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.

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Knit stitches and purl stitches form the basics of knitting. Alternate use of knit and purl stitches helps form interesting designs on a fabric. The knit stitch is formed by making loops that interweave each other. It resembles ‘V’ patterns when viewed from the knit side of the pattern. The purl stitch resembles a ‘brick face’. Knitting techniques make use of a large variety of knitting stitches which include Fair Isle, tuck stitch, slip stitch, Stockinette stitch, striped stock stitch, stock stitch etc.

The stocking stitch, a simple form of knitting stitch is used widely in the process of knitting. It is used for making stable fabrics that curl up when the fabric is stitched completely. This type of stitch is used widely in pullovers, sweaters and other such garments.

A variant of the stocking stitch, a striped stocking stitch is a very easy fabric to produce. In this type of stitch, a new color can be incorporated in every row. But a color should be used in an even number of rows before moving on to the next row.

The tuck stitch is a knitting technique of producing a textured pattern of cloth. This type of stitch can be created only by using a knitting machine. Depending on the knitter’s preferences, either side of the cloth can be used as the right side. Two or more colors can be included a tuck stitch pattern. The slip stitch is less textured than the tuck stitch and uses one or more colors in the fabric pattern.

A Fair Isle stitch is a stitch whereby two colors can be included in a single row. This stitch pattern can be produced on machines using patterning devices or on olden style machines by hand selection of needles. A simple Stockinette stitch is composed of alternate rows of knit stitches and purl stitches.

Knit-weaving is a knitting technique of producing a thicker fabric by knitting the purl side of the fabric. But this technique makes use of a weaving yarn, which is quite thick as compared to the knitting yarn. Plating is a technique whereby two strands of yarn are held in a way that one appears to be in front of the other. Striking effects can be created on a ribbed fabric through plating.

Another interesting knitting technique is that of producing a double jacquard fabric. This fabric can be produced using a knitting machine with a patterning device. The double jacquard has two reverse colors across the fabric.

Those planning to start with a piece of knit work could follow a few techniques as an aid to produce a fine finished product. These pertain to the size of the needle, the type of yarn and type of patterns and designs.

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