Getting Loopy - or Knot

Very often, instructions for a cast on begin by telling you to "make a slip knot and place it on the needle," providing the first stitch from which to cast additional stitches, as shown in the photo above.

But did you know you don't necessarily always have to start with a slip knot?  The next time you begin a new knitting project, try simply looping the end of the yarn over the needle.  I almost always use this technique when casting on in long-tail, by starting with the tail end of the yarn in front and the ball end yarn in the back.

Loop the yarn around your fingers as you normally do for long-tail method, hold it down snug over and around the needle, 

add a twist, then make the first cast on stitch and proceed as usual.  

This photo below shows how the loop stitch (on the right) and the first cast on stitch (on the left) look.

Looping the first stitch instead of using a knot is just one tiny way to finesse your knitting; however,  looping the first stitch does not work equally well for all methods so you will want to experiment to see where you like it.  

Speaking of getting loopy, awesome St. Louis, Missouri yarn shop The Loopy Ewe is holding Camp Loopy, a fun KAL version of knitting 'summer camp' with various challenges and rewards.  Some of the Loopy Groopies on Ravelry have chosen to make Sothia for one of their Camp Loopy projects.  Camp runs until July 15th, so there's still time to sign up and join this fun adventure. 

Many thanks to everyone for the abundant well-wishes and congratulations on my first 'blogiversary' post last week, and thanks for all my new Ravelry 'friends' too!

That post outlines the free knitting pattern and yarn give-away contest I am holding all month to celebrate my first year of blogging including some of my patterns, like my newest shawlette pattern Sothia. It's easy to enter, just leave a comment to any post between now and then, and the contest will remain open through July 21st, 2011.  I look forward to hearing from you!

My sister and her family recently visited from far, far away, and since it's been a few months since we've seen each other, we had a lot of catching up to do.   

 

One day during that all-too-short week, we packed into cars and drove over to Beavercreek, Ohio to meet up with my cousin and tour some local tourist sites, mainly centering around the inventors of flight, Dayton brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright.   

The national sites and museums offer a fascinating look at the amazing accomplishment of these men, who were acquaintances of my grandmother!

The Wrights' first endeavors included printing and bicycle building.  

Inspiration for knitting and crochet is all around, if you look for it, even at a historic site...

Take a little time, wherever you are, to really 'see' your surroundings and you will likely find all sorts of shapes, textures, colors and lines to inspire you. 

Blogiversary Yarn & Pattern Giveaway Contest!

Today marks the first 'blogiversary' for Robin Ulrich Studio the blog.  One goal I had when I began blogging was to post at least 4 times per month and I've mostly exceeded that.  Another goal was to hopefully have at least 1,000 page views within one year, and I've been amazed that this page has been viewed over 26,000 times by visitors from 100 different nations! 

As I've occasionally mentioned, I put off the idea of starting a blog for a very long time for several reasons, the main one being that I am a very quiet, simple person. But I wanted to find a way to journal our family's day-to-day activities and adventures, share works-in-progress, finished objects and patterns, look at new yarns, ideas and techniques and provide a way for my curious, non-knitting family and friends to get a picture of my favorite interests.

I also liked the idea of another outlet for my passion for fibery things - I can talk about knitting, spinning, crocheting, designing and other related arts all day long, and I even dream about those things as well.

And lastly, since I know only a few knitters in person, I thought this might be a fun way to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Through the past year I've had the opportunity to 'meet' many lovely knitters and readers, discover wonderful bloggers and designers, dabble in my interest in photography, brush up on writing skills, and explore so much more in the world of knitting.  

To celebrate this milestone, I'm holding a give-away contest!  The prize will include (of course) yarn including Cascade's Kid Seta super kid mohair/ silk blend,

Crystal Palace's Kid Merino,

and Claudia Hand Painted Yarns' Short Sport.

In addition to the yarn I am adding free copies of a few of my patterns including the Brandywine Falls capelet, Lingonberry Loop scarf, and my new shawlette pattern, Sothia. 

It's easy to enter the contest, here's how:

• Be a member of Ravelry (it's free, educational and fun!).
• Add me to your Ravelry 'Friends' list (if we aren't already friends).
• Leave a comment to any post on or before July 21st, 2011.

Only one entry is necessary to participate, and each individual's name shall be entered into the drawing only once, regardless of number of comments received.

That's it!  Using a random selector, I will draw one name from all those entered to win the whole kit and caboodle of prizes.  I will announce your name in a post on this blog, after which the winner can contact me via a Ravelry message with their mailing address within 7 days, and I will add the patterns to your Ravelry pattern library and ship your prize to you!  International entries are welcome. 

Thanks everyone for a fantastic year, I appreciate your taking time to read my blog and leave comments.  I've got lots of fun posts planned including yarn and needle reviews, WIP updates, pattern sneak peeks, wool festivals, techniques, and much more.  I look forward to many more posts of knitting together!