technique: choosing a Swirl silhouette and size

11/15/2011 by Sandra McIver

The email I get most frequently from knit, Swirl! readers goes something like this: “I love your book and all the patterns in it. My problem is I just can’t decide which silhouette and size is right for me”.  In an attempt to facilitate the deci ...
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technique: completed sleeves too long?

7/4/2011 by Sandra McIver

The nature of the sleeves in a Swirl is that they tend to elongate during blocking and wearing.  This is because the rows and welts run the length of the sleeve giving the sleeve tremendous lateral stretch potential.  As the hand and arm travel through the sleeve, the sleeve lengthens.  Gravity comes into play as well, especial ...
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technique: importance of joining circle/oval on row 3

12/19/2011 by Sandra McIver

I’m finding a number of Swirls knitters are running into trouble because they are ignoring the instruction to join the circle/oval at the end of row 3.  Knitting pattern instructions are written based on assumptions of which direction the knitter will be working on in any given row. &nb ...
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technique: cast on using two balls of yarn

5/28/2011 by Sandra McIver

I remember the first time I encountered a sweater pattern that blithely directed me to to cast on 625 stitches. My jaw dropped. My mind reeled. Why so many stitches? How on earth was I going to accurately count them all? How many miles of yarn tail would a long-tail cast on require--and, OMG, what if I run out of yarn tail as I cast on stitch ...
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technique: no twist join

5/29/2011 by Sandra McIver

Joining numerous stitches in the round requires that you carefully align the stitches on the needle in order to avoid twisting the cast-on edge around the needle.

Here is the way I go about it:

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Knitter’s Review on knit, Swirl!

10/4/2011 by Sandra McIver


knit, Swirl!

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technique: measuring gauge (older version)

6/13/2013 by Sandra McIver

NOTE: This is the first tutorial on gauge.  It was my best effort at the time, but after a year and half of working workshops, trunk shows and knitting events, I found what I hope are better, and more succinct ways of explaining How to Measure Gauge in a Swirl.  I save this version because it has lots of photos and adds to the discu ...
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technique: achieving desired sleeve length

3/12/2012 by Sandra McIver

To begin, you will need your center back neck to cuff measurement.  This isn’t a measurement you can take on your own, so enlist an assistant.  Stand with one arm slightly bent while your assistant measures from the center back base of your neck, across a shoulder, around ...
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Readers' Choice Awards

4/2/2012 by Sandra McIver

winners badge readers choice awards

Favorite Knitting Book

k< ...
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technique: Swirl origami

8/30/2012 by Sandra McIver

So you've studied the book, but still can't envision how it is that the oddly-shaped, one piece knitted object finally becomes a Swirl.  It is a bit like origami! Here's an illustration that will help:

technique: sewing the seam

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