Whether you are a beginner knitter or have been at it for years, there are a few knitting techniques that you are going to want to be aware of, and which will help you to have the most success with all your future knitting projects.

Garter Stitch

One of the first knitting techniques that you will want to learn is the garter stitch. This is one of the most commonly used stitches in knitting and so you are going to want to be familiar with it. The garter stitch is the most basic knitting stitch, the one you will find most often in all knitting patterns.

To learn the garter stitch you simply take a pair of knitting needles, cast on ten stitches, hold the needle with the stitches in your left hand, and take the other needle in your right hand. You want to push the tip into the first loop and cross over, so the right hand needle is crossing in the back.

Take the working yarn and bring it around to the back needle and then bring it between the x of the two needles heading toward the right. Slide the stitches close to the tips of the needles and stick the tip of the right hand needle across the line of yarn, down into the gap of the loop on the left hand needle.

Now you want to pull the tip towards you and up so that you are lifting the loop off the left hand needle, and the new stitch will now be on the right hand needle.

Another of the first knitting techniques that you will want to learn is ribbing. This too is one of the most commonly used knitting techniques, and one that is very simple to learn. All you need to do is determine your ribbing pattern, and begin with the knit stitch, after which you want to bring the yarn to the front of your work as this will prepare you for your purl stitch.

Work a purl stitch, and then switch the yarn to the back of your work to prepare for the knit stitch, and continue on with this as the pattern requires.

These are just two of the many different knitting techniques that you should learn, especially if you are planning to take on more challenging patterns. Knitting is one of the oldest and most widely loved hobbies in the world, and you can create some beautiful garments if you learn how to knit.

Many people are scared off when they think about learning how to knit, but it really is not all that difficult. You will just need to have the right materials and some patience and the entire process will be very quick and simple.

Tags: Knitting Techniques

It is always a good idea to knit a blanket or booties for a new baby. It is an ideal gift for a baby, because there is no question of size.  Baby knitting can be simple, because if you just make something for the baby that stretches easily, it is good enough.  Besides, baby knitting need not be time-consuming and can be fun.  An easy pattern will be possible to finish in a few days.

Free Size

It is always nice to present a baby with something handcrafted, and baby knitting is an ideal choice.  Size doesn’t really matter, though if the baby is incredibly small your baby gift might be too large for him.  But babies grow so fast, that your oversize gift will be just the right size within a few months.

The yarn that you use for baby knitting should be well considered.  New mothers don’t have too much time to wash fancy fabrics, so knit something practical for the baby which can be machine washable.

For Beginners

If you are looking at learning to knit, then start with baby knitting.  There is a great sense of satisfaction in completing the cute and tiny booties or a simple blanket.  Try out sweaters and jump suits, caps, socks and gloves if you like.  It is a good opportunity to try out all the elements of knitting on a small scale.

Patterns

Look out for cute baby knitting patterns which are available online, but in plenty of knitting books and magazines.  You don’t even have to buy them, if you don’t want to, just borrow them from friends and when you have finished, just return the book or magazine. You could visit your local library and look for knitting books and magazines there. The only expense for you would be to copy the pattern that you choose.

The online patterns from yarn companies can be found in most magazines too.  The instructions are not often there, for which you have to go online and download the instructions. The yarn companies know the best yarn to use for baby knitting, and you can easily find patterns that use it with the click of a button.

All That You Can Knit

Think of all the projects that you can undertake for baby knitting.  There is such a wide range of clothes that you can make like bibs, mittens, hats, sweaters, cardigans, booties, socks and jumpers. Don’t miss out on the fun of experimenting, because after baby knitting you can graduate to making more difficult patterns with yarn.

Tags: Baby Knitting

When you learn to knit, you will need to learn many different knitting stitches. Along with needing to know how to get the stitches onto the needle in the first place (casting on) and how to get them off again (casting off) there are several basic knitting stitches.

Taking A Look At Knitting Stitches

Of course, the first knitting stitch you would need to know is the knit stitch. It is the foundation for all the other stitches. You can see this stitch formed by watching another knitter, or an online video of knitting stitches. It isn’t difficult to do – except for the first several times you do it! After that, the hands learn the rhythm of knitting and it gets much easier. You can tell they are knit stitches if they look like a bunch of “V”s stacked up on top of each other. It is made by passing the yarn through from below the stitch before it.

