Howcast

How to Knit a Blanket

Howcast — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:45:43 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Determine the size you want Determine the size of the blanket you want and ask a fabric store salesperson for the proper number and length of wool or acrylic yarn. Get size 10 or 11 knitting needles to accommodate the width of the blanket.
TIP: Yarn companies frequently provide free patterns printed on the paper bands bundling the yarn.
Step 2: Make a slip knot Make a slip knot in the yarn with a needle in your right hand and slide the knot onto the needle.
Step 3: Cast on Wrap the length of yarn coming from the ball across the base of your thumb and around to the palm side. Move the right hand needle under and through this loop and snug it onto the needle.
Step 4: Continue looping Continue looping on these stitches, compressing their growing length to make room for all you will need, and counting them until you reach your decided width.
Step 5: Switch hands Switch the needle to your left hand and send the other needle, using your right hand, through the top loop on the left.
Step 6: Make new stitches Guide the yarn attached to the ball under and over the right needle and slide it through the stitch on the left, drawing this new one off and onto the right. Repeat until all stitches have been moved onto the right needle.
TIP: Picking up an extra stitch at the end of a row is a common error. To avoid this, check the last stitch of the row as it goes on the right needle. Also be sure the first stitch at the beginning of a row is snug so loops from the stitches below do not wrap around the needle, creating what looks like two stitches.
Step 7: Build rows Continue switching needles back and forth as you build rows of stitches until you have the full dimension completed. Then knit the first two stitches and pull the first over the second and off of the needle.
Step 8: Cast off Knit the next stitch and use the left needle to take the first stitch over the second from the right needle, binding the edge. At the end, pull a last thread of yarn through the last stitch and knot it. Now snuggle up with your brand new blanket!
FACT: Did you know? The first knitting trade union was formed in Paris in 1527.

You Will Need

Acrylic or wool yarn
Size 10 or 11 knitting needles
Time
Patience

How to Knit Socks

Howcast — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:15:41 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cast on Cast on 36 stitches –40 stitches if you’re doing men’s socks — on one needle.
TIP: Use three or four double-pointed needles, spreading out the stitches evenly between them, to avoid a seam.
Step 2: Knit and purl Knit two stitches, and then purl two stitches. Continue this across the first row, ending with purl two.
Step 3: Repeat Repeat, alternating knit two, purl two, for each row until the piece measures 15 to 18 inches, or 22 inches for a men’s sock.
Step 4: Decrease Decrease stitches in the next row by knitting two stitches together, then purling two stitches together for the entire row.
Step 5: Cut yarn Cut the yarn, leaving 36 inches to sew the seam. Thread through the yarn needle.
Step 6: Sew seam Insert the needle under each of the 18 stitches remaining on the needle. Draw the needle through the stitches a second time and pull the string tight. Then sew the seam together at the back of the sock.
Step 7: Repeat Repeat the steps for knitting the other sock, or knit both socks at the same time using a second set of needles and yarn to ensure they’re the same size.
FACT: Did you know? In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first all-professional baseball team. They traveled around the country playing any ball club that challenged them.

You Will Need

Two size 8 knitting needles
4 oz. 4-ply worsted weight yarn
Measuring tape
Yarn needle
3-4 double-pointed needles (optional)

How to Knit Texture Stitch

Howcast — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:01:14 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cast on Cast on an even number of stitches.
Step 2: Knit 1, purl 1 Knit one and purl one.
Step 3: Repeat Repeat this pattern to the end of the first row.
TIP: If you’re using an odd number of stitches, knit one, purl one, knit one; then repeat purl one, knit one, until the end of the row.
Step 4: Start 2nd row Purl one and knit one to start the second row and continue this pattern until the end of row two.
Step 5: Alternate Work the following rows, alternating the patterns for rows one and two.
FACT: During World War I and World War II, volunteers, along with the American Red Cross, knitted items such as socks, caps and sweaters for soldiers and war refugees overseas.

