Knitting & Crochet How-Tos
How To: Crochet a headband for winter
In this video, we learn how to crochet a headband for winter. You will need yarn and a size 10 crochet hook to do this. To start, make a slipknot, then hook your needle into it. Start making a simple chain stitch, after you finish this row, stick your needle into the first stitch and make a single crochet all the way down. Continue to do this for several rows, until the headband is thick enough to go around your head the way you want it to fit. When finished, tie it off with a knot at the end...
How To: Use a yarn bowl when knitting
In this tutorial, we learn how to use a yarn bowl when knitting. The side of the bowl will have a slit in it where you can place your yarn while you are working on a project. Use hand wound balls or any other type. First place the yarn in the bowl and then string it through the slit, feeding it through as you do your project. If you have a larger ball, set it on the side and use it the same way. The bowl is glossy and smooth so the ball will roll around and won't get stuck inside. There's als...
How To: Do stockinette stitch
In this video, we learn how to do a stockinette stitch. This is where you knit one row and stitch the row after that. This will curl up if you don't stitch on the side of it as well. When you're on the right side, you will do a knit row making it as large or as small as you want it to be. After this, turn your work around and you will see the wrong side of the work. Now your next row will be purl stitches. Continue to do these until you finish, this is a simple and easy way to learn stitching!
How To: Knit double motifs
In this video, we learn how to knit double motifs. First, make a grid so that you have an even number of stitches all the way around your motif. After this, cast two colors onto the needle, making sure they stay in order. Cast on a total of twenty stitches, which will be just one side of the square for your motif. After this, start to stitch the rows until you reach the middle where your shape will be. Exchange the colors so the pattern in the middle looks how you want it to. After this, bind...
How To: Start crocheting a beanie
In this video, we learn how to start a beanie. During this, you will increase the number of single crochet stitches in a chain. Start off with a chain three, then join them by crocheting a single stitch in the first stitch you made. Do this by pushing the hook through and pulling the yard over, then pulling through. After this, you will have a circle. Start to crochet inside of this by using your circle and inserting the hook into the circle. Crochet around the tail of the circle, then yarn o...
How To: Crochet a triangle-shaped bikini beanie hat
In this video, we learn how to crochet a triangle-shaped bikini beanie hat. First, crochet nine single crochets through a simple loop. After this, join with the beginning single crochet and work a single crochet three times. next, work one single crochets in each of the next two, then three single crochets in the next stitch. Now, go join with the first single crochet. Continue to go around until you have a large circle shape, going down on the sides to make the entire beanie shape. After thi...
How To: Make a cozy kufi box crochet hat for right handers
Would you like a touch of mod and whimsy all in one? Then this hat is perfect for you because it strikes the perfect balance between the two. Made of cozy, soft blue yarn, embellished with a pretty pink border, and done up in a sort of inverse bowl shape, this is not your everyday baseball cap or beret.
How To: Dye yarn with Kool-Aid
In this video, we learn how to dye yarn with Kool-Aid. First, take two chairs and wrap yarn around them as tight as possible to keep them from getting tangled up. Then, place in a bath of lukewarm water for ten minutes. After this, grab packets of Kool Aid the color you want your yarn to be. Now, take the yarn out of the water and squeeze out any excess water. After this, mix up the Kool Aid and place it into individual jars for each color. Next, place the jars in a large pot of water and the...
How To: Join a crochet round
In this video, we learn how to join a crochet round. First, you will join with the beginning double crochet. Now, go to the beginning and join with a single crochet doing a slip stitch. Then, slip stitch between to join the two together. Go in with a slip stitch in the beginning, then double crochet. After this, join again with a slip stitch, then go to the beginning of the whole crochet again. By following these steps, you will learn how to join a crochet round in no time! Practice with seve...
How To: Knit a stitch through the back loop
This video shows how to knit a stitch through the back loop. It's the way you can twist your knit and tight the fabric by stitching through the back loop.
How To: Make a crochet diamond-embellished granny square for left handers
There definitely exists logic behind calling these fuzzy crochet squares granny squares. After all, the cozy texture and delicate, retro motif do remind us of Sundays visiting Grandma while she served us tea and sandwiches and she knitted the day away.
How To: Make a triobite bar using two different colors of nylon thread
Who knew that knots could be their very own art form? According to TIAT, or Tying It All Together, knots can be sexy, sensual, and beautiful. And we're totally getting that by the looks of this pretty triobite bar.
