It is great!. I want to make the white short-sleeve sweater that Silvia made as my first.

Jo Anne

New here

2007-07-18T01:31:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy to be a member of this group. I admire all the fantastic Japanese knitting books and would very much like to own many of them. At the moment i own Elegance knit 11 and Knitting patternas 250. I'm waiting for a delivery of two new books from Yesasia. I have knitted two pieces from Knitting elegance nr 11 and find the patterns really good. I'd like to design some things from the pattern-sample-book too. I'm a librarian when I don't knit and have a blog in swedish, I'm also a member of the swedish knitting association Sticka and I participate in the Mystery Stole 3.

Finally finished

2007-07-11T03:39:00.000-07:00

I guess we all had enough stories about this sweater - this is the last post about it and time to move on.

Voila : finally done. I've enjoyed every minute of knitting it - loved the pattern and the yarn - and I can only hope the yarn will behave.

To be honest I finished it last week - just that I am always waiting for special occasions to inaugurate my knits.
Been lucky last weekend, and this is me modeling it, with the French Gendarmerie on the streets of London. You don't see this very often :).

And the special occasion was of course the start of the Tour de France competition.

We spent all weekend watching bits and pieces live, following them from start to finish and even going to Canterbury on Sunday for the second (and last) stage in England.

Here is another shot - doesn't show much of the sweater BUT the man in the black jacket in the back is the great champion Bernard Hinault - five times Tour de France winner in the 80s.

You can see I try to make justice to my knits and find them the best backgrounds possible :).

This is Sunday morning - the second stage departure from Trafalgar Square.

Lace shrug by Queen Mudd

2007-07-10T03:17:00.000-07:00

Queen Mudd (the Swedish equvilant of Yarn Harlot) has knitted the Lace Shrug. She says in Swedish that the shrug is a bit small for her.

She is not a member of this group, but since she is doing some of the projects I thought I could recomend her photos at flickr.com?

2007-07-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

Happy dancing! The post brought 3 new books today: Let's Knit 10 & Let's Knit 11, and another called Let's Knit Autumn and Winter.

The last includes both knitting and crochet patterns.The patterns trend a bit to the older crowd and a few include a bit more glitz (metallic threads carried along) than I am comfortable - a bit too "Ladies who Lunch" for me.

I love this jacket with the attached Celtic cabled collar!
I'm already feeling the fall air nipping at my nose …(that may just be the air conditioning now but I can dream!

Rarely do I see crocheted sweaters that I like, but this green sweater looks soft and well fitted. Above all else, it looks easy!

This aran jacket with the faux fur trim is lovely. There is a yarn called Puddel that is perfect for this kind of trim. Lucky me - I have a few balls in the stash.

As a card-carrying member of the hot-flash set, I have found that I love vests. They keep me just warm enough, while still allowing for some cooling ventilation. Also coats fit so much better without the extra bulk.

One regret of life today in the US: buildings and homes are so climete controlled that the lovely wool sweaters that I really like to knit are almost too warm to wear in the winter. At work I have a sweater under my desk to take the chill off in the summer and a t-shirt for winter days when the radiators are really rockin'!This vest certainly fits the bill!

Last Episode - The Sleeves

2007-07-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Finally finished the sleeves.

and this is my chart. I am not going to explain the chart - if you read the history of this sweater you should know the meaning of all these codes by now.
I replaced the 'x' in the chart with 8 (by matching the parts together in different stages) but obviously it should be calculated individually, based on your body part size. And expect to have to frog, so consider a lifeline at some point, towards the end of the sleeve.

As you can imagine, a lot of guessing was involved in this - as I never did this kind of curvy sleeves before. I'm so glad though I finally moved out of the rectangle knitting land :).
I sew everything together on Sunday, the sleeves are perfect, just that I'm not sure I'm totally pleased with the neckband, so I might take one repeat off tonight. Or add another one ... One way or another, we'll have an FO soon.

Elegance Knit Images

2007-06-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

Let's Knit Series #11 - Elegance Knit
Cover Sweater

Lace Progress

2007-06-20T14:53:00.001-07:00

I wouldn't want you to think that, just because I haven't posted in a week or two, that I haven't been working on my shawl. (Shawl #3 from "Elegance Knits" book 11, you'll remember.)

So, here's the progress photo. I'm about halfway through the first repeat of chart #2 . . . which basically means I've still got a long, long way to go, but it sure is looking pretty!

Getting closer - The Neckband Story

2007-06-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

I've tried a few combinations of yos and decreases for the neckband pattern, finally decided for this one.

