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In the knitting world, yarn is measured by it length and weight. The weight, however, is more than the density of the yarn. The yarn weight is also described in the number of strands of material used to make up one yarn string. Double knit is a weight designation given to yarns with two or four strands per yarn string. Triple knit yarn has three or six. The weight in knits isn't the only differences between the two types of yarn.
Double knit polyester fabric was first popular in the 1960s and used for a wide variety of clothing include T-shirts, nightdresses and leisure wear. It's sturdy and can stand up to repeated washings and a lot of wear. There are many projects that you can make using double knit fabric. Some places to look for double knit fabric are thrift shops, Good Will, vintage consignment shops, flea markets and general fabric stores.
A heart pattern can be created by knitting garter stitches in the shape of a heart against a flat sea of stockinette stitches. A double heart pattern is made by knitting two separate heart patterns either vertically, horizontally or diagonally from each other. Because knitting patterns are created by varying the type of stitch used, attempting to make overlapping or intertwined double heart patterns will not work unless a different color of yarn is used for each heart.
Beginning a double knit project depends upon the type of double-knit, and the knitter's goal. There are two types of double knit: one that creates two layers of interconnected knitting that presents a finished surface on both sides, and one that creates an extra dense layer of single-ply knitting.
Knitting boards, also known as knitting looms, have become one of the most popular and controversial tools in the knitting world: some people hate them, but knitters who have developed arthritis, trembling hands or visual impairments, and new knitters who have never mastered needles, love these boards. You simply cast on by wrapping the yarn around the pegs and work stitches by holding the strand behind the peg and pulling the loop over it. With practice it is possible to work most traditional patterns on knitting boards.
Sock knitting became increasingly popular in the first decade of the 21st century. Old and new sock knitting methods are discussed in knitting magazines and books, including knitting from the toe up. Traditional Western European methods for sock knitting involve knitting socks starting at the cuff, but in Turkey, socks are traditionally knitted starting at the toe. Knitting socks from the toe up allows you to try on the sock as you go and knit a sock that is as long as you like, without the risk of running out of yarn before the sock is complete.
Whereas a regular increase creates two knit stitches out of one, a double increase creates three. This is similar to a knit front and back increase, abbreviated KFB. You make your first stitch by working into the back of the next stitch in the row, just as you do in a KFB increase. Double increases are common in lace knitting patterns, so if you want to do something more complex than simple eyelet lace, it helps to master this technique.
Yarn thickness varies greatly between different brands of yarn, even when they share a label such as worsted or double-knit weight. The Craft Yarn Council — composed of pattern publishers and manufacturers of needles, hooks and yarn — has developed a standard system for describing yarn thickness, which makes it easier to substitute yarn in a project. Due to variations in individual brands and in the gauge of individual crafters, it is still important to make a gauge swatch before beginning a project.
When you hold two strands of yarn together, you create a thicker knitted fabric than you would with a single strand. Double-stranded yarn can stand in for yarn of a bulkier weight. It also makes a tighter, sturdier piece when knitted with the same size needles as the yarn does when single-stranded. One benefit to working double-stranded is that you can create a mottled color blend by using two different shades of yarn, similar to a variegated yarn.
In knitting, double-pointed needles are used when there are too few stitches to comfortably fit on a circular needle. Once you've cast on to your double-pointed needles, using the same method as straight knitting, and distributed the stitches evenly over the needles, you will need to join your work in the round. Although it may appear complicated, learning to knit in the round is an ideal way to produce seamless knitting projects, like socks and mittens.
Using a knitting chart is essential for all but the simplest knitting projects. Knitting charts provide an easy to read interface for you to follow even the most complex patterns. They are generally read from left to right on one row, and right to left on the next row. Increases and decreases in the pattern are indicated, as are color changes. Learning to read a knitting chart can give you the ability to work patterns that are more complex with confidence.
