The knitting world is full of hidden treasures. From the simplest craft to an art form, it’s easy to get lost in the world of knitting and never come out again. The possibilities are endless and so are the ways you can explore your own creativity.
But if you want to take your skills beyond simple stockinette stitch and start taking on more advanced techniques like cables, Fair Isle, even lace then we’ve got just what you need!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Intermediate knitting techniques can take your knitting skills to the next level. |
| Lace knitting and Fair Isle knitting are two popular intermediate techniques worth exploring. |
| Adding texture to your knitting projects with bobbles can be a fun and playful way to enhance your designs. |
| Knitting cables requires some practice but can add stunning dimension to projects like scarves and sweaters. |
| Colorwork can add visual interest and depth to knitting projects. |
Cable Knitting
Cable knitting is a great way to add texture and design interest to your project. It’s also a wonderful way to learn new stitches, because cables look complicated but are actually very simple once you have the basics down.
Cables are formed by crossing stitches on the needle. The direction of cable cross determines which stitch is active and which stitch remains inactive or “lurks” behind it, waiting for its turn in the spotlight.
This is why you’ll see instructions like “slip 2 purlwise.” That means you should slip two stitches purlwise (the opposite direction of how you would normally move them), so as not to disrupt any active stitches that may be lurking behind them.
Cable patterns can be made in different directions; they can be made with different numbers of stitches; and they’re used in many knitting projects beyond hats!
If you’re a beginner at knitting trying to master cables, we’ve got you covered! Our guide to Mastering Cables is a step-by-step tutorial that teaches you everything you need to know about tackling this intermediate technique
Crochet Cast-On (crochet cast-on)
You’ll need a crochet hook that is one or two sizes larger than your knitting needle. With the right side facing you and working up towards the tip of the hook, make a slipknot, then insert your hook into your stitch and pull through.
Now we have a chain! This is also known as “worked in rounds” or “crocheting around” because once you cast on with this method, you work all subsequent rows by joining each new stitch to the last—rather than turning your work over like when knitting flat.
If you want to try crocheting around for yourself with another technique (such as making an i-cord), follow along below:
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Single Crochet Cast-On | This technique works well for adding stitches to an existing piece of crochet work. It creates a neat, even line of stitches that is easy to work with. |
| Chain Cast-On | This technique is similar to a regular crochet chain, but it is used as a foundation for knitting. It is a versatile cast-on that works well for a wide range of knitting projects. |
| Slip Stitch Cast-On | This is a quick and easy cast-on technique that creates a row of stitches that is tight and tidy. It is great for projects that require a lot of stretch, like the cuffs of socks or the edges of a hat. |
| Half Double Crochet Cast-On | This technique is a bit more complex than the single crochet cast-on, but it creates a slightly stretchier row of stitches. It works well for scarves or other projects that require some elasticity. |
| Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC) Cast-On | This is a unique technique that combines the foundation chain with half double crochet stitches. It creates a very stretchy and flexible chain that is great for hats, scarves, and other projects that require a lot of give. |
Provisional Cast-On (provisional cast-on)
A provisional cast-on can be used to cast on at the end of a project. It is not counted as a row of knitting, so it won’t be visible in the finished piece.
The technique can be used to add a border or edging to a project, but you have to pick up stitches along that edge later and remove the provisional cast-on stitches before joining them into your main pattern.
Provisional Cast-On Steps:
Using waste yarn and leaving a long tail (at least 6 times as long as your desired finished length), loosely chain (ch) enough stitches to cover your base row plus an extra 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) for seaming and finishing later.
Work in Stockinette Stitch until you reach this point where you stopped and then take off your needles. With both needles still attached by their working yarns, pull one needle out of its stitch(es).
Pulling this stitch will leave behind just one loop, the first loop created after casting on provisionally as well as its corresponding live strand/tail from which we’ll start making our first actual knit stitch with our working needle!
Ready to take your knitting skills to the next level? Our guide to Intermediate Knitting Techniques has got you covered! Learn advanced techniques like lace knitting, Fair Isle knitting, and more with our easy-to-follow tutorials.
