Twined Chain Bind Off @LucyNeatby2000

Lucy Neatby It's rare to find decorative edges that can used as both a cast on and bound off edge. The cast on is shown here: youtu.be/dQ9ZPn2YE4E
I found a similar looking edge on a contemporary Latvian sock many years ago. I have replicated it using a Crochet Provisional Cast On method, but here it forms the decorative finished edge.
The number of stitches cast off may be varied to suit your pattern repeat. The length of the chain between units is also adjustable to suit your stretch requirements.
For a thorough grounding in Crochet Provisional Cast-on please see Parts 1 - 4 , youtu.be/DYe91uAW7oY

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

updated 4 years ago

Twined Chain Bind Off

Lucy Neatby 2021-11-03 | It's rare to find decorative edges that can used as both a cast on and bound off edge. The cast on is shown here: youtu.be/dQ9ZPn2YE4E
I found a similar looking edge on a contemporary Latvian sock many years ago. I have replicated it using a Crochet Provisional Cast On method, but here it forms the decorative finished edge.
The number of stitches cast off may be varied to suit your pattern repeat. The length of the chain between units is also adjustable to suit your stretch requirements.
For a thorough grounding in Crochet Provisional Cast-on please see Parts 1 - 4 , youtu.be/DYe91uAW7oY

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Invisibly Joining a Garter Stitch Border

Lucy Neatby 2024-04-04 | Having circumnavigated the blanket I will now prepare to make an invisible join between the beginning and end using waste yarn to guide my sewn row.
I planned for this join by using a 6 row stocking stitch waste yarn flap (in similar weight, brightly contrasting colour) in place of a cast on edge. The knitting of the border is concluded one row short of completion, cutting the main yarn with enough length to sew in the missing row. By following the path of the waste yarn on both sides an exact I-cord and garter stitch joining row can be created.
A regular cast on and bind off may also be used.
For more basic applications of the use of waste yarn please see my Grafting playlist, or Finesse Your Knitting 1 DVD, or my Fearless Knitting class on Craftsy.
The link to the pattern I am using is below.
May your stitches always smile! Lucy

littlebarnstudio.ca/products/domino-blanket-by-lucy-neatby-digital-pattern

Mitering a Garter Stitch Corner

Lucy Neatby 2024-03-29 | My applied border has now reached a corner requiring a 90 degree turn. The outer 3 stitches of the border form an i-cord edge and I show how to accommodate this as you turn the corner and review how to work from the right needle to the left in a little more detail than the earlier video. youtu.be/wAVXDy7G8gY
The link to the pattern I am using is below.
May your stitches always smile! Lucy

littlebarnstudio.ca/products/domino-blanket-by-lucy-neatby-digital-pattern

Applying a Garter Stitch Border to a Domino Blanket

Lucy Neatby 2024-03-28 | Applied edgings are a wonderful way to frame and finish an otherwise ragged edge. Here I am adding a 10 st wide border, the outer 3 stitches forming an i-cord edge. I experimented with a couple of different stripe options and chose in the end to add a contrasting garter bump between the blanket and the border. I show how to add this detail as you go and look at working from the right needle to the left. The link to the pattern I am using is below.
For a subsequent video about the mitered corner, youtu.be/fI6K_RM4deU
May your stitches always smile! Lucy

littlebarnstudio.ca/products/domino-blanket-by-lucy-neatby-digital-pattern

English Paper Piecing Tips

Lucy Neatby 2024-03-26 | In the course my latest EPP project I have discovered that I much prefer tacking my fabric around the paper templates. The slight extra ease at the edges makes it easier to stitch the pieces together and it is less expensive and wasteful, and kinder to your templates!

