Hot Knitting & Crochet Posts
How To: Cast on using a circular loom
Learn how to cast on to knit using a circular loom. Start at the beginning with an empty loom and wrap your yarn around the beginning peg. Working to the right, wrap the yarn behind each peg, and around in a clockwise fashion. Do the same on the next peg, until you have returned to the beginning again. Repeat this process for the second row. Take your tool, which will come with the loom, and lift the bottom stitch over the top stitch and off the peg. Work all the way around the loom to the be...
How To: Set up a Singer knitting machine
In this video, the demonstrator sets up a knitting machine for the first time. This is a unique opportunity to provide a video guide for going through the first real run through on a knitting machine. This instructional video should help out new machine knitters or folks who want to look at how to look at their machines and how to start knitting on them.
How To: Do a two color long tail cast on
This knitting how to video demonstrates a two color cast-on based on the long tail cast on method. This method of casting on is useful for double knitting or casting on in patterns. The opposite color of course shows on each side of the work, a downfall for this cast on. Watch and learn how easy it is to do a two color long tail cast on.
How To: Crochet the round shell Catherine's Wheel variation
The Catherine's Wheel is a great technique to add to your crocheting repertoire, and it's easy to learn as it's just a variation of the more basic round shell stitch. Learn how to crochet the Catherine's Wheel pattern by watching this handicraft how-to video.
How To: Crochet half of a granny square
Improve you crocheting skills by creating granny squares. This how to video is a tutorial that will show you how to crochet a half granny square. Crochet several of them, bind them together and create larger handmade projects.
How To: Crochet a tube with yarn
Improve you crocheting skills by creating fun shapes out of yarn. This how to video is a tutorial that will show you how to crochet a tube. Crochet a long tube and use it to decorate a long pillow or bolster.
How To: Knit the purl stitch in Eastern European fashion
This video is a how-to demonstration of Eastern European Knitting, the purl stitch. Please note, this is not continental knitting, as here we enter through the back of the loop in both the knit and purl stitch. The resulting fabric appears exactly the same as both English and Continental knitting styles. As a note to the purl stitch, notice that the yarn is still held at the back of the work.
How To: Knit the rib stitch in Eastern European fashion
This video is a how-to demonstration of Eastern European Knitting. Please note, this is not continental knitting, as here we enter through the back of the loop in both the knit and purl stitch. The resulting fabric appears exactly the same as both English and Continental knitting styles. Great thing to love about ribbing using this method is that the yarn is held at the back of the work the whole time.
How To: Knit with two circular needles
Learn the tricks of casting on to 2 circular needles, joining, and knitting around. You'll learn about the "udder needle," napping and resting, that it doesn't matter whether the inside or outside of the knitting shows, how to find your way if you put your knitting down, and more.
News: DIY LED Carpet-Light
For the craftsters & LED lovers, great idea by Johanna Hyrkas. The LED carpet-light: a simple, yet novel DIY project. A single strand of LEDs is encased in a knit tube; the knit tube is wound together to form a carpet. Brush up on your knitting skills, and get creative.
How To: Make a shawl when knitting on a large circle loom
This video shows us how to make a shawl when knitting on a large knitting loom. Here are the following steps:
How To: Knit a Spiral Ruffle Scarf
These lovely scarves have different names. I call it the Spiral Ruffle Scarf. It's easy to make and looks great in either a fine or a medium weight yarn. I made mine with softball cotton yarn and size 8 needles. Here are the videos and written directions:
How To: Increase and decrease double crochet
In this tutorial, we learn how to increase and decrease double crochet. To practice this, first make a chain of nine and then double crochet in the fourth chain from the hook. Increase by one crochet as you continue to go, this will make your item larger and larger. If you find yourself going from an increase to a decrease, this can easily be done. You will simply decrease the crochet as you go, do not skip one or it will create a hole. Practice doing this to get the proper crochet you want t...
