Increasing and Decreasing Stitches
Published by JoAnn on Tagged Increasing and Decreasing Stitches
When we are new to knitting, the thought of increasing or decreasing stitches can be a little intimidating but really they are not so difficult.
Increasing Stitches
The simplest way to increase stitches while following a particular pattern (if the pattern does not give specific directions on how to increase) is to insert the left hand needle in the strand of yarn that lies between the stitch on the left hand needle and the stitch on the right hand needle. Insert the needle under the strand while making sure that the strand lies on the needle in the same direction as the other stitches then either knit or purl the strand as if it were any other stitch. A second easy method is to knit or purl a stitch normally then leaving the stitch on the right hand needle, knit or purl a second stitch through the back of the loop, you will now have 2 stitches on your needle, continue knitting the pattern. The third method of increasing stitches is called yo or yarn over. If you are knitting and need to increase, just loop the yarn over the needle. Continue knitting your pattern, when you get back to the yarn over stitch, simply knit it as if it were a regular stitch. If you have a couple of rows knit and realize that you are short one stitch, you can either unravel your work and start over or use the increase to obtain the proper amount of stithces. If you use the first method of increasing, it is almost impossible to notice that the stitches have been increased to correct your pattern.
Decreasing Stitches
Decreasing stitches makes your work narrower. You can either knit or purl two stitches together to decrease your work by one stitch. When you knit or purl two stitches together, it will slant the stitches to the right. Another way of decreasing stitches is to slip two stitches from the right hand needle unto the left hand needle, insert your needle into the front stitch (first slipped stitch) and bring it back over the back (second slipped stitch), this will create one stitch that can now be knit in the normal way. A third method of decreasing stitches is to slip a stitch onto the left hand needle, knit the next stitch then insert the needle into the slipped stitch and bring it back over the knit stitch.
Correcting Knitting Errors
Published by JoAnn on Tagged Types of Stitches
Sometimes you will have knit a few rows of a pattern before realizing you have dropped a stitch. One method to correct this error is to unravel your work until you get to the dropped stitch then pick it up on the needle and continue with your knitting. An even simpler and less time consuming method, however, is to use a crochet hook to pick up that dropped stitch and carefully knit it up the rows until it reaches the rest of the work. As long as you pay attention, you can make the stitches either purl or knit as required. For picking up a dropped purl stitch, I recommend working from the back of the work since you can knit the stitch at the back and will create a purl stitch on the front.
Incomplete Stitches
To correct an incomplete or partial stitch is not really difficult. If you notice the partial stitch (the needle is pushed through the strands and only one or more strand is knit) before you have completed the row, you can either unravel the portion that is done and move back to fix the stitch. If you have knit a couple of rows, it is simple to move to that stitch and drop it until you reach the problem stitch. Then, using that crochet hook, pick it up and work back up the rows until you reach the needle holding the rest of your work. You can use this method to correct you knit stitch as well. For instance, if you have knit a stitch that you should have purled or purled a stitch that you should have knit, you can correct them as well using the crochet hook instead of unraveling the work several rows. Just drop the stitch, taking it down to the right row, fix it and knit it back up.
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Simple Knitting Patterns
Published by JoAnn on Tagged Types of StitchesAs we know, all knitted fabrics are made using two basic stitches, knit and purl. I have chosen the following pattern samples because they are the easiest patterns for a beginner knitter. There are actually hundreds of combinations of stitch patterns. When you learn these simple stitches and stitch patterns, you can knit virtually any pattern that you wish. Some of the complicated patterns become, if not simple or easy, less intimidating once you have a few easy projects under your belt.
Garter Stitch
This is often referred to as plain knitting because every row is made by either a knit or a purl stitch. This produces a reversible fabric with raised horizontal ridges on each side of the work. It does not curl at the edges so it can either be used on its own or for bands or borders on stockings, sweaters or socks. To achieve the garter stitch, either knit or purl every row.
Best Related Posts
Determining Tension or Gauge by JoAnn on January 22nd, 2008
Types of Stitches by JoAnn on January 21st, 2008
Correcting Knitting Errors by JoAnn on February 23rd, 2008
Knitting Equipment & Supplies
Published by JoAnn on Tagged Knitting Equipment & SuppliesKnitting needles are an investment and should be chosen carefully. Some knitters like to use long needles regardless of how many stitches they are working while others prefer to use shorter needles. For afghans, my personal favorite is the circular needle. It accommodates a large number of stitches and I like the fact that I can push the work off the needle edge when I am not working on it – stitches rarely fall off my needle this way. As well, I like to be able to spread my work out and check my pattern for any mistakes and it is much easier to view when using these needles. It makes it easier to measure the length of afghans too.
There are many sizes and types of needles – single pointed, double pointed, circular, and cable needles. Single pointed needles are usually sold in sets of two. They are great for making smaller items such as scarves. Double pointed needles are usually sold in sets of four. They are used for knitting socks, hats, and sleeves. Circular needles are great for knitting sweaters or afghans. Crochet hooks, in addition to crocheting items can be used to pick up dropped stitches as well as tucking in the ends of the yarn when the work is finished, by threading the yarn ends through the knitted stitches. Knitting needles are made of different materials such as steel, plastic or bamboo. The darning needle is useful when tucking in those loose ends if you prefer instead of the crochet hook.
When you are ready to get started, you will need a tape measure which will help you keep track of the length of a work. You should always use the same tape measure when making a garment. Scissors obviously are necessary for cutting the yarn, large darning needle or tapestry needle which can be used for sewing seams or for finishing off ends, knitting needles because how can you possibly knit without these. A flat 6” ruler, clear plastic if possible, is easier than a soft tape measure when measuring short distances on the knitting. An aluminum counter is helpful in determining gauge, a crochet hook comes in handy for picking up dropped stitches as well as finishing off those loose ends, safety pins that can be useful to help mark rows as well as hold stitches, and of course, yarn and a pattern.