Where to find the tutorials

At the top of the page there's a tab for "tutorials" - we've collected our Knit Picks knowledge base here for your use.

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on January 24, 2009 at 6:05pm: Okay, that explains it... not what I had pictured and have used in the past. Yes... that would fold much easier than what I've used before! LOL! Thanks for the additional clarification... I'll look more closely at my options when I go to pick up a piece for blocking purposes! :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 25, 2009 at 7:35am: Susan and Eliana: I've been following your blocking-board discussion, and am intrigued. What a good idea! Susan, do you have a photo? Eliana, I like the gingham idea. I think it would only work if you had a two-section piece, because you would have to install the gingham where it folds in, not out. (At least, if I'm picturing it right.) I have some gingham check left over from covering my countertops in my workroom. I used the gingham first, then covered with clear plastic upholstery, so the gingham shows through and cleanups are easy. The clear plastic wouldn't work for a drying surface, but the checks should be great! You two are so clever! --Peggy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on January 25, 2009 at 10:18am: Well, Susan's contributions on the subject are experiential, whereas mine are theoretical. I've used gingham in other crafting situations and it works well, if you choose an adequate contrast color to the white without it being too dark.

As you know from following the discussion, the picture I had of her idea was not exactly what she was using, so I'll have to get over to Lowe's or Home Depot and see what my options are to flesh out my mental image of how it would work. When I finish my current cowl neck scarf, I'll need to find a way to block it, so this is a relevant discussion, on my part. When I actually get mine up and functioning, I'll let you know how it came out and how well the idea worked in practice. :-)

Yes, the image in my mind has the board folding in on the gingham side for storage. If I can find the kind of accordian foam core that Susan described though, that may well be a moot point...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on January 25, 2009 at 11:29am: Ladies,

Sorry to be so long in getting into this discussion, since I was mentioned several times, but I was on the downhill side of my entrelac vest, and wanted to finish the back. I took a short break before doing the Kitchener thing, and here I am.

This site has a picture of the said "blocking board" - form core underlament (official name) produced by Owens Corning

http://wardlumber.myeshowroom.com/brochure/14199

When I needed a blocking board before Christmas, I asked my husband what I could use. He went to the garage and brought this out. It is at least 4 ft tall, and probably at least that wide with 2 fanfolds.

Once I finish my home office/studio/knitting crafting room, I will invest in or make a permanent (probably mounted to a wall). In the mean time this works great.

Susan; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on January 25, 2009 at 12:17pm: Thank you, Susan... appreciate the link! :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 25, 2009 at 8:08pm: Susan: Wow! The link to the stuff and everything! Now I have to figure out how to fit a trip to the home-supply store into my week. I have knitting the Sipalu Bag with a friend, knitting the Yei Figures Bag with two friends, knitting meeting, cleaning lady (don't know how long that will last :-{ ) , a committee conference call and working with my Rocky and Sunny to get them ready for therapy dog evaluation on Saturday, in addition to cooking and laundry. At least the DH is doing snow removal this year! I would like to have the foam core "blocking board" ready for my leggings. (BTW, one leg is almost done!) Happy knitting! --Peggy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knit@home with Ellen on March 17, 2009 at 8:33am: HI,
I'm looking for a suggestions on how to make a sweater (Old Norwegian Style) longer by abt 6" for a friend that received it as a gift from his grandmother and know outgrew it. He's not oppose to a different shade or contrast color. chest and shoulders are fine I might add a cuff to the sweater so it looks OK. Is there any known technique for something like that?, I don't want to take it apart. Thank you for all the suggestions.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on March 17, 2009 at 9:15am: Knit: If the sweater was knit from the bottom up, you won't be able to unravel from the bottom. You should decide how much of the bottom (hem or ribbing) you want to take out and where you want to start the new finish. Find a st in the middle of the row (or round) that is at that point. Snip one st and pull it out to the seams or to the end of the round. If you're squeamish, you can pick up the "live" sts on the sweater body as you go. The bottom part you take off should be possible to take apart (unravel) and reuse if you want, but you will need more yarn that is close to what was used in texture (Norwegian sweaters usually have yarn with a tight spin). Using the live sts, you can knit down to the correct length and finish off with a hem or ribbing. You might even want to add a design to this part to make it look intentional. You can do the same thing with the sleeves. If the sweater has sewn side seams, you will need to take them apart up to a little above where you're starting the new part, and then resew when you're finished. Good luck! --Peggy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knit@home with Ellen on March 19, 2009 at 6:08am: Thanks Peggy, I will keep all your suggestions in mind once I get the sweater in my hands. I was thinking along the same lines. Thanks again :o); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on March 19, 2009 at 6:46am: Send me a message if you get into trouble, and I'll try to help. Sounds like you have the idea, though. Happy knitting! --P; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knit@home with Ellen on March 19, 2009 at 7:24am: I will, thanks again. et; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on March 23, 2009 at 7:17pm: Pardon me for complaining, I am probably one of your biggest fans, but I am preparing to attempt to knit "two socks at once, toes up." I check your tutorials. I checked your free patterns and read each one. I am so, so totally confused, that I'm embarrassed. It isn't as if I have never knit a pair of socks... in fact I have knit several pair over the last four years.

The patterns, the tutorials are all more confusing than helpful.

I recently tried to do a short row heel using the instructions in the catalog - how could that miss?- And was totally frustrated. I had to frog back and restart the heel three times before I was satisfied, and I still wasn't satisfied.
Sure, I got the heel knitted, but I did not like it... and I had to do some magic with stitch markers to make it work for me.

I just spent the evening googling and Ravelrying looking for some assistance, and found several patterns that were more self explanatory than the information you have produced.

I HATE to complain, because I love KP. But, please get with it. We need information that is usable, and that works.; ▶ Reply to This