Always in fashion, turtlenecks are comfortable when the weather turns cool. These long sleeved, high-necked tops are easy to sew and making your own means you can choose your own colors and designs, since double-knit fabrics come in all kinds of prints and solids. Turtlenecks look good under sweaters, jackets or alone and while casual, are suitable to wear in most work environments. Like jeans, men, women and children can wear turtlenecks.
Cables seem to magically twist and turn knitted fabric into medallions, ribbons, or braids. Cables look difficult, but the technique is simple: Just work the stitches in a different order. When you make two cables side by side, one leaning to the left and one to the right, the twists form a horseshoe. These double cables are easy to knit, and they might give the knitter good luck.
Knitting decreases do just that, decrease the number of stitches in a row and therefore narrow a piece of knitting. There are many types and methods of knitted decreases that slant to the left, right and do not slant at all. Common decrease stitches that slant to the right include knitting two stitches together, abbreviated k2tog. The k2tog stitch is the basis for a right slanting double decrease.
On extra-cold, blustery days, a basic scarf might not be warm enough -- the single layer of knit fabric allows wind to blow right through. Two-layer scarves provide a second defense against wind, rain, ice and snow and can keep you twice as warm. This double-thick scarf is essentially one long tube closed up on both ends. You can embellish it by adding fringe or pompoms.
A double ruffle scarf is a simple project for a beginning knitter. The body of the scarf is worked in stockinette stitch. The layered ruffles on the edges give the appearance of a complicated project, but all that is required to create this frilly look is the ability to accomplish the most basic knitting stitches and to pick up stitches. This basic scarf leaves plenty of opportunity to customize it to your own style by adjusting the length, width, stitch pattern, or even number of ruffles if you desire.
Individuals with arthritis or carpal tunnel will benefit from using a knitting pin while knitting. The knitting pin is placed on the left or right shoulder and holds the working yarn during the knitting process. The knitting pin keeps the working yarn readily available, provides uniform tension to the stitches, and requires fewer movements to make a knit or purl stitch. All knitting stitches are made the same. The difference is the amount of movement required by the wrists to wrap the yarn around the needle. Experiment with a small knitting sample to learn the knitting pin process.
Fit is one of the most crucial aspects for the way a suit looks on your body. Both men's and women's suits require the correct hem length on trousers and jackets. Hems should sit at the correct place on the body. Jacket cuffs should rest just below the wrist, while suit skirts should sit above the knee and full length trousers should sit just over the top of your shoes. In all of these cases, a few measurements and some resewing can adjust and hem a suit.
While it may be your grandmother you picture when you think of knitting, the craft can be fun and beneficial for children as well. Lighter-colored acrylic yarn is a good choice for young children as it is easy to use, and the stitches are more visible. You can check the label on your skein of yarn to see what needles will work best with that yarn; however, note that this is just a guideline. Thicker yarn and fatter needles -- at least 12 millimeters -- are best for beginners as they are easier to hold and you need to make…
When you buy a new pair of pants with tapered legs, you may have a challenge when it comes to shortening the length. If you have a significant difference between the leg width and the hem width, you will have puckers along the stitching of the new hem, and no amount of pressing will make the puckers go away. A simple technique to change the taper of the legs will help you achieve a smooth hem on pant legs with the top larger than the bottom.
Double Knit Polyester was the go to fabric of the 1970s. It was everywhere, from homes and to clothing stores. Though not as popular today as it was in its heyday, double knit polyester is still used in a variety of items. Double knit polyester is a great material for making creative crafts because it is exceptionally resilient; it doesn't stretch or shrivel; it doesn't wrinkle easily and it dries quickly. Though your imagination is the limit, some of the creative crafts you can make with double knit polyester include accessories, table cloths and home décor.
If you look at the most popular quilt books and magazines, you'll see quilts finished with either a bias or straight binding. While binding a quilt is a popular way to finish the edge, it's not the only option. If you have a nice backing fabric and want to show it off, do a wrapped edge to your quilt instead of binding it. You'll save time by not having to create a separate binding and your quilt will have an attractive framed look.
