Archive for May, 2009
20
May
Written by Knitting Stitches on May 20th, 2009
Unlike other forms of embroidery or sewing, knitting requires at least two needles to make a project. There are basically three types of knitting needles. The type of needle you choose is based on the knitting instructions and gauge of the finished project.
Straight Knitting Needles
Straight knitting needles are used on projects where rows are knitted back and forth and the knitting is turned at the end of each row. They have a point on one end and a knob on the other, and are made of plastic, aluminum or bamboo. Straight Knitting Needles are sold in pairs in lengths of 10” and 14” in sizes ranging from 0 to 15 depending on the material (plastic, aluminum or bamboo). For extremely bulky projects and yarns, Jiffy Knitting Needles
can be used. These needles are made of plastic, are 14” long and come in sizes 17, 19, 35 and 50.
Double Pointed Knitting Needles
are sometimes called sock needles and are usually about 7” or 10 inches long. They come in sets of four or five and are made of steel, plastic, aluminum or bamboo. Use these needles for knitting a tubular, seamless piece in small areas like for socks and mittens.
Circular Knitting Needles
come in 16 to 36-inch lengths and are made of nylon with two points that taper into a thin flexible cable. Good quality ones are made in one piece construction to avoid breaking or snagging. Circular Knitting Needles are used for seamless knitting. Stitches are joined to form a circle after casting on, and worked round and round to form a tube. Sometimes Circular Knitting Needles
are used when straight needles are not long enough to hold the required number of stitches. In this case the stitches are not joined after cast on; but worked back and forth as for straight needles.
Knitting needles last for years; so for best results, invest in the best quality knitting needles you can afford. Try out different lengths and materials and choose based on personal preference.
Technorati Tags: circular knitting needles, circular needles, double pointed knitting needles, knitting instructions, Knitting Stitches, needle size, straight needles
18
May
Written by Knitting Stitches on May 18th, 2009
Why Do You Knit? Every knitter can answer this question without hesitation when describing the joys and irritations of creating beautiful handmade things with knitting needles.
All knitters can remember their very first project, and a few may still treasure it as a keepsake (although I threw my knitting stitches away because they didn’t resemble a potholder after all).
No matter, the reasons people knit are as varied and different as they are. Here are a few I’ve collected through the years.
Why Do People Knit?
- It’s an easy and fun way to make handmade treasures for others.
- I love the feel of the yarn as I knit. It makes me think the person who receives my knitted gift will feel good wearing or using it as well.
- You can never run out of project ideas or things to knit.
- It allows you to create a knitting stash filled with beautiful yarns, patterns and accessories.
- You can express pure creativity by adapting a pattern and knitting stitches to fit your ideas, or creating an entire new design of your own.
- To continue the tradition handed down from a long line of knitters in my family and to keep it alive for future generations.
- For stress relief and relaxation that results when two knitting needles move in a soothing repetitive and rhythmic motion.
- I get an enormous sense of accomplishment and pride when a knitting project is finished. It’s great to be able to say “I made it myself”.
This list could go on and on. If you have a reason or two you’d like to add to the list, write it in the comment section and share it with our readers.
Technorati Tags: knitters, knitting needles, knitting pattern, stress relief, yarn, Yarns
15
May
Written by Knitting Stitches on May 15th, 2009
Yes, I know I’m supposed to check the gauge by knitting a trial swatch to determine the number of stitches per inch my knitting yields. But…like many knitters I get so excited when knitting a new project, and the feel of the yarn alone can cause me to rush ahead and start knitting…so before you know it, I’m halfway into the project and my gauge is way off! I know I’m not alone in this practice. How many times have you checked for gauge BEFORE knitting?
Knitting Gauge is Your Friend
Why do you think a gauge is included with every knitting pattern? It is the desire of every designer to ensure that you get the stated knitting project results and the gauge saves you from disaster. Knitting is very personal and every person knits differently. Some of us knit loosely; others knit tightly and this throws off the gauge. So, if you want picture perfect results and a sweater or other item that fits; then make a trial swatch and check the gauge.
How to Check the Gauge
- Knit a swatch according to pattern directions.
- Count the number of stitches per inch. If you have too many, change to larger knitting needles. If you have too few, change to smaller needles.
