Atlas Insider
Atlas Insider: Order Up!
Like any top-tier graduate of a prestigious art school, I spent many years working in restaurants. In a greasy kitchen, behind a filthy bar, waist deep in menus at the host stand or slinging plates onto tables out on the floor … I covered the waterfront.
If you’ve worked in restaurants for any period of time, you know all about the secret language of restaurants—not exactly old-time diner talk (which will become the official language of the United States when I become president)—but you know what I mean: “86,” “fire it,” “camper,” “all day,” etc. So when I heard MDK was coming out with an “app,” I got very excited about the mixed platter of fried cheese and potato skins that was headed my way.
Well, that’s not what it was, and once I was finished with the post-discovery mourning period (and don’t you worry: I registered my outrage), I was delighted to discover that it’s a thingie for your phone. You know: a magical invisible somethingorother you download and then sometimes forget that you have. But it’s worth remembering, I promise!
I’ve had an uneasy relationship with apps from the start. I am—after all—the person who, when buying his first iPhone, looked the phone guy straight in the eye and said, “Great, thanks, now where is the nearest App Store?” But I have a lot of them now, and they do come in handy. I use one called Book Crawler to catalog and keep track of my book library (don’t you worry: I know exactly who has my copy of The God of Small Things; all Christmas cards are being withheld until its safe return).
I have four different backgammon apps, none of which have managed to make me a better backgammon player. And I still think Shazam is magic: just point my phone up in the air and it can tell me what song is playing too loudly in whatever restaurant I am sitting in enjoying—wait for it—a mixed platter of fried cheese and potato skins. I don’t know why I’m still frequently surprised by Shazam, though; it always, always turns out to be another awesome song by Bettye LaVette.
MDK’s app for Apple iOS and Android is called Skill Set: Beginning Knitting, and it’s got all the text and illustrations of our same-named book plus little short video tutorials narrated by Kay—who could give June Allyson, the girl with a million dollar laryngitis, a run for her money. Anyway, I’ve found the app incredibly handy.
One of the problems with having one billion and eleven unfinished projects is that there are a few knitting skills you never get around to using as often as some others. I mean, I can cast on all danged day but I only actually bind off about once every two years—and a little video in my pocket that covers it clearly and succinctly never didn’t come in handy.
And there’s another upside for lazy me: when you order one for yourself or as a gift, it just shows up on the phone. I don’t have to put it in a box and ship it to you … so thanks for that! I’ll mark it off the list.
A Giveaway
The prize? A Skill Set Tote. The beloved Baggu canvas tote in a snappy colorway that coordinates with Skill Set: Beginning Knitting. Plus: one free Skill Set App, gifted to the iPhone owner of your choosing. (The Skill Set App is available for Android phones —yay!— but unfortunately the platform does not permit gifting—boo!)
How to enter?
Two steps:
Step 1: Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Snippets, right here. If you’re already subscribed, you’re set.
Step 2: What little technique video would you find most handy, you know, in case we’re thinking about developing more of them. (You never know!) Tell us in the comments!
Deadline for entries: Sunday, February 20, 11:59 PM Central time. We’ll draw a random winner from the entries. Winner will be notified by email.
Come Shop With Us
If it’s not there already- Kitchener stitch! People have gotten tattoos of the how to, it’s that hard to remember. I would love to have it in my pocket, ready to be told Knit through the front……
And maybe a little voice snippet of Kay telling us, Yes, you should buy that yarn!
Kitchener stitch definitely!:) also the yarn less bind off for those stressful moments!:)
I would love tips that make your knitting look better. Like how to close up the holes in the underarm of a sweater. Or cast on sand bind offs that look neater. I also have trouble with small circumference items. The App has info on DPNs, but nothing regarding magic loop or other method. I know there are lols of videos out there on these techniques, but it would be wonderful to have them all in one place in MDKs well written instructions and to the point video.
How about gusset holes in socks?
Hi DG, thanks for another fun and informative column. I really appreciate the song reference, haven’t thought of that one in ages.
As so many people have mentioned, kitchener stitch details would be appreciated. I’m good working across stockinette stitch until I get to the end and have 1 st on each needle. Then I don’t know what to do. I tend to fudge those sts. Also, there were mentions of kitchener for garter and for other stitch patterns.
People are also talking about the best ways to bury tails. And, the best ways to join yarns so you don’t have tails to bury.
There are so many good suggestions in these comments. I think we’ll keep you busy for a good while.
Best ways to weave in ends. I’m constantly seeing little bits of ends in my finished garments—no matter how well I thought I’d woven them in! Is very frustrating!
Ahha! Second for efficient & different ways to weave in ends!
Brioche !
Even WITH the directions I can’t ever seem to do it correctly past the second repeat of it. I lose my way once I’ve started. Never successfully done it. ♀️ I need a Kitchener tutorial for people with short attentions spans… what to do now that you’ve gone two inches, your brain started thinking about something random, and you now have no idea where you were in the process.
Hear hear!
Brioche.
Here’s a vote for German twisted cast-on! It’s such a good one and would be great to have easy breezy instructions.
Kitchener is the reason I knit toe-up!
Short rows short rows and short rows!!
Left and right leaning decreases. K it and purlside. I always forget.
Add one more “short rows” At last count, I believe there is at least 4 ways to do them! Whew!
Or the Finchley graft, which I have been using, but I can still mess it up!
Thanks! I’d never heard of the Finchley graft. I have a pair of socks over a year old that languish because I can’t Kitchner for the life of me. I’m going to get them out and try Finchleying them!
kitchener – gotta have it – everytime
I just learned Fisherman stitch and it’s amazing albeit scary at first. Would be a good tutorial.
Some good ideas already: Kitchener, M1R, M1L. I always dread finishing: weaving in ends and seaming of any kind.
Yes! I always have to refresh my memory with kitchener and the M1 increases.
I echo the need for a quicky M1R, M1L–I always forget which is which.
Right and front 5 letters, left and back 4 letters. Thank you Shaina Bilow, I’ve never forgotten.
Entrelac. I can figure most things out, but entrelac is a mystery.
Since I read somewhere that the lifted loop leans right in a M1R, and leans left in a M1L, I never get confused.
I learned the mnemonic m1r needle comes from rear (r). So m1l is opposite. I’ve never forgotten again!
I’ll sing with the chorus of Kitchener proponents…and add that Kitchener in the Round is also high on my list. Second place goes to a comparison of the best/simplest Short Row techniques. ♥️
Working on a seed stitch triangle scarf. Would like to see a video of how to do KFBF properly. Not much out there for info visually.
I’d love to have an easy access to a stretchy bind off video
Brioche! Kitchener! Seaming! Thank you!
Kitchener the easy way that Kay told us about, German short rows and how to convert a wrap and turn pattern to German short rows, and Magic Loop. Please do it! If I thought longer I could come up with more. Also think of us continental knitters♥️
cast ons / bind offs. There are so many variations and I typically use the same handful with any regularity.
I totally agree – would love a range of CO and BO techniques
Kitchener! Or M1L M1R.
Maybe tying in new colors? I’ve given up on the Kitchener stitch
Kitchener and Finchley, yes. Also, a simple one on improving evenness of stitches. I have been practicing knitting on my needle tips and holding onto my stitches to keep them from rolling forward and would love a video showing in detail how to knit more evenly, please
Yarn joining to avoid weaving in.
I always wonder about the jump from one color to the next
I always have to double check on the difference between M1L and M1R
Definitely Kitchener stitch & M1L & M1R. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to rip, rip, curse due to these!
Read once that left / four letters / knit in the back or rear. Right / five letters / knit in front Combined with my on memory tool of regular rear or funky front for the wrap and I have never needed to look M1R or M1L again. (Not saying it’s not needed on the app. But I knit them without pausing now.)
The L in M1L is for the word Left. Left and Front both have F in them—so I know to go in from the front for an M1L. I use this all of the time.
I bought the book and instantly gave it to a new friend who wanted to learn how to knit so I am not sure how many techniques were explained. I would love to see more cast on and binds off with pro and cons and especially ones that pair up well together. How to pick up stitches is another daunting thought for new knitters. Basic brioche? How to seam? I am embarrassed to confess how long it took me to even try mattress stitch.
Me too! Is there anyone who consistently remembers? Katrinkles has a mini tool that lives in my bag for exactly that reason. https://www.katrinkles.com/shop/mix-and-match-mini-tools
Katrinkles also has one for Kitchener. I clipped it to my bag of knitting notions, like an oversized charm, and it’s always at hand when I need it.
