Know These Important Things Before You Learn How To Knit
Copyright 2006 B Hopkins
Did you ever enjoy texture of yarns in your hand or wondering
how that interesting color pattern was created in your favorite
sweater? Then you will surely have fun learning the art of
knitting. Knitting is one of several ways to turn thread or yarn
into cloth-weaving and crochet. It's all about creativity.
The Introductory Steps of Knitting
Unlike woven fabric, knitted fabric consists entirely of
horizontal parallel courses of yarn. The courses are joined to
each other by interlocking loops in which a short loop of one
course of yarn is wrapped over the bight of another course.
Knitting can be done either by hand, described below, or by
machine. What makes knitting even more exciting is the fact that
this art can be easily learned.
In practice, hand knitting is usually begun by forming a base
series of twisted loops of yarn on a needle. This is called Cast
On. A second knitting needle is then used to reach through each
loop in succession in order to snag a bight of yarn and pull a
length back through the loop. This forms a new stitch. Work can
proceed in the round (circular knitting) or by going back and
forth in rows. Knitting can also be done by machines, which use
a different mechanical system to produce nearly identical
results.
Knitting Styles: There are two basic styles of knitting; English
and Continental. The difference between the two is in how you
hold the yarn. In the English method the yarn is held in the
right hand. In continental knitting, the yarn is held in the
left hand. Whatever your natural hand-preference, you should be
able to master either method because the nature of knitting is
basically ambidextrous.
The two basic stitches are knit or plain and purl or wrong.
These two nominal stitches are actually identical, however,
being the obverse and reverse of the same stitch. It is the
variations and combinations of these two stitches that create
all the different stitch patterns which are possible in
knitting. Typically, a knit stitch is formed by inserting the
needle in the front of the loop from a left-to-right perspective
and pulling a loop of yarn through to form a new loop, while a
purl stitch is formed by inserting the needle in the front of
the loop from a right-to-left perspective.
A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on, which
involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle.
Casting on is the first step in knitting These stitches become
the first row of stitches and one selvage of your work, usually
the bottom or hem.
Different methods of cast on are used for different effects; one
may be stretchy enough for lace, while another provides a
decorative edging. Provisional cast on is used when the knitting
will continue in both directions from the cast on.
The body of a knitted piece may include plain stitches or a
number of colors and textured patterns. The number of active
stitches remains the same as when cast on unless stitches are
added -an increase or removed- a decrease to shape the item.
Patterns to Knit (Way to Online Income): There are lots of
people who sit at home and publish great knitting patters from
home. Since over the years they have collected and modified many
knitting patterns. They make a great income by
selling/publishing the patterns on the net. Once you have enough
practice, even you could make some online income.
Many patterns can be made by using knit and purl stitches in
various combinations. If only knits or only purls are used when
working back and forth in rows, the result is called garter
stitch.
Alternating rows of knits and purls result in stockinette
stitch, also known as stocking or jersey stitch, the stitch most
often used in commercial garments such as T-shirts. Different
combinations of stitches can be used to form ribbing, cables, or
other textures.
Once the knitted piece is finished, the remaining live stitches
are cast off. Casting or binding off loops the stitches across
each other so they can be removed from the needle without
unraveling the item. Although the mechanics are different from
casting on, there are a similar variety of methods and choices
to be made. Of the various methods the most versatile are the
Plain Bind-off and the Suspended Bind-off.
Knitted garments are most commonly made in pieces, where
individual sections of the garment are knit separately and then
sewn together once all the pieces have been completed. Seamless
knitting, where a whole garment is knit as a single piece is
also possible. Smaller items, such as socks and hats are usually
knit in one piece on double pointed needles.
Knitting can be easily learned these days as there are many
websites on knitting and also various books for beginners
available on the market, where you can find step by step
instructions. These instructions are so easy to follow that even
kids would not find them difficult at all. Show your creativity,
grab your knitting tools and learn to knit today!