Knitting on three needles allows knitters to create seamless tubes of knitting. Using three double-pointed needles is a way to knit small tubes of knitting as needed for some socks and the tops of hats. Double pointed needles typically come in sets of four or five. Knitting on three needles will mean using three needles to hold the stitches and working the knitting rounds with a fourth needle. This technique is more advanced than suitable for many beginning knitters; it is fitting for advanced intermediate to expert knitters.
In knitting, there are a variety of ways to cast on the yarn. The process of casting on is simply the method you choose for getting the yarn onto your needles so you can start working with it. The backward loop cast-on is the simplest to master, though it sometimes creates a slightly uneven cast-on edge for your knitting. Once you learn how to use the backward loop cast-on you will be ready to master the other knitting stitches.
Made from the inner layer of the decaying bark of a banana tree, banana fiber yarn feels soft, silky and light. It makes an excellent substitution for sari silk and comes in a variety of bright, beautiful hand-dyed colors. Until cotton became more easily available, banana fiber yarns were a popular choice among knitters. Recently gaining new popularity, banana fiber yarn is a renewable, natural resource making it an earth-friendly yarn choice as well as being easy on the eyes and hands.
Double knitting is a technique that produces two layers of knitted fabric, where both layers look like the right side. It is used to produce reversible hats or scarves. The design on one side can mirror the other or there can be two completely different designs. Alternatively, the techniques of double knitting can be used to knit two pairs of socks at once, on the same set of needles.
Every knitting project begins as stitches that are cast onto a needle. There are various ways to cast on and many novice knitters are intimidated by the idea of beginning a new project. A simple process once learned, casting on is a crucial step in any knitting pattern. Learn the basic steps and practice to master this seemingly difficult task and you will be well on your way to knitting a wide range of projects.
When you use two (or more) colors of yarn at a time and alternate colors in your stitching, you are doing stranded knitting. Fair Isle knitting is a form of stranded knitting that uses patterns traditional to Fair Isle, an island between Scotland and Norway. Many knitters are intimidated by stranded knitting, fearing that holding two different strands of yarn will be difficult to manipulate. With a little practice, though, you can knit with two colors of yarn at the same time to create beautiful knitted items.
Knitting in the round affords you a way to knit seamless circular tubular projects. Many utilize circular needles, but for those smaller projects, including socks and gloves, double-pointed needles are necessary. Do not shy away from trying this ancient technique, as it is much easier than it looks.
Patchwork quilts are not only practical and cozy items, many become family heirlooms with the tradition of quilting handed down from generation to generation. Traditionally quilts would be sewn between the squares to form the quilting effect, but a quicker and just as effective method is to create ties in the squares. Binding provides the final neatening and strengthening element of the quilt. Bindings may be custom made by cutting long strips of fabric to match the quilt, but many bindings in various widths and colors are available to buy in stores.
Double knitting is an advanced knitting technique that produces a two-sided, reversible fabric that is twice as thick as a single knitted material. It is frequently used in two-color designs to produce a reversible pattern that has a main and contrasting color on one side which is reversed on the other side. Using a double knitting technique on straight needles will produce flat pieces of knitting that can be sewn into sweaters, hats and other garments, or simply left flat for a scarf.
When you make a project on circular needles, it can be confusing when you join both sides of the knitting together. It is easy to inadvertently twist the knitting in the process of joining, resulting in a mobius strip of knitting. In order to successfully join the two sides of your needles together, it is important to ensure that the knitting will be combined into a straight line.
Double-pointed knitting needles will create seamless handmade socks. The needles are used to construct a circular tube of knitted work, which will be gathered at the toe of the stocking. The turning of the heel, involves complicated steps involving increasing and decreasing stitches, can be eliminated with this ribbed sock pattern. The ribbing, continued from the beginning through to the end, will create a long tube sock. Extensive experience with the knit and purl stitches is required before attempting this knitting pattern.
