Tricot 101

When knitting stranded colorwork (fairisle), it is often easier to knit in the round, always on the right side of the work. It is also easier to read the pattern if you always working in the same direction, knitting on the right side from right to left. This is why the "steeking" technique was invented: to be able to knit in the round (in a tube) and to be able to create an opening (or openings) by cutting the knitting afterwards.   The following video tutorial shows you this technique from start to finish and you will also find under this video the written explanations with illustrations to learn how to prepare the steek before opening and how to cut the knitting!      STEP 1: To make a steek, we will normally increase 5 stitches at the location where the opening will be created later.  These 5 stitches will then be cut in the center and are usually knitted by alternating the 2 colors of your colorwork. In the example below, our steek is composed of a blue, beige, blue (center), beige, blue stitches: STEP 2: After binding-off the stitches, use a yarn slightly smaller than your work yarn and using a hook, secure the center stitch of the steek by poking the hook behind the "left leg" of the stitch to the right of the center stitch and behind the "right leg" of the center stitch (identified in red above). Using your hook, grab and pull the yarn behind these two "legs" as shown below: Repeat all the way to the top to secure the steek opening by pulling one stitch behind each "leg" (shown in red below)... STEP 3: Finish the first side by cutting the yarn and passing the yarn through the last loop (stitch) and then turn the knitting 180 degrees to repeat the same thing on the other side of the center stitch as shown below (identified in pink) STEP 4: When both sides of the center stitch are secured, use a sharp pair of scissors for best precision and cut the middle of the center stitch (bottom up or top down doesn't matter, as long as you make sure to cut the center of the stitch). STEP 5: Once you have cut the steek and opened the fabric, fold the remaining stitches of the steek inside the fabric and secure it with a piece of yarn and a tapestry needle. Have fun working your steek: the technique may scare you the first time but you will see that it is very easy to do! Happy Knitting!!

HOW TO SUBSTITUTE YARN IN A KNITTING PATTERN To substitute the suggested yarn in a knitting pattern, here's what you need to consider: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ORIGINAL YARN FIBERS: Merino wool, alpaca, cotton, hemp… STYLE: Hairy, woolen, silky, number of ply COLOR TYPE : Solid, striped, gradient, speckled? YARN WEIGHT: Lace, sport, fingering, worsted… LENGTH (YARDAGE) & SKEIN (OR BALL) WEIGHT THE FINAL USE OF KNITWEAR Is it a seasonal garment? Durability (will be worn in shoes?) Softness (worn on the skin or over a sweater?) Maintenance (must be machine washable?) Drape (must be smooth or needs toning). Was the yarn in the original pattern knitted with larger needles than the recommended size to achieve an openwork effect? Stranded colorwork (fairisle) ideal with woolen yarn Must be feltable (choose an untreated wool, i.e. the yarn must not have the mention "superwash") CALCULATION TO SUBSTITUTE THE REQUIRED QUANTITY Here is how to calculate the amount of required yarn when using a different yarn than the one suggested in a knitting pattern. NOTE :  If the yarn specifications are not identified in the pattern, Google and Ravelry.com will always be your best allies!   ORIGINAL YARN SUBSTITUTE YARN Collection Louise Robert Algua Marina Katia Concept Seacell Cotton 70% silk, 30% seacell 250 meters / 100 grams Gauge : 20 to 22 sts = 10 cm Sug needles : 3 / 4 mm 75% cotton, 25% lyocell 120 meters / 50 grams Gauge: 21 sts = 10 cm Sug needles : 3 / 3.5 mm Quantity required to knit the pattern in the chosen size : 5 skeins See the answer below … Calculation of the meters required to knit the pattern : 250 meters x 5 skeins = I need a total of 1250 meters   Calculation of the quantity required in the substitute yarn : 1250 meters ÷ 120 meters = 10.41 rounded to 11 balls   MAKE SURE TO MEET THE SUGGESTED GAUGE SUGGESTED GAUGE 10 STITCHES & 11 ROWS = 10 CM² In most patterns, the number of rows suggested in the gauge is not very important since you can easily add or subtract rows to get the required length. On the other hand, the number of stitches must be the same to get the right knit size (unless you are knitting a shawl or other garment for which the final size is not important) but take note of the following: NOTE: a different gauge could mean that you will use more or less yarn than indicated in the pattern so be sure to take this into consideration!   TO GET THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS POST, CLICK HERE!    

Tout d'abord, qu'est-ce que le tricot modulaire? Le tricot modulaire est un tricot composé de plusieurs formes qui s'imbriquent les unes dans les autres pour former une pièce uniforme, un peu à la manière d'un casse-tête! La forme des modules peut être variée: carrée, triangulaire, rectangle, losange (diamant), circulaire, spirale... Toutes les pièces qui se tricotent individuellement pour se greffer les unes aux autres forment un tricot modulaire.  Ci-dessus, le modèle Diamonds Are Girls Best Friends utilise les formes de diamants pour une composition de châle triangulaire: L'utilisation des couleurs aura également un grand impact sur l'aspect final du tricot modulaire. Tricoté en une seule couleur, le "look" du tricot modulaire aura  moins d'effet. La possibilité de jouer avec les couleurs et les textures est souvent ce qui motive la création de tricot modulaires.  Dans le châle Diamond are Girls Best Friends, l'utilisation de la Laine Autorayanteᵐᶜ permet d'obtenir des pointes de diamants qui sont définies par la couleur "Melon d'eau" et il en résulte que chaque pointe est unique! Dans le patron de bas Carousel, on a opté pour une Laine Autorayanteᵐᶜ afin de mettre en relief une spirale qui descend tout le long de la jambe et qui se termine à la pointe du pied: L'entrelac est également une autre forme de tricot modulaire que vous pouvez observer dans le modèle Patron Entrelac version Biscotte Il y a différentes façons de réunir les modules ensemble: on peut joindre les pièces à l'aide d'une couture mais le plus souvent, on le fait de façon instantanée en tricotant les mailles de chaque pièce ensemble pour fermer la ligne de jonction.  Par exemple, le modèle de châle Arc-en-ciel ci-dessous est un châle en forme de croissant sur lequel on a ajouté une bordure tricotée en une longue bande perpendiculaire au châle. Cette bordure modulaire vient se greffer au châle en tricotant la dernière maille des rangs endroits AVEC les mailles du châle... Nous avons le plaisir de vous présenter cette technique à l'aide d'une vidéo préparé par notre professeur Joanne, enseignante tricot dans notre boutique de Saint-Bruno!  Et vous? Avez-vous déjà tenté l'expérience du tricot modulaire?