Agreed, Tin Can Knits tutorial is saved to my bookmarks on my phone – https://blog.tincanknits.com/2013/10/03/m1/
Thank you for all the book and movie suggestions to enjoy while knitting. Trying to finish things I started long ago before the internet provided endless possibilities and more things to try than I will ever be able to do. Next on my list is to try your Rambouillet yarn as a reward for completing forgotten projects this year.
Would like to try a color work sweater.
I left the front door open, I’ll be right back is how I learned m1r and m1l
Love that!
Well that is just brilliant. Thanks!
“I’ll be right back” is what I bring to mind when needing these increases. Then I know from which direction to start. Works every time for me.
Yes! That is the mnemonic I rely on too!
I do “right, rear” 😀
Thanks, I was talking about the need for such a tool the other day! I’m enjoying the other ideas as well.
Kitchener stitch, M increases…any and all of the multitudinous “next step” skills. As a knitter, I’m on the ground floor looking hungrily up to the upper levels. Hoping to someday be able to make that leap!
I need help with more than one thing though. Help with binding off and which type of bind off to use would be helpful not to mention videos to untangle which short row type to use and how to not make them so darn noticeable.
Please info on which cast on/ bind off to use. And how to convert directions for short rows to German short rows. My preference is for brief demos,/reminders rather than full tutorials
Keeping track of rows and stitches with multiple stitch patterns and cables (Aran for example).
Maryna at “Ten Rows a Day” online has a great way using a magnetic sheet
This comment was meant for the one above for Alison Bird about keeping track of rows and stitches
Magic loop with circulars for baby hats – I’m the worst with double pointed needles knitting in the round. Would an app help with this or do I just need the “magic” part (à la Samantha Stevens) to give me the skills?
I would love a video that compares cast-ons and bind-offs. Seeing them manipulates, stretched, front side and back, would help me choose the best one for my situation.
Having a Patty Lyons app would be great too!
Patty Lyons now has her very own website….. https://pattylyons.com
Yes, you’re so right! Especially finishing techniques, from casting off the last stitch to joining cast off edges and setting in sleeves.
Kitchner! It always takes a good tink and several swears to get the toe graft right.
How short rows work and how to tell where you are in a short row project.
I was having some serious cravings for mozzarella sticks the other day. Thank goodness I bought a huge box of frozen ones and had some yesterday before seeing this post!
Anyway. I’ve been knitting for so long that I have a lot of techniques in my muscle memory, but a provisional cast-on is one that I always have to look up. A video might help cement it for me.
Short rows – different kinds & spotting them in the wild (aka in a project)
“ I can cast on all danged day but I only actually bind off about once every two years.”
I think I’ve finally found my family motto!
How about a video of garter tab cast on? Because – of course, my first though would be another cast-on technique
Yes please. I screw manage to mess that up every time.
Oh and for a little video – how about a garter tab cast on?
I second the suggestion of provisional cast-on. Also helpful, how to do cables without using a cable needle.
You caught my attention with the bi-annual bind off. I see a three needle bind off in my future. Bring on that app – calamari at this table, please 🙂
M1L and M1R as I always have to look them up. Also best way to weave in ends.
It’s already been said, but I’ll say it again, Kitchener and M1R M1L
Weaving in ends! I just kind of “go for it” but I’m never really sure what I am doing-
Kathy
I always always always have to look up Kitchener Stitch, and was looking for a sewn bind off just recently. The other thing that my brain will not allow storage for is M1 techniques. it needs that space for me to remember things for jeopardy – that I get right – but have absolutely no idea why I know them – typically the very odd stuff that the contestants don’t get…….
Invisible joins and where to pick up stitches. Maybe some sort of mnemonic device for Kitchener. ☺️
For me, it would be which bind off to use for the best results…..and, an order of potato skins.
Russian join! Although I love it I usually need a reminder of how to loop the yarns through.
All these suggestions are great. I’m quite confused by salvages, when to slip, which way to slip, how to remember the technique for the entire blanket or scarf. And fixes, if it’s a technique, I’m going to have to fix it sooner rather than later.
Crochet. I have never successfully “unzipped” a crochet provisional cast on. I would like to use it on steeks and for reinforcing necklines but it’s SO counterintuitive to me!!
For this project I could use a tutorial for tubular bind off (for 1×1 rib).
provisional cast on would be helpful.
always have to look it up.
and the difference between M1R and M1L…. eternally elusive
Brioche beginner video.
Thanks
Yes, brioche! Brk and brp. Also deciphering the brioche charts. I can’t seem to get the hang of it all.
Left leaning and right leaning decreases (in addition to the other great suggestions)!
Just last week as I began to work on my Daytripper, I consulted the app for two things: 1) how far to move needle size when your gauge is far away from the pattern gauge; and 2) German short rows. Perhaps an Intermediate Skill Set app is needed?
Make1L v M1R, I always have to look it up! Weaving in ends for all of the different situations! I’m very excited about the possibility of more videos!
short rows short rows short rows!
Seaming! I feel like I’m always shooting from the hip. Stranded color work for throwers!
Tubular cast on – the method without the waste yarn.
The APP I would use would let you enter all the listed yarn requirements for a project and then you enter the yarn you have or want to use and the APP would tell you if it was possible (ie. hold yarn doubled, go down a needle size, go up a needle size …). Maybe you’d have to answer a bunch of questions beforehand to let the APP know your typical gauge.
Steels! Absolutely the scariest technique in knitting. I have abandoned projects midway from fear of cutting!
Twisted ribbing. Have to look it up EVERY TIME I have to do it. Think I have some sort of mental block!
Kitchener – I always have to come back to MDK website to remember how to do it; and, provisional cast on.
Please show new knitters how to tink!
Lifted increases please. Thank you!
(tidy) pick up and knit — so that it doesn’t look like your cat helped you
Working with linen. Details matter to make the most of that lovely yarn
Matching cast ones & bind offs
I always need a review of tubular cast on/off and casting on for toe up socks too.
Short row options and analyzing the how’s and whys.
Also provisional cast ons. Again with the whole story.
The Kitchener!!! Also German Short Rows!!!
How to substitute German short rows (my favorite) for wrap and turn in a pattern.
Also tips for alternating skeins when the beginning of the row has a yarnover (specific enough for you?).
Kitchener!
Pick up and knit! And please, if you do another book, ADD AN INDEX (wasn’t Ann an editor?? Shame on you!)
Oh my!
I just recently made a pair of fingerless mitts that had a P1K1 ribbing. The instructions for binding-off were to use a “stretchy” bind-off. I finally found a not-so-helpful video on Youtube for the first one that used a tapestry needle and wove back and forth, but I was finishing the second one in the car and if that particular bind-off is on your app it would have been so helpful! I finally just used the standard bind-off and hope my friend, for whom these are a gift, doesn’t notice!
Hey, just swap out your right needle for one that is one or two sizes larger. Voila, stretchy bind off!
How to correct garter stitch multiple rows down without having to turn the work around would be so helpful.
Kitchener stitch is clearly an obvious one. Types of increases is another. Other styles of knitting, continental, Portuguese – continental for the knit stitch is so much easier for me. And maybe if you learned it from the beginning the continental purl wouldn’t be so daunting. (Also, even though my son worked in restaurants for years, I never heard appetizers called ‘apps’ until fairly recently, so I always think someone is talking about phones instead of cheese)
I do the crochet provisional cast on quite a bit. You would think I would have it completely memorized by now. Nope, I have to look at the slip of paper in my hook box to check what hook size roughly correlates to my needle size and then find a video on YouTube to remember exactly what the motion is that makes the cast on. Every single time. Having the video in an app would make this second step a whole lot quicker. The first step is no biggie since the scrap of paper lives with the hooks anyway.
Kitchener and/or provisional cast on!
I would love to learn Brioche! Both one and two colors as well as increases and decreases in Brioche.
Me too
Jogless stripes
Yes! I can never avoid a jog!
Absolutely joggless stripes and as a underserved lefty directions left handed sometimes are really great!
Yes, M1L and M1R, always have to look those up online
Kitchener, I always forget.
Invisible joins and weaving in ends!
A video for a stretchy bind off that doesn’t flare would be good.
M1L and M1R
Technique – German short rows.
_
So many things! But definite not to have that little jog when you knit in the round and change colors
Brioch. Everything brioch.
