ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

I have created 4 different skirts using hyperbolic plane increases so far.

What is that you say? – All the increases for a skirt created using the Hyperbolic plane method are carried out after knitting exactly the same number of stitches continuously for the entire skirt.

One of my skirts had an increase at 80 stitches and another at 60 stitches. My skirts are knitted in the round and the increases are always at the same position for the whole skirt, no matter what. Sixty stitches apart makes a marvellous floaty, flirty skirt.

I use a stitch marker at every increase and remove as I knit to it each and every time.

Cast on for your waistband which should be knitted in a circular fashion. So far mine are all knitted with a row or two of yarn over holes so that a ribbon or elastic or even an I-cord belt or tie can be used.

Then I decide on the number of stitches between increases. The larger the number of stitches between increases the less full the skirt will be. You will decide on the rate of increases depending on the yarn, the wearer and the purpose of this skirt.

For Example – every 60 stitches.

Complete the waist band, change from rib or whatever construction you have decided for the waistband and continue in stocking stitch.

Knit 60, PM, increase a stitch
knit 60, PM, increase a stitch

If your waistband had 120 stitches then you would increase 2 stitches on the first row. Continue to increase after every 60 stitches until the skirt is the right length for your proposed wearer. You will be sitting there counting from 1 to 60, PM, increasing a stitch, count to 60 again etc.

If you are interrupted in your counting simply count again from the last marker and you will never lose your position for the increases. Always remove the marker when you get to it and reposition it again when you have knitted your next 60 stitches. There will be times when you have an increase directly above an increase for a previous row. Still do it – the increase I mean, it will work, and it doesn’t look wrong in the shaping of the skirt.

The end result is elegant, or flirty, or cheeky depending on the number of stitches between the increases and the yarn you have chosen.

There is another great thing about knitting a skirt this way – you could add to the length if you ever need to. So if you knit it for a child, as she grows the skirt can grow with her. If you knit it for an adult – they may change the length simply because fashion changes.

Knitted skirts can seat – but because this skirt doesn’t have a front or back or sides dictated by the increases – this skirt can be turned to protect one from that drama.

Link to Wool On Gallery 2010 and my skirt is in there.

I have been working with the hyperbolic plane and Fibonacci sequence for managing increases. I have considered how to create and Work a Juxl Puzzle in yarn, and then see if there is a way to use the resulting design – not there on that one yet. I am fairly sure that the rhombus should be a doddle. The piece cannot be like a patchwork – it will have to be different somehow. Will keep you posted.

In geometry, a rhombus or rhomb is a quadrilateral whose four sides all have the same length. The rhombus is often called a diamond, after the diamonds suit in playing cards, or a lozenge, though the latter sometimes refers specifically to a rhombus with a 45° angle.
Every rhombus is a parallelogram, and a rhombus with right angles is a square.
The English word “rhombus” derives from the Ancient Greek ῥόμβος (rhombos), meaning “spinning top”. The plural of rhombus can be either rhombi or rhombuses.

Fortunately I have time yet.

Mr Wolfe might have been pleased, although I am sure he would not have taken to knitting as a method for explaining maths to a 15 year old.

The voluminous result is interesting and the piece still has to have crochet neck edge and beads added. The whole piece was knitted using Touch yarns mohair. The cast off (bind off) row was the only one where I used the faux fur fibre.

The Fibonacci Sequence requires some more thought. It was interesting doing the increases to match the numbering scheme. Will create another sometime, probably when I am back in New Zealand to see if I can use this with my knitted silver wire and beads idea.

Later on.

and of course there is always the more manageable hyperbolic plane increases as I know very well how they work.

I love knitting skirts and this one was delivered to Angelica in Switzerland last week and has already travelled to Prague to be photographed.

The yarn is Bombay from Katia and is lovely to work with and the colours are gorgeous. This pattern will become available – probably after we return to New Zealand as there is too much to manage right now. It will available in 3 lengths.

Bombay is 100% Mercerized Cotton.
100 grs. – 3 oz 1/2 | 230 mts. – 251 yds.
Size of needles: 3 – 3 1/2 USA 4 – 5
Number of shades: 12

Skill + 1UP or I think I want, I think I want to knit socks!!

Have I been upskilling myself in the knitting world in recent times?

I guess so. In the time since I arrived in Europe, specifically in the Netherlands at the end of August 2008 I have tried a number of techniques that I had never looked at previously and I have rekindled an interest in simple lace stitches. It has been easy to work on new techniques when away from all the interruptions that a normal life at home in New Zealand allows. In New Zealand one had friends to see, family to be with, stuff to do other than knitting, like gardening and so on. Here in the Netherlands Best Beloved is at work so I have peaceful time on my side, time to explore and to play with yarns and concepts and colours and obviously to explore and experience the Netherlands and so I have.

My little list of new or rediscovered skills is as follows:

Shadow knitting

Moebius Cast on – Moebius Scarf

Feather and Fan stitch

Hyperbolic Plane playing

Knit Graffiti

Knitted I-cord Brain Cells

and then there is the orange crepe paper crown that I started, required for Queens Day on the 30th of April. I have also used dpn’s for the first time knitting a pair of simple ribbed fingerless gloves.

But my big hairy goal – is sock knitting.

Which sock pattern would you recommend for a new sock knitter, me.

I can knit in the round, I can knit simple lace, I can follow charts, I can follow written instructions, I can knit with dpn’s, I have sock yarn, and I have IOU’s for 2 pairs of red socks.

Help please, advice requested. Which sock pattern do you recommend for plain red socks for the two men in my life, my son and my Best Beloved?

World Wide Words: states that Upskilling is a moderately common technical term and the Second Additions Volume of the Oxford English Dictionary cites a first use as long ago as 1983.

Upskilling refers to increasing the skills of workers, usually through training. Critics say that upskilled workers are not necessarily better paid, nor do they have better promotion prospects, and that upskilling benefits the employer rather than the worker.

I think the critics are nearly right – upskilled knitters are not necessarily better paid – but they have lots of fun, gain pleasure, have more to offer other knitters and are all round contented, well balanced, and interesting people.

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week