Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is a really fun hobby! You can get complete satisfaction by creating something very beautiful yourself. Don’t worry, even if you have forgotten all you learned in your school days, you can easily start knitting all over again. Here are some tips to start knitting.

To start, try to knit with help of plastic needles and light weight yarn, till you get evenness and accuracy. Begin knitting: first cast on. To cast on, make a slip loop over the left needle then pass right needle through loop from left to right yarn under and over right needle then draw yarn through the loop and transfer the loop to your left needle, continue this till you get a number of stitches on left needle.
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There are basic five stitches you should know before you start knitting. These five stitches are “knit stitch”, “knit two stitches”, and “the purl stitch”, “stockinette stitches” and “yarn over stitches”.

Let’s start with basic knit stitch. To start with basic knitting, the most common stitch is the knit stitch, for this pass right needle, through the first stitch of the left hand needle. Now wind yarn over crossed two needles over right hand needle. Just gently pull through loop. After that just slip over first original stitch from left needle to right hand needle. Repeat the whole procedure till you transfer all stitches from left needle to right needle.

If you wish to have effect like a twisted rib, you just have to knit into the back of the knit stitch. For back stitch, just insert needle into back of the stitch of left hand needle. With this back knit stitch you can even create awesome textured stitch patterns.

Second basic stitch is a Purl stitch; this pattern created with purl stitch will look like a brick face, when viewed from purl side of pattern. First you have to take the yarn in front of the needle, then insert right hand needle in the first stitch on left hand needle. Wind yarn around back of right hand needle from right to left, then just draw loop backward which will allow stitch to sleep off left needle to right hand needle. The main thing to remember about this stitch, is that you have to take the yarn in front of needle. Continue till all stitches are transferred from left needle to right needle.

Third basic stitch is a Stockinette stitch. This is commonly used stitch for sweater and socks. This is simple stitch, has a combination of two basic stitches, Knit stitch and purl stitch. You have to knit one row with knit stitch and one row of purl stitch. If you want to increase the stitch then knit one stitch in regular fashion, but do not slip the stitches off the left needle, after that knit another stitch through back of same stitch and slip stitch off left hand needle.

In order to knit together two stitches. Just have to decrease a stitch just knit two stitches together or you can even two purl stitches together. For making even stitches, decrease at edges knit the second and third stitches together.

You can start knitting with five stitches and start knitting!



REYNALDO
MonicaSilva asked:


Learning how to knit? Bitten by the knitting bug? Now, it’s time to meet more people who are hooked on knitting! Fix mistakes in your knitting also. Get the most out of your knitting group meeting. I’ll tell you what to expect from a knitting group meeting, show you 7 ways you can feel comfortable among experienced knitters. Then, visit this list of knitting groups in Los Angeles, CA or US, to attend a meeting near you. Have fun making new friends to share knitting ideas and projects.

Here are 7 ways you can feel comfortable in a knitting group meeting:

1) Talk with other knitters, don’t stay quiet.

Don’t just show up and knit your projects! You can do that at home, right? The first time I went to a knitting group, I thought people just sat together and knit in silence. Was I wrong! It’s more like a group of friends getting together to chat, and they happen to be knitting.

You’ll be surprised how the other members in the group want to get to know you. It’s their way of making you feel welcome. You’ll be doing the same when members come for the first time to your knitting group meeting. Be prepared to answer questions like, “how long have you been knitting,” “where do you buy your yarn,” “where do you live,” and “big plans for the weekend?”

2) Ask them what they think of LYSs (Local Yarn Shops).

If you’re a new knitter, get a list of LYSs near you to see and touch the new yarn brands, buy yarn or just go to their day-long sales. Bring the list of your LYSs and ask them what they think of a certain LYS. Members in the group are glad to tell you about their shopping experience at an LYS. You’ll hear comments like “the staff was standoffish, the staff is so friendly, too pricy for me, basically same yarn at my LYSs, not worth the trip.”

This info is useful when you’re driving to the LYS to buy yarn. If you’ve been to an LYS before, please share with them how you were treated, what you bought, or just what you liked about the LYS. For example, the first time I went to a knitting group, 2 of the members worked in an LYS!
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3) Help a new knitter with their project.

People go to a knitting group to knit, but also to learn from experienced knitters. For example, be kind enough to put your project down for a second, and help another new knitter with their project, like fixing “holes” or extra stitches on a needle.