In order to keep things Japanese, I coded the chart in the Japanese style and this will be your homework: to figure out the interpretation :).

It's a 6 stitches repeat pattern, so make sure you pick up a multiple of 6 stitches around the neckline - in case you want to use this pattern yourself, obviously.
I was quite lucky to get 96 stitches from the first picking attempt - this gave me exactly 16 repeats, (not 11 like I said before - thanks Joan for spotting this).

These are the moments when I feel God being on my side :).
Otherwise you have to increase/decrease a few stitches to get to a multiple of 6 stitches.

So, did you finish picking up the right number and knitting two rows of purled stitches?

Good - next thing - place stitch markers for your lace neckband - and of course I expect you to start placing them at the middle of front part first - in order to align the center stitch of the front with the center stitch (no. 4) of you neckband pattern. See the red line? That's the center I'm talking about.

Now, If you've done your homework right, that's what you'll be getting two hours later:

Neckband done. It does look a bit like the original ...but I'm not very sure about being identical.

I used my own method of casting off here - I invented it long time ago - but it might as well be a famous one - I never read any knitting books :).
...And it goes like this : * knit two tog, slip the stitch back to the left needle, purl two tog, slip the stitch back to the left needle * repeat from *. The p2tog produces a small bubble - and I thought they look nice in the overall context.

Right, next I am diving into the sleeves math and this is going to be tricky - stay tuned for the next episode.

A little intro & I'm finally ready to roll!

2007-06-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

My name is Jenny and I am in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. I purchased my first Japanese knitting book book a couple of years ago but never made anything. Later I got caught up in the Au Kamin cardigan craze and so purchased that book. Not very long after that, things got very busy at home and work, so my knitting life was pretty much on hold. If you check out the last dates on my blog you can tell how long its been - the baby shown just turned 3 and has moved from the bathtub to the beach!

So now I'm back and have been stitching away at several projects। When the Japanese knitting bug hit again, I was all in. I spent a few years in the quilt world before returning to the knitting world, and enjoyed watching the progress of the young Japanese quilters who had come to the states and taken up quilting with a vengeance. What impressed me most was their use of the traditional geometric patterns transformed with the Asian color pallet. It is this same sensibility in design and color that I enjoy so much in the Japanese knitting books.

Now I have more books ordered from Japan, and I am finally actually knitting. Well closer to the truth is that I am swatching. And ripping. And swatching. I have been trying different yarns and needle sizes.

Thanks to our fearless leader, Silvia, I had a bit of a starting point. I chose the cover pattern from the KE #8, pulling the chart from 250 Stitch pattern book that arrived just about the time this group got started. (I haven't been able to put my hands on the actual pattern book #8 - I have three others that I'm waiting to receive.

What I like most about these patterns is the fearless use of cables and lace providing some dynamite looks. What I like least about these pattens is the fearless use of cables and lace resulting any quite a few backside increases and decreases. This was a major reason I have swatched so many times!

The second reason was working from the chart. It isn't that the chart isn't clear - it is. I just kept losing track. I also had a devil of a time trying to wrap my mind around the left and right leaning decreases on the purl side. Soooo:

First I created a spreadsheet with the chart written out row by row.

Then I printed out index cards with individual rows, each on a separate card and now I have a flip book to work from. Much easier to keep track of things! TECHknitter just addressed this same dilemma. Hmmm .... order a book from overseas to translate to English .... no wonder the Au Kamin KAL was called crossed in translation.

With the chart taken care of I still had needle and yarn to deal with. When I swatch, I usually try three different needle sizes. Two will usually have the same gauge and one will be higher or lower. They will all look different. I'll then decide which one feels right for the purpose.

I tried wool - I love to knit with it, but recently I can hardly wear it. This is a sport weight coned wool purchased from WEBS that I have in the stash. It comes off the come feeling "crunchy" but after washing it has a wonderful hand.

The first swatch is a US size 3.25 Addi. Tight to work and will mean alot of repeats. About 6.5 stitches to an inch.

The second swatch on a bamboo circ size 3.75.
Almost identical gauge except in row count. Much easier to work.

The third swatch is on a cheapo metal circ, size US 5 . At 6 stitches per inch, I'm afraid this one will stretch to the next size!

Not happy to stop there I pulled several other yarns. I have some nice cottons but I was afraid I wouldn't have enough in a dye lot to finish. Silvia, how much yarn will you use?

I'll spare you the photos, just know that there are little ringlets of about 35 stitches ripped off the needles and dropped all over the house and in the car. Latest swatch and possibly the final one is a Dale Hielo. This falls somewhere between a sport and DK weight.

