Knitting is basically a method through which thread or yarn can be turned into cloth. It consists of loops called stitches pulled through each other and held on a needle until another loop can be passed through them. In order to create unique designs, different yarns and needles are used and the end products are given different texture, color, weight and integrity.
Although knitting is quite an easy work to do, for the beginners it is very essential that they follow some expert advice before they can go in for it because unless they know how to coordinate the yarn with the needle, they might end up having it all messed up.
Tips for the beginners:
1. Casting off: Start out with a number of half-hitches on a needle, and then pull loops through over and over. Do this by putting the needle into the first stitch as if to knit it and pull it off the left needle. For the second stitch, taking the point of the left needle, insert it into the slipped stitch on the right needle, from the front and from left to right. Carry the stitch forward over the second stitch on the right hand needle and off. With this you cast off your first stitch. Carry on casting off until you reach the last stitch, cut off the yarn leaving about 6 inches for sewing and pull the end right through the last stitch.
2. Knit stitch: This right handed style of knitting is also known as ‘American Knitting’. Note that the working yarn is always to the back of the work. Needle inserts from front to back starting at left side and yarn always wraps form back of needle to front.
3. Purl stitch: The purl stitch works just the opposite of knit stitch. Note that here the yarn is always to the front of the work .Needle inserts from back to front starting at right side and yarn always wraps from top of the needle to bottom.
4. Tools: There are a few tools that are initially needed like, small scissors, row counter, point protectors, tape measure, crochet hook, a yarn needle. Once you become proficient in knitting you may add on some more tools like, stitch holders, safety pins, needle gauge, stitch markers, cable needles, etc.
5. Finishing: Once you finish knitting you might see how some parts of it may be curled under or not exactly lined up. For this, immerse your piece into lukewarm water mixed with a squirt of gentle cleaner, making sure your piece is completely soaked. Wash under running water and wring it out. Then lay a towel and arrange your piece on it. Roll the towel till it gets soaked. Then arrange your piece in shape on a dry towel and tug the places that need to stretch or shrink. Your piece needs to dry for about 24hours before you can expect the final results.
