Intertwisted – Part 4 and Reveal!

I hope you enjoyed the lovely Rosette Stitch as the third piece of Intertwisted.  Each piece has a provisional cast on at one end and a stitch holder at its opposite end.  It is now time for the fabulous finishing I have been promising you all month!

Part Four – Finishing

Click here to download printable version

US #10 double point needles

Optional:  Needle at least 2 sizes smaller to aid in waste yarn removal.

Before joining the strips, you may consider lightly blocking them. I am normally a huge fan of blocking but I omitted this step in several of my cowls since it had little impact on the finished garment.  A slight roll or skew in a strip will be masked in the finishing.  Should you choose to block, hold an iron a few inches above the strip (never press an iron to knitted fabric) and give the knitting a shot of steam.  Lightly press the knitting with your fingertips to smooth and straighten.

The first step in Intertwisted’s finishing is the removal of the waste yarn in each strip’s provisional cast on.  For first-timers of this process, it can be a bit scary to reveal live stitches.  Have no fear, I have close up photos and a video to aid you.  I highly recommend using a needle at least two sizes smaller than the pattern’s #10 as an aid to “capture” the live stitches as the waste yarn is removed.

Each strip’s waste yarn removal will behave differently and I look at each as a teachable moment.  Let’s begin with Part 3’s strip, the Rosette Stitch, as it behaves exactly as shown in the accompanying video.  With right side facing and cast on stitches at the lower edge, begin waste yarn removal at the right hand side with the extra crochet stitches.  As you “unzip” the waste yarn, place each resulting live stitch one at a time on a smaller needle.  At the left edge an extra stitch must be captured from the row above.  See Provisional Cast On Video  There are 16 stitches on the small needle.  Transfer these stitches to a #10 double pointed needle.  (See photo below)

Next, remove the waste yarn from Part 2’s I-cord as above with one delightful exception.  Because of the unique structure of the I-cord, all 7 of the stitches will be revealed as the waste yarn is removed eliminating the need to find an extra stitch at the left hand side.  (See photo below)

Transfer the newly revealed I-cord stitches to the double point needle alongside Part 3’s stitches.  There will be a total of 23 stitches on the double point needle:  Part 3 + Part 2.

Lastly, the waste yarn is removed from Part 1’s Go-To strip.  Because this design was worked directly after the cast on stitches, the waste yarn will not “zip” off of the stitches as in the previous two strips that began with an all knit row following the cast on stitches.  Begin the waste yarn removal with the extra crochet stitches as above.  As you reach the pattern stitches, tug on the waste yarn to unravel the cast on stitches – the cast on stitches will unravel, however, the waste yarn will remain stubbornly in place much like a lifeline.  Photo below shows cast on stitches unraveling while leaving the waste yarn embedded in the knitting.

Thread the smaller needle through the 15 stitches with the waste yarn as your guide.  (See photo below.  Click on the image to enlarge.)

With the stitches secured on the smaller needle, carefully pick out the waste yarn.  Place the resulting 15 stitches on the double point needle alongside Part 3 and Part 2.  There are a total of 38 stitches on the double point needle:  Part 3 + Part 2 + Part 1.  (See photo below)

Now for the fun part!  Beginning at the double point needle, braid the full length of the strips to achieve desired twist.  Taking care to leave the braid in tact, remove stitch holders and place resulting live stitches onto a second double point needle.  See Braided Cowl Video  In the video you will notice that following the braiding my second needle has the strips threaded on the needle in a different order than on the first needle.  This is perfectly acceptable and actually makes the twist seam more interesting when the stitch patterns are offset.  This is a very forgiving process and your cowl will be fabulous with your strips joined in any order!

Fold braid with right sides together.  With a third double point needle, join stitches using Three Needle Bind Off.  See Three Needle Bind Off  Video  A yarn tail from the strips makes a handy working yarn for the bind off.  Hide any remaining tails in the bind off seam.  Turn to right side and enjoy!

As pictured below, this pattern works great with multiple yarns and colors.  The design possibilities are endless!

It has been my pleasure knitting Intertwisted with you!  I hope you had fun and maybe learned a thing or two along the way.  Don’t forget to enter the fabulous prize drawing furnished by our sponsor, Skacel.  All you need is a completed entry form and a photo of your cowl submitted by November 15th to be eligible.  Most importantly, your entry provides Skacel with information regarding the number of participating knitters.  More knitters = more KALs!

Join me in January for our next Knit Along with a return to sock knitting.  The toe up design includes a beautifully engineered toe and heel with videos and tips for the novice and experienced alike.  The featured yarn is HiKoo’s brand new fiber, CoBaSi.  This washable, sock weight yarn is a wool-free blend of Cotton, Bamboo and Silk. Elastic nylon is added to the blend giving CoBaSi a surprising spring and softness with superior stitch definition. With over 20 colors available, one is perfect for you. ( See Supply List below.)

I hope to knit with you in January!

Happy knitting,

Michelle

Like life, knitting is full of surprising twists!

(c)2012 Michelle Hunter

January Knit Along Supplies

Yarn

  • 2 skeins CoBaSi by HiKoo, 50 grams/220yards each

Needles

  • US #2 (2.75mm) or size needed to achieve gauge of 8.5 stitches per inch in stockinette.  Socks may be knit with double points, two 24” for two circular method or 32” circular for Magic Loop method.