Making and Bridging the I-cord Ties

Lucy Neatby 2023-10-03 | How to position, and attach the I-cord ties to the Zinnia Chair-pad. Also shows how to carry the edge treatment around the ties when finishing the border.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Circular Tubular CO and Rnd 1 Mardi Gras

Lucy Neatby 2023-10-03 | A perfect tubular start for middle out double knitting.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Tubular Cast On In The Round - Method 1

Lucy Neatby 2023-06-30 | This is a very controllable method of making an attractive rolled top for a single rib and can be achieved using a Provisional Crochet Cast On (Part 1 - The basics youtu.be/DYe91uAW7oY ) and a loose stocking stitch fabric, PCCO half of the required number of stitches for your sock in a strongly contrasting colour, onto a set of larger double-pointed needles (at least three sizes larger than you wish to use for the sock). With Main yarn establish knitting in the round and knit three rounds (for flat applications, four rows).

For Single Rib, with regular needle size, [k1, yfd between needles, with Right Hand Needle lift the Australian Cousin stitch (Main yarn float between the first two provisional stitches that looks like a purl bump), and purl into it] repeat to last stitch, end k1, place Main Yarn tail over Left Hand Needle from back to front and under the needle to the back again, hold it thus and purl into the resulting O. This scraggy stitch will neaten beautifully later using the tail. Continue to work in single rib as now established.

For Two-by-Two Rib, establish as before, with larger needles four increments bigger, a multiple of two stitches in the initial Provisional Crochet Cast On. With regular needle size, [k1, yfd, purl into the next two AC stitches, k1] repeat to end making the final purl as before. Continue to work in double rib as now established.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Alternative Double Increase Options for Double Knitting

Lucy Neatby 2023-06-18 | When knitting a blanket with 8 double increase positions it is all too easy to miss out an increase. With such a huge number of stitches it is very disheartened to contemplate ripping back. It is easy enough to fudge enough yarn to artificially create a single increase but a double would start to create puckers. Here are three very acceptable alternative options for correcting without ripping!
When I discover a missing increase or other problem requiring subsequent I pop a coil-less safety pin on the work to prevent me missing it a second time.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Differing Stitch Numbers in Double Knit Layers

Lucy Neatby 2023-06-04 | It is usual in most double knit fabrics to have the same number of stitches on each layer. However it is possible to have differing numbers in order to create pockets if you are extremely careful as you work!
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Options for Closed Bottom Tubes in Single Yarn Double Knitting

Lucy Neatby 2023-03-21 | This is a very handy method of making small tubes. You can choose between using a cast on edge or a largely invisible (but trickier) tubular edge. For increased speed and efficiency consider the third option of creating a reverse stocking stitch fabric.

Joining a Double-knit Shoulder with Mis-matched Stitch Numbers

Lucy Neatby 2023-02-24 | This is an overview of the shoulder join on a double knit vest. As I was filming I discovered that my stitch count was off on one side! The vest has many increases and decreases along the center back and I must have missed a couple. I wasn't working from a chart and therefore didn't detect it earlier.
I compensated as I grafted the shoulder by grafting 2 stitches together as if working a decrease.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Quilt Making - Making Faced Holes (No knitting content)

Lucy Neatby 2023-02-08 | I've been posting pics of my latest quilt which featured faced holes to showcase a background fabric. I've been asked to show how this is done.

Grafting a Sock Toe With Waste Yarn as a Guide

Lucy Neatby 2023-02-01 | I'm always concerned when a knitter needs to reach for a piece of paper in order to begin finishing their sock toe. A graft (aka Kitchener stitch) is simply an ordinary row of knit stitches made with a threaded needle. The stitches of the two sides approach each other at the toe from opposing directions.
This method allows the knitter to complete a sock and release the needles as soon as the extra five rounds of Chimney are added to the remaining toe stitches, the toe may then be grafted at your leisure.
By beginning in the middle the stitches are uniform and easy to see. It doesn't matter if your stitches sit on the needle differently to the norm or if you prefer to sew from left to right.
Once you have copied the waste yarn stitch on either side of the seam and checked its correctness with the Pinch test, the stitching should become rhythmic and pleasing.
If the toe is misaligned or you are less than happy with the graft, the sewing yarn can be pulled out and the sewing restarted without the need to unpick stitch by stitch and rescue the sock stitches.
Once you reach the first corner, leave your sewing yarn on the exterior, turn the sock around and complete the stitching in the other direction.
If you are happy with the evenness of your seam, the sock may be inverted and the chimney unraveled. All that remains is to check and neaten both corners on the exterior and then darn in the tails in the sole. This method gives two neat corners rather that the customary raggy first corner.
Even if you are happy grafting from the needles, consider trying this as it is an excellent introduction into the power of waste yarn in other applications.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Incorporating I cord Edges on a DK Fabric

