How Do You Feel About Bobbles?

Knitters have some surprisingly strong reactions to bobbles. Some people don’t find anything appealing in having small balls of yarn on the surface of their knitting, while others object to the fussiness and extra work of making bobbles.

Have you watched my video on knitting backwards? Have you tried knitting backwards? Have you practiced? Were you just looking for the perfect place to use it?

Bobbles and Knitting Backwards

Bobbles are the perfect place to use knitting backwards. My Lisse Hat uses “bobblets” which are smaller (no large surface balls) and they are done to create an interesting edge, so not on the surface at all! You still have to knit the extra stitches, but think of being able to do that without having to turn your knitting each time! Plus, they are all completed on the second round of knitting, so when you are done, you are done.

Let’s try this at home!  Watch the video and practice knitting backwards just to create the muscle memory; remember, knitting backwards is mostly a bit of mental gymnastics and getting over the awkwardness of going left to right.

Make a Bobble(t)

Now, let’s make a bobblet. This is done over two rounds in Lisse Hat, but for practice, let’s do it flat.  Use any size yarn and appropriately sized needles.

MB (Make Bobblet)

Note:  1) On the chart the MB is in an orange box.  2) The (k1-fb) 2 times is worked all in one stitch. The increase is done on to add 3 stitches, then the bobblet is worked over the 4 stitches created by the increase, then 4 stitches are decreased back to 1 and the row is then resumed. 3) KB stands for knit backwards.

Bobblet Rib

Using the flexible long-tail cast on, cast on 24 stitches.

MB Row 1 (RS):  {P3, [(k1-fb) 2 times in next stitch],

KB4,

k4,

KB4, pass second st over a total of 3 times, p3, k1-b.

Row 2: [(P1-b, k3) 2 times] 3 times

Row 3:  [(P3, k1-b) 2 times] 3 times

Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Bobblets are just bobbles worked over fewer rows, and perhaps fewer stitches, so now you are ready to make either. You have mastered knitting backwards, and found a use for knitting backwards.

Lisse Hat Kit from Infinite Twist

You are ready to tackle Lisse Hat (releases as a kit from Infinite Twist) on October 22. Go here to get more information on the pattern; the price and link will be updated on release.