How To: Weave in ends on ribbing
This video demonstrates a very simple method of weaving in the ends of the yarn that are hanging out after you have finished knitting your garment. With the end piece threaded into a needle, bring it in one or two rows so it's not right on the edge. Then working up the row, weave the thread in and out of each knit stitch for an inch or so. Pull the yarn tight, then go one stitch over and work the yarn down the other side in the same manner, weaving in and out of each knit stitch. This creates...
How To: Crochet spiral scrubbies with a pattern
Learn all there is to learn about yarn from Naztazia... watch this video tutorial to learn how to crochet spiral scrubbies with a pattern.
How To: Use a cable key for knitting
Learn how to use the cable key to tighten your Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Knitting Needles. Each needle tip has a hollow base that is grooved to accept the threaded stem of the cable. To insure a secure fit, use a cable key to tighten the knitting needle tip. You can also use the cable key to unscrew your knitting needle when you are ready to start a new knitting project.
How To: Cast On Stitches at the Beginning of a Row in Knitting
Sometimes your instructions will include having to CAST ON AT THE BEGINNING OF A ROW. It's not difficult and here's how to do it.
How To: Do the Two Needle Cast On Knitting
There are so many different ways to cast on knitting. I have my own favorite. It's the way I learned when I first started knitting. My way is called TWO NEEDLE CAST ON. I like this 2 needle method because you don't have to guess how much you need to measure out a length of yarn at the beginning. I also think it makes a tighter and straighter edge.
How To: Set up a Singer LK 100 knitting machine
Hand-knitting can be so time consumptive. Knitting machines are great for simple projects that don't require a lot of detail. Watch this video knitting tutorial and learn how to set up and use a Singer LK 100 knitting machine.
How To: Crochet arms or legs for amigurumi stuffed toys
If you can single crochet stitch, you're most of the way there to amigurumi. Amigurumi is a Japanese style of crochet of making tubes and spheres to create stuffed animals. Watch this video crocheting tutorial and learn how to crochet arms and legs for amigurumi stuffed toys.
How To: Use a Needle Mounted Row Counter When Crocheting or Knitting on Circular or Double Pointed Needles
I like to use a row counter as it saves me the trouble of counting rows when increasing, decreasing, or working a cable pattern. All I have is a small needle mounted counter that is hard to keep track of when it is not mounted on a knitting needle. When knitting on circular or double pointed needles, or crocheting, I have to count rows ever so often. This is time consuming, and I have to admit to sometimes being inaccurate. To solve this problem I threaded a piece of fishing line through the ...
How To: Knit a Pointed Edge Scarf
Sometimes you just don't know how many stitches to cast on for a scarf, so here's the perfect solution. Just cast on a few stitches and increase until you have the width that you want for your scarf.
How To: Decrease Stitches on a Purl Row
Usually you decrease on Knit rows, but there will be times when your patterns tells you to decrease on a Purl row. It's easy to do and here's how.
How To: Pick Up Stitches on an Edge
There will be times when you will want to knit an edging onto your work. Here's how to do it. It's best to use a smaller needle for edging than the one you used for the project. Go into every stitch on the edge with your needle.
How To: Knit a Snowflake
For the holiday season, a great knitting project is a snowflake design. It's perfect for handmade Christmas gifts. You can knit just one, or a row of them, or use them as full pattern on a sweater or blanket—or whatever project you choose.
How To: Sew knitted pieces together using a whip stitch and other stitches
Tie loose ends together - in the literal and original sense sense of the phrase - by sewing together the ends and/or hems of your knitting projects like a pro. Whether you're fusing together two pieces of wool-knitted cloth to form the back of a beautiful winter sweater or just want to join patchwork knits into a rasta-cool beanie, knowing how to stick pieces together is integral for a tidy project.
How To: Do the Kitchener Stitch (Grafting)
Here is how to join two sets of stitches without leaving a seam. This method is good for the toes of socks, the top of hoods, baby garments, or anywhere else you don't want a bulky seam.. It's NOT recommended for shoulder seams on heavy sweaters or other places where you need the stability of a bound-off edge to hold the shape of the garment.
