Introduction To knitting:
Knitting is one of several ways to turn thread or yarn into cloth-weaving and crochet. It is a fabric formation
process comprising interlacing yarns in a series of connected loops with needles. Knitting is one of the most
enigmatic art forms existing and has become today's top hobby.
Knitting can be done either by hand or by machine which is a very convenient tool as we can finish the product
in less time than compared to knitting with our own two hands. Unlike woven fabric, knitted fabric consists entirely of horizontal parallel courses of yarn. The courses are joined to each other by interlocking loops in which a short loop of one course of yarn is wrapped over the bight of another course.
The basic tools needed for knitting:
- Knitting Needles
- Yarn
- Crochet Hook
- Row counter
Knitting requires two needles. First, you begin by making a slip knot on one needle and "casting on" the
number of stitches you need for the project. The basic stitches are created using both needles, wrapping the
yarn over one needle and drawing the wrapped yarn through loops on the other needle.
Knitting Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers. Knitting Yarn can be made from any number of synthetic or natural fibers. There are various kinds of knitting yarn available in the market like Wool, Angora, Silk, Cashmere and Vicuna.
Crochet Hook is used for catching loops of yarn with the notch it has on its one end and drawing them through stitches.
Row counter is used to count the number of rows that have been knitted. It is a cylinder with a numbered dial
that is pushed onto the needle and is turned at the completion of each row. This is especially helpful when
working long pattern repeats
Every beginner should keep some pointers in mind before they get started:
- Gather all the materials needed to complete the project.
- Use the schematic drawing measurements to guide the size selection.
- Read through the instructions; circle the numbers pertaining to the required size.
- Look up any unfamiliar terms in the Knitting Glossary and Abbreviation
In practice, hand knitting is usually begun with the cast on technique that is forming a base series of twisted
loops of yarn on a needle. A second knitting needle is then used to reach through each loop in succession in
order to snag a bight of yarn and pull a length back through the loop.
Knitting Styles:
There are two basic styles of knitting-English and Continental; and the difference between the two is in how
you hold the yarn. In the English method the yarn is held in the right hand. In continental knitting, the yarn is
held in the left hand. Whatever your natural hand-preference, you should be able to master either method
because the nature of knitting is basically ambidextrous.
The two basic stitches are knit or plain and purl or wrong. These two nominal stitches are actually identical,
however, being the obverse and reverse of the same stitch. . It is the variations and combinations of these
two stitches that create all the different stitch patterns which are possible in knitting.
When the knitted piece is finished, the remaining live stitches are cast off. Casting or binding off loops the
stitches across each other so they can be removed from the needle without unraveling the item. Although the
mechanics are different from casting on, there are a similar variety of methods and choices to be made.
Of the various methods the most versatile are the Plain Bind-off and the Suspended Bind-off.
Knitted garments are most commonly made in pieces, where individual sections of the garment are knit separately and then sewn together once all the pieces have been completed.
This wonderful art has been passed on from generation to generation and still there is always something
new to learn. You can never get tired of exploring and experimenting with your knitting needles and yarn
cause you would somehow manage to create a pattern different from the one you had last made.
Knitting is about creating your own magic with your magic tools, some time management and imagination.
You know that the time and effort you had put to make something for your loved ones was worth it when you see them happy and warm wearing your creation.
