Monica Knits

This is the third in a series of articles on inserting beads and sequins in knitting. This one illustrates the use of a carrier yarn knitted along with the worsted weight yarn to insert small diameter beads on a worsted weight stocking stitch ground. The approach enables the use of beads otherwise too small to thread onto worsted or heavier weight fashion yarn. Read more.. for stepwise illustrated instructions and further discussion.

These leg warmers were designed for cool weather and winter walking and are knitted with acrylic yarn for quick laundering. They feature feature 1 x 1 ribbing at the ankle and calf, a seed stitch buttonhole placket, shell buttons and a baby cable rib stitch. These are knitted from the ankle upwards and the buttonhole band is either knitted on or sewn on afterwards. The buttonhole band has a self-facing for aesthetic and structural purposes. To make it easier to pickup stitches for the buttonhole band, a chain stitch selvedge is knitted for the body, excluding the ribbing rows. These leg warmers use my preferred baby cable stitch pattern.   

Woolly nylon thread is traditionally used for sewing lingerie, but it is also excellent for collars, cuffs and edges. The recent Strawberries & Cream Tabard collar edge was finished with woolly nylon to provide a stretchy neckline that lays flat against the skin. For the collar, I threaded ivory colored woolly nylon through the purl turning ridge on the inside of the neckline. The Concord Ivory (510) thread becomes invisible when sewn in this manner. Read more...

Autumn, winter and spring are good times for wearing vests and I seem never to have enough, plus they are pretty quick to knit, crochet or sew. I was thumbing through my collection of patterns and clippings (which includes vintage materials I inherited) and I decided to make this classic vest. It is a timeless design that was featured in "Best Dressed Vests," in the eighties and was designed by Paulette Matteson. Read more...