Knitting: Choosing a project

By: Ha Tien Nguyen

Book: Knitting for Dummies by Pam Allen, Shannon Okey, and Tracy Barr 

When first starting a project, first consider your own ability. If you are a beginner, opt for an easier and less complicated project. However, if you are confident in your skills and want a challenge, pick a harder project like making socks and such.

When first beginning a project, you will have to choose from a variety of yarns and needles. According to Knitting for Dummies, "yarns come in different weights or thicknesses. The thickness of a yarn determines how many stitches it takes to knit 1 inch" ( Allen, Okey, Barr, Bird 17). The weight or thickness of your yarn can determine the look and the amount of time it takes to knit your project. Therefore, choosing the correct type of yarn is important. 

If you are having trouble choosing your yarn, use this chart as a guide to help you decide upon the most suitable type of yarn for your project.

After choosing a type of yarn, you must also select needles. Needle sizes range from 0 to 15 and there are around three different types of needles; Straight needles, circular needles, and double-pointed needles. The needles that you choose will determine how many stitches you knit per inch. This will have an affect on the amount of time it takes for your project and the overall appearance. Knitting for Dummies suggests that you use your yarn labels for guidance when deciding upon your needle size because "yarn labels suggest appropriate needle sizes, but the best needle size for your project is dictated by your yarn, your gauge, and... how tightly you knit" (Allen, Okey, Barr, Bird 30). You may want to knit a sample with the suggested needle size before starting your project to decide whether the needle fits your expectations. After knitting a sample with the suggested needle sixe, you may feel that the fabric is more open than you want (needle too large) or too stiff (needle too small). In that case, try another needle size. You can experiment to your heart's content with different needle sixes until you produce a fabric you like.

There are certainly many options when it comes to picking the right needles or yarn. Fortunately, the process of picking the right needles an yarn can be reduced. Luckily for indecisive people like me, a specific project will often recommend a certain type of yarn and needle. When you pick out a pattern for a specific project, it will also include suggestions on which type of materials to use for the project.





For my project, I've chosen to make a Garter Ridge scarf. It's an easy project for beginners. For this project, you'll need...

Needle: US 5 circular needles

Yarn: White Lion-Brand worsted-weight yarn

Pattern: 

Cast on 60 stitches on to needle.
Row 1: knit all stiches
Row 2: Purl all stitches
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Repeat these four rows until piece measures as long as you desire it to be.
End on row 3.
Bind off and sew in loose threads.

Although it's very simple, I tend to mess up quite often. In addition, it's very time consuming since there are so many stitches in one row. However, I've enjoyed working on my project. It's very easy once you get the hang of it and I've gotten skilled enough to not have to look while I knit. I can't wait to finish it and see the outcome. It would be a great winter accessory. What is your favorite winter accessory?

Works Cited

Allen, Pam. Knitting for Dummies. John Wiley, 2014.

Knitting: Not Just Two Needles and a Ball of Yarn

Knitting: Not Just Two Needles and a Ball of Yarn

Ha Tien Nguyen
Knitting for DummiesPam Allen, Shannon Okey, Tracy L. Barr, and Marly Bird

Knitting has always been regarded as a grandma's hobby. However, many would disagree. Simply ask Cara Delevingne, Lorde, Kate Middleton, and Amanda Seyfried. Knitting is more than just two needles and a ball of yarn. The past-time is calm, relaxing, and centering. In this fast-moving world in which we live, we often forget to take the time to do something that requires us to slow down and refresh ourselves. The repetitive rhythmic movements has shown to help  manage stress, pain and depression. Not to mention, there's a certain thrill and sense of accomplishment that comes with holding up something you've just made with your own two hands. In Knitting for Dummies, the book educates and nurtures knitters in their process of crafting a product worthy of pride and satisfaction.

In chapter 4 of Kitting for Dummies, the book enlightens the reader with a step-by-step instruction of knitting techniques. The very first step of any knitting project is, "creating the first row of stitches... call casting on" (Allen, Shannon Okey, Barr, Bird 58). The casting on process is very important since these create the very first stitches for which every other stitches will be knitted upon. From there, "knitted and purled stitches are made by using a continuous strand of yarn and two needles to pull new loops through old loops" (Allen, Shannon Okey, Barr, Bird 64). Knit and purl stitches are two stitches upon which all other knitting techniques are based since they are undeniably the most simple and important stitches of any other stitches. Through the whole of the text, the authors provide encouraging advice such as, "Learning to knit can be a little stressful. Your fingers have to work in ways they're not accustomed to... When you feel yourself getting tense or frustrated, set your knitting aside and do something else for a while, or head to Chapter 21 for suggested exercises to unkink yourself" (Allen, Shannon Okey, Barr, Bird 57). In Knitting for Dummies, the authors cover every single detail of knitting and provide a very comprehensive manual for learning to knit.

