turniptot asked:


I’ve been trying to learn to knit, but with not much luck. I have the basic skills down, such as casting on and the knit stitch, but when I get to the end of knitting my first row, I have no idea what to do with the slipknot. What am I supposed to do with it??

NICKOLAS

Nicole asked:


I know knitting has 2 needles, but I am just learning to crochet, are the similar enough where I could easily pick up knitting?
also, if I found a knitting pattern I like, could I “convert” it to a crochet pattern?

DWIGHT

Camille C asked:


I a looking for cute (free) knitting patterns for cute knitted and stuffed animals. Thanks fro helping!

WILL

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is no longer only for grandmothers or just any mothers. Now it’s a fun, creative hobby for anyone. Just get some basic information before you start knitting. All you need to start knitting are knitting needles, yarn and good patterns or instructions.

Let’s start with some basic patterns. Before you start with a pattern as a beginner, you should know the basic stitches including the knit stitch and purl stitch. For the first, pass the right needle through the first stitch of your left hand needle. Now wind your yarn over cross of two needles, over the 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.

Purl stitch when viewed from purl side of pattern. First you have to take the yarn in front of the needle, then insert right hand needle in first stitch on left hand needle. Wind yarn around back of right hand needle from right to left, then just draw loop backward which will allow stitch to slip off left needle to right hand needle. The main thing to remember about this stitch is that you have to take the yarn in front of needle. Continue till all stitches are transferred 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 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.



WILLIAMS

Jason asked:


Knitting Book covers all the optics and tips that you find necessary for knitting. It provides guidelines to you. To put it in simple terms, it covers all the necessary instructions which will make your knitting experience a smooth and easy one.

Knitting book also presents you an opportunity to learn new things to improve your knitting. It provides you with some excellent patterns with proper guidelines to achieve them. Knitting Books are available at reasonable prices.

Knitting book has guidelines which are arranged stepwise with project work to tackle with, which is very important to improve your knitting skills. If you are looking for a nice pattern for your bag, winter sweater, purse, scarf etc then knitting books can help you find one.

Knitting can be your hobby or it can be your profession but you can always improve on it to attain that optimum level. There are number of knitting books available providing excellent patterns. These patters can be further categorized into suitable group like ribbings, twist-stitch pattern, eyelet pattern, fancy texture pattern and color change pattern.

Knitted fabrics make you feel cozy and warm during winter season. With the help of knitting books you feel that knitting is a simple process, all it requires is a yarn ball of good quality and two needles. You may have seen your grandma knitting sweaters in her own artistic way or doing some simple knitting work. Knitting Books can teach you the same technique that your grandma uses in knitting.

Knitting Books are suitable for all age groups. It is used by beginners to learn the trade and by experts to fine tune themselves. It provides you stepwise information and contains detail guidance in each step. You can present these books to your loved ones or use it for yourself. If you are dedicated and willing to work hard work then you will definitely master this art in no time.

For further details visit Knitting Book or visit http://www.knitting-book.net



SCOTT

jeansandpants asked:


I only know about spotlight selling knitting yarn but was thinking whether there are better quality ones out there.

ARCHIE

Christa Kowalczyk asked:


Knitting loom is a kind of prehistoric art that has many kinds of loom shapes like oval, round and rectangular. It has different types.

A Knitting loom is a very old art that has been revived recently. It is known by different names such as:

? frame knitting

? rake knitting

? ring knitting

? box knitting

? bung knitting

? spool knitting

? reel knitting

? French knitting

? Loom knitting

? Knitting in the round

? Knitting board

During the middle ages, looms were used in:

- France

- Britain

- Germany and

- Other parts of Europe

They used it to knit:

? tasseled caps

? petticoats

? shawls

? blankets

? stockings

? bags

? purses

? sacks

? nets

? hammocks

? curtains

Looms come in different shapes like:

- round

- oval and

- rectangular

Some looms have two rows of pegs, and these are called double rakes. The size of a knit piece depends on the loom’s size. The gauge or distance of pegs and its size make the size of the knit stitches. The thickness of yarn also contributes to its size.

To form knitted fabric, you can use loom. Imagine that the pegs of the loom are pieces of knitting needles. Different methods of wrapping yarn on the pegs make different stitches and patterns.