Lucy Neatby 2023-01-25 | I'm working on a one-off double knit vest on which I wished to have pre-finished edges. I'm using a 4 st I-cord at all edges. The 2 x 4 cord stitches were added the main fabric at the start of the work. Two passes are made on the cord either end the main fabric which maintains a suitable gauge.
For how the armhole was bridged, I-cords established and finished see youtu.be/4qhv29YVWH4

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Creating an Undulating Bound-off Edge

Lucy Neatby 2023-01-16 | The Starburst stitch pattern results in an attractively undulating cast-on edge. If using only a section of this design for a headband etc it is pleasing to mirror the undulations. If you bind off regularly, it doesn’t have a distinct waviness. However if you continue the increases and decreases as you bind-off an attractive edge is produced.
The Starburst pattern is now available at www.LittleBarnStudio.ca or Rav.

Making an I-cord Trim for a Double Knit Armhole

Lucy Neatby 2023-01-14 | I am working on a double knit vest beginning with fronts and back as a single piece, edged with an I-cord trim. I wanted to find a way to maintain this finished edge under the arm and up the sides of the armholes. By using both ends of a separate piece of cord, the integral I-cords can be added without disturbing the main fabric and by seaming it to the underarm stitches on both sides it creates a neat matching finished edge.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Finishing a Double Knit Hat Top

Lucy Neatby 2023-01-06 | I like to neaten both layers of a double knit hat top independently of each other. Here I show how to divide the stitches into the Near and Far layers, thread the yarn tails through the stitches, gather the hole neatly closed and then darn all yarn tails.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

A Double Increase for Double Knitting

Lucy Neatby 2022-12-11 | I use double increases frequently in many of my double knit designs, it's a very elegant, symmetrical increase but can be a little perplexing to rearrange into double knit format. I demonstrate both the Near side knit increase and it's partner the Far side purl increase and offer two methods to reintegrate them into double knit format.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Using a Running Yarn Marker to Adjust and Record a Start-of-round Position

Lucy Neatby 2022-10-20 | A simple piece of yarn can provide a useful record and counting device for motifs where the start of round shifts.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Three Cast on Options for a Double knit Hat

Lucy Neatby 2022-10-13 | In my forthcoming Starburst double knit hat pattern I will be offering three different cast on options. The first is single colour long-tail, emphasizing the need for an extra long tail and how to control it with a yarn butterfly. For double knitting it is not necessary to space the stitches as generously as for single knit fabrics. (For more in depth information about long-tail cast on (aka Continental) in general please see Long-tail Cast on Tricks and Tips youtu.be/Npq12e-C4Eo.
The second and third options use two colours and set you up into double knit format right away.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Left-slanting Double Decrease for Double Knit with Unconventionally Mounted Purl Stitches

Lucy Neatby 2022-04-19 | My new Stardust Hat uses a lot of increases and decreases to create the stitch pattern. It's important to make them as easy as possible. Here's how to do it if you have been using Alternative Rotation for your purl stitches.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Left-slanting Double Decrease for Double Knit with Conventionally Mounted Purl Stitches

Lucy Neatby 2022-04-12 | My new Stardust Hat uses a lot of increases and decreases to create the stitch pattern. It's important to make them as easy as possible. Here's how...
The stitches in this video have a normal stitch mount for both knits and purls, if you are using alternative rotation purling in your double knitting please see the next video.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Garter Stitch Short Row Heel - Part 3 Adding additional depth.

