Special Sub-Topic: Knitwittery Click Here To Play: Knitwittery

When would you be likely to see the following instruction: s1, k1, psso, k5?

When decreasing stitches to shape the edge of your piece. If you slip a stitch without knitting it, knit a stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch, you have turned two stitches into one. This is commonly used when shaping sweater armholes, at the start of the row. At the end of the row, you are more likely to be instructed to k2tog (knit two stitches together).

The textured pattern created by slipping one or more stitches to a small needle, working one or more stitches from the main needle, then working the stitch(es) from the small needle is called

cable stitch. Cable come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the familiar three-stitch stocking stitch cable to convoluted woven designs.

The complexly-patterned sweaters, usually knit in undyed wool and based on traditional North Atlantic fishermen's wear, are called

Aran sweaters. With all the cabling and other textured stitches, these babies are WARM! Developed in the Aran Islands for protection against the bitter cold of ocean fishing.

When my husband wanted an adult-sized sweater using the Paddington Bear design from a child's pattern, I was able to make the design an appropriate size by

Using larger needles and thicker yarn than specified in the original pattern. By changing from 3-ply yarn and 1.5 mm needles to 12-ply yarn and #8 needles (left over from my US childhood), I was able to use the pattern exactly as it had been given! For fun, I also added a rear view on the back of the sweater. Quite a conversation piece.

With an even number of stitches, your first row of work is *k1, p1* repeat to end. Which of the following second rows would produce ribbing?

*k1, p1* repeat to end. The two incorrect answers will give seed stitch. If you were working with an odd number of stitches, either of them would give ribbing, with different edge effects.

When might you want to use four needles instead of the usual two?

In all of these situations (When knitting the neckband of a pullover, When knitting a pair of socks, When knitting any pattern for which you always want the same side of your work facing you). Nowadays one would be more likely to use a circular needle of an appropriate length, but the good old 4-needle sets are still around.

How do left-handed knitters need to adapt patterns to achieve the desired result?

Once they learn to manipulate the needles and yarn, no further change is needed. Reversing the rows is the only way I have found to cope with crochet patterns, but knitting patterns are fine.

Why might you insert the following row in a piece of work: k2, *k2tog, yo, k2* repeat to end?

to make a row of holes. k2tog decreases a stitch; yo increases a stitch; the result is no change in number of stitches, just a hole such as you might want to thread ribbon through the top of a pair of baby booties.

Which of the following yarns would be most suitable for a pair of baby booties?

3 ply. As a general rule, the larger the ply, the thicker the yarn. Since booties are for small feet, thin yarn and small needles are most suitable.

What effect does the instruction ktbl (knit through back of loop) have?

The strands of the knit stitch are twisted, producing an interesting texture. This is often used to produce twisted ribbing, with a slight visual ripple in the stitches. (If you knit in a stitch then knit in the back of the same stitch, you will increase a stitch.)