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Written by Erin
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Friday, 29 April 2005 |
Put simply, knitting is making fabric from interlocking loops of
yarn. Each loop counts as one stitch. A stitch is formed when a
knitting needle pulls a loop of yarn through another stitch on another
needle. Stitches are worked from one needle to the other. The end
result is a pliable, interlocked fabric. Since all stitches and rows of
stitches are linked, the resulting fabric will unravel if just one
stitch is cut.
The first row of any knitting project is the "cast-on" row. This
provides the foundation for the stitches. The last row, which finishes
the loops so they don't unravel, is called the "bind-off' or "cast-off"
row.
In the following pages, you will learn the basic stitches called "knit"
and "purl." Literally hundreds of patterns can be created by different
combinations of knit and purl stitches, the simplest being the "garter
stitch" pattern. Garter stitch is a knit stitch worked on every row. In
garter stitch, the right and wrong sides of the fabric will look
exactly the same, and the fabric will stretch more lengthwise than
crosswise.
If you alternate rows of knit and purl stitches, you're doing the
"stockinette" stitch (also known as the "stocking" or "jersey" stitch).
This pattern has a right side (the knit stitch side) and will stretch
more crosswise than lengthwise.
Casting on is the first step in knitting These stitches become the
first row of stitches and one selvage of your work, usually the bottom
or hem.
There are many ways to do this, and each way has different benefits depending on the elasticity or firmness required.
- With a slip knot on the needle in your right hand, wind the
tail end around your left thumb. Wrap yarn from the ball over your left
index finger. Hold both ends in your palm.
 easy knitting - Inset the needle
upward in the loop on your thumb, then behind the loop on your index
finger. Use the needle to draw the yarn up from the ball through the
loop to form a stitch.
 easy knitting - Take your thumb out of the loop and pull
the tail end to tighten the stitch on the needle. Repeat steps 1 to 3
until the desired number of stitches is cast on.
 easy knitting
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 May 2005 )
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