Lucy Neatby 2022-03-11 | If fuller heel cup is needed it is possible to insert additional short rows in between the established short row sequence of the heel - shown in Parts 1 and 2.
With a 70% heel this is unlikely to be necessary - but it's good to have options.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Garter Stitch Short Row Heel - Part 2 Second side and completion.

Lucy Neatby 2022-03-07 | I love this heel. It is strong, creates a cozy fabric thicker than stocking stitch, can be used toe up or top down. I believe I unvented it - but it is so logical someone else must have done it. It can be incorporated into almost any sock even those with tricky background motifs, and by not cutting your main yarn leaves any pattern created by variegated yarns in tact after the heel is completed. The heel is removable and replaceable. Full directions are given below. I suggest practicing this on a flat piece of stocking stitch before trying in the round.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Heel Increase Section
RS Facing Knit an equal number of stitches as the previous row (k8), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle (work this stitch as usual leaving the ‘wrap’ around the base of the stitch, don’t knit into the wrap and stitch as with stocking stitch short rows), slip next heel stitch from the Instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap) and return it to the Instep needle with a second wrap in place. Turn.

WS Facing Knit across all the stitches on the heel needles (k9), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle, work stitch as usual, slip next heel stitch from the instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap)and return it to the instep needle. Turn.

RS Facing Knit across all the stitches on the heel needles (k10), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle, work stitch as usual, slip next heel stitch from the instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap) and return it to the Instep needle. Turn.
Repeat these two rows until your last heel stitch (the one that remained the original colour) has had a second wrap of yarn. The following WS row will be the last row of the heel, it should end with the ‘wrap’ being made around the outermost (first) heel stitch. Do not transfer the wrapped stitch back to the left-hand needle. Turn. Cut off Heel yarn leaving a tail.

Resuming with the Main working yarn, tighten up any slack that has crept into the last stitches worked in Main and knit across the Heel stitches. The tail of the Heel yarn may be woven in at the back as you go.

Finishing Details
When finishing the sock, a duplicate stitch of the main colour yarn may be used to reenforce the supporting stitches on either side of the heel. This heel interferes very little with whatever type of stitch patterning is being used. In the case of a pattern which condenses the stitch width, for example, cables or stranded patterns, a smaller needle size may be used for the heel section before resuming regular patterning and needle size. A specially tough yarn may also be chosen just for the heel and the heel gauge adjusted to match the rest of the sock by the careful selection of needle size.

Garter Stitch Short Row Heel - Part 1 Setting up the heel

Lucy Neatby 2022-03-05 | I love this heel. It is strong, creates a cozy fabric thicker than stocking stitch, can be used toe up or top down. I believe I unvented it - but it is so logical someone else must have done it. It can be incorporated into almost any sock even those with tricky background motifs, and by not cutting your main yarn leaves any pattern created by variegated yarns in tact after the heel is completed. The heel is removable and replaceable. Full directions are given below. I suggest practicing this on a flat piece of stocking stitch before trying in the round.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Garter Stitch 60 - 70% Short Row Heel
Work as usual until the desired length of leg is reached. For the majority of ankles the heel is best set in over 60 - 70% of the total number of sock stitches.
The heel knitting directions here are given here in general terms, the specific stitch numbers given to illustrate are for a 40 stitch sock having a 60% heel.
Calculate your planned heel width, multiply the total number of stitches in your sock by 0.6. Round up or down to an even number. Sample 40 x 0.6 = 24 stitches.
The remaining 40% of the stitches (16 sts), will not be worked during the construction of the heel and will be referred to as the Instep stitches.
Work to half of the heel width, 30% of the sock (12 sts) before the center back of the sock.

