jessie bear asked:


Hi,

I have gotten down the basic pattern of knitting washclothes, what is the next step up (I kind of want to try something really fun and different) any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated it. Thanks so much.

DEAN

JMD asked:


I’m knitting a baby blanket in garter stitch on the diagonal (cast on 5 and work up to 160 stitches, decrease down to 5) with a stockinette border. It’s really sweet but I want to add a little something to make it special. Any suggestion?

MICKEY

christiansoldier92 asked:


I want to make a blanket as a gift to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day next month. Which is better to make a blanket? Crocheting, or knitting?

Thanks!

RUSS

smithedward57 asked:


i am particularly interested in knitting using soft copper or aluminium wire but cannot get the knitting process started.

WILLIAMS

Terry Edwards asked:


If you are looking for the perfect gift for that special newborn baby, why not consider a knit baby blanket? Handcrafted gifts have been looked at as a cheap way out for a long time. But in reality, a handcrafted gift, such as a knit baby blanket, costs a lot more in material and time than the mass produced blankets that you find in the store.

Making a baby blanket yourself or having someone knit one for you is the best way to show your love. When you make your own blanket you can customize it any way you want to make it truly special.

If you don’t know how to knit, don’t despair. There are plenty of classes available that will teach you how to knit. You can also purchase books and videos that will give you the basics of knitting. It is probably a good idea to start out with something small at first like a kitchen towel, a placemat or a hat. Once you get the basics down, you can move on to something bigger.

The great thing about making a knit baby blanket is that it can be made in any color to fit the color scheme of the baby’s room. You can mix and match as many colors as you desire and you can incorporate different designs into your knit baby blanket.

If you choose to have someone else knit one for you, make sure that you ask to see examples of their work. Nothing is more disappointing than to pay for a custom handcrafted product, then receiving something that is not made well. Ask around for recommendations.

There is a large variety of yarn to choose from to make your knit baby blanket. There is all natural handspun yarn made from wool. Then there is the synthetic yarns that are machine made. The handspun yarn will probably be a little more expensive, but it will have a much softer feel and possibly be a little warmer. The synthetic yarn can be found in any craft shop for quite a reasonable price.

However you decide to make your knit baby blanket, you can be sure that it will be a unique gift that should be treasured for years to come. Nothing is better that wrapping your little one up in a knitted blanket and snuggling with him on a cold winter night.

If you are crafty at all, try your hand at knitting a baby blanket. You could find it addicting. Knitting has become very popular in recent years. Why not join the crowd and knit a baby blanket?



LOUIS

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is a skill of turning threads into pieces of cloth. A traditional knitting technique gets a new and easier roll, so if you don’t have an experience with knitting before, it will be much easier. Knitting is done by stitching those threads into each other. Knitting may be hand made or machine made. By hand, there are many styles and ways. So many different fibers and needles are used to make those different varieties of cloth pieces, such as table cloths, handkerchiefs and etc.

According to the research results it has been found that a woman in Virginia, her name is Woods Bellamy, invented a type of knitting in the year 1940 it was “number knitting” later known as “modular knitting”. In this method with the use of small knitting pieces, you can combine to get a single large piece. She used different shapes, for knitting such as squares, triangles, parallelograms, and rectangles.

For this type of knitting she was using graph paper, first all plots were made, these are lay outs, that are then converted in to the fabric patterns in successions and knitting creates parts one by one, beginning of each knitting part by knitting it to preceding part. Bellamy obtained just ideas and few patterns of modular knitting snot a full modular knitting concept. Bellamy may have know some another inventor of modular knitting, at that time there was not that much growth for knitting, so her interest brought her to a level where she known as inventor of “number knitting”.



If you know the basics of knitting, and you know how to cast on, blind off, knit, increase and decrease, all the twists and turns are used in modular knitting, it may happen sometimes that you’re stitching is complete, and there remains a gap in between, these stitches you can easily add some more stitches or even release those stitches, to make them in equal in numbers. So this is the advantage associated, with modular knitting, this method is flexible compared to others, so you don’t have to waste your time in rearranging the stitches.

