How To: Purl Two Together (p2tog)

03/28/2012

 
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This week's tutorial is how to purl two together, abbreviated p2tog. 

The basic steps to p2tog are the same as knit two together (k2tog), but they are done using purl stitches instead of knit.

The key with this stitch is to insert the right needle through two stitches instead of one.
Click "Read More" to continue after the break!
 

How To: Decrease with Knit Two Together (K2tog)

03/14/2012

 
This week, I'm going to show the first type of stitch decrease called knit two together.  This is normally abbreviated as "k2tog" in patterns.  I use this decrease a lot in closing hats, mittens, and fingers.  It works well, and it can be used in a lot of different places and pattern types.

One thing that is distinctive about the k2tog is that the first stitch (on the right hand side) tucks in behind the second stitch.
Click "Read More" for the tutorial and a short video to Knit Two Together!
 

How To: RIb Stitch

03/07/2012

 
With a lot of the basics covered, I figured it was time to go over some different types of stitches.  I started with a pretty basic 1 x 1 rib stitch.  I use this as the foundation for a lot of what I knit - whether it is the trim for a hat or the cuff to a pair of mittens.  It has a very uniform look, and works well with a variety of other stitches.
Rib stitch tends to look like a knit stitch with a little more definition between the stitches on both the front and the back sides.
In between the knit stitches are columns of purl stitches.  This pulls the stitches closer together and gives the stitch more elasticity.
For more on how to do this stitch as well as a short video, click "Read More."
 

How To: Cast Off Knitting

02/29/2012

 
For my leap day tutorial, I'm going over the last of the four basic knitting elements: the cast off.  I'm very excited to be able to share the basics!  And luckily, this is one of the easiest - but most time consuming - elements to knitting.
Step One: Knit 2 stitches.
Step Two: insert left needle into the first stitch (the stitch on the back) on the right needle.
For the rest of the tutorial and the short video, click Read More.
 

How To: Purl Stitch

02/22/2012

 
My tutorials are still in the very basics of knitting. So this week, I did how to do a purl stitch.  The purl is the backside of a knit, and is often referred to in patterns as the "wrong side". 
Step 1: Put the right hand needle into the right side of the stitch in front of the left hand needle.
Step 2: Wrap the end of the yarn around the right hand needle counterclockwise so the yarn goes from the back of the needle to the front.
Click "Read More" to check out the rest of the tutorial, as well as a short video on how to do the purl stitch.
 

How To: Knit Stitch

02/15/2012

 
For my second tutorial, I'm showing how to do a knit stitch.  Knit stitches are definitely the foundation, and the best stitch to use with my cast on method.  There are two main stitches used in knitting: knit and purl.  So, this helps set up the foundation for all future projects.

So, here is my four step process for how to do a knit stitch:
Step One: With the stitches that need to be worked on the left needle, put the right needle into the back of the first stitch.
Step Two: Take the end of the yarn and wrap it around the right needle counterclockwise - this helps keep even tension throughout the stitches.
Check out the rest of the tutorial and a short video after the jump!
 

How To: Cast On Knit Stitches. The easy way!

02/08/2012

 
I have been wanting to put up some tutorials for a while on some of the basics of knitting techniques.  So, I thought I would start at the beginning of any project and go over how to cast on with knitting.  I do plenty of both knit at crochet projects, but I definitely have a great passion for knitting.  It's definitely something I have been hoping I could share.

I started with how to create a slip knot.  This particular kind doesn't create a hard knot - if both ends are pulled simultaneously, the knot will come apart.
Step 1: Holding the end of the yarn in one hand, use your free hand to create a loop.
Step 2: Pass the long side of the yarn through the loop, creating a secondary loop.
Step 3: Pull the new loop so the first loop is tightened into the knot.
For the rest of the tutorial, and a short video, continue after the jump!