I may still try one more needle with this but at about 5 stitches/1", I'm pretty happy with it. The light color also shows the work well also. sorry for the fuzzy pic - I was in a rush to get to the dentist and then to work this morning!

Hubby loves it when he walks in and sees me standing on a chair doing things he can't quite figure out!

Lastly, I had to figure out how many repeats, and from what starting point, and at what gauge will (hopefully) get me to a size 38 sweater. I have a spreadsheet for that too if anyone needs it!

My girlfriend thinks we are nuts trying to do this. She has seen my studio. She knows that I don't have any shortage of. Patterns in English! I do have co-workers that hail from other countries, so translation shouldn't be a problem. But most don't knit and I would have to teach them to knit for them to understand the terminology!

Oh well, that's why we are all in this together!

I promise my next posting will be shorter!

KnittenJen

More progress and decreases

2007-06-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

I finally managed to finish the body - both parts, front and back - and I've started planning the neck band.

Just to say this again, I don't have the pattern book (and I gave up any hope to find the book anywhere online), so I'm doing my own thing here, just based on the pattern stitch from 250 Patterns Book. (Did I mention I love this stitch pattern? )

Right, and here's a progress picture.

I designed my own sleeve decrease (based on another similar top pattern from Elegant Knit), which in Japanese reverse engineering would look like this:

The Japanese decreases (or increases) are coded with an 'one off' number of stitches to start with (optional), followed by several 'three numbers' sequences.

The 'three numbers' sequence has the following meaning : first number shows how many rows to knit after the last decrease, second number represents the number of stitches to be decreased and the third one tells you how many times to execute this decrease instruction.

So 2-3-1 means : knit another 2 rows - decrease 3 stitches - do this operation 1 time(s).

I've done a detailed chart as well, just so we see what's happening in real life, row by row.

37

2007-05-31T18:44:00.001-07:00

I'm up to row 37 on my shawl--#3 from the Elegance Knits book (Let's Knit #11).

I neglected to say in my last post, that I'm making this in Jaggerspun Zephyr (50/50 merino/silk) in the "Curry" colorway--a very nice, light, golden brown, caramel kind of color.

I'm doing fine reading the chart--it's really not any different than any other triangular lace shawl I've made--but I keep losing my place. The pattern repeat is so long. I haven't even counted the number of stitches, but you can see my stitch markers--one to mark the center, and then one each to mark the beginning and end of the repeat on either side . . .

So, I just pulled out an almost-dead highlighter and ran a line of color across every third row of my chart, so there's something for my eye to "catch" as I look back and forth. I expect that will help, as will greater familiarity with the lace pattern as I go along. In the meantime, I think this looks lovely (except for the one, glaring error that I, at least, see, but I'm choosing to pretend isn't there).

--Deb in NJ
www.chappysmom.com

Let's Knit Series #8 - Cover Sweater - Progress

2007-05-31T03:52:00.001-07:00

Just thinking to post some progress pictures.

I expect the pattern to open up a bit after washing and blocking.
Both parts have the same size and I am going to stop here for the moment, till I get my books - as I think I need to start shaping for the sleeves now.
The yarn is lovely - if it's going to survive the washing test, I will definitely buy it again.

Now - this is a small part of my chart - just to show you that there aren't any major challenges in the pattern.

One repeat of the pattern is over 16 stitches and 30 rows - as shown at the bottom of the chart.

The background is always left blank - and every chart in this book will tell you at the bottom of the chart how to knit the blank squares (in case you can't just figure it out by looking at the associated swatch :)).

In my case, I'm purling all the blank squares (the horizontal line after the '=' sign stands for Purl) .
And more about Japanese knitting symbols here:

http://www.tata-tatao.to/knit/stitches/e-index.html

Introducing Myself

2007-05-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name's Deb and I'm making the shawl (pattern #3) from the "Elegance Knits" book (#11). As in, I started it all of 15 minutes ago and am on row 14. But you've got to start somewhere, right?

--Deb
www.chappysmom.com

Knitting Elegance #11

2007-05-23T01:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Silvia for the invitation to post here.

Knitting Elegance #11 was my first Japanese Book and I was hooked immediately to the patterns. I swatched for two of the models, the title model #4 and #19.

Here are some pictures:

Model #4, the Title Model

Needles 3mm, yarn produced in the Czech Republic, 70% cotton 30% wool

Model # 19

Needles 3mm, yarn produced in the Czech Republic, 70% cotton 30% wool.

