Book Review and Giveaway!

Jennifer Dassau’s new book, Knitting Short Rows, is chock full of technique and design. Jennifer delves into not just one or two ways to knit short rows, but five: the wrap and turn, yarnover, German, Japanese and Twin-Stitch methods. Accompanying all of these methods are 17 fantastic designs to help guide you through the world of short rows.

What are short rows, you ask? “Short-rows are exactly that: partial rows in the knitting that create curves, soft angles, and depth.” Short rows are used for anything from shoulder slopes right down to heel turns. “In garments, short-rows can be used instead of binding off stitches for shoulder or hem shaping or to add volume and length to part of the sweater.” They are particularly useful to create interest in your knitted fabric.

In her book, Jennifer explains in detail each of her methods, what they are best used for, and if any special considerations should be taken. Here is one design from each method that she utilizes in order to convey full understanding of her method.

The Wrap and Turn Method: Slices Shawl

The clean lines of this modern and geometric shawl make for an eye-catching and interesting garment. It is knit in one piece, but is made up of ten “slices”. This one definitely belongs in the MOMA!

The Yarnover Method: Hemisect Mitts

This design showcases how short rows can be used for seamless colorwork. These mitts are cute and comfortable, the best of both worlds!

The German Method: Buttonside Sweater

Starting from the shoulders, this gorgeous sweater catches the eye with an appealing texture. The rounded hem at the bottom of this sweater finishes it off nicely, making for an attractive garment. Can’t you see yourself cuddling up in this sweater during a cold, winter night?

The Japanese Method: Welts Apart Cowl

Not your standard cowl, this asymmetrical design showcases short rows by splicing stockinette stitches in between “welts” of purl. The lovely lopsidedness of this cowl will make everyone ask you how in the world you made it. Shown in Anzula For Better or Worsted in Prudence.

The Twin-Stitch Method: Rumble Strips Scarf

This scarf showcases thick welted ruffles and one long cable from one end of the scarf to the other. Using this pattern may be the best introduction to short rows because of its repeats and lithe width.

If you’ve ever wanted to tackle short rows but didn’t know where to start, this is the book to get you started. And one lucky winner (international, even!) will get a copy of this book for free! Check out Knitting Short Rows on Ravlery and let us know which pattern is your favorite, and which Anzula yarn and colorway you’d use!

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Pattern Roundup: Hats, hats, hats!

It's getting late in the year, which means we're quickly approaching a slew of gift giving holidays. And you're probably realizing that you should have started knitting and crocheting gifts in January in order have something for everyone on your list off the needles/hook, washed, blocked, and if you're really good, dry and wrapped in pretty paper.

One of my favorite gifts to give is hats. Soft hats. Ones that people will actually wear because they don't feel itchy. Washable hats, because you know it doesn't matter how you much you label/instruct/beg, people are gonna throw that thing in the washer. And most importantly, hats that are than any hat the receiver has or will ever have, because it's hand made with beautiful yarn. As a bonus, most hats only take a couple hundred yards, require little blocking, and are quick to make.

Here are a bunch of my favorites!

Fiona Hat and Fingerless Mitts by Mary Beth Temple

Tectonic Hat by Benjamin Krudwig (There's a knit version too!)

I know, it's a lot of hats. And if you can believe it, there are even more. Here's a link to all the great hats designed for Anzula yarns - Anzula Hat Land.

Do you have a huge gift list to fill? What are you planning to make? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

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Pattern Spotlight: Santa Cruz Cami by Stephannie Tallent

Living in coastal Southern California, I always joke I hardly ever get to wear what I design. I love wool, wool blends, and alpaca, and most of my designs use those sorts of yarn.

However, I'm always thrilled to try out a new-to-me silk or linen yarn -- it's really nice to be able to actually wear what you knit, where you live!

Vera fit the bill. I'd already used Breeze, Vera's laceweight sister, in my Bisbee blouse (paired with Oasis). I wanted to incorporate some of the same elements of Bisbee into a summer top -- the slim intarsia lace panels, the button front, mixing two different weights of yarn, the subtle ruffle at the bottom edge.

For the Santa Cruz Cami, I stopped the lace panel partway up (to the armholes in the back, to the bust in the front) and used a Vikkel braid (tutorial here) to demarcate the different sections on both the back and front.

The neckline and shoulders went through multiple iterations, until I decided upon the scoop neck with broad straps. The pattern is written such that the armholes and neckline shaping starts at the same place, but you can make a less-deep neckline if you want!

I chose the same colorway for both Vera and Breeze, going for just subtle variation relying on the yarn weights rather than color, but the Santa Cruz Cami would be lovely worked with different colorways.

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