Traditional Russian Knitting Techniques

Using Russian techniques requires a lot of practice.

Russians refer to knitting and crocheting as one craft. Knitting is referred to as "threading the needle" and crocheting as "threading the hook." The Russian knitting technique relies on the grip of the needle, working both the right and left hands close to the tip of the needle while knitting.

Casting On with Two Needles

In the Russian casting-on technique, you work with two needles instead of your fingers to cast on stitches. This technique uses the tail end of the yarn to cast the stitches on the needle. To cast on, you drape the yarn over your left thumb and over and around your index finger. Then you cup both ends (the tail and the working yarn) in the center of the palm and under the three fingers. The left hand controls the yarn and the right hand controls the needles. The left hand resembles an individual holding a gun, with the index finger slightly bent.

Russian Bind Off

The Russian bind-off technique creates a stretchy edge to a garment such as Toe-up socks. This technique requires repeatedly decreasing the stitches. To complete the technique, you must knit two stitches together from the left needle, then transfer the stitch back to the left needle and continue to knit two together until all the stitches are bound off, creating an edge.

Russian Knitting Stitch from the Back

Another Russian technique involves knitting stitches from the back. In traditional knitting, you must work from the front to the back to complete a project like a sweater or scarf. The Russian technique, however, requires you to perform a lot of work before actually knitting. For instance, you position the yarn in back of the stitch. Then you pass the first stitch from the left needle to the right without knitting a stitch. To start knitting, the technique requires you to place the needle in the back of the stitch. You rotate the needle clockwise so you can grab the yarn in a counterclockwise manner.

Considerations

If you are thinking of using any of the Russian techniques of knitting, there are some things you need to know. While knitting, the right needle is always placed above the working yarn. As a result the knit and purl stitch are mounted in the opposite direction on the needle. Also, you use the wall, or back of the stitch, whether you knit or purl.

References

• Headwater Wool: Welcome to knitting and Crochet Lessons at Headwater Wool