Knit Tip: Joining in the Round (without having a gap)

I've had lots of conversations with knitters about how to join in the round and how to avoid that pesky gap at the beginning of the round. Here is my preferred method of joining.

Place your stitches on circular needles or double-pointed needles. If using double-pointed needles, distribute them evenly (shown here on 3, but you can use 4 if you prefer). Note: Before you join, make sure your yarn is in the back of the work if you are starting with a knit stitch. If you are starting with a purl, place your yarn in the front. You will not be able to move the yarn after joining.

Place the first stitch from the right needle onto the left needle (Stitch A).

Pull the first stitch from the left needle (Stitch B) over Stitch A onto the right needle. Your knitting will now be joined in the round. Stitch A will the the first stitch of the round. Stitch B will the last stitch of the round. Knit normally into the first stitch.

On the Needles: Socks and Sweaters

The second annual Lakeside Fiber Retreat is behind us! I can't believe how quickly time is flying this year. We had a great time and are already making preparations for 2017. Phew!

Apart from all the organizing, coordinating, and teaching, I am glad that the retreat does actually involve some knitting time for me. I finished these socks for myself on the first night of the retreat. Midnight Sun was the January yarn club colorway, which I'll be making available to everyone in the next couple of weeks.

Immediately after casting off my socks (and before weaving in any yarn ends), I cast on a Folded sweater. I had knit one a few years ago, but it sort of met an unfortunate end and I do love the pattern. I'm using Toil & Trouble Sonnet, and the colorway is Eudora (the grandmother from the Addams' Family, if you were wondering).

Pattern: Herlighet

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with a very talented young designer. Known as the Sock Monkey, Josiah Bain is 17 years old and has an elegant and classic design aesthetic.

A few months ago, he sent me a proposal for a shawl design using Toil & Trouble Allegory. The result is Herlighet, a beautiful one-skein shawl. Josiah dedicated this design to his great-grandmother, Gloria. You can read all about his inspiration on his blog.

The shawl is cozy and elegant, using a garter-based stitch pattern. You can find it as a yarn + pattern kit on my website!