Beginning Knitting Instructions Part 2 of 3

Beginning Knitting PLAIN:

Cast on the required number of stitches.

1st row – Hold the needle containing the stitches in the left hand. Insert the right hand needle from the left to the right through the first loop, pass the wool (which in plain knitting is always at the back of the work) round the poitn of the right hand needle and draw a new loop through (in the same manner as for casting-on a stitch), retain this loop on the right hand needle and slip the 1st loop (which is now caught up with the knitting) off the left hand needle.

Work into each loop in this manner until all the loops are worked on to the right hand needle. Turn, take the right hand needle (containing the stitches) in the left hand and work the 2nd and each following row like the 1st row. After the 1st row, always slip the first stitch from the left hand on to the right hand needle without knitting it. This is the usual method for making a neat, firm edge to knitted fabric.

Beginning Knitting TENSION:

All knitting, unless specially directed otherwise, should be done at the medium tension ie, the stitches should just grip lightly on to the needles, allowing them to be moved easily along the latter without in any way dragging the work. Stitches worked too loosely will give a ragged, uneven effect, and such fabric, besides being likely to stretch in washing, is nearly certain to be disappointing in its resistance to wear. Right tension for a given purpose is a matter of the utmost importance.

Beginning Knitting SLIPPING A STITCH:

A term applied to the transerence of a stitch from the left hand needle to the right hand one without knitting it. It is used a good deal in the making of fancy patterns, or in shaping, while if the first stitch of each succeeding row (after the first) is slipped the fabric will possess a neat firm edge.

1st, and most usual, method (sometimes known as ‘knitways’): - Inserting the point of the right hand needle through the front of the first loop on the left hand needle from left to right, draw the loop off the left on the right hand needle without knitting it. A slipped stitch should always be slipped ‘knitways’, unless otherwise directed.

2nd method (known as ‘purlways’): - Inserting the point of the right hand needle through the front of the first loop on the left hand needle from right to left, draw the loop off the left on the right hand needle without knitting it.

Beginning Knitting CASTING OFF:

Knit the first 2 stitches * insert the point of the left hand needle from left to right through the first of these 2 stitches, slip this stitch over the 2nd one (and therefore off the right hand needle, thus leaving one stitch on the latter), knit the next stitch and repeat from * until only one loop remains. Breaking off the wool, draw its end through the loop and threading through a wool needle, darn it neatly into the fabric. The edge formed by the cast-off stitches should be as elastic as the remainder off the garment.

Beginning Knitting CASTING-OFF TWO NEEDLES TOGETHER:

Used (as an alternative to sewing) for closing the square toe of a stocking, or to form the joining at the back of a baby’s hood. (Grafting, as described under the next heading, is however, recommended in preference to this method, it giving as smoother join).

Divide the stitches equally on 2 needles and with the wrong side of the work facing you, knit 2 stitches together, one from each needle, knit 2 more stitches together, one from each needle, knit 2 more stitches in the same manner, * then slip the first stitch over the second (as described in the casting-off), knit 2 more stitches together from each needle, repeat from * until all the stitches are cast off. Finish at the end as described in the previous paragraph.

Beginning Knitting Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

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