Cocoknits – Modern Approach to Traditional Knitting Skills

Knitting is one of the oldest methods of making clothes. It is believed that this skill has originated in the Middle East in the 5th century and travelled to Europe soon afterwards, with wool traders. By the 12th century, knitting was an advanced craft, and in the 13th century, the first knitters’ guild was founded in Paris. Interestingly, by this time, knitting was known as a male occupation. In the 15th century, knitting reached Britain and over the years, an active knitting industry was developed, supported by Queen Elizabeth I. She was trying to protect the hand knitting industry and denied the request for the first stocking frame knitting machine. But still, the number of knitting machines gradually increased over the next two centuries and hand knitting couldn’t compete with it any longer.

Knitting is a process that involves continuously interlinking or knotting series of loops of yarn, known as stitches in a line or tube, using needles. It has multiple active stitches on the needle at one time, the new stitch locks the previous stitches that are suspended from it, securing the loop structure and as each row progresses, it eventually creates a sheet of material. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, you can find so many new, modern approaches to most traditional techniques that will make knitting easy, fun and creative experience.

Creating products with crafters in mind, Cocoknits has developed a line of tools that are functional and suitable for everyone. Based in Oakland, California, the brand was founded in 2007 by Julie Weisenberger. After running her own knitwear company in the 1980s and designing sweaters for yarn companies and various magazines in the 1990s, today she is a proud owner of her own pattern and tool company.

 
Based on her experience, she developed the Cocoknits Method, a thoughtful method of knitting great-fitting, seamless and top-down sweaters. It’s a great method, very fun to learn, with new techniques and innovative applications of a number of knitting skills. It simplifies the yoke, the trickiest part of top-down sweater knitting, uses different meanings of picking up stitches, increases, short rows and more. “The Sweater Workshop” is an easy-to-follow guide where Julie presents the method step by step, together with new designs and tips. But most importantly, as part of the class comes “The Worksheet”. It is a colour-coded spreadsheet where you can easily break down the parts of the sweater with different colours and write down where and when you do increases throughout the yoke shaping and create a truly 3-dimensional shaping that doesn’t require seaming once you’re done. It allows you to keep track of your progress, so you’ll no longer have to worry about losing count of your rows, dropping a stitch, or needing the cable needle.

With the right tools and accessories at hand, knitting can be a delightful experience, especially with high quality ones, made by an accomplished knitter and designer with all the technical details needed to make garments that fit perfectly. The following are some of the most popular tools knitters find helpful.

• Coloured Stitch Markers – These are colourful opening stitch markers that can help you mark rounds, increases, decreases and stitch patterns. You can easily add or move the markers by simply putting them on the needle, crochet hook or directly on stitches. They attach to the Knitter’s Keep or any magnet, so you can store them properly when needed. Stitch markers accommodate up to 8mm (US11) needle, including 10 each of 6 muted colours.

• Knitter’s Keep – This is the perfect choice for keeping your metal bits and tools close to you while knitting. The Maker’s Keep features a silicone slap bracelet with a brushed steel-plated magnet, with measuring lines for inches and centimetres on the underside. It’s designed to fit any size wrist. Any steel accessories will cling to the magnet, so it’s great for makers of all kinds to keep small items close at hand while in the process of creating something new.

• Row Counter – It was designed with exclusive features such as steel back that allows you to attach the row counter to the Knitter’s Keep, and windows that magnify the numbers and you can clearly see the row you’re on at the moment. It’s made of high quality translucent polycarbonate that provides a modern look. It’s packaged in a kraft cylinder and includes a small cotton bag for storage. In order to count your rows, first depress the top button to advance the numbers, then reset the numbers by turning the side wheels and move the switch at the bottom to lock the row counter.

• Coloured Rings – These are brightly coloured and easily seen when marking rounds, increases, decreases and stitch patterns. They come in different sizes, the small ones accommodate up to 4.5 mm (US7) needle, the regular ones accommodate up to 9mm (US13) needle, while the jumbo coloured rings accommodate up to 16mm (US19) needle. All of them include 10 each of 6 colours.

• Leather Stitch Holder Kit – Use this in lieu of scrap yarn, when you need to hold live stitches. The threaded needles allow you to knit off of the leather cord. Make sure to keep the contents in the reusable kraft drawer, which is lined with 100% wool felt. You may need to snip the end of the leather cord at an angle to attach the needle easily, and in case you find it too rough or sticky, you can wax the cord with beeswax or a similar product that will smooth the rough patches.

• Stitch Fixer – This is a handy little tool, a double-ended crochet hook. It can be used to pick up dropped stitches and works for almost every repair your knitting project may need. Made of nickel plated steel, it can easily stick to your Knitter’s Keep.