Zippers!

Knitters are historically afraid of zippers, but they are very easy to sew in, and for this particular sweater, the zipper makes dressing easy as pie.

Zippers should always be sewn in by hand. The zipper should be the exact same length as the opening, to avoid stretching or puckering.Place the zipper in a stitch or tow so the zipper teeth will not be exposed. Pin the zipper with the right side showing, then baste it in with a simple running stitch. (Using a contrasting color thread will help.) Remove the pins and turn to the back side. Sew zipper edge with a backstitch. Repeat with the other side of the zipper, and you’re done. Be brave, and try it!

Baby Bird Nest Campaign

If you're a nature lover, I've found just the project for you! Wildcare's Wildlife Hospital is looking for knitters to make nests for orphaned and abandoned baby birds in their care. Each year Wildcare raises over 800 baby birds and they need something soft, washable, and nest-like to raise the babies in. For more information on how you can help, take a look at Wildcare's site.

If you're looking for some wildlife-friendly yarn, check my colorful CottonTail or MinnowMerino yarns. If you make nests using my yarn, be sure to take a picture and email them to me (at jil@minnowknits.com ) so I can feature them on the blog! Happy knitting.

I-cord Bind Off

One of the most beautiful bind off techniques is the I-cord bind off. It makes a lovey round edge that is completely finished. It is perfect for hat bind-offs; make a swatch and give it a try!

With 2 dpns, cast on 4 sts. K3, then, with the RS facing, K the last st tog with the first st on your garment. DO NOT TURN WORK! Slide sts to the right end of your needle to work the next row. K3, K the last st tog with the next st on your garment. Repeat until all sts are bound off, the bind of your I-cord sts and finish.

Smocking

One of my latest patterns, the Smocked Daydress, has a charming bodice with a smocked pattern. It is actually very easy once you go through it. Here are the instructions in case you’d like to try it out. I think it's lovely to discover new techniques…happy knitting!

SMOCKING (MULTIPLE OF 8 STS PLUS 5)

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: Rep row 1.

Row 4: Rep row 2.

Row 5: *Smock, k3; rep from * to last 5 sts, smock.

Row 6: Rep row 2.

Rows 7-10: Rep rows 1-4.

Row 11: K1, *k3, smock; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 12: Purl.

Rep rows 1-12 for pat st.

SMOCK

1. Insert right needle between 5th and 6th sts on left needle.

2. Wrap yarn once around right needle and pull loop through to front. Pull snug.

3. Place loop on left needle.

4. Knit loop tog with first st, k4.

New Patterns

The latest patterns just out include the Smocked Daydress, Swedish Sailor and Elfin Stripes, all worked in my yummy CottonTail Yarn. You can find these patterns at your local yarn shops, or on-line – just google the pattern and you will find many resources. Happy knitting!

Baby Brit Sailor

Spring is the time to knit with cool cotton instead of warm wools…my Baby Brit Sailor is the perfect project for spring knitting. This pattern is knit in my lovely CottonTail yarn, a cabled cotton produced in one of the finest mills in Italy. There are myriad colors to choose from, and because it is cabled it doesn't split as many cottons do. Happy spring!

Book Recommendation : Crafting a Colorful Home

One of my fellow knitting designers, Kristin Nicholas has a new book out, Crafting a Colorful Home…check it out on her charming blog, Getting Stitched On the Farm. Kristin lives in a charming, colorful home on a sheep farm in Massachusetts where she also holds workshops. Enjoy!

  

Learn to Knit Kit Giveaway

Our Rafflecopter Give-aways are very popular, and this month we are offering a Learn-to-Knit Pom Pom Scarf Kit…the kit comes with the scarf already cast on – so by the time the new knitter has completed the scarf she will be able to easily work the knit-on cast-on, always the trickiest o learn. Leave a comment here or sign up for my MinnowNotes to enter. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Knit Simple

If you don’t already know about this charming knitting magazine, take a look. Published quarterly, it contains myriad patterns that are chic, charming and easy to knit. Perfect for beginning and intermediate knitters, many of the designs are fabulous for experts as well – who doesn’t enjoy a simple, stylish project once in a while?

I write a feature column in KnitSimple, called “Ask Jil”, where I answer questions from knitters around the country and in Canada. Send me your knitting questions – maybe we will publish it!

New Giveaway

Given the enormous popularity of our monthly giveaways, we are offering a new combination giveaway for the month of March: A Learn-to-Knit Pom Pom scarf kit and a copy of Jil Eaton’s Knitting School. The Pom Pom Scarf kit comes with the project already cast on, which makes for easy learning of the craft, and Knitting School is a complete hand-knitting compendium. To enter, post a comment or sign up for my MinnowNotes!

"Jil Eaton's sense of color and style shines through again in this unique collection of knitwear designs for the entire family. Using a variety of top quality yarns, including her own wonderfully soft wool, "MinnowMerino", Jil has designed projects for a learn-to-knit compendium with clear and precise How-To visuals, which makes this book a must-have for knitters of all skill levels. C'est magnifique!"

 -Carla Scott, Editor In Chief, Knit Simple

Coming Attractions

My latest pattern project, Elfin Stripes, is available soon…One row stripes make this sweater and hat a charmer, and it comes with a matching blanket. The yarn is Jil Eaton CottonTail, in 7548 Lagoon and 7501 Bright. CottonTail is machine washable and dryable, perfect for babies and toddlers.

