Hot Knitting & Crochet Posts
How To: Crochet tidy away ends
This is a tutorial on how to tidy away ends at the start and when you change colours while crocheting. Also learn how to avoid a hole at the start of the row and how to work in the back ridge.
How To: Stockinette stitch for knitting projects
Watch this instructional knitting video knit a stockinette stitch using the Contintental method. This means you will knit on one side of the piece and purl on the other side. Stockinette stitch tends to curl at the edges, which add a nice finishing touch to sweaters or hats. Knitting with the Continental method only means that you hold the yarn with your left hand.
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: Increase Stitches on a Purl Row
Most of the time you will increase on Knit stitches. You can see my article on that here. However, there will be times when you will need to know how to increase on a Purl stitch. Here's how:
How To: Join two granny squares together using a single crochet stitch
The single stitch is a very simple stitch, easy for beginners to master, which can be used to join two granny squares together. This is a useful technique for joining any two crochet pieces together of any size or shape, not just granny squares!
How To: Increase Stitches at the Beginning of a Row
When you make an actual garment you will have to know how to decrease and increase stitches. For this article we'll deal with just the increase.
How To: Change colors in the middle of the row when knitting
It's easy to add a new yarn color in the middle of your row. See how to change colors in the middle of the row when knitting, with this easy, up close demonstration by Judy Graham, Knitter to the Stars.
How To: Decrease Stitches In Knitting
When you make an actual garment you will have to know how to decrease and increase stitches. For this article we'll deal with just the decrease.
How To: Rig up a harness out of rope to carry large boxes
You will need around twenty feet of thick, sturdy rope (something smooth like jute or nylon will also prevent the harness from digging into your skin). Tie as demonstrated in this video, and you'll have an instant messenger bag for carrying boxy things around!
How To: Cast On at the End of a Row in Knitting
Sometimes your pattern will instruct you to CAST ON AT THE END OF A ROW. CASTING ON AT THE END OF A ROW is quite easy. Here's how to do it:
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: Knit a hat on circular needles
In this video, we learn how to knit a hat on circular needles. First, use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round and make sure no stitches are twisted around. Now, join the two ends by knitting your stitch and using both of the loose ends at once. You will now start knitting and going around. You can make as many knits as you want and do any types you would like, making sure you go in the circular motion around the brim of your hat. You can style this as you prefer, then enjoy whe...
How To: Make Simple Mittens in Single Crochet
This is a simple pattern, designed to produce a well-fitting mitten. Both the right and left mittens worked the same up to the shaping for the top of the mitten. A slight adjustment for making one right and one left, then they are worked the same. The gusset for the thumb constructed with the increases made in the center of the gusset, rather than on each side. This makes it easy with a minimal amount of counting stitches as you go. I have been crocheting for 56 years. In doing research for w...
How To: Join crocheted granny squares using the flat braid joining method
The flat braid join is a method of stitching granny squares together using chain-3 loops. This tutorial demonstrates how you can use the flat braid technique to easily and quickly join your own granny squares together for your next crochet project.
How To: Join granny squares with crochet flat brain joining
These crochet how-to videos demonstrate how to do flat braid joining to join granny squares. Start by crocheting a border on the first square. Then proceed to join the first and second granny squares with the flat braid joining technique. Watch and learn how simple it is to crochet with flat braiding. Follow along until you have joined all four granny squares.
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: Cast on with work in progress when knitting
Ever wonder how to cast on with work in progress when knitting? Well, wonder no more with this knitting demonstration video!
How To: Make a Pom-Pon pom pom for baby hats
We don't know why you wouldn't like to make a pom pom. After all, they're cute, chubby, and make anything they're attached to - keyrings, the tops of berets, air - look absolutely adorable. But then again, they do take a lot of patience to make.
How To: Bind Off on a Purl Stitch
You've come to the end of your work and are ready to BIND OFF, but you're on a PURL row. What to do? You've learned how to BIND OFF on a knit stitch, but this is something new. Usually you will do the BIND OFF stitch on a knit row, but now your pattern is telling you to BIND OFF on a Purl row. Sometimes, like in ribbing, you will need to do both. If you've never bound off purling here are the instructions to follow.
How To: Bind Off Knitting on a Circular Needle
Binding off on a circular needle is as easy as binding off on a straight needle. Follow the steps below to learn how to bind off on a circular needle:
How To: Tie a rope helix for bondage and bdsm play
Strings of DNA aren't the only things that contain helixes. With a bit of skill and practice, you can make your own rope helix for fun or bondage and bdsm play by watching this video by Two Knotty Boys.