I hate brioch because I have a brain blank for it.
Yarn management; not the stash management kind but keeping things straight when knitting 3-color colorwork (esp the twists that come from catching floats so the color dominance is maintained) or icord braid.
I always struggle with short rows.
How to do mattress stitch – it seems easy but i would love a demo.
Fool-proof (in other words, me-proof!) Kitchener stitch and easy moebius cast-on!
I would definitely like to see Tubular cast on and cast off. I think they look great but I can never remember all the steps and usually just do long tail rather than search for a good, slow, clear, close-up video.
Make one stitch and all. It’s variations.
Making sure your gauge is true. I seem to start okay and then suddenly my sweater sleeves fit my six year old granddaughter.
The different cast ons and offs
Always Kitchener stitch!
Weaving in ends
M1L, M1R. Needle from the front? Back? I can never remember and have to look up a video each time I need to use these moves.
Well I dutifully got the app but Shazam –WOWWWWW Thanks for that!!
The things I always have to look up: Lifted increases, M1R versus M1L, Kitchener, substituting German short rows.
Tubular cast on! And a whole section on stretchy, stretchier, and not stretchy cast ons and bind offs. And brioche!
Kitchener…I look it up every. Single. Time.
Sewing up tutorials. I hade sewing pieces together so much, and any help is most welcome.
tubular cast on and bind off, plz
Twisted right and twisted left
Kitchener stitch! I was so disappointed that it wasn’t in the app! I want to gift it to my daughter who makes EZ’s baby blanket that requires Kitchener stitch to finish!
M1L and M1R….with a clever mnemonic that would help me remember them…though I’d still continue to use the app for help with other techniques!
How about an index or links to rack of Kate Atherley’s tutorials?
I would love to see all the ways to join new colors without having to weave in the ends. Kay did the spit join the other day, but that doesn’t always work. Thanks!
I would like to see grandma bind off.
Something for mitten or sock cuff: a stretchy braided cast-on that moves directly into a stretchy and dazzlingly 3-color pattern. (Full disclosure: I don’t know if such a thing exists with stretchiness but if it does I’d sure like to see a video of it!)
I’ve got the Kitchener sequence burned into my brain, but I really need a M1L M1R lesson every time!
I N E E D a reminder on how to mend knitwear that moths have gotten into.
Tubular cast on would be lovely as would seaming. But all the suggestions here are great.
How to actually focus and finish one project before going on to the next one! ; )
How to stop stitch markers from hiding… in the bottom of your Skill Set Tote, in couch cushions, and from flying off your needles!
I never feel confident picking up stitches for a sleeve. A tutorial would be great.
All suggestions have been spot on! I think the pin hole cast-on would be helpful to have at the fingertips.
Love this whole article. Thanks for the giggles DG, they’re needed at the moment xx
So many good comments here! Make one and all the variations especially that one about picking up a bar a row down? Finishing – I dread putting things together. I should see how many projects have been completed or nearly but put aside because it involves “sewing” them together 🙂
How to measure myself and/or the recipient of my knits and then adjust gauge for a great fit.
cast ons and cast offs! I always use the same ones.
I have the skill set app, the box set, and the bag. the yarn is lovely, HOWEVER, I need to finish the cowl that is on the needles, just a basic brioche thingy. The yarn is absolutely lovely. If i didn’t have a stash i would buy all the new colours. Thanks DG!!!
Kitchener stitch and EZ’s sewn bind off are the 2 techniques that send me to the reference pages in my printed knitting library. Hopefully they are included in the app.
Comparison chart of different cast-ons and bind-offs. I’m a mostly-crocheter-but-sometimes-I-knit person who needs a quick reference for beginnings and endings when I’m knitting (cuz I also don’t always follow the pattern)
M1L and M1R. Also what to do if gauge doesn’t match and it’s important like for a sweater?
Cabling without a cable needle.
I definitely need a constant reminder on Kitchener stitch. on the daily.
Would love a video on all the different ways to hold your yarn when knitting colorwork patterns. I am uncoordinated; the one-yarn-in-each-hand technique does not work for me!
Lots of great ideas already. Not sure if this has been added: 1) continental purling and 2) floats with 3 or more colors
Yes! Continental purling! I’m both amazed and lost.
I cord bind off is one I could use
Same here!
Not sure if this would warrant a video but would love to know how others deal with hand and finger pain. These 61 year old hands want to knit but some days it hurts
Learn to knit and purl Norwegian way, working on the very tips of the needles with minimum hand movement!
ask Patty always comes up with great little tips
I’m confused about color dominance – and I’m not even sure it’s something that I need to know, but it sounds important for color work. Thanks.
I agree with the Kitchener and increase suggestions that others have made. I would also appreciate short-row and brioche videos!
All kinds of short rows-and how to switch them. I’ve only mastered (ha) GSRs.
I find the provisional cast on video at your ‘How to’ site the best I’ve ever used. I refer back to that video all the time.
Kitchener stitch and M1R and M1R are bookmarked in my phone… ALWAYS need a review YouTube of those.
Kitchener for the win! M1L/M1R and SSK!
These last 3 come up so frequently I’m not sure why they don’t stick in the brain but they don’t!
Short rows & Kitchener stitch
Different types of cast ons and cast offs and when best to use them, would be great.
I need help with weaving in. I am always afraid my items might start to unravel after I give them as presents or donate to charity.
Provisional cast on simplified for sure!
Neat edge techniques. I’m kind of always fumbling around with those.
The stretchy bind off! I always have to go look that up. Seeing a quick video of any technique always helps!
Would love to have a handy dandy compendium of stretchy bindoffs and cast ons all in one place! Also some comments on when to use each one.
I have to look up m1r and m1l every. single. time. Also Kitchener stitch, though I use that less often.
Kitchener & M1R & M1L.
Restaurant language reminded me of my waitress days- “thousand on a plate”!
I am always forgetting the difference between M1R and M1L. Life was a lot easier when I only had to deal with M1
Brioche knitting, double knitting and steeking are in my knitting bucket list.
My photography bucket list includes improving my project and stash photographs – so there’s some cross- over action.
Short rows, knitted lace cast on, MAGIC LOOP
I am always confused when it comes to knitting a sweater in the correct size. A video showing positive ease, and some tricks to make sure the finished item has a nice fit would be very helpful. Thank you.
I would like to see picking up stitches along a variety of knit fabrics. Stockinette and garter, sure. But please add textured patterns, colorwork, and lace. All in one place.
“The magic of Magic loop” or “All about gauge” would be good videos to include. Also, for those that commented about M1R or M1L I remember those because M1R starts in the Rear of the stitch. (Right = Rear Both start with “R”)
Having trouble with Magic Loop. When to use it, when it doesn’t work
Kitchener stitch! I have it I a dozen places and still have trouble with it.
Tubular cast on and bind off please
I would love to see jobless join when doing stripes, as I’ve made a mess of a sweater for my husband. And Double knitting would be great. I bought yarn and the patter for a huge shawl a few years ago, and it just sits,waiting……
Jogless join! I second that. I can never even remember what it’s called. (And my phone wanted to call it “joyless.”)
I cord bind off and Make 1’s
Always have to look them up.
Kitchener stitch, stretchy bind off for sure, and cabling without a cable needle – I always need a refresher for that one.
How to mend holes in knitting . . I’d love to see videos of how to do it freehand as well as using a darning egg or mending loom.
Kitchener, brioche, seaming, weaving in ends and all the great suggestions so far. Thanks MDK!
I’m in the same boat of casting on multiple times but binding off only one in a blue moon! What other tutorial do I need? Easy! The next thing that stumps me in my knitting… go figure. Sorry I can’t be more precise. Imagine having my brain. Ugh.
Seaming please!! I have 6 sections of a blanket I made in beautiful Nori Silk Garden that I’ve had for years but I’m afraid to seam it- I need a good video on the options and what they look like finished.
German short rows, brioche, herringbone stitch, best way to pick up stitches. Would like to practice so I have more confidence in doing all these things!
please do a Kitchener stitch.
I’m hopping on the M1R and M1L bandwagon, I can not remember which is through the front or through the back.
Anything to do with working with more than one color – stranded colorwork, twisted, slip stitch, and oh my intarsia!
I agree Kitchener stitch is a great one, I would love some of the other types of binding off that I don’t use all of the time like Icord, German long tail (I think) as well as some of the more complicated cast on types, seaming garments together (tricks of the trade) reading patterns or charts
The differences between different short row techniques!