Heel Row 1 (RS facing) Always use a new piece of yarn for the heel to give the neatest corners (and this makes the heel replaceable). Use a contrasting colour for your first Short Row heel as it helps with orientation. Take your new heel yarn and do not cut off the old yarn, now he tail of the new yarn can be linked around the original working yarn and woven in at the back of the work as the initial few heel stitches are worked, thus closing any later gap and neatening the tail simultaneously. Knit the first half of the heel stitches (9 sts) onto an empty double-pointed needle, the second half less one (8 sts), onto another double-pointed needle. S1, bring yarn between needles, return the slipped stitch to the left-hand needle (next to the Instep stitches). If using a new colour, note that the last stitch of the heel remains the original colour.

Divide the Instep stitches onto two double-pointed needles along with the one ‘wrapped’ heel stitch.

Heel Row 2 (WS facing)
Turn the work around WS facing, with an empty double-pointed needle (use a second double-pointed needle for the last half of the heel stitches), knit until only the first Heel stitch remains unworked (k 16), s1, bring yarn between needles, return the slipped stitch to the left-hand needle, (next to the instep stitches).

Accuracy Check! On completion of any Wrong Side heel row: there should always be the same number of ‘wrapped’ stitches on either side of the remaining working heel stitches. When checking remember that the first ‘wrapped’ stitch on the left-hand side is in the original colour. Make a habit of checking regularly.

Subsequent Right and Wrong Side Rows
Turn the work around RS facing, knit until one heel stitch remains unworked on left-hand needle, (k 15), BWR, return the ‘wrapped’ stitch to the adjacent needle holding the instep stitches.
Turn the work around WS facing, knit until one heel stitch remains unworked on left-hand needle (k 14), BWR, return the ‘wrapped’ stitch to the adjacent needle holding the instep stitches.
Repeat these last two rows, end with a Wrong Side row, approximately (k8, BWR) or until the heel is deep enough for your foot.
There should be the same number of ‘wrapped’ stitches on either side of the remaining central (8) stitches (in this case, 5 on each side). When checking remember that the first ‘wrapped’ stitch on the left-hand side is in the original colour. No stitches are decreased so the heel-stitch total should remain unchanged.
For the Class Sample 2 x 5 + 8 = the original number of heel stitches 18.

Suggested Stitch Distribution
Initially when working the heel stitches using two double-pointed needles on both Right and Wrong side rows, knit two extra stitches onto the old needle before introducing the empty double-pointed needle. This staggers the junction of the work and helps to prevent distortion down the centre back of the heel.
When the number of working heel stitches is sufficiently reduced, work them onto a single double-pointed needle, use the spare needle to hold the middle section of the Instep stitches, this makes things far more comfortable to work.

Tubular Cast On Onto Two Needles (a.k.a. Judy Beckers Magic Cast On)

Lucy Neatby 2022-02-15 | This wonderful cast on creates an invisible start for two directions of knitting. Here I am intending to knit in the round after making an invisible start to create a Joey Bag but I have also used this method for the invisible side of my Venus Rising Cardigan.
This video was made many years ago - please excuse the poorer video quality.
The Joey Bag features a beautiful integral double knit pocket worked with only one yarn.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

BIG Holes for Hand-knitters 2: Hole in a stocking stitch fabric with purlwise multi-stitch Increase

Lucy Neatby 2022-01-26 | These holes look wonderful in a stocking stitch fabric, which when working to and fro requires a purlwise increase to create openings.
See Part 1 for a garter stitch application - youtu.be/2SBTwRszy54

BIG Holes for Hand-knitters!

Lucy Neatby 2022-01-22 | An elegant and quick method of making large decorative holes in a knit fabric. This is the subject of my e book A Little Book of BIG Holes for Hand-knitters!
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Fixing a Mistake in Double Knitting After Project Completion

Lucy Neatby 2022-01-19 | After finishing this piece - I found a mistake. Here I show a couple of possible remedies. This method can also be used for single knit fabrics.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Pocket Top Finishes

Lucy Neatby 2022-01-14 | Finishing a pocket top
The top of the pocket needs to give support to and stability from curling to the fabric of the pocket. Try smaller needles for whatever finish you select. A few options are given below.

