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Fox Paws KAL page

Yarn Over Berlin’s Fox Paws pattern advice

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Preparation

(1) Purchased the Fox Paws knitting kit from Craftsy. Color way = Jewel Box.

(2) Knit Oak Leaf and Stars patterns (by Xandy Peters) to practice stacked decreases and increases.

(3) Knit practice swatch using DK weight yarn. Started with US 9 needles, then went down to US 8.

(4) Knit practice swatch using project (sport weight) yarn from Craftsy with US 6 needles. (This is because I liked the look and hoped to combat situations reported by other Craftsy kit users not having enough yarn.)

Modifications
(1) Used US 6 needles instead of US 8.
(2) Replaced k5tog with sl2, k3tog, psso in the beginning. Later used a crochet hook to help pull the yarn through a k5tog, which looked nicer.
(3) Rows 2-10: Replaced all single KYOKs with M1R, K1, M1L.
(4) Rows 2-10: Replaced base KYOK of stacked increases with M1R, K1, M1L.
(5) Rows 11, 13, 15: Replaced KYOKs with M1R, K1, M1L.

Tips
(1) Place stitch markers between repeats within a row. (I used bulb safety pins.)
(2) Insert life lines after completing even rows 2-10. (I used size 10 crochet thread. I only had 3 life lines going at a time; pulled the bottom one out and recycled to top as needed.)
(3) Count stitches upon completion of each repeat.
(4) Use natural fiber yarn to practice. Acrylic does not stretch. The slight elasticity of natural fibers aids in the knitting of stacked increases.
(5) Row 4 puts the most stress on hands. Row 6 has the most steps. Plan accordingly.
(6) Metal, lace tip needles are a must. Metal enables the stitches to slide easier (stacked increases create tension). It is easier to keep the stitches at the tips when working stacked increases. The longer tip length of lace tip needles is very helpful.
(7) I found it helpful to make small data tables for even rows 2-10 listing how many stitches were on the right needle after each step within a repeat. It enabled me to locate a mistake without having to TINK the entire repeat.
(8) Work in areas and at times without distraction until you get the hang of the pattern. (I had another WIP going for traveling/mindless knitting until I became Fox Paws-proficient.) Don’t give up! You will be knitting Fox Paws in front of the TV before you know it.
(9) Snug yarn when knitting stitches to the sides and above stacked decreases to close gaps.
(10) Consider the quasi/pseudo magic loop technique (referenced in the Fox Paws project notes of many other Ravelers) on row 4. This reduced the hand stress I experienced with the 3 back-to-back stacked increases.
(11) Follow designer’s recommendation and instruction link to weave in ends as you knit.

Progress Updates

• May 2018 - Worked through color chart 3 times, per Craftsy instructions. Craftsy’s final dimensions were 56” x 14.5”. My dimensions at this point were 40” x 12”. (I used a US 6 needle; Craftsy recommends a US 8.) I began working the color chart a fourth time.
• June 9, 2018 - Bound off after row 10 of 5th repeat after almost completing the color chart for a 4th time. Wove in CO and BO ends with tapestry needle, but did not snip remaining tail. (Color change ends were woven in as I knit; ends left intact in case ease is needed for blocking.) Pre-blocking dimensions were 57” x 12”. Craftsy provided 1 skein of colors B, C, E and 2 skeins of colors A & D. I used up almost 1 skein for each color; never touched 2nd skein for colors A&D.
• June 10, 2018 - Soaked in cool Eucalan solution for 50 min. Placed between towels on floor and compressed out excess moisture. Placed on blocking boards, wove wires through long edges, and used knit blockers to stretch to 73” x 15”. Let dry overnight under ceiling fan.
• June 11, 2018 - Removed blocking wires and pins. Trimmed ends. Final dimensions: 71.5” x 14”
• October 2018-Won 2nd place in the other hand knitted accessories class at the NC State Fair.