Purling is like knitting in reverse. It is still adding stitches and moving forward on the row, but you are making the stitch into the front of the stitch on the needle instead of the back of it. The result is a different looking stitch than when all the stitches are knit stitches. Purling is usually the second stitch learned by beginning knitters. To look at knitting, a row that is purled looks like a wavy line going across the row. This stitch is made by passing the yarn through from above the stitch before it. Watch someone do it in front of you, or online, to see how it differs from a knit stitch.

What Pattern Is That?

If a fabric is made with only knitting stitches, it will be the stockinette stitch. If only purl stitches are used, it will be called the reverse stockinette stitch. These look similar.

If the knitter alternates between knit and purl stitches in some sort of pattern, the resulting fabric will be a ribbed fabric, with long lines of each type of stitch. This fabric is very stretchy.

If the knitter instead alternates by knitting a row of knit then a row of purl, the fabric will be the garter stitch. It is called that because it is very stretchy – ideal for garters.

If the knitter does a few stitches of knit and a few of purl, they can have a checkerboard result. These are various patterns, but the smallest – one knit, one purl, alternating in both across and the row above and below – is called the seed stitch.

While there are many variations of knitting stitches, the basic building blocks of knitting are knit and purl stitches. Once one knows how to do them, one can do a lot!

Tags: Knitting Stitches

Knitting shops stock all the products that you need for knitting.  The different types of yarn brands are the most important part of their stock, but the shops also have all the accessories that you need.  So there are needles as well as  books with patterns which you require for your knitting.  Some of the shops also sell ready-made knitting projects like toys and bags or gifts that you could create.

There are plenty of online knitting shops and your orders can be shipped immediately, because they are well stocked.  Sometimes if it is a bulk order, your shipping charges are withdrawn.  But there are local knitting shops as well, where you can pick and choose the color and the texture of the yarn, and there may be the owner to help you to choose the pattern and help you to make your choice.

Lists Of Shops

In fact there are lists on websites giving addresses of local shops, mail order places and manufacturers.  Sometimes they are organized by area, but often you should check out the place, before paying a visit. Some websites like Sweaterbabe.com and  Joy B. maintain up-to-date directories of the North American yarn stores.

Online knitting shops are popular in Europe as well, and making hand-knitted garments has become a popular hobby again.  Several online yarn stores have the finest knitting and crochet yarns and patterns.  They offer friendly advice and help whenever you need it.  If the stocks are not available in one shop, they can recommend another.

Knitting Forums

Through the knitting shops there have been knitting forums which have been established, where it is possible for everyone to make some new knitting friends.  There is a forum in England which has nine hundred members already.

New Products

Let us look at some of the new products available at the online shops.  Some new featured yarn products in knitting shops are the Caledon Hills Worsted Wool and the Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed.  The tweed is a fabulous blend of wool and angora.

Some featured projects include tops, bags and baby products. The bag has a beautiful cable design and the baby’s bolero is made from super soft cashmere yarn. There are pattern books for various seasons like knits for spring and summer wear or some adorable knits for tots. Magazines too are featured for which you can subscribe or buy individually.

There are some interesting accessories available in knitting shops like circular needles and ebony straight needles.  Or there are some great gift ideas like a sticks hanging case which shows you how you can store your straight knitting needles and keep them organized.  There is even a dog carrier kit which is made from yarn and is specially felted to carry your dog.

Tags: Knitting Shops

When you want to start a new knitting project, think about what you want to make. A scarf? A hat? Maybe a felted bag? Or maybe you’ve picked up a special yarn that was “calling to you,” and now you need to find a project that fits the type of yarn. Whatever you choose to make or the yarn you use, you generally will need to find a pattern – unless you already have a pattern or know the pattern, or want to create a free-flowing project. There are many places to find knitting paterns when you need one.

Location, Location, Location!

If you have access to the internet, you will find it is a gold mine for finding knitting paterns. You can use any search engine to look for knitting paterns, even include the word “free” if you’d like. If you know what type of item you want to make (scarf, booties, afghan, etc) you can add that to constrain the results even further.

There are online magazines that have a lot of knitting paterns. Usually, each of them has many paterns archived, plus they usually have some sort of seasonal issue that they email to their subscribers. Website subscriptions are generally free to anyone interested in receiving their periodical email. Online yarn stores quite often have an emailed newsletter, too.

