Alpaca Direct Blog

Kelley was knitting up some baby booties this last week, and the pattern just wasn't working out. She didn't like the way the fabric was forming, and no matter what she tried it just wouldn't work out. So this week she thought she would share what to do when a knitting pattern just isn't working out!

Many popular patterns utilize double decreases – when you decrease two stitches at a time. Just like other decreases, there are different ways of doing them so they lean or align just how you want! 

This week Kelley decided to whip up the Knit Your Love Shawl by Martina Behm, a pattern available on Ravelry. It's a lovely shawl edged with hearts, perfect for a dinner on the patio for Valentine's Day! 

This week Kelley put the finishing touches on her Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman! It's an easy knit that is almost entirely garter stitch aside from the center double decrease. The "surprise" is how the sleeves come together in the end!

Chance are you've heard of the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman – it has over 28,000 projects listed on Ravelry! Kelley recently cast the jacket on using Hikoo Simplicity Spray in Pebbles and has a few tips for those starting this popular knitting pattern.

Kelley is still knitting up a selection of baby garments and accessories! While working on a baby hood, she discovered a better way to make the SSK decrease to avoid a leaning decrease. This technique helps the decrease to better match the k2tog decrease!

Have you ever wanted to knit a something for a family member, but weren't sure how to size it? Or have you wanted to knit clothes for a new baby? Kelley shared some great tips this week for figuring out knit garment and accessory sizes. 

Have you ever set goals for yourself with your knitting? Such as to learn new techniques, complete certain projects, or to knit more? In this week's episode of Technique Tuesday, Kelley reflected on the knitting goals she set for 2020 and how she did, plus went over how you too can set knitting goals. 

This week Kelley decided to knit The Silent Snow Hat by Lisa McFetridge, a paid pattern on Ravelry. The Silent Snow Hat displays the beauty of a small town on a snowy night, while only using two colors of yarn! Kelley had some great tips this week on knitting this lovely hat project. She used Sueno D.K. Ice Ice Baby and Dos Tierras 052 Paris Night to knit this hat. 

Kelley's continuing to knit holiday stockings this week, and has some tips on lining stockings with flannel and managing colorwork color dominance. Kelley is currently knitting Christmas Stockings by Faye Kennington using Plymouth Encore worsted.

This week we have two different quick & easy knit holiday stocking patterns to share with you. Plus Kelley has tips for easily adding beads to your knitting and how to pick up an afterthought heel with lifelines. 

Now that December is here, quick knits are our go-to for knitted gifts. This week Kelley knit up the free pattern, Calisson Headband by the Berroco Design Team. She made several modifications to make the headband seamless and easier to knit! This headband knits up in an evening and uses up scrap yarn – win-win!