You Will Need

Yarn
Knitting needles

How to Knit a Joke Condom

Howcast — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:45:54 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cast on Cast on 12 stitches onto one needle. Divide the stitches evenly onto four other needles by sliding off three stitches onto each of the other three needles; do not twist the stitches. Lay the needles to form a square.
Step 2: Begin Take the fifth needle and knit tightly on the first needle, containing the working yarn, with the right side of the work facing you.
TIP: Mark the last stitch on the fourth needle with a safety pin to know when you’ve completed a round.
Step 3: Knit three stitches Knit the three stitches tightly onto the fifth needle, leaving the first needle empty. Use that needle to knit the stitches of the second needle, and repeat until you have completed one round.
TIP: Four needles can get confusing, so focus on the two needles you’re working with, and let the others dangle as they may.
Step 4: Move marker Move the marker to the right needle after each round. Knit 29 rows or rounds.
Step 5: Decrease To form the tip, decrease by two stitches, either by knitting two together or by slipping stitches, and knit one more row. Decrease by three stitches and knit one row. Then decrease by three stitches again and knit the remaining four stitches for three or four rows.
Step 6: Cast off Cast off, trim the ends, and work them into a few stitches to secure.
FACT: The first knitting machine, invented in England in 1589, was refused a patent by Queen Elizabeth on the grounds that it would reduce the work of hand knitters.

You Will Need

5 size 8 double-pointed needles
Thin angora yarn
Safety pin (optional)

How to Knit a Scarf

Howcast — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:31:25 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make a slipknot Set the yarn to one side, holding a needle in your right hand. Make a slipknot, and loop onto the needle without tightening the knot. Leave a short tail hanging off.
TIP: Throughout your knitting, leave the knot wide enough to accept the needle, maintaining tension on the yarn for a consistent and tight color weave in the scarf.
Step 2: Cast on Cast on. Hold one needle in one hand. Grab the yarn with your other hand, and wrap the yarn around your index finger, crossing the yarn at the base of your finger. Slide the needle through this loop and off your finger, tightening the stitch.
Step 3: Repeat stitches for width Repeat this process until you have set the width for your scarf.
Step 4: Switch sides Transfer the needle, with the stitches, to your left hand. Pass the needle in your right hand through the first loop, going under the left needle.
Step 5: Knit Wrap the yarn under, and then over, the right needle, guiding the yarn with your right index finger. Slide the yarn through the stitch on the left needle, pulling that new stitch onto the right needle.
TIP: Remove the old stitch from the left needle when adding the new stitch to the right needle or you will have to start again.
Step 6: Build rows Repeat until all the stitches on the left have been moved to the right. Switch hands with the needles and build another row. Continue until you reach the scarf length. Count your stitches every few rows to make sure you haven’t accidentally added any, or the width of your scarf will change.
TIP: Picking up an extra stitch at the end of a row is a common error. To avoid this, check the last stitch of the row as it goes on the right needle. Also be sure the first stitch at the beginning of a row is snug so loops from the stitches below do not wrap around the needle, creating what looks like two stitches.
Step 7: Finish the scarf Knit the first two stitches to finish your scarf. Pull the first stitch over the second and off of the needle. Knit the next stitch and repeat on the left. Pull the first stitch over the second and off of the right needle.
Step 8: Bind the edge Repeat until the edge is bound. Cut the yarn, leaving about four inches hanging, pull this through the last stitch, and knot it.
FACT: Knitted socks were discovered in an Egyptian tomb from the third to the sixth centuries. This is some of the earliest archaeological evidence of knitted garments.

You Will Need

An 8-ounce skein of four-ply yarn
No. 10 knitting needles
Time

How to Knit a Hat

Howcast — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:03:03 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cast on Use your size eight needles and cast on 87 stitches.
Step 2: Work one inch rib Work in the rib stitch for one inch. To rib stitch, knit the first stitch, place the yarn in front between the needles, and then purl the next stitch, putting the yarn behind your work. Repeat for one row.
TIP: Use a crochet hook to pick up dropped stitches.
Step 3: Rib second row Turn the needle over to rib the second row by starting with a purl stitch, putting the yarn behind your needles, and then knitting one stitch. Continue row one and row two for 1 inch.
Step 4: Change needles Change to the number nine needles and knit the entire first row. Purl the entire second row. Continue for 6 inches, ending with a purl row.
Step 5: Shape top Knit three stitches, knit three together, and repeat across one row. Purl the second row as usual, and continue decreasing rows in this way until you have seven stitches left.
Step 6: Cut Cut the yarn, leaving 15 inches, and thread through the yarn needle. Then pull the seven stitches off the needle and pull the yarn needle through these stitches. Pull tight until it is closed at the top.
Step 7: Sew seam Fold the hat, right sides together; making sure the bottom edge is flush. With the needle and yarn at the top of the hat, sew the edges together to form a seam down to the bottom. Tie a knot at the end, cut any excess thread, and turn hat inside out.
FACT: Younger knitters – aged 25 to 34 – make up 33 percent of the 38 million people who knit or crochet in the U.S.

