Knitting

In knitting, 'ssk' is the abbreviation for 'slip, slip, knit,' a common decrease stitch. The ssk stitch turns two stitches into one, and in a finished piece of knitwork, looks like the mirror...

Chunky yarn, also known as bulky-weight yarn, is a thick yarn that can reduce knitting time because it forms such large stitches. A typical gauge for chunky yarn is about 14 stitches and 18 to 20...

If you want to create seamless knit pullovers, you'll need to learn how to join rounds when working with circular needles. Although joining is a straightforward process, if you don't pay attention...

Knitting with musty-smelling yarn is a uniquely unpleasant experience. Even mildly musty smells can make your knitting a less pleasurable experience, and after the yarn has passed under your nose...

Many historic and contemporary hand-knit socks feature rounded-toe constructions. This method lets knitters shape their sock toes over a greater number of rows than some other toe-shaping...

If you've ever knit yourself a pair of slippers, but never worn them for fear of slipping, you've experienced a common frustration. That doesn't mean, however, that you should cast aside your...

Many people wear wool because of its warmth. Even when wet, wool holds in body heat and keeps the body somewhat dry. It is also durable, resisting rips and tears so long as it is cared for...

Knit dish cloths make welcome gifts. They are small, useful and quick to finish. Dish cloths are also a great way to try new stitch patterns or create new designs. With a stitch dictionary and...

Scarves are generally considered a unisex fashion accessory. There are plenty of scarves, however, that are considered gender specific to women or men because of the design, size or even the fiber...

With security at airports tightening, crafters wonder whether knitting needles are allowed on airplanes, since many sharp or pointed objects are not allowed. The Transportation Security...

Knitting your own sashes or belts is a creative way to augment any wardrobe and makes it easy to pick your own colors, patterns and textures. Knitting a sash is a quick project that requires one...

Take that old sweater you accidentally shrunk, or grab one off the rack at the thrift shop, and you have the makings for felted wool craft projects. Felting occurs when wool or other animal fibers...

Bamboo knitting needles are needles made from the bamboo plant. They are sturdy, light weight and feel like velvet in your hands. They are polished smooth during the manufacturing process so yarn...

Prayer shawls are thoughtful gifts for anyone who is going through a difficult time or simply needs a few extra prayers. Knit up a prayer shawl for someone you know or make one to donate to a...

Argyle, a knitwear pattern that features solid-colored diamonds and diagonal bisecting lines, originated in Scotland. Some say the pattern has existed for centuries, but Robert Pringle made it...

If you want to knit for a cause, consider knitting children's clothing for charity. Impoverished children all over the world need warm sweaters, vests, mittens and hats, especially during the cold...

If a man in your life suffers from cold feet in the winter, knit him a pair of wool slippers.You can knit a pair of slippers in an evening and, depending on the finishing method you choose, they...

Traditional Irish sweater designs feature complex cable patterns, fields of textured stitches and natural-colored wool. These sweaters, commonly known as Aran sweaters, are part of a recent...

Many knitters enjoy crafting homemade hats, using either straight or circular metal or wood knitting needles. Homemade knit hats make excellent presents during winter's chilly months, to celebrate...

Using a knitting loom is so easy that both young children and adults can have fun creating unique knitted items in a variety of patterns and using all sorts of stitches. Knitting looms are...

Finding warm and cozy tights for girls is a challenge. While knitting girls' tights will not be a quick project, an experienced knitter can make comfortable, well-fitting and very warm tights....

There are two major types of knitting needles: straight and circular. They're used in much the same way, but each has advantages in different applications. Personal preference can trump common...

The art of knitting may seem like a thing of the past, but with accessories like scarves and shawls rising in popularity, you may want to whip out your knitting needles from the attic. Starting...

Wearing a homemade pair of pedicure socks can be a particular treat if they are made with luxury yarn. This project is ideal for using up small bits of expensive yarn and makes an excellent...

