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Stockinette Stitch

 

Demo of a small project New!
(Large videos*, 45MB each) This is a small sample of knitting, shown from cast-on to bind-off. Topic covers how to weave in cast-on and bind-off ends, and how to avoid those loose side stitches.

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Stitch Patterns

  • Garter Stitch (all knit stitch on straight needles)
  • Stockinette Stitch aka Stocking Stitch
  • Ribbing
  • Seed Stitch aka Moss Stitch

 

 

Fixing Mistakes

  • Correcting a stitch without unraveling rows.
  • Fixing a run/dropped-stitch.
  • How to re-insert your needle
  • Recognizing an accidentally twisted stitch
  • Inserting a needle into destination row, before unraveling
  • Using a "lifeline." Great when doing lace work, or any knitting where unraveling and putting back on the needles properly would be tricky or impossible. I've invented a faster trick for inserting a lifeline if you knit with interchangeable needles: see Trick #3 in this post.

 

  Joining Yarn

 

 

 

Yarn placement for felting the same color

 

Yarn placement for felting 2 colors

 

If you can locate a join at a seaming location, that is always best. You can just run the ends along the inside of the seamed edge, and it's invisible. All other joins are slightly imperfect, so best to locate them inconspicuously if possible, like under the arm of a sweater.

Felting will only work with wool, and some other animal fibers. Always try a test sample first with your yarn to see if it will work, and to see if you like the results! If you are using a smooth, shiny wool, felting will give it a dull look where felted, and a stiffer feel. For some yarns, it looks so different that the join stands out, and is not recommended.

For non-felted joins, you will have an end that pops out of work slightly; make sure this end is where you want it, by leaving a bit of yarn (1/4"-1/2") sticking out on the inside of the garment, or in as inconspicuous a place as possible.

 

Joining the Same Color Yarn

  • Knit-in Join. Fast and easy. New!
  • Felted Join (single color). Almost as fast as above join. Strong join, and no ends popping out, because the felting holds them in!
  • You can also use one of the methods below.

Joining a New Color Yarn

  • Duplicate Stitch Join (shows how to Weave in the Ends). Most commonly taught two-color join. Gives you great control.This video also demonstrates "weaving in the ends," using duplicate stitch.
  • Double Knit-in Join. Fastest 2 color join. Takes practice to master.
  • Russian Join. Great illustration here.
  • Felted Join (two color). Felted joins are great to do on the sides of a scarf or other object that you don't want yarn ends popping out and showing.

 

  Finishing

 

 

Kitchener Stitch

 

Seaming

Kitchener Stitch aka Grafting aka Weaving. For invisible horizontal seaming. The mantra while doing it is "Knit, purl. Purl, knit."

Mattress Stitch. Makes an invisible side seam.

Three-Needle Bind-Off. Firm method, not invisible. Great for seaming shoulders.

If you want your side seams to show (not be invisible) you can do a Crochet seam or a backstitch (illustrations from other web sites). Avoid using an overcast/whip stitch! Be sure to work the seam stitch-by-stitch, and not migrate side to side, or it will show. Also, take care not to work the seam too tight; you don't want a pucker along the seam.

 

Blocking.

Here's a great article on blocking.

 

  Assorted Topics

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knitting in the Round

I've put these videos in the Advanced Techniques section, but not because they're difficult, they're really not. Simple techniques that allow you suddenly to make mittens and more! Go to that section and check them out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picking Up Stitches aka "Picking up stitches and knitting"

 

 

How to make I-cord

Easy! I-cord is a narrow tube of knitting, that is often used for the handles of a bag, cords to tie on a hat, to edge a garment, or appliqued on for a decorative effect.

*Knit a row. Slide row to other end of needle. Do not turn the work. Repeat from *.

 

How to attach i-cord to a garment

*Knit all of the i-cord stitches in the row, except the last stitch. Slip the last stitch. Knit a stitch from the garment (or pick up a stich along edge, if no live stitches). Passed slipped stitch over garment stitch. Replace stitches from right needle onto left needle (or slide to right end of right needle). Repeat from *.

 

 

 

 

 

How to Wind a Center-Pull Ball
Remember to wrap the yarn loosely.

 

 

  Make your own knitting needles!

  • Double Pointed Needles -- I enjoy these wooden DPN's, although I often use aluminum ones. If you get frustrated with the aluminum ones sliding out of your work, you'll love these. If you're a tight knitter, I recommend metal/aluminum needles.
  • Straight needles -- I don't really use my long wooden needles, because I prefer the slippery aluminum ones when there are lots of stitches on the needle. But they work, and some people prefer them.
  • Cable needles (short DPN's used for making cables) -- I love my wooden cable needles, and prefer them to aluminum or plastic ones. I recommend these for anyone.