Single Cable Leg Warmers

Leg warmers are an undrerated accessory. You can rock them 80's style over leggings or wear them under boots for warmth and style and have them popping out over the boot tops.

Materials:
Caron Simply Soft in Victorian Rose
Size 8 double pointed needles
Cable hook

Instructions:
I did a variation of this pattern, altered slightly because the yarn I used was thicker than the pattern called for.

CO 60 sts and distribute evenly along needles.
Continue pattern as usual, until you reach your desired length.

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Everything You Need in a Knitting Toolkit

Here are some handy tools that every knitter should have at her or his disposal. Why not get them miniature sized and store them all in a travel case for convenience?

Cable hook

Used to hold stitches aside and work later to cross one group of stitches over another. There are different types of cable hooks, shown above, and it all depends upon your preference. I prefer the J Hook (in blue), though I've found the Bird's Wing Hook (in purple) just as easy to use. 

For the daring out there, check out this tutorial to show you how to makes cables without a cable hook. It only works if you're holding aside two or three stitches maximum.

Stitch markers

Placed in between two live stitches on the needle and used to mark specific points in your row or round. Especially helpful to mark between the first and last stitches when working in the round.

Measuring tape

Keep track of how long your piece is. Hat and sock patterns often call for you to work "X inches" from the beginning, and guestimating inches usually never turns out well. The smaller cloth measuring tapes are the most convenient for easy transport.

Crochet hook

Why have a crochet hook in a knitting toolkit? Pick up any dropped stitches with crochet hooks, as demonstrated here. Finish your piece and hide yarn ends by hooking them through your work. A size H hook is a good universal size.

Knitting needle caps

Put these stoppers on the tips of your needles holding a work in progress to prevent any stitches (or the whole piece!) from slipping off. Very useful for travel.

Sewing needle

Always handy to hide yarn ends.

Counter

Put this counter on your needle and keep track of how many rows you work. Convenient when following patterns and making socks to make sure both socks have the same amount of rows worked.

Gauge

Check the size of your needles. Some even have a chart detailing what needle size is appropriate for different types of yarn.

Stitch holder

Holds a section of stitches aside to be worked later. A stitch holder is different from a cable hook because the former is meant to hold aside larger sections of live stitches. It is most commonly used to make a thumb gusset in gloves or mittens.

Scissors

Need I explain their use? The smaller, the better, to take up less space in your travel kit.

Scrap Yarn

There are many uses for scrap yarn so it's always good to save your yarn ends (even a few inches). For smaller projects like socks, you only need a few inches of scrap yarn to use the provisional cast on method. Also, some people prefer tying scrap yarn around the needle and in between live stitches as a stitch marker because it does not get in the way as much as the harder, plastic stitch markers.

Now go out and make your knitting toolkits!

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Pattern: Cabled Cowl

Show off your cabling techniques by combining six strand plaits and horseshoe cables (double cables) in this comfy cowl.

Finished Measurements:
12" long
10" diameter

Materials:

1 skein Lion Brand, Fishermen's Wool in Nature's Brown
Size 8 circular needle
Cable Hook
Stitch Marker

Gauge:

16 sts and 22 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Six strand plaits

Instructions:

CO 125 sts and join ends together to work in the round. Place a stitch marker between the first and last stitches to keep track of the beginning of the work.

Round 1: (K1, P1) 6 times, K1, (P3, K12, P3) 3 times, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1, (P2, K12, P2) 3 times, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1

Round 2: Repeat Round 1

Round 3: (P1, K1) 6 times, P4, K12, P6, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 from cable needle, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K3, K3 from cable needle, P6, K12, P3, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1, (P2, sl 2 sts on cable needle and hold to front, K2, K2 from cable needle, sl 2 sts on cable needle and hold to front, K2, K2 from cable needle, sl 2 sts on cable needle and hold to front, K2, K2 from cable needle, P2) 3 times, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1

Round 4: (P1, K1) 6 times, P4, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K3, K3 from cable needle, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 from cable needle, P6, K12, P6, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K3, K3 from cable needle, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 from cable needle, P3, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1, (P2, K12, P2) 3 times, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1

Horseshoe cables

Round 5: Repeat Round 1

Round 6: Repeat Round 1

Round 7: (P1, K1) 6 times, P4, K12, P6, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 from cable needle, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K3, K3 from cable needle, P6, K12, P3, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1, (P2, K2, sl 2 sts on cable needle and hold to back, K2, K2 from cable needle, sl 2 sts on cable needle and hold to back, K2, K2 from cable needle, K2, P2) 3 times, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1

Round 8: (P1, K1) 6 times, P4, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K3, K3 from cable needle, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 from cable needle, P6, K12, P6, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K3, K3 from cable needle, sl 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 from cable needle, P3, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1, (P2, K12, P2) 3 times, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1

Repeat Rounds 1-8, ten (10) times or until the piece measures 12"

Horseshoe cables, alternating directions

For those visual learners out there, below is a knitting chart to see the pattern across all stitches for the 8 repeating rounds:

Larger version available here.

Tips:

If you're feeling daring and want to throw that cable hook aside (or if you just can't find one), use this technique to pass your cables over without using a cable hook.

Keep your cables tight. When you finish knitting the stitches off the cable hook, keep your tension tight for the first knit from the circular needle as usual to prevent gaps in the cables.

