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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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Lace Cross knitting stitch: An easy two-row repeat pattern, ideal for beginners
In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit one of the easiest lace stitches I know: The Lace Cross pattern. It’s made using two rows, one of which is just purling. If you haven’t tried yet knitting lace, this could be a great way to start 😉 The Lace Cross stitch has a lovely texture to it, and the vertical design makes it perfect for knitting scarves, wraps, rectangular shawls, or a seasonal top. It tends to curl at the bottom, so think about knitting a nice edge on each side, if your garment is rectangular and should stay flat. This swatch was knitted using one of my favorite 100%…
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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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Chain stitch: An easy pattern for knitting baby stuff
The Chain stitch is one of those easy knitting patterns, ideal for beginners. Similar to the Hail stitch, it’s a horizontal pattern, not reversible, but it doesn’t curl. A four-row repeat stitch, adorable, delicate, great for knitting baby clothing and accessories (hats, cardigans, blankies, mittens, etc). This is the perfect stitch to practice the easiest decreases and increases that exist in the knitting world, combined with basic knits and purls. Grab your needles and let’s go! Abbreviations CO: Cast on RS: Right side of the work K: Knit P: Purl k2tog: Knit two stitches together (this is the easiest way to decrease one stitch) kfb: Knit front and back. Knit…
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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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Cross stitch pattern: For knitting cowls, scarves and hats
In today’s tutorial, a gorgeous cross stitch pattern, easy to knit, it has a rich texture to it, and it’s perfect for knitting cowls, scarves, hats, even jumpers and cardigans (for women, men and children). I love it! Similar to the Cross stitch we practiced sometime ago, this one is a four-row repeat pattern, and although it doesn’t curl, it’s better to knit a nice edge on each side (for example in Garter stitch, Seed stitch, or 1×1 Rib stitch), because the stitch crossing makes the sides of the fabric a little bit skewed (it won’t be a straight square or rectangle, it will look more like a parallelogram). But…
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How to knit a Braided Headband for beginners, step by step
In today’s tutorial, a quick and easy project (it takes less than two hours), with amazing results: A braided headband or diadem (ideal for knitting during what I like to call “the great kerfuffle”, like the beautiful Easy Slippers in 3 sizes (knitted in Garter stitch and using straight needles) from last week, or the Super Easy French Beret (using also straight needles and Stockinette stitch) from the previous week. You’ll learn how to knit a braid from scratch, step by step, and how to join the opposite sides seamlessly, using the grafting technique, perfect for all you knitters that don’t like visible seams! This braided headband is a very…
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Pearl Brioche stitch: An introduction to Brioche knitting
In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit the Pearl Brioche pattern, a spongy stitch, full of texture, perfect for knitting blankets, sweaters, cardigans, cowls, amongst other projects. Really cute! The Pearl Brioche stitch is a great introduction for Brioche knitting, because it’s easier, getting familiar with the main steps takes very little time and effort unlike Brioche, which rumor has it is the reason so many people decide to study astrophysics instead… So, let’s get started! This swatch was knitted in 100% cotton yarn (using 2 strands at a time): And US 10 (6 mm) bamboo needles Abbreviations CO: Cast on sl1kw: Slip one stitch knitwise sl1pw: Slip one…
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Easy slippers, a knitting pattern for beginners
In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit an easy pair of slippers, using Garter stitch only. This is a great project for using up your stash of leftovers (if you knit them using two colors, you’ll need less than 50 gr each). The slippers come in three sizes, but if you want to make them smaller (or indeed bigger), just cast on four stitches less (or more). In both cases increases and decreases should be distributed proportionally, as you will see in the instructions, further down. Materials 100 gr. of cotton yarn (light worsted weight, nº 3, or DK). If you want to knit them in two colors, you’ll…
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Super easy French Beret knitting pattern, ideal for beginners
In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit a French Beret for beginners, step by step (using straight needles, not circulars). A baguette with onion soup is optional but highly recommended ; ) This project is simple to knit, ideal for beginners: The only techniques required are knit, purl, and knit two stitches together. And the wool yarn and needles used are thick enough to finish it quickly. This French Beret knitting pattern works for teenage and adult sizes, because the ribbing is stretchy enough to suit head circumferences from 17.75 in (45 cm) up to 23.6 in (60 cm). Gauge Using US 15 (10 mm) needles: 8 stitches and…
