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Friday, August 20, 2010

Jogless Jog


Technique is every bit as important as the yarn or needles that you are using, but can sometimes be overlooked. I have met many knitters that have been afraid to branch out in their knitting because they were afraid of experimenting with different techniques. There is no reason for a knitter to be afraid of trying new techniques. The right technique can solve a knitting dilemma or add style to an ordinary garment.



Today I want to introduce a problem-solving technique. Avid knitters have probably noticed that when knitting in the round, with multiple colors, the different rows of colors are different lengths. This is actually because of how your knitting is worked when knit in the round. I discovered this technique in the book Holiday Knits, which is written by Sara Lucas and Allison Isaacs.

The following expert is taken from their book:

The “Jogless” Jog: One of us learned this from Meg Swansen’s column in one of the first knitting magazines we ever bought, so we always get a little thrill of discovery using it. When knitting in the round, you are actually working in a very shallow spiral. Thus, when you change colors, the first stitch and the last stitch of the round don’t line up exactly. This little un-invention corrects that. On the first stitch of the second round of the new color, pick up the odd colored stitch below the new colored stitch that is on the needle and knit the two together. This lengthens the old color stitch enough to bring it up level with the end of the last old colored row.

This simple technique can transform your knitting into something wonderful. I was thrilled to find this wonderful “un-invention” because I know the frustration many knitters have felt when they find their rows of color uneven. I had never known that knitting in the round is actually working in a very shallow spiral, which goes to show you even an experienced knitter can learn something new.


I encourage you to get your own copy of Sara Lucas’ and Allison Isaac’s book, Holiday Knits. Many of my readers are probably not ready to think about the holidays, which are still 3 months away, but this book is actually really fun and helpful. Holiday Knits is packed full of patterns focused on the holiday theme, but almost all of the patterns are easily adapted to fit any season. Plus all of the patterns are organized according to the length of time they will take to make. The patterns range from weekend projects to projects that will take at least two weeks or more.


This year Holiday Knits is my #1 source for holiday inspiration. I have even taken their advice and started knitting my projects for the holidays. The holidays can be the most stressful season for a knitter as winter brings a large demand for winter garments and that stress can be translated into your knitting. What is my suggestion for saving you from holiday stress? Don’t wait until the last minute to start your holiday projects. If you know that you are going to be busy with Christmas shopping and baking than take longer to finish your knitting. Most of us need to face the fact that we cannot do everything when it comes to the holidays and to make the most of the time we do have.






Happy knitting and God bless!

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