Product review: LongMing 26Nm/2 Worsted 100% Cashmere Yarn

The yarn in this listing is 100% cashmere and is very fine: one ply thread creates a lacy look and two-ply creates a more dense knit. After making a couple of samples (see video) I decide I like the two-ply look better. The yarn is easy to work with, it does not tear easily and does not knot. It feels soft, but it is not fuzzy. This is because this is a worsted thread. The difference between the worsted yarn and the woolen yarn are the length of the staple in the wool. Worsted yarns look smooth with long fibers, and woolen yarns are much hairier, with lots of short fibers and more hairs poking out. Worsted wool is slick when woven, woolen wool is are softer, fluffier fabric. Worsted wool is better at keeping out the wind and rain, but woolen wool is warmer, because it is full of air which acts as insulation.

I make sample squares before knitting each garment not only to see how it looks but to determine how many stitches I need for the right size:
~~ two ply yarn 30 stitches gives me 5.5" (5.5 stitches per inch)
~~ one ply yarn 30 stitches gives me 4.5" (6.5 stitches per inch)

In attached photos you see the sweater that it still in progress, but there is enough of it there to see how it will look. I am using two threads of yarn (one thread is purple and one thread is blue) and it is looking nice, I think. The sweater feels soft to touch.

I received this yarn for evaluation and review. Getting a discounted product does not influence what I saw. If you are skeptical about this examine the history of my reviews and see that I leave critical reviews when products deserve it. After working with this yarn for several weeks I can say that I am really enjoying working with it and the sweater is beginning to take shape.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book Review: 2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle Works for any Sock Pattern! by Melissa Morgan-Oakes

I am an experienced knitter who has made dozens of socks using 4 knitting needles method. When I saw a book by Melissa Morgan-Oakes in the local library I was intrigued by the possibilities of making two socks at once so I would not need to keep track of the design to repeat it perfectly on the second sock. However, after spending several days I was disappointed in the technique. It is much more awkward and time consuming than the 4 needle method. I had to spend a lot of time fussing with my work, my hands were at much higher tension and were tired (which I never experience with 4 needle method).

Because I am an experienced knitter I thought instructions did not seem right and looked up errata for the book, and found a very large number of corrections (I am including them at the end of this review). A less experienced knitter would just be left frustrated.

I LIKED:

1. The book has spinal rings and lays flat easily
2. The book has nice photographs
3. I like trying new techniques and even though I went back to the old method I am glad I now know how this method works

I DID NOT LIKE:

1. The technique itself is awkward and fussy
2. The book is 143 pages, but the explanation of the technique is only 17 pages. I did not find the instruction easy to follow and had to re-read them many times despite being an experience knitter. I attaching a photo of a sample page.
3. The book contains a large number of mistakes in the instructions (see errata below).
4. There is only one method for turning the heel. The short row heel technique (the look of which I prefer) was not shown.
5. Most patterns are shown in 3 sizes: women medium, women large/men small, men large. I wear women small and was disappointed to see very few patterns shown for women small size.

ERRATA FROM STOREY PUBLISHING

Corrections

2-at-a-Time Socks
The following revisions should be applied to all patterns:
Page - Knitting the Legs

The Note should read: "End ready to begin sock A heel . . ."

Page - Turning the Heels

The Note should read:
"Turn the heel on each sock separately, working in rows and beginning with sock A ."

And in the last 2 lines of that section:
" Sock A heel now has. . ."
"Follow directions above to turn sock B heel ."

2-at-a-time Technique
Page 15 - Dividing and Joining Sock A

Step 5. . . with your working yarn by knitting into the first cast-on stitch .

Page 16 - Dividing and Joining Sock A

Step 7. . . Now, work the remaining 16 stitches of sock A in K1, P1 rib .

Page 19 - Working the Heel Flaps

Caption of 2nd photograph should read: "completing row 2 of heel flap A"

Page 20 - Working the Heel Flaps

Caption of 1st photograph should read: " purl row of heel flap B"

Step 17. . . End having just worked a right-side row of heel flap B. Sock B will be a row shorter than sock A, but that's okay.

Page 21 - Turning the Heels

Sock photos should be of Sock A and therefore blue

1st paragraph:
"For the 2-at-a-time method, you work each heel turn separately, beginning with heel flap A. "

Step 18. . . On heel flap A , K10, ssk, K1, turn.

Page 22 - Turning the Heels

First sock photo should be of Sock A and therefore blue. It's caption should read:
"completing sock A heel turn"

Caption of 2nd photograph should read: "completing sock B heel turn"

Step 22. . . you have 10 stitches for the heel flap of sock A .

Step 23. . . Move to sock B , slip stitch. . .follow short-row heel-turn direction for sock A. You'll end having just worked a wrong-side row.

Page 24 - Picking Up Gusset Stitches

Caption of 3rd photograph should read: "picking up gusset stitches of sock A "

Step 29. . . Pick up and knit one stitch between the sock B instep and heel flap. . .Work across the heel stitches of sock B and down the left heel flap. (Adjust needles so that the cable loop separates the instep stitches of sock B from the newly picked up gusset stitches.)

Page 25 - Working the Gusset Decreases

Caption of photograph should read: " decrease round completed, next round begun "

Page 27 - Shaping the Toe

Step 36. . .On sock B, K1 , ssk, knit to the last three stitches of sock B, K2tog, K1.