How To: Make a cozy crochet diamond granny square
There definitely exists logic behind calling these fuzzy crochet squares granny squares. After all, the cozy texture and delicate, retro motif do remind us of Sundays visiting Grandma while she served us tea and sandwiches and she knitted the day away.
How To: Make a fashionable crochet hoop earring for left handers
Think all crochet projects produce yuppy granny squares and are only done by elderly cat ladies who live alone? Think again. With stars like Amanda Seyfried proclaiming that knitting is their favorite hobby, crocheting/knitting is once again becoming hot stuff, kind of like designer cupcakes or pilates.
How To: Make a scalloped crochet hoop earring
Think all crochet projects produce yuppy granny squares and are only done by elderly cat ladies who live alone? Think again. With stars like Amanda Seyfried proclaiming that knitting is their favorite hobby, crocheting/knitting is once again becoming hot stuff, kind of like designer cupcakes or pilates.
How To: Knit a crochet granny square for left handers using circle to square four
Granny squares are not in fact grannies who can't think out of the box. When it comes to knitting, granny squares is the terminology for a knit square project. They're termed "granny" because they look old and soft and remind us of that stereotypical image of an old cat lady knitting in her home.
How To: Do a knitting bind off (cast off) on a circular needle
Bind offs, also known as cast offs, are useful tools in knitting because they help you keep one area of your project in place while you work on another section. Bind offs on a circular needle work basically in the same way that bind offs work with straight needles.
How To: Knit a simple garter stitch scarf
Watch and learn the secret behind knitting a simple garter stitch scarf. Garter stitches are great for scarves because all you do is knit every row and both sides are the same. Cast on the number of stitches that you want and just start knitting! Judy Graham, Knitter to the Stars, shows you how it's done!
How To: Tie the snakeskin bar knot
If you need to take up a hobby, you could try taking up making cool, decorative knots. This hobby isn't too hard to take up and can result in beautiful looking pieces of art that you can sell or just giveaway.
How To: Create an embossed crochet flower using circle to square four
Granny squares are not in fact grannies who can't think out of the box. When it comes to knitting, granny squares is the terminology for a knit square project. They're termed "granny" because they look old and soft and remind us of that stereotypical image of an old cat lady knitting in her home.
How To: Make doily-shaped crochet earrings for left handers
Well this is quite the alternative crochet project. You've probably already knitted a light, hole-y Afghan, and even a long, thick crochet scarf for the winter months, but we can bet you've never even thought of crocheting your own earrings.
How To: Knit delicate, doily patterned crochet earrings
Well this is quite the alternative crochet project. You've probably already knitted a light, hole-y Afghan, and even a long, thick crochet scarf for the winter months, but we can bet you've never even thought of crocheting your own earrings.
How To: Make a swirled crochet Afghan for left handers
For those of you who are knitting beginners, an Afghan may sound difficult but it's actually just a fancy schmancy term for a crochet blanket. The blanket's texture varies according to your choosing, from thick wool yarn to light and airy summertime yarn.
How To: Knit a hat on circular needles
In this video, we learn how to knit a hat on circular needles. First, use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round and make sure no stitches are twisted around. Now, join the two ends by knitting your stitch and using both of the loose ends at once. You will now start knitting and going around. You can make as many knits as you want and do any types you would like, making sure you go in the circular motion around the brim of your hat. You can style this as you prefer, then enjoy whe...
How To: Crochet a beanie hat
In this tutorial, we learn how to crochet a beanie hat. First, you must place the yarn around your fingers, then thread through the needle with a slip knot. After you do this, grab the yarn and move the string through the slip knot to make a chain stitch. The next type of stitch you will do is a seam stitch, where you will find a hole and grab the string, then bring the needle through so you have two loops around the needle, then bring it back through the hole. You will continue to do these s...
How To: Keep yarn from tangling when using many colors
In this tutorial, we learn how to keep yarn from tangling when using many colors. A great way to do this is to start the crochet then place your color aside. So even though the colors are crossing each other they are not tangling up. Make sure to keep rotating your project and pay attention to where your yarn strings are located at. This will keep all your things in order so you don't have to deal with large knots and messed up projects. Just make sure to set up properly and you will have a g...
