Monica Knits

Construction techniques that have been used in the projects featured are summarized in this article, along with links to full details and examples using these techniques. This living document is updated as techniques are illustrated. Basic stitches are found in the Stitch Patterns article.

1. CAST ON
2. BIND OFF
3. BLOCKING
4. NOTIONS (elastic)
5. GRAFTING (weaving, joining)
6. BUTTONS
7. SHORT ROWS
8. WASTE YARN PROVISIONAL STITCHES

Small touches change the appearance of the hugs and kisses wristwarmers. In the first photo, the mother-of-pearl buttons are used so that they coordinate with the lacy blue leg warmers shown on the right. Read more for photos showing two additional variations: a) heart-shaped buttons, and without embellishment. Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.

Knit a pair of Hugs and Kisses wrist warmers in an evening, for Valentine's or Mother's Day. This pair of wrist warmers features an "O X O" cable pattern for each wrist and 1" wide 1 x 1 ribbed cuffs. Bernat Satin yarn lends lustre and softness. With 4.0 mm circular needles and worsted weight yarn the wrist warmers knit up as quickly as a swatch. The kiss is centered between two hugs, each embellished with heart shaped buttons. Read more... for knitting instructions. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger image.

These 12" long, blue legwarmers with a baby cable rib pattern are 12" tall and taper from 5-1/4" wide at the foot to 6" wide at the calf. They have been designed to fit over blue jeans, for hiking in winter. They feature a seed stitch button placket with 8 shell buttons. The button at the top is petal shaped to make it easy to tell top from bottom. This button placket is cosmetic, but the related olive green leg warmers of similar design have full button and buttonhole bands, but fewer buttons. The olive green leg warmers were knitted with a mock baby cable design and these with a true baby cable, which I prefer. Read more for related articles and images.