Knitting Handbook An Instructional Guide to Knitting

110 Pages·2004·35.93 MB·English

by  Viv Foster

— Knittin
le Fevateleveye)

An instructional guide (o knitting

Edited by Viv Foster
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EQUIPMENT &
MATERIALS

You don’t need complicated or expensive equipment
to learn to knit-just knitting needles and yarn,
As you progress in the craft, you can collect more
equipment and enjoy using all kinds of yarn.

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Equipment

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ESSENTIAL
EQUIPMENT

Krittng neces are an
investmeal because youl

te them me and time
again. Look ater your
needles carefully and
hey as for year, bul
shen the points are
‘damaged or the nose
bent its ime to tow them
fot and bay new ones

Pais of needles come in a variety
cof lengths ad sizes, and aro sed t0
proce fiat hitting. The size ofthe
nel is determined by the yarn

ene an! naire terion, The
metre ize of amelie the

‘width of the diameter The chart
page 13 shoves metic izes with
fquivalent American and UK. sizes

DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES
Sets of dauble-pointed needles
roclae sexless knitting for socks
Sr stckings. They come in the same
range of sizes a pars of needles

i ips tregh your ges 8 oe
hy exploring 2
uly and textured, syntietc ods and mata

and gues, ting eels
working cable th
ify

ara due pid

tote ht in the ound

ne rong of

and ae usually sold and used in
Sets of four

CIRCULAR NEEDLES.

Cire needles are uel either in

place of pairs of needles or in place
lof sets of news, A circular needle
iSa palr of short eels llactoad
to each other by a length of ayo
‘cond. They cou in te full ange of
Snes and alo in diferent lengths
Its important to use the correct
length when working seamless
iting
CABLE NEEDLES
‘Cable needles ar short, double
pointed nels used for working
fables Normally #hey are cold in
cs of two containing a large and
Smal size. The size nearest othe
ins noodle sze should be use

NEEDLE GAUGE
‘Ancol gauge s used to determine
thesize of aneedie, While prs of
pede are usually marked with he
Sze, set of needles and cnclar
retles ae often unmarked

STITCH HOLDERS
Site oles are wet le
stitches when they are removed
from the needle ut ot cast of
Apne of contrasting cloned
Soin ea also be threaded.
Though sche on a stich
holder A safety pin can be used
For holding few sets,

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WOOL SEWING NEEDLE
Woo! sewing needles are use
for sewing up Finished knit
items. A woo! sowing newle
should havea langeeye and a
blunted point.

B crete

!

CROCHET HOOK
Creche hooks are useful for picking
Lup dropped stitches or attaching

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OTHER EQUIPMENT
Atape measure o ruler needed to
measure the wark in progres
‘Ary counter allows ane to keep.
‘count of the rows wile knitting
tis especialy useful for working
shapings. However, using paper
And peal can jst ac eeetve,

IN

BRERBRSR Ree
PeRPP RP ee

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Deel Ww i ul

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NEEDLE
ize chart

Pairs of needles are madeina
variety of eng ranging rom
round 10 nto 16 i. Most ising,
reales ar aim, sally wth
a pearl gray finish, though some are
nickel plate, Langer size needles
ate made of plastic tonal thee
‘weight Bamboo edie are
Fesible alternative

Double pointed newsles are sold
in sets of four or five and in several
lengths, They were traditionally
made of sto, bt anna needles
‘ane more common now with
bamboo and plastic in some sizes

Cite nocd are simply to
short nelle ends joined by a lexible
nylon or plastic cor The length of
2 cular need ie measured ron
rele tip ta neve tip. Ment is
{nein lengths from I6in, to 17 in.