You Will Need

3 oz. 4-ply yarn
2 size 8 knitting needles
A measuring tape
A yarn needle
A crochet hook (optional)

How to Choose the Right Yarn for a Knitting Project

Howcast — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:32:59 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Consider fibers Consider the different fibers. Do you want the scratchy but warm embrace of wool, or the futuristic feel of acrylic? Do you want your baby booties made from something incredibly soft, like angora, or easy to care for, like cotton?
Step 2: Pick weight Pick a yarn weight. Thinner yarns require smaller needles and more stiches per inch. Thick yarns need fewer stitches but lack precision. Go for something in the middle of the range if you’re just beginning.
TIP: Many popular yarns have interesting textures–knotty, frizzy, and even lacy–that can be tempting, but a simple yarn that’s not too slippery will be easier for novice knitters to manipulate.
Step 3: Choose length Decide how you want to buy the yarn: it comes in balls, skeins, and hanks. Balls and skeins are naturally easy to work with. If you’re getting it in a hank, ask an employee to wind it into a ball for you–you don’t want accidental knots!
Step 4: Start your project Now go start your project. There’s no time like the present. You know what they say: ‘A stitch in time…’
FACT: The phrase ‘to spin a yarn’ means to tell a story, and was first used by sailors as they told stories while engaged in tasks around the ship.

You Will Need

A yarn store
An idea of what you want to make

How to Choose the Right Needles for a Knitting Project

Howcast — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:06:35 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Check instructions Check the instructions of the pattern you’ve chosen. It may require certain specifications for your needles.
Step 2: Consider needle width Consider the width of the needles you’ll need. European needles use millimeters sizing and American needles range from size 000 to 50–thin needles are used for tighter knits and finer thread, and fat needles are for chunky yarn and larger loops. A pair of 8 or 9 needles are a good, average size for beginners.
TIP: Needle size also affects the gauge, or the number of stitches per inch, so the larger the needle, the fewer stitches you’ll need per inch.
Step 3: Pick needle length Decide your required length for needles. If you’re working on a large project, like a blanket, you may need long needles to fit on lots of stitches. Otherwise, choose a length that feels manageable and comfortable in your hands.
Step 4: Pay attention to needle material Pay attention to the material that the needles are made of, like aluminum, wood, or plastic. Needles with a slick surface, especially metal, can be slippery–and difficult for beginners.
Step 5: Consider needle style Consider the style of the needles you’ll need. There are single-point, double-point, and circular needles, but single-point are best for beginners and simple projects.
Step 6: Shop in-store Shop at a knitting or craft store, looking for a pair of needles of the width, length, material, and style that you need. Hold them to get a feel for whether they’ll be comfortable.
FACT: Knitting as we know it has been around since roughly 1000 AD.

You Will Need

The pattern for the project you plan to knit

How to Tie a Slip Knot for Knitting

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:41:27 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Pull out yarn Pull out about 12″ of yarn from the ball. This is the “tail end” of your yarn.
Step 2: Form loop Form a loop by crossing the yarn about 4″ to 6″ from the tail end of the yarn—it will make an “X.”
TIP: Make sure the loose end of the yarn is at the bottom of the “X.”
Step 3: Pinch “X” Pinch the “X” between the thumb and forefinger of your left hand.
Step 4: Form smaller loop With your right hand, form a smaller loop, with the strand of yarn still attached to the ball, about 2″ to the right of the first loop.
Step 5: Insert loop Feed the smaller second loop up through the bottom of the first loop, and insert your right forefinger through the second loop.
Step 6: Pull down ends Grab both ends of the yarn with your left hand and pull down, but don’t completely tighten the knot.
Step 7: Knot yarn Slip the needle through the loop, remove your finger, and pull the yarn attached to the ball into a gentle knot against the needle.
TIP: Pulling the knot too tight will make it difficult to knit your first row.
Step 8: Now cast on You did it—now get ready to cast on.
FACT: Knitting is a favorite pastime of actresses Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

