Hot Knitting & Crochet How-Tos
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: 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: Knit with two colors of yarn
In this video, we learn how to knit with two colors of yarn. Carry your yarn in the hand that you are most comfortable with. Then, don't tension it around your pinkie so you can control the yarn. Now, put your dominant color over your forefinger and the accent finger on the bottom of your forefinger. This way, you will be able to turn your hands to decide which color is going to go up and over the needle. Once you have this technique down, you will be able to continue to knit until you have t...
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: Knit Straight on a Circular Needle
I love circular needles! I use a circular most of the time, even when I am knitting straight. One of the reasons I love knitting on a circular is because with a circular needle, you don't have to worry about dropping a needle. You just have one. It's particularly good to knit straight on a circular needle when you're making a large project such as an afghan or blanket, but I use one even if I'm knitting a small project such as a scarf or wash rag. The photo below is of a scarf I'm making with...
How To: Crochet a simple pansy flower
Crochet a pretty pansy flower. Follow these crochet instructions to knit a pansy flower ornament. You may want to reference some written flower pattern crochet instructions in addition to watching this video. Use this cute crocheted pansy flower for ornaments on larger garments, pillows, or hair ties.
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: Knit a Kitchener stitch for a seamless join
The kitchener stitch, also called grafting, is a knitting technique used to create woven seams. It's commonly used for the toe of knitted socks, but you'll find it used whenever you need an invisible seam.
How To: Crochet a pansy flower
Watch this instructional crocheting video to crochet a pansy flower. Use any size of yarn or thread and your choice of crochet needle. This method will allow you to crochet unique pansy flowers that can be added to sweaters or blankets, or hung as decorative ornaments on their own.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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 Tassel
Knowing how to make a TASSEL is a very useful technique to know. You can attach them to a scarf, a hat, a shawl...there are many uses for a TASSEL.
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: 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: Basic treble crochet a scarf
This wonderful two part tutorial will have you crocheting in no time. It's a back to basics account, to have you easily crochet your very own treble stitch scarf. Using single crochet, double crochet, and half double crochet. This is great for beginners or someone looking for a new adventure.
How To: Crochet a blanket with the wavy shell stitch
Lets create a blanket from scratch using only the wavy shell stitch. This crochet how-to video is an example of how to crochet a blanket out of the wavy shell stitch only using three colors. Go as large as you need to and as big as you want with the crocheted blanket. The colors and size is up to you so get creative and start crocheting.
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: 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: 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: 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: Understand the Differences Between Knitting Needles
There are different kinds of knitting needles to choose from for different projects. You will find wooden, plastic or aluminum in different lengths and shapes. There are straight, circular or double pointed.
How To: Making a Möbius scarf
When German mathematician August Ferdinand Möbius (also known as Moebius) discovered the weird, seemingly parodoxical shape that would later be known as the Möbius strip, he surely never imagined it would go on to be featured everywhere from the work of artist M.C. Escher to the recycling logo we now see on the back of milk cartons. In this video, we watch as a scarf is knitted based on the Möbius strip. This interesting and eye-catching scarf design looks more complicated than it really is.
How To: Crochet a basic curly cue with single crochet stitches
Improve you crocheting skills by learning decorative stitches. This how to video is a tutorial that will show you how to crochet a curly cue with single crochet stitches. Watch and see how simple it is to add even more personal touches to your work.
How To: Crochet the shell stitch for edging
Detailed demonstration of Shell design which can be used as edging or part of a crochet pattern. The second video shows you how the second row of a shell stitch looks.
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: 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: 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:
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