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Triangle Shawl Using Boucle Yarn

Materials:

Size 11 circular needle

Size H crochet hook

Main Color (MC): 3 skeins Debbie Mumm Illuminations in Cafe

Contrast Color (CC): small scrap of any red yarn

I have trouble finding good patterns for adult accessories using boucle yarn, but here is a pretty good one. Don't be skeptical as you start making it - it looks a little strange when you're not wearing it, but is really comfortable and cozy.

The finished piece looks great. Be sure to use a good contrast color for the edging to make it really pop. The edge is crocheted around - I love any project that combines knitting and crocheting!

Tip: the cast off method is key to make the end long enough to wrap around your neck. Bind off 1 st, make 1 YO, bind off the YO, repeat. It looks like a weird sting ray while flat, but looks beautiful wrapped around your neck.

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One Skein Scarf (Crochet)

This is a quick and easy scarf you can finish in a few mindless hours. Pattern available here. The pattern calls for simple crochet stitches, clustering double crochets, chains, and a single crochet.

I used Vanna's Choice yarn, which is the perfect yarn for any crochet project.

 This scarf is only one skein and is only 40" long. Makes for a great and lightweight fall scarf.

A must make project!

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Pattern: Men's Toe Up Box Socks

Finished Measurements:

Size 13 men's foot

Easily adjusts to any foot size with this toe-up method

Materials:

2 skeins Patons Kroy Sock yarn (one per sock)
Content: 75% Wool - 25% Nylon
Put-up: 1.75 oz / 50 g
Length: 166 yd / 152 m
Size 1 double pointed needles


Gauge:

28 sts and 36 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Stitches:

K - knit

P - purl

Sl - slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle

SSK - slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle knitwise. Slip a second unworked stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise. Slip those two unworked stitches separately back to the left needle purlwise. Knit those two stitches together in the back of the stitches (decrease).

K2tog - knit two stitches together (decrease).

P2tog - purl two stitches together (decrease).

Inc - knit into the front and back of the same stitch (increase).

Instructions:

Toe Shaping
Using provisional cast on method, cast on 8 stitches
Round 1: Knit across
Round 2: Purl across
Round 3: Knit across
Round 4: Purl across

Remove live stitches from scrap yarn and place them on a double pointed needle. You should have 16 sts on two needles. Begin knitting in the round.

Round 5: *K2, Inc, K1 (add a needle) K1, Inc, K2.* Repeat from * to * (20 sts)
Rounds 6-8: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

Increase until you have 32 sts total (8 sts per needle)


Round 9: K across
Round 10: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

Repeat Round 9 and Round 10 until you have 60 sts total (20 sts per needle)

Foot
Begin working box pattern on top of foot.

Round 11: Needle 1 - *K5, P5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
Needle 2 - *K5, P5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
Needle 3 - K across needle
Needle 4 - K across needle

Round 12-16: Repeat Round 11 

Round 17: Needle 1 - *P5, K5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
Needle 2 - *P5, K5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
Needle 3 - K across needle
Needle 4 - K across needle

Round 18-22: Repeat Round 17

Repeat Rounds 11-22 to work box pattern until sock is the length from the toe to the bend of your ankle at the top of your foot. 

Heel Flap
Work Needles 3 & 4 ONLY (the needles without the box pattern, 40 sts)
Leave Needles 1 & 2 unworked

Round 23: Sl1, P across, turn
Round 24: Sl 1, K across, turn

Repeat Rounds 23 and Row 24, 22 more times (24 rows total)




Heel Shaping
Round 25: Sl1, P20, P2tog, P1, turn (leave 16 sts unworked) 
Round 26: Sl1, K3, K2tog, K1, turn 

Round 27: Sl1, P until one st before the gap, P2tog, P1, turn
Round 28: Sl1, K until one st before the gap, K2tog, K2, turn

Repeat Round 27 and Round 28 until you have 22 sts left on the needle

Using a spare needle, pick up 14 sts along the length of the heel flap. Knit across.





Work the box pattern across Needle 1 and Needle 2.

Pick up 14 sts along the other length of the heel flap. Knit across.


Distribute sts along the 4 needles as follows:
Needle 1: 20 sts (keep these as the same sts with the box pattern)
Needle 2: 20 sts (keep these as the same sts with the box pattern)
Needle 3: 25 sts
Needle 4: 25 sts



Gusset Shaping (decrease)
Round 29: Needle 1 - work box pattern
Needle 2 - work box pattern
Needle 3 - K1, SSK, K across until end of needle
Needle 4 - K across until last 3 sts of needle, SSK, K1

Round 30: Needle 1 - work box pattern
Needle 2 - work box pattern
Needle 3 - K across
Needle 4 - K across

Repeat Round 29 and Round 30 until there are 20 sts on each needle (80 sts total)


Leg
Work box pattern on all needles.
Continue working in the round until there is a small amount of yarn left.
When there is only a small amount of yarn left, K2, P2 across.
Bind off.

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The Warmest Cowl

Here is the pattern for my favorite cowl, but the picture on Ravely doesn't do it justice. It is definitely a pattern worth trying. The clusters make it so warm and the cream color matches everything.



I made mine 6 rounds longer than the pattern calls for and it's the perfect size. It bunches enough to be warm without overpowering your head. I have many scarves and cowls, but I always find myself reaching for this one.

Try it out!

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