Big 10 Knit-a-Long: Racing Stripes

Racing Stripes Afghan Block by Tamara Goff

This pattern uses slipped stitches against a stockinette background to create a texture of stripes racing along the block. It’s also a speedy knit so you should be able to race right through it! 

You'll need: US Size 7 needles or size needed to achieve gauge of 5 sts = 1 inch; Worsted weight acrylic yarn. Finished size should be 7” x 9”.
CO 32 stitches
Knit 4 rows for border

Rows 1 & 3: K3, sl 1, (k4, sl 1) x5, k3

Row 2: k3, sl 1, (p4, sl 1) x5, k3

Row 4: k3, p26, k3

Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 8 1/2”, then knit 4 rows for border. Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.

Want to see more afghan block patterns and learn more about our Charity Knit-a-Long? Check out this mid-year update! Did you hear we are having a giveaway for participants in our knit-a-long? Read this!

Stuff you need to know: The Slip Knot

I like to cut corners and save time whenever possible, so when I started knitting and was shown how to cast on using the long-tail method WITHOUT a slip knot, I knew that was tailor made for me.  In fact, I avoided making slip knots for YEARS. It's a little weird now that I think about it, but there it is: Slip Knot Avoidance. Perhaps it stemmed from doing so wretchedly on my knot tying badge in Girl Scouts as a child...(ha! and now look at me, a knitting instructor. Irony!)

Fast forward to teaching classes where slip knots are necessary, and all I could think was, "How on earth can I do this as simply and easily as possible, since I want to make sure my students truly get this...and not become People Who Avoid Slip Knots??" I experimented with a few different ways to walk someone through the steps and tried them out in my classes until we had light bulbs coming on over every head (Eureka!).

Why include this super basic, not that hard skill in my Simple Knitting Tips series? Every time I teach someone how to make a slip knot, even knitters who think they sort of know how to do it, I hear the cry of their hearts, the relief in their voices and the satisfaction of finally getting it. And that my friends, is music to my ears.

How to make a slip knot

Step 1: Pick up the yarn. Left or right hand--you decide.

Step 2: Place the tail end of the yarn across your palm, with the working end of the yarn looped over your fingers, palm facing you.

Step. 3: Pick the working yarn up and loop it toward you over your palm. At this point, hold down the tail yarn (against your palm) with your thumb. The tail will be on your palm and the working yarn that you just looped will be on your fingers. Or if you prefer-->the tail end will be closest to your heart ♥︎ . The yarn is completely encircling your hand, but only once.

Step 4: On the back of your hand, cross the working end over the tail end. Tuck the working end under the tail yarn, bringing that loop through the loop that encircles your hand.

Step 5. Holding the new loop you just made, remove your fingers from the first loop you made around your hand. With the thumb and forefinger of your left hand, you'll be holding the tail end of the yarn. With the thumb and forefinger of your right hand, you'll be holding the new loop. (If you're making the slip knot on your right hand, using your left to work the yarn, just reverse it all. It works either way!)

Step 6: To tighten your slip knot, pull the tail end with one thumb and finger while keep your other hand in the loop.

You should now have a slip knot that can be loosened or tightened with the working end of the yarn.

From here you can cast on stitches for something wonderful!

September Giveaway!

At last count, our stack of afghan blocks for the Big 10 Charity Knit-a-Long is 91 blocks high. If we have 180 blocks by the time we sit down to sew them up, we can make 5 child sized blankets for the Carolina Youth Development Center. FIVE! Wouldn't that be wonderful?

So I'm holding a contest for the month of September. Turn in an afghan block (either knitted or crocheted) and be entered in the drawing for yarn!

I have 3 different yarn giveaways--

1.  Two skeins, Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn, and Euroflax Sport Weight Linen
2.  Two skeins, LB Collection 100% baby alpaca DK weight, and Liberty Wool worsted 100% washable wool
3.  Four skeins Sirdar Snuggly baby bamboo (80% Bamboo, 20% Wool) in DK weight.

That means you have 3 ways to win!

1. The person donating the highest number of blocks during the month of September.
2. The group donating the highest number of blocks during the month of September.
3. The person randomly drawn from the names of all who contribute at least one block during the month of September.

Questions? Let me know!

Want patterns? Check here: Big 10 Charity Knit-a-Long

Simple Knitting Tools: The KnitOasis Bag

Announcing the KnitOasis bag!! Order yours today!

It's important, as a knitter, to have a secure, reliable way to haul your precious cargo (knitting). I tell my beginning students that carrying your newly-discovered hobby around in a plastic grocery bag is no way to live.

There are lots of great bags out there, plus, as a knitter, you can KNIT your own bag (I have a workshop coming up soon to do just that, in fact!).

Nothing beats a good canvas bag however and when that bag sports the logo of your favorite knitting resource, then you're going to love carrying your knitting in it!

These bags measure 14" x 14" x 3" and are made of 100% natural 8oz cotton. The logo is printed on one side in black and palm tree green. I've been using mine for 3 months and it still looks great! It's roomy enough for several projects, your knitting accessories, your wallet, a water bottle and a sweater (since the coffee shop can sometimes be chilly). The straps are long enough to slip over my shoulder, which helps when I'm trying to get my knitting bag out of the car while wrangling an excited dachshund.

To get your KnitOasis bag, just email me at knitoasis at gmail dot com or message me on the Facebook page or send a carrier pigeon with a note tied to its tiny pigeon toes.

Your cost? Only $15, which includes shipping and tax (if you're local). There will be a small postage fee added for shipping out of the area, depending on how far you live from glorious Charleston.