Sometimes you just need a simple stitch pattern to frame a fancier pattern, as on an Aran-style sweater that's full of a bunch of different textured stitches.

The stitch known as Jacob's Ladder, also sometimes called Ladder of Life or Cross-Rib Stitch, is a good choice for those times when you need a border but you don't want the border itself to get a lot of attention.

You could also use this on the sides of a blanket (give the same look to the top and bottom edges by knitting Stockinette for a few rows, then throwing a row of purls on the right side) or even a washcloth.

Vickie Howell is one busy woman. Not only does she have a new book out, Knit Aid, she's also set to launch the second season of her podcast, Craft, Rock, Listen beginning Thursday, May 22.

The podcast is a lot of fun and often includes interviews with celebrities you might not have known were crafty as well as many other wildly creative and talented people.

The book is a quick reference guide to knitting basics and provides help with things like how to do the Kitchener stitch or make a buttonhole in a reference small enough to fit in any knitting bag. It's also got a very cool built-in gauge ruler and needle gauge, knitter's graph paper you can copy, a low price tag and a promise that part of the proceeds will benefit the Red Cross. How cool is that?