Knit Along- Know Your Stitches!

Before we all cast on August 1st, here is a list of the stitches you will need to be familiar with for the pattern:

• Long Tail Cast On: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGHhETWoFUM This is my preferred method to casting on as the finished edge looks similar to the bind off edge. Since the pattern is worked from side to side it will make both ends lookends look the same.

• Knit Stitch (k): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLJwpyRubKs

• Purl Stitch (p): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLVPe4zdfqs

• Knit through the Back Loop (ktbl): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1KiHViK160 This stitch is sandwiched on either side of the knit stitch and creates a twisted stitch. This imparts a little more stability to the fabric once the purl stitches begin to drop.

•Yarn Over (yo): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ovNj7ibnhQ OR: Knit in Front and Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGHZrnPaX98 As you increase up the first side you need to be increasing the stitches. The pattern says use yarn overs, which will leave smallleave small holes on that side of the shawl. If you use the knit front and back (make one) stitch instead, you avoid that problem.

• Knit Two Together (k2tog): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2W1tIMc4ho As you decrease down the other side the pattern calls for knitting two stitches together.

• Cast Off: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuE6Wjzq2d8

This pattern will be a challenge for the novice knitter and keeps the interest of the more advanced knitters. If you know how to do the above stitches you’ll be able to complete the knit-along! If you are participating, help is available for this pattern in the shop during normal business hours. All videos are courtesy of Lion Brand Yarn’s YouTube feed: http://www.youtube.com/user/LionBrandYarn