The single rake looms make the knitted fabric possess a distinctive right and wrong sides. The double rake looms are used in making double knitted fabric right at both sides.

It is also easy to learn loom knitting. Many people find it simple to use this, unlike knitting needles. Those who have problems with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome and other ailments enjoy loom knitting.

Loom knitting revived again. Perhaps it is because of its fast and easy way of getting into knitting.

The three basic types of looms are:

1. Round Loom

The most common round looms is the Knifty Knitters. Round looms though called round can be a

- circle

- triangle

- oval

- square

- heart and many others

The shape does not matter. What matters is that all of the pegs are unbroken. It must have no starting or stopping point. The measurement of a round loom is determined by the space between the pegs. The further the pegs the larger the gauge. The good thing about round looms is that you can use it for circular knitting. You can also use it for flat panel knitting like a rake. Stitching is the same except for the knitting. With circular, you continuously knit in the same direction for the whole piece. With flat panel, the knitting is back and forth.

2. Rake

Knitting on a rake is same as knitting on a round loom. The difference is that a rake is a single line and the pegs have beginning and end point. You can do flat knitting using a rake. The distance between the pegs can determine the gauge.

To know where you are in a pattern, know how pegs are numbered on the loom.

? Peg 1 being the first peg to the left of the anchor peg.

? You are able to identify anchor pegs by looking on the top portion of your circular loom, and it can sometimes be found at the end of the rake.

? The only anchor peg found on the right also has a counterpart peg, and this is found on the left. Therefore, peg 1 is the first peg to the right above the rake.

? The number for the succeeding pegs for round looms and rakes continues to the left. Peg 2 follows peg 1 to the left, peg 3 follows peg 2 to the left and so on.

3. Knitting Board

This is a two parallel rake used together to knit across. Knifty Knitters is one of the most common long looms knitting board. These looms serve dual function. It can be a round loom and as a knitting board. To create double-knit fabric, you will need a knitting board. Two different factors will determine the gauge:

- distances of pegs

- distances of the two rakes

The greater the distance, the larger gauge created. There are different gauges of knitting boards available. Some manufacturers give you the chance to alter the gauge of the knitting board. You can change the distance between the two pegs. In Knifty Knitters, one gauge is available.

Also, knitting boards have different knitting sizes for hats, bags, scarves, socks, blankets and many others.



THERON

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Do you wish to learn how to knit? With these instructions and a little practice, you can learn knitting and will definitely create professional patterns.

There are five basic instructions. Make a slip knot, cast on, knit stitch, purl stitch and bind off. Let’s start with making a slip knot.

Making a slip knot is very easy. This knot is tied for secure knitting, otherwise it may happen that as you go further, stitches open up from the beginning. A slip knot is very easy: just pull some yarn to make one loop. Then simply tie a regular knot.

Now to start knitting, you have to cast on stitches. So for cast on, make a slip loop over left needle then pass right needle through loop from left to right yarn under and over right needle then draw yarn through loop and transfer loop to left needle, continue this till you get number of stitches on left needle. Now your stitches are ready now decide on pattern you want to knit and start knitting.

Now you must have the basic information about the two basic stitches: Knit stitch and Purl stitch. The knit stitch is very basic stitch. To start knitting, insert right needle through first stitch of left hand needle. Then wind yarn over cross of two needles over right hand needle. Just gently pull through loop. After that just slip over first original stitch from left needle to right hand needle. Just repeat the whole process until you transfer all stitches from left needle to right needle. This is the way to complete a row with knit stitches.

Your second basic stitch is the Purl stitch. First you have to take the yarn in front of the needle, then insert right hand needle in first stitch on left hand needle. Wind yarn around back of right hand needle from right to left, then just draw loop backward which will allow stitch to sleep off left needle to right hand needle. With purl stitches, you can create pattern which look like brick face.

With variations and combinations of these two stitches you can create many different types of patterns very easily. For example, if you want a pattern to look like twisted rib, then just knit from back side of knit stitches. This will definitely give you even textured pattern.

Once you are done with the knitting, then you have to seal the ends of knitted fabric, binding off is done. For this bind off, first knit two stitches; then slip off first stitch over second needle; knit another stitch and repeat the same procedure till only one stitch remains. Cut the yarn and just draw it from last loop.

