Zahavi: Tubular Bind Off (Kitchener Stitch)

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This video shows how to work the Tubular Bind off. I'm working on the Zahavi Sweater by Emily Greene and distributed by Brooklyn Tweed. The instructions given in the pattern for working Kitchener Stitch Tubular Bind off follows:

"Kitchener Stitch is used to sew live stitches together in a way that mimics a row of knitting. Pieces to be joined are live on needles, with RSs facing out and both needle tips pointing to the right. Use a length of yarn approximately 4 times the length of the finished seam, attached to the R edge of the fabric on the Back Needle (use the yarn the piece was knitted with, or attach a new length of yarn). Thread the yarn onto a blunt tapestry needle and follow the instructions below, working from right to left (note that you will work into each stitch twice):

Step 1: Insert tapestry needle into first stitch on Front Needle as if to purl; pull yarn through, but do not slip this stitch from needle.

Step 2: Insert tapestry needle into first stitch on Back Needle as if to knit; pull yarn through, but do not slip this stitch from needle.

Step 3: Insert tapestry needle into first stitch on Front Needle as if to knit, slipping this stitch off the needle. Insert tapestry needle into next stitch on Front Needle as if to purl and pull yarn through this stitch, tugging it gently.

Step 4: Insert tapestry needle into first stitch on Back Needle as if to purl, slipping this stitch off the needle. Insert tapestry needle into next stitch on Back Needle as if to knit and pull yarn through this stitch, tugging it gently.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until a single stitch remains on each needle, adjusting the tension of the sewing yarn every few stitches so that it mimics the tension of the knitting. To finish, insert tapestry needle into final stitch on Front Needle as if to knit, slipping it off of needle. Now, insert tapestry needle into final stitch on Back Needle as if to purl, slipping it off of needle. Pull the yarn through and fasten off gently so as not to distort the stitches." © Brooklyn Tweed 2020

Geiger Cardigan: Cable Gauge Swatches

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Preparing for the Geiger Cardigan, I knitted two swatches. One was based on the Lower Left Sleeve Chart (page 24), and one used the Upper Left-Leaning Cable Chart (page 21).

This post will give instructions for these two different swatches and will show how I measured gauge.

NOTE: The page numbers in the PDF that I downloaded from Ravelry are different from the page numbers in the printed version you may have purchased from your local yarn shop. When in doubt refer to the title text, not the page number.

Swatch #1: Rib Cabled Cast On, Lower-Left Sleeve and Picot Bind Off

Here’s a photo of the completed swatch:

Cable Swatch 1 flip.jpg

Instructions for Swatch #1:

I used US 5 (3.75mm) needle (based on my SS swatch) and Brooklyn Tweed Arbor in Humpback colorway.

  1. Following LEFT SLEEVE instructions on page 17, cast on 71 sts using the Rib Cabled Cast On as described in “Special Techniques” section of the pattern on page 27.

  2. Work “Next Row (RS)”

  3. Work “Next Row (WS)”

  4. Work the WORK RIBBING section:

    1. Work “Next Row (RS)” This is a row with a decrease taking you down to 70 sts.

    2. Work “Next Row (WS)”

    3. Work “Next Row (RS)”

    4. Go back and work “Next Row (WS)” one more time.

  5. Work the BEGIN MAIN FABRIC AND SHAPE SLEEVE section. (Starts at Row 1 of the “Lower Left Sleeve Chart” on page 24.)

    1. Work “Sleeve Increase Row (RS) WITHOUT DOING THE m1 INCREASES.

    2. Work “Next Row (WS)”

    3. Work “Next Row (RS)”

    4. Work “Next Row (WS)”

    5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have completed row 40 of the “Lower Left Sleeve Chart. “

  6. Bind off using the Picot Bind Off method described in the next to the last step on page 19.

  7. Block the swatch and allow to completely dry.

  8. The bottom of the swatch measured across the 56 stitches from the “Lower Left Sleeve Chart” should measure 6 1/2 inches as shown in this photo:

Cable Swatch 1 measured flip.jpg

Swatch #2: Upper Left-Leaning Cable

Here’s a photo of the completed swatch:

Cable Swatch 2 Redux.jpg

Instructions for Swatch #2:

I used US 5 (3.75mm) needles with Brooklyn Tweed Arbor in the Vintner colorway. This is the color I chose for the sweater.

  1. Cast on 38 sts.

  2. (RS) Work 5 sts in seed stitch, place marker, work row 1 of “Upper Left-Leaning Cable Chart,” place marker, work 5 sts in seed stitch.

  3. (WS) Work 5 sts in seed stitch, slip marker, work row 2 of “Upper Left-Leaning Cable Chart,” slip marker, work 5 sts in seed stitch.

  4. Continue working “Upper Left-Leaning Cable Chart” bounded by 5 stitches of seed stitch on each end until you have completed 32 rows of the chart.

  5. Bind off in pattern.

  6. Block and allow to dry completely.

  7. The bottom of the chart should measure 3 inches wide across the 28 stitches in the “Upper Left-Leaning Cable Chart” as shown in this photo below:

Cable Swatch 2 Redux measured.jpg