Spreading the joy of knitting
A collection of blog posts aimed at the brand new knitter – a guide for the first few weeks and months of knitting
Short rows are a technique for shaping the knitwork that allows you to knit a gentle curve or slope by adding extra length of fabric to parts of your knitting. Learn how to knit perfect short rows with the wrap and turn method.
I have tried out a whole bunch of different selvedges, so that you don't have to! Get to know all the best edge stitches in knitting.
Learn how to slip stitches in knitting! Slipped stitches are really pretty on their own, but they are also a crucial part of many decrease stitches and they allow you to create neat and even edges.
When you knit through the back of the loop, the stitches are twisted at the base. Learn how to twist your stitches to knit the prettiest ribbing.
A tutorial for how to make near-invisible seams in garter stitch knitted fabric using the mattress stitch.
You may have heard the terms flat knitting and circular knitting and wondered what they mean, or maybe you are well aware of what circular knitting is, but you have not yet dared to attempt it. Then this post is for you.
Your knitwork has uneven edges, and no matter how much you pull on your working yarn, the final stitch of every row is a gigantic loop that you don't know what to do with. Sound familiar? Then this is for you.
Yarn labels are brimming with valuable information that will help you pick the right yarn for your project, or alternatively, the right project for your yarn. Here are the typical pieces of information you will find on a yarn label.
Blocking is the finishing touch to a knitting project. It is a simple matter of washing or wetting your newly knitted item and letting it dry flat in the shape you wish it to have. It evens out the stitches and the edges and gives your piece that finished look. Some people never block their… Continue reading A guide to blocking your knitting
When you knit the last row of your knitting project, you are not quite done. First you have to bind off to secure the stitches and give the piece a nice finished edge, then you weave in the yarn tails, and as the icing on the cake, you may choose to wash and block your… Continue reading Finishing a knitting project
Learn how to switch between knit and purl stitches within a row. I cover how to position the working yarn, how to avoid mixing up ribbing and seed stitch, and a trick to prevent tension issues between knits and purls.
Learn how to read a knitting pattern. In this guide I will use a new beginner pattern I published a few days ago and go through it step by step. It's a set of three dishcloths and it is available for free.
I have designed three dishcloth patterns that only require knit and purl stitches, and they are available here for free! They are ideal for learning how to read your knitting - that is, to recognize a purl stitch from a knit stitch.
Before you cast on your very first knit project there are a few things to consider. Should you knit something for yourself or a gift? How long time will it take to knit a scarf? What is the right yarn for a dishcloth?
It happens to all of us... sometimes a stitch drops off the needle tips, and more often than not, we don't even notice and keep knitting. That dropped stitch can unravel an entire column, so it must be fixed, sooner rather than later. Step one: Don't panic! It's not a disaster, and it's easy to fix.
One of the most common mistakes for new knitters is accidentally adding new stitches by doing something called a yarn over. You may realize your number of stitches is growing because the edges of your knitting is slanting outward, or maybe you have been keeping track by counting your stitches every few rows. Another way… Continue reading Mysterious holes and extra stitches
Once you have learned to make the knit stitch, it is time to learn how to make the other basic stitch in knitting - the purl stitch. If you have skipped the first lesson, please take a look at my previous post. If you already have a piece of knitting going, where you have been… Continue reading Learn to purl and make stockinette
There are only two basic stitches in knitting: The knit stitch, and its reverse counterpart, the purl stitch. Basically all other stitches are either combinations or variations of the two. Once you can knit and purl, you will be able to create wash-cloths, potholders, scarves and cowls with a variety of pretty structured patterns. In… Continue reading Knitting your first stitches
Congratulations on your choice to start knitting. You are going to love it! My own knitting adventure began only a few years ago, and it didn't take long before I was hooked. I still remember what it is like to be a beginner knitter, and the stumbling blocks are fresh in my mind. I am… Continue reading How to get started knitting