Monica Knits

I prefer using an adjustable ring slip knot (aka Magic Loop) when I will be crocheting or knitting a disk-shaped object that begins with a ring. Even for knitting, I begin with a crocheted first round, since I find the crocheted beginning faster and more versatile. The base of the knitted "Wine Socks" employs an adjustable ring slip knot and a crocheted base. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger image.

Video Tutorial Link --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuErXx-YVmc
... a Monica Knits video tutorial ...

The following illustrated steps for constructing a slip knot are in response to a reader inquiry. One of my favorite provisional cast ons begins with a slip knot, but instructions for the knot were not included in the article, so they are included here. Read more .... for further details.

Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.

The "How-to: J-hook Cable Needle" video featured in Sunday's article also introduced a tool that, strictly speaking, I haven't used before: the point protector. The tip for using point protectors in conjunction with cable knitting came from Shilda, who took up knitting a few months ago, and has already knitted more than 12 cabled wrist warmers in a rainblow of hues, and a headband and legwarmers in a matching hugs and kisses cable pattern. Read more ... for additional information and links ...

The J-hook or shepherd's crook cable needle offers a number of advantages for knitting cables. Because it has both a leading and trailing arm of different lengths, the chances of twisting the stitches are minimized, because you can more easily tell if the cable needle has been twisted, when compared to cable needles whose arms are equal in length and symmetrical. In addition, the deep U holds the stitches well so that they do not slip off easily. Read more .... for stepwise illustrated instructions and a video demonstrating J-hook use.