It's cold outside and you want to keep your legs warm while making a fashion statement. You've priced furry leg warmers at the store and they cost more than you're willing to spend. If you're...

Yarn swifts simplify the process of winding hanks of yarn into balls. If you purchase yarn in hanks and knit directly from them, you'll end up with a tangled mess. Swifts allow you quickly wind...

Lap blankets make excellent winter gifts. Because of their smaller, more manageable size, they're perfect for curling up under while reading, watching television, or crafting. Lap blankets are...

Dyeing your own wool for spinning and knitting or crocheting is a rewarding craft project. You can customize your own colors and be part of every step in the process from wool to sweater (or...

A yarn swift winds a skein of yarn into a ball or a cone of yarn into a skein. Any yarn enthusiast will tell you that winding a ball of yarn without a swift is possible, but tricky. If you want a...

The Ultimate Sweater Machine can be used to make almost anything that can be hand knit, including sweaters, hats, scarves and afghans and can do it in half the time. The machine is also capable of...

Knitting is both a relaxing and rewarding pastime. Creative and meditative, knitting also provides sensuous, tactile pleasure through the use of so many soft and colorful yarns. And, best of all,...

If you already know the fundamentals of knitting socks, it is simple to make a pair of lace ones. More experienced knitters may opt to use a more intricate lace pattern, but if you are fairly new...

Knit gloves without fingers are also called wristlets, wrist warmers or driving gloves . They keep your wrists and upper hands warm while allowing you to use your fingers freely. A bulky or chunky...

Scarves make great Christmas gifts for both men and women. Scarves are also easy projects to complete in time for holidays or birthdays. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of patterns you can...

Wool is a resilient and flexible fiber. The Purdue University Sheep Extension cites the strength of a single strand of wool as equal, if not greater, than steel of the same diameter. It is an...

If you enjoy knitting or crocheting, then a yarn winder is a must-have item for your home. A yarn winder, also known as a swift, helps turn a commercial skein of yarn into a ball that you can use...

Knitting is an excellent way to make fashions that reflect your own personal style. Besides knitting staples such as sweaters, scarves and hats, you can also knit accessories such as purses, belts...

If you can knit a pair of slippers, then you can make knit felted slippers with only a few extra steps. Felting is the process of shrinking and agitating your knit fabric so it has a solid, matted...

A knitting life line is contrasting colored yarn threaded through a row. This is a safety net for you, providing a place to unravel your knitting to if a mistake is made.

Hand-knitted socks are a generous and thoughtful gift at any time of the year. It can be difficult, however, to customize the size of a sock to a person who isn't there with you to try it on while...

Knitting has been around for about a thousand years. It was originally popular because it did not require large looms or other heavy pieces of equipment required for weaving. You can get started...

The time to find out whether your yarn is colorfast is before you actually knit with it, not after. Yarn that is not colorfast can ruin your entire project, or even a whole load of laundry. If you...

Beautify your handmade acrylic blankets, scarves, shawls, and doilies by steaming.

The knifty knitter is a type of knitting loom. This knifty knitter loom can be used to create different types of knit by varying the way the loom is wrapped or by the method of knitting off the...

Lace in knitting is formed using a few decorative stitches that create eyelets at specific places in the work, to yield an attractive, intricate pattern. In this step-by-step tutorial, learn to...

So you decided to take up knitting and you are standing in the store trying to figure out which needles to get and which accessories to get. In this article, I will go through the different types...

A Harry Potter Gryffindor scarf is maroon and gold. Two styles appear in the movies. The first has thick, alternating stripes, and uses equal amounts of maroon and gold. You can see this scarf in...

Knitting machines help knitters to create projects more quickly. The machines consist of a flat bed lined with latch-hook style needles that catch the yarn to make a stitch. A carriage holding the...

A shrug is a little sweater that is designed to cover your shoulders and sleeves. Shrugs can be made with short or long sleeves, and complement a variety of body types. To make your own shrug, you...