Modular knitting normally involves creating individual patterns, which are squares, triangles, diamonds and combinations of them to create fine pieces, then stitching another piece, then all are combined together to create a beautiful modular pattern. By using modular knitting techniques, you can knit skirts, scarves; the art of yarn can be used here to create hexagonal shapes and that too in many different colors.

Even if you are beginner with modular knitting, you will feel comfortable. The new techniques that are used nowadays will help you, to knit shapes continuously without cutting yarns and picking up stitches it’s very easy compared to old methods. So by using this kind of knitting, you will be able to create your own funky clothes, for your family members, like kids, husband, and grandparents, all of them will look extraordinary in these clothes. They are also better options for gifts, anyone will be happy to receive such beautiful gift.



GREG

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is not just for women! Nowadays it is a fun hobby for everyone. Just grab some basic info on the subject – via library books, online articles or ebooks and voila - -start knitting today.

In a nutshell, what you need to start knitting are knitting needles, yarn and a good set of instructions or a pattern.

Let’s begin with some basic patterns. Note, though, before you start with this pattern as a beginner, it would be helpful to know basic stitches; purl and knit stitches at least.

To purl stitch, you have to bring the yarn in front of the needle, insert your right hand needle in the first stitch on your left hand needle. Next wrap the yarn around the back of your right hand needle from right to left, and then just draw loop backwards, allowing the stitch to slip off your left needle to your right hand needle. The main thing to remember about this stitch is that you have to bring the yarn around to the front of your needle. Continue till all stitches are transferred from left needle to right needle.

To knit stitch, pass your right needle through the first stitch of left hand needle. Now wind yarn over cross of two needles over right hand needle. Just gently pull through the loop. After that just slip over first original stitch from left needle to right hand needle. Repeat the whole procedure till you transfer all stitches from left needle to right needle.

There is a specific way to read the patterns. First the skill level; it can be easy, medium, hard or beginner, intermediate or advance, each pattern has specific skill level, you can start with beginner and then go for complex advanced patterns.

For an easy or beginner level there are usually easy patterns, like different types of scarf or shawls or even some sweaters with easy knitting patterns. You can even make some easy handbags, mats to begin knitting. For medium or intermediate levels you can have patterns like stocking caps, sweaters and knitted scarves; usually patterns with altered stitches and patterns for advanced levels, you can have patterns which are complicated and which require lot of shaping.

If you are a beginner then start with a No pattern, this means just start by knitting with a combination of just two basic stitches, knit and purl. To begin you can knit a nice pashmina style stole, just with three hundred stitches, if garter stitch means only knit stitches no purl stitches. To start you can even make some simple combination of stitches.

If you are knitting with circular needles, you can start making tubular scarf for this cast around 300 stitches, and join them together in a circle. You can try stockinette stitch it produces nice curls at the end which gives the scarf a very different look.

When you are following ready made patterns,then pay attention to the instructions given, like check the gauge of wires or needle. Choose patterns as you like depending on your instructions.



NOEL

pun82224 asked:


I am looking for free knitting patterns.Is there a nice site around?

FELIPE

MonicaSilva asked:


Learning how to knit? Bitten by the knitting bug? Now, it’s time to meet more people who are hooked on knitting! Fix mistakes in your knitting also. Get the most out of your knitting group meeting. I’ll tell you what to expect from a knitting group meeting, show you 7 ways you can feel comfortable among experienced knitters. Then, visit this list of knitting groups in Los Angeles, CA or US, to attend a meeting near you. Have fun making new friends to share knitting ideas and projects.

Here are 7 ways you can feel comfortable in a knitting group meeting:

1) Talk with other knitters, don’t stay quiet.

