Knitting Techniques

A wide variety of techniques add colorful dimensions to the process of knitting. Good quality knitting supplies combined with creativity, imagination and skills help produce a perfect finished product. Techniques to knit the yarn in a variety of ways help in creating a variety of patterns and designs on cloth.

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...

Recommended Knitting Books:

Knitting is Not for Grannies Anymore

One of the fastest growing trends today is teenagers learning to knit.  While the word "knitting" used to make you think of grandma sitting in her rocker knitting a baby blanket for some distant relative, this is just not the case anymore.  Today, millions of teens and young adults everywhere are learning to knit.  And, they are creating some amazing garments and decorative items!

Today, there are many knitting books published which are targeted specifically at teens and young adults.  These books are flying off the shelves in record numbers.  Many of the knitting books today come with some really hip and colorful projects which appeal to teens and young adults.  Add to that the amazingly cool yarns and fibers available today, and you have a winning combination.

As the popularity of knitting grows, there are even starting to be after school clubs dedicated to the art of knitting.  In these clubs teens get together and learn new knitting techniques, share ideas, and show off their latest completed projects with each other.  While knitting is usually seen as a very solitary craft, joining a knitting club allows you to share your works with others and gain inspiration.  Knitting clubs also bring a social aspect to the art of knitting which has never been there before.

While teen knitting is the most popular with girls, an amazing number of boys are learning to knit as well.  It is no longer considered taboo for a boy to learn to knit.  And, if he is interested in girls there are plenty of them at the local knitting club.  Many a teen romance has started over knitting needles.  Many boys are making laptop covers and gifts for the special people in their lives.  What teen girl wouldn't love to get a hand knitted item from her boyfriend?

Why is knitting popular with teens today?  Some believe it is the affordability and ease of acquiring the supplies necessary coupled with the popularity of simple items such as iPod cozies and cool hats and scarves.  Others credit the Internet and the availability of really cool patterns which designers today are aiming at the teen and young adult markets.  Where knitting books and magazines tended to be marketed for older people, the Internet and today's books and magazines are aiming for a much younger market.

For many years past, knitting was seen as something your granny did.  Now, as we move on in the twenty-first century, knitting has become cool among young women and even young men.  The recent introduction of the Internet into everyday life has made knitting an easy skill to learn and gives you something to share with others all over the world.  Even when you are brand new to knitting you can create some great items with all of the new and exciting yarns and fibers on the market today.

Hand knit garments are seeing a resurgence in popularity, and this fact is fueling the knitting trend even more.  Everyone wants to have a special knit item that they can say that they made themselves.  With the popularity of knitting came knitting clubs which offer a great venue to show off your latest creations and gain ideas for more knit projects to come in the future.  Thankfully, the trend of teen and young adult knitting is expected to continue for years to come.

Recommended Knitting Books:

Knitting Needles

A needle is the most important tool in the process of hand-knitting. In fact, the use of a needle is inevitable in this process of hand-knitting to produce knitted fabrics. The needle used in knitting is not quite like the small and sharp sewing needle. Most of these knitting needles have a long shaft and a taper at their end. Both, the shaft and the taper play important roles in the knitting process.

The active (unsecured) stitches of the fabric are held together by the shaft. This prevents them from disentangling. The taper is used for forming new stitches.

The size of a knitting needle is determined by its radius, which in turn determines the size of the stitch. The radius affects the length of the yarn loom drawn from the previous stitch. Fine needles are used for making petite stitches, whereas large needles are used for making big stitches. In case of uneven knitting, one can use several types of needles. One can influence the stitch size by wrapping yarn about a single needle for a multiple times. Large needles are used for large-scale projects.

Knitting needles come in several types and sizes. Probably invented in the 19th century, a straight needle is used by a large number of people the world over. This needle is capped at one end with a knob/head and tapers at the other end. It is used widely in the process of knitting two-dimensional fabrics mostly in squares and rectangles. The straight needle is used extensively in domestic knitting. It allows a person to create fabrics using extremely simple stitches.

Another knitting needle called the circular needle has two tapered rigid ends that are connected by a flexible cord. The long flexible cord holds the active stitches, whereas the tapered ends are used for creating new stitches. A short, straight rigid needle tapered at both ends is a popular variety of knitting needle.

Circular knitting (socks, sweaters etc.) whereby a needle with a small radius is essential uses this short type of knitting needle. Another short type of knitting needle is used for forming permutations in the order of stitches in cable knitting.

Different countries use different sizes of knitting needles. They have set their size standards for different types of needles. One can determine the size of a knitting needle with the aid of a needle gauge. Although most needles have their sizes written on them, their size label fades out with the passing time. Needle gauges have holes of different sizes in which a person can insert his knitting needle to determine its size. They are in a size range of 3-5 inches.

Contemporary knitting needles are made from materials like aluminum, steel, wood, bamboo, casein, plastic and glass. Plastic needles have no pointed edges and can be safely used by children. Previously, wood and metals were used for making knitting needles. The beautiful antique needles were created using tortoiseshell, walrus tusks and ivory. But soon they were banned as they made use of endangered species of animals.

A knitting enthusiast can store his needles in several types of needle storages. Straight needles can be stored in attractive cases. Cylindrical containers with padding on their bottoms keep the needle points sharp. Circular needles can be kept dangling on hangers. In case they are coiled tightly, one should soak them in warm water before using them.

Despite the presence of high-tech knitting machines in the markets, many of us still prefer to use the good old knitting needles. These needles probably won't ever fail to amuse use and keep us engaged.

Recommended Knitting Book