Check also for online communities that focus on knitting or needle arts. Many times, people create paterns and are more than willing to share them with others. Seeing what projects others have made can spur your own creativity and enthusiasm.

You might consider buying a book of knitting paterns. It’s easy to buy books replete with knitting paterns over the internet – there are many book sites! You can also buy books or magazines with knitting paterns in fabric, yarn, or craft stores. Magazines can also be picked up grocery stores and pharmacies. Obviously, bookstores also carry a lot of books and magazines with knitting paterns.

While you’re at the store where you buy yarn, take a look at the label on the skeins of yarn. Often they will have knitting or crochet paterns, free when you buy the skein.

Something that is gaining in popularity is to make up your own patern. There are books whose sole purpose is to help crafty knitters come up with their own pattern for blankets, scarves, wraps, sweaters, hats….anything, really. They can explain to the reader how to sculpt the project to be shaped the way it needs to be, or can encourage creativity and experimentation.

Tags: Knitting Paterns

The process of choosing your knitting needles may seem a little difficult at first, but with a little helpful advice you are going to find it very easy and ensure that you have the right knitting needles for the task at hand.

What to Think About

When it comes to choosing your knitting needles, the first thing is to learn that knitting needles are made from a variety of materials and really, the choice is up to you and your own personal preference. Most are made from aluminum with a pearl grey finish but there are many variations and you will want to consider them all.

A good idea will be for you to stick to the typical needles and then as you start to feel more comfortable with needles and improving with your knitting, you can start to purchase additional sets of needles.

You also need to learn that knitting needles have number sizes printed on them somewhere, and you are going to need certain sizes for certain patterns. Typically the pattern will tell you at the very beginning of the instructions as to which size of needles you are going to need, which is why you have to pay such close attention to the instructions given.

There are also double point needles which have points at both ends and which are used in sets of four or five. There are also circular needles available, which are two straight needles that are connected with a flexible plastic cord, and the reason you would use circular needles would be if you were trying to make a seamless garment, such as a pair of socks for instance.

When you are choosing knitting needles you should remember to examine the points on the needles to see if they are damaged or bent. If so, they are not going to work properly and the garments you are trying to create will turn out wrong.

If the tops of your needles are damaged, the best idea is to just throw them out and purchase an entirely new pair, rather than attempting to fix them because for the most part this will just not work.

Cost?

The cost of knitting needles is generally quite low, but the price will vary depending on the material the needles are made of and where you are buying them from. As long as you take proper care of your knitting needles they should last you for years to come.

Tags: Knitting Needles

Using a knitting machine may be one of the best things that you ever do. A lot of people, even some avid knitters, have not actually heard of a knitting machine before, and so here is a bit of information on knitting machines that is going to be helpful for you to know.

Choosing Your Machine

The first step is to choose your knitting machine, and this should be done very carefully. There are a few factors that you are going to want to consider when you are choosing your machine, including the manual, punch card, and controls.

The first thing that you want to think about when you are buying a knitting machine is the type of yarn that you plan to use and what you want to make. The bulky machines are best for making heavier sweaters, afghans, that sort of thing, while the mid-gauge machines will be enough for all the basic patterns.

One of the key features that you want to look for on a knitting machine is a row counter. This is going to be crucial to your knitting when you are using a machine, and although you may think you will be able to count the rows as you work you are only kidding yourself by thinking this, because machines work much faster than a person ever could, and there is almost no way that you would be able to keep up.

A ribber is also very important on a knitting machine. A ribber is another complete bed of needles which makes the knitting machine into a double bed machine. Most knitting machines also come with a tension mast, but there are a few that do not. The next to last must have is a place to set up your machine, so once you have decided which particular machine you want, you will need to find an area in your home to keep it where you will have room to work and where it will not be damaged.

Whether you are just getting started in the knitting hobby or have been at it for years, a knitting machine will often be very helpful and especially if you need to get a project completed in a very short amount of time, it may be your best friend.

Any knitting store or retailer should offer at least a few of these machines for you to choose from, just make sure that you read the instructions carefully before attempting to use it for the first time.

