Why I wanted To Write Tutorials

05 Feb 2011 2 Comments

by crystal in General, Knitting, Tutorials

When my sister-in-law, Tammy, taught me to knit it immediately became my favorite pastime. She taught me the basics and I took off. We were both surprised by how easily and quickly I progressed.

I was very lucky to have someone to teach me this wonderful craft. Tammy took the time to close her eyes and think about how to describe the steps so that I would be able to understand without having to see what she was doing. It helped that she was there to direct my fingers and needles when I needed help following her directions. After I learned the basics she was there to help when I had questions. “What does ssk mean?” I would call her up and she would explain. Then I discovered the knitting resources and communities online and branched off on my own.

A lot of the tutorials and explanations I found referred to pictures with captions like “Hold your needles as shown in Photo C.” These were almost no help at all. It occurred to me that there really should be instructions written so that blind people could understand and learn to knit even if they didn’t have someone to show them in person.

It was about 3 years ago when I set out to write a whole series of blog posts to teach knitting and crochet to blind people. The articles have sat on my computer since then. They taunted me when they got the chance. “We could be helping someone if you would post us online.” They whispered to me when I passed over their folder on my way to something else.

A few months ago another member of the BlindStitchers group on Google published a whole book aimed at teaching blind people to knit. It just goes to show how much need there really is for this type of instruction.  I haven’t read his book but the descriptions he posts to the Google group are always very detailed. After this I thought, Maybe my tutorials aren’t needed any more. Then I decided that was definitely wrong. The bottom line is that everyone explains things differently and you never know which description will make a light bulb go off in someone’s head.

So, here are links to the tutorials I wrote all those years ago along with Davey’s book. I recommend using every resource you can get your hands on. If you are learning to knit, good luck. It’s a wonderful adventure.

Tutorial: Slip Knot

Tutorial: Casting On

Tutorial: Knit Stitch

Tutorial: Purl Stitch

Tutorial: Binding Off

Davey’s Book, The Touch of Yarn

Tutorial: Standard Bind Off

04 Feb 2011 2 Comments

by crystal in Basics, Binding Off, Knitting, Tutorials

Binding off is the term used for finishing off the last row of stitches so they don’t unravel when you’re done knitting. Another term used for the same thing is casting off. Just as with casting on there are many different ways to bind off. This method is called binding off in knit. Binding off like this generally makes a tight bind off. You’ll probably want to use a needle 2 or 3 sizes larger to keep from making it too tight. You can also try to make your stitches looser as you go.

HOW TO BIND OFF

Step 1

Knit the first two stitches.

Step 2

Use the left needle tip to pick up the first stitch you knitted and draw it back over the second stitch and completely off the needle. This will leave only one stitch on the right needle. To pick up the stitch place the left needle point through the front of the stitch from left to right. The left needle tip should stay in front of the right needle. Lift the stitch up and over the stitch to the left. At the same time lift the stitch completely off the right needle while making sure the left stitch stays on the right needle.

Step 3

Knit the next stitch on the left needle. You should now have two stitches on the right needle.

Step 4

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have knit and bound off each stitch on the left needle. You should have only one stitch remaining on the right needle.

Step 5

Cut yarn and draw it through the last loop. Pull it snug.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You’ve bound off your work. With all the skills you have learned you can begin making things for yourself. Most people start with simple scarves and washcloths.

Tutorial: Purl Stitch

04 Feb 2011 3 Comments

by crystal in Basics, Knitting, Tutorials

To purl a stitch is the opposite of knitting a stitch. When you purl it makes the bump on the front of the work while the knit stitch makes the bump on the back. All knitting is made of combinations of these two stitches.

HOW TO MAKE A PURL Stitch

Step 1

Insert the right needle tip into the stitch you want to purl. Insert the point of the needle into the stitch from right to left. Be sure to keep the right needle tip in front of the left needle.

 

Step 2

Holding the right needle in place with your left thumb, wrap the yarn around the tip of the right needle in a counter clockwise direction. Imagine the clock is laying face up in your lap with the 12 on your knees and the 6 at your stomach. Your yarn should end up back on the right side of the needle.

Step 3

Carefully push the loop of yarn through the stitch on the left needle. You will be pushing the tip of the right needle through the stitch and underneath the needle. When your right needle tip comes out the back it should have one stitch on it.

Step 4

Gently push the stitch you just went through off of the left needle while making sure to keep the stitch you just made in place on the right needle.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You’ve made your first purl stitch. Continue purling all the stitches in the row. When you knit all the even numbered rows and purl all the odd numbered rows it is called stockinet stitch. This is the stitch pattern that gives you that nice flat “fabric” look.  