Provisional cast-on. I get it wrong every. Single. Time.
Kitchener! Always need to review that one.
Weaving in ends. I am always uncertain the “right” way to do it.
Magic loop. Once you figure it out it has to be better than multiple needles!
Tricks-for-keeping track of where you are in a pattern.
Different types of cast ons and bind offs and when you want to use them as well as a guide to seaming would be helpful.
How to correctly count stitches when drinking wine 🙂
Do stitches REALLY matter when you are drinking wine??
Something on basic Brioche stitches would be helpful!
M1R m1L or kitchner I can never remember the correct direction
Kitchener- I can follow the written directions just fine but would love to see how someone else gets the tension of that stitch just right. I always have to pull some slack out and usually make a mess of it.
Short row RS of work and short row on WS of work.
Thanks for asking for suggestions! Here are my “never can remember” techniques, that I’d use more often if I didn’t have to go searching for them:
–elastic cast on
–elastic bind off
–German short rows
Another vote for Kitchener!!
German show rows, have to look it up every darn time!
FYI—both of your app links go to Google Play.
Ripping back and not losing stitches – being able to confidently pick up the newly exposed stitches
Glad to see so many people ask for Kitchener stitch. Now I don’t feel so dumb
Magic loop and Kitchener
How to pick up stitches–vertical to horizontal, horizontal to vertical, and on a slant. Mine often look wonky.
It would be helpful to have one on different types of increase and decreases and when to use which one.
I would like a video on picking up stitches for a button band.
A video of tubular cast on. It’s an amazing technique but I find it very difficult.
Magic loop and short rows. I love the convenience of having the skill set on my phone and not having to lug technique books in my knitting bag.
Choosing the best cast on/bind off for any given project. Tubular cast on, Kitchener stitch obviously , brioche, different ways of holding yarn for color work
Slipping stitches… beginning of row, when being done for different purposes
Another vote for the Kitchner stitch. Short rows would also be helpful.
Now off to find the app!
Kitchener of course!
Can I suggest two? Fair isle knitting. Or short rows.
Pockets for top down cardigans or how to add a pocket, pros/cons of different types.
All of the aforementioned! I thought it was only me!
Short rows Why I cant get that put in my memory bank is beyond me.
I cord bind off and attached icord make me stop and find a ref – be it hardcopy or talkie!
How about a video for neatening up the end of bind-offs?
Patty Lyons has already done this for us.
So any, but short rows goes right to the top of my list. More and more patterns seem to feature them, not to mention sock heels etc. and it would be so useful for a beginner knitter to know how to make foolproof short rows.
I have an Android phone but the app recipient I have in mind has an iPhone. Whee!
Yes to tutorials for Kitchener Stitch, jogless stripes (esp in baby sweaters), hidden short row turns, and on the fly measurement conversions (no ruler, but you have a dollar bill, iPhone, or credit card—how long are they?).
Oh yes – I’ve been jonesing for that Skill Set Tote for AGES!!!!! (all fingers and toes crossed – not my eyes tho cuz that just hurts!). I’m going to suggest casting on toe-up socks for Magic Loop. Socks are my go-to travel project, and I love Magic Loop for making them two-at-a-time, toe up, so I can use up all my yarn and make sure any stripes line up etc. But casting on for that is a pain, and I always have to search out the tute to get me started. It would be so lovely to just hop onto the Skill Set app and painlessly pop those stitches on my needles!
Videos of various decreases and increases, especially 3 stitches down to one and vice versa, would be useful to me, in order to quickly choose one to have the desired effect.
I’ve been knitting many years and only recently learned how to duplicate stitch. It’s fun and easy, and I now dream of adding fun motifs to all my FOs.
M1L and M1R. I have to look them up every single time. And also decreases, while we’re on the subject. I never remember on SSK if I slip as if to purl or slip as if to knit.
Crochet provisional cast on. I always have to look it up!
would love a video on the basics of brioche – cast on, getting started, fixing mistakes, etc.
Provisional cast on, or fixing mistakes in brioche, please!
TUBULAR CAST ON AND TUBULAR CAST OFF- 1X1 RIB AND 2X2 RIB. IS THERE A BEST METHOD OUT THERE??
Would love a video on how to use dpns!
How to elegantly weave in ends. If there is a way…..
(1.)To slip or not to slip the first stitch of a row. And when should the first stitch be slipped purlwise and when knitwise. And is there a difference when knitting garter versus stockinette. (2.) Yarnovers in all their permutations.
I prefer a tighter gauge and use smaller needles but don’t know how to adjust the pattern to accomodate.
Making your gauge work for you is done with math. Get out your calculator, and you’re good to go.
I would love different cast ons and complicated bits like Latvian Braids.
A Smart search that suggests what you may have meant by that stitch name and provides links to the suggested stitches.
Tubular or kitchner bindoff
Dropping down to fix mistakes in brioche.
For sure!
Purl through the back loop (which actually might be on the app). At least that’s what I think it is. Every time I try it, I feel as if I should be in a gymnastics class or advanced yoga pose.
Since “Kitchener stitch” has already been called out, I’ll say a video on how to avoid holes under arms of top-down sweaters.
How to make sure your knitting isn’t too tight when you do Fair Isle. So it doesn’t pull in or look wonky.
That thing that Pal Patti L taught us this week—-the jogless connecting of stitches at he beginning of a circular project! Also, how to get a keyboard to speak knitting and stop substituting the wrong thing (e.g. “jobless” for “jogless”)!
Disable autocorrect.
Also, A DG Strong-curated play list; or, if he is too busy packing, Ann S does good play lists. Hits to Knit By!
Well, if you can’t be original, be right. I would use videos of Kitchener instructions, and it would be handy to have a reminder (wouldn’t even need to be a video) of how to do M1R and M1L. And the various kinds of short rows and their advantages and disadvantages (or features?). I’ve been knitting for oh so long, but those are the things I look up.
(Also provisional cast ons, and tubular bind offs) And . . .
And here I thought I was the only one who has to look up M1R & M1L !! – – a lot.
The idea of a Bind Off file is a good one. Picking the right one makes a difference and sometimes a pattern doesn’t use the best one.
Thank you for your inspirations!
How to make smooth edges on scarves or shawls- I think it has to do with slipping stitches? There must be a formula for this and it sure would save me from a deep dive on YouTube!
Speaking!
Patty’s latest two hacks: closing the gap on German Short Rows and the Jogless Bind-off.
Tubular cast on and tubular bind off. Sewn bind off would be very handy, too!
1-row buttonholes! I always have to look it up!
Channel Island Cast On!
Thank you!
Another Kitchener vote. Plus maybe the Ask Patty joyless join from last week— brilliant!
Please is there an easy way to master Kitchener stitch? I’ve made a few cowls and have joined them but it just never looks good so I don’t wear them. HELP!
Kitchener stitch! I’ve been knitting for 12 years & I still have to look it up, Every. Single. Time.
An app to keep track of project ideas and WIPs
a ranking of bind offs; from most stretchy to least
How to prevent ladders
I’m sure others have said, but défini Kitchener stitch – I always need to look that bad boy up. Every. Single. Time. Also, stretchy (but not too stretchy) bind off options.
Remembering the sequence in Japanese short rows…such a lovely outcome but lots of grumbling to get there….
Short row details for each variation, lifted increases, Kitchener bind off, jogless join—the things I don’t do often enough to memorize. Which of course is different for everyone! 😉
Kitchener stitch bind-off with a darning needle. I recently finished a sweater that used that technique on the sleeves and at the neck and it nearly did me in. Help!
Short Rows!
I-cord cast on and bind off.
Absolutely all things short rows!
I would like to see a technique video on double knitting a pattern design of two colors in the round
A “formula” for sock knitting. For example, if 64 st are cast on, give numbers for short row heel. Also shoe size and sock length chart would be handy dandy.
I also vote for Kitchener stitch!
I would love a variety of cast-on and bind-offs.
I would like to see videos on steeling. All the different ways to do it.
I have never been successful with a Kitchener stitch. Short rows are scary. When I have a project that calls for M1L & M1R, I write the formula at the top of my project page: M1L – F to B, M1R – B to F. That way I know which direction to pick up the strand between. Works for me.
Creating perfect seams in garments. Seams that lie flat and look like they’re meant to be, rather than the rolled wonky edges that I end up with – some peeking outside the garment, some inside (I used to say that was proof that it was created by hand but few of my gift recipients really bought it even though they nodded and sometimes managed to look pleased).
