Hot Knitting & Crochet Posts

How To: Knit Portuguese style

In this tutorial, Andrea Wong teaches us how to knit Portuguese style. This is one of the oldest ways of knitting that started in the Middle East. The holding of the needles are the same but the working yarn should come from the left needle. The yarn should be placed around the neck for your tension or through a pin on the shirt. Next, the yarn should go through the middle finger on the left hand. Then, sit in a comfortable position while you insert the right hand needle under the yarn. Then,...

How To: Knit a scarf for an American Girl doll

In this tutorial, we learn how to knit a scarf for an American Girl doll. First, make a slip knot on one knitting needle. Next, case on the stitches. You may do this as many times as you want to create a thicker scarf. Do this by grabbing the loose yarn, wrapping it around your finger and needling through it once. Then, pull one on your finger and then up and over the needle. Repeat casting on the stitches as much as you need to. Do this for each of the stitches, then when you are finished ti...

How To: Apply provisional cast-ons to your knitting project

Hard edged cast-ons in knitting are difficult to remove, so it's important to also know how to complete loose cast-ons that easily remove themselves from your knitting project. Loose cast-ons allow you to hold a knit in place so you can return to it later (so, for instance, you want to knit the sleeve of a sweater first and want the chest area, which you are currently knitting, to stay in place).

How To: Crochet a rooster finger puppet

In this tutorial, we learn how to crochet a rooster finger puppet with Tracey. To begin, make a basic bird body by using a basic crochet. Now, begin with the opening facing away and use an F crochet hook. Grab another color of yarn and push the hook through a loop and chain up one with the orange yarn. Single crochet in the same loop and you keep crocheting. Keep doing this until you have a small beak on your rooster. Next, you are going to make the tail of the rooster by doing 3 single croch...

How To: Make a double-crochet edge

This video demonstrates how to make a double- crochet edge. The video uses a large cardigan neck to create a double crochet edge on. First, back the yarn around the hook and go into the next stitch. Then pull through a loop on to the hook. Take another loop on to the hook. Next, go through the first two stitches at the end of the hook. Then take another loop onto the hook and go through the last two stitches. So, you wrap, insert through next stitch, pull on another loop, draw the hook throug...

How To: Crochet a double treble stitch

For those interested in crochet, this video tutorial outlines the steps to doing a double treble stitch. This type of stitch is a much taller stitch than most others. To begin, you will start with a five chain series that will act as the first stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook three times and insert it into the next stitch. You will then pull the yarn through working off two loops at a time. Working off essentially means dropping the loops off the crochet hook. Then, you just repeat these...

How To: Sew and join the edges on a crochet ribbing

The Art of Crochet by Teresa explains how to sew together crochet ribbing. Thread a tapestry needle and align the edges of the crocheting project. Sew the first stitch together and secure with a knot. Sewing through the top of the stitch on the edge will help prevent distortion and create a neater look for the ribbing. Pick up the back loop and align it with the stitch on the opposite side. Continue all the way across, sewing through the same stitch. It will push the top of the stitches up, c...

How To: Knit a Möbius strip scarf

In this video, noted knitting writer Cat Bordhi ("A Treasury of Magical Knitting") will walk you through the cast on and first round of how to knit a scarf based on the Möbius strip. This strange and confusing shape was discovered by German mathematician August Ferdinand Möbius. It looks complicated, but even beginning knitters can figure it out with a little practice.

How To: Knit a 3x3 rib stitch

Watch this two part instructional knitting video to knit a 3x3 rib stitch using an even number of stitches. You will want to cast on your stitches in multiples of six. Simply knit three and purl three to knit the 3x3 rib stitch. The Continental method is used here, meaning the yarn is held with the left hand.

How To: Crochet a cast off with a knitting machine

This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. This is a demonstration of how to use a knitting machine to crochet a cast off. This is one way to cleverly remove your work from the knitting machine and complete the piece of knit work. You may want to reference written instructions in addition to watching this knitting video.

How To: Crochet a galaxy or snowflake stitch

Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a galaxy stitch. This crochet method creates an intricate snowflake pattern. Use any type of thread and crochet needle to complete this project. This galaxy or snowflake pattern creates a complex crochet weave for warm yet breathable blankets, sweaters and winter caps.

How To: Start a crochet blanket

Watch this instructional crochet video to start a crochet blanket. Begin with a loose chain until you've reached the desired length. The process of changing rows is one of the most difficult tasks when starting a crochet blanket. Follow these clear guidelines to avoid unnecessary troubleshooting.

How To: Crochet a single crochet base chain

Learn to crochet with these easy to follow how-to video tutorial. This particular video demonstrates how to crochet a single crochet base chain. It is very simple to do, start by making a basic slip knot and chain two. Insert your hook into through the back, yarn over and pull through. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over once to make a chain and yarn over a second time to complete the single crochet.

How To: Crochet a Japanese amigurumi ball

This video crocheting tutorial follows a pattern to make a small ball. It not only illustrates how to follow pattern directions, but it also shows how to use stitch markers, right vs. wrong side, stuffing, and binding off. Learn how to crochet in the Japanese amigurumi style by watching this instructional video. Crochet a Japanese amigurumi ball.

How To: Knit for Beginners

So Christmas is coming up, and you want to make a couple of presents for your friends and family, who you don't really feel like splurging on- but want to make something from the heart. You've tried other stuff, and you totally failed at the Cross-stitch from last year, have you tried Knitting?! Well here's a beginners guide to the simple knitting technique- an easy one!