Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is a famous craftwork. In fact, knitting turns thread or yarn into cloth. Knitting consists of loops. These loops called stitches are obtained by pulling the thread through each other. Knitting is either done by hand or by machine. There are numerous and methods in hand knitting. In some, the end product may be entirely different and in some produce it may be similar. Flat knitting does the length of the cloth and the circular knitting produces a seamless tube. Using different yarns, kneedles, color, texture and weight produces different end products.

History:

In the year 1527, the first knitting guild was started in Paris. Hand knitting went out of fashion many times but it started its revival in the 21st century. The number of women knitters increased about 150% in the year 2002 and 2004. International communities are also formed for knitting. There are networks where people share techniques and patterns and also run competitions.

Types of Knitting:

Weft knitting and warp knitting are the two major varieties of knitting. Weft knitting requires only a single yarn. One yarn for every stitch is used in warp knitting. Weft knitting is done either by hand or machine whereas warp knitting is done by machine generally.

Circular knitting is otherwise called as knitting in the round. It creates a seamless tube. A set of four or five double pointed needles is used for doing circular knitting. Flat knitting is used to produce rectangular pieces of cloth. Two straight knitting needles are used in this type and stitches are made in rows and horizontal lines. Hats, socks, mittens and sleeves are made by using circular knitting. Scarves, blankets and front and backsides of sweaters are made with flat knitting.

Texture:

Flat stockinette stitch is the most common texture for the knitted garment and knit stitches worked flat is used for machine made stockings and T-shirts. Simple textures are made using knit and purl stitches, garter stitch, ribbing and moss and seed stitches. There is more number of complicated patterns in which slip stitch and heel and linen stitches are used. Small eyelet holes can also be created in the fabric. The use of yarn also changes the appearance of the garment. If the yarn is thick, the stitches will be more visible and if the yarn is thin, the texture will be finer.

Process:

The process of casting on begins a piece of knitting. It is the creation of stitches on the needle. Different methods of casting on are used. Thumb method and double needle method are the various methods in cast on. Thumb method is ideal for picking up stitches and double needle method produces firm edge on the border. The two styles of knitting are continental style and English style. In the English style yarn is held in right hand whereas in continental style the yarn is held in the left hand. Knitting needles, knitting machines are the tools used for knitting.

People find knitting as an enjoyable hobby.



ALFREDO

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is an ancient craft, this craft has been passed on from our ancestors, but this knitting went out of fashion. This is the best way to create the desired pattern instead of buying it from the shop. To create this fabric, if you are new, means that you have to learn simple steps in order to knit.

If you are really interested in knitting, you need not worry because knitting becomes simple when using the correct knitting tools, which are called knitting looms. For this you don’t require many tools. You just have to start with a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles.

To begin with the stitching, your yarn spinners will give you information about stitches, and rows which that particular yarn you can anticipate to knit using specific set of needles. And if you are not getting such information from those yarn spinners, then you should ask a retailer.

Generally the numbers of stitches are found in the area of around 10 cm square or around 4 inches. This will be helpful in case of the small samples in this you can see how many stitches come into view, in 1 inch this will let skip the partial stitches and hence they will not be counted, resulting in a wrong pattern.

For this purpose you need to purchase a type of yarn that will be able to make about 20 to 22 stitches in an area of 10 cm or 4 inches for about 28 to 30 rows about 4 inches in stocking stitch. Beginner often prefer to work with 100% acrylic.

For knitting purpose another requirement is knitting needle. You must have a pair of knitting needles. To start with and for life long buy aluminum and nickel plated brass knitting needles. Other types of needles are also available in the form of bamboo, plastic, rosewood and any metal. The needles which you are purchasing must be smooth as well, not easily bendable.

Once you have all the required things, then you should learn how to make a slip knot. This knot is generally preferred for sweaters, socks and scarves. For this, first of all take a end of yarn and unwind around two to three yards. Next, hold it in between thumb and finger such that the ball end is going away from the thumb across inside of the finger. At this stage wind it around finger.

Now insert the needle point under this circle. Tip the needle over by lifting the crossing over strand back up through the loop. This is the loop now to carefully lift (the yarn) from your finger and draw it up. Making use of this loop, now start with the desired stitch. Make use of the knit stitch or purl stitches.



EUGENIO

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Entrelac knitting is a very interesting type of knitting. In this type of knitting beautiful textured diamond patterns are created. The knitted fiber made with Entrelac knitting just looks like basket woven strips of knitted fabric. In this pattern basically there are interlocked pieces are connected which have different orientations. This Entrelac knitting is really a fun and resulting fabric of just look very pretty.

Entrelac knitting can be done on both circular and flat. In circular Entrelac knitting is turned after full round of squares and next set is knitted in opposite direction. There are many other techniques are there for getting textured fabric but Entrelac knitting allows you have multicolored knitted fabric. And even Entrelac knitting is used to have multicolored patterns. You can have many different colors for single pattern but to keep it simple try to use minimum color because as number of colors increase complexity of this Entrelac knitting increases.

