About Knitting

Two needles, a ball of yarn and two basic stitches are all you need to knit. But, knitting can be much more complicated that that. Knitting forms a fabric one stitch, or loop, at a time so that a series of vertical arrow-shaped stitches or a series of horizontal bump-shaped stitches become a warm sweater, cap, sock, or blanket.

History of

The craft of knitting may have been spread by the Moors from the Arabian Peninsula, where it is thought to have originated, to Europe. From Europe, the Spanish explorers passed it to Latin America. Today, the Peruvian sweaters knitted from the wool of Andean llamas are prized around the world. The craft has remained popular with newly-published pattern books and websites about knitting widely available.

Invented

Hand knitting is relaxing as a hobby. But, if it is the only way to make a sweater or a pair of socks and you need to make enough for a large family, it can be laborious and demanding. A British clergyman, William Lee, invented a hand-operated knitting machine in 1589. This helped turn the craft into a cottage industry. Better, faster and more efficient knitting machines continue to be invented to produce lengths of fabric with intricate patterns of color and design. Computerized knitting machines are the most efficient of all. Recently some enterprising hand knitters have started using computerized sweater machines. They can make several copies of the same sweater in various sizes just by programming the pattern into the machine.

Function

Many hand knitters prefer to sit and knit while watching television because it is a relaxing activity. They collect a few basic supplies including needles, stitch counters, markers, yarn, and scissors. The size of the stitches is determined by the diameter of the shaft of the knitting needle which can be made from bone, metal, wood, or plastic. The fatter the needle, the looser the stitch. Fine knitted lace uses the thinnest needles. The thinnest needles have the smallest sizes and the fattest needles, the largest. A common size needle for scarves and sweaters is 6. Two single-pointed needles are used to knit a straight piece of cloth such as the back of a sweater, a blanket or a scarf. It takes four double-pointed needles to knit a round hat or a sock.

Effects

There are two main stitches: knits and purls. By alternating between these two stitches, increasing and decreasing the number of stitches worked and twisting cables in front or behind the work, various decorative patterns can be knitted. More nuances of texture, warmth and water-proofing are achieved by the type of yarn. Wool is warmest, of course. Other knitting yarns are cotton, acrylic and silk.

Benefits

Many people knit booties, sweaters and blankets for babies. Baby garments are smallest so they make good projects for beginning knitters. Another very straight-forward knitting project for a beginner is a knit scarf. Advanced knitters will combine different types of yarn with complex sequences of stitches when they knit for babies or make scarves. But, lots of simple patterns are available for novices. The most advanced knitters are able to make up their own patterns as they go along. Since the majority of people no longer know how to knit, a hand-made knit gift is usually very highly appreciated and valued for a long time.