Let's Knit Series #8 - Cover Sweater - Part 1

2007-05-15T04:59:00.000-07:00

Look, this is the beauty I'm going to try next, as the first entry of this blog.

It is the cover sweater from Let's Knit Series #8.
I haven't got the book yet but the chart is published in Knitting Patterns Book 250, first book in our list, so I've already started swatching, measuring and calculating.

That's my progress up to now.

Yarn : Debbie Bliss Cathay - very nice and soft cotton blend, unfortunately it does split like hell.
Needles : 3.75 mm
Pattern : based on the chart no 152, from Knitting Patterns Book 250, page 72.

First row (RS) : purl
Second row (WS): knit
Third row (RS) : start working in chart pattern.

I am doing 7 repeats of the pattern + 2 extra stitches for the edges = 115 stitches and this measures approx. 50 cm.

My gauge was 22 stitches = 10 cm in stockinette - obviously you'll need to swatch in the pattern as well.

The chart is very easy: just plain knitting, decreases (k2tog and ssk stitches) and yos.
The symbols are well explained and illustrated in the book appendix.

The only challenge with this pattern is that you work in pattern on both RS and WS - so there will be no relaxing times in between rows.

Our Projects

2007-05-15T04:45:00.000-07:00

Let's Knit Series #11 (Elegance Knit) - Shawl

Original pattern in Let's Knit Series #11 (Elegance Knit)

Margaret's Shawl
Yarn : Jaggerspun Zephyr (50/50 merino/silk) in Iris.
Stage : In progress.

Deb's Shawl
Yarn : Jaggerspun Zephyr (50/50 merino/silk) in the "Curry" colorway.
Stage : In progress.
______________________________________________________

Let's Knit Series #12 - The Jacket

Judith's Project
Stage : In progress.
______________________________________________________

Let's Knit Series #11 (Elegance Knit) - Cover Sweater

Original pattern in Let's Knit Series #11 (Elegance Knit)

Irene's Project
Yarn : Produced in the Czech Republic, 70% cotton 30% wool..
Needles : 3 mm.
_____________________________________________________

Let's Knit Series #8 - Cover sweater

Original pattern in Let's Knit Series #8.

Silvia's Project History

Based on the chart published in 250 Knitting Patterns Book.
Yarn : Debbie Bliss Cathay.
Needles : 3.75 mm.
Stage : In progress.

Jenny's Project History

Based on the chart published in 250 Knitting Patterns Book.
Yarn : Dale Heilo
Needles :
Stage : In progress.

How to Join, Post and Blogging Rules

2007-05-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

How to join Knitting Elegance

- Make sure you want to knit a garment out of the Let's Knit Series or Elegance Knit (Let's Knit Series #11).
- If your choice is a new project, you will be opening the way, so please
be prepared to assist others and answer all comments, questions etc. in
your posts.
- Have you got the pattern, the yarn and are you ready to swatch?

If the answer is YES to all of the above, send an email to sbutnarasu at yahoo.com, I'll send you an invitation.

How to Post on the KAL

Once you've joined and your Blogger ID is in the Contributors list, on the KAL main page, you are ready to post.

1. First 'Sign in', by clicking the link at the top of the page.

2. Fill in your username/password, then click the 'SIGN IN' Button.

3. Click 'New Post' in order to create a new post or 'Manage Posts' in order to change, delete etc. old posts.

4. The 'Add Image' feature is in the tool bar - see bellow.

Blogging Rules

1. Posts should only be related to your project.
2. Any general questions ( asking for help in understanding a pattern,
translations etc.) should be posted as a comment, to the General Enquires post or to a specific project post.

3. Please label your posts, at least with the name of your pattern book : Knitting Patterns Book 250, Let's Knit Series #no, etc.

4. Please go back frequently and update your posts, adding all new things you've discovered or learnt, in order to help others to understand the pattern.

How to use the KAL button on your Blog

Insert a new page element of 'HTML/Java script' type.

Copy this code bellow in the content field:

Save the page element.
Done!

New Button for Knitting in Japan Yahoo Group.

Feel free to download it.

Thank You and
Happy Knitting

Japanese books - where to buy them from

2007-05-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

Amazon Japan

Use the Links list, published on the right of the KAL home page, in order to see some of the books in the 'Let's Knit Series', on Amazon Japan.
Order them directly from them, or copy the ISBN number and search them in other shops.

YesAsia

Click the button above to get to YesAsia website, then search in Books by ISBN number or by keywords. 'Knit' is a good keyword to start with.
The website is all in English and they offer free delivery for most of the books.