Knit the New Year!

I know it’s cliché, but the older I get the faster the years go and 2015 was no exception. I feel like I was just welcoming the last year, but it’s already time to ring in the next! I’m looking forward to 2016, though — and, as with most things in life, I choose to celebrate by putting yarn to needles.

This week’s project is simple: knitterly numbers to kick of ’16. It’s a soft, pop of color that’ll act as a sign (both literally and figuratively) of good things to come. Knit on for the new year, wontcha? Here’s how to make a knit-covered wire 2016!

Materials
Wire hanger
Wire cutters
Pliers
Tape
Worsted weight yarn
2, Size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm) Clover Takumi Double-pointed Needles (dpns)
Clover Tapestry Needle

How-to:

• Using wire cutters, snip off hook portion of hanger.
• Using hands and piers (and photos as guide), bend hanger into shape of “2016”.

• You most likely will need to cut off a piece of hanger to create “belly” of the number 6. Shape wire and tape it to the “stem” portion of number 6. It doesn’t have to be super secure, as the knitting will ultimately be what holds it into place.

• Using yarn and Takumi dpn, CO 3 sts.Work i-Cord over wire number shape as follows:
• Knit 3 sts. Slide sts to the opposite end of the needle, and switch hands so that the needle with the sts is in your left hand. The working yarn will appear to be at the wrong end of the row.
• Holding piece in front of the top end of the number 2, bring the yarn behind the wire and the stitches and begin knitting again. The strand of yarn stretched across the back will encompass the wire.
• Continue in this manner until all numbers are knit over, stopping and sewing down when necessary, then restarting. Take a deep breath, because this requires a bit of patience and perseverance.
• BO. Weave in ends.

Here’s wishing you a 2016 filled with peace, love and bamboo knitting needles. Happy New Year!

xx,
Vickie
Yarn Arts Ambassador, Clover