Garter Stitch: With smaller needles, knit across the pocket stitches. Slip the first stitch of each subsequent row with yarn in front to neaten the sides. Work as many rows as desired and bind off**. Take the tails from the pocket top (ideally arrange for the final tail to be at the opposite side to the beginning tail) through to the wrong side and fasten the sides of the pocket from the back. You may consider using a button at the back to share the load at the pocket corners.
** A picot bind-off would look lovely here!
Rather than sewing the sides of the pocket top as described above, consider trying a No-sew Knitted Pocket Top. youtu.be/4GquewJtQi8

Stocking Stitch: With Turning Row and Facing: With smaller needles, knit across the pocket stitches. Purl back again. Knit across once more (with new colour if contrasting picots are desired), on the next right side row, work a picot row. K1, (O, k2t) repeat. Fudge stitch numbers if necessary! If you have an even number of stitches begin and end with a k2t.
Next RS row: Knit and make a decrease at the beginning and end of the row.
Next WS row: Purl.
This will create a facing with sloping sides (like an envelope). This helps to prevent a bulging pocket top.
Repeat these pairs of rows until the facing is deep enough for your taste. Bind off. Tuck the facing inside and catch stitch it in place inside the pocket. Fasten sides as above.

Applied I-cord: With a length (2 m / 2 yd) of pocket top yarn, held at the back of the work, hook up 3 sts with a crochet hook through from the wrong side at the right-hand side of the pocket. Place the stitches onto the needle with the pocket stitches, then with the hook bring the remainder of the yarn through to the front of the work. Using the three new stitches work attached i-cord as follows.
To attach the 3 st i-cord: K2, put the right-hand needle into the next two stitches, pw then kw, and knit these two stitches together. Slip all 3 sts back to the left-hand needle.
Repeat until all the pocket top stitches are used.
With a crochet hook bring all the live stitches through the fabric to the Wrong Side and bind off.

Reverse Stocking Stitch Tube: Knit up stitches along the edge to be bound, then work in Rev Stocking stitch, (Right Side Purl, Wrong Side Knit) for 6 – 8 rows. Cast off. This will form a tube that will curl back and use of alternating cols makes for an unusual striped effect.

Getting to Know Your Australian Cousins http://youtu.be/Cxhv4qBDlrk
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Selkirk Mittens - Knitting-up the Cuff

Lucy Neatby 2022-01-13 | A felted mitten is wonderful but the cuff is usually drafty. This is a tubular method for attaching an unfelted cuff after completion of the mitten hand.

The full Selkirk Mitten pattern with additional video links can be found on Ravelry or at LittleBarnStudio.ca

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Making a Flat, Top-Down, Impeccable DK Pocket (Without Breaking Your Yarn)

Lucy Neatby 2022-01-06 | An impeccable, double knit pocket, for a single knit fabric, worked from the open end. (A bottom up pocket can be found on my Double Knitting Delight DVD available from LittleBarnStudio.ca)
This pocket is suitable for a single knit to and fro, top-down situation.

In preparation, cast on and work a 4 row piece of stocking stitch as wide as the future pocket, in brightly contrasting, similar weight, waste yarn. Cut off waste yarn.
With additional planning this ‘waste yarn’ could also be utilized as the facing and finishing for the top of the pocket and need not be removed later.

Establishing the Double Layer
With RS facing: Slip stitches to the right-hand needle until you reach the pocket position, PM, holding the waste yarn flap at the front of the work, (s1, s1 waste yarn st onto the right-hand needle), repeat across the intended pocket width, PM. Stop. Slip all stitches back to the left-hand needle.
The waste yarn stitches will form the pocket front, the existing stitches form the lining. The stitches are set up with the Far layer stitches ahead of the Near layer stitches.

Row 1 RS: Knit to pocket position, (s1wyif, k1) repeat to end of pocket marker. TURN
This knits all the WY stitches = 1 row pocket front and one row on the right hand side.

Row 2 WS: (S1, p1) repeat to marker, TURN.
This purls one row of Pocket back.

Row 3 RS: (S1wyif, k1) to pocket marker, knit to end.
This knits a second row of the pocket front and left hand side.

