Hot Knitting & Crochet How-Tos

How To: Knit Ribbing

The two basic stitches in knitting are the Knit Stitch and the Purl Stitch. Once you know how to do both of them you can put them together to make RIBBING. RIBBING is usually, but not always, used at the bottom of a garment, as well as at the cuffs and at the neck. It's also a good stitch to use when you want both sides of the fabric to look the same like for a scarf or a blanket. RIBBING is usually K2 P2 (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches) but it could be K1 K1 (knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch) ...

How To: Knit Portuguese style

In this tutorial, Andrea Wong teaches us how to knit Portuguese style. This is one of the oldest ways of knitting that started in the Middle East. The holding of the needles are the same but the working yarn should come from the left needle. The yarn should be placed around the neck for your tension or through a pin on the shirt. Next, the yarn should go through the middle finger on the left hand. Then, sit in a comfortable position while you insert the right hand needle under the yarn. Then,...

How To: Crochet a rib cuff baby bootie

In this tutorial, we learn how to crochet a rib cuff baby bootie. Start off by creating 8 foundation half double crochets. After this, work 4 half double crochets in the bottom of the last stitch that was completed. Then, work a half double crochet in each of the next 6 stitches. Work 4 half double crochets in the last stitch, then join with the beginning stitch. This will give you 22 half double crochets total. Next, chain 1 and work 2 half double crochets in the same stitch. Then, work 1 ha...

How To: Apply provisional cast-ons to your knitting project

Hard edged cast-ons in knitting are difficult to remove, so it's important to also know how to complete loose cast-ons that easily remove themselves from your knitting project. Loose cast-ons allow you to hold a knit in place so you can return to it later (so, for instance, you want to knit the sleeve of a sweater first and want the chest area, which you are currently knitting, to stay in place).

How To: Crochet a rooster finger puppet

In this tutorial, we learn how to crochet a rooster finger puppet with Tracey. To begin, make a basic bird body by using a basic crochet. Now, begin with the opening facing away and use an F crochet hook. Grab another color of yarn and push the hook through a loop and chain up one with the orange yarn. Single crochet in the same loop and you keep crocheting. Keep doing this until you have a small beak on your rooster. Next, you are going to make the tail of the rooster by doing 3 single croch...

How To: Make a double-crochet edge

This video demonstrates how to make a double- crochet edge. The video uses a large cardigan neck to create a double crochet edge on. First, back the yarn around the hook and go into the next stitch. Then pull through a loop on to the hook. Take another loop on to the hook. Next, go through the first two stitches at the end of the hook. Then take another loop onto the hook and go through the last two stitches. So, you wrap, insert through next stitch, pull on another loop, draw the hook throug...

How To: Crochet a double treble stitch

For those interested in crochet, this video tutorial outlines the steps to doing a double treble stitch. This type of stitch is a much taller stitch than most others. To begin, you will start with a five chain series that will act as the first stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook three times and insert it into the next stitch. You will then pull the yarn through working off two loops at a time. Working off essentially means dropping the loops off the crochet hook. Then, you just repeat these...

How To: Knit a 3x3 rib stitch

Watch this two part instructional knitting video to knit a 3x3 rib stitch using an even number of stitches. You will want to cast on your stitches in multiples of six. Simply knit three and purl three to knit the 3x3 rib stitch. The Continental method is used here, meaning the yarn is held with the left hand.

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: 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: Crochet a Japanese amigurumi ball

This video crocheting tutorial follows a pattern to make a small ball. It not only illustrates how to follow pattern directions, but it also shows how to use stitch markers, right vs. wrong side, stuffing, and binding off. Learn how to crochet in the Japanese amigurumi style by watching this instructional video. Crochet a Japanese amigurumi ball.

How To: Knit for Beginners

So Christmas is coming up, and you want to make a couple of presents for your friends and family, who you don't really feel like splurging on- but want to make something from the heart. You've tried other stuff, and you totally failed at the Cross-stitch from last year, have you tried Knitting?! Well here's a beginners guide to the simple knitting technique- an easy one!

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 ...