Knitting Instructions: From Basic to Advanced Techniques

By Sandra Mishikins

This article is meant to provide a basic overview of knitting. It will also give pointers on how best to increase your skill from the basic to the more advanced techniques without giving up. Read on to learn where to find great knitting instructions and how to put these to use.

Today it is easier than ever to find knitting instructions to follow. Pamphlets with basic knitting instructions can be found at any fabric store. The public library will likely have a host of videos or books on the topic. Each of these than can be helpful, when trying to learn the basics or trying to master more complicated techniques.

Casting on is one of the first things you must learn. To cast on, you simply make a slip knot on the end of one needle. Starting five or six feet from the end of your yarn, make a single loop around your left thumb while holding the needle in your right hand. Insert the needle into the loop and put the yarn (from the ball) around the needle while pulling the yarn through the loop. Finally, slip the loop off the thumb and cinch it tight on the needle. Casting on is really not especially difficult once it has been done once or twice. Some beginners might need to look at a diagram or watch a basic knitting instructions video to get the hang of it.

When you are ready to knit, you will want to hold the needle with yarn on it in the left hand. Insert the tip of the second needle through the loop of yarn. The needle should be inserted from the front of the loop. Attach yarn form the back of the loop and pull it through the loop with the needle. Then attach the stitch to left needle and repeat. This is the most basic stitching technique.

Another very basic technique is the purl. The purl is much like the basic knit. However, instead of inserting the right needle from the front, you will insert the tip from the back. You will pull the yarn through from the opposite direction and work the stitch onto the left needle.

These are just a few of the most basic knitting techniques. Once you get a feel for these, you should start adding a few others to your repertoire. Make additions slowly and only when you feel comfortable. A great approach is to start slightly more advanced projects so that you can learn new skills. However, be sure to ramp up the difficultly in a gradual manner. Nothing can be more frustrating than attempting a project that?s simply too advanced. Work your way up! - 29956

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