happy love co

Author: Bethany

  • Twisted Rib Stitch

    Twisted Rib Stitch

    I’ve finally gotten around to getting my first little tutorial video up on YouTube! I can’t count the amount of times over the years that people have asked me how I do the twisted rib stitch in my patterns.

    It seems that a lot of the videos you guys find instruct how to work it in different ways and there’s a little confusion on how I do it.

    I haven’t actually ever searched it myself, but learned to do it from a wool and the gang pattern I did when I first started knitting.

    It is a very simple stitch. You’ll just be knitting and purling through the back loops. That’s it! For 1×1 twisted rib, you’ll knit and purl from the back loops, alternating knit and purl. For 2×2 twisted rib, you’ll do the same thing except work two knit stitches through the back loops, followed by two purl stitches through the back loops.

    I use twisted rib stitch in nearly all of my patterns! My winter magic sweater pattern is worked in all twisted rib, with different needle sizes for the waistband, wrists, and turtleneck part. It’s a fun one to do if you want to get better with working twisted rib!

    You’ll want to make sure that you’re knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches for each row of twisted ribbing. Otherwise you will end up with what looks like almost a twisted moss stitch. Which actually looks pretty cool! Someone had accidentally done that and sent me a photo of it.

    If you’re knitting and purling through the back loops, you’re doing it right!:)

  • A glimpse into my design process

    A glimpse into my design process

    I just returned from a quick little spur of the moment trip to visit my family in Minnesota and had a much appreciated break! I managed to get in a coffee with my bestie, lots of laughs and just an all around good time. The kids had fun, I had fun, and now I’m feeling excited and rejuvenated to get back to business. I’ve got some YouTube videos in the works for you all, a new tank coming along, amongst some other exciting spring things!

    I had brought along a purple skein of We Are Knitters “the cotton” to Minnesota and hadn’t thought much of it for the first couple days I was there. Too busy doing Target and coffee runs tbh. But then I booked a Florida trip because ticket prices were insanely low, which led to searching for some clothes for the trip, which led to casting on stitches for a purple tank top.

    It seems whenever I start getting the urge to design a new project, but don’t know what to do, I just take a step back. I don’t force it. I’ll go about my regular days for a bit and be snapping photos of whatever and doing whatever. Then it always seems once the “aha!” moment hits, I’ll look back through my camera roll and have a whole vibe going that I didn’t realize. And it’s usually a color vibe. So I think subconsciously I’m drawn to a certain color first. I feel like my color choices are always a current mood. I’ve been buying everything purple right now and it’s just making me happy. So this new project was just destined to be purple.

    Then I envision wearing a piece knit with the color. Just a quick like, getting coffee in a cute Floridian coffee shop, what are you wearing? Knit purple tank, denim shorts, gold necklace, some rings and a bracelet, ankle wrap sandals. Got it.

    Now that I have the color and basic stitch planned, I’ll have more ideas come to mind as I’m knitting the piece. It never fails. I always go in with one idea and come out with the idea plus extra. Also, I’m not going to describe what this new tank design is because I love having it be a surprise! It wont take long!

    I think the design process is so different for each designer. I even often just sit and stare at my yarn, for an embarrassingly long time, testing ideas in my head. My kids will walk by and be like “what are you doing?” But it works really well for me! And as a bonus, it’s almost like meditation too.

    I hope your week has been off to a great start! Don’t forget to do those little things that make your life happy and looking forward to every day! ❤️

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  • Love Heart Winter Hoodie Toddler design

    Love Heart Winter Hoodie Toddler design

    Happy Sunday!

    I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and are looking forward to all the good things to come in this new week! Start something you’ve put on the back burner, get a good sweaty workout in, maybe make that coffee meet up with a friend, do something to make the week better.

    I finished up the love heart winter hoodie sweater for my two year old this previous week and figured I’ll share some pics from her photo sesh. We have been having a seriously gloomy February here in North Dakota and if there isn’t sunshine, I’ve got nothing for photos at home! I had to turn my flash on to add a little something because of how bad they were looking. At that point, I’d already tried multiple photos out on the porch that weren’t turning out either, and she was over it all.

    The indoor flash photos take the cake. She’s leading with so much attitude and the best “careless” vibe I’ve seen. I absolutely love this age with kids. They’ve got the spunky attitude, but also the absolutely adorable squishable nature at the same time. They’re learning to test their limits, see what lights a reaction, what doesn’t. It is so fun.

    I love knitting sweaters for this girly. She’s already loving clothes at this little age, taking after my own heart. She picks out her outfits each day, even has her favorites! When I knit her a sweater, she’s in love. She will hug it, snuggle on it, and not want to take it off.

    This sweater is perfect for the ending of winter and leading to spring. This time of year, the wind will often be ever present. Spring will bring warmer days, but then we have the wind. The older kids can manage, but this age isn’t too fond of holding something on their head. I designed the ribbing on this hood in a more fitted manner, so the stay factor is strong. It will not fall off. We tested it running outside and I was quite happy! Then, when it’s pulled down, it creates a nice little mini cowl, perfect for keeping the neck warm.

    This sweater only uses one skein of each color of We Are Knitters “the wool”. It doesn’t use a full skein, as it’s a fairly small sweater. Then you’ll need your 15mm and 25mm needles. Literally you’re just having a few hours of knitting with this one, if even.

    The pattern is written for a basic 2 year old size, but super easy for adjusting. I include a mention in the pattern for that.

    Purchase the pattern here!

    ❤️ Bethany