Don’t just show up and knit your projects! You can do that at home, right? The first time I went to a knitting group, I thought people just sat together and knit in silence. Was I wrong! It’s more like a group of friends getting together to chat, and they happen to be knitting.

You’ll be surprised how the other members in the group want to get to know you. It’s their way of making you feel welcome. You’ll be doing the same when members come for the first time to your knitting group meeting. Be prepared to answer questions like, “how long have you been knitting,” “where do you buy your yarn,” “where do you live,” and “big plans for the weekend?”

2) Ask them what they think of LYSs (Local Yarn Shops).

If you’re a new knitter, get a list of LYSs near you to see and touch the new yarn brands, buy yarn or just go to their day-long sales. Bring the list of your LYSs and ask them what they think of a certain LYS. Members in the group are glad to tell you about their shopping experience at an LYS. You’ll hear comments like “the staff was standoffish, the staff is so friendly, too pricy for me, basically same yarn at my LYSs, not worth the trip.”

This info is useful when you’re driving to the LYS to buy yarn. If you’ve been to an LYS before, please share with them how you were treated, what you bought, or just what you liked about the LYS. For example, the first time I went to a knitting group, 2 of the members worked in an LYS!

3) Help a new knitter with their project.

People go to a knitting group to knit, but also to learn from experienced knitters. For example, be kind enough to put your project down for a second, and help another new knitter with their project, like fixing “holes” or extra stitches on a needle.

I remember that my first time at a knitting group meeting, I only knew how to cast on and knit in garter stitch. I had finished my scarf but didn’t know how to cast off. I asked a member if she could show me how to cast off my scarf, and she kindly put down the hat and the 4-needles, to show me to cast off! Wow, talk about being nice!

4) Bring a simple knitting project to knit.

You’re at the meeting to meet knitters, share tips, and knit. If you bring long, complicated patterns that require you to count stitches every row and focus too much, then stay at home to do it. The idea is to join the conversation, and be friendly. I recommend bringing a knitting project like a dishcloth, sock, scarf, or shawl that has 1 or 2 patterns or in garter stitch. For instance, a member in one of the meetings said, “I brought something mindless to knit.” It was a long scarf in garter stitch.

5) Bring your list of written knitting patterns.

A member or you might get an idea for knitting project at the meeting. If you’re a regular member, a member might even give you yarn as a gift and you would want to knit that moment. Sometimes, you might not be sure of a basic pattern, like a chevron, feather and fan, or horseshoe. You’ll be glad someone or you has a list of basic patterns written down in the knitting bag.

6) Bring some of your WIPs (works in projects).

Every knitter struggles to finish a project because there’s always a new more exciting project to start. Encourage them to finish their WIPs. Don’t forget to tell them what’s on your needles! Not just to show off, but to get their opinions and tips. For example, one of your WIPS is a lacy scarf in mohair yarn. They will gladly tell you what they think of the yarn you’re using, compliment you on the idea, and ask you about it days later until you finish it.

7) Meet at upcoming knitting events.

If you’re a new knitter, you don’t need to be shy at a LYS event. Why go by yourself to a knitting store sale, event or knitting show? Have fun by going with friends. Planning to go to a knitting event? Ask the members if they’re going and meet them there!

After attending a knitting group meeting, you’ll want to go to the next one. I hope these 7 ways will help you feel comfortable in a knitting group meeting. Remember to get to know the members in your group, make a simple knitting project, and meet them at a knitting event. Knitting doesn’t have be a lonely, sometimes frustrating experience. Click here to pick a Knitting Group Meeting in Los Angeles, CA or USA.



ABDUL

Highly Evolved asked:


I have a 10.5w x 7h patch of knitted yarn. At first I was going to make a wide scarf out of it, but that’s kind of boring and I have enough scarves as it is. So I was wondering if I could just get some tips as to what I should either turn it into or start from scratch and just unravel it. Also, if someone could recommend a good knitting pattern site, that’d be rad! Thanks!

EMERSON