For making Entrelac pattern you only require knit stitch and purl stitch and you must have ability to knit or purl two stitches together. You can even use garter stitch or stokineete stitch.

First thing you have to knit first base triangle, cast on seven stitches then starting with purl stitch continue till 14 rows with stokineete stitches. Then for second block, use another color cast 7 stitches on another needle then repeat seven times for next row knit 7 stitches, after this row for next row 6 purl stitches and purl 7th stitch together with adjacent stitch of first block.

Then third block, across upper edge of first block pick up 7 stitches and then continue with yarn from second block, knit purl stitches for 1st row. And with stokineete stitch knit till next 14 rows.

For next block , use different colors again cast on 7 stitches repeat the 7 purl stitches and after that knit 6 stitches and after that 2 stitches together repeat this procedure for 7 times. Keep yarn as it is, don’t break it. .

For 7th block pick seven loops along the left edge of block two onto left hand needle continue with yarn from fifth block and then knit stokineete stitch for total 15 blocks. And for last seventh block repeat the procedure of second block. And repeat this whole procedure for creating some specific patterns.

Amazing thing about Entrelac knitting is that row of knitting contain many small rows inside the blocks. If you wish to have square edges then Entrelac knitting is done with triangles. It is knitted same as squares but with decrease and increase of stitches.



CHARLES

Diane Palmer asked:


Learn to knit, and get those creative juices flowing… I can still remember the moment I learned to knit. I was 6 years old, and my grandma sat down with me while my mother was busy with my new baby brother.

She taught me to cast on, and knit, and I was so excited I took my knitting everywhere.. it was all uneven and horrid, but I was excited that I had learned something new, and still love to knit to this day!

I am left handed, and always found many crafts hard to do because of it, such as crochet. But knitting can be done easily whether you are left handed or right handed.

Learning to knit as a child is a great way, but if you never did learn to knit, and would like to, then why not get started now!

Take it in little steps. Learn to cast on one day, and then learn to do the basic garter stitch the next day, and PRACTICE. That is the biggest part of knitting, is practicing. Once you have mastered the garter stitch, then you can try to purl, which is going through the back of the stitch.

Once you have mastered basic knitting, then you will need to learn to cast off. Continue to practice and make lots of blocks of knitting. (you can always make them into a quilt later!).

There are many books, ebooks, and videos on the market that will teach you how to knit, learning from an experienced knitter sitting right beside you, will still always be the best way, like my grandma did. But the next best thing I feel is a video. One where you get a real good close-up of what the teacher is doing, not something far away.

With a video, you can play it over and over again, and if you sit there with your needles and yarn, you will get this new skill. Its good for the brain to learn new crafts and skills, it gets the creativity flowing and keeps the brain alert.

It is never too late, and you are never too old to learn something new! Try it, knitting is good for relieving stress, as many men are finding. Knitting has become popular amongst celebrities and many professional men.. to help with stress and become creative.

So, get yourself some knitting needles and yarn, and maybe a basic pattern to get started with, once you learn your basic skills.

Try it, you may like it, so watch a good video and learn to knit…

learn how to knit



SAM

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is the art of turning threads into piece of cloth. Knitting is done by looping those threads, into each other by stitching. Knitting may be hand made or machine made. By hand there are many styles and ways. There are so many different fibers and needles that are used to make those different varieties of cloth pieces such as table cloths, handkerchiefs and etc.

There are different knitting patterns, such as lace knitting, loop knitting, loom knitting, we will briefly discuss lace knitting, lace knitting is not that strange, Anybody can do lace knitting, they are able to form threads, by using the help from the charts or any other link, you can create beautiful patterns of cloths. It does not require any special or inborn talent to start knitting.

It will just take a time, to learn and get experience. Knitting becomes interesting automatically. Knitting is an art from ancient times. There are many designs that your mind can create such as natural scenery, flowers, birds, or aquarium beauty, anything is suitable, in your convenience. These ideas come for each person different, depending on there nature, but all these designs will surely turn into memorable creation.

Lace knitting is the relatively a new, hardly two hundred years old. This became a new profession for people who lived in villages, or rural areas. There are number of traditions of it like Orenburg and Unst which came from Russia. Laces are provided from Iceland and Estonia. In fact the oldest patterns of lace knitting were made by the fisherman, and they are very strong can not be ripped. These patterns were graceful, compared to its economy, originality and terminology. They were like made by true artistic vision and intellect.

Types of Lace

Lace may be illustrated briefly with two characteristics:

1. which kind of ground it is worked, if

- it is garter stitch that is every row is knitted.

- Or stockinet stitch that the knit and purl rows alternated-

2. frequency of patterned rows, if

- it is every row

- or only every right side row

Garter stitch lace look symmetrical, both ends are similar, but stockinet lace, has a specific right and wrong side. As we know by lace knitting we can interlace Shawls. Since most of the lace knitting is utilized into shawl, stoles scarves. Stoles look beautiful when you wear them on traditional “kurties” and western jeans. They give you a stylish plus modern and unique look.

Scarves and stoles all are available in rectangular shapes, while in shawls you will get variety such as circular, triangular.