There I was, a ball of yarn in one hand, two knitting needles in the other, and perhaps the most enormous headache of my life. Beginning off, I was quite confused. The hardest part of learning how to knit was learning it off a book. Being a visual learner myself, I had trouble interpreting the given directions into actions. However, by following many of the authors' advice and carefully examining the visual aid, I managed to master the techniques. Through it all, I found the encouragement in book to be very helpful to a struggling novice like me. I personally had a great time learning this new skill and found that my hard work paid off.

What was your predisposed opinion of knitting and what is your opinion of knitting now? Would you like to learn to knit? Why? What would you make if you knew how to knit?

Works Cited

Allen, Pam. Knitting for Dummies. John Wiley, 2014.

Knitting on Circle Looms: Part 5

Reflection time!

Hello guys and welcome to my fifth and final blog post. For my last post, I have decided to reflect over my previous projects and look at how much I have learned, improved and mastered in the last 3 months. 

In my first post, I learned about two different stitches: the purl stitch and knit stitch. I applied that knowledge to knitting a scarf. It turned out to be pretty difficult for me because of the alternating patterns so the design got messed up in many areas. Through that project, I learned that to be a good knitter you should not rush but take your time! Denise Layman, author of Learn to Knit on Circle Looms emphasized that, there are many skill levels for knitting so work at your own pace (Layman 30). 

Place where I rushed and made a mistake

My first successful and favorite project was knitting hats. Although knitting a hat may seem more time consuming and complicated than knitting a scarf, I found it very easy! I was successful with knitting my hat because through learning from my mistakes in my first post, I took my time and learned to fix my mistakes rather than just leave them. This gave me the confidence to make another hat, not for myself but as a gift for someone else. I also realized that giving a gift that you spent time making and creating rather than just buying gives it much more meaning!

The third and final project I created was a headband. I was really proud of this project because I decided to step it up and add a twist on the front of the headband to create a better design. Although this step was optional, I still went for it and I am really happy with the results! Layman said, "Level intermediate: add an optional twist on the front of the band" (Layman 18). This skill set was for an intermediate leveled knitter while I only did projects that were meant for beginners! Knitting has taught me to challenge myself and always strive for something better. 

Overall, I am really glad that I chose knitting as my new hobby because it is a lifelong skill that I will cherish and hold. Thank you for reading! 


Question: How do you think a hobby or new skill can affect your life?

Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print. 

Knitting on Circle Looms: Part 4

Knitting a Head Band!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! For my fourth blog post I am going to be knitting ear-warmers/a head band! I decided to knit a head band because the process is fairly simple and goes perfect with the cold weather we are experiencing.

Knitting a headband is very similar to knitting a scarf because the instructions are nearly the same. Denise Layman, author of Learn to Knit on Circle Looms said, "Repeat alternating from a purl and knit stitch until you have reached 10 inches" (Layman 11). These direction are nearly the same for creating a scarf and if you've read my first two blog post, then you probably know the struggles I had with knitting a scarf and the multiple times I made mistakes. This time I am determined to not let that happen.

Materials:

- 1 skein of yarn
- Loom hook
- Circle loom with at least 14 pegs
- 1 plastic knitting needle (usually comes with the package     of circle looms) 

Steps:

1. Start by casting on the yarn to the first peg of the loom.
2. Twist the yarn from the front to the back then on the 14th peg, turn the yarn the opposite way 
3. Start alternating from a purl stitch to a knit stitch after you have turned around (the last pegs should always be knit stitches)
4. This step is optional but it you want a twist on your design then at around 10 inches of knitting, move 8 stitches from once side of the loom to the other- creating a criss-cross affect. 
5. Then proceed as normal(following steps 2 and 3) for the next 10 inches 
6. Do this for the size of your head (mine came out to be about 20 inches long)
7. After you have finished knitting to your desired length, bring your very first row of stitches to the row you are currently working on and place the first stitches onto the pegs.
8. Cut off the yarn and an extra 2 feet of yarn
9. Put the extra yarn into the needle and sew the yarn through both stitches.
10. Remove your stitches from the pegs and enjoy your new headband!