I would like a video on the jogless stripe for both knit and purl rows. I never remember this technique
I always need to look up the sewn tubular bind off, a favorite of mine. Love your Snippets, I’ve learned a lot for a beginner knitter. Thanks.
It’s probably been mentioned 100 times, but the start of Kitchener graft would be nice. Also, any cast on technique such as long tail with space and long tail in pattern. How about cable cast on? There are quite a few that would be handy to have.
Comparing the various styles of knitting and beyond English and Continental, such as Portuguese, Asian (clockwise vs, counterclockwise wraps), as well as others which don’t come to mind at the moment.
A good stretchy bind off for toe up socks, please.
Comparing cast-on methods and showing how they make a difference and why a knitter would choose one over another.
The set-up row(s) for brioche both in the round and flat would be awesome. I love brioche, but I always have to go find my book and look those up. If you ever get to adding dying into the app, a handy chart with the generic mordant per dyestuff, conversions, etc. would also be swell.
intarsia in the round….there is only one video out there. And 1 x 1 ribbing kitchener. Thanks for asking!
Yes. Short rows.
Provisional cast on please
$10?
Different styles of cast ons
I am in agreement with all the suggestions here. Especially a simple stitch and row counter, that would be wonderful. There are many apps out there that offer this but I just haven’t found the right fit yet!
Avoiding the jog on stripes. I don’t do it often enough to remember!
Hi!
I would like to see more information on steeking. In particular, I would like to learn how to add a steek to a cardigan pattern to avoid endless purling. How do I know where to add it, for example ?
Thanks!
Kitchener
I’m in agreement with the Kitchener stitch as well as making a smooth joining in the round-I always have to google it -would be nice to know it’s one place where I can find it quickly!
Tubular cast-on and bind-off are two I always need to watch.
How to sub short-row techniques. It seems like it should be easy, but I always end up overthinking it when I want to use, say, German short rows instead of the pattern’s w&t.
More seaming and more short rows please.
Oops! There’s an error in my knitting several rows down…stockinette isn’t an issue, but videos on the “special” situations. Edges of the rows, lace stitches, when increases/decreased are involved, cables!, colorwork, etc.
Tubular cast on, Jeny’s stretchy bind off, and M1L and M1R, please!
Kitchener stitch
Double knitting please
I gifted the book to a newbie knitting friend, because (a) distance and (b) Covid. It would be like I was there helping her!
M1L, M1R…please and thanks.
I agree with Kitchener stitch in all forms, knit to knit, garter to garter…… perfect for when I finish something away from home
Kitchener stitch. Always need to look look that up.
Maybe you already have this but… a quick brioche review! I’ve done it before but I need a quick demo reminder everytime!
“invisible “ cast on
A couple things I find I continually have to look up: techniques to avoid “ears” in finishing a sock toe, and avoiding “holes” in various short row methods.
Adding new colors would be helpful.
Brioche help! I dropped a stitch in brioche and never figured out how to correctly pick it up through a few rows.
Like many I would love to have a video for Kitchener or my second choice would be Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off. Both I find I have to look up before using even though I have done them a ton of times.
Tubular cast on, I like it but always have to watch a video, and tubular bind off. Also the fix for short rows shown in photos on MDK last week.
I look up increases and decreases more often than I care to admit to. I know how to do them just not which is appropriate to what application.
And Kitchener, of course.
I-cord bind off. I love how it looks but it takes a lot of searching around on the internet and questioning “are you sure that’s how it’s done?!”, then stops and starts and undoing and giving up in frustration. If it was included in Skill Set #2 app, narrated with Kay’a calm voice, I could finish a project right away, rather than adding it to the “I’ll finish that later” pile.
All those finicky cast-ons for toe-up socks.
M1L, M1R and the Kitchener stitch. Yep!
I find the Icelandic Bind Off very useful. That would make a great video.
An app that will take my wonderfully brilliant ideas for new knitting projects and turn them into a finished product upon push of my fingertip!
Mosaic knitting
The one skill I am always looking for a reminder for is casting on for a perfect ribbed knit hat. A cast on that gives the hat a more beautiful hem line (if that’s what you call a beginning row on a hat) and more stretch (that allows the darn thing to slip more easily down over the ears). I learned this once in a knitting class but don’t use it often enough to remember. Or did I learn this in a dream and there really is no such thing. ♀️
This technique would come in super handy when
Christmas time comes, when I begin pumping out all these toques, as we say in Canada , for grand babies, nephews, nieces and all the men in my life. ♥️
I would join the Kitchener crowd. Although a collection with all the weird and rarely used ways to cast on would also be helpful…
M1L and M1R get me every time! I have to watch the video with every round.
Tubular cast on and bind off would be great!
German twisted cast-on, tubular cast on
How about help for closing those pesky holes that appear in places where there are ‘corners’ like where the heel of a sock meets the instep – or at underarm joins? Thanks!
#%%*#+%=%*#*%=#+%*#=%*#+%=#+%+#=%+#
My knitting NEMESIS, the DARTH VADER of knitting techniques – Kitchener stitch – and do it for the LEFTHANDED KNITTER!!!
#*%=%*}%+#*^+#*%+}*%=%*#+^+#*^=%+^+%=^+
A great technique is to seam in Irish moss or other filler stitches used in Aran Sweaters. I figured it out when I made this Aran Sweater for my son. https://www.ravelry.com/projects/heyKerrianne/aran-sweater-mhk-l3
I couldn’t find any tutorials for seaming a fabric other than stockinette.
It was liberating when I figured it out. I could now teach it. I will be using it in a Norwegian reverse stockinette sweater next!
Another vote for Kitchener, plus other approaches to grafting in different situations (stockinette to garter, linen stitch, etc.)
such good ideas! I would love tips on keeping yarns untangled when using multiple colors. thanks!
Any or all of these would be essential.
weaving in the ends…
I always have to look up M1R and M1L. Cannot remember which is which.
Color planning and coordination
Cables without a cable needle!
A technique video on polishing up fair isle skills… even stitches, dominant color, yarn management, avoiding ladders, joining new colors… a best of brilliant tips and tricks for fair isle.
I have to look up kitchener stitch each and every time I need it. Every Single Time. That’s one tutorial I’d use over and over again!
OH…M1R and M1L would also be very handy to have quick access to. That’s another one that I have to refresh in my brain every time I use it, which is a lot!
German short rows
How to do button holes!
Stretchy cast on and bind off.
It’s not a video, but it would be wonderful to have purchased patterns on the app! Then I could really get rid of paper patterns. Maybe just the Field Guide patterns to start, but the future is bright!
I would love to see a video of the German Twisted Cast On. It looks similar to one of the methods I use but there is that little twisty part that I can’t quite pull off!
I would love to have a german short row video at my ready every other sock or so. The darn START eludes me every time.
How to bring in colors when you’re doing stranded colorwork so the appropriate color is prominent and you don’t have holes, please!
I would like a video that’s shows the best jogless stripe technique please!
Kitchener for sure. But the M1R/M1L and where/which edge to use them would be a great idea.
There are probably a lot of folks who have optimistically produced all kinds of squares, using diverse leftover yarns and patterns, and are now having trouble closing their closet doors. Ergo – techniques for joining squares, knitting edgings, making mitred corners.
How do i sign up for the give away?
I would love a section on yarn – I know – not a small topic! But…when I was first learning how to knit I got so confused by worsted, sport, fingerling, sock….
video – double knitting basics – may be too complicated for one video tho
Yet another vote for Kitchener!
The different techniques for casting on and binding off. I recently started a sweater pattern that called for a long-tailed tubular cast on and then a bind off. I’m an experienced knitter and even after reading instructions and viewing videos, I was still at a loss as to how to do that technique.
I need a technique video on substituting different yarns than directions are written for.
Beginner brioche would be great!
Picking up stitches from sides and from cast-on/bound off edges.
If only someone had told me to make my little scarf and put it away, then come back after the second or third and see the improvements! It would have been great to have that validation that I can knit. As it happened for me, this lefty knitter ended up ripping the whole thing out and didn’t come back for a couple of years.
As for a skill set for beginners, the app covered most of the basics with perhaps the exception of taking your time, get your preferred beverage, background noise from Masterpiece, and get into the rhythm of the yarn and the needles.
I would love a comparison of different cast-ons. Why is one better than another for this or that project? And which ones can be interchangeable?Another way of asking this–why can’t I use a knitted cast on for everything?
