All Tied Up (she's baaack)

Well, that was a lovely break for posting and writing and thinking and all that jazz.  I'm back after taking some time off to think.  And cogitate.  

And I might have designed this headband using the knot cable technique.  The first time I did this three dimensional knitting was in a pillow for a shop sample.   You can see below for a link to her pillows and the genius of the knot.  

 I loved her concept so much that ideas started popping into my little brain.  It just took a while to get them written down.

Without further ado, here it is.

 Cable Knot Headband

Lenora Francois Stewart

Francois Stewart Designs.

This technique uses strips of knitting to create a dimensional knot.

·       Worsted or DK weight yarn – smooth

·       US 6 - 8 needle, extra dpn of same size

·       Locking Stitch markets

·       Stitch holder

Cast on 27 stitches (long tail)
Set up:  Knit ONE Row
Row 1 (RS): k5, p2, k4, place marker (PM), k5, (PM), k4, p2, k5.
Row 2 (WS);  k7, p4, k5, p4, k7

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 two more times, slipping markers as you come to them. 

Knot Cable is worked on the next right side row.

Row 7 (RS):  k5, p2, Knot Cable over next 13 stitches, p2, k5


KNOT CABLE adapted from Cabled Pillows by Annabelle Speer

1.     With extra needle, knit 4 stitches in Stockinette for 10 Rows.  Place stitches on locking marker.  It is easiest if you knit backwards for these rows. 

2.     Cut yarn

3.     Slip next 5 stitches to a holder and drop to back of work

4.     Attach yarn and work next 4 stitches in Stockinette for 10 Rows.  Place stitches on locking marker.  It is easiest if you knit backwards for these rows.

5.     Cut yarn

6.     Wrap the right hand strip in front of and around the left hand strip to form a knot.  Let the strip on the left fall to the front of the work

7.     Slip the 4 stitches from the new right hand strip back on the left needle and knit

8.     Knit the 5 center stitches from the holder

9.     Slip the 4 stitches from the new left hand strip back on the left needle and knit

10.  Complete row as established.

Row 8 (WS):  k7, p4, k5, p4, k7.
Row 9 (RS): k5, p2, k4, place marker (PM), k5, (PM), k4, p2, k5.
Row 10 (WS);  k7, p4, k5, p4, k7
Repeat Rows 9 & 10 two more times, slipping markers as you come to them. 
Row 15:  knit
Bind off in Knit on next wrong side row.
Weave in all ends.
  
  THE HEADBAND PATTERN
With right side of Knot Cable swatch facing and using a DPN, Pick Up & Knit 9 stitches along left edge.
WS Row:  p2tog, k5, p2tog
RS Row:  knit all stitches
WS Row:  p2tog, k 3, p2tog
RS Row:  knit all stitches
WS Row:  p2tog, k 1, p2tog
RS Row:  k3
Now work an i-cord on these 3 stitches for 9 – 10 inches (or as long as needed.)  Bind off and weave in end.
Repeat this process for the other side.
Tie i-cord around head to wear headband.
 

 

Knotted Up

This ain't your granny's  cable. This is a knot cable and is worked quite differently from the old standby.  It is still set off with reverse stockinette (or garter or seed), but this one floats above a panel.

Go get the Knit Simple Magazine, Holiday 2014 issue.  This is pattern #15 which include three different pillows designed by Annabelle Speer.  Yesterday, I told you about learning this new way of working a twist into hand knit.  The Ravelry description for this states  You’ll love this needle-free method of making cables: knit strips in stockinette, tie the strips into a knot, then continue knitting.

This would be a lovely holiday gift.  An even better thought is to make this knotted pillow as a wedding gift.  Get it?  Tie The Knot.   Sometimes I crack myself up.

The pattern is clear that the pillows are made in two pieces and seamed.  I've been thinking about that the whole time I worked this thing.  What follows are my conclusions should you be interested.

Pros for working a pillow in two pieces:

• Seams add strength to knit that will be scrunched, flattened, punched and otherwise used in daily life.
• Seams let you adjust the final size should you not find the exact pillow form to fit your final pieces.
• Seams let you practice mattress stitch and become either a pro or a failure.
• Working in two pieces forces the knitter to slow down due to the "joy" of the purl stitch - unless you knit backwards and well, that's a whole different story.

 Pros for working the pillow in the round:

• You get to start with Judy's Magic Cast On which is the most amazing and useful contribution to knitting since EZ herself.
• There is no need to fret counting rows because the front and the back will automatically be the same.
• Only one seam!
• Once the thing is a few inches deep, it makes a handy pocket for holding the yarn ball when you put the thing on the floor and someone walks by and that stupid cake of yarn goes rolling under the sofa and someone else has to get down and try to reach or get a broom handle or move the furniture.

Because this pillow (Madelintosh Tosh Vintage in Sugar Plum colorway) is a shop sample,  I followed the pattern and knit two pieces.  You, gentle knitter, may decide for yourself the best way to knit a pillow.