Short Rows (short rows)
Short rows are a technique used to add shaping to knitting, whether for the body or for sleeves. They’re also great for blocking out garments so that they have a nice fit and drape.
Short rows are not just a one-time technique; they can be used in different ways throughout the course of your project and over the course of many projects.
Short rows create shaping by working stitches at different points along the row, rather than using increases or decreases. This means that you’ll see two types of short rows: wrap-and-turns (W&Ts) and German short rows (GSRs).
Wrap-and-turns are very similar to turning your knitting around and working back through it, but there’s an extra step: when you turn after each stitch on your needle has been wrapped around it, you’ll need to pick up those wraps from where they were left hanging off the end of your needle when you worked them as part of your previous row this is what makes this type of short row so easy!
German short rows require some additional steps before beginning work again; after turning at each point where work will be picked up later in order to create shaping, stitches are worked together with their neighboring stitch above or below them so that no holes remain behind where turning occurred earlier on in subsequent rounds’ worths (or columns’, depending on how many sts per round/column).
This results in what looks like “stair steps” across any gaps created by turning at different points within each round/column; however because these stair steps aren’t visible on top surfaces due only being underneath other layers instead–only showing through along edges–they don’t have any effect whatsoever
Sweater Design and Pattern Writing (pattern writing)
Learning how to write a pattern is one of the most important skills you can develop as a knitter. In fact, it’s often said that knitting is an art form, and pattern writing is its poetry.
In order to create a good pattern, you need to understand how it works with your yarn. You’ll also want to know about gauge (how many stitches per inch) and sizing (what size needles would be best).
Understanding these concepts will help make sure that your patterns are accurate when they’re finished.
Looking to add some texture to your knitting projects? Check out our guide to Adding Bobbles to Your Knits and learn how to create cute and playful textured designs with ease.
Magic Loop Method (Knitting in the round)
This method is ideal for knitting small tubes, mittens, and socks. The circular needle will have a round end at one end and a point at the other.
To start using this method, cast on your stitches as usual using the regular long-tail cast on method (or any other you prefer).
Then take your empty needle and place it through the first stitch on your working needle as if to purl (Figure 1), then wrap it with yarn over that same stitch and pull through (Figure 2).
Spin Your Own Yarn (spinning)
Once you’ve mastered the basics of knitting, it’s time to move on to spinning your own yarn. Spinning is a great way to create custom colorways and pattern variations that would be difficult or impossible with store-bought skeins.
Spinning your own yarn is not as daunting as it sounds; once you learn the basics of drafting, plying, and spinning from a wheel or drop spindle, it can become one of your favorite hobbies!
The first step in learning how to spin your own yarn is choosing what fibers you want to use for your project. Cotton, wool (both natural and synthetic), alpaca these are just some of the fibers available for spinning purposes!
Once you know which fibers are best for each other project, making sure they’re compatible when being combined together will help keep them from felting together during processing later on down this road. If these options don’t suit what type of projects
Knitting with Beads (bead knitting)
Bead knitting is a fun and easy way to add a little bling to your projects. Beads can be added to a variety of projects, including socks, hats, cowls, and more.
The most basic method of bead knitting involves wrapping yarn around beads on alternating stitches until the desired amount of beads have been added. Once you’ve done that, you simply knit through the loops.
If you want to do it in the round (which gives you a smoother look), repeat this process until all rounds are completed.
Double Point Needles for Dummies (double-pointed needles, dpns)
Double-pointed needles (dpns) are a knitting tool that work like circulars, but with more points. This makes them easier to use for knitting in the round (like when you’re making socks) than normal straight needles. Dpns are made of wood or metal, and come in various sizes depending on what you want to make.
For example, if you need a small diameter such as 2mm for your ribbing on socks or 3mm for your lace project at the top of sleeves and necklines, then choose 4 inch wooden dpns; while if you’re working with worsted weight yarns that need bigger diameters such as 5mm or 6mm and keep in mind how far apart each stitch needs to be spaced so they don’t overlap then try 7 inch metal ones instead!