I vote for provisional cast on and how to remove it.
I need a video for the kitchner stitch and for M1L and M1R. I never remember them and have to look up every tume
The Kitchener Stitch. You plug in the number of stitches on the needles, and a calming, confident voice repeats the sequence over and over until you have worked all of the stitches. Oh! and it comes with a cone of silence so you are absolutely NOT DISTURBED until your mission is complete.
I have 2 techniques, I’m constantly looking up: Joining in the round and Kbfb (a make 1 or 2 stitches deal) a double increase. The definition Knit into the back & then the front & back of the stitch. Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!
After all the baby blankets (really not a huge number) and lapghans I’ve made, I’m using an applied I-cord to finish the edges of a temperature blanket that I ended up using different yarns on that made for uneven side edges.. A tutorial on this might be nice, I know I discovered it at the right time cause my first attemp was unsatisfactory …I got impatient and sloppy, but I’ve become a better knitter and was willing to rip the whole thing out to redo it for nicer results. But I wish I had known of this finishing method earlier in my knitting experience. Thanks
Tubular cast-ons for ribbing! Just can’t…
I want it for my 8 year old granddaughter.
Brioche please.
Garter stitch grafting is the one that I am constantly looking up.
Jenny’s stretchy cast-on would be my choice.
A brioche video would be so handy!
Tubular cast on and bind off, please!
I have a hard time maintaining gauge when working with two or mote colors – it would be nice to have a technique video to help improve my skill in this area
I’d like to see advanced techniques including Kitchener and alternate cast off…like stretchy and I-cord.
I would like a skill video for resolving short rows in the round… that I could refer to every time… (for the side of the heel different from flat)
Choosing cast ons & bind offs.
The many variations of SSK…. I’m learning there are alternatives that look better than the original.
I would like to know how to have a video showing how to work an I-cord edging up the sides of a scarf, as you knit. Hope you decide to add this technique to video tutorials. Thanks!
Joglesss
Join or a Latvian braid
Getting stitches back on your needle after a provisional cast-on. I can never get that right and haven’t found a video yet that shows it well.
M1L and M1R. I’ve done them a million times but always need a reminder. Also, short tutorials ftw! (Or at least a minute indication for where the meat of the technique is.) Even as a beginner, I find most knitting tutorials don’t get to the point until at least 3 minutes in.
I find myself always looking up how to join in the round as there is one technique that I love. . . you would think I could remember it but I can’t!
I would join the kitchener stitch chorus but it’s so overdone :). If not that, cast ons and bind offs and clues in the pattern about which to use.
German Short Rows need some love. Don’t bother with the other types of short rows – those are REALLY too much for me. But when I can remember how to do them, the German ones work just fine.
Provisional Cast on technique is a technique I would find helpful.
I am so new I don’t know what I need! But I would like to see invisible decrease type stuff.
Lifted increases, please!
Short rows and Kitchener or other grafting methods get my Vite!
Paired decreases and increase. Always have to check when they show up in a new pattern
Kitchener stitch! And M1L and M1R.
Just license the Lorilee Beltman kitchener video and you’ll be away laughing
Kitchener stitch. I never remember how to do it and have to look it up each and every time I need it.
Seaming, please! I fudge my way through but my seams are best viewed from a distance. Also if there is a trick to Kitchener without having a goofy loose stitch at the end.
Buttonhole finishing
Left and right twists to make those cute small cables.
Do you have jogless striping? I have a paper with the instructions around here somewhere.
Go back to Barbara Walker or Elizabeth and their instructions for Kitchener Stitch – I knew it immediately….. On the front needle, you are looking at the right side and so you use your darning needle and “knit the knits and purl the purls”, but on the back needle, you are looking at the back of the knit fabric and so you use the darning needle to “purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches”.
I’d really like a video of weaving in ends on various patterns. I’m reasonably good at it, but sometimes my ends pop through, especially when I use heavier yarns.
Definitely Kitchener!
Paired Cast-ons, Cast-offs – that match, of course.
Cecelia C. picking up a dropped stitch of sequence knitting 4 or 5 rows back. And on the 3 stitch increase or decrease ar the ends in particular. Marlogram mistake any one (else)???
Different types of bind offs. The super stretchy one, icord, etc.
Would love a Skill Set for sewing seams if there’s not one already. I mightily when I need to do one. I’d rather knit in the round to avoid seams but would like to see nice, clean ones when I do.
I’d love to see stretchy bind-off techniques, and in-depth turkish cast-on for toe-up socks.
The different stretchy cast-ons, and when to use them.
Knitted provisional cast on. It’s not that I’m terrified of a crochet hook (I am), but I don’t own many (because I’m terrified of them)z
I vote for provisional cast on using a crochet hook. Also, a video showing the magic knot (I know it’s blasphemy!) Thanks!
Tubular cast on and bind offs always send me to google. Kitchener is a must!
I’d rather eat fried cheese than jog–sooooo how about a video of jogless joins for both casting on and binding off in the round. Patty Lyons describes it, but, well, I really need to see it. Maybe Seth Myers would demonstrate it.
Setting in sleeves especially if the pattern has an error.
I never remember Kitchener stitch. I would also love an explanation in the differences between the many types of short rows and when to use them
Kitchenering. Various short row techniques. Stretchy bind offs and cast ons. Two handed color work.
German Short Rows without the hole. I forget & have to look it up – every single time.
I just completely fell in love with a project (search Stars in your Hands on Ravelry) that has crochet bobbles. What?! Little help please. 🙂
I have to echo others with kitchener stitch. I can never remember it & I have done it so many times. It is a mental block for me I guess…
More Cast on/Cast off options. I find myself using the same familiar one no matter what the pattern calls for and sometimes that causes a bit of disappointment with the FO.
I always forget how and why to use M1 R or L. that would be most helpful
The one I need most is the stretchiest bind off instructions! Always have to look it up. It is like I haven’t done it hundreds of times.
When knitting in the round, how to join rows, especially with colorwork, without that little annoying “jog” stitch.
How to shorten sleeves once the project is finished!!!
Kitchener graft. I never can remember it.
I’m joining in with The Kitchener stitch – always a struggle. Also, stretchy cast on and the I-cord cast off. What is the Finchley Graft????
The best way to add new colors depending on the knitting situation.
I cord, kitchener stitch, and increases and decreases
I see many other folks have already suggested the Kitchener stitch. I don’t think I’ve ever done it correctly.
M1L M1R and any guide to left or right slanting increases.
German short rows. I have to look them up every time.
Please, please, please, the methods for jogless stripes in the round – can NEVER remember them!
Hi! What I always have to look up is “ssk”. Never know if you’re supposed to come from behind/in front, etc. Literally, every time I see it in directions, I have to find a video – then write it on the margin of the pattern I’m using.
I would like a short row or brioche technique video.
Definitely Kitchener. Seems I always need a reminder
I always need refreshes on Brioche knitting.
Clear drawn out instructions for Kitchener Stitch would be helpful. I have to look it up every time.
Definitely Kitchener and M1R, M1L, plus all the cast-ons and bind-offs!
New knitters might like to know how they can put in a lifeline in case they mess up on a tricky part.
Would like to see videos of matching cast ons & bind offs. Thanks jeri
How to accurately swatch for socks.
Team (or is that Army?) Kitchener
The short row that we should go to every time.
How to keep woven in ends from coming back to life later!
Kitchener is such a good idea, I agree with that. All thing brioche would be awesome too: basic stitches, increases and decreases, etc.
How to pick up stitches around an armhole before knitting the sleeve from top to bottom. Or picking up stitches for the button band on a cardigan.
I’d like lessons for using circs for socks!
The bind off loosely thing by Patty that I have to look at every time I finish something!
How to pick up stitches, or finishing videos would be my top requests
Cast ons and paired cast offs, like German twisted and cable cast ons.
It’s taken me way too long to get a little, not completely, comfortable with knitting through the back loop. I think tips for that would be appreciated by newer knitters…. Am I the only one who always had to try about five times before getting the needle through that loop?
My ideas for apps: making a bobble, short rows.
Is there REALLY a way to easily “unzip” a provisional cast on? I have never done it correctly so that the the loops “just pop up” & slide onto the needle. I need this skill badly. Thanks. Love these clever and funny articles.
Judy’s Magic Cast On!
Mattress stitch!
