Learn to Knit III - Striped, Ribbed Cup Cozy

[Shandeh]

Isn't it fun learning how to knit?

Since we have made such great progress, by completing a dishcloth, as well as a seed stitch coin purse, we can move on into much more exciting territory!

Now, we are going to be knitting a cute Cup Cozy - perfect to keep your hands from getting too hot or too cold from your drink cups.
(NOTE: There is an error in the pattern. The cozy should be knit with K2, P2 ribbing throughout.)


The pattern is designed with Bernat Denimstyle yarn, but can also be made with Bernat Super Value, or Waverly for Bernat. (I would not recommend Satin or Handicrafter Cotton, because those yarns do not have the proper stretch required for this project.)




If you want to buy your yarn direct from Bernat for this project, keep in mind that right now (until May 31, 2012), you can Buy 4 skeins of worsted weight yarn, and Get 1 Free!

You will need THREE colors of yarn for the cup cozy.
Yes! We will be learning to change colors!

You will also need a set of FOUR DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLES - Size 8 (5mm)
Yes! We will be learning to knit in the round, on dpns!


dpns by Shandeh, on Flickr

Some of you may say, "I don't WANT to learn to knit with dpns!" But, I would recommend giving it a try. You might like it! Besides, people will be very impressed when they see you knitting with dpns. They LOOK much harder that they really are. Later on, after you get used to knitting in the round with dpns, you can experiment with other techniques.

Knitting in the round will open up SO MANY PATTERNS to you. After doing our cup cozy, you will feel confident to make hats, toys, socks, etc. It's really an awesome skill to learn. (Bonus: NO SEAMING!)

Before starting the pattern, be sure to do a GAUGE SWATCH.
It will be an important part of our work, because we want to make sure the cozy will fit nicely around a cup.
I will be posting instructions on that in the next post.

Let's do it!

SHANDEH'S STEP-BY-STEP VIDEOS FOR THIS PROJECT

[Shandeh]

Making your Gauge Swatch

Okay, before we start our cup cozy, we need to do a gauge swatch, to make sure our cozy will fit around the cup properly.

The cup cozy calls for a gauge of 18 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stocking st

First of all, what is "stocking st"?
This is Stocking Stitch, otherwise known as Stockinette.

Stocking Stitch has a smooth side, and a bumpy side.
The smooth side is all knit stitches.

Stockinette Stitch by Shandeh, on Flickr

The bumpy side is all purl stitches.

Reverse stockinette by Breibeest, on Flickr

To make your swatch, grab a pair of size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles, and cast on 22 stitches.
Row 1: Knit all stitches
Row 2: Purl all stitches
Repeat those two rows until your work is at least 5 inches long. Then pull it off the needle, and lay it out flat on a table. Don't stretch it out, just put it on the table. (No need to cast off stitches. Don't cut the yarn. You can unravel this swatch after you finish measuring it, so you can use the yarn for your project.)

Now, get a ruler, and place it gently on top of the swatch, with the SMOOTH side facing up.

Cape - Gauge Swatch by Shandeh, on Flickr

Do NOT measure from the edge of the swatch. Measure in the center of the fabric. (The edge stitches can get a little wonky, and will distort your stitch count.)

Next, look closely at your fabric, and find the little V's of your knit stitches. You might have to turn your fabric around to make the V's easier to see. Then, use the point of your knitting needle to count the stitches by sticking the point into the center of the V's as you go across the fabric. Be sure to count ALL the stitches, for ALL FOUR INCHES.

If you have half a stitch too much or too little, STILL COUNT IT. For example, you might come up with 17 1/2 stitches, or 18 1/2 stitches across 4 inches. This really does make a difference in your final product, so it's important.

If you count MORE than 18 stitches across, you will need to switch to a larger knitting needle.
If you count LESS than 18 stitches across, you will need to switch to a smaller knitting needle.
If you count EXACTLY 18 stitches, Congratulations!

Keep making swatches, using the same yarn, until you get an exact stitch gauge.

Next, you want to check your ROW GAUGE.
Row gauge is not as important as stitch gauge, because you can always knit an extra row, or less rows, to get your project as long as you want it to be. But, it's still good to know how to check it.

To measure your row gauge, once again, place your swatch flat on a table, with the smooth side facing up.
Then, place your ruler on top of the swatch, from top to bottom.

row gauge stockinette by Shandeh, on Flickr

Once again, count the V's, or the half-V's, from top to bottom. As before, don't measure from the edge of the fabric. Measure in the center.

This is an important thing to learn in knitting. May as well learn it now. Later on, if you want to make a fitted garment, you will be glad you already know how to do a gauge swatch.

Experienced knitters can get more detailed with gauge swatching. Some will say that if you are knitting a project in the round, you should do your gauge in the round. Some will say that to get an accurate measurement, you should cast off, cut the yarn, measure it, wash it, lay it out to dry, and measure it again. All of those things can be important, depending on the use and care of your project. For our little cup cozy, we can stick with just basic gauge swatching.

[tjwjlove]

Count me in on this one. I'm ready to learn more. I'm excited to learn how to use the double pointed needles. I had to use them on the Slouchy Hat and really don't know how I got thru that. I'll be making the gauge swatch tonight. So sorry to hear you were sick. I'm glad that you are feeling better.

[Shandeh]

:knit: Count me in on this one. I'm ready to learn more. I'm excited to learn how to use the double pointed needles. I had to use them on the Slouchy Hat and really don't know how I got thru that. I'll be making the gauge swatch tonight. So sorry to hear you were sick. I'm glad that you are feeling better.

Thanks for joining! I think this will be a fun project.
I will do my best to help you be comfortable with dpns.

[tjwjlove]

Ok, I finally found the size 8 dpn's. (Stores here just don't carry alot of supplies. I did my cozy, but will do another one. When I changed colors, I forgot to change directions on that row. Other than that, I really enjoyed trying this one. I still need a lot more practice, its kind of hard holding all those needles. My favorite stitch holder is the little cloths pins.

05-24-12_131 by tjnllike, on Flickr

[Shandeh]

Ok, I finally found the size 8 dpn's. (Stores here just don't carry alot of supplies. I did my cozy, but will do another one. When I changed colors, I forgot to change directions on that row. Other than that, I really enjoyed trying this one. I still need a lot more practice, its kind of hard holding all those needles. My favorite stitch holder is the little cloths pins.

05-24-12_131 by tjnllike, on Flickr

Wow! You did it! You should be very proud of all the knitting stitches you have learned.

[tjwjlove]

I am very proud of all the things I have learned from you. You have made it so easy. I truly Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

[Shandeh]

:hug: I am very proud of all the things I have learned from you. You have made it so easy. I truly Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

Awww....what a sweet thing to say!

[karenarp]

OK, I decided I didn't actually have a use for this item so I am not making it, but I did find another simple pattern to try on dpn's that I was given (kind of the other reason I didn't try this sooner, only the past weekend was I given a ton of knitting needles which included two sets of dpns - I didn't want to go buy them just to try this technique)

I am having a problem? I think. Is my work supposed to look like it is going upside down? No matter what I do I can't seem to get it to go 'under' my needles. This feels all kinds of wrong but not sure if it is right and I am not used to it. The 'v' side is on the outside, but the work is coming towards me, not away (or under) like I expect it would - photo attached
Also, how do you keep the beginning and end stitches tight enough?

[karenarp]

I never did work out if it was wrong, but I did finish my little project which I am going to put under my Gentle Waves topic. Other than figuring out how to pick up stitches I gather I did pretty well for my first ever shaped project.