Hot Knitting & Crochet How-Tos
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: 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: Crochet a star stitch winter hat
Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a star stitch hat or winter cap. This crochet method creates an intricate rotating pattern. Use any type of thread and crochet needle to complete this project. This star stitch pattern creates a complex crochet weave for warm yet breathable winter caps.
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: Knit with a serenity loom
This video demonstrates how to knit with a serenity loom. A serenity loom can produce a blanket up to 10 feet. To start, thread a double loop of thread through a straw. Then use the loop of thread to pull through a piece of yarn. The straw will help you place the yarn around the pegs of the loom easier. Tie a loop around the anchor of the inside of the loom. Then loop completely around each peg, being sure to place the loops in the middle of the pegs consistantly. Wrap as far as you want your...
How To: Knit a Ball
Knitted balls can be used for all sorts of projects. The obvious is a Christmas ornament, but knitted balls can also be the basis for knitting toys or snowmen. And of course, they can be used simply as balls which make a lovely gift for a baby. They can be all one color, striped or patterned. To get started, follow the directions below for a one-color knitted ball. You will need to know how to knit on double-pointed needles, so if you need help with that, check out my other article.
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: 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: Tie off the end of your crochet project so it does not unravel
You've finished your very first crochet project! Congratulations! But now how do you tie off the yarn in such a way as to keep the whole thing from unraveling? This video demonstrates a simple and easy technique to finish your project and keep it together.
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: 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: Add Color on Circular Needles When Knitting
Adding color on circular needles is as easy, if not easier than adding color on a straight needle. You can use this method for knitting stripes or simply just changing from one color to another.
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: Darn holes in socks, scarves or other knit garments
Are your socks developing holes? A gap in your favorite scarf? You don't have to throw them out! Darning is a technique used to rejoin a knitted garment that has become undone, and this video shows you how to become your own darner.
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: 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: 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: Knit in the round using a fixed circular needle
Learn how to knit in the round using a fixed circular needle. Use this technique to knit sweater sleeves, hats, socks, and scarves. There are many way to knit in the round, but this video demonstrates how to knit a hat shaped form with a fixed circular knitting needle.
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: 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: Crochet a lightweight skull cap beanie
This how-to crochet video offers a simple pattern and instruction for stitching your own cute and easy crocheted hat. Knitted hats don't have to be for winter. While a cozy hat will protect you from the cold, a lighter yarn can add some style in warmer months as well. Check out this video d.i.y. arts and crafts lesson and learn how to crochet your own lightweight beanie skull cap.
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: 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: 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: 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: Knit The Raspberry Stitch
There are many beautiful stitches to learn in knitting. Some are harder than others. Some look hard, but really aren't. The RASPBERRY STITCH (shown in the header) is a quite easy. Once you get into the rhythm of doing it and practice for awhile you'll agree.
How To: End a Knit Hat
Some time, when you are making a hat and after you have done your decreases for the crown, you will get to the end of your hat pattern and it will simply say "end the hat". Here's what to do.
How To: Machine knit with a Brother KE-100 motor drive
If you have been curious about the Brother KE-100 electric motor drive, this video will explain some of it's features and demonstrate how it works. Basically what the motor drives does is replace the movement of your own hands, or even more simply put, it can't change stitches, increase or decrease, but just simply moves the knitting carriage back and forth. Watch this video knitting tutorial and learn how to use the Brother KE-100 motor drive knitting machine, including how to use the Brothe...
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: Crochet a Cord for a Drawstring
For the knitted purses pictured above, as well as other knitted items requiring a drawstring, like a cinch sack, you will need to know how to crochet the drawstring cord. Watch the video for instructions, and check out the brief steps below.
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.
How To: Crochet a basket weave stitch for left handers
The name of this crochet stitch says it all. Called the basket weave stitch, it consists of cubes of intersection vertical and horizontal yarns to create a unique pattern reminiscent of basket weaving.
How To: Take out purl stitches in your knitting
KnitWitch.com will show you how to take out purl stitches in your knitting on this easy to follow video. Tinking, tink, which is knit spelled backwards, is the actual knitting term for removing stitches. This shows how to tink purl stitches and gives great advice on how to hold the yarn to make it easier to see and remove the stitches. As you can be sure that at some point you will have to take out stitches when you knit by following these steps and tips it will be a much easier process.
How To: Speed knit with the world's fastest knitter
Learn how to increase your knitting speed with Miriam Tegels, the World's Fastest Knitter. She can stitch 118 stitches in one minute; a record that appears in the Guinness Book of World Records. Miriam Tegel's knitting secret is keeping all movements to a minimum. Use size 8 knitting needles and DK weight yarn for optimal performance. After casting on sixty stitches, see how many stitches you can knit in three minutes. Good luck!
How To: Crochet a cell phone pouch for an iPhone, iPod or Droid
This is a great gift idea for anyone on your gift list this holiday season who has an iPhone, iPod or Droid. Crochet a cell phone pouch for their smartphone! This tutorial is for someone who is already familiar with the basics of crochet.
How To: Crochet a chevron stripe pattern
This video shows how to crochet a chevron stripe pattern using stitching techniques. The instructor shows you to make a patterns of three loop stitches to create the chevron stripe pattern. The instructors shows that after six standard stitches you decrease your stitches to create the waving design in the creases. This pattern is done many times until the you will see the waving formation in the stitches appear. at the peak of the waves you are instructed to do another decrease. Following the...
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: Machine knit a baby blanket w/eBrother Garter Carriage
If you have been curious about how a Brother garter carriage works, this 2 part video will show some basic steps to casting on and knitting a baby blanket. The charity blanket pattern used is available free on the internet. This video machine-knitting tutorial also shows a trick to switch yarn without the joint showing. Follow along with this video and learn how to knit a baby blanket using the Brother Garter Carriage knitting machine.
How To: Hang a cast on comb for knitting machines
Watch this instructional knitting video to hang a cast on comb on a knitting machine. Watch this video a few times to master this little trick. You may want to reference some written knitting instructions in addition to following these visual guidelines.
How To: Read Crochet Instructions Correctly
Reading crochet instructions for beginners isn't exactly the easiest thing to do. But fear not, I'm here to help! :)
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