Introductions

please allow me to introduce you to Pearl, my gracious model for the next 12 months, for all the fun scarves we're going to learn to knit ... Pearl is a very quiet spirit.  She's easy to get along with, is always open to new ideas and has yet to complain about color choices, lengths or sizes of the scarves i find for her.  She looks good in just about EVERY color, though i've heard that she favors green! She's a bit on the long waisted side but then again, that just helps to actuate all the fun things that scarves can do. 

January's 1st option is a pattern i've called "Squeeze Me", based rather loosely on several scarves i've seen around town, but refuse to pay the price the stores are asking for!  I've seen this style knitted, as well as in fabric form.  Long but wide sections are divided by ribbings or sewn 'gathering' stitches that create little bubbles all the way up and down the scarf.  And what's been even more fun is actually using some of the very basic things i've learned knitting to duplicate things that are out and in the stores currently!

Knitting 2 stitches together will create the 1st decreases you'll encounter in this pattern and then Kfb will the 1st increase you'll see.  Kfb - Knit into the Front AND the back of the same stitch, making 2 stitches from a single stitch.  Instructions for this pattern can be found by clicking on the tab above labeled "String of Purls".

LOOK!  can you tell that each end is a different yarn?
that's what happens when you don't buy enough!

I've been knitting for many years now but i think this is one of the first times i've actually used things i've learned to handle the options of a new pattern - - one without any previously written directions.  And as i think about it, it's a very similar mirror to my faith ...   it's easy to have faith when going through the 'routine' parts of life, the days that seem uncomplicated and therefore "easy" to trust the Lord with all that unfolds.  However, it's on "Those" days when i can't make sense of things, when i am stuggling with the directions that i can't read or understand, that my Faith 'account' is pulled from, based on what i have invested prior to!

I would have never thought i'd make up my own version of anything knitting-wise, when i first learned to knit many years ago.  And as a young Christian i ceratinly didn't anticipate many of the unexpected forks in the road i thought i'd be traveling, and yet my faith has often been the ONLY thing that has brought consolation or direction or encouragement to me when i found myself in the midst of the unknown, or unexplainable.

Who of us does not love a good hug .. a touch of affirmation that reminds us that we are loved!  A gentle Squeeze that speaks volumes of reassurance ... a scarf that helps remind that each section of my day has a beginning AND an ending ... and that my FAITH is the ribbing that girds up each section as it unfolds.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy,

and where thieves break in and steal. 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where moth and rust do not destroy,

and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matt. 6:19-21

How to Increase withOUT that surprized look

You can knit!     You can purl [even though you may not like it as much]      . . BUT can you Increase and Decrease on PURPOSE, rather than find yourself  bewildered at the end of the row by the number of stitches that are on your needles?

Do you remember those early days when you started out with 10 stitches and just jumped right in .. happily knitting along and after a few inches felt compelled (or instructed) to assess your progress ... and you started counting ...   1     2      3     ... scooting those little stitches right over and feeling so good about what you had learned . . 6    7     8 ..... admiring how MUCH you had accomplished, gushing about how EASY it finally was and how MUCH you LOVED knitting now . . . 10     11      12    . . . .

WHAT??  13 ?   But just a row ago you had 10 !    Gotta LOVE those increases, especially the ones that sneak up on you!  But what IF you could PLAN them?  Place them exactly where you wanted them ????  It's a great concept, and one that actually WORKS very well when planned out ....  and on the "Squeeze Me" scarf each of the main sections begins with an increase from the solid ribbing section. So, here are a few options to consider with Increasing ON PURPOSE:

Backwards Loop Method

You'll see on the pattern that you should M1 - which means Make 1 extra stitch.  In order to accomplish this you could just add an extra loop by making the backwards 'e' cast on, but often times that leaves a hole at the base of that row.  If your yarn is extra bulky, then perhaps it won't show and could be a great option to use.