“The most useful tape measures
shave both inches and centimeters
‘om the same side so that you can
compare measurements

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Materials

The yrs caine he hand ite ody
hci, wed texture, Whe use imgiaialy se cn ate ind
“ison greta soon he ues of

cde many wrt of

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sis Hi

"fons can be easing ko he ir, Se of cotson arn ry he
ret ur of ems edo dosci he artis, he pg pros,
‘an he aro fibers sed make iting ys

YARN THICKNESS
All knitting pattems, whether
commer produced or
homemade, are worked oat on the
basis fe fension square thot alters
econ tothe yarn thickness, the
‘Sev of the nestles an the sith
pattern The tension of pice of
Fniing isthe numberof stitches
and vows needed to knit
measured square Ti usually only
hcessary to have an accurate
of knowing the thickness of various
types of yarn if you want
Substitute one yaun for another or
tse diferent yams in the one
farment for instance, when
faking snipes. The only sure way
(of doing this so knit tension
Square inthe choeen yarn and’ check
that it matches the tension given for
‘the original yarn

“There ae several terme used by
the yam spinners to denate the
tickness ofa yarn, but these ae
‘very vague and lifer from spinner
to spinner Its better to refer oa
yam as iting @ corti tension
father than being acertain

‘thickness. Yam spinners often sate
the recommenda tension and
tle size om the Ell ban label
Tisted on the apposite age
ave the terms most ammon's
Used ta describe yarn thicknesses,
{peer with ther approsimate
‘corresponding tensions. However,
even within each grouping the
‘manufacture! recommended
tensions can vary greatly All the
tensions given beens ane fr i
‘Suores, workest in stocking stich,

‘Aram thick (also calle! tpl thick
for sportscool 18 ts and 24 rows
fon No.6 nes
‘Mohai thick: 16 sts and 22 rows
‘om No, Sneed however sme
‘polar yarns Ket to an equivalent
ff double knit orchunky yam.
‘Chunky: 1 ss and 22 0 oF
No. 10 needles

‘Some yams are even thicker than
chur, but these ae usually very
‘individual and, unless an exact
fensan mate can be obtained, is
nota good deat ey using other
Sms in tei place as aration 9

TERMS
FOR DESCRIBING YARN
THICKNESSES

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tension aver thick yarns cause a
‘uch grate dlference in the

finished sizeof «garment than
sfferences in tension over finer

YARN SPINNING
‘Yor ane mae from natural and

‘The two terns to describe these
length are

Bow a

man-made fibers of varius ngs

Filaments
laments ae very log fibers. Man-
made filament fibers can be made to
any length but they are usually cut
into shorter staple lengths before
being spun to form hand-kniting
yams. The only natural lament
Tiberi silk

Staples
‘Staple are comparatively short
fibers. To form a yam thats
suitable for knitting they must be
‘vised together in one continous
Strand ofthe rained thickness
“This continous strand is calle a
single yam. A single yam is ustlly
best! tte vith ors ts
iscalled “plying” or “folding”
rom this come the terms "2 pa”
"Sophy" et, to denote the number
of single yams for any thickness)
Pled together The twisting process
{ised fo form yams is kone a
“spinning.”

Here ate some ofthe terms used
for the various ways of spncing
‘yams togethor
Bouelé ea knobbly yam created

iningome or more very ie
ut yams together with thicker,
sof yam, ths forming a random
patter of “haps” along he length
viva
Brushed yams ae made fom bers
vet a ong sable that can be
Trae to proce a furry elect
(Chenille is rate fom ie, hart
yarns, spun together with ther

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softer fibers anchored into this
cont” and sticking vt at an

angle toi

CCeepe isa very highly tisted yarn
‘Gimp isa variation of boule yar,
with a mone even appearance

Loup is another variation of boucke
yant, The Kamps formed are made
fie loops of yarn

Topi isa thick single yarn itis not
very tong,

‘Slab is an unever-thickness yarn
inode by spinning akeatve'y ght
and loose

Spiral sa core yar, very taut and
fine, wrapped around witha thicker
‘yam 0 thatthe core yarn en
‘Worsted is. smooth yarn where

i the fibers refi tong ane
fun paral! to ea other Mest

‘rcinary’ tng yarns are worse

YARN FIBERS
‘Yarn or hana kiting are made
from avant of fibers, bot natural
land manu ancl sometimes for
ronson of strength or desig, they
fre combined to form yarns mace
Df mise brs, Each different fle
Whether man-made natura, Nas
itsadvantages and disadvantages.

