Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Interlacing while knitting will require you to make use of a few very important techniques. Learn about knitting techniques for interlacing with help from a yarn store owner and crafty lady in this free video clip.
Knitting with varigated wool always requires you to keep a few very important things in mind. Learn about knitting with varigated wool with help from a yarn store owner and crafty lady in this free video clip.
Binding off a scarf in knitting requires the right tools and a little bit of know how. Find out how to bind off a scarf in knitting with help from a store owner and craft expert in this free video clip.
You can make a macrame hip scarf using a few tools you may already have. Learn how to make a macrame hip scarf with help from a fashion designer in this free video clip.
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.
Macrame is the art of tying knots with yarn, rope, string or cord to create lace-like webbing. You can use macrame to create wall art, garments, baskets and accessories. Once you learn to tie three or four basic knots, you can combine them to form artistic designs. Make a simple macramé scarf with heavy wool or acrylic yarn in approximately an hour that will keep you warm and cozy all winter long. All of the knots in the scarf are square knots.
A scalloped edging on a knitted item can be achieved by performing a picot bind-off. The picot, which comes from the French for “small point,” provides a slightly stretchy edge with evenly spaced scallops. The size of the scallops can be made larger by picoting more stitches or smaller with fewer stitches. Larger picots will have a more curved appearance, while smaller picots will terminate in a point. You can shape the picots, however, to your liking when wet-blocking the item; tug the picots into the desired shape and allow them to set.
Participate in the age-old practice of spinning wool into yarn by spinning worsted and woollen yarn onto spindles. Before the invention of the spinning wheel, wool fibers were twisted into thread by hand. Worsted yarn uses longer wool fibers that are flattened by hand; it's often used for rugs and blankets because it's so strong. Woollen yarn uses shorter wool fibers and is spun in a way that traps air in it. This creates a soft yarn suitable for knitted garments.
American Girl dolls are a popular toy for young girls, but the accessories are expensive and may be out of your budget. Creating a wardrobe that includes knitted items for your daughter's American Girl doll is an economical way to provide her with clothes and gives you the opportunity to make customized outfits. Knitting a piece of clothing for an American Girl doll gives you plenty of room for creativity in terms of color choices and stitching patterns that you may not find at the store or in the catalog.
If you're looking to add a creative touch to your next knitting project, consider using alternating colors for some extra flair. You can achieve this by alternating between two different colors of yarn, creating a striped pattern. This technique will work for any knit project, such as a pair of socks, a scarf or a blanket. You can use two colors that are very different to create contrast or use similar colors to create a cohesive look.
Ribbing adds texture and elasticity to a knit garment, and unlike plain stockinette, ribbing will not curl. English ribbing imitates the look of one-by-one ribbing, but uses no purling to create raised stitches. English rib is similar to brioche stitch, as they both involve knitting into the row below your live stitches, the ones that are currently on the needles when you are knitting. This makes the stitches longer and allows them to sit above the stitches on either side. English rib is lofty but sturdy, and a good ribbing style for added warmth.
Knitters can create an almost infinite variety of patterns using combinations of two simple stitches, the knit stitch and the pearl stitch. The number of each stitch in the row and the number of rows in each stitch define which pattern your knitting will eventually take. The seed stitch and the moss stitch are similar patterns, often mistaken for each other. What complicates it further is that each stitch has a different definition, depending on whether your pattern has a US or UK origin.
The waffle seed stitch is an advanced knit stitch. It produces a textured fabric that creates a pattern more like a stockinette stitch than a standard seed stitch pattern. A traditional waffle seed stitch pattern is made across four rows, with wrong side and right side rows made differently. If you plan to knit this stitch pattern on a circular needle, or in the round, you will have to alter it slightly. When you knit in the round, every row you knit is a right-side row. The waffle seed stitch requires that you know how to cast on, knit, purl…
Ped slippers, or pedicure slippers, are open-toed mules designed for pampering feet. These slippers allow freshly painted toenails to dry without being smeared by closed toes while allowing the wearer to walk on chilly floors in comfort. Though these slippers are usually made from terrycloth in spas, making them by hand on a knitting loom will add a personal touch, making them ideal for giving as a gift or simply showing off your crafty side. Unless you are very confident in your designing skills, it is always best to start with a pattern.