Another consideration is the Kfb - Knit into the Front AND the Back loop before taking it off the Left Needle.  Grab some practice yarn and after casting on 5 stitches and working in stockinette for a bit just to establish a smooth working surface, why not practice this little "twisted" motion.  Insert your right needle into the stitch just like you normally do.  Pull the loop back towards like, again just like business as usual, but DON'T pull the stitch off of the left needle yet.  Instead, with a slight twist of the wrist, insert the Right Needle into the BACK of that same Left needle stitch and knit it again. Once you have pulled the loop forward and  have it sitting comfortably on your Right Needle you can THEN pull the left stitch off and let it rest on the row below.  You may notice a slight purl bump that shows on the front of your work as a result of this stitch, but once again, depending on the weight and type of yarn, this may not be a big deal .. and serve very nicely in your knitting progress!   For great pictures and video demonstrations click here and look closely at the sampler of options for you. 

Begin your knit stitch as usual, then

with a slight twist, knit into the
BACK of the same loop

and of COURSE, there is the sneaky little Yarn Over that always works it's way in and leaves those precious little "holes" ... or opportunities to decorate - as in buttons or pretty pins - - to further 'embellish' your first attempts!   Why not save those Yarn Over's for lace - - they look GREAT when sprinkled throughout those pieces!

At this time of year when all discussion and focus is on the 'decreasing' of our waistlines, our stashes, etc, why not stop for a time and see where an Increase would be beneficial!  Perhaps increased time with the Lord would make for a great start!  A renewed sense of focus, dwelling a bit longer in His Presence in order to glean those lessons He longs to share .... more time invested will result in a keener awareness of Him when things get rough or we encounter a situation that we weren't expecting ... Increasing your faith because you've learned to recognize His hand, to rest in His promises of care and acknowledge His genuine concern for your well being.

Increases .. on purpose ..... watching the Fruit of the Spirit grow from just a bit of 'fruit salad' on your plate to a beautifully blooming orchard of opportunities to share the wealth and happiness that He has planted and increased within YOU!

 Romans 8:6 says . . the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace!  

(ie, no surprizes to Him!)

you say poTAYdo, i say poTOTo .....

have you ever been told that "you're not doing it the right way" when it comes to how you knit?  perhaps you hold the yarn in your Left hand and you 'pick' the yarn as you knit, thus making you  a Continental knitter versus someone who holds the yarn in their right hand and 'throws' the yarn, which is indicative of an English knitter.  Both have their merits and clearly personal preferences exist everywhere, but the bottom line is that it boils down to what feel right for you and achieves a uniform stitch.



There are multiple ways to increase your stitch count while your knitting ... there is the option to Make 1 by knitting into the front AND the back of the same stitch, or you can simply us a backward loop to add a stitch (which is good for buttonhole rows).  you can pick up the loop on the row below to add an additional stitch or even use the horizontal bar between stitches as the base for creating another stitch.  Each has their own merits and each has it's own pitfalls as far as degree of difficulty or the "hole" that may be left when it's all said and done.  Decreases - well there's more than one way to accomplish those as well.  Life isn't always a Knit 2 together scenario!   (who knew!)    you may find that a SSK - slip, slip, knit - will provide a more appropriate and discreet slant in  your knitting....  so many choices, so many options .... and all are "right" at certain times and places!

i have learned that there are very few absolutes when it comes to knitting other than making sure the stitch is correctly and consistently situated on the needle.  other than that, it really does come down to what feel right to you ... what will result in you calling your knitting adventure 'FUN' and not frustrating!  there really are a growing number of things in life now that provide an incredible range of interpretation, whether it be styles of knitting or styles of fashion, menus of food or playlists of music, choices for television viewing or volumes of reading .... and yet, there is one thing that i have learned is non-negotiable: The Love of God! 

"I (Jesus) have loved you with an everlasting love; 
  I (Jesus) have drawn you with loving kindness."  
[not really seeing any 'variation' options in His promise as He stated here in Jeremiah 31:3]

In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed.
In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.
[from those early days in Exodus until this very morning, His love continues to lead me .. i am one of His redeemed; one of His children who He guides/knits and calls to Himself].

Hebrews 13: 8 states it perfectly:  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! 
not really any room for interpretation ... now .. is there?

It doesn't matter to Him which style i choose when i knit as long as i know that i know that i know that I am His child ... a child of the King.  Loved and adored despite my past.  Period. The End!