Do you have problems reading or understanding knitting patterns?
Some knitting patterns can be so complex it is hard to comprehend what you are expected to do on each row. Just recently I received an email from Beth who had downloaded a free pattern from the Yarn Lover’s room for a beautiful Irish Knit sweater.
Click here to find out how we stepped Beth through the pattern.
How many knitting stitching techniques do you know?
The evolution of knitting has spanned thousands of years and its traditions and patterns along the way as well as stitching techniques. Using basic knit and purls, then adding a few slip stitches or knits together one can add so much more texture to there items, turning an otherwise plain item into a work of art.
For some great samples of what you can find in a stitch library go to Knit-easy now
Short rows are a simple technique that every knitter should learn.
Inserting short rows can add “depth” to create a more shapely item, and it is a technique that is also used to create soft angles mostly on straight-edged, flat-paneled items.
Using short rows, you can eliminate the step effect you get when you bind off shoulders and make sock heels elegantly curved. This is also an ideal technique for maternity wear to add those “few extra curves” where it is needed most.
Not many knitters are aware of this technique, but inserting short rows and creating curves is a simple and must learn technique.
To accomplish this, an existing row is partially knitted to a pre-determined stitch count, then turning the work and working back to the same (or another) count, and turning again.
To explain further, if you are looking to create a maternity sweater using an existing pattern to ensure the front of your sweater does not ride up, you could add short rows to the bust line and the belly areas, allowing for the extra shaping of your body.
You knit the instructions as per your pattern for the back of your sweater, however to shape the front of your sweater you can add short rows to make allowances for the additional “girth” that is natural during pregnancy.
Your pattern might direct you to cast on 100 stitches for the front of your sweater, then work out the length you want your sweater to come down to on your hips and follow your pattern until you reach the area where your stomach starts to “protrude.” To accommodate this additional girth you can then insert short rows.
Here is how the shaping is done. You knit up to a certain point of your item – it might be the last 20 stitches - then turn and knit back to the last 20, then turn again, work these stitches until satisfied that you have the “curve” you need. Started with 100 stitches – knitted the first 80 stitches and turned, then knitted the next 60 stitches, this is your first short row, your next row you might only need 40 stitches, all 100 stitches stay on your needles as eventually you will knit straight across but as you have inserted these extra rows you will see the shaping.
A little “curve” created into your garment might just be the difference between gaping armholes or an un-intended ride-up by your belly button, and it is ideal for knitting maternity wear where you need those extra curves, or even just to make a size larger that fits your chest but doesn’t sag on your hips and shoulders. When inserting short rows, you can customized the pattern to suit your shape.
To learn more about the wonders of knitting, visit www.easy-knit.com.
For years, left handed people who wanted to learn to knit were left out in the cold when it came to instructional materials. Knit Easy has changed all of that with a new program especially designed for lefties
Oak Flats, Australia (IPRWIRE) Fri, Feb. 2nd, 2007 — Easy-knit (http://www.easy-knit.com/indexlh.htm) is proud to announce its new learn to knit program for left handed people. One out of ten people is left handed, and there has been a definite lack of training materials for those lefties wishing to learn to knit. This new program makes it easy for left handed knitters to learn and perfect proper techniques.
Anna Stewart, CEO of Easy-knit, recently said: “Finding a book that teaches left handed knitting is almost impossible. Most books only teach from left to right, but for those who are left handed it is more natural to work right to left. Some left handers even go to the extent of re-writing reverse instructions for themselves. Other left handers just give up before they get started.”
The Buzz word in knitting circle for 2007 is KFYS (Knitting from your stash) so for my New Year’s resolution I thought I should do something about my stash of yarn.
I just have so much yarn left from other projects, as well as many skeins of yarn which where impulsive buys, yes I admit I walk into a yarn store and the colour or texture of some yarns I find too hard to resist but think I will find a suitable pattern somewhere that I can use this yarn for.
There are rules when one takes on the KFYS challenge click here to find out more
Have you ever wanted to learn to knit? Many people would love to participate in this old and wonderful craft, but getting someone to teach them, especially in this day and age, can be difficult. It is sad, but there are not as many teachers of this craft today as there once was. But there is good news for anyone wanting to learn to knit. And that good news is there still a few places that will take the time to show you what you need to know in order to begin in this craft.