To learn how to make a knit stitch see Tutorial: Knit Stitch

To learn how to bind off see Tutorial: Binding Off

Tutorial: knit Stitch

04 Feb 2011 1 Comment

by crystal in Basics, Knitting, Tutorials

In knitting there are really only two stitches. You knit and you purl. Everything is made with variations of these two stitches. The knit stitch puts a bump on the back of your work while the purl stitch puts the bump on the front of your work. Once you learn these two stitches you will be on your way to knitting whatever you want.

 

HOW TO MAKE A KNIT STITCH

Step 1

Cast on enough stitches to practice with. Try about 10 at a time to start. To learn how to cast on see Tutorial: Casting On

Step 2

Insert the empty right needle into the first stitch on the left needle. Your first stitch is the one closest to the tip of the needle. Place the point of the right needle into the first stitch from the front left side of the stitch, go under the left needle and come out the back on the right side of the stitch. This is the same way you insert the needle when you use the knitted cast on.

 

Step 3

Holding the right needle in place with your left index finger, wrap your yarn around the right needle tip in a counter clockwise direction. Imagine the clock is laying face up on your lap with the 12 on your knees and the 6 at your stomach. Your yarn should end up back on the right side of the needle.

Step 4

Use the right needle tip to pull the yarn through the stitch. This is where the technique changes from how you cast on. Do not keep pulling the yarn. Stop pulling as soon  as you are through the stitch.

Step 5

Gently push the first stitch off the left needle while making sure you keep the stitch you just made on the right needle. If you cast on 10 stitches you should now have 9 on the left needle and 1 on the right.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!

You’ve completed one knit stitch. Continue repeating steps 2 through 5 until you’ve knitted all 10 stitches. Then just move the full right needle to your left hand and go again. Knit every row for practice. Knitting every row is called garter stitch. Try to keep your stitches uniform. They should be not too tight to slide easily and not so loose they are sloppy. Most beginners have a problem with making their knit stitches too tight. Just relax your hands. Try to have faith that the stitches will appear like you want them too. If you need to in the beginning wiggle your just formed stitches a little to loosen them up. It is much easier to knit the next row if your stitches will slide a little. Using aluminum needles will also help. Wood, plastic and bamboo needles have more “grip” and yarn doesn’t slide as easily on them as it does on the aluminum ones. When you are more comfortable with knitting you can experiment with different types of needles before you buy your permanent collection.

To learn how to make a purl stitch see Tutorial: Purl Stitch

To learn how to bind off see Tutorial: Binding Off

Tutorial: Knit-on Cast On

04 Feb 2011 4 Comments

by crystal in Basics, Casting On, Knitting, Tutorials

 Casting on is the term used in knitting for setting up your first row of stitches. There are many different ways to cast on. These instructions are for the first method I learned. I would recommend using slightly larger needles to learn how to cast on. Something in the size range of US 9 to 11 should be good. You’ll also need some scrap yarn to practice with. Any simple yarn such as Cascade 220, Red Heart or Simply Soft will do. Don’t use anything too fluffy or fuzzy for your first time. You will have plenty of time later to experiment with different yarns.

Knit On Cast On

Special trick for understanding step 3. Do this before beginning step 1. Especially for blind people.

Hold both needles together so that the points are facing up toward the ceiling. Place slip knot over both needles and hold your yarn coming from the ball to the right side of the needles. Pull the yarn so the slip knot is snug. Hold both needles in your right hand with your thumb holding the slip knot in place. Twist the needle on the left so that it crosses in front of the one on the right. You should have an X shape. This is the way your stitch should look after step 3. Take special note of how you would have to insert the right needle to achieve the same affect. Remove the slip knot and begin with step 1.

Step 1

Make a slip knot. To learn how to make a slip knot see Tutorial: Slip Knot

Step 2

Place slip knot on left hand needle and adjust to fit. This will be considered your first stitch. Do not tighten it too much. You need to be able to get your other needle through it too.

Step 3

Insert the point of the left hand needle through the stitch from front to back. The right needle should be underneath the left needle. See Special trick above. Needles should be crossed about 1 or 2 inches from the tips.

Step 4

Use your left index finger to hold the right needle in place and let go with your right hand.

Step 5

With your right hand wrap the yarn coming from the ball around the

Right hand needle tip in a counter clockwise direction. Imagine the clock is laying face up on your lap with the 12 on your knees and the 6 at your stomach. The end of the yarn should end up back on the right side of the needle. Then drop the yarn and put your right hand back on the right needle.

