Knitting & Crochet How-Tos
How To: Cast on using the loop method for knitting
This instructional video will show you how to cast on stitches for knitting using the "backwards loop" method. This is the easiest cast on to learn and master. Once you cast on, you can begin your knitting projects. This is also known as the "E wrap cast on" and "single cast on".
How To: Knit a hat
This instructional knitting video will show you how to knit a hat using a fixed circular needle and bulky weight yarn. These step by step knitting guidelines cover casting on, knitting in the round, decreasing, and weaving in the ends. If you are a beginner, you may want to avoid thin yarns to save time and knit a warmer hat.
How To: Knit a garter stitch scarf
This instructional knitting video will show you how to knit a garter stitch scarf using bulky weight yarn. If you are a beginner, you may want to avoid knitting your scarf with thin, skinny yarns. These step by step instructions cover casting on, knitting, adding new yarn, and binding off.
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 in the round using a fixed circular needle
Learn how to knit in the round using a fixed circular needle. Use this technique to knit sweater sleeves, hats, socks, and scarves. There are many way to knit in the round, but this video demonstrates how to knit a hat shaped form with a fixed circular knitting needle.
How To: Knit stranded color work
Learn how to add stranded color work to your knitting with this knitting tutorial. Use traditional Shetland island motifs to create delicate, shimmering patterns. Knitters usually hold the background color with the right hand and the additional color with the left hand. Use thinner yarns for these projects to compensate for the thickness of the "floating" yarn.
How To: Dye knitting yarn with a sock blank dyeing kit
Learn how to dye your own striped sock yarn with this dyeing tutorial. You can dye the yarn so that the dye pattern will be the same for both socks. These knitting dyes are potent and toxic so be careful with your dyeing kit and sock yarns. Make sure to wear gloves and a dust mask and protect your work surface with newspaper plastic wrap.
How To: Knit in a new ball of yarn
This video will teach you how to join a new ball of yarn to your knitting using the "knitting in" method. With sly handiwork you can begin to weave in a new ball of yarn without dropping the old strand of yarn. It helps to knit in the new yarn in a less visible area.
How To: Knit a Continental style knit stitch
This video will show you how to make a knit stitch using the Continental method.This video will show you how to make a knit stitch using the Continental method. In basic knitting, the knit stitch is always coupled with the purl stitch. So, once you can knit stitch, you are well on your way to mastering the craft. The Continental style just means that you hold your working yarn in your left hand. Knitters who use this style are often called, "pickers".
How To: Knit a Continental style purl stitch
This video will show you how to make a purl stitch using the Continental method. If you've mastered the knit stitch, you are ready to move on to the purl stitch. The purl stitch is essentially the back side of the knit stitch. The Continental style just means that you hold your working yarn in your left hand. Knitters who use this style are often called, "pickers".
How To: Knit a basic bind-off
This video will teach you how to bind off your knitted stitches. The basic bind off is the most commonly used method of finishing knitting projects, especially for beginners. Follow these step by step instructions to knit a neat and straight finishing row.
How To: Use a cable key for knitting
Learn how to use the cable key to tighten your Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Knitting Needles. Each needle tip has a hollow base that is grooved to accept the threaded stem of the cable. To insure a secure fit, use a cable key to tighten the knitting needle tip. You can also use the cable key to unscrew your knitting needle when you are ready to start a new knitting project.
How To: Knit an English knit stitch
This video will show you how to make a knit stitch using the English method. Anything you knit is made up of knit stitches and purl stitches. So, you once to learn this stitch you are on your way to mastering the craft. The English method means that you will be holding the working yarn with your right hand. Knitter who use this style of knitting are often called, "throwers".
How To: Machine knit a vinyl hem bond
Watch this instructional knitting video to bond a vinyl hem with a knitting machine. Hang an elastic or ravel cord and push it against the bed. Fold the hem over the ravel cord. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Machine knit an open cast on
Watch this instructional knitting video to complete and open cast on with a knitting machine. Push your needles back into forward position and knit across one row. You will want to use clips and claw weights to keep your knit work straight. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Hang a rag hem on knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to hang a rag hem on your knitting machine. Add weights to the inside of the knitted hem to keep your knit work straight. You will need a single pronged tool or a three pronged tool. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Handle jams on a knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to work jams out of your knitting machine. In the event of a jam, you can pull down on your work or jiggle the carriage. Try tapping as well. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Hang a knitted hem on a knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to hang a knitted hem. Add weights the inside of a hem to keep your knitted piece straight. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Hang a cast on comb for knitting machines
Watch this instructional knitting video to hang a cast on comb on a knitting machine. Watch this video a few times to master this little trick. You may want to reference some written knitting instructions in addition to following these visual guidelines.
How To: Knit eyelets with a knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to knit eyelets on a knitting machine. You will need a three prong tool as well as a single prong tool. By making a few twists with the pronged tools, you can knit a neat eyelet pattern in a matter of seconds.