NATURAL FIBERS
‘The wool family

‘ols obtained fom the lees
of seep, Itcones ina variety of
{lites depending on the type of
‘Sheep, its coneliion, the climatein
Cebich it is reeds, High-quality

won as shor staple but snot
sostung or dasticas the poorer
‘qualiies

ambswool, which is very sot and
fine the wo fromthe Fist
shearing ofa lamb,

Advantages of woo!
Ithas good insulting properties,
very absorbent, holds shape well
land is very hara-woaring,

Disadvantages of woo!
Bh ends tte tcanbe
Heandtah gti toy
Steyr nthe wea any at
Car fom eof anes ane
area tna ond
(eet teh ound neath
wri ty ye,
tars tapes yrs
me eh

Fe km hee te
ao cate end every so and
abe tetany soo te
ta ne hot nba
Eine es tm an nd
seater he
aoe gen ey aft
vie Howe
tay orp ose
Matar cones roma ga
wend rug ete
eet aretve no eta
amore mc! ith he ers
‘The classic fluffy mohair look comes
restr cane voc

Sits the ony natura lament
fer and taken fom he exons
of various ype of lover A
very song be witha smooth,
Zhhy sppetrance ts warein
‘winer an col nse Ines
‘rll wth other fiber The
“Scworm cocoon ave tobe
Suwa oy ard provide the
Stk iment sits very expensive
Fowevey spunk made fem
broken ng of hs laments
such cheapes
“Tasah all or wild sk, pruced
from an undomestiated allan,
isan fo dying and bleaching
sols ofen ana nfo natural bro.
Calor isa coarse, uneven yar,
Cotton comes fon the ape bers
ofthe eed of costo pla High

Salis colton, ae fr the lng

ples, vey nt ston ard

expensive Although very con,
cotton has itl sti
seit a good conduct of ea
otters sometimes bended with
other ers sich ss woo

{nen eae fro the long sap

fers from the stalks

thea plant Its mach stonger
than codon especially when wet
but ako fas very ite lst

Bectee of thir nahraly uneven

fier linen king yr ae

sual lubed Lien hs
tendency to shin

ince rayon produced fon the

cellos extracel fom wo pul

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citing yarns mad om veo
“tutte orsik is however 8
tne abr hat scarf
srehingamt es only 2 te
{anes Ont sale, vexse
tayo a ay sty pam and
fpumerts made fo roe well
Sonal kaw a popu
iSEsyr ym made om
fescue chem
ery sting ane east but not very

IDEAS
FOR CREATIVE
DESIGNS.

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UNUSUAL YARNS:
‘kein yar cana’ mea
{hat ha eng conser
teger tan te eth would in
they fe pose okt with
Shot we spoghet, swing ction,
ev but garments mae om thse
Sottonces woul pat be very
racial aa
® “The essence of creative design is
we abity fo "break all the rales”
Seats pce garment wh
Site ued caret prop
For inte, shad be exble
tough to around ated
‘Soult held it ehape well i sould
irene and abould el

comfortable .
Tis also posible to create one's

conn yar by siting v0 oF mae

Stroman east a

clierent yams together or by
attaching objects he Jength of.
yam and causing them to drop to
the font ofthe vor when kang
‘This often done with sequins and
beads, but you could ry paper
clip, shells, homemade cay or
acrylic shapes, buttons, curtain
ings ane the lke: You can ako
ereate your awn boule yarn by
Kenorting it, Wher mixing yarns
together ty using yams not aly
of dtferen colors but also of|
ifferent textures, eg, mix coton
boule with mohair caunky wool
uth rayon or silk oF baby yams
with ae

"When sing these more unusual
yarns, any needle size can be ose,
provided thatthe resting kre
Fabre fily frm se that the
garment wil bold is shape well
You will obviously have to write
your own patterns in ander to use
your yam.

WASHING KNITTED
GARMENTS
Follow the instructions given onthe
tall band label ofthe yarn that has
been used. Where two or mone
yams have er used the washing
instructions forthe yarn with the
lowest temperature wash an ron
should be use.

you have crated your own
‘yam or are unsure of the properties
{fa garment ry washing the
tension square to se how it eas

Some garments specifically require
dy Sing, bot most ean be
‘washes in cool wate, Do not ron a
garment that you are unsare about

Ate washing, kite fabrics
styl be cried fat inorder ta
preserve their shape. If necessary
they shoal be pulled back into the
coeet shape when laying them out
for drying
Holding the Yarn

‘There are many vas to hold and col the yarns and meas, bt theres
‘noone correct method. Experiment ntl you find one tt suits on
Start by manning the yor through your fgers—se xo the holds shown
lw al nce the yarn over the forefinger, ren to make a stitch,

BASIC SKILLS

This section of the book introduces you to all the
basic knitting skills you will need to get started.

