Here is a wonderful video of Miriam Tegels who is, according to the Guinness Book of records, the worlds fastest knitter. She is  awesome!

Technorati Tags: knitting, Knitting Instructions, knitting techniques

This is a short video in our learn to knit series showing what the abbreviation  psso or “Pass Slip Stitch Over” means and how to do it.  It’s one of the knitting abbreviations that is often used in knitting patterns and is another way to decrease a stitch.

The video indicates that you slip 1, knit 1, and then pass the first stitch over the second. When you “knit 1″ – you can also “purl 1″ and the purl one is actually the one shown in the video. It really depends on what your kitting pattern is asking you to do; a purl stitch or a knit stitch.

Technorati Tags: knitting abbreviations, knitting stitches, knitting techniques, learn how to knit, learn to knit, learn to knit instructions, learning to knit

In our learn to knit series this video shows you a couple of easy ways to decrease knitting stitches while you are knitting your project. Please scroll down to view the video.

Knit 2 Together

This simply involves knitting two stitches together. When you learn to knit and you use a knitting pattern, it will appear as k2tog.  However if you are using bulkier yarn in your knitting then this knitting tequnique for decreasing stitches can get a bit thick however on thinner yarn it is fine.

Slip Knit Pass

This is a more streamlined version for chunkier yarns. This method of decreasing a stitch is called Slip Knit Pass and appears on patterns as: skp. To make a Slip Knit Pass, you slip one stitch onto your working needle without knitting it. Then knit the next stitch, and slide that onto your working needle. Now slip the first slipped stitch over the knitted stitch. This reduces the two stitches down to one!

To have a look at how to decrease stitches, click on the video below!

Technorati Tags: knitting abbreviations, knitting stitches, knitting techniques, learn how to knit, learn to knit, learn to knit instructions, learning to knit

The Knitting and Stitching Shows are the definitive and best exhibitions for lovers of textiles in the UK and Ireland.

The dates and venues are:-

6th Oct – 9th Oct – 2011 – Alexandra Palace London

10th Nov – 13th Nov -2011 -  RDS Dublin

24th Nov – 27th Nov – 2011 – Harrogate International Centre

Doors open at 10.00am and close at 5.30pm. (Sundays doors close at 5.00pm)

If you go to one of the shows around the country you will be able to see all things knitting including knitting wool, knitting accessories, beautifully hand dyed yarns and knitting patterns including baby knitting patterns – most at discounted prices. There is also mixed media, jewellery-making, shibori dyeing, card-making, felt-making … and so much more that it is impossible to list!

Give yourself plenty of time as it is difficult to get around the show in one day. It can be done however it is a very full day! There are literally hundreds of exhibitors selling specialist supplies that you can’t find in the shops. There are also hundreds of workshops to introduce you to lots of new subjects and galleries from leading artists and groups.

If you would like further information about the events then go to the event organisers site at www.twistedthread.com

It’s really worth putting at least a day aside and going to one of the shows or if you can put two days aside that would be even better.

You wont regret it!

Technorati Tags: Baby Knitting Patterns, knitting supplies, knitting wool, the knitting and stitching show, wool knitting

This video shows you how to weave in your loose ends on your finished piece of knitting using a yarn needle.

Part of successfully finishing off your knitted project relies on managing to weave in the loose ends so they don’t show and also so you don’t end up with very thick seams. This video shows you how to ensure that your final knitted project looks exactly as you want it to!

Technorati Tags: knitting abbreviations, knitting stitches, knitting techniques, learn how to knit, learn to knit, learn to knit instructions, learning to knit

This video will show you another stitch commonly used in knitting called the Purl stitch.

The purl stitch is used to knit one side of the stocking stitch which is one of the most commonly used knitting stitches in many patterns so it is really worth learning how to do this stitch and where it can be used.

The video is created assuming you already know the basics of knitting. If you have not learnt the basics yet please watch the knitting instructions video first called “Learn to Knit – How to cast on, knit and cast off. ” This video will give you the knitting instructions to get you started and following that you can then watch this video showing you how to master the purl stitch.

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Using a video is a great way to learn to knit.

In my opinion these are the best videos I have seen on the web for teaching yourself the basics of knitting. They are made by www.cyberseams.com and I love them. They are simple and easy to understand and extremely visual.

This  video gives you the knitting instructions for how to cast on, how to knit  in garter stitch and how to bind or cast off your knitting. These are the basic knitting stitches that you need to know so that you can get going and start your first project!

Technorati Tags: knitting abbreviations, knitting stitches, knitting techniques, learn how to knit, learn to knit, learn to knit instructions, learning to knit

Fair Isle Cushions

I have been working on some Fair Isle cushion covers and here they are, in progress, with my rather ” fuller figured”-Garfield like – adorable cat Bugsy. To get him to pose quite a lot of  “honey roast salmon” pieces were consumed and in this picture he is expecting more – however unfortunately there isn’t anymore – so he is not very happy!

Soon after this and due to the lack of  “delicate salmon” he stomped off and retired to his dressing room!

