Bond Buzz, Issue #49
November 20 , 2008
Free from Bond America

Nothing makes me think of Christmas and snow than a Fair Isle sweater or hat and mittens set. However, pushing those needles out with my fingers locked in a 4-stitch repeat position can be uncomfortable at best. So I asked Kathy Perry to come up with a set of needle pushers that are easy enough to make, nearly any of our readers can make them with simple household tools.

You can also use these needle pushers for eyelet stitches, tuck stitches and many others.

The yarn Kathy used for the technique is NaturallyCaron.com’s Country, a yarn that just flows through the needles of the USM and can be used on a 2, 2.5 or 3 keyplate depending on what stitch you’re doing.

So, without further ado, here’s Kathy . . .

Make-Your-Own Needle Pushers
Needle pushers are used to select needles accurately and quickly when doing pattern work like Fair Isle and lace or when adding texture or ribbing. These instructions are for making a needle pusher that will select every other needle (EON) on one side and every 4th needle on the other side. You may want to make additional pushers for every 3rd, 5th and 6th needles too!  The “technique pattern” below uses EON and every 4th needle selection for Fair Isle and 1x3 Rib.

MATERIALS
One 3/8"x 2"x 9" piece of wood (I cut a 3/8"x2"x24" pine strip from any lumber supplier or home center)

2 dozen - 13/16" screw eyes

Helpful:  vice grips or pliers; vice to hold wood while inserting screw-eyes; power drill if you want to make pilot (pre-drilled) holes.

• Mark long 3/8" edge for every other needle (EON) placement by putting wood on needle bed and marking carefully. Mark opposite edge for every 4th needle.
• Make a pilot hole on each mark to help position screw eyes.

• Insert screw eyes where marked so they go in approximately half way.

FAIR ISLE HAT AND WRIST WARMERS

designed by Kathy Perry

FINISHED SIZE: Teen (Adult)

YARN (to complete both projects in either size)            

NaturallyCaron.com Country from Caron ® International (25% Merino Wool, 75% Microdenier Acrylic, 3oz/85g, 185yds/170m): #0013  Spruce (A) 3  ounces, #0024 Black (B) 1 ounce, #0005 Ocean Spray (C) 3 ounces

KEY PLATE
USM/ISM KP#2 or appropriate tension to obtain gauge
Suitable for USM/ISM/Bond Classic or 6.5 to 9 mm knitting machine

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Needle pusher (or select by hand)
Latch tool
Yarn needle

GAUGE
In Stockinette stitch, 17 sts and 24 rows = 4”/10 cm
In Fair Isle, 17 sts and 24 rows = 4”/10 cm

STITCHES USED
Stockinette stitch (St st)
Garter stitch
1x3 Rib
Fair Isle (Follow Chart)

GARTER STITCH
Rows 1: K
Row 2: K and reform all sts across row.

1x3 RIB
(multiple of 4 sts + 3)
Beg LHS, using latch tool, *skip 3 sts, convert next st; rep from * across, end skip last 3 sts. Note: For ease in working, *knit 4-6 rows, drop sts to be converted down and reform; repeat from *.

NEEDLES REQUIRED 35 (39)

WRIST WARMERS

• Using closed CO Method (Chain st) and B, CO 35 (39) sts. COR. RC=000.

  

• Cuff: Work 2 R Garter st. Change to A and work 2 R Garter st. Start Fair Isle and work Chart rows 1-15. RC=019. Using C, K to RC=026.

• Change to A and work 1x3 Rib to RC=059 (065). Leave long tail end for finishing.

• Bind off back stitch.

• Repeat for second wristwarmer.

FINISHING  

• Seam: (Purl side is RS) Using tail end, seam 1" down from edge and secure yarn. Leave a 3" opening for thumb and complete seam stopping at end of Rib.  Seam cuff (Knit side is RS) matching Fair Isle pattern.

• Weave in ends.

• Turn up cuff so that Fair Isle shows.

NEEDLES REQUIRED 83 (95)

HAT

• Using closed CO Method (Chain st) and B, CO 83 (95) sts. COR. RC=000. 

• Hem: Work 2 R Garter st. Change to A and work 2 R Garter st. Start Fair Isle and work Chart rows 1-15. RC=019. Using C, K to RC=026.

• Change to A and work 1x3 Rib to RC=067 (073). Cut yarn leaving long tail end to gather top stitches and sew back seam.

• Run tail end through stitches and remove from machine.

FINISHING

• Gather top and secure.  Sew back seam so that purl side is RS on Rib and knit side is RS on hem.

• Weave in ends.

• Turn up hem so that Fair Isle shows.

• Make a tassel by wrapping left over yarn (approx 50 times) around a 4" piece of cardboard.  Tie one end of loops with a piece of yarn. Slip loops off cardboard and tie another piece of yarn around loops near top. Leave loops uncut. Attach to top of hat. 

Cropped Country Jacket
Kathy's created this Fair Isle jacket with just enough patterning along the lower edge to be eye-catching but easy and quick to knit up. The spaced purl stitches, created by converting a stitch every 6 rows, gives this design interest but is still "make-it-in-2-evenings" fast. And the 3-button garter stitch placket follows the trends today. And NaturallyCaron.com Country just glides though the machine with ease. We know you'll love it!

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Cari Clement
Bond America

P.S. As a subscriber to Bond-Buzz, I'd like to invite you to subscribe to the FREE e-mail newsletter—Caron Connections from Caron® International. Just visit the Caron site (http://www.caron.com) and enter your email address. It's that easy. As a subscriber to Caron Connections, you'll receive monthly emails filled with the latest inside scoop on Caron's new fashion yarns and free patterns.