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August 18, 2009

More Knitting Tips

Filed under: Knitting — Tags: , , , , — @ 4:20 am

Casting on using your thumb – Sufficient length of yarn must be left for casting on stitches – approximately 12.5cm for every 10 stitches of 4 ply on 2.75 needles.

Place point of needle beneath loop on thumb, drawing loop up slightly. Hold yarn in right hand ready to pass around point of needle. Wrap yarn around point of needle and draw through loop on thumb. Draw up stitch on needle, pull both ends of yarn firmly and repeat until sufficient stitches have been cast on.

Casting on with two needles – Make a loop and hold it on left hand needle. Place point of right-hand needle from left to right through loop on left-hand needle. Holding yarn in right hand, wrap yarn clockwise around point of right hand needle and draw yarn through loop on left hand needle, thus forming a second loop. Place this loop on left hand needle. There are now 2 stitches on left hand needle.

Place point of right hand needle between the two stitches on left hand needle. Wrap yarn around point of right hand needle and draw a loop between the two stitches on left hand needle. Place this loop on left hand needle. Repeat until you have cast on the number of stitches you require. Make sure you always put the needle between 2 stitches nearest the point of left hand needle.

Going great, keep going. Happy knitting :)

August 17, 2009

Knitting Stitches and Tips

Filed under: Knitting — Tags: , , , , , — @ 5:58 am

Garter or Knit Stitch - This is done by using any number of stitches and knitting every row. Both sides of the fabric look the same and each ridge represents two rows.

Stocking Stitch – This is achieved by knitting one row and purling one row. This produces a fabric which is smooth on one side and ridged on the other.

Moss Stitch - Moss stitch is usually worked over an uneven number of stitches. A moss stitch row follows k1, (p1, k1), repeated throughout.

Ribbing – Ribbing is usually worked over an even number of stitches k1, p1, repeated throughout. There are several variations in ribbing such as k2, p2 or k5, p5 – cast on a multiple of stitches repeated to the end.

Casting On -Making a Loop – An even cast on is important for a good finish. Don’t cast on too tightly or the edge will break when wearing. Never knit into the back of the cast on stitches. To cast on wrap yarn around first and second fingers of left hand. Place point of needle under the front loop and draw back loop through. Withdraw fingers from loop and draw loop up on needle. Working with length of yarn in left hand, pass this around left thumb.

Casting on can also be done using your thumb or using two needles these will be looked at in another post.

Have Fun & Happy Knitting :)


July 13, 2009

Crochet – Know How

Filed under: Knitting — Tags: , , , , , , — @ 3:45 am

Holding The Work

All crochet stitches are based on the principle of drawing one hoop through another. The hook is held in the right hand. Left-handed people may find they can learn to crochet using their right hand.

  • Begin by making a slip loop at the end of the yarn.
  • Hold the hook in the right hand like a pencil. Put the hook through the loop and pull the yarn tight.
  • Wind the yarn round the little finger of the left hand across the palm and behind the forefinger.
  • Hold the loop at its base, close to the hook between the thumb and forefinger.

The Stitches

  • Chain – Take the hook under the yarn and then from the back over the top, hook the yarn and pull it through the hoop. This is described as ‘yarn round hook’. This makes one chain. Repeat moving your hold up the work as you go.
  • Foundation Chain – Crochet usually begins with a length of chain into which the first row of stitches is worked, this is called the foundation chain. The hook is inserted into the centre of the last chain stitch, there will be two threads above the hook and one below.
  • Turning Chain – Because crochet stitches are worked from the top down, chain are used to take the yarn up to the top of the work at the beginning of each row. These are called turning chain.  The turning chain acts as the first stitch of the row.

Practice these stitches for a while, some more stitches will be introduced tomorrow. :)

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