Row 4 WS: Purl to marker, (s1, p1) to end of pocket marker, purl to end.
This purls a second row of the pocket back and a second row on both the left and right hand sides.

Repeat Rows 1 - 4.

Closing the Pocket Bottom
With RS facing, Far sts ahead of Near: Knit to pocket position, k2t across the pocket and knit to end.

To release the pocket top stitches; cut away the waste yarn and pick up the Australian Cousin stitches released. There will be one fewer Australian Cousin stitches than the width of your pocket. Apply a pocket top to these stitches.
Note that for every 2 rows of garment that are created, there are two front pocket rows and two back pocket rows. See the diagram (right) for the path of the yarn. Be careful of gauge changes if working a large area.

When working a DK pocket from the opening edge to the closed end, it is necessary to determine which way the pocket should open (inside or outside) at the outset. If you wish for an interior opening pocket the waste yarn stitches must be placed in the pocket back situation.

Double knitting has a different gauge to single knitting with the same yarn and needles (it is looser). I would counteract this by either working the pocket stitches with a deliberate increase in yarn tension or by putting the pocket stitches plus about 5 on either side onto a smaller diameter circular needle and work it using this needle.

Other Pockets
A flat, closed-end up pocket can be found on my Double Knitting Delight DVD
A round, closed-end up pocket can be found in my Craftsy class "Foundations of Double Knitting".

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Quilted Mug Coaster (Nothing to do with knitting.)

Lucy Neatby 2021-12-19 | I've been enjoying making these little scrap projects and have been asked to share the method. They are quick and satisfying to make with the added pleasure of using up odds and ends.

Closing the Gap in a Short Row Medallion

Lucy Neatby 2021-12-11 | Short rows are a fascinating way to create a circle of knit fabric by knitting the radius of the circle. They make lovely coasters and hat tops, however they leave an opening in the middle. Here I have a double knit hat top with two drafty holes and show how to easily and neatly close them up.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos and invite your friends to join!
My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Double Decreases for Double Knits

Lucy Neatby 2021-11-23 | These are balanced two-stitch decreases made on each layer. Two pairs of stitches are decreased on both sides. Both normal and unconventional purl stitch mounts are shown.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Single Colour Knit and Purl Long Tail Cast On for Single Rib or Double Knitting

Lucy Neatby 2021-11-19 | There is a very easy twist on Long Tail cast on to better suit it to single ribbed or double knit fabrics.
For a fuller discussion of Long Tail please see youtu.be/Npq12e-C4Eo
Both sides of the edge are very similar in appearance. Having the knit/purl sequence established before the first row or round of double knitting can be very helpful. There is also a two colour version of this cast on, please see youtu.be/n2vm6aU4HaM
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Twined Chain for Mid-Project Use

Lucy Neatby 2021-11-08 | This video follows directly from the Twined Chain Bind Off. youtu.be/9cydQlAYQ20
It is possible to use this chain method to make a decorative cast on, bind off and here how to incorporate it mid-project.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Twined Chain Cast On

Lucy Neatby 2021-10-28 | I found a similar looking edge on a contemporary Latvian sock many years ago. I have replicated it using a Crochet Provisional Cast On method, but here it forms the decorative finished edge.
The number of stitches cast off may be varied to suit your pattern repeat. The length of the chain between units is also adjustable to suit your stretch requirements.
For a thorough grounding in Crochet Provisional Cast-on please see Parts 1 - 4 , youtu.be/DYe91uAW7oY
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

The Magic Buttonhole - Part 3 Finishing

Lucy Neatby 2021-10-17 | Now for the final touches. Make any adjustments to the size and shape of your sewn stitches or, sew another lap around the hole, before unplying the yarn tails in order to securely fasten them before entombing them inside the finished band.
The white band shown is from my Fiesta Vest, pattern available.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

The Magic Buttonhole - Part 2 Sewing

Lucy Neatby 2021-10-16 | After completing the setting in of the two waste yarns for each buttonhole (Part 1), the next step is to carefully stitch the sides together using your chosen buttonhole yarn.
The white band shown is from my Fiesta Vest, pattern available.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks

