video tutorial – knittingisawesome.com

Mar 10
2021

How to Knit a Top and Skirt Set on a Knitting Machine – Beginner LK150 Tutorial

by Lauren

sweater top and skirt lk150 machine knitting pattern

Hi There! I’m so excited to be back today with another machine knitting tutorial! I’ve just come out with a brand new 5-part video series covering all the techniques used to make my new top and skirt set design “You Glow Girl“. This pattern comes in 10 sizes ranging to fit a 32-50″ bust and 34-52” hips, which you can find on Ravelry here! If you get the pattern you can make it alongside me in this video series where I walk you through every step. This set is also available as a hand knitting pattern here.

The yarn I use in the demo and pictured here is Lion Brand “Date Nights” in the Lapis color. It is so sparkly and fun and I absolutely loved knitting with it! It also has great elasticity which is perfect for this fitted design.

We start by making the Top, and in Video #1 we make the front of the Top. The techniques I cover are how to cast on and knit mock ribbing, how to knit the increase rows at the bust and customize the length of the top, how to bind off for the underarms, shape the underarms, put the left side and neckline on hold, and how to shape the neckline. I then show you how to knit the short row shoulder shaping, how to scrap off the shoulder and neckline, and lastly how to knit the other side mirroring the shaping and short rows.

In Video #2, we make the back of the Top and I show you how to knit this optional keyhole. I show you how to scrap off half of your knitting to create the keyhole, tips for customizing your keyhole size, how to do the short row shoulder shaping, place your back neckline stitches on hold, shape the back neckline, and scrap off the shoulder and back neckline. I then show you how to rehang your other side and mirror the shaping and holding. Lastly, I show you how to join the shoulders using a 3-needle bind off to prepare for knitting the neckband.

In Video #3, we knit the neckband! I’ve seen a lot of requests for how to knit a neckband on an LK150, and am so happy to be able to show you how it’s done in this tutorial. I cover every detail of how to pick up the neckband of your sweater, including how to pick up selvedge stitches, held stitches, the ratio at which to pick them up, and how to pick up before and after the scrapped off neckline stitches to ensure a smooth transition. I then show you how to knit the neckband and offer tips for fixing dropped stitches. Lastly I show you how to join the other shoulder using a 3-needle bind off, seam the neckband to the inside of your sweater top, and lastly seam the neckband edges together.

In Video #4, we talk about the sleeves! I cover how to knit the two decrease rows at the top of the sleeve on your knitting machine to create the puff sleeve look, how to bind off, and exactly how I seam the sleeves to the Top using mattress stitch.

Lastly, in Video #5 we cover how to knit the skirt waistband. I show you how you can use ravel cord to help you pick up your waistband, how to knit the waistband, pick up and hang the first row of the waistband, join the picked up row, then how to bind off using a backstitch bind off to finish the waistband. I then explain how the skirt is seamed together and lastly offer tips for inserting elastic into your waistband for extra support if you desire.

I’ve also made this set using Lion Brand “Pound of Love” in Maize (pictured right), which turned out super cute as well!

If you would like the pattern for just the top, it’s available that way too. The tops pictured below were made using Knit Picks “Brava Worsted” in Cobblestone Heather and Eggplant. I am wearing the 3rd size in the pattern, and the purple top is made in the 8th size.

I hope you enjoy this new design! To see all of my LK150 machine knitting patterns, check them out here.

Happy Knitting!

💜 Lauren

sweater top lk150 machine knitting pattern

Sep 17
2015

How to Knit Toe Up Socks Video Tutorial

by Lauren

Hey There! Today I am super excited to teach you how to knit toe up socks! Toe up socks are awesome because you can truly try them on as you go to ensure perfect fit, and you can customize the sock height based on how much yarn you have left 😉

There are 3 main techniques used to knit toe up socks which I show you in the video below – Judy’s Magic Cast On, Increasing for the Toe, and a Short Row Heel.

Screen Shot 2015-09-07 at 12.55.19 PM — Judy’s Magic Cast On

Judy’s Magic Cast On – This cast on method truly is magic! This cast on will create a seamless toe, and the stitches are ready to knit like normal as soon as you cast on! (video: 2:36)

Screen Shot 2015-09-07 at 1.09.33 PM — Increase for the Toe

Increase for the Toe – I show you my favorite way to increase for the toe, by knitting into the front and back of the first and last stitch on each side of the sock. A total of 4 increases are made for each increase round, which will occur every other round until the total number of stitches for the foot are reached. (video: 5:10)

After increasing for the Toe, you will just be knitting in the round until you are ready to start the heel. You generally want to start the heel when the sock measures 1.5-1.75″ less than your total foot length.

Short Row Heel – I love this heel method because it creates a really clean, simple heel. Short rows are used to turn the heel so that you can start knitting the leg of the sock. If you are scared of knitting short rows, have no fear – I walk you through every step of the heel in the video! (video: 10:54)

After working the short row heel, you are ready to knit in the round again until you reach your desired height of sock! Woohoo!