Step 39. . . Work three more decrease rounds, with no even rows between

TABLE OF CONTENT


THE SECRET REVEALED 2-AT-A-TIME TECHNIQUE (17 pages where the technique is explained)
2-AT-A-TIME PATTERNS (17 patterns)
Berry Season
Spice
Be Mine
Varsity
Belle Epoque
Frolic
Coquette
Socks for Aidan
Twilight
Sugar Maple
H Sock
Athena
Emily's Socks
Sailor's Delight
Pitter Patter
The Classic Sock
Ragg Hiker
APPENDIX
Glossary
Pattern Stitch Key
Abbreviations
Standard Sock Sizes

You can find this book on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Book review: Holiday Boutique Knitting by Mary Jean Daigneault

I have been knitting since I was 5 years old. One of the joys of the holidays for me has always been to create gifts for my loved ones that are not store-bought but are uniquely mine. I made sweaters, socks, hats and scarves each year - this book gave me a bunch of new ideas! This book is great for generating unique ideas for holiday gifts and decorations that are knit.

The project I decided to start with is Vine runner, which looks like a long branch with flowers and leaves. My plan for it to hang holiday cards from it by hanging them from the vine using ribbons. I always like to display Christmas cards I receive and coming up with a new way to display them is going to be a lot of fun. The instructions were clear, detailed, and easy to follow. At the end of the book there were templates for the leaves.

The next project I just started making is a knitted wreath. The book contains 4 versions of different wreaths. The instruction look pretty easy and all four wreath look very nice and unique. I think they are going to make excellent presents.

On my wish list is the project that the book starts with: the cutest fuzzy snowman and snowwoman. They are adorable and I want to make them to sit in a window in the winter.

Below I am including the complete table of content so you can see if there are other projects that might be of interest beside the three I have highlighted above.

Christmas Decor
1.Mr. & Mrs. Snow
2.Vine Runner Decor
3.Design Tip: Decorating the Christmas Tree
4.Angel
5.Tree Skirt
6.Advent Calendar/Card Holder
7.Ball Decor: Sizes 2"-5"
8.Design Tip: Displays

Stockings
1.Designer Tip: Stockings
2.Vine Stocking
3.Ribbed Stocking
4.Designer Tip: Balance and Composition
5.Designer Tip: Texture and Balance

Home Decor
1.Dot Pillow
2.Towel Buddy
3.Rose Candle Decor
4.Pompom Wreath
5.Squiggle Wreath
6.Cable Wreath
7.Fuzzy Wreath

Evergreen Trees
1.Ruffle Tree
2.Winged Bough Tree
3.Bobble Tree

Apparel
1.Wraps
2.Elegant Wrap
3.Furry Wrap
4.Evening Bag

Beanie and Stocking Cap
1.Stocking Cap
2.Beanie

I received a copy of this book for review purposes and really enjoyed it. I would say that the book is aimed at intermediate level knitter, with several project being easily done by a beginning knitter. Making holiday decor is a good way to start knitting, even if you make a mistake it is not critical, the items will still look good.

YOu can find "Holiday Boutique Knitting" on Amazon by following this link


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: Knitting Over The Edge: Unique Ribs, Cords, Appliques, Colors, Nouveau by Nicky Epstein

Stunning designs!

I first got this book in a library, it was so good that I purchased a copy of my own as I know it will become a reference book for many of my projects. This is my first book by this Nicky Epstein, but when I was in the library I looked through both "Knitting over the edge" and "Knitting on the edge" and "Knitted flowers" and found that "Knitting over the edge" had more projects that looked interesting to me. It also had a nice variety of over the edge, applique, ribs and cords projects where the other two books were more "specialized".

I love making unique looking projects, and technique of knitting over the edge really helps me achieve this goal. The patterns may look complex, but they are not difficult and really enhance the look of your knitted pieces.

The goal of the book it to show different ways of finishing and decorating the edge of the garment: ribs, fringes, loops, tussles, and more. My favorite are cords. I've never seen the unique approach the author demonstrates of decorating the edge with loops and circles made with knitted cords! I also liked the knitted applique which you see in the cover image.

The book is illustrated with wonderful photos, they really make the projects and ideas in your head come alive. The book has 160 pages, and over 350 edging ideas.

I really appreciated that the author showed how different techniques look when done in different yarns, it really changes the look and it is helpful to see the outcome on the pages of the book before you try it yourself.

My only complaint about this beautiful book that some pages are printed in white font on pink background, and for my presbyopic eyes the contrast is too low to see well. This book is 190 pages and only 5 or 6 pages have a pink background, but unfortunately the table of content is one of them, so I have to strain when I refer to it.

Most knitting books contain mistakes, and so does Knitting Over the Edge.

You can find correction this way:

1. Go to www.sixthandspringbooks.com web site (I located it from Vogue Knitting)

2. On the bottom left you will see a link for "corrections" (just above "customer service" link)

3. When you click on the link it will bring up a page which will allow you to select a book by title/author

4. Then you can select "Knitting over the edge"

5. I am including the content of the current errata at the end of this review

I am working on my second project from this book and looking forward to many more!


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


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The current errata includes:

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Cabbage Rose

page 97

Row 7 Knit into front and back of st; rep from * to end--80 sts.

Row 8 Purl.

Bind off.

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LEAVES

See Garter Stitch Leaf in American Beauty Rose Capelet pattern, page 186.

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Open Tubes

page 168

Row 2 K3, *p5, k3; rep from * to end.

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American Beauty Rose Capelet

photo on page 88, instructions on page 185

LEFT FRONT

Cast on 39 (43, 47) sts. Work same as back...AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 10 (10.75, 11.50)"/25.5 (27, 29)cm from beg, end with a RS row and work as foll:

Neck shaping

Next row (WS) Bind off

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Ali Julia review ★★★★★