Transfer Knitware to Pattern Maker Part 2

For an example I change the pattern piece from Dropped shoulder to Raglan. I used same gauge and number of stitches.

Transfer Knitware to Pattern Maker Part 1

Tranfering a pattern from Knitware ver. 2.50.2 to Pattern Maker standard 4.06 can be done with a few simple steps.

Open Latches

I have used many methods to open my latches. I have found the easiest way to open them is with a knitting needle. I just run the needle across the needles and the latches open right up.

This saved so much time every time I knit.

Number of Needles

Many patterns have many different ways to count needles. Some count left of zero and right of zero. Some count total of needles from left to right and from right to left.

This can get very confusing when you use little stickers that count just from left and right of zero. I thought about it a moment and decided that a China marker would work numbering my needles for patterns that call for a total number of needles. It works pretty well. When I am done I just take a tissue and wipe off the numbers. I can now have two projects going at once on my machine.

You can get a China marker at Wal-mart in the office supply section for about $2.00.

Xanax and Short Rows Update

Ohh yes the Brother KX 350 is what I needed. I was able to complete a whole slipper in about 20 minutes.

In looking at the slipper I think there is to much fabric on the top of the slipper and can not adjust it to look right. I have tried a lot of things. I even reknitted the slipper decreasing a few stitiches.

I folded a crease on each side but it is such a deep crease it just does not look good.

I will have to ask someone if I did this slipper wrong or a way to fix it.

Xanax and Short Rows

I have been working all day on the 14 Minute Slipper. I have just decided I need to take Xanax before I pull all my hair from my head.

My Bond and short rowing do not mix. I pull down on my knitting, go slow and have applied different tensions to the yarn and still I am dropping rows like it is going out of style. I have never been able to be very successful at short rowing on my Bond.

I might just have to break out my Brother KX-350 for anymore projects that call for short rows. Several projects have been made on my Bond that have short rows, but this project has been the worst. In fact, this project is just driving me insane with the dropped stitches. I will finish this slipper off and see how I feel about it when I am done.

I can only suggest if you are going to do short rows on the Bond calming music, cups of tea (with added alcohol), no kids around (including husband) and a tape playing in the background saying how great you are doing. This is my Tip of the day.

Puffy Paint

I have made my Mary Jane slippers but am very concerned about slip and falls. I read many people have been using Puffy paint to combat slippery yarn slippers. So what the heck I gave it a try.

There are many products on the market that can be placed on the bottom of slippers so that they will not slip, but of course they are more expensive than Puffy paint. The Tulip brand Puffy paint is on average only $1.47 a 1.25 oz tube.

I started by trying to read the directions on the bottle. WOW, I have never seen smaller print. Thinking I am smarter than the average bear, went online to the Tulip site for the directions. They only offered a very general directions on 3-d paint. I had to resort to magnifying the back of the bottle. If I did not do that I would have missed some very important information like you have to steam the paint for it to puff.

After dotting up the bottom of the slippers and waiting 4 hours for it to dry, I steamed the paint and it changed from glossy black to flat black and may have looked a little puffy but I could not really tell a difference. I really did not like the look of the dots on the bottom of my cute as a button slippers. I think it would look better if I had did some sort of pattern or image.

Well, I waited 72 hours to make sure they were dry and tried them on for the big test. I am pleased to inform you that the puffy did create a less slip surface to the bottom of my knitted slipper. Of course, this does not replace a good ole fashioned rubber sole but does work rather well. I would suggest if you are giving knitted slippers to seniors, small children or anyone that has balance issues to use some sort of rubber sole or even Grippies to help prevent falling from slick soles.

I have decided to use the Puffy paint on the slippers that I will be giving out this Christmas. Of course, I will not be giving any to anyone who has any balance issues this year. Also, I will be creating a better design on the bottom of the slipper dots just will not do.

Tip: Decrease A Stitch

When decreasing a stitch or casting off it can be difficult to use the transfer tool. What I do is grab the stitch between my thumb and finger and move it over. This for me takes less time than than using the transfer tool.