How To: Decrease width using a knitting machine
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. This is a demonstration of how to use a knitting machine to decrease the size of your knit piece. Use a single prong tool to unhook and tie off a single stitch on either side of the piece before completing each row to gradually decrease the width of the knit work. You may want to reference written instructions in addition to watching this knitting video.
How To: Crochet cast on with a knitting machine
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. This is a demonstration of how to use a knitting machine to crochet cast on. This is one way to cleverly weave your yarn onto the knitting machine and begin the piece of knit work. You may want to reference written instructions in addition to watching this knitting video.
How To: Crochet a cast off with a knitting machine
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. This is a demonstration of how to use a knitting machine to crochet a cast off. This is one way to cleverly remove your work from the knitting machine and complete the piece of knit work. You may want to reference written instructions in addition to watching this knitting video.
How To: Machine knit a back stitch bind off
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. This is a demonstration of how to use a knitting machine to do a back stitch bind off. You need to master this tricky step in order to take your knit work off of the knitting machine. You may want to reference some written instructions in addition to watching this knitting video.
How To: Weave a cast on for a knitting machine
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. This is a demonstration of how to use a knitting machine to weave a cast on. This is a cast on that many people find difficulty with. You may want to reference written instructions in addition to watching this knitting video.
How To: Pick up stitches using a knitting machine
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. This is a demonstration of how to pick up and hang stitches. Use a three prong tool to attach one piece of knitting work to the knitting machine. Once you set the set the machine up, you can knit a wearable piece with an altering pattern.
How To: Machine knit a twisted stitch with a three prong tool
This instructional knitting video provides tips for making interesting patterns using a knitting machine. Use a three 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. This creates a light knit with open spaces for a warm yet breathable garment.
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: Machine knit double bed e-wrap ribbing
If you use a knitting machine to knit your projects, follow this simple example to knit ribbing. This instructional knitting video demonstrates how to e-wrap for double bed knitting and transfer the carriage. You may want to reference some written instructions in addition to watching this knitting video. With a little practice, you can make it look as easy as this.
How To: Machine knit a phony seam
This is a cool technique for machine knitters to use. It's a hand technique that converts quite easily to machine. Sew a phony seam when with a small knitting tool to alter pieces on a knitting machine.
How To: Cast off on a circular knitting machine
This video shows you how to cast off on a circular knitting machine. For this demonstration, we will use the circular knitting machine by Innovations. Once you've mastered the secrets of the machine, you can pull it out of the closet whenever you have some urgent holiday scarves to knit.
How To: Change yarns on a knitting machine
This instructional knitting video demonstrates how to how to change to a different yarn on a circular knitting machine. Simply cut the yarn when you want to switch to a different color an tie a slipknot to the next type of yarn. It's easy!
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: Machine knit with a Knitmaster MK70 Mid-Gauge
If you have been curious about the Knitmaster MK70, this short video will show some of the special features that make this fold-up knitting machine so unique. These machines were designed in the early 1980's. This type of knitting machine can fit into a small box and set up for spontaneous holiday knitting projects. The Knitmaster is a flexible machine that can knit almost any pattern.
How To: Machine knit a pair of children's socks
Knitting circular socks on a Passap knitting machine is fun and easy! Follow along in this three part video and knit a children's pair of socks. Complete instructions can be found in Knitwords magazine.
How To: Wind yarn onto a cone for machine knitting
If you knit with a knitting machine, a cone of yarn proves much more useful than a standard ball of yarn. This instructional knitting video demonstrates how an electric cone winder works. This little machine allows one to quickly wind a ball of yarn onto a cardboard cone.
How To: Crochet a thread butterfly variation
Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a variation of a classic thread butterfly. Use any type of thread and a small crochet needle to complete this project. The small stitch creates a complex crochet weave for hyper-designed crochet projects such as this butterfly. You may want to reference some written instructions in addition to watching this video.
How To: Crochet a bullion stitch flower
Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a bullion or roll stitch flower. This is a difficult crochet stitch to accomplish. You should master the bullion stitch before beginning to crochet this flower design. Use any type of thread and crochet needle to complete this project. The bullion or roll stitch creates a complex crochet weave for hyper-designed crochet projects such as this intricate flower.
How To: Crochet a bullion or roll stitch
Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a bullion or roll stitch. This is a difficult crochet stitch to accomplish. This video provides an alternative method of completing the crochet stitch using a homemade tool. Use any type of thread and crochet needle to complete this project. The bullion or roll stitch creates a complex crochet weave for hyper-designed crochet projects.
How To: Crochet a broomstick lace pattern
Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet broomstick lace. This crochet method creates an intricate snowflake pattern. Use any type of yarn, a crochet needle and a size 19 knitting needle to complete this project. You can even use a knitting needle made out of a PVC pipe. This broomstick lace pattern creates a complex crochet weave for warm yet breathable blankets, sweaters and winter caps.