Tags: Knitting Machine

While knitting is a fun and relaxing hobby overall, one of the most frustrating parts of the process may be trying to decipher the knitting instructions. This is especially challenging if you are a beginning knitter, and you are still trying to get all of the abbreviations and stitches straight. However, there are some tips in reading knitting instructions that will help you get off on the right foot when starting any new project.

What you won’t Need to Worry About

When you are just getting started on some basic knitting projects, there are a few parts to the knitting instructions that you won’t need to be concerned with. The first is the size, since most beginning projects, like scarves and purses, will come in a one size fits all pattern. The other component that most early knitters won’t need to regard is the gauge. This measurement will tell you if your yarn and stitches are on track as far as size with the knitting instructions. Again, basic projects generally won’t need to worry about gauge. At some point, both of these steps will become more significant, but in the early stages of your knitting endeavor, try to focus on the basics of the pattern.

What you Should Worry About
The skill level that is listed at the beginning of most knitting instructions can save you a lot of frustration during your project. Many patterns are simply too complicated for someone who is just trying to get the knit, purl sequence going, so wait on the knitting instructions labeled for intermediate and advanced knitters until you have a little more experience under your belt. There are plenty of fabulous projects for the beginning knitter that will give you a sassy wearable or a cute home accessory without having to pull your hair out over knitting instructions that you are simply not ready for.

It is also important to heed the type of yarn that is required in the knitting instructions. While you may not be able to find the specific brand or yarn recommended at your local yarn shop, you should be able to find one in a comparable weight and texture. Worsted weight is the most common type of knitting yarn, with chunky yarns coming in a bit thicker and sport and fingering weights measuring out much narrower, respectively. By choosing a yarn in a similar weight, you can rest assured that your finished project will look similar to the model in the knitting instructions.

Knitting is a fun and rewarding hobby that becomes easier the more projects that you complete. If you are a beginning crafter, one of the first steps will be to learn how to read your knitting instructions properly. Once you’ve got that skill down, the sky is the limit on what you will be able to create!

Tags: Knitting Instructions

What could be scarier than some fake spider webs and a leering jack ‘o’ lantern this Halloween? For millions of Americans, the answer seems to be a bare front porch and undecorated home totally lacking in spirit.

In 2007, nearly 50 percent of Americans decorated their homes or yards for Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions survey. The survey estimated total Halloween spending, including decorations, at around $5 billion last year.

Spooky Sheriff

Many serious Halloween acolytes add one or two major items of decoration to their collections every year. Larger pieces, especially those that feature movement, light or sound, can cost hundreds of dollars. But it’s possible to create a fresh, fun or even frightful atmosphere with a cost-effective, timeless decorating tool – cut flowers.

“It’s easy to take home decorating for Halloween a step beyond store-bought decorations by using flower arrangements,” says Jill Slater, flower designer for flowerpossibilities.com. “While simple, Halloween-themed floral creations can be enjoyed during the fall holiday season, fresh-cut flowers can be enjoyed in the home throughout the year.”

Flowers are especially versatile as Halloween decorations because they can be used to create fun or frightening effects. Whatever the atmosphere you plan to evoke, remember that color is key.

For scary effect, choose cut flowers in powerful colors like blood red, or ghostly white. Crimson roses, lightly laced with somber white genistra and presented in a creepily cracked urn can make a frightfully good — and eerily elegant — decoration for your grown-up Halloween display..

For fun arrangements, choose seasonal colors like golds, yellows, oranges and burnt umber. Accent seasonally hued floral arrangements with harvest-themed extras like dried corn husks, wheat stalks or gourds.

Flowerpossibilities.com offers several “recipes” for fun Halloween floral decorations, including:

Spooky Sheriff

Materials:

* One 6-inch round pumpkin (real or hollow artificial)
* Three stems protea
* Two stems orange gerbera daisies
* Two stems yellow gerbera daisies
* One stem yellow lily
* Three stems boxwood
* Three or four stems sword fern
* One red bandana
* One small cowboy hat
* One brick floral foam
* Floral clippers, scissors and knife
* Floral preservative/food

Directions:

1. Soak floral foam for at least 30 minutes in water treated with flower food/preservative.

2. Cut and scoop out pumpkin. With permanent marker, draw eyes and nose of Spooky Sheriff.

3. Cut the wet foam to fit and insert the floral foam into the pumpkin. Set the cowboy hat on top of the floral foam.

4. Cut flowers and foliage to approximately 4- to 6-inches in length. Begin inserting stems under the cowboy hat and into the exposed floral foam. Place the colorful yellow lily and yellow gerbera daisies front and center and position the dried wheat and orange gerbera daisies to one side. The protea and sword fern are used to fill spaces of the bright flowers.