Vintage patterns and those created by amateur knitters may omit details such as the number of knitting needles required for a project, as well as the number of stitches to work on each needle. If you use too few needles, you won't have enough room at the tips to work the stitches. If you use too many, the extra needles will just get in your way. Determining the number of needles, and stitches per needle, before you begin knitting will help keep your work neat and patterns well-defined.
Knitting is a great craft for kids to learn. Some schools even include knitting in their curriculum to improve students' concentration and fine motor skills. After learning the basic stitches, kids will be amazed at the variety of projects they can create with their own hands. Learning the knit and purl stitches can take some time, but there are popular rhymes to help. For the purl stitch, the commonly taught rhyme is about a bunny. So kids may end up calling it the "bunny stitch."
Add a personal touch to your scarf by knitting loops onto the ends instead of tassels. Form loops on the scarf's ends during the knitting process using the loop stitch. A scarf with looped ends is a good way to practice basic knitting skills while learning new techniques. Mastering the more advanced loop stitch is within the grasp of even beginning knitters, with practice. This pattern makes a scarf with three rows of loops on either end. .
Stitch Witchery is an alternative to sewing. It is a brand of polyamide fusible web that binds together two fabric layers through the heat of a steam iron. It is useful to add trims to garments and home furnishings and to make hems, belts and straps. The bond remains permanent after fusing and prevents fraying on seams. A scarf is easy to make by hemming a piece of fabric with Stitch Witchery.
Knitting looms consist of rings with pegs. The pegs are used to make loops that are stitched or knitted together with a hooked loom stitch tool. A cupcake hat is a cute hat that has a layer of dark color yarn to represent the cake bottom, a layer of light color yarn to represent frosting and a small red ball on top to represent the cherry. Make your own loom knit cupcake with a round loom and two different colors of yarn.
Basic knit scarf patterns are simply long rectangles, providing an ideal opportunity for beginning knitters to practice the knit stitch -- without having to understand decreasing and increasing the number of stitches in each row. If you have surpassed this step in learning to knit and would like to practice increasing and decreasing stitches, creating a tapered yarn scarf is a good option. Tapered yarn scarves end in a point, at which you can affix pom poms, fringe or other embellishments.
There are thousands of sweater designs for you to choose from. Each design has its own look and feel. Cable knits are popular patterns as they add texture and dimension to your sweaters, and they work for men, women and children. Cabling involves twisting of stitches in a variety of patterns. With little imagination, patience and practice, you can come up with interesting designs for your sweater.
Using twisted cord for ties, drawstrings, handles -- or for attaching tassels to a knitted piece -- is both more attractive and stronger than using a length of untwisted yarn. You can create short lengths of cord for hanging tassels or pom-poms or very long cords for ties or bag straps; the method stays the same. Try tying a few inches of colorful twisted cord around the handles of your suitcases before you fly, to make them easier to spot on a baggage carousel. Or use twisted cords instead of ribbons on a present wrapped in plain colored paper.
Finishing a knitting project with the wrong edge can lead to disaster and a lot of wasted time. When the edges do not have enough stretch, the wearer may not be able to get his head or arms in the sweater or his foot in the sock. By binding or casting off with a stretchy bind-off in the round, a flexible edge is formed on all openings. Hats fit better, heads can fit through necks and gloves are snug around the wrist. This technique is not much different than a regular bind-off and can be done in the same amount…
They look beautiful and keep you warm and so you’ve probably admired them from afar -- ubiquitous winter scarves. They can cost a small fortune in the stores, and even then you may not find one in the length that best suits your taste. Don’t let a fear or lack of knowledge about sewing hold you back from making a lovely scarf this winter. There are ways to make easy, creative scarves – a fleece scarf for a casual look and a cotton jersey scarf for an elegant look – without sewing a single stitch.
You put in all that time and effort to find just the right colors of yarn and got every pattern section perfect. Now that you're done, don't forget to finish the scarf by binding or casting it off. This is the most important part of the knitting process for any yarning project as this will keep the stitches from unraveling so your scarf won't fall apart into a pile of different colored yarns all over again.
The newest novelty yarn to hit your local yarn store is ruffle yarn. As the name implies, ruffle yarn falls into graceful ruffles when you knit. Primarily used for scarves, ruffle yarn comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Some of the yarns form narrow ruffles, while others have wider, lacier ruffles. Working with the yarn takes a little practice, but once you're mastered the technique, you can produce lovely scarves in a few hours.
