Tag Archive for 'knitting techniques'

Improving 2×2 ribbing

The body of my Eyelet Chemise is knit in an eyelet rib pattern, which has reminded me of a technique I find invaluable when knitting ribbing of more than 1×1 stitches. The technique is the same for any number of stitches in the rib, but for the sake of clarity I will describe it for 2×2 ribbing, as demonstrated on this cute little pink swatch:

If you knit ribbing in the ‘normal’ way, in other words [k2, p2] repeated, you might find that the last knit stitch before a purl is much looser than the other knit stitch. The top half of my swatch is knitted in this way.

I’ve read various theories as to why this might be the case but, whatever the reason, the gap between knit and purl stitches appears bigger when going from knit to purl than when changing from purl to knit.

I’ve tried various methods for minimising this gap. The one that works best for me (I knit continental, by the way) is to knit the first purl stitch eastern style, by wrapping the yarn clockwise around the needle instead of the normal anti-clockwise. When that stitch is encountered on the next row, it will be twisted, so you will need to knit into the back of it.

This method means that instead of repeating the same two stitches, you are actually repeating four different stitches. Here’s how it would look in a pattern; I’ll assume one where the right side begins and ends with k2.

Row 1: [K2, p1 clockwise (c), p1 anti-clockwise (ac)] to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 2: P2, [k1, k1 to back of loop (tbl), p1 c, p1 ac] to end.

Row 3: [K1, k1 tbl, p1 c, p1 ac] to last 2 sts, k2.

Repeat rows 2 & 3.

The ‘normal’ method is on the left in the pictures below, and the clockwise method is on the right. Better, no?

Published on June 11, 2008. 9 Comments Tags: , , .

Provisional cast on using a circular needle cable

My favourite provisional cast on method uses the cable from a circular needle rather than some waste yarn to hold the live stitches. I prefer this method because:

  • I find it easier to make the stitches in the first place
  • It is easier to knit the awkward first couple of rows
  • It is very easy when the time comes to use the live stitches as they are all ready and waiting on a needle

This is how it is done:

You will need the yarn and needles required for your project, plus an extra circular needle. Make a slip knot with your yarn (this will not count as a stitch). Slide the knot onto the needle:

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Hold the needle and the spare cable in your right hand, with the cable underneath the needle. Hold the yarn and the cable in your left hand with the yarn over your index finger and the cable below your thumb. This is how it should look:

Bring the needle behind and under the yarn, then up, in front of yarn, and back to original position. You should have one loop of yarn on the needle.

Now bring the needle behind both cable and yarn, under both, up to the front and back to original position.

These two steps make up one stitch. Repeat them for as many stitches as you need. I often do one or two extra, as they can be dropped after the first row, but help keep the yarn stable on the needle.

Once you have all your stitches, the cable will probably have twisted around the needle. Untwist it and you will have your stitches ready to knit

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Turn and knit the first row. This row will feel very strange, sort of stretchy and resistant all at the same time. This is how it is meant to feel, just go with it and it will turn out fine.

Carry on knitting as usual. When you are ready you can simply knit the live stitches straight from the cable they are on. You will need to knit into the back of these stitches, for the first row only.

And there you have it! Please feel free to contact me if any part of this tutorial is unclear; I will be happy to hear from you. Click the Contact link on the left of the page to get in touch with me.

Published on April 15, 2008. 6 Comments Tags: , .