How To: Knit a shaker rib stitch
Follow this quick video demonstration to see how to knit a shaker rib stitch. The shaker rib is also known as the half fisherman, and that's because it's not as bulky as the fisherman rib. During this process, you'll even see how you can knit one below, or k1b.
How To: Join knitted squares for sweaters or a hat
If you're an avid knitter, then you're probably making dozens of different pojects at the same time: scarves, Afghan quilts, hats, and wee slippers for your dog. So you need a video that doesn't waste your time (so you can finish that last row on your striped rugby scarf) by giving you an all-in-one tutorial.
How To: Chain stitch embroidery fro knitting projects
This instructional knitting video shows how to use chain stitch embroidery to embellish knitting and crochet projects. Use a tapestry needle and a piece of yarn to add a special decoration to a hand knit sweater, scarf or pair of socks. It's an easy knitting embroidery trick that renders satisfying results.
How To: Knit a button loop
Berroco knit bits shows how to knit a button loop easily within minutes. 1) Thread a tapestry needle with a 18-24″ piece of yarn. 2) Knot the end of the yarn and insert the needle where you want your first button loop. 3) Make a second stitch an inch or so away from the first stitch. 4) Tighten up the thread, placing your fingers in between the yarn and the button band creating a loop. 5) Work blanket stitch around this loop, stacking each stitch on top of the previous one until the ent...
How To: Bind Off Ribbing
Now that you have learned how to knit ribbing, you will have to know how to bind off ribbing. If you have knitted something that needs to have a stretch to it, such as socks or a neck, this is a very important technique to know.
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 picot cast off or a picot bind off
In this video, you'll learn how to knit a picot cast off, or a picot bind off from expert knitter Judy. This sort of casting off is great for things like baby blankets, and you can expand your repertoire with the picot cast off to other projects.
How To: Sew seams together on a knitted garment
Expert knitter Rachel Ong shows you how to sew the seams of a knitted garment together. All you need is a yarn, a yarn needle, and then sewing the seams together is easy when you follow this video. This is for more advanced knitters. Sew seams together on a knitted garment.
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: Crochet a large five point star
Improve you crocheting skills by creating fun shapes. This how to video is a crocheting tutorial that will show you how to create a large star with five points. Crochet several of them, bind them together and create larger handmade projects.
How To: Knit the Like Lace Stitch
The Like Lace Stitch
How To: Edge a knitted piece with the crab stitch
In this video, we learn how to edge a knitted piece with a crab stitch. First, attach your yarn to the left edge of your work. After this, work one chain stitch, then go backwards with the hook. Insert it into the fabric and grab the yarn and pull it through the loop. Go around the yarn again and pull it through again. Keep going backwards and grabbing more yarn as you go in reverse. You are working with one loop on the needle while going into the fabric. Make sure you're consistent with the ...
News: Macrame ABC - Pattern Sample #26 with Stars
This pattern may look complicated, but here I used only the Square knot :) Pattern looks like the stars or birds in the sky. You can use this pattern for different types of goals, for example: clothing accessories, Handbags, purses, cases, wallets etc..
How To: Single crochet half circle ear flaps for a hat
Use a single crochet stitch to crochet half circle shapes. Use any type of yarn and crochet needle to complete this project. Half circles can be used as ear flaps for hats, additions to blankets, or serve as cute pockets on sweaters.
How To: Knit a variation on the Like Lace stitch
If you've mastered the like lace stitch when knitting, this tutorial will show you a lovely and elegant variation. This stitch is great for knitting a shawl, wrap or something else you want to give a beautiful lace like look.
News: Macrame ABC - Pattern Sample #25 with Beads
You can use this beautiful macrame pattern for different types of goals, for example: Handbags, cosmetic bags, clothing accessories, purses, cases, wallets, bracelets, etc..
How To: Thread a bobbin on the Brother LS 2125 sewing machine
Many habitual sewers like to sew by hand if possible for smaller projects, since all it requires is some finger dexterity, a needle, and some form of thread. Sewing machines can create stitches and embellishments of great beauty, but as with all electronic devices sometimes their constituent parts have complications. The bobbin, which holds the thread beneath the machine, is one of those pesky things sewers have to deal with.
How To: Knit the Rice Stitch
The rice stitch is another easy and versatile stitch. Both sides are different, however they both look nice. This means the work can be used on either side. Pictured in the thumbnail image above is side one of the rice stitch. Pictured below is side two of the rice stitch.
How To: Crochet a crescent moon
Watch this instructional video to crochet a crescent moon. These visual guidelines will walk you through each step in creating this crochet ornament. This is a small crochet project, but the crescent moon may take a few tries to master.