Kitchener for garter stitch! Jeez, that one’s harder to remember
Joining in the round without a jog; binding off I bathe round without a jog
Kitchener stitch, provisional cast on and mattress stich
Doing increases along the edges of a lace panel. Are there any hints on how to work the increased stitches in and maintain the lace pattern?
Joining techniques ….for blankets made from a lot of little squares
How to notice and fix mistakes in knitting
Probably too complicated, but brioche is terrifying. Could really need some help with that —- especially how to fix problems. Maybe make this a separate app.?
Brioche and then fixing brioche
Short rows!
Alternating cable cast on shown with Continental knitting. Even better, the Norwegian version, which I hear is slightly different.
I am a reluctant app user. I much prefer paper print but your mention of an app that keeps track of what books you have peaked my interest
I have to look up and look up again (as much for confidence as anything) Kitchener stitch & tubular cast-on and bind-off.
Stretchy bind off please!
A technique video on seaming a garment would be most helpful. This is something I get to VERY rarely and can’t quite master.
Hi, Marilyn and congratulations! Please check your email for a prize notification email from moderndailyknitting.com. Thanks! Cristina for MDK
Totally tubular, man
How about an app to tell you when you’ve bought too much yarn?
Just kidding.
German cast on is useful, but I always have to look it up.
I can never remember how to catch my floats. I’m good with single color, but starting a new color always leaves me looking for help.
It’s gratifying to read the comments and realize it’s not just me who can’t remember M1L and M1R !
I’m still very much a beginner to knitting so some exciting beginners things to learn that are creative and different would be amazing. Also the anatomy of stitches as such as I still struggle sometimes to work out rows.
Some stretchy bind offs would be great.
A video about the best way to join a new ball of yarn based on the weight of the yarn in use.
Absolutely Kitchener stitch! Also, all of the various increases and all of the stretchy bind-offs.
Brioche- I still haven’t done it:-( must learn!
There’s a great video for tubular cast-on where you cast on 1/2 +1 stitches with waste yarn, knit 3 rows of purl stitch, and pick up the purl ridges as knit stitches to create k1,p1 ribbing. Don’t even know what this is called but it looks great when completed.
A handy reminder for Kitchener, short row techniques, bind offs, cast ones…
Help determining the length of yarn you need for long tail cast on.
Hi, not writing for the prize this time (dang, I forgot to ask for the red MDK journal for Christmas that you used as a prize once…well there is my birthday), jjust amused by your backgammon comments. Maybe you just don’t have the backgammon gene, er, right app. I would need any of those app just to remember how to play the game!
A tutorial for avoiding holes in the underarms of a sweater. I’m new to sweater making and am trying to avoid this!
German short row technique – it’s so easy and so neat – much better than wrap and turn. Everyone needs it in their kit bag!
Kitchener!
I always need help with Brioche increases and decreases.
i can never remember how to start kitchener, especially for anything that’s not stockinette. a quick video for each type of combo (knit to purl, knit to knit, etc) would be super helpful!
I’m sure 90% of your responses will be the forever befuddling Kitchener Stitch. We all struggle to remember! In addition to that, my best find lately is how to cable without a cable needle. I was amazed at how easy it is and not-so-scary after you try it a few times.
How to prevent those pesky under the arm holes when knitting in the round. I have tried several methods but i still seem to get holes that I just got back and close up when I am weaving in ends.
Definitely Kitchener stitch. I have to pull up a video to refresh my memory every time I do it.
Short rows!
Brioche, converting wrap and turn to German short rows, and seaming. Many other things would be great, but these are high on my list!
For me I look up short rows and unique cast on techniques.
I’m most baffled by closed cast ons, and short row techniques. I’ve used both, but always forget how to do them.
Cast-ons OTHER than long tail. And short rows – they can be tricky going back over the wraps.
Short rows!
I agree with all on the dreaded K stitch and the M1 stitches, and how about heels in socks? I can never remember what goes first.
The technique we all need a reminder of: Kitchener Stitch!
There are too many to name! But I guess I’d go with the stretchy bind off!
Cable cast on/ bind off would be great.
a technique video showing the Kitchener stitch.
I’m working on something now and M1R and M1L are the bane of my existance.
Please demonstrate all skills/stiches/techniques with an version for continental knitters.
I would love reminder/video for all the ways to join a new ball of yarn AND one for alternating skeins.
How about brioche technique please.
As for the video: I can’t find a good video showing how to fix a dropped stitch in a Fisherman’s rib. I’ve asked BT and Purl Soho to produce but so far, no answer. Please, please make one!
Different cast-on techniques. I can do the long-tail all day everyday, but all those others stump me every dang time and no matter the instructions, I have to find a youtube video to show me what to do.
All of the different types of short rows, disambiguated please!
M1R and M1L
Neaten bindoff
I want all of the hacks and tips.
I think Brioche.
Kitchener not a bad idea…but how about Tubular Cast On/Bind-Off?? So tired of having to write it up my arm to follow…while on the plane!!
I think it might already exist somewhere, but I’d love a video on the complete process of steeking.
And,,,OMG, it was on my phone before I finished the article!! Can we make that happen for yarn?? xoxo
I need a review of the Kitchener stitch!
Sewing together knitting fabrics when making a garment. That really scares me.
Oh of course Kitchener! I am probably not spelling it correctly. Every time I use that stitch I have to look it up.
Techniques that make my day… Judy’s Magic Cast on for toe up socks and socks on 2 circular needles. Once the teacher explai Ed that the working yarn always stays to the right hand I was suddenly able to understand the making
There’s a good mnemonic device for Kitchener stitch, but (as with all mnemonic devices) I’ve forgotten what it is.
Jogless stripes and carrying yarn neatly for circular projects.
Hoe to count stitches after a glass of wine!
Different ways to do short rows, and why and when you would use the
I would love an app to remind me how to kitchener a sock. Also, one that would stay open long enough to do it a couple of times.
Well M1L and M1R would be my first choice as I do forget which is which front door and be back have not helped followed closely by Kitchener and stretchy bind off. I just do them often enough to aggravate myself.
Converting patterns between dpns and magic loop!
I’m such a beginner that I don’t even know what to ask for. Beginner friendly with supportive messages telling me “that I’ve got this.”
The many iterations of M1L and M1R. Or for that matter, the maze of increase options in general. I never can remember the perfect one for the perfect need!
All Knitters should be good at “pick up and knit” – not to be confused with “pick up” or “knit up”!
M1L, M1R, the Kitchener stitch and jogless stripes. As long as we are doing those might as w3ll ad provisional cast-on too.
DG, do you have an app with the recipe for your favorite “app”, the potato skins and fried cheese??? It would be perfect for our next knit afternoon!!
Love your writing – thanks for keeping us thinking and laughing!
Paired and centered increases and decreases (left-leaning, right-leaning, symmetrical) would be very useful but a few nice stretchy bind-offs would be fantastic.
I would love to see something about doing button holes. why one would work better on some types of yarn and/or pattern then another one.
A one stop shop for finishing. Seaming, weaving ends, blocking.
I agree with all the people who said Kitchener tutorials are the most useful, but I think steeking is the most terrifying because it involves cutting and is permanent. You can redo a messed up Kitchener graft but a steek is forever.
Invisible increase; short rows using the double stitch (knitting into the stitch below); picking up the right number of stitches
I need this 1st:
A note to self, why I bought this yarn and this many balls of it. What was I planning to knit? What pattern or field guide?
Too many WIP!
Make 1 right and left
I can never remember how to increase, any of the techniques would be good to have on standby. M1R, Inc1, yo, etc.
Cast-ons paired with visually matching cast-off. I am never happy with what I choose so end up ripping out cast-offs on almost every project.
I think you knitters are great. When I look at your knitting and your accomplish projects. It must be great even though it’s the pandemic (?) to be able to knit (or crochet) and let yourself feel emotions that comes through your writings and knitting! It’s a great life to be a survivor. God bless you.
I need the definitive video for brioche. Looked at a lot of current ones and was not pleased.
Thanks for asking.
Garter tab cast on! Working down the sides confuses the heck out of me.
Turning the heel of a toe up sock.
I’d love a tutorial on best practices for weaving in ends!
Brioche for the newbie… flat or in the round to start? I want to make a simple 2-colour bowl. (Does the word ‘simple’ and ‘brioche’ belong in the same sentence????
