Hi friends, I'm out of the office today, working on the craft projects for our March issue (I know! Crazy, isn't it?) but I wanted to pop in and talk a little bit about the Mulled Wine Mitts that are featured in the December issue of Canadian Living. [caption id="attachment_752" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="I worked these up over a couple weekends. Love that pink!"] [/caption] I've had a call and an email from readers who've encountered difficulties as they work on setting up the twisted moss stitch panels for the mitts. If you've already started knitting, chances are you've already encountered a tricky little bit of stitching in Rnd 9. It looks like this (the trick is bolded): Rnd 9: Needle 1: P4, kitbl, work row 1 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p3. Needles 2 and 3: P1, m1 purlwise, p1, k1tbl, work row 1 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p3, p2tog. Chances are you're wondering, "What's up with that increase/decrease?" Basically, it's there to align the outer edges (the two parallel rows of twisted knit stitches that run all the way up the mitts) of the second moss stitch panel with the ribbing, to match the first panel. Have a look at the panel on needle one: [caption id="attachment_753" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="See how the knit stitches from the ribbing continue into the body of the mitt on the first panel."] [/caption] And then look at the panel that begins on needle two: [caption id="attachment_754" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The needle is pointing at the increase. Note how the knit stitches will now align, as on panel 1."] [/caption] Aha! It's a little bit of knitting sorcery that makes the finished product that much nicer looking. The important thing to note is that you only do this increase/decrease once, in Round 9. When you get to Round 13, you will begin a pattern repeat that works over 4 rounds: Rnd 13: Needle 1: P4, kitbl, work row 1 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p3. Needles 2 and 3: P3, k1tbl, work row 1 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p4. Rnd 14: Needle 1: P4, kitbl, work row 2 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p3. Needles 2 and 3: P3, k1tbl, work row 2 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p4. Rnd 15: Needle 1: P4, kitbl, work row 3 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p3. Needles 2 and 3: P3, k1tbl, work row 3 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p4. Rnd 16: Needle 1: P4, kitbl, work row 4 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p3. Needles 2 and 3: P3, k1tbl, work row 4 of twisted moss stitch over next 13 sts, k1tbl, p4. And so on, and so on, until it's time to begin shaping the thumb gusset. I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, please let me know. If you're looking for a tutorial on the k1tbl stitch, check out the handy how-to that Glenna put together here. And just in case you're wondering if I'm ever going to talk about something other than knitting for a change, here's a sneak peak at a Christmas craft I put together for you over the weekend. It'll be up on the CL Crafts Channel soon...stay tuned! [caption id="attachment_755" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Coming soon!"] [/caption]