You Will Need

A knitting needle
A ball of yarn

How to Knit the Stockinette Stitch

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:39:21 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cast stitches Cast on the appropriate number of stitches.
Step 2: Position work Hold the needle with all your cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Position your work so that the cast-on stitches are at the right side the needle and the yarn trails away to your right.
Step 3: Knit 1st row Knit the entire first row.
Step 4: Swap needles Swap the needles so that the needle with the stitches is back in your left hand and the empty needle is in your right hand.
Step 5: Purl 2nd row Move the yarn to the front of your needles and purl the entire second row.
Step 6: Swap needles Swap the needles so the needle with the stitches is back in your left hand and the empty needle is in your right hand.
Step 7: Knit 3rd row Move the yarn to the back of your needles and knit the entire third row.
TIP: The stockinette stitch tends to roll up at the edges, so it’s best used for projects that use a different stitch for the edge, or involve sewing finished pieces together.
Step 8: Alternate & cast off Continue alternating between knitting and purling one row at a time until you’re finished–then cast off.
FACT: In 1917, the Red Cross asked Americans to knit sweaters, socks, scarves, and blankets for soldiers in World War I–and bought one million pounds of wool to help the effort.

You Will Need

A ball of yarn
And a pair of knitting needles

How to Knit the Purl Stitch

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:37:04 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Position needle Hold your started project in your left hand, and the empty needle in your right. Position the left needle so the cast-on stitches run along its right side, and the yarn trails away to your right.
Step 2: Insert right needle From above, insert the right needle into the first stitch at the top of the left needle. The right needle should be pointing toward you and passing over, not under, the left needle.
TIP: Always keep the yarn facing you on the top side of the needles.
Step 3: Make loop With your right hand, wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the tip of the right needle, creating a loop. The yarn should be crossing over the right needle and pulled back to the right.
Step 4: Purl Keeping the yarn taut with your right hand, dip the tip of the right needle down to catch the bottom edge of the loop you just formed. In one fluid motion, push the edge of yarn back through the stitch on the left needle while pulling the left needle free of the stitch. Guess what? You’ve just purled.
Step 5: Repeat process Now repeat the process on the remaining row of cast-on stitches, always remembering to insert your right needle into the stitch from above and to keep your yarn in front of the needles. When you get to the end of the row, switch hands and repeat.
FACT: The earliest known examples of knitting, found in Egypt and dating from as far back as the 11th century, were made only from knit stitches—no purl stitches.

You Will Need

Your knitting project
with the appropriate number of “cast on” stitches

How to Knit Fingerless Gloves

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:35:38 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Tie slipknot & cast Tie a slipknot, leaving an 8-inch tail of yarn after it, and cast on 24 stitches.
Step 2: Knit 15 rows Knit 15 rows of two-by-two rib stitch – knitting two stitches, purling two stitches, etc.
TIP: Using a row counter makes it easier to keep track of how many rows you’ve finished.
Step 3: Knit 12 rows Knit 12 rows in stockinette stitch – alternating between a knit row, then a purl row, etc. You should be ending on a purl row.
Step 4: Knit 4 rows Knit 4 rows in rib stitch again.
Step 5: Cast off & tie Cast off and cut the yarn, again leaving an 8-inch tail. Tie a knot in the tail.
TIP: To keep the wrist opening stretchy enough to get your hand through, be sure to cast off in rib stitch.
Step 6: Fold in half Fold the piece in half so that the knitted side—the side covered in little V’s—is on the inside and the edges are lined up.
Step 7: Sew top edges Starting at the top, finger-end of the glove (where there are 4 rows of rib stitching), use a yarn needle and the knotted tail of yarn to sew about 2 inches of the edges together. Cut off the yarn, leaving a shorter tail of about 2 inches—but don’t knot it.
Step 8: Sew bottom edges Starting at the bottom, wrist-end of the glove (where there are 15 rows of rib stitching), use the yarn needle and the other knotted tail of yarn to sew about 3 inches of the edges together. You should be left with a hole—for the thumb opening—in the middle your sewn edge.
Step 9: Try on glove Put your hand in the glove with your thumb sticking out of the hole. If it needs to be bigger, take out a stitch or two until it fits. If it needs to be smaller, make another stitch or two. Now finish off the two sewn ends—knot the yarn, cut off the excess, and weave in your loose ends.
Step 10: Repeat process Turn the glove inside out and—tah-dah!—you’ve just finished half your pair. Repeat the entire process for a second glove, or just rock one for that vintage ’80s look.
FACT: Although Madonna “single-handedly” re-popularized them in the early 1980s, lace fingerless gloves were originally a fashion trend in the early 1860s.

