In a world buzzing with gadgets and fast-paced routines, finding an activity that lets us slow down, relax, and spark our imagination is like finding a hidden treasure. Enter knitting, a timeless craft that has made a grand comeback, captivating people of all ages. With just a pair of knitting needles, you enter an enchanted world filled with colorful yarn, exciting patterns, and textures.
Circular knitting needles are the superheroes of knitting. They have a flexible cable connecting two needle tips, making them perfect for creating seamless projects like hats, socks, and sweaters. These needles make knitting comfy because the weight of your project is evenly spread out. No sore hands because you can use circular needles to knit both flat and round, which means they're like multi-tools for knitting adventures. Fixed circulars and interchangeable circular knitting needles are great for beginners and experts!
Pattern: An intarsia knitting pattern or chart that guides you through the color changes and design.
Double-pointed needles, also known as DPNs, are like mini-magic wands, perfect for tackling intricate, small-scale projects in the round. With DPNs, you can conquer gloves and socks or the cuffs of a sweater. They come in packs of five and securely hold your stitches so you can work on a small section at a time. Once you master DPNs, you'll feel like a knitting superstar, ready to take on any creative challenge.
You can dive into the craft once you have your knitting tools and some yarn ready. Our tutorial will guide you through the first steps. You always start a project with the casting on process, which sets up the stitches on your needles. For a complete step-by-step guide on how to cast on your stitches, see our knitting tutorial here.
Let’s move on to two fundamental stitches in knitting - the knit and purl stitches. These stitches come alive on your trusty knitting needles in the symphony of yarn and imagination. But here's the magical twist: the knit and purl stitches are two sides of the same whimsical coin. The sleek, v-shaped knit stitch usually creates the front side, often the right side, while the playful purl stitch forms the bumpy backside or wrong side. Together, they create a harmonious dance, transforming yarn into captivating textures.
How do you create a knit stitch?
The knit stitch creates a smooth and plain surface and is the superstar of the stockinette stitch.
Step 1: After casting on the required number of stitches, hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your non-dominant hand - usually the left. Left-handed knitters can hold it in their right hand. For a complete guide on left-handed knitting, visit this blog article.
Step 2: With the empty needle in your dominant or right hand, insert it from left to right into the first stitch on the other needle, going through the front of the stitch. Note: Before inserting the needle, ensure the working yarn is positioned at the back of your work. This means the yarn should be behind the needle, ready to be wrapped around it during the stitch.
Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the back of the right needle, from right to left.
Step 4: Use the right needle to pull the wrapped yarn through the stitch, slipping the stitch off the left needle. Congratulations! You've completed your first knit stitch!
When knitting a knit stitch, paying attention to the orientation of both the yarn and the stitch on your knitting needles is crucial to avoid accidentally twisting them. Ensure that your knitting needle is inserted from the front of the stitch towards the back. This helps maintain the correct orientation of the stitch and prevents twisting.
Maintain a consistent direction throughout your knitting project. Double-check that you're consistently knitting all stitches in the same way, either through the front or back loop, to avoid unintentional twists. Take a moment to visually inspect your stitches on the needle after completing each knit stitch.
How do you create a purl stitch?
The purl stitch creates a bumpy texture that adds variety to your knitting. It is the backside of the knit stitch. Combined with the knit stitch, you can create lovely textured patterns using the purl stitch, such as the moss, linen stitch, or all kinds of ribbing patterns.
Step 1: Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your non-dominant hand.
Step 2: With the empty needle in your dominant hand, insert it from right to left into the first stitch on the other needle, going through the front of the stitch.
Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the front of the right needle, from right to left.
Step 4: Use the right needle to push the wrapped yarn through the stitch towards the back, slipping the stitch off the left needle.
You've now crafted your first purl stitch! Looking at it from the other side of your project, it appears like a knit stitch.
Remember, knitting is all about practice, so don't worry if your stitches aren't perfect at first. Your skills will improve with time, and you'll knit like a pro! Now that you've learned the basics of casting on, knitting, and purling, you're on your way to becoming a skilled knitter.
Creating with professional straight, circular, or double-pointed knitting needles by KnitPro is not just a hobby—it's an enchanting adventure that lets you express yourself, unwind, and design something incredible. You'll find peace and joy with each stitch while choosing vibrant yarns will ignite your imagination. And when you finish a project, the sense of accomplishment is simply magical!
