Knitting Masterpieces Archive 1

I’ve been revisiting my pattern archives and yesterday came across the original, hand-drawn chart for the Mona Lisa sweater featured in my first book “Knitting masterpieces”. I’m so pleased that I have kept this piece as I love the fact that I have scribbled the calculations and notes around the pencil crayon drawing – it’s a real working drawing.

Discovering this piece also took me back to how the original idea for this sweater was borne out of a challenge from the late Paula Yates. I was invited to have dinner with Paula at my friend Karen Manner’s flat in Maida Vale; Karen was a fashion PR and wife of singer songwriter BA Robertson and since leaving fashion school I had been commissioned by BA to knit him an array of intricate intarsia sweaters for TV and film appearances. With her music biz connections, Paula fell in love with the Beatles Abbey Road album cover sweater, which I had knitted for BA – it was particularly hilarious. After a couple of glasses of wine, I found myself rising to the challenge to knit the Mona Lisa; I started working on the chart the following day (no doubt nursing a proper hangover) “Knitting Masterpieces” was great fun to write, in part because Karen organised for the knitwear to be modelled by celebrities. Paula was pregnant at the time of the photo shoot, so the Mona Lisa sweater was modelled by a friend of mine, a little known, jobbing actress called Michelle Collins…… the Mona Lisa sweater story continues.

Paula Yates 1959 -2000.  British TV presenter, writer, mother and a great laugh. RIP.

 

The Knitted Great Escape – k1p1 TV

To mark the 50th anniversary of the original film release, K1P1.com in association with Baker-bunch present Knitted Steve McQueen in The Knitted Great Escape. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as our hero rides to the Swiss border on his trusty Crochet Triumph TR6 pursued by Airfix German soldiers. The thrilling chase takes Knitted Steve McQueen across a knitted mountainous landscape with stunning views of Switzerland scrawled in marker pen on the backdrop. Then what happens next is part of movie history………….

Here’s what some of my Facebook and YouTube followers had to say about the film.

“Darn brilliant! Sew impressed with all the cast, though the central character is a bit woolly, and there was a moment or two where I nearly lost the thread. What about doing that scene in Von Ryan’s Express where Frank Sinatra is chasing the train and doesn’t quite make it…? or maybe a something from Girl With A Purl Earring…?”

“Had me in stitches”

“Never seen a better knitted jumper.”

“awesome!”

How to Knit Cables Part 2: Rib Cable – k1p1 TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to knit different Cable stitches. In part 2, learn how to work Ribbed Cable stitches; T5KPB (5st rib cable to Right) and T5KPF (5st rib cable to Left). Both are featured in the pattern Cable Rib Hat with Ears and are knitted using a cable needle.

How to Stitch Knitting Part 1: Mattress Stitch – k1p1 TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to join Garter Stitch and Stocking Stitch seams using the Mattress stitch method. Mattress stitch is worked from the right side of the work and once mastered will produce seamless looking projects. It is the method of choice for joining Fair-Isle and other patterned work as the row ends can be matched to create a continuous looking piece of knitting. Perfect for those not confident at working in the round.

How to Stitch Knitting Part 2: Kitchener stitch – k1p1 TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to join Stocking Stitch knitting using the Kitchener stitch method. Kitchener stitch is used for grafting two pieces of knitting to create an invisible join, which looks like a continuous piece of work as with Pixie Hat with Pompoms. It is also a perfect method for joining Bulky/Chunky shoulder seams.

How to Knit Increases Part 1: M1, M1P – k1p1 TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to work increases using the M1 and M1P stitch methods. The neatest way to work increases, these stitches can be worked anywhere within a knitted piece. Perfect for producing neat sleeve shaping or fully-fashioned fitted garments like socks. Check out our Toe Up Sock patterns Cabled Ankle Socks and Stripey Socks.

How to Knit Decrease Stitches Part 1: skpo, k2tog, p2tog, p2togtbl – k1p1TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to work decreases using the skpo, k2tog, p2tog and p2togtbl stitch methods. K2tog and p2tog are used when the decreased stitches are to lean to the right and skpo and p2togtbl to lean to the left. The demonstration will help you to identify the best stitches to use for your garment shaping to create a neat and professional finish.

“What a great, succint video. Thanks so much, I understood the P2togtbl perfectly.”

How to Knit Intarsia Knitting Part 1 – k1p1 TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to knit Intarsia colour work. In part 1, learn how to twist the colours and how to produce an even tension throughout. Part 2 will show you how to darn in the tail ends to neaten the back of your work. Ruth is the designer/author of best selling knitting books Knitting Wildlife and Knitting Masterpieces, which both feature Intarsia knits. Watch the YouTube tutorial and then try out your newly found skills by knitting some bunting for someone special.

“This is a wonderful video!!! So clear.  When I change colors, I hear myself say, “needle in and then sort out your colors”, although without the lovely accent! Thanks!”

“I must say that I’ve always been scared of intarsia and you make it look so easy.”

“This was gorgeous work, and the best I have found on youtube so far!  Thank you SO much!”

“Thank you so so much for such a fantastically easy tutorial !!
I’m certainly going to try this, and you’ve made it so that I’m not even worried.
Really appreciate this. Thanks again !”

Happy knitting!

How to Crochet Edgings Part 1: Crab stitch – k1p1 TV

Hand knitting and crochet designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to work Crochet edgings. In part 1, learn how to work Crab stitch crochet. Crab stitch is a useful stitch to master as it can be used for producing a professional finish for both crochet and hand knitting projects. The stitch is essentially working Double Crochet (US Single Crochet) stitches in a backwards direction along the last row. The resulting edge has a lovely braided look.

How to Knit Toe Up Socks using Magic Loop Part 1: Knit the Toe

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to knit Toe Up Socks using the Magic Loop method. In part 1, learn how to begin at the toe, set up the Magic Loop and increase in the round to produce a neat toe section. For patterns using this technique, check out Cabled Short Ankle Socks and Toe Up Stripey Socks with Embroidery in the patterns section.

“THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Your tutorial on starting toe up socks is A LOT easier then the multiple others I have seen. The next pair of socks I will make will be toe up!!!! Again thank you SO MUCH for making and posting this video!!!!!!”
“Wow, I’ve been looking at tutorials re: sock knitting, this just makes so much more sense. Thanks for sharing.”