Getting Started:  The first round

First of all, I must stress that getting the first round of picture yarn in place is key to success.  If the first round is wonky, the picture will only get exponentially worse with subsequent rounds.  The above diagrams (with ribbing omitted) show a wrong, then right example of this.

  • Notice the 1st picture shows the beginnings of ghosties that are not evenly spaced. There is no way the next round will line up properly in this scenario.

  • The second picture shows nice, evenly spaced ghosties......in this case starting after 4 stitches into each of the four needles. It doesn't matter where your ghosties start on each needle. They could be 2 stitches in, 8 stitches in, etc. What matters is that they each fall on the same place on each needle.

  • Once you get that first round into place (following the chart included with the pattern), the second round will follow:

  • The concept is the same with all picture yarns. Some picture yarns have shaping, such as mushrooms and santas, but if you follow the provided chart, you will be in good shape:)

  • Watch that eye placement! Remember, the picture shows the back side of the work. It will look better from the front.

  • You may need to tighten up or loosen up a little to work those ghosties into place.

  • Remember: YOU ARE THE BOSS!!

Finished Ghosties!

What to do between picture yarn repeats:

Once you have your first repeat of pictures, you can just knit away until the first round of picture yarn begins again.  If these in between rounds don't work out perfectly that is o.k.  If they don't, this causes a "staggering" effect to the pictures that ends up being really cute!

  • solid colored yarn (or "flurries" yarn in the case of snowman kits) is provided in your kit to work with for the cuffs, heels, toes, and that transitional period of the gusset until you get back to the original number of stitches.

Once you get it, you get it and you can knit with any picture yarn!

Warning:  This can be addicting!  I have knitted with countless picture yarns and never tire of it!