Hot Knitting & Crochet How-Tos
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Machine Knit a Baby Blanket with a Brother 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: Increase Using the Purl Stitch in Knitting
In this video, we learn how to increase using the purl stitch in knitting. First, take the thread in between two stitches and twist it onto the left needle, then purl it off. Do this over and over again, then purling the next stitch. This is the easiest way to do this, and the most efficient in saving time. When you reach the end of a row, start a new row and do the same process over again. When you are finished, you will have a beautiful type of knitting that wasn't hard to learn and is easy...
How To: Add beads to crochet projects
Want to add beadwork to your next crochet project? Though the process can seem intimidating at first blush, adorning your work with decorative beads and bobbles is easy once you get the hang of it. So easy, in fact, that this free video crocheting lesson can present a complete overview in just over four minutes' time. Learn how to securely attach beads when crocheting with this crafter's guide.
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: 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: Add a new yarn to your crochet project
Looking to get started in the world of crochet? In this video courtesy of Craft Mastery, learn how! Quite often in crochet you would need to join a new yarn of a different color or sometimes yarn simply breaks or ends. In this video, learn how to add yarns without this happening!
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Macrame ABC - Pattern Sample #12
Interesting pattern example for your macrame projects. In this Macrame sample we used Square knot. The square knot is the basis of many designs.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Crochet a eight-point snowflake
Steps on How to Make a Crochet Snow Flake in minutes! 1) Prepare the materials needed: Size 3 Steel Crochet Hook, Crochet Cotton, and a Small Needle2) Make a loop, place the hook below the left string and pull it up. 3) Make a Single Crochet in a loop, then a chain 3. Repeat this 8 times. 4) Work a Double Crochet (2x) in the same loop and another chain 3 loop. 5) Work another Double Crochet (3x) and a chain 2 loop. Repeat this 7 times. 6) Join the beginning chain and work a cluster through th...
How To: Do the magic loop knitting technique
Knitting blogger Sapphires'n'Purls provides step-by-step basic instructions of the magic loop knitting technique. To begin Magic Loop knitting, you will need the following supplies: One circular needle with flexible cable, skein of yarn of your choosing. To begin, you will cast on 12 stitches onto the circular needle. Next you will slide all your stitches onto the flexible cable. Once all your initial 12 stitches have been cast, divide the stitches in half, putting six stitches on the left si...
How To: Rhombus with Josephine Knot (DIY)
From this macrame pattern you can make a nice decorations for plant hangers, wall hangings, clothing, towels etc.
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 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: Loom knit the triple knit stitch
Conquer a brand new loom stitch! This video is the first to demonstrate the the triple knit stitch on a loom. Create beuatiful works of woolen art by following the instructions in this video. Learn how to knit the triple knit stitch on a loom and take your knitting to a whole new level.
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: 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 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 a Decorative Flower
This beautiful flower can be used as decoration on a hat, scarf, headband or purse. You name it. There are many uses. On the photo above, I added it to a hat. I have also used it as a decoration on a napkin ring. The flower is knit in three parts. Check out the instructions below. And see the closeup photo of the finished flower at the bottom of the page.
How To: Tie off your crochet project with a short tail
This is a quick little tutorial that shows you a good finishing stitch for your crochet project. If you're down to the end of your thread, here is how you can easily tie off a short tail, no matter what you're making.
How To: Knit a Triangle with Yarn Over Edge
The Yarn Over (YO) edge is a nice way to increase. Here's how to do it for a Triangle Scarf. WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE HOW TO DO THE YO BIND OFF.
How To: Cast on when knitting on a rectangular loom
In this video, you'll learn how to cast on with the CHAIN ON method on a rectangular loom. It'll simplify your knitting process a lot! You can use this method for many different types of looms but this video specifically covers knitting on a rectangular loom.
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 ...