Louise Nova asked:


I wanted to set out some basic knitting instructions as a refresher so here it is. All knitting instructions use basically two stitches, the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Once you know these two knitting essentials you will be able to follow most knitting instructions which are just combinations or variations of these two stitches.

Knitting Instructions for the Knit Stitch
Once you have cast on, hold the knitting needle with the cast on stitches in your left hand. Push the point of the right knitting needle in between the front of the first and second stitches, pointing the knitting needle to the right to feed the point through the first stitch keeping it under the left needle. The knitting yarn should be at the back of the work. Loop the knitting yarn around the right knitting needle from back to front, letting the knitting yarn rest between the needles. Catch the knitting yarn on the end on the right knitting needle and pull it through the first stitch to the front of the work. Slip the old stitch off the left needle. The new stitch is now on the right needle. Now you are getting the hang of the knitting instructions. It is a good idea to keep the knitting yarn draped over the right forefinger, this keeps it to the back of the work too. Repeat this process until all stitches are on the right knitting needle. Now count the stitches, if they are all there, turn the right knitting needle around and put it in the left hand. This is the first row from your knitting instructions. The knitting yarn will look like it is at the front and you will now take it to the back and start the second row of transferring stitches to the empty right needle.

Knitting Instructions for the Purl Stitch

The Purl stitch will also be in any knitting instructions. Start with the knitting needle with the cast on stitches in your left hand. Your knitting yarn will be hanging in front. Push point of right knitting needle into the front of the first stitch from right to left. Wrap the knitting yarn around the tip of the right knitting needle, crossing over the two needles and hanging once again in front. Slide the right knitting needle down and back taking the new loop of knitting yarn from front to back, through the old stitch. Slip the old stitch off the left knitting needle. If you have followed the knitting instructions you now have a stitch in purl on the right knitting needle and the yarn is hanging, once again, in the front. Repeat this process until all stitches are on the right knitting needle. Now count the stitches to make sure you haven’t dropped any and turn the work around putting the knitting needle with the stitches on in your left hand to start the next row.

I hope you could follow my basic knitting instructions. I have a lot more information about knitting on my Knitting Instructions blog so please join me there to learn more.



KURTIS

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Sock-knitting machines are used to make socks. You can also knit mittens, scarves using the sock-knitting machine. Sock knitting machines are antiques and they are not made any more. Sock knitting machines are very old, approximately. 80 to 100 years old. Its history dates back to 1800 and 1900 this was used at home only. It is very easy to knit a sock, in the sock-knitting machine. It takes an hour to knit a sock. Different sizes of socks can be made in the sock-knitting machine. One can make ankle socks, knee socks, men’s and ladies, kid’s socks in the machine.

There are many easy to use -patterned sock yarns, sold in the market. These yarns can be used in the sock-knitting machine. Sport weight yarns are also used in the machine. Worsted weight yarns can be used also on the slot cylinders. This yarn does mock ribbing. Opal, Loma’s laces, Regia, Trekking XXL and Alpaca yarns, are also used in the sock-knitting machine. It is very easy to learn the process of making sock using the sock-knitting machine. There are annual conferences, where people learn by attending classes.

There are different patterns and ways to knit socks, using the machine. There is a cylinder with slots for the needles in the machine and the needles have latches. When the needle passes in the cam shell path, the knitting is made. The first step is to setup a basket or bonnet which makes the needles move continuously. After the setup of bonnet, scrap or waste yarn should be used. When knitting, the yarn ball winder should be used to keep the yarn at an even tension. The main purpose of using the waste yarn, is when the sock is finished the yarn can be clipped and ribbed out. Now the hem of the sock is made. The number of rows should be counted when the carrier goes around the cylinder, while knitting. Hem top should be knitted by taking a stitch from the first row, and should be hanged on the needle.

A ribber is put on the machine, after the hem and purl stitches are made. When the ribber is put, the stitches are transferred from cylinder needle to ribber needle. After this, the ankle part of sock is knitted. Half of the stitches are transferred, from ribber needle to cylinder needle. This will create knit stitches on the ankle. The start and stop points are marked red on the cylinder, for the heel and toes. The heel is knitted on the front of the machine, and the back half needles are not used here. Once the heel is made, the foot we begin the foot of the sock. After the foot is made, the toe is made. Now the stitches of the ribber, are transferred to the cylinder needle. Ribber stitches are made on the top of the foot, and knitting stitches of the machine are made on the bottom of the foot. Now on the top of the toe, is made with Kitchener stitch. The sock has been knitted fully, by the sock-knitting machine.



