SIMPLE CASTING ON
Form a knotted slip loop on one needle. Holding the needle with the right hand and the thread with the left hand, take the thread round the thumb clockwise and insert the needle into the front of the loop thus made, let loop drop off thumb and pull the thread tight with the left hand.
Repeat as many times as necessary for the required number of stitches. This method is loose and is recommended when the cast-on stitches have to be picked up and worked in the opposite direction.
Casting On with one needle (English thumb Method)
Measure a length of thread three times the length of the final width to be cast on, make a slip loop and slip on needle. Holding the left thread in the left hand, the needle and thread from the ball with the right hand work as follows--* Take the left thread round left thumb clockwise close to the needle, the thread being held taut by the middle, third and little fingers. Insert the needle into the front of the loop round left thumb, pass the right thread over the needle and knit a stitch, tighten both threads. Repeat from * as many times as stitches required.
Knitted Casting On with 2 Needles (French Method)
The first loop will be made with a slip loop or in the method detailed above, and put it on the left needle.
Insert the right needle into the loop and pass the thread around the needle (as for ordinary knitting). Knit the stitch drawing through loop which is slipped on the left needle to make the second stitch.
Having tightened the last loop by pulling the thread with the right hand,the next stitch is worked in the same way.
Casting Off
This is the name given to the termination which finishes a piece of work. There are several ways of casting off or stopping stitches. Keep the thread loose especially when casting off at the neck or wrists.
Two methods are given below, the second giving the more elastic finish.
Casting Off French Method
Knit 2 sts, draw the first over the second leaving one st on the needle. Knit the next st, and draw the st already on the needle over it. When working on the right side of work cast off knitwise, if on the wrong side cast off purlwise.
Elastic Casting Off
Knit 2 sts then draw first stitch over 2nd, and on to left needle. Keeping this stitch on left needle, knit the next stitch and only let the cast-off stitch slip off needle when new stitch is formed.
Casting Off English Method
K2 tog, tbl, put stitch back-onto left-hand needle, pass next stitich over from left to right, replace the first stitch on right-hand needle. Repeat the operation.
Decreasing
A decrease is made to reduce by one stitch during the course of the work. There are several different ways of decreasing, as there are of increasing. Decreases are generally made on one row, and followed by a plain row; in other words, every two rows.
Simple Decrease (on plain side of work)
Slanting to the left.
Slip a stitch (knitwise), knit the next stitch, pass the slip stitch over the knitted stitch from right to left.
To avoid the slip stitch being larger than the knitted stitch, slip both stitches onto right needle, pass the thread round the needle (as for knitting) and bring both stitches over the thread and off the needle.
A third Method is to knit both stitches together through the back of the loops. This will twist the stitches and give a slight relief to the decrease.
Slanting to the right.
Knit 2 stitches together from left to right.
Simple Decrease (purl side of work)
Slip the last stitch knited on the right needle on to the left needle, pass the second stitch on the left needle over the first stitch, now place the stitch back on the right needle.
Slanting to the right on plain side of work.
Purl 2 stitches together.
Double Decrease
A double decrease elinimates 2 stitches at the same time. It is used in chevron patterns, the V-point of a neckline, and in open-work and lacy patterns. choose one of the following methods according to the decorative effect required.
Double Decrease (on plain side of work)
Slanting to the left.
Knit 3 stitches together through the back of the stitches., slip off left needle together.
Slanting to the right.
Knit 3 stitches together (knitwise), slip off the left needle together.
Mitred Decrease (to the left)
Slip one stitch, knit the next 2 stitches together, pass the slip stitch from right to left over the stitch made by knitting together. this stitch forms the axis for a double decrease.
Mitred Decrease (to the right)
Slip one stitch (knitwise), knit the next stitch. Pass the slip stitch over knit stitch, place this stitch on to the left needle, pass the next stitch over, put the first stitch back on to the right needle.
Vertical Double Decrease
Slip the first 2 stitches together from the left needle to the right needle, knit the next stitch, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch.
Double Decrease on the purl side of work
Inclination to the left on the right side.
Purl 2 stitches together. this will be the axis stitch of the double decrease. Place this stitch on the left needle, pas the second stitch on the left needle over the first, place the stitch back on right needle.