So with this basic information you can create almost any patterns you want. Select yarn very carefully, as the final look of knitted fabric also depends upon thickness and type of yarn. Selection of type of knitting needles is also very important, as it decide thickness and quality on knitted fabric. Also choose appropriate color depending on what you are knitting and for whom you are knitting.



EARL

kliz03 asked:


Before starting to knit, get the stitches on the knitting needle. To start, take the Worsted Weight Yarn and measure out a length, and first of all start with a slip knot and it’s just a standard slip knot where the thread is looped through and then the loop is pulled through and the slip knot slides back and forth. It’s like a child’s finger knitting. The slip knot slides onto the knitting needle and this is the first stitch.

This procedure takes both hands. You hold your knitting needle, which is your working needle with your one stitch in your right hand and with your left hand you have to take your yarn and form an L with your fingers and go between those two strands of yarn. With your remaining three fingers you want to grab the tail ends, so that your yarn looks like that in your hand.

Now, to get the stitches on to the knitting needle, you have to take the point of your needle and scoop up the bottom thread, bottom yarn on your thumb and then reach up and scoop the yarn on your index finger through that loop on your thumb. Release your thumb and snug up your stitch and that is your second stitch. Do it again. Take your knitting needle; Scoop up that bottom yarn on your thumb and now scoop the top thread on your index finger through the loop on your thumb, releasing your thumb and snugging up the yarn. Do that a few more times. It takes a while to get used to the cast on, but once you do, it can go very quickly.

The cast on edge is different on both sides. There is a smooth side or a public side. This would be the right side of your knitting project and then there is also the back side which is a little bit bumpy, doesn’t look quite as tidy as the public side. Once again you have your tail of your yarn and the yarn connected to your skin of yarn. You take your thumb and index finger and go in between the two yarns threads and spread them out and grab the remaining tail yarns with your remaining three fingers. Take your point of needle and scoop it into the bottom yarn on your thumb and then catch the yarn on your index finger and pull it through the loop. Release your thumb and snug up the stitch. You will do this procedure for as many stitches as you need for your knitting project.

This article has described how to cast on when learning how to knit. For more lessons, here are a few basic how to videos with great tips on knitting: http://www.monkeysee.com/play/5538-knitting



CONRAD

Craig Thornburrow asked:


Learning how to knit has many benefits, it promotes relaxation, improves your self-discipline and allows you to create beautiful projects to display in your home, wear or give as gifts to family and friends.

You will need four things before you learn how to knit; these are two knitting needles, yarn, a pattern and a pair of scissors. Choosing a simple pattern and yarn that is easy to work with will make learning how to knit easy and enjoyable.

Spend a few minutes holding your knitting needles so you can get a feel for them. At first they may feel awkward but that’s ok, roll the needles around in your hands and between your fingers. Once you can do that without dropping the needles your ready to add some yarn. Pull a long piece of yarn out of the ball and wrap it a loosely around your hand

Depending on your instructions, you will first create your half hitches (tie a loose knot to the end of the knitting needle in your right hand if you are right handed and your left hand if you’re left handed.) Now following the instructions, loop the yarn over the needle you tied the knot on, however many times it says to.

Next step is to slip the yarn, using the needle in your opposite hand through the loops, entering from the left side of the yarn. Insert your knitting needle from the backside of the loop pulling it up through the front. This needle is now called your holding needle. While doing knit stitches your holding needle will always be on top of your working needle.

Now you should have a piece of yarn attached in a straight line between your two needles. Using the tip of your needle to, “called the working needle” pull that piece of new yarn taught and slip the loop you just made off the needle, and repeat over and over again, following your instructions. That is called your knit stitch.

Once you have created your desired amount of knit stitches in your first row, turn the knitted yarn so the end is near you and begin knitting back towards your first stitch. This is called the garter stitch.

Next is the purl stitch, using your working needle slip it through the stitch from right to left. Your working needle will now be on top of the holding needle. To make a purl stitch, the yarn goes around the working needle, bring the needle around to the back and pull the needle through the front of the loop and you have your first purl stitch, slip it off your need and repeat.

Those are the two stitches you need in learning how to knit. Once you master them, you will be on your way to creating beautiful blankets, hats, mittens, baby booties, sweaters, dresser doilies, doll clothes and so much more. You can even get creative and add lace and beads to your beautiful masterpieces after learning how to knit.



PETER