Throughout my blog posts, I have noticed lots of improvement compared to my first knitting project. I realized that this time I made minimal mistakes because of how much I learned from my past mistakes. As Layman discusses, as you go on, your skill levels will change with the more you learn (Layman 30). I found this to be true. My first project compared to my last has shown a huge difference in technique and efficiency. Although, I accidentally made my head band a little bigger than my actual head, so it falls off easily. I might just give it to someone else who has a bigger head than me!

Question: Do you think years of experience or pure talent makes someone an expert at any skill?


Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print.

You Can Knit: WOOL YOU CHECK THIS OUT?

Gauge Swatch: Bulky 2x2 Ribbing

Welcome to my third blog post! In this blog I’ll show you how I learned the classic ribbing look. Like the worsted stockinette stitch, this was also another difficult pattern to learn. The first problem was that my yarn was too bulky which made it difficult to see the pattern. This confused me even more than I already was. My second problem was that I forgot I had to knit and purl. I couldn’t remember whether or not I had to knit or purl, which caused me to redo my swatch over and over again. To solve my problem, I learned how to frog which allowed me to correct my mistake without having to restart my swatch. 

Materials:

-        Bulky yarn

-        Size US 9 needles

-        Measuring tape

-        Scissors

-        Yarn needle
  
      Problem 1: There are 3 types of yarn thicknesses, medium, bulky, and super bulky. My book suggested for me to use bulky yarn, but i had only had super bulky yarn from a previous project. I knew the yarn thickness didn't matter that much, but as a beginner, using bulky yarn would've made making this swatch a little easier.

Gauge:

-        16 stitches x 20 rows = 4” square 

STEP 1

As always, the first step to creating any knitting project is casting on. For the ribbing swatch, you’ll need to cast-on 16 stitches

NOTE: For the ribbing pattern you will need to know how to knit and purl. To learn how to knit check out my first blog post and to learn how to purl check out my second blog post.

STEP 2

With the empty needle in your right hand and the needle with the stitches in your left, knit 2 stitches.

STEP 3

Take the ball end of the yarn and bring it to the front in the middle of both needles. Now purl 2 stitches.

STEP 4

Take the ball end the yarn and bring it to the back behind the right needle. Now knit 2 stitches. After you knit 2 stitches bring the ball end of yarn to the back behind the right needle.

STEP 5

Repeat steps 2-5 until you complete the row. Then place the empty needle in your right hand, and the needle with stitches in your left hand. you guys know the drill.

STEP 6

To begin the next row, you have to determine if you’ll have to knit or purl first. “Look at the stitches on your needle, if they’re smooth, knit them” (White 73). Repeat step 5 to until you reach your desired length for your swatch.

Problem 2: This is where  my second problem occurred. I was having trouble figuring out which stitch to do, the purl or knit. After I had found out I did the wrong stitch first I had already finished the entire row. Later on, I learned a method called frogging which allowed me to fix my mistakes.
For the frogging method, take the needle with the stitches and slide the stitches off the needle. Take the ball end of yarn and slowly unravel the stitches to a point before your mistake occurred. Be sure to unravel until the end of your row. Once you are done unraveling slide the needle back onto the stitches. Make sure that you begin with the stitches at the end of the row, and not the beginning (White 120). 

STEP 7 

To finish your swatch you need to bind off. To learn how to bind off, check out my first blog post for detailed instructions. After you bind off, you're done with your new swatch!

What do you do to help fix your mistakes?

White, Stephanie. You Can Knit!: Knit and Purl Your Way through 12 Fun and Easy Projects. Cincinnati, OH: Fons & Porter, 2015. Print.

Knitting on Circle Looms: Part 2

Knitting a Hat

Finished Scarf

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! If you saw my previous post then you know that I have started knitting on circle looms for the first time and attempted to create a scarf. I have since finished the scarf and am starting a new project on my circle loom: knitting a hat!

Finishing my scarf was a bit difficult for me because I continuously lost my place while knitting and rushed the process. As a result, my scarf had many mistakes and wasn't up to my standard of quality. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms by Denise Layman, taught me that knitting can be a tedious hobby, "Be sure to take the time to lift off the bottom 2 loops on the pegs that have 3 loops...repeating 15-17 times" (Layman 18). Thus, taking your time and making sure you are correctly following the directions will not only help one become a better knitter but a better person as well. 