How To: Make looming easier
In this video, we learn how to make looming easier. First, you will want to use a table loomer to help make this much more simple. Start to thread the different colors or one color through the loomer and then grab a plate when you are done. use the side of the plate to run it through the middle of the string. When you are finished, this will help push the thread down into the looming machine and you won't have to do it manually with your hands. When you are finished, you can take out the loom...
How To: Create a crochet plastic bag from upcycled plastic bags
A plastic bag made out of plastic bags that's stronger than its constituent parts and reusuable for shopping trips? How did we not think of this before? While there's been a green movement recently to upcycle "junk" or "trash" into something usable, like old t-shirts into grocery bags, the idea was always to turn something into something else entirely.
How To: Do a purl increase stitch in knitting
In this video, we learn how to do a purl increase stitch in knitting. First, make sure your yarn is in front, then do a normal purl stitch. Before you take your yarn off the left needle, go into the back of that stitch and pick it up from behind. Then, do a normal purl loop. After this, take the needle off. This is all you have to do to do a purl increase while you are stitching. If you don't understand it at first, then keep practicing and you will eventually learn how to do this. When you l...
How To: Increase and decrease single crochet
In this tutorial, we learn how to increase and decrease a single crochet. To do this, you will start off with five single crochets, then single crochet in the single crochet from the hook. After this, do an h chain across. After this, increase by doing a chain one and turn and go back into the stitches. If you want to make it wider on both sides, chain one and turn, then put two single crochets in the first stitch. Then, go in each stitch across and go by what the pattern says to go by. Usual...
How To: Crochet an alt turning chain for half double crochet
Crochet an alt turning chain for half double crochet Double crochet leaves a hole in the fabric. The special stitch makes the fabric more dense. You will have to go back and double crochet.
How To: Use a stranded colorwork pattern
In this tutorial, we learn how to use a stranded color work pattern. Start with a basic pattern to help you learn how to do this. Use a chart to help you keep track of where you are and what you have done. Use a sticky not over the rows so you don't get ahead of yourself. Start off with the color that is first, then continue on to do the other colors that are on that row. When finished with this, remove the sticky note and continue onto the other colors that the chart shows. On the first stit...
How To: Crochet a large purple swirled Afghan
For those of you who are knitting beginners, an Afghan may sound difficult but it's actually just a fancy schmancy term for a crochet blanket. The blanket's texture varies according to your choosing, from thick wool yarn to light and airy summertime yarn.
How To: Upcycle an old bed sheet into yarn for knitting
We enjoy the fuzzy wool yarns at craft stores as much as any other knitter, but did you know that yarn doesn't have to be made from wool or any of the typical yarn fibers? In fact, you can make your own yarn at home. Don't worry, we're not going to put you in front of a weaving machine.
How To: Read yarn to examine its texture and consistency
Have you ever marveled at those knitting doyennes at Michael's who can just run up to the yarn aisle and speedily pick up some yarn because they know exactly what type of of yarn they need for their project without reading the yarn label? Most of us struggle with different yarn consistencies, scanning the label to get a feel for how the yarn would play out if knitted.
How To: Knit an Estonian lace shawl with Eunny Jang
During the summer, lace shawls become uniform for many fashionable women who want to cover up slightly during those nippy summer nights or jaunts out by the chilly ocean but don't want to compromise their style. Lace shawls, which are composed of many delicate patterns with holes interspersed for breathability, fit the bill just right.
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: Remove a provisional cast-on from a knitting project
This may be a really short tutorial, but it teaches you a skill that you'll need to use in many future knitting projects: removing provisional cast-ons. Cast-ons are basically the latticework and frame of your knitwork, allowing you to create complex designs without any threads coming loose. These cast-ons are a third hand, if you will.
How To: Knit a pretty tulip buttonhole with Eunny Jang
These tulip buttonholes are both pretty and all-purpose, usable for just about any knitting project that requires buttonholes. Composed of a petal-shaped hole rimmed at the edges with a briaded knit, this tulip buttonhold project is simple and great for knitting beginners.
How To: Knit basic cables with Eunny Jang for beginners
Chances are, if you have some elder relatives who have paid you a visit during the holidays, then you probably have more than your fair share of cable-knit sweaters in various ugly Christmas designs. While we're certainly not a fan of these types of sweaters, the cable-knit technique is one that is used very commonly in knitting and is one of the most basic.