Fleece fabric works especially well for simple scarves and hats, because it doesn't fray or require hemming. Recycle an old fleece blanket into a winter accessory that is both a hood and a scarf. The hood portion is attached to the center of the scarf and provides a stylish way to keep both your ears and neck warm. The project requires only one piece of fleece, a few simple cuts and a single seam, making it suitable for a quick gift even beginners can create.
A knitting machine consists of a bed of 200 hook-ended needles. During casting-on, the yarn is looped around each needle. A flat bar called a knit carriage is run over the needles to make the first row of stitches. When it reaches the other side, the knit carriage moves over the needles in the opposite direction to create a tight, uniform stockinette stitch.
Whether it is a fall day where a scarf can be added to an outfit as a fashionable accessory, or a cold winter day where insulation around the neck is necessary, all it takes is a few household items to make one. There are a variety of scarf styles, and attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder, but there are a few ways to create a scarf with an eye for a particular outfit.
Beanies are quick, versatile knitting projects. A single basic pattern can be the starting point for animal costume hats, protective warmers for premature infants and chemotherapy patients, simple fashion accessories or colorful cold weather gear. To avoid having a bulky or inelegant seam marring your finished product, knit your beanies on circular needles. Connecting the stitches at the start of each row is easy, and your completed beanie will be one solid piece, without any obvious joins in the pattern.
Donating toys, especially teddy bears, is a popular charitable activity. Any child would appreciate receiving a stuffed toy, but go that extra step and give a bear wearing this adorable sweater, and you'll absolutely make a child's day. Knit on double-pointed needles, this sweater is on the fashionable end of the spectrum of bear attire, and your own bear would certainly appreciate the effort as well. It's a great project for both an experienced knitter and a novice looking for a smaller project on which to practice new skills. The materials and directions are for a sweater to fit a…
When cold weather strikes, it can become more difficult to get dogs to go for their daily walks. This is especially true if you have a puppy or little dog, or one with a thin coat, as these types of dogs feel the cold more acutely than big, fluffy dogs. Therefore, a sensible solution to helping your dog feel more comfortable when walking and playing outside is to make him a sweater.
Lightweight, soft and colorful, scarves in silk, satin or polyester have enhanced women's wardrobes for centuries. Sewing similar or contrasting scarves together diagonally can produce an asymmetrical, visually interesting hemline on either a long or short dress. Purchased scarves are already hemmed and available in a diverse assortment of sizes and prints, needing little to no prep work before starting a project. If commercially produced scarves are too pricey, stitch up some handmade scarves and personalize them by dying or painting the fabric. Scarf size decides the length of the dress.
Pom pom yarn -- also known as pon pon or bobble yarn -- looks radically different than more traditional types of yarn used for knitting. This yarn is composed of balls of fabric held together by string, resembling a festive garland more than a knitting yarn for creating a finished piece. As with other novelty yarns, pom pom yarn can define the design of the piece that you're knitting. It may take a little bit of practice to learn how to handle pom pom yarn while knitting, but all of the same basics of knitting apply.
Dressing up your coat with a scarf is an easy and simple way to accessorize your look. Many types of scarves are available, allowing you to choose one that goes with your personal style and matches the design of your coat. Making a scarf is often less expensive than buying one and many of them come together quickly with minimal supplies. Look for fabric and sewing materials at a fabric or craft store.
Knitting in a 2-by-2 rib stitch, stitches are alternated between two knit stitches and two purl stitches across the row. When knitting a scarf, the 2-by-2 rib produces stretchy vertical columns, creating a decorative pattern. To finish the scarf, each stitch needs to be bound according to its style to maintain the pattern.
The Tunisian knit stitch, a variation of the Tunisian simple stitch or afghan stitch, is a crochet stitch technique that produces work that looks like knitted stockinette stitch on the front of the project and ridged purl rows on the back. Unlike in traditional crochet, where each stitch is completed one at a time, rows of Tunisian knit stitches are created by performing a forward pass across all the stitches in the row and then a second, or reverse, pass to complete all of the stitches in that row. Also, unlike traditional crochet or knitting, the project is never turned.…
A craft room is often a place bustling with creative ideas and materials. Unfortunately, all of this creativity can lead to a big mess. Yarn skeins may be bundled in baskets, boxes and odd cubbies. Organize your yarn by making a homemade yarn swift. You may already have the necessary supplies, or these can be readily found at your local hardware store. By mounting the yarn swift vertically, your yarn will be easily accessible without cluttering another tabletop.