Many Happy stitches, Lucy

The Magic Buttonhole - Part 1 Preparation

Lucy Neatby 2021-10-15 | This is a supremely elegant buttonhole for a double layer stocking stitch band. It takes a little practice but is worth the effort. It is essentially a reverse stocking stitch graft that unites the two layers of the band for ease of use. It is beautiful on both sides. I strongly recommend making a practice swatch to practice the technique, determine the required size of hole and the type of yarn you use to sew with.
The white band shown is from the Fiesta Vest.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks
Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Making a double-knit colour change into a double increase

Lucy Neatby 2021-10-06 | In many of my double knit blankets I use a k-o-k/p-o-p increase to symmetrically increase by two pairs of stitches, this creates two clusters of three front and back stitches side by side. Occasionally I make a colour change on the subsequent round often in the middle of the three stitches, here I show a couple of ways to approach this.
The basic double increase is shown fully here: youtube.com/watch?v=oo-SwmbdGkg

Hooked on Tancook Rug Exhibition

Lucy Neatby 2021-09-18 | This is a brief overview of a one-woman show of hooked rugs by Hetty Van Gurp. The rugs tell the stories of many of her island friends often accompanied by photos by George Bellerose. The exhibit is at Chester Art Centre NS Sept 17 - 30, 2021
You can find pics and all the stories in Hetty’s wonderful book Hooked on Tancook available on Amazon.

Finishing the Tea Cozy Spout Opening

Lucy Neatby 2021-09-07 | The last stage of the tea cozy. Australian Cousin stitches (for more about Australian Cousins see youtu.be/Cxhv4qBDlrk ) are picked up from the cast on waste yarns and the remaining stitches used from the final row, and a simple edge knitted around the opening on a larger-than-gauge needle.
This pattern is underdevelopment - please check LittleBarnStudio.ca for updates.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT great news, you can now find all my patterns and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca.
I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Double-knit Perfect Graft with Short-rows - Part 2

Lucy Neatby 2021-08-31 | This is a continuation from Part 1. Here the join is above the spout and involved grafting the short-row wraps.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT great news, you can now find all my patterns and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca.
I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Double-knit Perfect Graft - Part 1

Lucy Neatby 2021-08-30 | When stitches are joined heads to feet a perfect grafted join can be achieved. See youtu.be/AJfUjnEwhJk for the introduction to Perfect Grafting in single-layer fabric.
In double layer knitting there is additional challenge as there are two sides to be joined.
The waste yarn preparation for this join is shown in youtu.be/KRkOqZThIY4
Here, I have completed ALL BUT the final row of the last repeat. Now the heads of the stitches on the needle may be stitched to the feet of the beginning stitches (held on the waste yarn) in pattern. Stitches on one side of the fabric are connected until the second colour is required. Then the corresponding partner stitches on the second side are joined in the second colour. Once this is achieved the two yarns can swap sides and grafting continued.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT great news, you can now find all my patterns and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca.
I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Many Happy stitches, Lucy

LucyKnit

Lucy Neatby 2021-08-30 | Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos.
My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca.
I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Joining Two Tubes of Knitting using Three-needle Bind-off

Lucy Neatby 2021-08-30 | There are some dramatically beautiful edges for which there is no bind off equivalent. Here I'm using two S. American inspired Puntas edges to join into a wristband using three-needle bind off rather than grafting.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Many Happy stitches, Lucy

Mid row Opening in Double Knitting Part 2 - Replacing the stitches

Lucy Neatby 2021-08-14 | I'm working on a sideways knit tea cozy, at the half way point I need to make an opening for the spout/handle. In Part 1 I'm showed how to work and bind off the necessary stitches using a larger needle size. Here the missing stitches are reinstated with a little trick to strengthen the join.

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT great news, you can now find all my patterns and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca.
I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Many Happy stitches, Lucy