To hold your double pointed needles: Hold them as though they were chopsticks! Make sure that whatever size needle(s) fit best is/are closest to where your hands meet so that all stitches stay secure on their own without slipping off during knitting time too soon!
Don’t forget about those tiny details here because good posture helps us avoid any unnecessary pain later down the road too!
Short Cut to Fair Isle (fair isle knitting, colorwork knitting, stranded knitting)
The traditional way to knit fair isle is to work each color in separate rows. For example, you might knit one row of green and then the next with blue, then red and so on.
However, if you’re making a sweater or other garment that will require you to switch colors frequently, this method can be cumbersome and time consuming.
To save yourself some hassle when knitting in the round (or flat), there are two shortcuts to fair-isle knitting: 1) carry your yarns up the side of your work; 2) use duplicate stitch.
In this article I’ll show both techniques so that whether you’re working on a hat or an afghan blanket this winter (or any project at all really), you have options!
Sweater weather is coming! Make sure you’re ready to take on the challenge of knitting your own with our guide to Knitting Sweaters. With plenty of patterns, tips, and tricks to follow, you’ll be a sweater-knitting pro in no time
Reading Patterns and Charting Techniques in Pattern Writing (pattern reading, charting patterns)
The most important thing to remember when reading a knitting pattern is that it’s not a list of instructions.
A chart can make your life easier by showing you which stitch to work at a given point in the pattern, but if it’s not clear what the stitches are supposed to look like on their own (and they often aren’t) then trying to figure out how they fit together is basically impossible.
The best way to avoid this problem is by learning how to read charts and patterns. You should be able to look at any chart or written pattern and understand what it means without having someone explain it every step of the way.
Sock Knitting Basics (sock knitting, socks)
Sock knitting is a bit different from regular knitting because the process is done in rounds and does not require binding off at the end of each round. The basic steps for sock knitting are:
- Cast on stitches (the number of stitches will vary depending on your pattern)
- Create a heel flap by working back and forth across half of your stitches as you knit through both loops (this creates a little flap near the bottom)
- Work across all stitches until you get to where your little flap begins, then turn your work so that it looks right side up again before proceeding with step 4
- Pick up gusset stitches—these are basically extra bits at either side where you picked up those stitches earlier in Step 3
- Knit around until desired length has been reached. This part can be tricky if you’re not sure how long to make each leg!
Want to add some dimension to your knitting projects? Our guide to Colorwork Magic teaches you how to add depth and visual interest to your knits with multiple colors and patterns.
Conclusion
So now that you know the basics of knitting, let’s dive into some more advanced techniques! We’ll start with some simple ways to improve your stitches and gauge. Then we’ll move on to things like working with multiple colors or adding texture to your projects.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you with your knitting techniques:
Nimble Needles Knitting Techniques Library: Offers an extensive list of knitting techniques with detailed explanations, this library is a valuable resource for knitters of all skill levels.
26 Knitting Stitches to Learn and Knit Like a Pro: A blog post that teaches 26 different knitting stitches with useful visuals and clear instructions.
Knitting beyond the basics with Tash: This online course is perfect for knitters who want to deepen their skills and venture out beyond the basics.
FAQs
What is the difference between knitting and crochet?
Knitting and crochet are two different ways to create fabric. Knitting uses two needles to create interlocking loops, while crochet uses a single hook to create loops and join them together.
What are some popular knitting techniques?
Some popular knitting techniques include cables, lace, colorwork, and Fair Isle knitting.
What are some common knitting mistakes?
Common knitting mistakes that beginner knitters make include dropping stitches, having uneven tension, and making inconsistent stitches.
What are some important tools for a beginning knitter?
Some important tools for a beginning knitter include knitting needles, a crochet hook, yarn, a row counter, and a tapestry needle.
Can I learn to knit online?
Yes, there are many online resources available to learn how to knit. Tutorials, online courses, and blogs can all help you learn the basics and beyond.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a crochet and knitting expert. I’ve been crocheting since I was just a kid, but I started taking it seriously when I realized that it was a great way to de-stress and relax. Now that I have kids of my own, I love teaching them how to do it too!