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 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 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.”

 

How to Knit Cables Part 1- k1p1 TV

Hand knitting designer, author and lecturer Ruth Herring demonstrates how to knit different Cable stitches. In part 1, learn how to Cable to the Right (C6B or 6-st RC) and Cable to the Left (C6F or 6-st LC) using a cable needle. Both cables are featured in the Cabled Hat and Arm Warmers Set and the Cabled Short Ankle Socks.