TOP KNITTING TIPS

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (1) - substituting a different yarn

Sometimes you might like a pattern but want to use another type of yarn because you want a certain colour or wool content. 

First make sure the yarn is the same tension as your pattern.  You cannot use say double knit on a chunky pattern.

1. See how many yards/metres there are on a ball of yarn used in the pattern. Then see how many yards/metres there are 

on the yarn that you want to use. 

2. See how many balls are required for your size on the pattern.

3. Multiply the number of balls by the yards/metres on the yarn used in the pattern.

4. Divide by the number of yards/metres on the yarn that you wish to use.

The answer will be the amount of balls you need in the new chosen yarn.  

Remember, even though the ball band gives the same tension as your pattern, it is always best to check your own tension first.

You might need to go down or up a needle size (see Tension Headache below).

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (2) - adding another size to pattern

Sometimes you want to make a size bigger (or smaller) than the sizes stated on a pattern.

1. Look at the difference in the stitches when you cast on for instance - if your pattern says cast on

90(100, 110, 120) then you can easily see that there are 10 stitches between each size. So if you want to knit a size

larger just cast on 10 stitches more than the largest size on the pattern. Or if you wanted a smaller size you would 

cast on 10 stitches less than the smallest size. 

2. You can also adjust the length of the garment and the sleeves accordingly.

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (3) - a solution to separate button bands

Do you hate knitting button and buttonhole bands and then having to stretch and stitch on?

TRY THIS

Cast on stitches for rib PLUS the stitches for your band. Work as pattern until required length for rib.

Change your knitting needles for main part of garment but keep you band stitches on the smaller ones. A good idea is to use shorter or children�s needles, or cut down a plastic or bamboo pair.

Continue working across main part of knitting on larger pins but when you get to the band use the smaller size. Thus, leaving main knitting on larger pin and band knitting on smaller pin, working any shaping before you work the band.

When working buttonholes, first mark positions of buttons on button band and then work buttonholes to match.

If making a V-neck cardigan or jacket, when you have reached shoulders leave button bands on a stitch holder until garment is joined at shoulders. Then continue band until it reaches centre back, slightly stretched. You will then have to stitch this on and join at centre back.

Apart from the back neck this saves you stretching and sewing. No bulges and puckers � easy!

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (4) - OR THE IMPORTANCE OF TENSION

DON'T GIVE YOURSELF A TENSION HEADACHE

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of checking your tension. If you get your tension too tight your garment will be too small and likewise if you are a loose knitter your garment will be too big and will not wash well. 

People hate checking their tension and yet it can save hours and hours of wasted hard work in the long run.

Every pattern gives a tension for the yarn and the size knitting pins suggested. Please remember this is not the knitting pin size you must use. It is the size of the tension square that matters, not the size of the pins.

If your tension square is smaller than it should be just try again with a larger pair of knitting pins. Also when your knitting is too tight, NEVER make a larger size garment as your knitting will be too stiff and will not hang correctly.

In the illustration above the tension is being taken from a larger piece of knitting, say ten stitches more than you need and 10 rows more. You place a pin where the 4 inches or 10 centimetres should be, counting out the stitches and rows. If the measurement goes beyond your pins you have knitted too tightly and need to try with a larger knitting pin. If the measurement is within the pins then you have knitted too loosely and need to try with a smaller size.

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (5) - neck band too tight?

A lot of people have trouble when they cast off the ribbing round the neck, making the neck too small to get one's head through.

The best way to overcome this is to use the larger needle size (ie the size you used for the main kniting) when you are casting off.

Also try and make a conscious effort to cast off loosely. Then your neck should have more give and even the biggest head

should go through.

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (6) - shaping raglans and sleeves

Most patterns tell you to knit 2 together at the beginning and/or end of every row etc. when shaping armholes and raglans.

1. To get a more even edge both ends - knit the 2 together at the beginning of the row "through back of loops" and at the end of the row as normal.

2. You can also make the decrease say about three or four stitches in from each end, leaving a smoother edge for sewing up and a sloping line four stitches in.

3. If you want a "fully fashioned" look. Knit together in the normal way three or four stitches in from the beginning and then knit two together "through back of loop" three or four stitches before the end of the row. This is the kind of shaping you might see on a machine knitted sweater thus making a feature of the decreases.

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (7) - casting off shoulders together

A neat way to join shoulders and avoid stitching them together.

1. When you get to the shoulder shaping, do not cast off. Keep the stitches on a spare needle.

2. When the garment is finished put the two pieces facing each other together with the two knitting needles in your left hand.

3. With a third knitting needle knit one stitch from each needle together (ie the first stitch from each needle leaving one stitch on the right hand needle). Then knit the second stitch from each needle together. Now slip first knitted stitch over second and continue to cast off in this way.

You get a nice neat seam with no sewing.

PEACHEY ETHKNITS TOP TIP (8) - picking up stitches for left handed knitters  (thanks to Caroline for submitting this tip)

Here is a tip I discovered for left handers challenged by picking up and knitting from the right.

Use a circular needle for the process. With the left hand needle, pick up stitches evenly along the left edge for a couple of inches at a time to meet the right hand needle. When the needles meet, knit the left stitches onto the right needle in the normal way. Then pick up more stitches on the left. Keep doing this until all the stitches are loaded onto the right needle.

Just a thing to remind people, the stitches on the left needle will probably be twisted. You need to untwist them as you knit from the right needle. So glad I discovered this, left handers and knitting have to go their own way sometimes!

Please pass on your tips to us and we will add them to the list.

Thanks

kathy peachey