You Will Need

Size 9 knitting needles
A ball or skein of bulky
worsted weight yarn
A yarn needle
And a pair of scissors
A row counter (optional)

How to Knit the Knit Stitch

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:35:19 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Position work Hold the needle with all the cast-on stitches in your left hand, and the empty needle in your right. Position your work so the cast on-stitches are at the bottom of the needle, and the yarn trails away to your right.
Step 2: Slip needle through loop Slip the point of the empty needle through the topmost loop on your left needle. The tops of the needles will now be forming an “X”.
TIP: Keep your stitches toward the top of the needles, but don’t let them slip onto the point.
Step 3: Wrap yarn Hold the crossed needles in your left hand and, with your right hand, wrap the yarn under and around the bottom needle in a counterclockwise direction. It should now be positioned between the two needles and trailing to the right side again.
TIP: Be careful not to wrap the yarn around the left needle.
Step 4: Catch yarn Taking the right-hand needle back in your right hand, push its tip down with your left index finger and carefully bring it forward, catching the yarn sitting between the two needles as you do so. The right needle should now be on the top of the X with the yarn looped around it.
Step 5: Slip off loop Move the left needle down, so that the loop now at the top of it slips off–but don’t let the new loop on your right needle fall off while you’re doing this. You have just knitted a knit stitch.
TIP: Keep your needles close together as you work–If you pull them apart, you’ll end up with a long messy string between the two needles.
Step 6: Complete first row Hold both needles with the fingers of your left hand again, repeating the steps to knit as many stitches as you cast on. When all your stitches have moved from the needle in your left hand to the needle in your right hand, you’ve completed your first row.
Step 7: Continue knitting Swap the needles so the one with the stitches is back in your left hand and the empty one is back in your right hand. Continue knitting the stitches from one needle to the other as your pattern requires.
FACT: Knitting became a full-time profession in 14th century Europe–and was an occupation dominated by men.

You Will Need

Your knitting project
with the appropriate number of “cast on” stitches

How to Knit a Simple Baby Hat

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:35:01 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Tie knot & cast Tie your slip knot and cast on a total of 26 stitches, leaving a six to eight-inch tail.
TIP: Use a soft cotton or a cotton blend yarn that has a little stretch to it for added comfort.
Step 2: Knit Stockinette Knit in Stockinette Stitch—that is, alternate one row of knitting with one row of purling—until you have a rectangle about 11″ long. Make sure you end on a knit row.
Step 3: Cast off last row Cast off your last row, leaving about 8″ of yarn. Tie a knot to secure it.
Step 4: Fold in half Fold your rectangle in half so the smooth, knitted side—which looks like it’s covered in little V’s—is on the inside, and the edges are lined up.
TIP: The purl side of the project—which looks bumpy—should be facing out.
Step 5: Sew edges Starting at the curling corner of one side, use a yarn needle and the same tail of yarn you used to knit the rectangle to sew the edges together all the way up to the corner of your fold.
Step 6: Knot & cut excess When you reach the corner, knot the yarn, and cut off the excess.
Step 7: Repeat on other side Repeat on the other side, beginning at the other curling corner and sewing the edges up to the corner fold.
Step 8: Knot & cut excess When you reach this corner, knot the yarn, and cut off the excess. Your hat should now look almost like a square with only one open side.
Step 9: Put it on a baby Turn the hat right-side-out and put it on a baby with the ‘ears’ out. Pretty easy—and totally adorable.
FACT: Forty to 50 percent of lost body heat exits through the head and neck area, so wearing a hat is an especially important way to keep warm.