Double knitting is an advanced knitting technique that creates a reversible fabric. While there are many knitting stitches that are reversible, what makes double knitting a challenge for many knitters is that you make both sides at the same time, using two separate balls of yarn. Because the fabric has a double-thickness, it is a handy technique for items that need the extra layer, like hats or pot holders.
Tweed is a coarse wool fabric, woven in many designs and colors. It originated in Scotland, where wool was hand-spun and the fabric hand-woven, but is now woven by machine in other parts of the world. Tweed designs can be made using interlocking double knit, which produces a thick, warm fabric ideal for scarves, hats or other garments. Interlocking double knit will produce a light side with a dark design and a dark side with a light design.
Double-pointed needles are straight needles that let you knit in the round. New knitters are often flummoxed by the sight of all those points sticking out, until they realize you only knit with two needles at a time. As with many projects, the first steps are often the most difficult. With double-pointed needles, joining the stitches together into a round is often a challenge.
A quilt can be created from almost any type of fabric. Although most patchwork patterns are made with cotton, double-knit fabrics will add a cozy touch to a simply constructed quilt that is tied with colorful embroidery thread. Double-knit fabric features two layers of loops that cannot be separated. It is made with a special double knit machine with two sets of needles. The fabric has a soft and stretchy feel and will not ravel easily, allowing for thinner seam allowances.
You've knitted purse, but it doesn't have a strap. You want something that doesn't have a wrong side, because it will show. The answer is to use a technique called I-cord, which creates a tube. This technique was named by knitwear designer and icon Elizabeth Zimmerman.
Knitting is a popular, portable and affordable pastime. Yarn and double pointed knitting needles (DPN) can be purchased at discount or craft stores for less than the cost of a gourmet coffee. DPN are similar to traditional straight knitting needles but have a point at both ends instead of a stopper at one end. They are sold in sets of four or five needles and used for knitting seamless items including socks, gloves and hats. A knitted cast-on using the Continental style of knitting provides a firm yet flexible foundation for your projects.
Double knit fabric is a medium to heavyweight textile that can be used for a variety of garments. Unlike most knit fabrics, which are used for garments that require stretch to fit properly, the unique construction of double knit results in a very stable fabric suitable for items whose weight would distort with any other knit.
Double knitting is a technique used to knit a double-thickness of fabric, most often using two different colored yarns. The double-knitting technique is achievable for anyone who can read a two-color knitting chart, cast-on and bind-off, and make knit and purl stitches. It requires a little concentration to learn the method but it becomes fairly easy with practice. Any two-color knitting chart can be interpreted for double knitting, and the resulting fabric will be completely reversible.
If you want to knit extra-warm blankets or create reversible knitted garments that feature different colors of yarn on either side, learn the double knitting technique. Double knitting is a technique that allows you to create knitted items from two pieces of fabric knit simultaneously from the same knitting needles. Once you learn how to work double knitting, you'll be able to create everything from reversible potholders and baby blankets to extra-warm winter vests and mittens.
To create small, seamless knitted items, such as gloves and socks, use double-pointed knitting needles, also called DPNs. Unlike regular knitting needles, which have a point at one end and a cap at the other end, double pointed needles have points on both ends. This lets you knit from either end of the needle, and it enables you to knit in the round. It may take you a while to adjust to using double pointed needles, but after a little practice, you'll be able to knit socks, gloves and mittens in the round and with confidence.
Mittens may be a knitwear classic, but you can give your mittens a fresh look with a honeycomb stitch pattern. Work these in a neutral yarn for a classic look, or in a bolder color for a whimsical touch in the cold winter months. This stretchy stitch is versatile and easy to fit and the pattern is quickly memorized. Simple adjustments allow you to make these mittens in sizes from child to large adult.
Double knitting is a special technique used to create a double-sided, double-thickness knit fabric with a two-color pattern. Essentially, you double knit by casting on two stitches-one in each color-where you would usually cast on one stitch. Usually you knit stitches of one color and purl stitches the other color, reversing this for a color change in a pattern. Any regular color knitting chart can easily be interpreted for double knitting-just read each stitch on the chart as one stitch of each color.
