Author: jackibadger
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Let’s translate some of the most common knitting lingo
When I’m teaching people to knit, or helping them knit their first sweater at one of my workshops, there’s one thing that comes up time and time again. It’s that knitting patterns are like a different language. And yes, I can understand that view, which is why I’ll be writing another post all about how…
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Summer knitting patterns to get on your needles
I know. “Knitting” and “summer” aren’t necessarily words that you’d put together. In fact, “knitting” is far more likely to conjure up images of thick blankets and snuggly mugs and general cosiness (especially if you’re on Pinterest). But the advent of warm weather does not mean that you need to pack your needles away. Far…
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Everything I’ve learned about knitting continental style
About six weeks ago, I decided the time had come to teach myself to knit continental-style. I’ve been heavily, heavily resisting it for years, because I’m stubborn as all hell. It’s the same impulse that stopped me from watching the West Wing for years; loads of people told me I should try it, and so…
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6 reasons NOT to learn to knit with super bulky yarn
Over the last few years, there seems to be a new kind of received wisdom amongst beginner knitters – that the best way to learn to knit is with super bulky yarn, and great big 10mm+ needles. The reasoning goes like this: it’s less fiddly, it’s faster, and it’s less frustrating. It’s easier to see…
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It’s time to embrace the mistakes in our knitting
Whenever I teach a beginners knitting class – and I teach a lot of them – I always start off by saying a few things. And one of those things is this: You will make mistakes. All the time. Even after years of knitting. And it’s the truth. I still, even now, after 30 years…