KNITTING BASIC NEEDS AND KNOW HOW
KNITTING ABBREVIATIONS |
|---|
| K | Knit |
| P | Purl |
| St(s) | Stitch(es) |
| YO | Yarn Over |
| Dec. | Decrease |
| Inc. | Increase |
| Tog. | Together |
| Rnd. | Round |
| P.s.s.o. | Pass slip st over st |
| dpn | Double pointed needle |
| K-O | Do not work st, row or round |
| Beg. | Beginning |
| Bet. | Between |
| * | an asterisk. This indicates that the instructions following are to be repeated across row or for the number of stitches or times specified.
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YARNS: Yarns vary in size, twist and texture. Use the yarn indicated in the directions as only an experienced expert knitter knows how to allow for the difference when a substitution is made. It is also very important to purchase all the yarn needed at one time as different dye lots frequently have different shades of color.
When you purchase your yarn always check the dye lot number to make certain they are all the same. It is much wiser to purchase a little extra yarn than to try and match the dye lot after your garment is finished. Though the color may look the same in the skein more often than not the difference will be seen in the finished work. The “ply” of yarn means the number of strands twisted together. This can be seen by taking the end of the yarn and untwisting.
KNITTING FUNDAMENTALS & SOME TIPS
Learn the basic stitches. There are only three: Knit, Purl and slip. All the others are produced by variations and in combination with yarn overs.
Practice first with heavy yarn and thick needles. Study the stitch and the position it takes on the needle. Follow arrows in illustration. Learn to recognize when it is wrong. Watch the yarn to see where each loop of the stitch begins and ends. If you lay your knitting aside for a few days or longer, always rip back a few rows before starting again. This will prevent an uneven row.
Parentheses in instructions are used for an explanation of a st, a certain section of a garment, or change of sts for change of size. A ROW is once across the needle. A RIDGE is 2 rows, back and forth. WORK EVEN, means to continue in pattern st keeping the continuity of the design.
Always MEASURE straight up and down unless otherwise stated.
WINDING YARN
Winding the yarn correctly is important. Never wind yarn tightly as this stretches it. Wind several strands around fingers, slip these from fingers. Over these strands, in opposite direction, wind a few more strands wrapping yarn around fingers and ball. Continue in this manner, always winding over fingers and in opposite direction from last winding.
LEFT HAND KNITTING: Follow the instructions but change your copy to read left hand where it says “right hand” and vice versa. Use a mirror to study diagrams and charts. This will reverse the image for you.
JOINING YARNS: If possible, join the new yarn with a knot at the beginning of a row. If this cannot be done, work next st with new yarn leaving a 4 inch length. Work a few sts, tie the ends firmly and with a yarn needle weave ends into work.
KNITTING MARKER: This term is used whenever it is important that a certain point is to be marked. Example: increase, decrease, beginning of a row or round, buttonholes, center st, etc. To make a marker of yarn, use a different color; make a slip knot leaving ends about 2 inches in length. Place on needle as directed. Slip marker off one needle to the other needle in each successive round.
MULTIPLE OF STS: This term is used generally at beginning of directions and means that a certain multiple of sts is necessary to work one pattern. Example: multiple of 4 sts would mean any number divisible by 4 or 12, 16, 24 sts, etc. A multiple of 4 plus 2 would be 14, 18, 26 sts, etc., or any number that has 2 more sts after dividing by 4.
