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by Jenny K on July 21, 2011
Have you ever gotton to a part in your pattern where you see the phrase, "pick up and knit?" Sometimes patterns simply write just pick up x amount of stitches. If this is a new technique to you, it can be somewhat confusing deciphering just what exactly to pick up and what to knit. In our latest video lesson, we focus on just that - how to pick up stitches! Kerin covers everything you need to know about picking up stitches to make your project a success. Learn how to pick up stitches along the sides of your knitting (row-wise) as well as along the cast on or bind off edges. Kerin starts with a stockinette stitch swatch for both the sides and top/bottom edges. Next up, Kerin shows you to do the same thing but with a garter stitch swatch. Combining these two techniques in both stockinette and garter stitch fabric allows you to create a nice, finished look to any project. You can also use these techniques to create added strength and even to create fun shapes. |
Category Archives: Tutorials
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by Jenny K on May 6, 2011
Gauge is one of those things than can be a bit tricky to get a hold of when you first start out knitting. Gauge is also one of those things that will most likely remain finicky even when you have more experience with it. It is no wonder so many people dislike gauge and swatches as some people naturally knit loose and others knit tight. I am sure you have heard plenty about how every person knits slightly different, but that got me thinking…how much variance is in one’s own knitting? As an experiment in gauge, I decided make a swatch where I knit using the continental method (how I normally knit) for the lower half and the English method for the top half. When knitters talk about gauge, all they are referring to is how many stitches take up one inch. If you are a loose knitter, you will end up with larger stitches which results in fewer stitches in each inch. And conversely, a tight knitter will end up with smaller stitches, resulting in more stitches in each inch. Depending on what the yarn or pattern that you are using calls for, a loose knitter may go down in needle size to make up for the bigger stitches and a tight knitter may up go in needle size to counteract the smaller stitches. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 6, 2011
Intarsia is one of those techniques that seems to strike fear into the heart of many a knitter. But it's actually not scary at all - the trick is simply to understand what it is that you're actually doing. Intarsia is a method by which separate areas of different colors are knit into the same flat piece of work. This can be exceedingly simple, like vertical stripes, or intricate like the Road Trip Totes. What makes it work is the way each working strand of yarn is wrapped around the next at color changes. If you've been curious about Intarsia but weren't quite sure how to get started, I put together a little video explaining some of the techniques. Take a look! |
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by Jenny K on April 11, 2011
In addition to our ever growing list of tutorials available through Knit Picks, did you know we also have a YouTube channel with even more online classes, how-to videos and tutorials? We have over 200 videos that include not only instructional material, but also many designer interviews and so much more. One of the best things about our Knit Picks YouTube channel are all of the classes that walk you through every step of the way. We have classes on how to knit - the basics, how to knit lace, how to knit a sweater, how to spin yarn using a drop spindle as well as Kelley's Sock Class and Kelley's Mitten Class. And to make things even easier for you, we now have a dedicated section for all of these classes. |
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by Jenny K on March 24, 2011
As some of you may have seen by now, the latest cover of the Knit Picks catalog has some really adorable sheep standing in front of the Heartlands Road Trip Tote. We all thought these little needle felted sheep were simply too cute not to share, so we went right to work on a tutorial. And do you want to know the best part? They are oh so easy to make! With the right tools and some roving, you will be on your way to making your very own sheep. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on November 1, 2010
I've created some videos to show you how to unknit (or tink--which is knit backwards) a row, unravel several rows, and also drop a stitch and knit it back up. These are the most common ways to fix your knitting, and you will use these techniques again and again! |
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by Knit Picks Staff on October 15, 2010
The first step to fixing a knitting mistake is preventing a knitting mistake in the first place. This first video shows you how to count stitches and rows in stockinette, reverse stockinette, and garter stitch fabric. That way, if you set your knitting down, or lose your place, you can just count your stitches and rows to figure out where you were in the pattern. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on October 8, 2010
I learned to knit somewhat randomly. After camping, I went to a laundromat to wash my sleeping bag. I was bored, so I wandered around the shopping center next door, and found a yarn store. I stepped inside and was immediately impressed by all of the pretty yarns, and I couldn't believe that it was possible to knit the projects! I bought some yarn and needles, and the owner sat down with me and showed me how to cast on and knit. But it just wasn't making sense to me! I'm left handed, and I do most things in the mirror image of a right handed person. So I tried to make up a way to knit left handed, without really understanding what I was doing. So it didn't work, and I was frustrated, but stubbornly determined to learn. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on October 2, 2010
Next week, I am going to start a class on how to fix common knitting mistakes. For me, learning how to fix my knitting was just as valuable as learning to knit. If you are confident that you can fix any errors in your knitting, it makes it easier to try new techniques, because you are fearless! And everything in knitting can be fixed. My class is going to have videos of techniques, as well as written tutorials. Also, I'd love feedback from you! Is there something specific that you would like me to cover? Do you have questions about what you are knitting? I can help! |
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by Knit Picks Staff on August 23, 2010
Are you tired of knitting from patterns? Do you have a sweater in your imagination that you can't quite find the perfect instructions for? Are you an aspiring garment designer? If any of these questions piqued your interest, then you are probably ready to design your own sweater! I'll be teaching an online class over the next 8 weeks right here on the Stash Blog, which will cover everything you need to know to knit a seamless sweater from the bottom up to fit your personal measurements precisely! Each week, there will be video discussions of the curent topic and free pdf downloads of my notes and worksheets. I'll be knitting my own sweater as we go, and if you knit along with me, you'll be able to easily have yours done too in the 8-week period. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section of the posts--I'll answer as many as humanly posible and other will chime in too, so that folks who can't knit along with us can still access the class later! As I learned while shooting the first video, I can really run off at the mouth! So I'll stop writing now and just let the videos speak for themselves. This is our introductory lesson. I'll be giving an overview of the course, encouraging you to knit a sweater for yourself, and discussing yarn options from a design perspective so that you can select your yarns and be ready to start knitting with them in time for next week's discussion on gauge and swatching. Click through for the videos, and Enjoy! |