5. Tie the bandana around the base of the pumpkin.

Floral Creepy Crawlers

Floral Creepy Crawlers
Materials:

* One decorative wire basket
* Two bricks floral foam
* One stem each: orange standard carnation and pin-cushion protea
* Colorful shredded bunny grass
* Two 2-inch clay pots
* Six Chenille Bump stems of pipe cleaner (available at craft stores)
* Four stick-on plastic eyes (available at craft stores)
* Glue gun and glue
* Halloween candy
* Floral clippers, scissors and knife
* Floral preservative/food

Directions:

1. Soak one brick of floral foam for at least 30 minutes in water treated with floral preservative/food.

2. Cut the floral foam that has been treated with floral preservative/food to fit the inside the clay pots

3. Cut the pin-cushion protea to about 2-inches in length and insert it into the center of soaked floral foam.

4. To make the spider legs, cut the pipe cleaners in half. Then shape them by wrapping around index finger. Insert the pipe cleaner legs into the floral foam surrounding the flower at spaced intervals. 6 legs are used for each spider.

5. Adhere eyes onto the flower using the glue gun.

6. Repeat steps two through five to create the orange standard carnation spider in the other clay pot.

7. Cut dry brick of floral foam to fit inside of the basket, and place securely inside to use to prop up accessories and your floral creations.

8. Cover dry floral foam with colorful bunny grass and set one Floral Creepy Crawler inside the basket and the other just outside.

9. Sprinkle Halloween candy throughout the bunny grass.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Founded in 1999, the Flower Promotion Organization is an alliance between United States and Colombian fresh-cut flower growers. Through multiple marketing channels, the FPO strives to increase awareness and education about flowers in the U.S.

Tags: craft projects, fall crafts, Floral Crafts, Floral Creepy Crawlers, flowers, Halloween Crafts, pumpkin crafts, pumpkins, Spooky Sheriff

There are many reasons why people interested in knitting would want to take knitting classes. From those who have never even picked up yarn and knitting needles, to those who have knitted for years, there are classes for all interests, levels, and abilities.

What You’ll Get From Taking Knitting Classes

Many people go to knitting classes to learn basic knitting skills. They may have seen their grandmother knit, or maybe they have a friend who knits. Maybe the friend has even been trying to teach them but they are “other-handed” than their friend and lessons just aren’t going so well.

Going to knitting classes is a terrific way to get over that first hump. Basic knitting classes can teach you from the rock-bottom basic information – like which needles to use and what type of yarn is best for the project at hand. They will teach you about casting on (getting the yarn to stay on the needle, with the right number of stitches) and how to make various stitches, like to knit and purl and do yarn overs, as well as casting off (getting the yarn off the needles, with the work securely fastened.

If you already know the basics of knitting, there are other benefits to going to knitting classes. Most yarn stores offer classes in many levels, and can teach many more advanced skills. For example, if you want to learn how to do cabling, which is making those intricate twists in the knitted fabric, often seen on sweaters, a knitting class is ideal.

They will teach you how to use a cable needle, and how to tell which type of cable goes where. Some people choose a knitting class to help them learn intarsia – an intricate style of knitting using various colors. Many people, especially lately, want to know how to make socks. Knitting classes are perfect for learning sock skills, like how to turn the heel, and the kitchener stitch. The class atmosphere, complete with a knowledgeable teacher, can be a very encouraging forum for learning to knit more difficult patterns, and to incorporate new knitting skills.

Probably one of the biggest benefits of taking knitting classes is that it is just plain fun! Knitting is a skill that can be done with others, chatting and sharing while you knit, and having the benefit of others’ experience when you get to a part you’re not sure how to do. Or celebrating your success as you finish a project that was new to you. It becomes much more than just a way to learn to knit.

If there is a knitting skill you’ve wanted to try, whether very basic or more advanced, consider checking your local craft or yarn store for a listing of the classes they offer. Chances are, you’ll find one that is perfect for your needs.

Tags: Knitting Classes