But like most things these days, there are those who truly wish to help you and then there are those who are only out for a buck. Determining which is which should be your first priority before buying or signing up for any class or program.
What should you look for when you want to learn to knit? For starters, you want to work with someone who has years of experience in the craft. Those years of experience will be very beneficial to you as a mentor can explain things in an easy to understand manner that only comes with experience. Also, you want to work with someone who knows the full gamut of the craft so that you get a complete education. It does you no good to learn only one method, say the English method, if the project you want to complete is done in the Continental method. You also want someone who is skilled enough in the craft that he or she can explain to you the many different aspects of the craft in such a way that it is easy to understand and easy to execute. A lot of high jargon does no good if you do not know what is being taught.
You also want to learn to knit from someone who cares about your success, someone who has taught others before you, and who takes the time to illustrate his or her methods with pictures or photos so that you can actually see what is being taught to you. It is much easier to comprehend a concept when you can see something.
Finding someone like this can take a lot of time and energy. Or it can be as easy as visiting with Anna Stewart. Anna has over four decades of experience in this craft and her new guide book, Knit Easy, is a one stop shop for everything the beginner needs in order to enjoy this fantastic craft.
If you would like to see what Anna has to offer, visit www.easy-knit.com and see for yourself how much better it is to work with someone who knows what she is doing than with someone who does not. While you are there, take a few moments and read what others have to say about her teaching methods. See how they were taught and how they mastered their craft by using these unique tips and techniques.
Finding a free knitting pattern online is not all that hard. There are several places that offer them, and they come in a variety of designs. But finding a free knitting pattern that also includes easy to understand instructions is something else altogether.
In some cases, when you find something that you like, you end up being disappointed because the technique needed to make the article is beyond your skill level or expertise. Or in some cases you may find that you need to use the English method and all you know is the Continental method. And often a free knitting pattern does not contain any illustrations to help you visualize what is needed. In any of the above scenarios, you end up putting the project aside or giving it away to someone else.
But it does not have to be that way. There are some places that offer a free knitting pattern that comes with detailed instructions to help you get the project finished and finished in such a way that you can be proud of the results. In fact, if done well, you may even feel confident enough to give the project to someone as a gift.
Ideally, what you would like to find is a place that starts with the basics and then moves on to the more advanced techniques. You would also want to find a place that shares illustrations with you so you can actually see what it is you are suppose to be doing. Of course, you also want to learn the various stitching methods so you aren’t caught unprepared should one of them come up. Sounds like a lot to learn, and if it isn’t presented in a logical and easy to understand manner, it can be a lot more to learn.
You can, of course, join a local circle, but that involves traveling to the group and hoping that someone in the group will take you under their wing and show you the various techniques and explain to you the things you do not understand. Another problem is that often they work on particular projects, and you are not able to do exactly what you would like to do until your turn comes up.
Another choice you have is to cut through all of that and just head for a website that contains all of the information you need in one place. Information that is easy to read, easy to learn, easy to execute. These places do exist, but they can be hard to find. Many of them only want to sell you a load of old materials that they have laying around and have no real interest in teaching you what you need to know.
There is one place, however, called Easy-Knit that does take the time to share with you the many aspects of this craft. Anna Stewart has over 40 years of experience with this craft and she shares her wealth of information with those who seek it. Visit www.easy-knit.com to learn more.
With over 40 years of experience, Anna Stewart knows a thing or two about the knitting pattern format and she shares all that information in her new eBook, Knit-easy. Designed for beginners and pros alike, this eBook is jam-packed with secrets, tips, and techniques
NSW, Australia (IPRWire) November 1, 2006—Easy-knit (www.easy-knit.com) is happy to announce the launch of a new eBook, Knit-easy, authored by Anna Stewart. This informative eBook covers everything from basic techniques to how to resize or modify your own knitting pattern.
Anna Stewart, CEO and author, states: “There was a time when learning how to knit was taught in schools as a craft activity or you could go to the local wool store that often ran classes, or you could learn from parents or grandparents. Unfortunately, during the 70’s and 80’s this craft took a downturn in popularity, resulting in many of the local wool stores closing their doors. Today finding classes or finding someone to teach you how to knit is almost impossible.”