Are you ready to knit up some super awesome socks?! The 3 techniques I show you in the video are the exact techniques I used for all of the socks in my brand new sock collection “Look at Those Legs!” You can find the entire collection of 5 patterns on Ravelry here or click the images below for more info about each pattern. 🙂

I hope this tutorial was helpful for you and that you’re excited about knitting socks! 🙂

♥Lauren

Apr 3
2013

How to Knit Daisy Lace

by Lauren

how to knit daisy lace tutorial Hey there! Today I am very happy to be sharing a video tutorial with you on how to knit daisy lace! Even if you are new to knitting lace, you will be able to watch the video and follow along with the lace pattern written out below. Hopefully you will find that knitting lace is quite fun!

Once you learn the basics of lace though knitting this lace pattern, you will find that other lace patterns use similar techniques to create a variety of designs.

This daisy lace pattern is used in my original design “Blossoming Beauty“, so if you like it, you can incorporate it into a tank top or dress using my pattern! I am also hosting a Spring Knit-Along from April 5th – May 5th, so if you decide to knit this pattern, please join in on the knit-along forum on Ravelry here!

Here is the stitch pattern that I use in the video tutorial (which you will find at the bottom of the page) so you can follow along:

Abbreviations:

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together

psso: pass slipped stitch over

sl: slip

tbl: through back loop

yo: yarn over

Directions:

Note: This will make a square swatch of 2 repeats of the daisy lace stripe pattern. In the video I used US Size 5 needles and a worsted weight yarn so that you would be able to see my work more clearly, though the “Blossoming Beauty” tank top and dress design uses a US Size 4 needles a sport weight cotton yarn, Paton’s Grace.

CO 33 sts.

Knit 4 rows.

Work center 25 sts in St st for 12 rows, keeping first and last 4 sts in Garter St.

Work Daisy Lace Pattern below over center 25 sts for next 12 rows, keeping first and last 4 sts in Garter St.

Row 1: K2, [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog tbl, k3] x 2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog tbl, k2.

Row 2 and all following even numbered rows: Purl.

Row 3: K1, [k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog tbl, k1] x 3.

Row 5: K3, [yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k5] x 2, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3.

Row 7: K1, yo, k2tog tbl, k3 [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog tbl, k3] x 2, k2tog, yo, k1.

Row 9: K2, yo, k2tog tbl, k1, [k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog tbl, k1] x 2, k2tog, yo, k2.

Row 11: K1, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k5, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k4, k2tog tbl, yo, k1.

Repeat last 24 rows once more.

Knit 3 Rows.

BO.

I hope this tutorial was helpful for you!

♥Lauren

Feb 11
2013

How to Knit Glove Fingers Video Tutorial

by Lauren

how to knit glove fingers Have you knitted fingers on gloves before? If you have, then you know that they can be quite tricky and take some patience! If you haven’t but want to learn, I made a video tutorial below walking you through all of the steps and techniques! I use my “Be My Valentine” pattern as an example that you can follow along with, though the techniques I show you can be applied to other glove patterns.

My cat Ezzy also makes a guest appearance in my tutorial! (she just loves the camera 😉 ) I hope the video helps you with knitting fingers, and please let me know if you have any questions in the comments section!

Feb 4
2013

How to do Duplicate Stitch Tutorial with Free Heart Chart

by Lauren

how to do duplicate stitch tutorial

Duplicate stitch is awesome and I am so happy to share it with you today! Duplicate stitch is a wonderful and easy way to add colorwork to your knitting, and is performed after you have knitted an item. With duplicate stitch, all you will need to add a color chart to your knitting is a tapestry needle and some yarn. I find this technique to be a little easier than performing colorwork as you knit an item like with fair isle, intarsia, and stranded knitting, as it does not require you to manage multiple balls of yarn while you’re knitting.

Here is a video of me below showing how to do the technique, and below that you will find the heart chart I use in the video:

You will need to thread your needle with approximately 26 inches of yarn to make this heart. In the video you will notice I cut out me doing Row 4 of the chart (it got kinda boring, lol), but hopefully you caught on at the point 🙂 Again, the basic concept to duplicate a stitch is that you come through the stitch below the one you’re duplicating from back to front, back and around the stitch above the one you’re duplicating, then back through the stitch below from the front to the back of your knitting.

Here are a few tips that will help you when using this technique:

Count how many stitches tall and wide the chart is (this heart is 5 by 5 for example), then mark where you would like your chart to be positioned on your knitted item. If you are applying a chart to a glove for example, you want to make sure the chart will end up centered on your hand height wise and width wise, so be sure to try the glove on to determine which stitch you would need to start on for the chart to end up centered.

I find it easiest to work charts back and forth, from the bottom up, as you will see me do in the video.

You may need to adjust the tension of your stitches after you finish to make sure they look even with the others, which you can do with your tapestry needle.

If you make a mistake, no need to worry, you can easily rip it out and start over and it won’t affect your knitting!

Have fun!

I hope this tutorial was helpful, and please let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment below!

P.S. The Girly Knits patterns that I mention in the video that use duplicate stitch are Be My Valentine and Eye Candy. Each of those patterns have lots of fun opportunities to practice duplicate stitch!