Knitting Pretty

Knitting is one of several ways to turn thread or yarn into cloth (compare to weaving, crochet). Similar to crochet, knitting consists of loops pulled through other loops; knitting differs from crochet in that multiple loops are "active". The active loops are held on a knitting needle until another loop can be passed through them.

Hand-knitted fabrics are usually begun by forming a base series of twisted loops of yarn on a knitting needle ("cast on"). To form a new stitch, a second knitting needle is used to reach through each of these loops (called stitches) in succession to pull a new loop from the working ball of yarn back through the first loop. Work can proceed in the round (circular knitting) or by going back and forth in rows (flat knitting).

You can download a step by step instruction on how to begin knitting at http://www.lionbrand.com/learntoKnit.pdf

Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 K2tog across row.
Row 3 K into the front and back of each st.
Row 4 Purl.

Rep rows 1-4.

source: http://cache.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=284

Rows 1 and 3 (WS) K2, *p5, k3; rep from *, end last rep k2.

Row 2 K2, *wyif sl 5 sts purlwise, k3; rep from *, end last rep k2.

Row 4 K4, *insert RH needle under strand 2 rows below, k next st on LH needle, drawing loop through st on needle and under strand in one motion, k7; rep from *, end last rep k4.

Rep rows 1-4

source: http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=291

Rows 1 and 3 (WS) *P2, k1; rep from *, end p2.
Row 2 *K2, p1, yo, ssk, p1; rep from *, end k2.
Row 4 *K2, p1, k2tog, yo, p1; rep from *, end k2.

Rep rows 1-4.

[Note: The swatch shown here was done using 4 repeats of the stitch on each row]

source: http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=281

Row 1 (RS) *Yo, ssk, k9; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and all WS rows Purl.
Row 3 *K1, yo, ssk, k8; rep from * to end.
Row 5 *K2, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 7 *K3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 9 *K6, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 11 *K5, k2tog, yo, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 12 Purl.

Rep rows 1-12.

source: http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=280

Row 1 (RS) *Yo, k2tog; rep from * to end.
Rows 2 and 4 Purl.
Row 3 *SKP, yo; rep from * to end.

Rep rows 1-4.

source: http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=285

Row 1 (RS) K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 Purl.

Rep rows 1 and 2.

source: http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=274

BIND OFF: To finish off an edge and prevent stitches from unraveling by lifting the first stitch over the second, the second over the third, and so on. It is also known as "Cast Off"

BIND OFF IN RIBBING: Binding off while still keeping the rib pattern done by knitting the knit stiches and purling the purl stitches.

CAST ON: The foundation of knitting, done by creating loops on the knitting needle depending on how many are called for in a pattern.

DECREASE: Reducing the number of stitches ( that's what you do when you see instructions like "K2 tog", "P3 tog", "SSK" etc.)

INCREASE: Increase the number of stitches in a row (purl in front and knit in back of a stitch)

KNITWISE: Insert the needle into the stitch as if to knit.

MAKE ONE: With tip of the needle, lift strand between last stitch knitted and next stitch on left-hand needle, place strand on left-hand needle and knit into back of it to increase 1 stitch.

PLACE MARKERS: Loop a piece of contrast yarn or purchased stitch marker onto the needle.

PICK UP AND KNIT ( or PURL): Knit (or purl) into the loops along an edge.

PURLWISE: Insert the needle into the stitch as if to purl.

SLIP, SLIP, KNIT: Slip next 2 stitches knitwise, one at a time, to right-hand needle. Insert tip of left-hand needle into fronts of these stitches from left to right and knit them together to decrease 1 stitch.

SLIP STITCH: In knitting, pass a stitch from the left- hand to the right-hand needle as if to purl without working it.

WORK EVEN: Continue in specified pattern without increasing or decreasing.

YARN OVER: Make a new stitch by placing the yarn over the right-hand needle.

GAUGE:

12 sts and 18 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch (St st) using size 10½ (6.5mm) needles. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

CAPE
Garter st border.
Cast on 86 sts.
Rows 1 and 2 Knit.
Row 3 inc row (RS) K15, inc 1 st in next st, k to last 16 sts, inc 1 st in next st, k15 - 88 sts.
Row 4 Knit.
Rows 5 and 6 Rep rows 3 and 4 - 90 sts.
Rep rows 1 - 6 four times more - 106 sts. Piece measures approx 5" from cast on row.

Cape Body - St st w/garter border
Beg increases
Next (inc) row (RS) K15, inc 1 st in next st, k across to last 16 sts, inc 1 st in next st, k15 - 108 sts.
Next row K15, purl across to last 15 sts, k15. Rep last 2 rows until there are 146 sts - piece measures approx 13 ½" from beg.

Beg decreases
Row 1 Knit.
Row 2 K15, purl across to last 15 sts, k15.
Row 3 dec row (RS) K15, k2tog, k to last 17 sts, k2tog, k15 -144 sts.
Row 4 K15, purl across to last 15 sts, k15.
Rows 5 and 6 Rep rows 3 and 4 - 142 sts.
Rep rows 1 - 6 nine times more - 106 sts . Piece measures approx 27" from cast on edge.

Garter st border
Rows 1 and 2 Knit.
Row 3 dec row (RS) K15, k2 tog, k to last 17 sts, k2tog, k15 -104 sts.
Row 4 Knit.
Rows 5 and 6 Rep rows 3 and 4 - 102 sts.
Rep rows 1 - 6 four times more - 86 sts rem - piece measures approx 32" from beg. Bind off.

