Lazadas Flexible Blocking Wires

Blocking knit wear is essential. After spending all that time hand knitting or crocheting something, you don’t want to skip this finishing step. It changes the drape, opens up stitches, evens out your stitches, relaxes the fibers and helps the yarn bloom. I like using blocking wires because it makes it faster to achieve straight lines and to pull things into shape. When Lazadus Knitting Accessories offered to send me their flexible blocking wires, I was really excited to try them. The Deluxe Super Flexible Set comes with 10 super flexible blocking wires 35” (90 cm) long each, 5 super flexible blocking wires 70” (180 cm) long each and 60 Nickel plated T-Pins.

The wires that I have been using for years are thicker and pretty rigid. I can get them to bend a bit, but it requires a lot of pins to hold the shape. Lazadas wires are thin and flexible. One big difference I noticed was how much easier it was for me to thread the wires through my piece. 

I used 3 wires to shape this triangular swatch for a shawl. The bottom curve was effortless to shape! Even the straight sides were easy to pin out. The one thing that you do need to be careful of is when you are uncoiling the wires. They are under tension and can hit you in the face if you do not pay attention.

For this swatch, I used 2 wires. One wire for the top and one on the bottom for the points. Then I used the pins to straighten out the sides. The thin flexible works really well for thinner gauge yarns. It didn't cause gaping holes in the fabric.

Thank you Lazadas Knitting Accessories! I really enjoyed trying out your blocking wires. These wires will now be a part of my knitting tool kit.

Book Review & Giveaway: Mosaic & Lace Knits

Today, I am reviewing Barbara Benson's book, Mosaic & Lace Knits. It's hot off the presses and I am thrilled to have a copy in my hands. Lace is a very popular technique in knitting. Basic lace knitting is as simple as creating yarn overs. Have you ever tried mosaic knitting? Mosaic knitting is also known as slip stitch knitting. It's a fun and easy way to add some colorwork to your knitting. The easy part is that you are only knitting with one color at a time. There is no need to carry multiple yarns. Barbara took lace knitting and mosaic knitting and combined it together. GENIUS!

© Tom Moore

Isn't this gorgeous? I think Ves really shows off the combined techniques of mosaic stripes and lace very well.

© Tom Moore

If I had to pick a favorite piece from the book, it would have to be Isochronal Arc. The color combinations and the stitch pattern creates a dramatic and stunning look. The arc design is carried all the way up the yoke which really completes the design of this piece.

 © Tom Moore

I think the Lozengy Scarf is a perfect project to get you started with mosaic and lace knitting. It uses a super bulky yarn, simple motif and lace and it is knit flat. You can work up this scarf pretty quickly while learning this new technique.

These techniques may look intimidating, but fear not. Barbara has added a instructional section in the book that covers the basics of knitting slip stitches, how to read lace and mosaic charts, how to work mosaic in the round, and tips and tricks to help you avoid potential troubles. She includes clear photos to help you learn the techniques that will lead you to success in knitting mosaic and lace. I really like the part where she goes into detail about carrying the colors up the sides and what kind of selvage it would create. Barbara took the time to knit a swatch to show the different examples and how it would like like if you chose one technique over the other. I am a real stickler about details and finishing techniques and that kind of information is so important, in my opinion.

 © Tom Moore & Barbara Benson

As a knitter, I just love trying trying new techniques. What would I cast on from Barbara's book? Right now, I am trying to choose between Sailing Diamonds or Lacy Pinstripe Cowlette.

If you like what you see, you can check out Barbara Benson's Ravelry designer page and her YouTube channel, Watch Barbara Knit. You can purchase Mosaic & Lace Knits from Amazon, your local book store or your local yarn shop.

GIVEAWAY 

Are you intrigued by mosaic and lace knitting? Would you like to win a copy of this book? Luckily, Stackpole Books is offering to give one of my blog readers a free copy of the book. To be entered to win, leave a comment below letting me know which pattern is your favorite. You can see all the patterns from the book HERE. Enter before April 17, midnight EST time. Don't forget to leave me your Ravelry ID or email so I can have a way of contacting you if you win. Good luck!

Swatching In The Round and Blocking Your Swatch

For knitting projects that are knitted in the round, it really does make sense to knit your gauge swatch in the round. We all tend to knit or purl with different tensions. If you make a swatch knitted flat and a swatch knitted in the round, you will see that there will be a big difference in gauge. Instead of knitting a giant tube, I have learned neat technique of an easier way to swatch in the round.

First you will need either double-pointed needles or circulars. I am using these snazzy looking Knitter's Pride MarblZ. You want needles that have no ends.

Cast on desired amount of stitches.

So instead of turning your work for the next row slide all of the stitches to the other end of the needle, just like making an I-cord. Since I am using dpn's, there was no need to slide my stitches. Bring the yarn around the back of the work and work across with right side facing.

 

You continue knitting only on the right side of your swatch. The working yarn is carried across the back. Now when you are done, bind off. Don't worry, if your yarn strands are not loose enough. You can cut the strands in the middle to get your knitted swatch to lay flat. 

 Soak your swatch in wool wash. Roll your swatch in a towel to absorb the excess water. I like to pin down my swatches while they dry. Here I am using Knit Blockers on a Lace Blocking Mat from Knitter's Pride. The Knit Blockers are real time savers and I like how quickly I can get straight lines with them.