All Dressed Up!

We find that my dress patterns are always best seller, and I have an e-book available on my shop on Ravelry…called All Dressed Up! Six patterns for dresses for parties or play for your chic little one…

Snow, snow, snow!

We have had a blizzard and two major snowstorms in the past week – and it is truly a winter wonderland. Here is a mitten pattern for your little ones perfect for playing in the snow!

Materials: Jil Eaton MinnowMerino, MC 4731 Turquoise, 2 balls

and CC  4755 Cerise, 1 Ball

Needles size US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to get gauge. Crochet hook size G-6. Stitch holders.

Gauge: 18 sts and 30 rows = 4” in pattern stitch

Garter Ridge Pattern Stitch

Work 4 rows in St st with MC

Work 2 rows in Garter st (knit every row) with CC

Rep these 6 rows for pattern stitch

MITTENS

With MC, cast on 26 sts. Knit 2 rows. Work in St st until piece measures 1” / 2.5 cm. Then, work in pat st for 1” / 2.5 cm, end with a WS row. Next row (RS): Cont in pat, work 11 sts, k1f&b into next 4 sts, work 11 sts — 30 sts. Work 3 rows even. Next row (RS): Work 13 sts, k1f&b into next 4 sts, work 13 sts — 34 sts. Work 13 sts and place on holder, work 8 thumb sts, work rem 13 sts and place on another holder. Cut yarn.

Thumb, next row (RS): Working in pat, on thumb sts only, rejoin yarn and inc 1 st each edge — 10 sts. Cont in pat until thumb measures 1.25” / 3 cm, end with a WS row. Next row: K2tog across. Next row: P2tog twice, p1. Cut yarn and pull through rem 5 sts. Sew thumb seam.

Hand: With RS facing and keeping to pat, work sts from holder, pick up 4 sts across thumb, work sts from other holder — 30 sts. Work in pat until mitten measures 4.75” / 12 cm from beg, end with a WS row. Cont in St st with MC only. Next row: K2tog across. Next row: P2tog across, end p1. Next row: K2tog across. Next row: P2tog across. Cut yarn and pull through rem 2 sts. Sew side seam.

Rep for 2^nd mitten.

Ties (Make 2):  With crochet hook and A, chain approx 10” / 25.5 cm. Fasten off. Weave tie through cuff at 1” / 2.5 cm from bottom and tie bow.

Pompoms (make 4): Wrap B around 3 fingers 75 times. Remove fingers and wrap 12” / 30.5 cm strand of yarn around center twice, pull snug and tie. Cut loops and trim ends to form a pompom. Sew to each end of tie.

Dog Jacket Give-Away

This month our give-away campaign is two dog jackets from my book PuppyKnits. Fringe Benefits is a hand-knit jacket with fringed turtleneck, and Pom Poms is a felted, hand-knit with color-blocking and cables, adorned with PomPoms. Enter a comment or sign up for my MinnowNotes to enter the drawing. Enjoy!

How to Knit a Cable

I love knitting cables…you only work the cable row every 8 or 10 rows, adding interest to your project, all other rows you knit the knits and purl the purls. Cables give a lovely texture to your garment, and I think the cables trap air and make a very warm garment. Here’s how you do it for a simple “cable back 6” (CB6) design, where you work your cable over 6 sts ever 8 rows. Most cable patterns have 2 or more sts between the cables, and here I am calling for 2 purl sts on the RS.

Row 1: P2, K6, P2 across

Row 2: K2, P6, K2 across

Row 3: P2, CB^ by putting the first 3 sts on yor cable needle (CN), K the next 3 sts, then    K the 3 sts from your CN, P2 and continue across your row.

Work your cable row every 8 rows; I find it helpful to actually keep track of my rows with pencil and paper.

Give it a try – it’s fun!

Doing a Gauge Swatch

Anyone who has ever taken a class with me will very well know my mantra – do your gauge! Doing your gauge is the best way to ensure your garment will fit perfectly and will have the drape and look the designer intended.

With the size needles called for in the pattern, cast on the number of stitches for a 4” swatch, plus 6 sts. Work three rows in garter stitch, then continue in the pattern working 3 sts at each edge in garter stitch, making a frame for your swatch. Work for 4”, then do 3 more rows in garter and bind off. Lay flat, and without stretching or pulling measure inside your frame. If you have 4 “, you’re ready to go. If it is less than 4” repeat with needles a size larger. If it is too big, repeat with needles a size smaller. Continue until you get the gauge…you will be a happy knitter. It doesn't take very long to knit up a swatch, and it will come in handy for test washing, and for repairs should anything happen to your garment. Just do it!

January Give-away!

Here in Maine January brings freezing temperatures and lots of snow, so I am offering my Pom Pom Dog Sweater kit as a give-away…a girl’s best friend needs a sweater in January! Leave a comment here or sign up for my MinnowNotes to enter…enjoy!

Knitting is Chic!

Even Chanel thinks knitting is cool!

A Present for You

 It’s almost Christmas, and here is a present for you, my Bon Bons baby hat. Enjoy!

PomPom Learn-to-Knit Kit

The holidays are fast approaching, and it’s time to start thinking about gift giving. My PomPom Learn-to-knit kit is unique, in that it comes with the scarf already cast on…by the time the scarf is finished the new knitter can easily work the knit-on cast on, which as we all know is the trickiest part of leaning to knit. Enjoy!