MICHAEL

Ashley Michelle asked:


I’m trying to work a pattern for a scarf that changes colors every two rows, and the beginning of the pattern says, “Because each colour stripe is only two rows the yarn can be carried up the sides without being cut.” I was wondering if you just put the yarn over the needle and continue knitting or is there some way to tie it? can anyone give me some detailed instructions on how to do this, I REALLY want to make this scarf. (Here’s a link to it, if that helps, http://www.ysolda.me.uk/wordpress/index.php/skull-illusion-knit-scarf/ )

CLAYTON

Craig Thornburrow asked:


Learning how to knit has many benefits, it promotes relaxation, improves your self-discipline and allows you to create beautiful projects to display in your home, wear or give as gifts to family and friends.

You will need four things before you learn how to knit; these are two knitting needles, yarn, a pattern and a pair of scissors. Choosing a simple pattern and yarn that is easy to work with will make learning how to knit easy and enjoyable.

Spend a few minutes holding your knitting needles so you can get a feel for them. At first they may feel awkward but that’s ok, roll the needles around in your hands and between your fingers. Once you can do that without dropping the needles your ready to add some yarn. Pull a long piece of yarn out of the ball and wrap it a loosely around your hand

Depending on your instructions, you will first create your half hitches (tie a loose knot to the end of the knitting needle in your right hand if you are right handed and your left hand if you’re left handed.) Now following the instructions, loop the yarn over the needle you tied the knot on, however many times it says to.

Next step is to slip the yarn, using the needle in your opposite hand through the loops, entering from the left side of the yarn. Insert your knitting needle from the backside of the loop pulling it up through the front. This needle is now called your holding needle. While doing knit stitches your holding needle will always be on top of your working needle.

Now you should have a piece of yarn attached in a straight line between your two needles. Using the tip of your needle to, “called the working needle” pull that piece of new yarn taught and slip the loop you just made off the needle, and repeat over and over again, following your instructions. That is called your knit stitch.

Once you have created your desired amount of knit stitches in your first row, turn the knitted yarn so the end is near you and begin knitting back towards your first stitch. This is called the garter stitch.

Next is the purl stitch, using your working needle slip it through the stitch from right to left. Your working needle will now be on top of the holding needle. To make a purl stitch, the yarn goes around the working needle, bring the needle around to the back and pull the needle through the front of the loop and you have your first purl stitch, slip it off your need and repeat.

Those are the two stitches you need in learning how to knit. Once you master them, you will be on your way to creating beautiful blankets, hats, mittens, baby booties, sweaters, dresser doilies, doll clothes and so much more. You can even get creative and add lace and beads to your beautiful masterpieces after learning how to knit.



WILEY

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is no longer only for grandmothers or just any mothers. Now it’s a fun, creative hobby for anyone. Just get some basic information before you start knitting. All you need to start knitting are knitting needles, yarn and good patterns or instructions.

Let’s start with some basic patterns. Before you start with a pattern as a beginner, you should know the basic stitches including the knit stitch and purl stitch. For the first, pass the right needle through the first stitch of your left hand needle. Now wind your yarn over cross of two needles, over the right hand needle. Just gently pull through the 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.

Purl stitch 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 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 slip 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.

There is a specific way to read the patterns. First the skill level; it can be easy, medium, hard or beginner, intermediate or advance, each pattern has specific skill level, you can start with beginner and then go for complex advanced patterns.

For an easy or beginner level there are usually easy patterns, like different types of scarf or shawls or even some sweaters with easy knitting patterns. You can even make some easy handbags, mats to begin knitting. For medium or intermediate levels you can have patterns like stocking caps, sweaters and knitted scarves; usually patterns with altered stitches and patterns for advanced levels, you can have patterns which are complicated and which require lot of shaping.

If you are beginner then start with a no pattern, this means just start by knitting with a combination of just two basic stitches, knit and purl. To begin you can knit a nice pashmina style stole, just with three hundred stitches, if garter stitch means only knit stitches no purl stitches. To start you can even make some simple combination of stitches.

If you are knitting with circular needles, you can start making tubular scarf for this cast around 300 stitches, and join them together in a circle. You can try stockinette stitch it produces nice curls at the end which gives the scarf a very different look.



