The basic stitches and techniques



How to slip a stitch

In some patterns you will be required to slip a stitch. This is just a method of passing a stitch from one needle to the other without knitting it.

With the right needle using your IN chant, slip the right needle into the stitch on the left needle either ‘knitwise’ or ‘purlwise’ and OFF onto the right needle.

Garter stitch


This is created using the knit stitch on every row.  It produces an elastic piece of fabric and is perfect for learning to knit.
Stocking stitch

This is the most common stitch. Whether knitting a jumper in one colour, or knitting a complicated Fairisle design, most patterns will be based on the stocking stitch.

It consists of one row knit and one row purl. It produces a flat fabric with the face stitches looking like little v’s, which makes counting rows very easy.

When you are knitting stocking stitch, on a knit row you will have the little V’s facing you and when you turn your work to purl, the little bumps will be facing you.

Right or wrong side?

The ‘right’ side of your work will have the V’s and the ‘wrong’ side will have the bumps. This is an important point when coming to the end of a garment and having to sew it up.

Always finish your row!!!

The classic knitters phrase. It’s for a reason. When you put your work down in the middle of a row, be it for a cup of tea or to answer the door, it’s an easy error to pick it up and start knitting the wrong way. Always make sure your yarn is on the right of your work and try and finish a row before going off to make the tea or answering the phone!

Rib

The classic jumper has a rib at the bottom and on the cuffs. Rib is more elastic than stocking stitch and it will keep it’s shape better.

Rib consists of one stitch knit and one stitch purl. This means that after a knit stitch you must bring the yarn to the front of the work before purling a stitch and after a purl stitch, take the yarn back before your knit stitch.

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