FLOWER
Cast on 18 sts for center piece. Work in St st for 4 rows.
Next row (RS) [K3, k2tog] 3 times, k3-15 sts. Cont in St st for 4 rows more. Bind off.

Cast on 39 sts for outer piece. Work in St st for 4 rows.
Next row (RS) K7, [k3tog, k8] twice, k3tog, k7-33 sts. Cont in St st for 3 rows more.
Next row (RS) [K7, k2tog] 3 times, k6-30 sts. Cont in St st for 3 rows more. Bind off.Curl center piece to form center of flower and tack together (see photo). Curl outer piece around center piece and tack together. Sew to front of cape. If desired, sew hook and eye to top of cape to close.

-- for more free knitting patterns, visit The Lion Brand web site

These days I am decidedly getting bolder with this knitting business, now I'm trying to knit something more intricate (ha ha, my actual work does not exactly resemble the diagram so I'm ripping and starting again, but, I'm sharing the pattern anyway)

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Eyelet Butterfly:

Cast on 54 sts.

Row 1: Purl Across

Note: When instructed to slip a stitch, always slip as if to knit.

Row 2 (Right side): K 12, K2 tog; YO, K5, K2 tog, YO, K4, K2 tog, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K4, YO, K2 tog, K5, YO, K2 tog, K12: 52 sts.

Row 3: P 14, YO, P2 tog, P 20, P2 tog, YO,P 14.

Row 4: K 12, K2 tog, YO, K5, K2 tog, YO, K3, K2 tog, YO 3 times, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K3, YO, K2 tog, K5, YO, K2 tog, K12: 53 sts.

Row 5: P 14, YO, P2 tog, P9, drop 3 YOs off left needle, P9, P2 tog, YO, P 14: 50 sts.

Row 6: K 12, K2 tog, YO, K5, K2 tog, YO, K2, K2 tog, YO 3 times, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K2, YO, K2 tog, K5, YO, K2 tog, K12 : 51 sts.

Row 7: P 14, YO, P2 tog, P8, drop 3 YOs off left needle, P8, P2 tog, YO, P 14 : 48 sts.

Row 8: K 12, K2 tog, YO, K5, K2 tog, YO,K1, K2 tog, YO 4 times, slip 1, K1, YO, K2 tog, K5, YO, K2 tog, K 12: 50 sts.

Row 9: P 14, YO, P2 tog, P7, drop 4 YOs off left needle, P7, P2 tog, YO, P14: 46 sts.

Row 10: K 12, K2 tog, YO, K5, K2 tog, YO, K2 tog, turn work, add on 5 sts, turn work, insert right needle through 6 horizontal strands, YO and draw up a st (Fig. 7), place st on left needle and knit this st, turn work, add on 4 sts, turn work, slip 1, K1, PSSO, YO, K2 tog, K5, YO, K2 tog, K 12: 54 sts.

Adding on Stitches: Insert right need needle into stitch as if to knit, yarn over and pull loop through,slip loop just worked back onto left needle. Repeat for required number of stitches.

Row 11: P 14, YO, P2 tog, YO, P14.

Repeat Rows 2 - 11 until square measures approximately 12" from cast to edge, ending by working Row 11.

Bind off all sts leaving last loop on needle. apply edging.

Edging: Drop loop from needle, insert crochet hook in loop, do not turn; work 3 sc in each corner and 48 sc evenly spaced across each side; join with slip st to first sc, finish off.

This is my very first foray into knitting last fall. The pattern, Double Moss Stitch, was supposed to be part of a Sampler Afghan but since I didn't really know that much about yarns or binding off, or gauging (OR KNITTING) at the time, I just decided to use this one stitch and make an afghan out of it.

I knitted 3 panels measuring 2ftx5ft each, using Lion Brand cream Homespun yarn and a size 10 needle, and just sewed them together.

Expert knitters are probably gasping for air now LOL, but hey, it's a fun way to start knitting and a great way to keep warm in the winter. My family loves my plain-looking, yarn dye not matching blanket for its softness and warmth.

For anyone interested, here's the pattern I used:

Cast on 54 sts
Row 1 (Right Side): K2, (P2, K2) across.
Rows 2 and 3: P2, (K2, P2) across.
Row 4: K2, (P2, K2) across

Repeat rows 1 to 4, ending with working a right side row.

Voila! I created a whole new throw. For edging, I just did dc around the whole thing twice with extra dc's at the corners to keep the shape.

I ran out of yarn and was shopping online at Joann's, found that they have several sales going on specially about scrap booking. But I was there for the yarn, so it didn't really interest me that much. I probably should've huh, anyway, you can check them out yourself at joann.com.

I was more into buying yarn for a scarf project I have planned to give to my friend [I retired the eyelet butterfly throw for now, but I must say, it's shaping up good, post pictures later].


I've decided to use Lion Brand Homespun, again, I swear they are so soft. Anyway, I picked the red color, what do you think?

As to the scarf, i'm knitting it using 2 strands of Homespun held together all throughout using 15mm needles. I normally do this by pulling one end of the yarn from the outside and pulling the other end that is tucked inside the skein. I am also knitting every row until I reach about 36 inches then loosely bind off all the stitches.

Now to the best part. Coupons are well and good, and I always like it when I get products on sale, but you barely feel it when you get to check out and paid for shipping. So I'm quite thrilled to find Joan's have free shipping coupons they're passing out, thought to post them on here too.

Well, that's it for me today, back to working my granny crochet [uh oh] until I receive my new yarns in the mail.