From a distance, an entrelac throw looks like it's been woven from knitted strips of fabric. But up close, you see that instead of woven strips, the knitting was turned and slanted to create small squares that stack up diagonally in opposite directions. An entrelac throw is a work of art that can keep you warm, and doesn't require special tools to create. As home decor, an entrelac throw can add subtle texture in a single color, and is the perfect motif for bold contrasts.
Making your own knit headband is a cost-effective way to stay warm in the winter. A headband requires a basic and straightforward crocheting technique and will take you only a couple of hours to accomplish. Choosing a medium to large size crocheting needle will give each headband chain thickness and girth -- suitable for warding off cold weather. Once you master your knitting method, give headbands as winter holiday gifts to family, friends or the fellow crochet enthusiast in your life.
It’s easy to forget how much we depend on our hands until we are unable to use one of them. Knitting and crocheting enthusiasts might feel that that the inability to use one hand means they must forsake a beloved hobby, but it doesn't. It does mean, however, investigating various techniques for one-handed knitting and crocheting. Adjustable table clamps to hold your crochet hooks are available and, in the case of knitting, a circular or rectangular knitting loom is an alternative to knitting with needles.
Knitting fishnets is similar to knitting any other sock. The toe and heel are knitted in stockinette stitch to make a more solid fabric. Your toes won't poke through the fishnet and the heel will wear longer. Otherwise, the stockings are knitted in a simple pattern of "yarn over, knit two stitches together," until they are as long as you like. For this project, you must know how to cast on, increase and decrease, yarn over, knit and purl. Use fingering-weight yarn made from a sturdy fiber blend that includes nylon. You can easily create a toe-up sock that fits…
A braided tassel has a braided head at the top with flowing strands at the bottom. Making a braided tassel is not difficult, and it is possible to create a wide variety of tassel designs using the same basic instructions. The braids will add a level of formality to the tassel that makes it suitable for use in formal rooms or objects, such as fancy bookmarks or curtain ties.
A border on an afghan helps frame your work and pulls the sewn-together squares of pieced afghans into a cohesive whole. Afghan borders can be straight, joining at right angles in the corners, or mitered, joining at an angle in the corners. They can use a yarn that matches or contrasts with the colors used in your afghan. While you can knit a border separately and sew it on, picking up stitches and knitting the border on creates a secure join, ensures that your border is long enough, and saves time.
Knitting can be done using only knitting needles, or it can be completed on a loom. Looms have a series of pegs around which yarn is wrapped to create loops. These loops are then pulled through one another in a pattern according to the knitting technique being used. Knitting looms are sold in several shapes, each designed for a different use. Round looms and long looms are the most common, but specialty looms are also available for making items such as knit flowers and spools.
Rayon is a fiber which is manufactured with a combination of wood pulp cellulose, cotton and other regenerated vegetable matter. Rayon is used to make textiles and yarn, and is often combined with other fibers to make yarns with a variety of different fibers. Knit with yarn fashioned of rayon much the same way you would knit with any yarn.
When it’s cold outside a scarf can take the edge off the chill. If you have to wear a scarf, you can use colors that complement your outerwear and personal preferences. With basic supplies and some sewing knowledge, creating a fleece scarf with cut slits will give the scarf the look of fringe that you can dress up or down.
In its most basic form, a neckwarmer is just a tube that is large enough to slip over the head and fits loosely around the neck like a scarf. If you can knit in the round on circular needles, you can make this type of neckwarmer. It's a very simple pattern that requires no shaping. Use large needles and a bulky yarn for a quick project you can complete in an afternoon.
When you want to decorate your home with homey accents, you may not want to spend a lot of money buying the accent pieces from a department store. One solution is to make the pieces yourself using inexpensive craft supplies. For example, create a hand knit throw pillow using yarn and knitting needles. To make the knit pillow look elegant and high quality, it's important to bind the pillow off properly.
Lengthening a hand-knit sweater is possible even if the sweater was knit from the bottom up. Top-down knits are easily lengthened by simply removing the bind-off edge, or the last row, attaching yarn and continuing to knit in the previous pattern until you reach your desired length. Bottom-up knits and knits with hem stitches are a little more difficult. These require removing several rows. In the case of sweaters knit from the bottom up, the cast-on row must be clipped to allow you to knit the extension in the same direction as the body of the sweater. Otherwise the extension…