Step 6

Pull the wrapped yarn through the loop on the left needle with the right needle tip. It helps if you pull the needles apart just a wee bit so that your wrapped yarn can get in between them. Put the needles back together and then keep the right needle tip lightly touching the left needle continuously as you draw it through the stitch to keep from losing your yarn. Use your left index finger to hold the stitch on your left needle in place.

Step 7

Keep pulling the yarn until you have about 3 inches between the needles. Rotate the needles so that they are parallel to each other with both points pointing at the ceiling. This should not take a very big motion.  You should be able to hold them about 3 inches apart without much give in the yarn between the needles. Hold the needles so that your index fingers and thumbs are holding the stitches on each needle.

 

Step 8

Being sure to hold your loops in place turn the left needle clockwise so that it points straight to the right. You’ll need to hold the needles so that the yarn stays taught. Your left needle tip will be pointing at your right needle.

Step 9

Put the point of the left needle through the large loop on the right needle from the front. It helps if you press the loop open a little by pushing the yarn up with your right thumb while still holding the stitch in place from behind the needle with your index finger.

 

Step 10

Pull your right needle out of the loop while making sure the loop stays on the left needle. Snug up the stitch by pulling on the yarn coming from the ball. You should have 2 stitches on the left needle and none on the right needle.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You’ve made your first cast on stitch. Repeat steps 3 through 10 to cast on more stitches. Always be sure to insert the right needle into the last stitch from the front left side of the stitch.

To learn how to make a knit stitch check out the following link.

Tutorial: Slip Knot

04 Feb 2011 3 Comments

by crystal in Basics, Crochet, Knitting, Tutorials

Slip knots are used in both knitting and crochet. In knitting the slip knot is the first stitch of your cast on just as in crochet the slip knot is the first stitch of your starter chain. The slip knot is made to “slip” so that you can adjust it to fit any needle. It’s also convenient that it doesn’t leave a permanent knot in the yarn if you need to pull it out. The only material you need is yarn to practice with. I always find that instructions make more sense when you are actually attempting them with yarn in hand. There are a lot of steps but I’ve described exactly how I move my hands to make a slip knot. It becomes second nature very quickly. You can do it with your eyes closed.

HOW TO MAKE A SLIP KNOT

Step 1

Hold your right hand flat with your palm facing your body. Your arm should be parallel with the floor.

Step 2

Bend your ring and pinky fingers toward your palm so they will be out of the way. Your index and middle fingers should be pointing to the left. They will be straight and held together.

Step 3

Place a strand of yarn over your index and middle fingers so that the cut end is pointing down. Leave about 6 inches hanging down. You should have the short end of the yarn hanging in front of your fingers and the long end hanging down behind them. The long end will usually be attached to the ball of yarn you’re working from.

Step 4

Keeping the yarn hooked over your right hand fingers, hold the strands of yarn with your left hand so that with your palm facing down the long end of the yarn goes down between your left index and middle fingers and the short end of the yarn is held to the side of your index finger with your thumb. This is easily done by holding both strands of yarn together with your left hand and placing your index finger through the open space between the strands. Make sure not to twist the strands. You should have about two inches of yarn in the space between your left and right hands.

Step 5

Twist your right hand toward your body so that your palm is facing down. Be sure to keep the yarn looped around your index and middle fingers. You may have to bend them slightly to keep from losing the loop of yarn.

Step 6

This is the tricky part. You have to grab the long end of the yarn (The one that is probably attached to the ball) and pull it through the loop you have made on the fingers of your right hand. I have broken this step down into 4 separate parts to make it clearer.

6A: While Still holding the yarn in your left hand as in step 4, spread your right index and middle fingers about an inch apart. The loop of yarn should be positioned on the knuckles in the center of your index and middle fingers.

6B: Use the middle finger of your right hand to hook the top strand of yarn and pull it through the loop of yarn on your right hand by holding it between the tips of your middle and index fingers. The top strand should be the long or “attached” strand. It should be on top both as in on top of the short strand where they cross and above the short strand as positioned in your left hand.

6C: Be sure not to hold the “top” or long strand tightly between your left index and middle fingers. It has to be able to slide. Do be sure to hold the “bottom” or short end tightly to the side of your index finger with your thumb.

6D: Pull the loop snug.

Note: You’ll be able to change the size of your slip knot to fit whatever needle you want by pulling the long strand. If it adjusts by pulling on the short strand you’ve pulled the wrong strand through the loop.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You’ve made your very first slip knot. How to make a slip knot is the first thing you need to know to start knitting or crocheting. To learn more see the links below.

Tutorial: Casting On

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