Beginning Knitting Instructions Part 1 of 3

Beginning Knitting instructions seperated in three parts which show you what the abbreviations mean, how to hold the knitting needles and wool and step by step instructios on how to learn the art of knitting!

Beginning Knitting ABBREVIATIONS:

K= knit plain; P = Purl; *…* = a sign of repetition, - when the portion between the stars has been worked once, commence again at the first * and work the directions until the second * is reached, while repeating it as often as instructed.

Beginning Knitting MAKING A SLIP LOOP:

The method by which all knitted fabric is commenced.

Holding the wool between the first finger and thumb of the left hand, with the end hanging inside the fingers, pass it round 2 fingers, back between the first finger and thumb and over the first thread; then, with a knitting needle, draw a loop through the ring thus formed and make it firm on the needle by gently pulling the 2 ends.

Beginning Knitting HOLDING THE WOOL AND NEEDLES

Taking the needle (on which the slip loop has been made) in the left hand, hold it near its point, with the other end under the hand. With the first finger and thumb of the right hand hold the second needle in similar fashion, but with the other end standing out over the hand.

The wool is held with the right hand, so as to form a ring around the third finger, from which it pases under the second finger and over the first to the knitting. It should be held in such a position as to allow it to pass easily through the fingers as the knitting proceeds.

Beginning Knitting CASTING ON:

– 1st methid, with one needle:

Used when a firm edge is required, as in the case of a coat, cap etc.

Leaving an end of wool sufficient for the number of stitches required to be cast on, mae a slip loop on the needle. Hold the needle and wool (from the ball) in the right hand. With the left hand take the loose end (near the needle) and twistingit over and aroudn the left thumb to form a loop, pass the point of the needle under the latter; then with the right hand, passing the wool round the point of the needle, draw the thread through the loop on the thumb and gently tighten the left hand thread. Another loop has thus been formed on the needle. Continue until a sufficient number of stitches is cast on.

- 2nd Method, with two needles:

Used when an elastic edge is required, as in the case of vests, body belts etc.

Make a slip loop near the end of the wool and place it on a needle. Hold this needle in the left hand, with a second neelde and the wool from the ball in the right hand (as described at the beginning of the chapter). *Inserting the point of the right hand needle from the left to right through the front of the loop, pass the wool (from the ball) round the point of the right hand needle and draw it through to form a new loop, pass this from the right to the left hand needle, repeat from * until there are the required number of stitches.

Beginning Knitting Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3