Bottle toppers are a wonderful way to dress up a gift of wine or sparkling cider for the holidays. Don't spend money dressing up your bottled gifts when you can knit bottle toppers yourself.
Double knitting creates a two-sided tube using just two knitting needles. Because the fabric is doubled, projects are thicker and warmer than a regularly knitted piece. You can use double knitting to make hats, pillows and bags that are open-ended or thick and sturdy material that can be used for rugs, scarves or potholders. The process is easy to master and both sides of the fabric will look the same.
Knitting with double pointed needles is a great technique for making tubular shapes, such as socks or hats. When you knit in the round, you don't have to sew seams together. For stockinette stitch patterns, you also knit every round instead of switching between knitting and purling. While knitting with double pointed needles can seem awkward at first, it becomes easier the more you do it.
Double knitting means knitting two sets of stitches from two individual balls of yarn on the same needles at the same time. Use the technique to knit double-thickness fabric and incorporate two color patterns, as well as to knit two identical items simultaneously. With a little concentration, you will master the technique and discover its many uses in no time.
The double knit stitch creates a reversible, double thick piece of fabric. The technique uses two strands of yarn stitched alternately on one pair of knitting needles to create a two-layer, double-sided effect. Double knitting is used for projects that require thickness and insulation, such as bags, pillows, potholders and coats. Once you learn the basic double knitting technique, you also can add stripes and patterns.
Knitting in the round on double pointed needles (DPNs) is an intimidating prospect for beginners, but it doesn't have to be. Many knitters swear off DPNs after their first attempt because of a simple mistake--they twist their stitches as they join the first round, creating a mobius effect that makes their project impossible to complete without unraveling it and starting over. A common mistake for beginners, it is also an easy mistake to avoid, if you know what to watch for. Learn to join your stitches seamlessly and carry on knitting in the round like a pro.
Hemming double-knit pants is not difficult, however, the technique is slightly different from the technique for hemming pants made from other kinds of fabric. The reason knit pants must be treated differently is due to the stretch in the fabric. Learn how to hem (or rehem) double-knit pants so that you can alter or finish your double-knit pants correctly. Once your knit pants are hemmed properly you will be able to wear them with style.
Ribbing, created with a combination of knit and purl stitches, is used to make flexible fabric that bounces back into shape after stretching. It is most often used for sweater edges and cuffs. Double pointed needles often are used to make seamless ribbing in the round for small items like socks, mittens, baby hats or doll clothing.
Knitting a pumpkin for autumn is a fun and easy project. It is relatively easy, inexpensive and takes only a few supplies. Try this project and have a cute decoration that kids will love to play with and will help usher in the fall season.
Double pointed knitting is used for circular knitting stitches. Learn how to set up double pointed knitting in this free knitting video.
A double moss stitch requires a knowledge of how to do the knit stitch and the purl stitch. This sturdy stitch leaves the knitter with a fantastic textured look to spice up any knitted piece without a lot of effort. Also, this stitch is completely reversible, creating a work without that unsightly "wrong" side.
To the novice knitter, the variety of types of knitting and knitting needles may come as a surprise. You might think that you know what a knitting needle looks like, maybe even those fancy needles that are connected with a cable for circular knitting, but what are these double pointed things? More importantly, why would anyone want to use them, and how would they go about doing so?
Double stockinette, more commonly known as the Herringbone pattern, creates a unique fabric. The way that the stitches are knit creates a fabric that looks the same on both sides. It also creates an extremely thick and dense fabric that is perfect for projects like purses, hot pads or mittens that need the extra durability and protection.
If you are looking for a new knitting stitch that is not too challenging, the double seed stitch might be the one for you. This stitch, which is also called the double moss stitch, results in a "bobble" look. It is also simple, so it is perfect for the beginning knitter. The double seed stitch pattern is often used in sweaters, scarves and blankets.
