Hot Knitting & Crochet How-Tos
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: Knit the Mistake Rib Stitch
Mistake rib is a multiple of 4+3 Step 1: Cast on an UNEVEN Number of Stitches Step 2: K2, p2, Repeat to Last 3 Stitches, k2, p1.
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: Slip a Stitch on a Purl Row
Most of the time, when you are directed to 'slip a stitch', it will be on a knit row. But there are exceptions and there will be times when you will need to know how to slip a stitch on a purl row.
How To: Knit the Mistake Rib Stitch
The mistake rib stitch is very beautiful and very easy to do. The mistake rib stitch is a multiple of 4+3. Watch the video demonstration on knitting the mistake rib stitch below for a step by step demonstration. Cast on an UNEVEN number of stitches.
How To: Make a Pillow Using a Vintage Handkerchief
This project makes for a nice gift. This pillow was made for a baby, but with a change of the hankie, it could easily be made for the home. It's easy and fun. Here's the pillow back:
How To: Knit a Little Heart Cushion
This sweet little knitted heart cushion is easy to create and makes a lovely gift. It can also be used as a sachet. Here are the directions.
How To: Purl in the Back of a Stitch
Sometimes your pattern will ask you to purl in the back of a stitch. This tends to twist the stitch and make it tighter. It's easy, and here's what you do.
How To: Knit with Two Strands of Yarn
Sometimes your yarn might be too thin. In that case, it's easy to use two strands of yarn to achieve the thickness you want. There will be other times when you want to add more color to your project. In that case, use two strands of different colored yarn.
How To: Decrease Stitches on a Purl Row
Usually you decrease on Knit rows, but there will be times when your patterns tells you to decrease on a Purl row. It's easy to do and here's how.
How To: Pick Up Stitches on an Edge
There will be times when you will want to knit an edging onto your work. Here's how to do it. It's best to use a smaller needle for edging than the one you used for the project. Go into every stitch on the edge with your needle.
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 Color Graded Hat
This is a fun project and a good way to use up small amounts of yarn. Just follow the easy steps below for knitting a color-graded hat.
How To: Eliminate Ladders When Knitting on Double-Pointed Needles
Many knitters have trouble when knitting on double-pointed needles. They get ladders (or holes) when they switch needles. There's an easy way to eliminate those ladders. Follow the steps below and your troubles will be gone.
How To: Bind Off Ribbing on Double-Pointed Needles
Once you have learned how to do ribbing on double-pointed needles, you will have to learn how to bind off on double-pointed needles. It's really quite easy. Just follow the steps below.
How To: Bind Off on Double-Pointed Needles When Knitting
Binding off on double-pointed needles is the same as binding off on a straight needle. The difference is is that you have to be very careful as you work on each needle.
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 Fringe
There will be times when you will want to add FRINGE to your work. Scarves, blankets, shawls, etc., sometimes look better with FRINGE added.
How To: Knit a Seed and Garter Stitch Potholder
Potholders are a good way to practice stitches and they make great gifts. Here's a nice seed and garter stitch potholder to make. You need to know only two stitches for this project - the GARTER STITCH and the SEED STITCH. Photo below is my potholder in progress. The white thread down the middle is my stitch marker.
How To: Knit the Garter Stitch
Once you know how to CAST ON and do the KNIT STITCH you are ready to start a project. VIDEO DEMONSTRATION HOW TO KNIT THE GARTER STITCH.
How To: Do an I Cord Bind Off
An I CORD BIND OFF is a useful technique to know. It makes a nice edging for a pocket or around a potholder or blanket.
How To: Unravel a Bound Off Row
There will be times when you've finished a project, such as a scarf, that you've already bound off, when you will realize it's not quite as long as you want it to be. You will have to unravel the bound off row, add more yarn, and then start knitting again.
How To: Knit a Flower Napkin Ring
Here's a lovely way to brighten up your table for a dinner party or a lovely gift to give to someone else. Knit a FLOWER NAPKIN RING.
How To: Knit a Flower Headband
This is a very nice HEADBAND that can be used plain or decorated with a FLOWER. I made mine wide (4 1/2 inches), but you can make yours as wide or narrow as you want.
How To: Purl in the Back of the Stitch
Normally when you PURL you insert the needle into the FRONT of the stitch. Purling in the BACK of the stitch twists it and makes it tighter. There will be times when you will want to do this. When you do here's how:
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 Little Purse
You'll be so glad to know how to KNIT THIS LITTLE PURSE. You'll want to make one for everyone you know. You can start and finish it in a little over an hour. You can knit it all one color and embellish it with buttons (see photo below) or you can make stripes (as on the video below) or use two colors (as on the photo above). You can make it in a flat stockinette stitch or something more interesting like the Raspberry Stitch. Do what you want and just have fun.
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: 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: Get perfect, jogless stripes in your knitting projects
Visible jogs become frequent when you don't know the secret to knitting the perfect stripe. But just because it's a secret, doesn't mean it isn't easy to do! In this video demonstration, Judy shows you the secret to knitting jogless stripes. Basically, you knit the first row of color the way you normally would, then slip the marker off when you get around to the end. Next, instead of knitting the next stitch how you normally would, you just slip it off and then start knitting all the way arou...
How To: Knit a Fake Mobius Scarf
There are different ways to knit a Mobius scarf. I call this one the Fake Mobius. Check out the video demonstration below, then proceed to the written tips and pictures.
How To: Add a decorative keyhole to a knitted scarf
A keyhole is a great way of adding decorative effect to your knitting projects, and master knitter Judy Topaz is going to show you how it's done on a striped scarf. Adding a keyhole is more complicated than just knitting a basic scarf, but follow along to the video and you shouldn't have any problems.
How To: Knit a Picot Hem
Knowing how to knit a picot hem is a good technique to learn. Usually, at the bottom of a garment you will have a ribbed edge. A picot hem, as pictured below, is a nice alternative. It's quite easy and here's how to do it.
How To: Knit a four-row stripe with alternating colors
This video will show the lowdown on knitting four-row stripes. Actually, this works with any knitting task requiring over 2 rows, where you want to change the colors of your yarn. Master knitter Judy Topaz walks you through the whole process.
How To: Knit the Twisted Stockinette Stitch
Here is a good stitch to know, especially if your knitting tends to come out looser than you would like it. It works well for a nice cozy sweater when used with a thick wool. The twisted stockinette is just like basic stockinette stitch, except you put the needle in the BACK of the stitch when you knit. This twists the stitches and makes them tighter.
How To: Knit the Bamboo Stitch
The bamboo stitch is a beautiful, versatile stitch that can be used for lots of different kinds of projects. I especially love using it for baby blankets and scarves. It is an easy, reversible stitch. Both sides aren't the same, but both are very nice looking.
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: Add Color to Your Knitting Projects
Once you have mastered the technique of knitting something in one color, you will want to go to the next step, which is learning how to add color to your knitting. You might want to knit stripes or knit something with two colors. It isn't as difficult as you might think, and once you've done it a few times you will wonder why you never attempted it before.
How To: Knit alternating colors for a two-row stripe
Need some stripes in your knit-work? Judy's going to lend you her expertise and show you how to make stripes of two rows. She starts out adding a row of red yarn above previously knitted gray row, to make her stripes. Just follow her guidelines for stitching and you should have no problems knitting stripes in your future projects.
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.