The mistake is in the middle of the photo.

Through knitting, I have found that when doing a project, activity or just in general, you should give it your complete and entire effort because failing to do so will result in a product that is poor quality. Layman underlined that the key to mastering knitting is to realize your mistakes and going back to fix them (Layman 18). Doing so will not only help with knitting but beyond that as well. I struggled with this while creating my scarf, so I was set on succeeding with my hat!

To knit a hat on a circle loom, you will need:

• An adult sized circle loom 
• Yarn
• Yarn Needle
• Loom hook

The Brim:

1. After gathering the materials you will need to create a basic "slip knot" and put in on the first peg of the loom. 

2. Wrap the yarn around all the pegs from the front to the back.  

3. Repeat this step once more. 

4. "Yarn over" by taking your loom hook and flipping the bottom yarn pieces over the peg. 

5. Repeat this step multiple times to the desired length and fold both ends over each other. (The brim of my hat was 14 stitches)

The Rest of the Hat:

1. Repeat steps 2-5 from "The Brim" after you have created the brim of the hat. (My hat will have about 15-17 stitches)

* The number of stitches depends on what size hat you want. 

Finishing:

1. After knitting your hat to desired length, cut off the yarn.

2. Cut off a piece of yarn that is about 2 feet and use a knitting needle to sew the string through the knits on the pegs of the loom, take your hat off the loom as well.

3. Pull the hat inside-out and tie the two strings at the top of the hat.

4. Pull the hat right-side out and you have created a hat!

I am very proud at the progress I have made while completing my hat. By learning through my mistakes from my first project, I am taking my time in completing this project. Now that you know about my first experiences in loom knitting: 

Do you think it is better to accept failure and move on if you keep making mistakes or to never give up? Tell me your thoughts below! 

Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print.

You Can Knit: BLOGMAS!!

Gauge Swatch: Worsted Stockinette Stitch 

Welcome to the first and only blog of BLOGMAS! In this blog I’ll show you guys how I learned the stockinette stitch. Learning how to make this stitch was pretty difficult at first because I had to learn how to make a new stitch. I didn’t know how to undo my stitches so whenever I made a mistake I started all over again, but as I kept knitting I got the hang of things and stopped making mistakes. Although, when I was binding off my swatch I messed up but I didn’t want to start all over again.

Materials:

-         - Medium yarn

-         - Size US 8 needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

-         - Measuring tape

-         - Scissors

-         - Yarn needle 

Gauge:

18 stitches x 24 rows = 4” (you don’t have to follow this; it is just a guide)

STEP 1 

Like the first swatch I made, the first step to making the worsted stockinette stitch is to cast-on. For this swatch you will cast-on 18 stitches.

 NOTE: The worsted stockinette swatch, you’ll need to know how to do two types of stitches, the knit and purl stitch. To learn how to do the knit stitch check out my last blog post. I’ll demonstrate the purl stitch in this one! 

STEP 2

Time to purl! Place the needle with the stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Take the empty needle and slip in through the loop of the first stitch, making sure the right needle is IN FRONT of the left needle. When you slip the needle through the first stitch be sure to slip it through from the top of the stitch. 

Once you slip the right needle through the first stitch your needles should form an X shape. While holding both needles with your left hand, with your right hand take the ball side of the yarn and “wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the right-hand needle” (White 45).

Now that the yarn is wrapped around the right needle “pull the right needle down the front of the left needle and up around the back of the left handed needle” (White 46). After you pull the stitch out, slip it off of the left needle. 

STEP 3 

Repeat step 2 until there are no more loops on the left needle and they’re all on the right needle. Take the right needle and place it in your left hand and put the empty needle in your right hand. Now it should be how you first started.  

STEP 4

Now it’s time to do the knit stitch. For this row you will to use the knit stitch for the whole row. 

STEP 5

After you finish your row of knit stitches alternate between the purl and knit stitches for each row until you reach 4 inches, or your desired length for your swatch.

STEP 6

Now it’s time to bind off! To learn how to bind off your swatch check out my last blog post. After you bind of you’re done with your swatch!

 

If you were in  my position, would you have fixed the mistake i had made, or would you have just left it? 

White, Stephanie. You Can Knit!: Knit and Purl Your Way through 12 Fun and Easy Projects. Cincinnati, OH: Fons & Porter, 2015. Print.