Top 10 Knitting tips
You can use CD holders to store your needles
Use circular needles even when you’re knitting flat.
I’ve lost a lot of straight needles over the years. When I wasn’t looking, the needle not attached to my knitting would leap out of my knitting bag and escape through some portal under the nearest piece of furniture, never to be seen again. Then I discovered that I could use circular needles for flat projects by knitting back and forth in the round. The cable connecting the needles kept them from separating. So long, straight needles!
The crochet hook is a knitter’s best friend.
Even if you are the most die-hard knitter, you’ll discover that a crochet hook is an indispensable knitting tool. Here’s why:
Stockinette curls and it’s not your fault.
It’s maddening! You’re knitting a simple piece of stockinette and it starts to roll up at the bottom and curl in at the sides. When it happened to me, I was sure I was doing something wrong. I found out that it’s caused by the nature of the stitch itself and can be prevented with simple changes like adding a border.
Create a neat edge with an easy chain slip stitch.
I said “goodbye” to nubby garter stitch edges forever the minute I knit my first slipped stitch chain edge. As you can see in the bamboo stitch swatch below, the slipped chain creates an attractive braid-like edge along the right side. There are several ways to do a chain edge, but this is the easiest way I’ve found.
- At the end of every row, slip the last stitch with the yarn in front.2. At the beginning of the next row, knit the slipped stitch. This has become such a habit for me that I do it automatically and it feels wrong to knit any other way.
Match the stitch to the yarn.
From Susan B. Anderson’s Startup Library: Knitting class[/caption] When I first started knitting I would fall for every bouclé, ribbon or fuzzy-soft yarn I saw. But when I got them home, I soon learned they would make a mess of the cables, lace, or other special stitch patterns I wanted to try. Textured yarn works best with simple stitches like stockinette and garter, while a textured stitch works best with a simple high-ply twisted yarn.
Recycle or upcycle your practice projects.
When you’re knitting — especially when you try a new technique — there will be projects that don’t quite turn out the way you envisioned them. One novice knitter told me that she just threw those projects out and bought new yarn. Although we all love an excuse to buy new yarn, there are better ways to rescue failed experiments including re-using the yarn in a new project.
Long Tail Cast On Without Estimating Yarn Tail - Yay
I really enjoy using the long tail cast on. I like the nice clean stretchy edge it creates and how it makes my knitting look. But... How many of you have tried casting on a lot of stitches only to find that you ran out of yarn before you were done? And then the next time you tried you over compensated and had three extra feet of yarn left? haha Arrgghh! Me too. But not anymore, check this out. Note: If you're a new knitter you will need to check out the original version of the long tail cast on too so that you have the full step-by-step instructions. Then you can come back here and see this terrific tip for knitting the long tail. Don't worry I'll wait for you.
One Of The Biggest Knitting Tips of All-Knitting Gauge
You betcha it really, really is the most important knitting tip. In fact it may not sound like a tip to you but I want you to know how much easier knitting will become when you learn and understand about knitting gauge. It truly is that important and honestly when you get into the habit it will become second nature. Really.
When You are Knitting a Gauge Swatch...
Just make a row of eyelets for the size needle you used.