- Knit another swatch and re-check gauge. Continue adjusting knitting needles until you get the correct gauge.
- Adjust the knitting pattern for the new needle size and then begin to knit the project.
- Check the gauge for every needle size used in the project for best results.
Stop ignoring the gauge. Always…always check for the correct number of stitches per inch and adjust needle size accordingly. The proper gauge keeps a knitting project from becoming a catastrophe.
Technorati Tags: check gauge, knitters, Knitting, knitting needles, knitting pattern, needle size, proper gauge, swatch, yarn
8
May
Written by Knitting Stitches on May 8th, 2009
For the Spring Bible Study Series, my church offered a non-traditional study called “Knitting for Others”. This class is for both beginners and experienced knitters who want to use their skill to bless others. Topics include basic knitting stitches, reading patterns, and experimenting with different types of needles and yarns. Class supplies and materials have been donated by the church, and we’re using The Knitter’s Bible
as the textbook.
I was so excited about the opportunity to knit baby items for the local Pregnancy Resource Center and for preemies at local hospitals, as well as helmet liners for our soldiers. Over 30 women signed up for the class, and because of the size we were divided into sub-groups of five or six for fun and fellowship. I’ve met so many new knitters with a heart to knit to donate to charity, and I have been blessed by their generosity.
Each week we start a new project or learn a new stitch. You can work at your own pace and move to new projects without waiting for the entire class. In the four weeks since the class began, I’ve knitted cotton dishcloths, three preemie sets (cap and blanket), and hope to begin a helmet liner at the next class.
Soon the class will end, but my prayers are that we will continue to meet, and maybe an advanced class will be held in the Fall.
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Technorati Tags: baby items, basic knitting stitches, bible study series, charity, Donate to Charity, helmet liner, helmet liners, hospitals, knitters, knitting supplies, needles, new projects, preemie, preemies, pregnancy resource center, reading patterns, textbook
7
May
Written by Knitting Stitches on May 7th, 2009
Even the TV News Media is getting on the bandwagon by proclaiming that knitting or any form of the needle arts are great stress relievers. Priya David of the CBS Early Show recently reported on “Knitting for Your Health” that in these tough economic times, stress can be a huge factor in health issues. Additionally, Kitchen Table Medicine mentions in their blog that research has found that knitting and crocheting have been shown to decrease heart rate and induce a relaxation response, much like the meditation response.
So, stop feeling guilty about all the time you’re spending knitting those projects for charitable donations. Your satisfaction will increase three-fold: the pleasure of helping someone in need; the bliss of completing a project from scratch; and relaxation and reduced stress.
Plus there’s a lesson to be learned here…every time you feel stressed or anxious, get out the knitting needles and purl or knit a few rows until you’ve calmed down. Thinking about what you’re knitting and who you’re doing it for, and the repetitive motion will trigger a relaxation/meditation response that’s quite soothing and great for heart health.
Technorati Tags: charitable donations, knitting and crocheting, knitting needles, needle arts, purl, stress relievers
6
May
Written by Knitting Stitches on May 6th, 2009
Yep! If you own an iPhone® or iPod® Touch, you can purchase a digital software app to organize and catalog knitting supplies, project notes, books, needles, knitting stash, yarns etc. to refer to when you’re next at the knitting shop. That way you will not duplicate the stuff you already have, and thus free of hard earned cash to buy supplies to knit to donate to charity.
With the Knit Buddy™ by David Ross, you get quick access to all of your knitting information, and it even acts as a row counter you can frequently check when working on a project. In fact the Knit Buddy allows you to store as many counters as you like for each project and label what they count (rows/repeats/increases/etc). You then increment or decrement the counter with a simple press of a button. And your counts are saved whenever you turn off the phone, get a phone call or exit the app. The next time you open the app you’ll be right at the same project you were counting.
Probably one of the biggest advantages of this knitting tool is that your data is stored on your iPhone® so no network or computer connection is necessary to bring it up in a flash, and the app cost only $5.00! Download the Knit Buddy app at the iTunes App Store.
Technorati Tags: charity, digital software, Donate to Charity, itunes, knit buddy, knitting needles, knitting projects, knitting shop, knitting supplies, needles, Yarns