Anyway, I love knitting in Fair Isle and these 2 cushion covers still in progress, in the picture above, are knitted with Rowan 4ply Soft 100% wool on 3.25mm (3US) knitting needles. As you can see from the picture above, I have now knitted the 2 front pieces and on the right hand one at the top you can see I am half way through knitting a blue back for it.

I will knit this blue back section until it is equal to three quarters of the front and then I will finish it off with some moss stitch (1st row:1 knit and 1 purl, 2nd row 1 knit and1 purl). These 2 rows form the moss stitch pattern and are repeated. In this case I will knit them for 4 cm. I will then cast off in moss stitch.

I will then pick up my stitches from the other end of the piece (which I have previously left on a large stitch holder) and will knit in the same blue to meet and slightly overlap with the moss stitch on the other flap. I will then again complete the 2nd end with moss stitch however also put 4 button holes in it.

I will then join the sides and sew on the button to match up with the button holes.

I have added another picture above, where you can see the actual rows of knitting more clearly. I have always kept to either one or two stitches of one yarn colour and then one or two stitches of another. This means you don’t have to worry about doing any sort of work on the yarn at the back of the piece. There are only ever two different colour yarns in a row at any time.

I hope if you have never knitted something like this you have a go at knitting in different colours because you can create some beautiful and very satisfying effects. I will show you the finished cushions once I have completed them!

Until next time

Best wishes and happy knitting

Louise

Technorati Tags: baby cushions, baby knitting, baby knitting project ideas, Fair Isle

The first time I saw  knitting instructions I was overwhelmed!

I was only 8 years old and endeavoring to knit my first project which was a pair of baby’s mittens. They looked so sweet in the picture and I was full of confidence when I opened the knitting instructions however as soon as I started reading them I thought I would never get the hang of all the abbreviations!

I soon discovered though that in knitting there are two basic knitting stitches – the knit and the purl stitch. Once you have mastered these two stitches you will be able to follow most knitting instructions. All other stitches are variations and combinations of these two basic knitting stitches.

If you are new to knitting  and you want to use new methods  follow the knitting patterns to the letter.  It is worth asking a family member or friend who knits to initially help you understand the knitting instructions. It is good to write down all the abbreviations that they show you so you can refer to them later.

There are also books and online tutorials  that you can look at and in most towns  there are good classes and knitting circles where the more experienced knitters will be only to happy to explain some of the more tricky knitting instructions to you.

In my own City in the UK we have a large knitting circle who meet in our local Starbucks.  There is always a lot of laughter and drinking of coffee and of course knitting!  There is also a weekly knitting afternoon  in our local knitting wool shop where knitters can sit and knit together and swap ideas and patterns.  They are great fun and well worth going to for inspiration,  ideas and knitting instructions.

Until the next time happy knitting

Best wishes

Louise

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My mother taught me to knit when I was 8 years old and the type of knitting patterns she introduced me to first were baby knitting patterns. I loved the fact that they were so small!  The first piece of knitting I completed was a pair of mittens. They were in a beautiful soft white knitting wool and they were lovely. I was so proud of them even though I had a few holes in them that weren’t quite in the right places!

In hindsight the mittens were an adventurous first piece for a complete novice knitter like me as there was quite a lot of decreasing and holding stitches etc to be done however from that day onwards I was smitten (sorry about the slight pun)!

I then started to knit for any family and friends who had a new baby and so many of my  parents friends were given hats and bootees and mittens for their new borns!

I also knitted matinee jackets and little knitted leggings which were very popular and I often used lots of different colored yarns and made them stripy and fun.  Over the years I have knitted many garments for babies and I still love using baby knitting patterns and have a very large collection of them now.

If you are teaching your child to knit for the first time I think it is a great idea to look at baby knitting patterns as they are a perfect initial knitting project for a child.  This is because baby knitting patterns are small and easy to handle and quickly completed, which is great for a child as it gives them a very quick result.  Also if mistakes are made, it is possible to knit that part of the garment again quite quickly thus maintaining their motivation and so I would always recommend using baby knitting patterns as a starting point.

The advent of good quality cotton yarn has meant that a whole new range of baby knitting  patterns are now available using cotton which can be so soft and cooler for a baby to wear  in the summer. Also the huge array of colors that companies now make in both knitting wool and cotton are so lovely that they are inspiring people who have not considered knitting before to take it up.

There are very good baby knitting patterns for baby blankets and one that is easy to start with is a patchwork blanket. This is a knitted blanket made of small knitted squares of different colors. The squares are about 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cms). These squares are then stitched together in various patterns and you can really let yourself go on this and get creative. You can even design it first on graph paper and put in some longer strips of knitting as well as some smaller colorful squares. Either use cotton or wool however I wouldn’t suggest that you mix them as they behave a little differently when washed so as a starting project it is best to stick to either wool or cotton throughout.

There are some terrific places to look online if you are on the hunt for great knitting  patterns, and if you are looking for baby knitting patterns in particular, there are many excellent sites which will have patterns for you to choose from.

Until next time happy knitting

All the best

Louise

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