You Will Need

Some soft yarn
Pair of size 8 knitting needles
A pair of scissors
A tape measure or ruler
And a yarn needle

How to Cast On

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:34:54 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Hold needle & yarn Hold the needle in your left hand at the point where the knot sits on the needle. Hold the tail end of the yarn under your finger to keep it out of the way.
TIP: As a beginner, use thicker needles—they’re easier to maneuver.
Step 2: Make “gun” Make a “gun” of your right hand and grip the attached end of the yarn under your 3 bent fingers. Your left hand and needle should be held above the gun.
Step 3: Point “gun” Point your “gun” straight up so your right hand is now making a “number one” with your thumb pointed out to the side, while also dropping your left hand down to the side with the needle pointing up.Ê The yarn should now be wrapped behind your right forefinger.
Step 4: Cross hands Cross your left hand, with the needle still pointing up, across your right hand so that the yarn is now looped around your finger.
Step 5: Cast on Insert the needle up through the loop along the outside of your forefinger and pull the yarn up so that it slips off of your finger and onto the needle. You have successfully cast on.
TIP: Don’t forget that your slip knot counts as your first stitch—and your cast on stitch is your second.
Step 6: Repeat process Point your “gun” up again, wrapping the yarn behind your right forefinger, and repeat the cast on process for your next stitch.
TIP: If you’re using a pattern, check the instructions to see how many stitches you’ll need to cast on. If you’re just practicing, try starting with 30.
Step 7: Continue & knit Continue casting on until you have as many stitches as you need for your project, and get ready to knit!
FACT: The number of 25 to 34 year-old Americans who knit jumped 150% during a recent two-year period.

You Will Need

A knitting needle with a slipknot of yarn attached

How to Cast Off

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:32:46 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Knit first stitch Knit the first stitch, just like you were starting another row.
TIP: If your project was knitted with purl stitches, continue knitting with the purl stitch to cast off.
Step 2: Knit second stitch Knit the second stitch, just like you were continuing another row. Now STOP; this is where the cast off — or “bind off” — happens.
Step 3: Insert needle Insert your left needle into the first stitch–the one on the bottom of your right needle.
Step 4: Leap frog stitch Your needles, with the left one on top, are now making an “X” held together by a loop of yarn. Slide the loop up and over the tip of the right needle, so it “leap frogs” the second stitch.
Step 5: Withdraw left needle Withdraw the left needle from that stitch. Now there’s one stitch left on your right needle.
Step 6: Knit another stitch Knit another stitch so that once again there are two stitches on your right needle.
Step 7: Repeats steps Repeat Steps 2 through 4 until you have cast off all stitches. Only 1 stitch should remains on your right hand needle.
TIP: Remember, you’re repeating a pattern where you have 2 regular knit stitches on your right needle, you get rid of 1, replace it with another, get rid of 1, replace it with another, and so on. 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1. . .
Step 8: Cut off yarn Cut off the yarn, leaving about 6 inches extra.
Step 9: Knot & slide out needle Pull the right end through the loop remaining on the needle, tighten it against the needle, then slide the needle out. Push the knot tightly against the completed project.
Step 10: Use yarn needle Use a yarn needle to weave the loose yarn into the edge stitches, cut off any excess, and you’re done!
FACT: The world record for speed knitting by hand is 118 stitches per minute–a home knitting machine averages 600 to 1200 stitches per minute.

You Will Need

Your knitting project
A pair of scissors
And a yarn needle

How to Knit the Rib Stitch

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:32:25 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Position work Hold the needle with all your cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right. Position your work so the cast-on stitches are at the bottom of the needle, and the yarn trails away to your right.
Step 2: Knit 2 stitches Knit two stitches.
Step 3: Wrap yarn Wrap the yarn around so it passes in front of the needle with the new stitches.
Step 4: Purl 2 stitches Now purl two stitches.
TIP: You can also rib stitch by alternating between one knit and one purl stitch – as long as you’ve cast on a number of stitches divisible by two – or four knit and four purl stitches—as long as the number of cast-on stitches is divisible by eight.
Step 5: Wrap around back Now wrap the yarn around the back of the needle with the new stitches.
Step 6: Knit 2 stitches Knit two stitches again.
Step 7: Wrap & purl Wrap the yarn around the front of the needle again, and purl two more stitches.
Step 8: Alternate stitches Continue alternating this way, between knitting and purling, until you’ve completed the number of rib stitches required by your pattern. You should be ending with two purl stitches.
Step 9: Swap needles Swap the needles, so the one with the stitches is back in your left hand and the empty needle is in your right hand, and keep on ribbing. Knit two, purl two. Knit two, purl two. Knit two…
FACT: Some British fishermen in the sixteenth century wore sweaters with distinctive, individualized patterns—to help identify their bodies should they ever be washed overboard.

You Will Need

A ball of yarn
And a pair of knitting needles