Top knitting Tips and Tricks
The best tips and tricks in knitting, explained step by step. Great advice for beginners and experts.
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4 knitting techniques and tips to bind off different stitches: Fisherman’s Rib, No curl Stockinette, among others
In this tutorial, you’ll learn four techniques to bind off different kinds of knitting patterns, such as the classic Fisherman’s Rib, the Tweed stitch, and the “No curl Stockinette stitch”. You’ll also see how to bind off working each stitch as it presents, because some of you have told me that it’s still difficult to distinguish the knit stitch from the purl stitch. All the stitches that I’m using for this tutorial have been published here, on this web, and on my You Tube channel: SoWoolly Learning these techniques is important, because not every stitch pattern looks nice if we bind off the traditional way: whether binding off knitwise, or…
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Invisible increases when knitting Stockinette stitch
In today’s tutorial, I’m sharing an increase technique that I just discovered, easy to do and practically undetectable, ideal for knitted pieces made in Stockinette (Stocking) stitch (sometimes the increases can be decorative, but often we would prefer them to be invisible (like my boyfriend 😉 In a previous tutorial, we practiced my favorite increase when knitting Garter stitch, so this time, we’ll see how to do increases that are smooth, virtually unnoticeable, and can be used for any kind of stitch where you get the “v” (the little chain) typical of the Stockinette, because we need one of the sides of the stitch (I call them the “legs” of…
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How to knit the Estonian Braid: A one-row technique
In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit the Estonian Braid, step by step (just because sometimes we get bored of knitting the same 1 x 1 or 2 x 2 classic ribbing, don’t we?). This is an ancient technique used in Eastern Europe to embellish the ribbing of hats, sweaters, and gloves/mittens. It works as an eye-catching border between the rib and the rest of the garment. The Estonian Braid is easy to make, it’s a one row technique that involves knitting and slipping stitches, it gives a more stylish look to your knitting work. Wish to highlight it even more? Do it twice, or in a different color!…
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Fixing the last stitch in your knitting to avoid a loose loop at the edge
More often than not, after binding off the last stitch, a huge loop remains, spoiling the edge, and making it more difficult to finish the seam… In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn a devastatingly effective knitting tip to prevent it 😉 So, rather than finishing the work like this: The result looks more like this: The following steps fix the last stitch and avoid a loose loop on the edge: Step one: Before binding off the last stitch, slip it onto the right-hand needle (there are now two stitches on the right-hand needle). Step two: Insert the left-hand needle into the left “leg” of the “v” or edge stitch from the…
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How to knit the Stockinette stitch without purling
In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit the Stockinette stitch without purling: The trick is to knit every stitch on every row when knitting the Stocking stitch. This knitting trick will help you whether you need to knit faster or even if you aren’t a big fan of purling ;), and it will look the same, both, on the right and wrong side of the work. It’s really easy, but you’ll need to repeat the second row a few times (3-4 times), until you get used to it, because we’ll be knitting backwards. One more thing before we start: Please note that when knitting the Stockinette stitch without purling,…
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How to improve the tension on the edges in knitting
Today, I’m sharing with you some tips that will help you to improve the tension of the first and the last stitch, to avoid ugly sloppy edges. I’m adding this tutorial to my new playlist “Knitting Top Tips and Tricks” on my YouTube channel, so you can find them all in the same place 😉 This is what I always do to ensure perfect edges when knitting (all my secrets): Tip #1: Starting on the first row, don’t stretch the first stitch too much: When inserting the needle, don’t push it, knit the first using just the tip, so the first stitch isn’t overly stretched out. And knit the rest,…
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How to fix dropped cast-on stitches (easy knitting trick)
Hello, my little Woolly! In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn an easy trick, to fix dropped cast-on stitches… Simple and effective, it will save you a lot of time 😉 Are you familiar with this scenario…? When knitting the first row, something comes up (the doorbell, the cat leaves you a present, the phone rings… etc.), and we have to leave our work… Or we are knitting this first row too fast, and… We realize that one of the cast on stitches has come undone…Accidentally, we dropped one stitch off, and suddenly there are two strands between your needles. I don’t know how many times this has happened to me, and…
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The Essential Guide to stitches, yarn, and measurements for your knitting/crocheting projects
Before knitting (or crocheting) any squared or rectangular project (such as a scarf, a cowl, a blanket, a cushion, a table runner or place mat, etc.), there are some aspects we need to know. For example: Measurements, how many stitches to cast on, how much yarn will be required, is the stitch we love suitable for this project and this yarn? And many, many more questions… This is why I have created a system, a series of steps that will help you find out everything you need to know in advance, so you can start knitting (or crocheting) your own project, using the yarns and stitches you love, with total…
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Bind off at both sides of the same row: Armhole knitting tip
Today we’ll learn a great knitting tip: How to bind off at both sides of the same row, to avoid any differences in the levels around the armholes of your handmade sweater. With this simple knitting technique, (especially important when working with two or more colors), we are going to cast off the stitches of the right and left side of the same row at the same height. You’ll never ever have to suffer one armhole higher than the other again 😉 (If you are a fan of the tips that make your knitting easier, here you have all my top tips and tricks: A new playlist that I’ll keep…
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A safe and easy way to add a new ball of yarn
In this tutorial you’ll learn a safe and easy way to add a new ball or skein of yarn, to change color, or when you run out of wool and need to start a new one (no knots needed)! And, before I forget, with this post, I’m creating a new section for this website and for my You Tube channel So Woolly, called “Top knitting Tips and Tricks”, to give you my best advice! We must start at the beginning of the row: Firstly, you need to allow 12 -15 cm (4.5 – 6 in) of the new yarn. Tie a knot (gently) and raise it as close as possible…
