The weather is perfect

It's a gorgeous summer day here in Maine. Some folks have said it's "too hot," but Owen looks pretty comfortable here in his new shorties:

These were knit up by his mom, Jenn Steingass, in the colorway Little Monsters.

Another of our latest contest entries is knitted in Little Monsters, the Sprung Kerchief, knit by Betsy Schubert:

Happy Bradford knit this knitting pattern sampler with a crocheted edge using the colorway Sweetheart:

Enjoy this beautiful day, wherever you are!

One week to go!!!

Only one more week until the drawing for the Big Contest.

Mary Kelley, who purchased her yarn at In The Loop when Amy did the trunk show there, wrote: "Since the name Nautilus comes from the Greek meaning "sailor," I worked my scarf in a traditional Sailor's Rib using a 31 stitch cast on. I doubted, the entire time I was knitting, that one skein would be sufficient, but after gentle blocking, I find it to be a perfect length. I think my new sailor rib scarf will be one of the few things I keep for myself, I doubt I will be able to part with it. Thanks for making such a quality fiber." Thank you, Mary! Here's her scarf:

  

Sailor's Rib is a lovely, simple-to-do stitch. Here's how:

Cast on a multiple of 5 stitches plus 1.

Row 1 K1B *P1, K2, P1, K1B* repeat from *

Row 2 P1 *K1, P2, P1* repeat from *

Row 3 K1B *P4, K1B* repeat from *

Row 4 P1 *K4, P1* repeat from *

For you newbies out there, K1B means "knit one through back loop."

Mary Kelley emailed us, and recommended that if you slip the last stitch on every wrong side row as if to purl with the yarn in front, it eliminates the "little loopy stitch with otherwise forms along one edge." Thanks, Mary!

Naomi Foran knit Diana Hannas Birthday Cowl.  Naomi says this cowl only used a half skein of yarn! She sent us this close-up photo:

Keep those entires coming, folks! 

How to do the twist

A few people have asked for more explanation of how to do "The Twist" in our pattern for fingerless mitts.

Here's the written instructions:

Knit 2 stitches together. Leave on left hand needle. Insert right hand needle into first stitch on left hand needle and knit 1 stitch. Pull all stitches off onto the right hand needle. That's it!

We hope these photos help the visual learners out there:

Knit two stitches together.
Leave on left hand needle.

Insert right hand needle into first stitch on left hand needle.

Knit one stitch. Then. . .

. ..pull all stitches off
and on to the right hand needle.

It really is simple. Just follow along, and you'll see. This faux cable stitch is great to use anywhere there's a K2P1 or K2P2 ribbing. It's decorative and doesn't stretch much. Have fun!