Taking up knitting could not be easier – just grab some needles and yarn and you’re good to go. Mastering the basics takes time and effort, but there are plenty of places to turn for help and advice.
The popularity of knitting rocketed during lockdown, with sales of needles and yarn soaring nearly 90% in August 2021. A knitting kit, available from retailers such as www.woolcouturecompany.com/collections/knitting-kits, can be a great way to tackle your first real project. But once you’ve mastered the basics of knitting, you may be looking for ways to take your work to the next level. Here are five better knitting tips every knitter should know.
1. How to fix a twisted stitch
Sometimes a stitch becomes twisted, often because of the way it has been picked up after being dropped or unravelled. A simple way to fix a twisted stitch is to knit it through the back loop.
2. How to get the right tension in your knitting
Keeping an even tension is important when knitting. It can be especially tricky to maintain an even tension when using purl stitch. One tip is to use different size needles. It is only your right needle that defines the size of stitches, the left simply holds them in place. Different sized needles can help to maintain a looser, more even tension.
3. How to bind off neatly
The last binded off stitch can often be messy. To ensure a neat finish when binding off, slip the last stitch on to your needle, pick up the back loop of the stitch on the row below and place it on your needle before slipping both back on to the left needle. Knit these two stitches together for a neater finish.
4. How to cast on neatly
Avoid tight or uneven cast ons with this handy hint. Many people begin by using one needle and a long tail cast on. Try casting on around two needles placed together instead. Once stitches are in place, simply remove the second needle.
5. How to weave in tails as you knit
If you loathe weaving in tails at the end of your project, try to do it as you go along. Place the needle in the next stitch but before wrapping it, lay the yarn tail over the working yarn. Work the next stitch and the tail should be fastened in.
