FO: Ecliptic Hat

October 31, 2018 Jen Arnall-Culliford

I have already waxed lyrical about my love of the dip stitch designs in Hunter Hammersen’s book, Firmament. They really are so compelling that I found both my Constellate and Ecliptic hats very hard to put down. But now that I’ve finished my Ecliptic hat I want to swoon over the crown shaping in a bit more detail…

Video: Waste yarn cast-on method

October 29, 2018 Jim Arnall-Culliford

Learn how to work the simplest of provisional cast ons with this video tutorial.

Videos: Basic 1x1 helical stripes

October 24, 2018 Jim Arnall-Culliford

These two videos cover the basics of working jogless helical stripes, whether you use circular needle, or double-pointed needles.

Helical stitch patterns and a pair of cowls

October 23, 2018 Jen Arnall-Culliford

It has been brilliant to see a number of people in the helical knitalong saying how magical they are finding 1x1 helical stripes. It’s this sense of wondrous ease, and yet cleverness that has driven the development of the stitch patterns in today’s new chapter of Something New to Learn About Helical Knitting. I had already dipped my toe in the water of helical stitch patterns with my Spiralling Socks designs. They use the combination of a knit round and a slipped stitch pattern to create a pleasing helical effect, and I was quite sure that there must be plenty of other patterns that would be fun to work in this way.

On the naming of patterns – part 2

October 21, 2018 Jen Arnall-Culliford

Double helix staircase at the Chemistry department of the University of Reading. Image © Jen Arnall-Culliford

I had the pleasure of a trip to visit Felicity (Felix) Ford at Knitsonik HQ a couple of weeks back. We are making mischievous plans for next year, and after lunch we decided to go for a walk before I headed back to Frome. By complete happenstance, Felix’s route took us through the campus of the University of Reading, so we made an abrupt change of plans and went to visit the Chemistry and Pharmacy department, which is home to a double helix staircase. Read more to find out about the double and triple helix staircases that provided the names for the patterns in Something New to Learn About Helical Knitting.

Completed Telja and a handy splicing tip

October 10, 2018 Jen Arnall-Culliford

of being, but I think it’s been massively helped along by the super-speedy completion of our Telja Sweater in time for Yarndale. I have already shared the finished photo on Instagram and Ravelry, but today is the first time in ages that I’ve had the opportunity to sit down and blog about my knitting, so please forgive me for sharing it again. I’m still really pleased with it! Jim was a fabulous help to get the sleeves done, leaving me to complete the colourwork cuffs, body and then finally the yoke. Jim was so happy with the finished result that he has taken home some Something to Knit With Aran to make himself a Mountain Mist sweater from the brilliant new Tin Can Knits book, Strange Brew (it’s like a Something New to Learn About Yokes with a host of beautiful jumper and accessory designs as well as all the information you need to design your own yoke – we both really love it!).

Basic Helical Stripes and the Bramante Cowl

October 9, 2018 Jen Arnall-Culliford

Today we are releasing the first chapter in Something New to Learn About Helical Knitting.

Chapter 1 starts at the very beginning. Of course!

If you have never worked helically before, this is the chapter for you. If you’re already a helical fan, then don’t worry, there are plenty of new explorations for you in the later chapters. The first chapter is the knitting equivalent of the first term at a new school or university, where we make sure that everyone is up to speed on the foundations, before diving into the wider subject.