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Work through the steps slowly ard thoroughly to To fed the yam onto the needle finger tensions it mom frm
earn hou to hold the needles, cast on stitches, and tren ugh andar hve) °
work various stitch combinations. By doing this yout Weipa emeede se yourlet hand, ty lang over
will discover the most confortable, quickest, and contol the yar. lindee and around the fingers
; The simplest method (abovelet) (blow let) Allematvey rap the
most enjoyable way to start knitting. ‘stosliptheyam overandander Jam sound tet finger then
‘the fingers of the right hand Under and over the other fingers

Wrapping the yam around thelitle (blow right,
Holding the Needles

Some ters hate ight vile ie pet ter od over

"ef eel ope, el the ules sear as sor as praca

vont he eight of the ete on te ight neil spre by he and

vad writ Ph fe fe no ae, old long nels we eee
the right eee ack wer He erm suppor

if you're bepinne, try these steps smooth, mediun-weight pure
using mediumsize needles and a wool yarn.

—— FIKED NEEDLE

igh ver eto Prien

= KNITTING HANDBOOK *

fests Meng vr

| LeFT HAND —

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Casting On

ig omy pice of iting is fo ston soe tlhe, Here
recom of the mst ws ays test on

Ti fist stp

“The two-neeale cable cas
rakes a stong edge with 3
ropelike twit, buts not very
lstic, The thum® cast on uses
Justone needle and is very
‘erste. Ifs very compatible
‘with ribs du to its elasticity.
Used with garter stich, i's
indstingu ithe rest
fof the Kouting as itis, in effect, a
knit ros. The loop cast on also
uses one needle; is simple and
tise for butonioles

Coil the yam into loop,

bring forward the tram
thy arent the nse

Putting slp koot onthe needle as sawn above

snakes your fist stitch, You ean

cll the yarn around your

Fingers or lay Flat

SLIP KNOT an

q TIP

Pall oe ert ign the
1 Dkr then gently pull the ther
{na of the yarn v9 close the kt
tp to he nec. You're eady ta

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B
ny
CABLE CAST ON
This cat on s mace by kritting
stitch, then transient rom the
‘ight to the let needle

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THUMB CAST ON
Using this method, you simply ket ach stich of your thumb

Frum now on, ised the right

rece betwee tele ath

time, Transfer ech new stitch othe Mensur of abou the es __F) Tesioning the other en in

tet nea Defoe fhekngth of ieedyetobecast your lt hand, make a loop
Grand make eipot on the Sound your thunk and insert he

fede, Hold the needle and yam right nel inthe lop
from the ballin your right and

oN.

Leaving shor end,
rake alipknet on one
scl, Holding this nec
ithe lft hand insert the
chter needle into the Font of
theslip stitch, Take the yam
around the right needle and
pull rough tite den
Itonstr it the Tt noe

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Loop cast ON

Tension the yar caret for

this very basi easton
Ting a short end, make

Take the yarn around the tothe needle Repeat until he
ciplnotn he rece Tension Ter the nee in the loop, 12g Scie that oy piace pict i
the yam in your kt hand and, your thurb ut, and ently ell be “A Firoughto make asttch Gently inci the sip sie, have
smakealoop around your thumb, yarn to make astich on the nelle pull heend toclone the stich up” beencas on.

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The Knit Stitch

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GARTER STITCH
IF you kn every stitch of every row

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‘Works firmly the fab Ties at, Using the dip ofthe right necdle, Slip the stitch ofthe et ree
which make it efal for fans and draw a loop of yam trough There is now a ew siteh on the

bores, Garter stitch makes an
fabri in which the ssitches
fp widths sie the
upto givean almest

the stitch right needle

KNITTING A ROW
Continue making stitches on the
right nesde unt all stiches have
ben worked of the let neve
then hole te nee with eh
stiches in you left hana forthe
trent row: oul sou fir that the
‘evements Faw ino each other as
you pick up more speed

MAKING A KNIT STITCH

‘Choose to hold the yarn and

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Tak th yar ind ing
Dp ant ann te epkence

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