How about an app that lets you take a shot of your ball band when you buy it and it puts the yarn, qty, and color in a digital record of your stash. Of course it would have the ability to sort by weight, color, or brand! Come on it can’t be that hard…
I’m a newer knitter so anything works for me at this time. I love all your books and information and this app is such a GREAT help for all of us. Thank you
I agree M1R, M1L, and Kitchener
Loose bind off techniques!
Smoothest way to join yarn when you have to start another skein of same color or new color. Also, the Kitchener stitch would be great. I find myself looking it up in a book every single time.
I would love to see a tutorial for AVOIDING underarm holes, instead of just having to go back and fix them!
Just. one. place. for. all. of. the. best. tutorials. and. variations. please.
Please…brioche!
Increasing stitches and Kitchener stitch.
Buttonholes,up, down, and across. Please!
A collection of clips of how do various cast ons & bind offs and when each might be used. I can’t follow written most instructions, even with pictures, and tend to quickly forget everything except e-loop cast on and the very first bind off I learned.
Kitchener please!
Seaming and weaving in ends, please! …if you don’t already have them. Maybe I need the app
Kitchener would be the one, I get lost after a few purl & take off… thanks
Would love a video on measuring gauge!
Sterling please, live and for reals.
Italian cast on – or whatever name it is
I’ll agree with previous comments about Kitchener stitch being difficult to remember. I have to Google it every time I see it in the instructions. Also any tips or tricks for weaving ends in is always welcome!
Provisional cast on using a knitting needle and crochet hook. Not the one that uses the back loops of a pre-formed crochet chain.
The channel cast on and something on tubular cast ons. New skills are cool!
All the ideas above are great. You could add a Skill Set II that includes twists, cables, faire isle, intarsia and brioche. To the basic set a discussion of straight needles vs knitting in the round.
Best way to join yarn and weave in ends.
The after-thought heel for socks.
I’d like to change my answer- stranded knitting but one-handed/Continental-only with holding needles the “Norwegian way”.
Different stitch patterns for heel flaps. I only ever remember the slip one knit one pattern, and I’m too intent on just getting the flap done to go look up another pattern, like Eye of Partridge.
I would love a video on stranded knitting. I have such a problem with tension.
Two handed color work video would be great. I know there are several out there, but yours would be a lot more fun.
Definitely Kitchener Stitch! My index card instructions is bruised, my bag with the instructional imprint is never handy…I would love a EASY way to remember it, a poem, an acronym, something like a jingle?
Tubular cast on please and thank you.
So many great suggestions for videos! I would love ones on Kitchener stitch, short rows, increasing and decreasing options, provisional cast on, and bind off variations.
One of the most valuable knitting techniques I’ve learned was from the owner of a local yarn store years ago. I was making a tubular scarf for a gift and was so frustrated by the ladders that formed when moving from one DPN to the next. No matter how tightly I wrapped the yarn on the first stitch, I still got ladders. She showed me that it’s easiest to knit two stitches on the new needle and then pull tight on the working yarn to snug up those stitches before moving on. It worked like a charm!
I’ve never had issues with ladders since then. I had been ready to give up on that project, but after she showed me the snugging technique, it was smooth sailing. I actually prefer to work on DPNs rather than using other methods for knitting in the round because I find it so easy now.
I’ve never seen that tip to snug up the yarn on the second stitch in any technique books (although I certainly have not looked at every single book!). I’ve only ever seen admonishments to wrap the yarn tightly to avoid ladders, which obviously didn’t work for me. Perhaps the technique is intuitive for others, but it certainly wasn’t for me.
Picot bind off! Still haven’t been able to master that but I would like to soon.
Kitchener stitch!
Like many here, I always need a refresh on grafting! I’d also love videos for different sorts of grafting, not just stockinette. How do I graft garter? What about ribbing?
(I try to avoid the K word as the actual human it’s named after was deeply atrocious. If you need a little snippet of how, the phrase concentration camps should get you started. He used them for Boer civilians and also practiced a scorched earth policy, and all this was back at the turn of the 20th century.)
M1L and M1R and what I would really love? a place to match colors up. (Neighborhood Fibers has a place on their website to put skeins of colors together to see how they look. it’s amazing!!)
How to properly catch a float!
I echo short rows!
I always mess up my garments when I assemble them. All that joyful knitting and then the garment sits, finished and unwearable. Bulky seams ruin it. I would love to learn how to assemble garments so that I can wear what I knit! Thank you!
I always have to look up grafting. Every. Single. Time.
What to do with all your tiny leftover bits of yarn.
Would love to see the tip on how to not get that big gaping loop when you tie off the last stitch of a bind off. I seem to remember you dip into the stitch below somehow but never remember it. Also like others said, M1R and M1L. Thank you!
Kitchener stitch. Maybe if I hear it over and over it will stick in my head
Would love to see M1L and M!R. I know how to do them and have used them often, but when the time comes – which is which?!?
How to different stitches, cast on, joining two yarns, binding off.
How about a video on how to best prep your sweater before picking up the scissors to make the steeking cut?
Hands down, how to fix dropped stitches. In dumb-dumb language, please. With super-clear visuals.
I need help in Navagation of a Pattern….I took a class on a sweater top down after my husband passed away. I had missed the last class due to whatever happened in my life. I tried to pick up and go on and cannot, I repeat…cannot Figure out where to go. The class In itself was good the Instrutor had been walking us through the pattern (with a death brains don’t work as well) I just can’t figure out in the pattern where I go next…when the pandemic hit all things stopped so the sweater still sits..it reminds me you left me here..
So if Pattern Navigation is a topic that would be nice.
Would love to see short rows!
Agree Kitchener!
The different ways to add a stitch, and when to use them.
So many good ideas. I would like to have a little technique library that links to the how-to daily posts. I go back to them all the time on my laptop but would love to have them on my phone.
How to figure short row placement for bust darts! And what IS the Finchley Graft???
Oh Help and Bother — The Kitchener Stitch, please!
I’d love to see a video that teaches backward knitting. It would be so handy to have available on my phone!
I would be interested to know the best way to teach people. Maybe the skill set would do that. I’ve been a knitter for 57 years, but I haven’t taught many who have stayed with it.
German short rows andKitchener stitch. I have to look how-tos for these up every time I need them!
I would love to see a skill set video for double knitting!
The stretchiedt cast on. Please!
Kitchener stitch. Ugh! I hate it so much. Maybe because I’m left handed…? Is there a better way for lefties to learn this beastly technique? Or am I just too resistant to doing something that gives me grouchy-face?
I would love to see information about steeking. I so want to try it but it just scares me!
I always struggle with gauge! I don’t know why or how I screw it yo but 9 times out of 10 I do!
A little video of a wrap & turn would be my go-to on an app. Once I get it back in my head I’m fine but I have to look it up each time I start a short row project. Thanks!
Make one R, Make one L. Can never remember which way it goes….
Hi. I would like to see a tutorial on brioche and double knitting. Thanks
Different ways of doing provisional cast ons. And hints on how to join for a double brim
I too have a bazzillion projects successfully cast on and … let’s say far fewer cast offs. I would love a video for a loose-cuff cast off like the one Becca taught me all those years ago, but I can never remember w/out looking up.
It would be fun to learn brioche to up our skills of knitting. There are some beautiful patterns out there too.
I’d love “how to purl through the back loop”. For some reason, I can never wrap my mind around that one. Thanks!
I would love lots of CO & BO options, as well as kitchener, and the way to convert W&T short rows to German short rows…to name a few
I think I already said it… Kitchener stitch!
Changing Raglans to set-ins.
I’d like to see a video on a super stretchy bind off, or picking up stitches to do log cabin. Thanks!
Short Rows…how to sub in the one of your choice properly for a pattern written for another type.
Compare round and square needles.
Most of my suggestions are in the comments… How about stretchy cast ons and bind offs
First sweater!! M1R, M1RP, M1L, M1RP and why do a lot of people stay away from short rows.
Hmm. Maybe a how-to plus when and why for each for different short row techniques?
Gimme a stretchy cast-on please!
To slip or not to slip first stitch of row
A video on knitting two at a time socks with a feagle heal.
Duplicate stitch! Mine never look like actual stitches
Mobius Cast on.
Sweaters and picking up stitches around the neck and splitting for sleeves…all the “easy” stuff that I love to make more difficult!
Short rows!
Adjusting tension when you’re holding yarn in continental way of knitting.
Attaching buttons
I learned brioche a few years back, but always seem to need help getting started
I always need to look up brioche between projects, specifically how to do it in the round otherwise I end up with janky jogs.