Tag: hand knitting

Christmas Bunting Pattern by Ruth Herring

Living through a global pandemic has made many of us appreciate the small things in life, so we’re fully embracing nostalgic trends, like hand knitting, baking and other crafts. 

So many have taken up crafts over lockdown, especially young people wanting to recreate the JW Anderson cardigan worn by Harry Styles, which was offered as a free download knitting pattern by Creative Director Jonathan Anderson. It’s great for young people to experience the “mindfulness” that hand knitting offers as a response to relentless social media and to experience the feeling of achievement and wellbeing having crafted something unique.

It’s not surprising therefore that “Hand-made” is a major trend for Christmas 2020. I love to receive hand-made gifts and cards – the fact that someone has taken time and energy to create something is very special and personal. 

I’ve now re-released my Christmas Bunting pattern, which is available to download from Love Crafts and Ravelry. The bunting has a Gothic feel when knitted in Black and Red, but it would look equally great knitted in neutrals or any colour combination to match your Christmas décor. The pattern recommends DK cotton, but you can use this project as an opportunity to use up your much-loved yarn “stash” and create something truly unique. Equally you can use up spare beads or jewellery pieces to decorate the ends of each flag. Hopefully your Christmas Bunting will become part of your festive décor for many years.

I’m pleased to announce that the bunting will be featured in The Guardian WEEKEND magazine in an article about Hand Made Christmas ideas – December 5th, with a short interview with yours truly!

Keeping the Skills Alive!

Love Crafts – https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/christmas-bunting-knitting-pattern-by-ruth-herring

Ravelry – https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-bunting-9

How to Knit Intarsia Knitting Part 2: Darning Ends – k1p1 TV‬

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to knit Intarsia colour work. In part 2, learn how to darn in the yarn tail ends to neaten the back of your work.

“No one else shows how to finish up the work.  I always end up with a sloppy mess.  Thank you for being the only one to do this type of video.”

“that is brilliant! i never thought of threading my needle AFTER weaving it through. that will come in most handy with short tails. thank you! Wow”

“I’ve always struggled with short ends in the past. What a great tip, thanks! More videos please!!!”

 

How to Knit Buttonholes Part 1: Large Buttonhole – k1p1 TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to knit different Buttonholes. In part 1, learn how to cast off and cast on stitches to knit a large Buttonhole. This technique can also be used for making simple thumb/finger holes for arm warmers and fingerless gloves.

“knitting arm holes for pup sweater and this worked perfectly… thanks!!!”

“So pleased I found this video. I’m knitting a bag and the pattern requires casting off 18 sts and then casting them on again to create each handle. I love your tip on how to deal with that gap. Thank you. I’ll be back.”

Hyacinth, a visually impaired knitter from Acton – Londoner #27

Introducing Hyacinth, one of my visually impaired Hand Knitting students, who is subject 27 of the fabulous 1000 Londoners film project.

She is 1 of 3 visually impaired knitting students that I currently teach at South Thames College, Tooting Broadway. The courses are Adult Education and not therapy, so they are open to all.

Hyacinth couldn’t knit at all when she started, but she had heard about another visually impaired student, Felicity, who is a bit of a star knitter and so wanted to give it a go herself. I enrolled Hyacinth on the course for the advanced knitters to give her plenty of support from more experienced knitters, including Felicity.

She fitted in perfectly – her enthusiasm and quick sense of humour soon made her a very popular member of the class. She also got started very quickly, taking instruction from my spoken words and you can see her first garment, a Paddington Bear-style jacket, in the film. You can also see some of Felicity’s exquisite work at 2:06 in the film. Felicity was too shy to be featured in the film, but she’s very proud that her beautiful silk/mohair cardigan has been given a wonderful close-up!

I couldn’t be more proud of them – Hyacinth’s journey to class involves a bus, a train and the tube to Tooting Broadway. She normally makes the journey on her own, she’s rarely late and always arrives with a smile. She’s a real inspiration to others on the course.

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.