two laces in one

The two oaks lean apart for light. They aren’t as strong as lone oaks but in a wind they give each other lee. — William Meredith, A Couple of Trees   THE LO-DOWN gauge really matters when it comes to lace stitches.  on the left, we knit a lacey leaf pattern with worsted weight camel yarn on US6 needles.  the pattern ended up coming out like a  really organic cable pattern  rather than something full of holes and curves. on the right,  we re-knit the…

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double, double

Double, double toil and trouble Fire burn, and cauldron bubble – William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act IV, Sc. I: Three witches   THE LO-DOWN whenever you spy seed stitch (or point de riz, as the french would say), double seed stitch is never very far behind with all the confusing nomenclature in tow.  double seed stitch is sometimes known as double moss stitch; moreover, there’s  a similar knit pattern, except that it features a “K2, P2” repeat, which sometimes goes by double seed stitch as well. …

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warrior wicker

The strongest of all warriors are these two—Time and Patience. – Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy, War and Peace THE LO-DOWN wicker stitch (aka criss cross stitch) is kind of like a hybrid between a cross stitch and a 2 stitch cable.  no cable needle is required to make this stitch; however, the tightness of the stitch does make the knitting process a bit more challenging.  the wicker pattern produces a surprisingly dense, rigid and unyielding fabric — we kind of imagine it to be perfect for…

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seeds of time

If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear – William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 1, Sc. 3: Banquo THE LO-DOWN known in the US as seed stitch,  our cousins across the pond sometimes refer to this stitch as moss stitch, which back on our side of the pond, is something we call double seed stitch.  our minds go dizzy trying to keep the different names for…

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vandermeer’s favorite

I’m a poor underdog, But to-night I will bark With the great Overdog That romps through the dark. – Robert Frost, Canis Major THE LO-DOWN sturdy, unfurling and cozy, the garter stitch is vandermeer’s all-time favorite.  garter stitch is great for stabilizing stitches that curl, making high use items like dish cloths & rugs, or things to keep you wrapped up in toasty-ness like blankets, bouncy sweaters, scarves and slippers.

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