Gathering
Gathers are very easily obtained by increases or decreases. By decreasing, a bloused effect can be made at the waist, or wrist of a sleeve, etc. When deciding the number of stitches to be increased or decreased it will depend on the final measurements required; generally half or one third of the intial stitches are increased or decreased at regular intervals across a row.
Chain-stitch Selvedge (French Method)
This selvedge forms a chain (each stitch being equivalent to 2 rows), and is used whenever there will be stitches picked up along the selvedge to continue the work in that directiion.
Row 1: Right side of work: Slip stitch the first stitch (knitwise), work to the last stitch, knit this stitch in the ordinary way.
Row 2: Wrong side of work: Slip the first stitch (purlwise), work to the last stitch, purl this stitch in the ordinary way.
English Method
Row 1: Right Side: Slip the first and last stitches (knitwise). NOTE The thread will be front between the first and second stitches after work is turned.
Row 2: Wrong Side: Purl the first and last stitches of this row.
German Method
This type of selvedge is started at the end of the first row. Work to the last stitch on the left-hand needle, slip it on the right needle, turn your work; work the second and following rows in the same way, knitting or purling the first stitch on the right or wrong side.
Chain Selvedge for an Inlaid Pattern
Row 1: Right side: slip the first stitch, purl the second stitch, work to the last 2 stitches, purl the next stitch and slip the last stitch (knitwise).
Row 2: Wrong side: Purl all stitches.
Chain-Stitch selvedge for Garter Stitch
Thread to front of work, slip the first stitch (purlwise) wool back, knit the row; this row is repeated throughout.
Seam Selvedge
This is the simplest and best for beginners. Knit the first and last
stitch of every row. This makes a moss stitch edge which is excellent for sewing up. The thread must only be pulled as lightly as possible to allow an elastic finish. This makes a good flat seam.
Simple Garter Stitch
This is frequently used on stocking stitch or whenever the selvedge stitches will not be picked up for an ornamental or technical reason. This method is worked by slipping the first stitch of every row (knitwise), and knitting the last stitch whether on the right or wrong side of the work.
Double Garter Stitch Selvedge
Taking the back thread slip the first stitch, keeping the thread at the back of work knit the next stitch. Work to within the last two stitches, knit the last 2 stitches. Repeat this row throughout. The firm selvedge will not curl, and is suitable for a back stitch seam. This method makes a very good edging for ties and scarves, etc.
Picot Selvedge
On the right side of work. Bring the thread forward and round the right needle knitting the first 2 stitches together. (The stitch made by the thread round the needle compensates for the 2 stitches taken together).
Definition: a stitchThe basis of knitting with two needles is a loop which is tightened at the base with a knot, this forms the first stitch. The following stitches are worked by knitting the loop and then from each stitch in turn. During the course of work the terms: knitting, slipping, lengthening, crossing, turning or casting off, are used for the many ways or working stitches.
MAKING A STITCH
(wrn or won) To make a stitch in this way the thread is passed over or round the right needle before working the next stitch. A "wool round the needle" (wrn) adds one stitch if knitted once in the next row. However, in some patterns this stitch is worked into more than once, so that several extra stitches are made. When making more than one increase work the stitch as follows: k 1, p 1, k 1, alternately into the same stitch. to compensate for extra stitches made in this way, decrease by taking 2 stitches together, generally on the same row, or knitting the "made stitch" with the next stitch on the following row. Most openwork patterns are formed by "made" stitches and sometimes they form a link effect when drawn over several stitches.
There are several ways of "making" stitches according to how the thread is passed round or over the needle. Therefore when following a pattern read the instructions carefully.
Making a Stitch after a plain stitch(Thread at back of work).
A. Before a plain stitch.
Bring the thread forward under the right needle taking it over the needle as the next stitch is knitted in the usual way.
IN KNITTING-When you are beginning a new color, work till the end of the row leaving one stitch remaining on the knitting needle. Attach the new color (color B) by tieing a knot (square knot=right thread over left, left thread over right),cut Color A leaving a tail of 1-1/2 inches in length, this you will come back and weave into the project. Finish knitting or purling the final stitch, Turn your work, now you are ready for the next row.
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