The majorities of shawls are composed of main center piece and surrounded bye borders of many different patterns and then there is a final piping around it. There are many variations here if its scarves or stole. Lace knitting needs extensive stretching, to look at its best, inflexible cast on bound off edges should be avoided as possible. Knitting may move several directions within one piece.



GLEN

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

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

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

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Mankind is a lover of arts and crafts. There are many creative ideas that come out of our minds, like spoon knitting.

Spoon knitting is one of the products of human being’s creative mind. Spoon knitting is enjoyed by kids. The reason, its very easy and creative.

Knitting is a form of art. It can be done in different forms and types. It is very enjoyable to do. People can refer to knitting books for information.These are some types of knitting.

1. Continental Knitting

2. Fair Isle Knitting

3. Intarsia Knitting

4. Patchwork Knitting

Spool knitting is one of the types of knitting. Spoon knitting is also called corking. It is one of the styles used to make a cord. Spoon knitting is joyful activity among kids because of its simplicity. Did you ever observe a spider while weaving its net? You can see a great resemblance between Spoon knitting and weaving. A child who is a nature lover can grasp it quickly. The insect works in a spiral form on his framework of radiating lines to create the net. Spiral knitting is also similar activity. Here we will see the steps of spoon knitting. It is not only an activity. Kids will result enjoying and growing as individuals . It is the simpler than toy knitting.

You can create many accessories, like circular mats, balls for baby’s, doll’s muff, sweaters, hats, shawls, mufflers, school bags and teddy bears with spoon knitting machine. There are many books on spoon knitting which you can refer to learn more.

How to make a spoon knitting machine?

1. Take an empty wooden thread spool, or a cylinder of wool with a hole of diameter of 1/4 inches at its center

2. You have to hammer four nails around the hole at equal intervals. Keep in mind that nails should be without the heads.

3. Put the long thread out the hole and hold it with left hand.

4. You have to wind the yarn in a counterclockwise direction around each nail.

5. Now work in clockwise direction. Make the turn of the yarn around the outer edge of the next nail and lift the lower loop over the yarn and over the nail with the help of needle or small crochet hook.

6. You can form a tabular cord by working around each nail in a continuous circle.

7. you have to pass each loop over next nail, in a clockwise direction. In this way you will bind off.

8. You have to pass the end through of the last loop, when one loop remains cut off yarn. Pull it firmly.

Today is a world of machines. Spoon knitting is done by machines. These machines can give you different fashion items, like belts, butterfly’s, bracelets and more. It is easy to handle and operate even for small kids. What you have to do, is just turn the handle of threading the machine with any yarn. It includes four spools of thread, and heart shaped weight. Read the instructions carefully.

Thus spoon knitting is a great activity to do.



ISAAC

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting looms, around since the 16th century, are considered fairly easy to learn and use and are growing in popularity. There are varieties of shapes in looms: some are round, oval and rectangular.

Single loom rakes have single row of pegs and double rakes have two rows of pegs. Looms are mainly used to make knit fabric. The size of the fabric depends upon the size of the loom. And there are many names used for loom knitting: fame knitting, ring knitting, box knitting, spool knitting, reel knitting, French knitting, knitting board, reel knitting are other names for loom knitting.

In the knitting loom, the stitches are made by interconnecting loops which becomes a fabric. Loom knitting is similar to needle knitting. In the loom knitting, the pegs are the needles. When the peg holds one loop it becomes a stitch. The yarn surrounds the pegs. The knitter has to wrap each peg and lifts the bottom loop over and off so that the loop is dropped to the inside of the loom. A stitch will be created when the loop is lifted over and off.

In the knitting looms, knitters combine the purl stitch and knit stitch. Hundreds of stitch patterns rises with this combination. But the designs were limited only. Recently, the loom knitting has undergone vast changes. Lace patterns and cable designs can also be knitted in the loom knitting. Knitting comes in different sizes. There are some popular sizes in the knitting looms that are known as loom gauge. There are three main factors that influence the gauge in the loom knitting. They are knitting loom gauge, yarn and knitting tension. The measurement from center of one peg to the center of other peg determines the gauge on the knitting looms. Another important factor that influences the gauge is the diameter of the peg shaft. If the spacing between the pegs is large, then the stitches will have long space between them. If the pegs are closer, the knit gauge will be smaller.

The knitting loom covers three types of looms. They are single-sided rakes, rounds and knitting boards. The round knitting looms are known as hat looms. They come in different shapes and sizes. They create small tubes for the baby socks, and larger tubes for the hats made for adults. They have stitches similar like needle knitting. A flat panel can also be created using round loom. This form is called single sided rake. You can find single sided rakes also in the knitting looms. They are used specifically to create flat panels.

Knitting board is a part of the knitting looms. The knitting looms have double bed of pegs, which faces each other and allows the knitting to pass through. They are also called knitting frames or double-sided rakes. A fabric is created with double side and there is no wrong side. Knitting tool is a long piece of metal and has an angled tip that is used to lift off the loops.



MARIO