Hot Knitting & Crochet How-Tos
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: Crochet a sweater for your dog
Are you looking to dress your dog in style? Give your pooch the VIP treatment by making him his very own dog sweater! In this three-part video tutorial, learn how to crochet a special sweater to keep your special friend warm in the winter!
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: 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: 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: 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: Machine knit a twisted stitch
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. Use a two prong tool to twist a stitch. Once you set the twist, you can knit an entire stretch of fabric with an elegant twisted stitch pattern.
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: Knit a Mobius Dog Scarf
If you save scraps of yarn, and have a dog, this is an easy project for you. The Mobius scarf has the advantage of not having any ends to come untied, or dangle down for your dog to trip over, or get tangled in branches and stuff. I made this one for Pepper, my 16lb rat terrier. Step 1: Choose Your Yarn: I had very little yarn to work with. I had one more ball, but it had just a little more on it than the largest shown here.
How To: Crochet a beautiful ripple stitch for left handers
A ripple stitch looks just like the rippling waves on an ocean, swaying back and forth and creating a beautifully punctuated, undulating pattern. Replicate the ocean's waves by learning how to create the ripple stitch.
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 Ribbing on Double Pointed Needles
Ribbing on double pointed needles is quite simple. Here's what to do:
How To: Make a Flower From a Knitted I-Cord
Once you learn how to knit an I-CORD you will find many different applications in which to use them. One thing I like to do is to make a FLOWER from an I-Cord. The flower can then be applied to a sweater, a blanket, a scarf, a purse. There are limitless possibilities.
How To: Knit a Stockinette Stitch Wash Rag (Dish Cloth)
They can be called wash rags, wash cloths or dish cloths. There are lots of different patterns for them. Here's an easy washcloth that incorporates the Stockinette Stitch with Seed Stitch edging.
How To: Make a loom-knitted snowy sparkle scarf (aka Crystal scarf)
Join Mikey from the Crochet Crowd as he walks you through knitting a sparkle scarf, also called the Crystal scarf. If you want to learn how to make this fabulous scarf using a loom, just watch! It looks like a feather boa, and it can be made in virtually no time at all. You can design it anyway you want by mixing up your colors. Eyelash or boa yarn will really make this magnificent!
How To: Increase two open squares at the end of a crochet row
Improve your crocheting skills by learning new stitches. This crochet how-to video demonstrates how to increase two open square at the end of a row. Watch and learn the filet crochet method to increase two open square.
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: 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: 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: Convert a pattern for crochet into a knitting pattern
Crocheting and knitting are similar but different enough that the same patterns will not work for both. If you've found a crochet pattern your like and would rather knit it, watch this video to learn how to convert your pattern into the kind your want.
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: 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 ...
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: Crochet shell decreases
Improve you crocheting skills by learning decorative stitches. This how to video is a crocheting tutorial that will show you how to do shell decreases. Crochet several rows of this stitch to create larger yarn projects.
How To: Knit a scalloped edge
In this video we learn how to knit a scalloped edge. This forms a shell along one edge! First, attach your needle to the yarn on the right edge. Then, make a slip stitch and yarn over. Then, stick then needle through the fabric and yarn over again so you have three on the hook. Then, yarn over and pull through the first two loops in the hook. Then yarn over and go into the fabric and over again. Pull through a loop and then yarn over through all the loops on the hook. Now, do another one foll...
How To: Manage two different colors of yarn
In this video, we learn how to manage two different colors of yarn with Eunny Jang. You can do this all on your left hand, right hand, or with both of your hands. It's all about what is most comfortable for your, even if it's something different. Start out with all your yarn in your right hand then knit with one yard at a time. This means to just knit as usual by dropping the yarn and picking up the next color. This can be a bit tedious because you will be constantly stopping and starting. Yo...
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 shell with 3 double crochet
In this crochet tutorial, learn ho to make a shell with a 3 double corchet. For this pattern stitch, the shell will consist of 3 double crochet, meaning that it takes 3 chains to make 1 shell of the pattern stitch.
How To: Knit the Ladder Stitch
The Ladder Stitch is wonderful for scarves, blankets, shawls. It might seem complicated at first, but once you get into the rhythm of it it goes along easily and it's fun to watch the ladder go up and up. Step 1: Row 1 (WS): P4 *k2tog Tbl, Wrap Yarn Twice, k2tog, p4; Rep from * to End.
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: Tie basic macrame knots to make a key chain or bracelet
This tutorial shows you how to do two basic macrame ties, which you can use to make keychains, bracelets, chokers and other types of jewelry. Add beads, charms and other decorations to your projects - macrame is cheap, easy and fun!
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: Knit a 2-color checkerboard pattern stitch
An up close demonstration of how to knit a checkerboard pattern stitch by Judy Graham. The checkerboard pattern stitch will be a two color pattern. Learn how to knit from these simple and clear instructions.
How To: Knit the Garter Rib Stitch
Step 1: Cast on an Even Number of Stitches. Step 2: K2*P2, K2, End K2
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 Lacey Eyelet Rib Pattern
There are not many stitches that are more beautiful than this LACEY EYELET RIB STITCH. And, there are few that are easier. Most knitters are apprehensive about knitting any lace patterns, and truthfully, many are difficult because of so many rows. This one, however, consists of only 4 rows. You can use either side of the work and it is a lovely stitch to know. You can use it for a beautiful scarf or for just about anything for a baby. I've made many baby sweaters and blankets using this stitc...
How To: Crochet an extra puffy puff stitch
In this tutorial, we learn how to crochet an extra puffy puff stitch. First, insert the hook and pull it through. Pull all the loops up even so the hook is horizontal, then wrap the yarn over and enter the hook through the top of the stitch. Pull the loop up and then wrap the yarn over, pull it through, then pull the loop up so the hook is horizontal with your work. Continue to repeat this process until you get to the end of the row. Place chains on the top to secure them, then you will have ...
How To: Crochet a reggae rasta style slouchy hat
Reggae berets have been around and popular since the days of Bob Marley, but when chanteuse Gwen Stefani started sporting these for her solo tour and integrating rasta patterns into her clothing line, L.A.M.B, the rasta print become near uniform for admiring girls across the country.
How To: Thread a circular knitting machine
This is an instructional video on how to thread a circular knitting machine. For the demonstration, the circular knitting machine by Innovations serves as our example. Tips are provided based on the experience of a seasoned machine knitter accustomed to using this machine.
How To: Crochet simple open work stitches
Open work makes a project go really fast. You might not be the warmest on a cold winter night, but it still looks nice. An open work stitch is basically a three to two configuration. This is the perfect beginner's project. These crochet blankets will keep you warm but won't stifle you.