I remember that my first time at a knitting group meeting, I only knew how to cast on and knit in garter stitch. I had finished my scarf but didn’t know how to cast off. I asked a member if she could show me how to cast off my scarf, and she kindly put down the hat and the 4-needles, to show me to cast off! Wow, talk about being nice!

4) Bring a simple knitting project to knit.

You’re at the meeting to meet knitters, share tips, and knit. If you bring long, complicated patterns that require you to count stitches every row and focus too much, then stay at home to do it. The idea is to join the conversation, and be friendly. I recommend bringing a knitting project like a dishcloth, sock, scarf, or shawl that has 1 or 2 patterns or in garter stitch. For instance, a member in one of the meetings said, “I brought something mindless to knit.” It was a long scarf in garter stitch.

5) Bring your list of written knitting patterns.

A member or you might get an idea for knitting project at the meeting. If you’re a regular member, a member might even give you yarn as a gift and you would want to knit that moment. Sometimes, you might not be sure of a basic pattern, like a chevron, feather and fan, or horseshoe. You’ll be glad someone or you has a list of basic patterns written down in the knitting bag.

6) Bring some of your WIPs (works in projects).

Every knitter struggles to finish a project because there’s always a new more exciting project to start. Encourage them to finish their WIPs. Don’t forget to tell them what’s on your needles! Not just to show off, but to get their opinions and tips. For example, one of your WIPS is a lacy scarf in mohair yarn. They will gladly tell you what they think of the yarn you’re using, compliment you on the idea, and ask you about it days later until you finish it.

7) Meet at upcoming knitting events.

If you’re a new knitter, you don’t need to be shy at a LYS event. Why go by yourself to a knitting store sale, event or knitting show? Have fun by going with friends. Planning to go to a knitting event? Ask the members if they’re going and meet them there!

After attending a knitting group meeting, you’ll want to go to the next one. I hope these 7 ways will help you feel comfortable in a knitting group meeting. Remember to get to know the members in your group, make a simple knitting project, and meet them at a knitting event. Knitting doesn’t have be a lonely, sometimes frustrating experience. Click here to pick a Knitting Group Meeting in Los Angeles, CA or USA.



NATHANIEL
Gina Williams asked:


Knitting has regained popularity in recent years. Once thought to be for just the older generation, this is not so now, as it is enjoyed by young and old alike. So is the case with the knitting looms. Knitting on looms is far easier than knitting with needles. There are various manufactures who produce knitting looms, these can be used by you at home. They are easy to use and help to make knitting interesting. Knitting looms vary from, plastic looms to the heavy duty wooden looms.

Knitting looms that are available in to days market come in various shapes and sizes, these including oval, round and rectangular. There are also looms that you can buy that are shaped like butterfly, this design is helpful in creating knots and crochets. Some manufacturers have made fun filled looms which glow in the dark. You would find these knitting looms helpful if you wanted to work in a dimly lit room.
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Parents can even get a gift child knitting loom set, to give their children on there birthday. The child set includes a set of four plastic looms, they also come with a full set of instructions for the use of them. All the possible steps are taken for the safety of the children. But it is recommended they are not used by children below 5 years of age.

By giving your children a set of knitting looms you can develop a interest in this hobby at an early age. It is also said that knitting is a very good recreational activity, that can be enjoyed by all the family.

Round knitting looms can be used to create objects like hats, wrist warmers and so forth. They also come in single rake or double rake, this means it has a single row of pegs or a double row. A single row can be used to create objects with one right side and a wrong side. While the double row is used to create a garment that can be used both ways.

Rectangle knitting looms are good for creating scarves, Afghans, and other large projects. This loom has a single rake and it is easy to work with. If you buy a set of these, you will also get a pick and hook tool and the necessary instructions.

Knitting looms are a great for every beginner to the world of knitting. The knitters who are unable to, or wish not to knit using needles can use them easily. By using various methods of wrapping the yarn on the pegs, you can create projects of intricate stitches and patterns.

Any project you create using a knitting loom, is every bit as good as the ones that are made using needles. So why not get yourself a knitting loom and with the help of it you can create exquisite projects, in a much faster time and with much less effort.



JOEY
Kirsten B asked:


I am new to seattle and looking for a knitting group in the area. I live in South Seattle, so the closer to there the better, but personality is more important. I am looking for a fun talkative group that meets in the evenings.

NICK