Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Socktoberfest feature: The Latvian Twist Cuff

How to make a Latvian Twist cuff.

I think this is a beautiful detail on socks, and would look equally as lovely on gloves or a hat. For this particular project, I am using 3 colours and a knit 4 twist repeat. You could use whatever colour combination and make your twist longer with more stitches knit inbetween, or shorter with less stitches knit inbetween.

The cuff is worked back and forth on long needles (or circs) then switch to your double pointed needles or magic loop and join in the round.

Cast on with CC1 (contrast colour)
With main colour, knit 2 rows. Using a CC2 knit 2 rows.



Now, using main colour knit 4 stitches (this number can be whatever you want, in this gauge and for this particular pattern, I am using 4 stitches.)



Now rotate your left needle counterclockwise around your work, one full turn...



and end back at your knitting position.



Continue knitting with main colour. Knit 4 stitches and rotate again as above.



Complete the steps across the entire row and voila!



Latvian Twist complete! Now, using your main colour and working magic loop or on double pointed needles, join your work for working in the round and away you go!

30 comments:

May said...

This is really pretty. I'm definitely going to try this on a future sock project! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Very Cool. Thanks for the pics. I now realize what I'd been doing wrong in a long-abandoned-due-to-frustration project.

Stacey said...

How neat!!! What a great trim on gloves/mittens or even a sweater bottom/cuffs!

Emilee said...

Beautiful! It seems so simple (of course, I could probably never have figured it out), but it looks so lovely and complex.

Anonymous said...

My goodness, there is something new all the time. I love that technique! Thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

So simple, yet so lovely! Thanks for showing us!

Anonymous said...

That's amazing! I'm so glad I found your blog.

Anonymous said...

I love it and can't wait to see the completed sock. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm definitely going to try this.

Anonymous said...

The braid looks pretty-- but does it feel at all lumpy when you wear it?

Laura said...

So cool! Thanks for the tutorial! I love that you work it back and forth...the bonus is joining to knit in the round is much easier and less fiddly.

Jofrog said...

Very cool, and oh so simple!

tammy said...

Now that is dead cunning! One question, do you loose much length in your cast on because of the twisting? It really is beautiful.

Stephanie said...

Very neat! I've never seen that before; I can't wait to try it on something.

Anonymous said...

What a neat technique! I love doing things that look complicated, but are actually quite easy. (I think making quiche falls into this catagory.) Thank you for sharing this!

Peg-woolinmysoup said...

Thank you, thank you! I always learn so much from visiting your blog. A great technique so beautifully taught!

emy said...

That's so cool! Now I can go convince my students that the mistakes I've been trying to get them to avoid actually has a *name* to it! :)

Anonymous said...

A great graphic illustration of Nancy Bush's instructions from Knitting on the Road. Thanks!

gail said...

You make that look so easy, clearly a photo is worth a thousand words! I plan to take a latvian mitten class in November and this gives me a head start. Thank you!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tutorial. That looks like an awesome cuff.

Dorothy said...

Click! My brain just registered what that instruction means! Thank you. Now, I need to go try it out and see how well it clicked.

Anonymous said...

totally frickin' cool

miss ewe said...

That's so clever! Thanks for the demo.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial!

Anonymous said...

Isn't that pretty! And to think I've done that accidentally and didn't even know it had a name. LOL

Coleen said...

That is so cool! I will definitely try this out sometime. Thanks for the pics1

Anonymous said...

How neat!! I have to try that! (Thanks for blogging with photos, it makes it so much easier to understand :)

Anonymous said...

sweet. i live in latvia. it was soooo strange to read in your blog 'latvian twist...' i even read it twice. latvian?! no, really latvian! :D
i am really really proud of a latvian knitting technique being known outside our tiny little country! ahhhh! :)
i will now go to the old ladies who are selling their socks and mittens and see if they know and use that technique. :))
yes, latvians like to knit. they even knitted 4500 pairs of mittens for members of NATO summit that is going to take place in latvia this year: http://www.rigasummit.lv/en/?id=newsin&nid=115

Coral Rose said...

Thank you. Do you have any tips for connecting it in the round so it is as unnoticeable as possible? This was super helpful.

bathmate said...

nice posting for this site...i liked it,added more information it will better...
Bathmate

clarebear said...

resin cabochons
bead caps
jewelry clasps
lobster claw clasps
head pins
prayer box pendants
earring findings