How To: Edge a knitted piece with a single crochet
In this tutorial we learn how to edge a knitted piece with a single crochet. Start to attach the yarn to the right side, working in a forward direction. Now, work a slip stitch at the edge. From here, stick the hook in the fabric and pull through one loop. The, yarn over again and pull through both loops with the hook. After you do this, do it over again! You will repeat this process until you reach the end of the row. Once you're finished with the row, you will be finished with the edge and ...
How To: Finish a crochet never ending granny square
In this video, we learn how to finish a crochet never ending granny square. There is a spiral effect happening in this, because there is no place that is stopping, it's going in a continual circle. To finish one of these, you will see that the corners should be perfect. But, you will need to choose one corner to finish it off at. Go across, then choose a side to stop at. Then, chain over and double crochet in. When you come across with another color, you can weave in the end so that you can't...
How To: Knit old T-shirts into a T-shirt rug
T-shirt rugs and placements exactly like the one presented in this tutorial sell for upwards of $150 at home decorating stores, so why not save money and reduce your consumption by simply repurposing old T-shirts yourself?
How To: Switch from a straight needle to a round needle
This is a great knitting tip. See how to switch from a straight needle to a round needle when knitting, and why, with this easy, up close demonstration by Judy Graham, Knitter to the Stars.
How To: Add a new ball of yarn when knitting
See how to add a new ball of yarn when knitting, with this easy, up close demonstration by Judy Graham, Knitter to the Stars. Judy's knits have appeared in movies, television, and concerts for over thirty years. She herself has been hand-knitting for over fifty. Watch as she teaches you how to add a new ball of yarn when stitching.
How To: Wind yarn onto a cone for machine knitting
If you knit with a knitting machine, a cone of yarn proves much more useful than a standard ball of yarn. This instructional knitting video demonstrates how an electric cone winder works. This little machine allows one to quickly wind a ball of yarn onto a cardboard cone.
How To: Slip a Stitch Knitwise
There are times when your pattern will direct you to slip a stitch. Usually, this is done on a knit row. I always slip the first stitch of every row because it makes a neater selvedge. It's a very simple technique. Here's what to do:
How To: Knit a Little Heart Cushion
This sweet little knitted heart cushion is easy to create and makes a lovely gift. It can also be used as a sachet. Here are the directions.
How To: Make Fringe for a Scarf
Sometimes you will want to add fringe to your knitted scarves. Follow the steps below for an easy way to make fringe.
How To: Decrease on a Circular Needle
Decreasing on a Circular Needle is as simple as decreasing on a straight needle. You can still do it both ways. Either K 2 tog or K, slip, psso. You will need to know how to decrease on a circular needle when you make hats or purses. If t don't know how, see the bottom of the page for instructions.
How To: Add a decorative keyhole to a knitted scarf
A keyhole is a great way of adding decorative effect to your knitting projects, and master knitter Judy Topaz is going to show you how it's done on a striped scarf. Adding a keyhole is more complicated than just knitting a basic scarf, but follow along to the video and you shouldn't have any problems.
How To: Knit a Lacey Eyelet Rib Pattern
There are not many stitches that are more beautiful than this LACEY EYELET RIB STITCH. And, there are few that are easier. Most knitters are apprehensive about knitting any lace patterns, and truthfully, many are difficult because of so many rows. This one, however, consists of only 4 rows. You can use either side of the work and it is a lovely stitch to know. You can use it for a beautiful scarf or for just about anything for a baby. I've made many baby sweaters and blankets using this stitc...
How To: Tie a striped crown sinnet
The world of decorative knots is full of twists and turns and this instructional video is no exception. In this clear and concise, step-by-step guide, we see how to create the beautiful, Striped Crown Sinnet. Makes a great key fob!