DEVON

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting looms, around since the 16th century, are considered fairly easy to learn and use and are growing in popularity. There are varieties of shapes in looms: some are round, oval and rectangular.

Single loom rakes have single row of pegs and double rakes have two rows of pegs. Looms are mainly used to make knit fabric. The size of the fabric depends upon the size of the loom. And there are many names used for loom knitting: fame knitting, ring knitting, box knitting, spool knitting, reel knitting, French knitting, knitting board, reel knitting are other names for loom knitting.

In the knitting loom, the stitches are made by interconnecting loops which becomes a fabric. Loom knitting is similar to needle knitting. In the loom knitting, the pegs are the needles. When the peg holds one loop it becomes a stitch. The yarn surrounds the pegs. The knitter has to wrap each peg and lifts the bottom loop over and off so that the loop is dropped to the inside of the loom. A stitch will be created when the loop is lifted over and off.

In the knitting looms, knitters combine the purl stitch and knit stitch. Hundreds of stitch patterns rises with this combination. But the designs were limited only. Recently, the loom knitting has undergone vast changes. Lace patterns and cable designs can also be knitted in the loom knitting. Knitting comes in different sizes. There are some popular sizes in the knitting looms that are known as loom gauge. There are three main factors that influence the gauge in the loom knitting. They are knitting loom gauge, yarn and knitting tension. The measurement from center of one peg to the center of other peg determines the gauge on the knitting looms. Another important factor that influences the gauge is the diameter of the peg shaft. If the spacing between the pegs is large, then the stitches will have long space between them. If the pegs are closer, the knit gauge will be smaller.

The knitting loom covers three types of looms. They are single-sided rakes, rounds and knitting boards. The round knitting looms are known as hat looms. They come in different shapes and sizes. They create small tubes for the baby socks, and larger tubes for the hats made for adults. They have stitches similar like needle knitting. A flat panel can also be created using round loom. This form is called single sided rake. You can find single sided rakes also in the knitting looms. They are used specifically to create flat panels.

Knitting board is a part of the knitting looms. The knitting looms have double bed of pegs, which faces each other and allows the knitting to pass through. They are also called knitting frames or double-sided rakes. A fabric is created with double side and there is no wrong side. Knitting tool is a long piece of metal and has an angled tip that is used to lift off the loops.



RICARDO

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!

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

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is a traditional art and craft most generally associate with using wool and yarn. These two materials are used for different patterns of tops, scarves, socks, etc that can be crafted via knitting.

Knitting is very traditional, generally used by grandmothers to do all kind of things, but today many women are getting interested in this activity. Though knitting seems to some to be boring, once you get into it, you definitely gain an interest in it.

There are different patterns and designs for knitting. Being by using two needles plus learn some basic instructions.

Usually there are two types of stitches to use throughout your patter or other instructions; the knit stitch and the purl stitch. On the whole, knitting is nothing but the combination of these two stitches.

The details of these instructions about how to knit stitch are as follows:

Knit stitch:

First of all you have to hold the knitting needle with the cast on stitches in your left hand. Now push the tip of the right needle, in middle of the front of first and second stitch now the needle must be pointing to the right which will fed the point in the course of first stitch by keeping it under the left needle. While doing this, the yarn which is in use must be at the back of the work.

Now take the yarn which is in use. You have to loop this around the right knitting needle such that it should come from back to the front by resting the knitting yarn in between the needles. At this point pick up the yarn on the end on the right needle and pull it through first stitch to the front side of the work. The next step is to slip off the old stitch from left needle so that the new stitch would be on right needle.

While working or knitting generally keep the knitting yarn swathe over right forefinger, this arrangement will help you in keeping the yarn on back side. Until you get all the stitches on the right needle, keep knitting and when all the stitches will come on the right needle turn this right needle around, and hold it in left hand. At this situation will be the first row now again follows the same steps for second row.

Knitting instructions for purl stitch:

The first knitting needle must be with the cast on stitches in your left hand. Here the yarn must be hanging in front. Now push the tip of right needle in to front of first stitch in right to left direction. Now enclose the knitting yarn, around right needle point by crossing two needles so that it will hang in front again. At this position slide right needle downward and back by taking new loop the yarn from front to back through old stitch.

By following these steps you will get a purl stitch on right needle and yarn is hanging again in front side. Again follow the steps for all stitches and once you get all the stitches transform them on left needle and again repeat the steps.

Enjoy your new craft. Here’s to your success!



CLIFFORD