There is much more to knitting swatches than simply checking if you are on gauge for the pattern. Here are 17 reasons why knitting swatches is worth your time.
17 Reasons to knit swatches
Tag: knitting
Selvedges – edge stitches in knitting
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.
Shawl with a cable border of twisted ribbing
I am finally getting around to showing you the finished garter stitch shawl with a cable border of twisted ribbing. I love it! I am basically wearing it every day.
Slipping Stitches – a knitting tutorial
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.
#knitfever – my best friend is having a baby boy
This is the first time since I began knitting and got past the stage of only knitting dishcloths that someone I love is expecting. I find myself suddenly hit by a serious case of knitting fever - do you know how much cute baby stuff you can knit? Did everyone else always know this, and I was just clueless?
How to knit and not hurt your fingertip
If you seem to have a chronically sore fingertip from knitting, then you are not alone. One way of sliding the old stitch off the left needle is to push it off with the help of your right index finger, but pushing a sharp knitting needle repeatedly into your finger can hurt quite a bit. Luckily, you don't have to use your index finger at all!
The Backward Loop Cast-On
Learn how and when to use the backward loop cast-on. This is a quick and easy cast-on, best suited for the ends and the middles of rows.
Knitting twisted stitches – knit & purl through the back of the loop
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.
Invisible seams in garter stitch
A tutorial for how to make near-invisible seams in garter stitch knitted fabric using the mattress stitch.
Easy Easter Egg Warmers
Happy Easter everyone! Sign up for the Knit with Henni Newsletter today, and receive a free pattern for my Easy Easter Egg Warmers, along with tutorials for every step.
Knitting in the round – an introduction to circular knitting
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.
10 Free beginner-friendly knitting patterns
I have collected 10 free knitting patterns that can be knitted by the brand new knitter. All you need to know in advance is how to cast on, knit, and purl. The projects presented here are all excellent choices for your very first knitting project, but they are cool enough that you may find yourself inspired even if you are an experienced knitter. Best of all, almost all the patterns have detailed tutorials.
How do you know which way you are knitting in the round?
During the first few rounds of circular knitting, you can easily lose track of which way you're knitting. Here's how to make sure you are knitting on the right side of the knitwork when knitting in the round.
Big loop on the final stitch of the row and uneven edges
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.
The BEST way to attach a pom pom to a knitted hat
There are many ways to attach a pom pom, but I have found one way, that has the rest beat. It's fast and easy, works for all types of poms and yarn, keeps the pom pom close to the hat, doesn't involve sewing, and the pom pom is easy to take on and off.
Understanding Yarn Labels
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.
Knitting with stitch markers
Stitch markers will simplify your knitting experience. They help you keep track of where you are in a pattern. Once you start using stitch markers you will wonder how you ever managed without them. Generally, they are used to mark a place where you have to pay special attention to your knitting. This allows you… Continue reading Knitting with stitch markers
Tinking – How to undo your knitting, stitch by stitch
Learn to unknit your stitches, one at at time. In this guide I will take you through basic tinking, relevant for the brand new knitter AND advanced tinking of lacework and cables.
WIP update on my shawl
Back in October, I showed you the early beginnings of a garter stitch shawl with a gorgeous cabled border of twisted ribbing. It's time for an update. I love bringing my knitting projects with me, where ever I go. The shawl WIP (work in progress) has been to Michigan and Brazil, and many a beach… Continue reading WIP update on my shawl
A guide to blocking your knitting
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
Finishing a knitting project
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
How to switch between knit and purl stitches
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.
How to read a knitting pattern
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.
Three easy knitted dishcloths – free patterns
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.
Your first knitted project
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?
Conquering the dreaded ladders in magic loop knitting
Sock update: I am learning how to knit two at a time socks and this is the story of how I conquered the ladders that so readily forms where the two halves of the socks meet each other.
Yarn attached to the wrong stitch
You are about to start a new row of knitting, but then you notice the working yarn is attached to the second stitch instead of the first. What happened? What do you do? This is a really common, and quite disorienting problem, but luckily, it's an easy fix. It can be disorienting to turn your… Continue reading Yarn attached to the wrong stitch
The ultimate guide to row counting for knitting
How do you keep track of your rows in knitting? You will often have to keep track of how many rows you have knitted. The best approach depends on your temperament and of course, what type of project you are knitting. Are there simple repeats, such as the same 2 rows, or 4 rows repeating… Continue reading The ultimate guide to row counting for knitting
How to fix a dropped stitch in knitting
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.
A month of knitting and hockey
I am knitting a season scarf for the San Jose Sharks. It's a conceptual knitting piece which means that instead of following a set pattern, you let your knitting be decided by events or circumstances, internal or in your environment.
Mysterious holes and extra stitches
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
Two-at-a-time magic loop socks
I'm on a mission to figure out how I prefer to knit socks. There are so many different methods for sock knitting: double-pointed needles, 9-inch needles, magic loop, two-at-a-time magic loop, two circulars, toe up, cuff down. Don't even get me started on the different heel types. As a new sock knitter, it is quite… Continue reading Two-at-a-time magic loop socks
Learn to purl and make stockinette
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
Shawl with a cable edge of twisted ribbing
I am one of those knitters who will fall in love with a pattern and then choose a yarn to go with it, similar to the suggested yarn in the pattern. Knitters like me can be recognized by our relatively small yarn stashes - we rarely buy yarn on impulse. But sometimes you find a… Continue reading Shawl with a cable edge of twisted ribbing
Season scarf for the San Jose Sharks – Idea and plan
I want to make a season scarf for the San Jose Sharks with stripes in the team colors, representing the season of 2019/20. Each game will correspond to a certain number of rows, and the color of those rows will be determined by the outcome of the games. There are many decision to be made… Continue reading Season scarf for the San Jose Sharks – Idea and plan