Knitting
What is Knitting?
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn is used to create a cloth.
Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can be passed through them. This process eventually results in a fabric, often used for garments.
Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. There exist numerous styles and methods of hand knitting.
Different types of yarns and needles may be used to achieve a plethora of knitted materials; these tools give the final piece a different color texture, weight, and/or integrity. Other factors that affect the end result include the needle's shape, thickness and malleability, as well as the yarn's fiber type, texture and twist.
Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can be passed through them. This process eventually results in a fabric, often used for garments.
Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. There exist numerous styles and methods of hand knitting.
Different types of yarns and needles may be used to achieve a plethora of knitted materials; these tools give the final piece a different color texture, weight, and/or integrity. Other factors that affect the end result include the needle's shape, thickness and malleability, as well as the yarn's fiber type, texture and twist.
What is the difference between Knitting and Crochet?
People often confuse knitting and crochet. It's understandable that this happens; these crafts share many similarities and common elements:
So what's the difference between knitting and crocheting? Why would it matter whether you do one, or the other? Now that we've discussed the similarities, let's take a look at some of the most significant differences.
Knitting Supplies vs Crochet Supplies:When it comes to supplies, knitters and crocheters end up with similar yet different stashes; you'll find most of the differences in the tools department.
Knitting Supplies:Some knitters – hand knitters, that is - use pointy knitting needles. The pointy needles can appear in several different types of configurations; they often exist in sets of two, although this is not always the case. Sometimes the two needles are connected by a cord, as in the case of a circular knitting needle. Sometimes they come in sets of more than two. For example,double-pointed sock knitting needles often come in sets of four or five. If pointy needles are part of the process, then the crafter in question is knitting by hand.
Hand knitters are only a subset of the total number of knitters; in addition to hand knitters, there are also loom knitters and machine knitters. There are many different types of looms and machines that can be used for knitting; they range from the simple to the complex, from the small to the large. Some small machines can be used to knit i-cord, socks or various other small projects. There are larger machines that can be used to knit sweaters, garments or other similar projects. Then there are huge circular machines, some of which wouldn't even fit in the living room of an average home, that are used to mass-produce knitted fabrics for the garment industry.
Knitting machines facilitate the production of knitted fabrics from very fine threads and yarns. For example, t-shirt fabric is usually knitted; because crochet must be done by hand, and it's tedious to use such fine threads for crochet work, it's rare to find crocheted fabric as lightweight and "drapey" as knitted t-shirt fabric.
So, to recap, knitting is performed using either pointed knitting needles, knitting looms, or knitting machines
- Both crafts utilize yarn or fiber, and you can make the same sorts of projects– sweaters, shawls, wraps, blankets, afghans, scarves, hats, mittens, socks - with either technique.
- Both knitters and crocheters work from patterns, and use abbreviations. Some of the abbreviations are even the same.
- Knitting and crocheting both require similar skill sets: hand-eye coordination, an eye for color and design, an affinity for fiber, the ability to plan a project from start to finish and see it through. Mathematical ability is helpful, although not strictly necessary, for either craft technique.
- Above all, both knitters and crocheters need to have the patience necessary to keep working, stitch after stitch after stitch, until a project is completed.
So what's the difference between knitting and crocheting? Why would it matter whether you do one, or the other? Now that we've discussed the similarities, let's take a look at some of the most significant differences.
Knitting Supplies vs Crochet Supplies:When it comes to supplies, knitters and crocheters end up with similar yet different stashes; you'll find most of the differences in the tools department.
Knitting Supplies:Some knitters – hand knitters, that is - use pointy knitting needles. The pointy needles can appear in several different types of configurations; they often exist in sets of two, although this is not always the case. Sometimes the two needles are connected by a cord, as in the case of a circular knitting needle. Sometimes they come in sets of more than two. For example,double-pointed sock knitting needles often come in sets of four or five. If pointy needles are part of the process, then the crafter in question is knitting by hand.
Hand knitters are only a subset of the total number of knitters; in addition to hand knitters, there are also loom knitters and machine knitters. There are many different types of looms and machines that can be used for knitting; they range from the simple to the complex, from the small to the large. Some small machines can be used to knit i-cord, socks or various other small projects. There are larger machines that can be used to knit sweaters, garments or other similar projects. Then there are huge circular machines, some of which wouldn't even fit in the living room of an average home, that are used to mass-produce knitted fabrics for the garment industry.
Knitting machines facilitate the production of knitted fabrics from very fine threads and yarns. For example, t-shirt fabric is usually knitted; because crochet must be done by hand, and it's tedious to use such fine threads for crochet work, it's rare to find crocheted fabric as lightweight and "drapey" as knitted t-shirt fabric.
So, to recap, knitting is performed using either pointed knitting needles, knitting looms, or knitting machines
What do I need to get started?
When you first get started as a knitter, it can be tempting to go wild in the knitting store, buying all sorts of fancy yarn and beautiful needles.
It makes sense, however, to buy only a few supplies when you're first getting started knitting. First, you don't know if you'll like knitting, so, second, you shouldn't spend a lot of money on things you don't know if you'll use.
The good news is, you don't need a lot of expensive supplies or fancy yarns to make your first knitting projects. In fact, you could probably buy everything you need at a discount store and not even visit a crafts store or yarn shop (though you may find higher-quality items at a crafts store).
So, what do you need to get started?
It makes sense, however, to buy only a few supplies when you're first getting started knitting. First, you don't know if you'll like knitting, so, second, you shouldn't spend a lot of money on things you don't know if you'll use.
The good news is, you don't need a lot of expensive supplies or fancy yarns to make your first knitting projects. In fact, you could probably buy everything you need at a discount store and not even visit a crafts store or yarn shop (though you may find higher-quality items at a crafts store).
So, what do you need to get started?
- Yarn
- Needles
- A pair of scissors
- A sewing needle
- A Notepad can also be useful
How do I learn what to do?
There are many ways to learn how to knit, obviously the first one we promote is the coffee morning group we hold weekly, as we can teach you the basics of how to cast on (make the stitches and put them on the needle) how to Knit (a stitch used to create a pattern) or pearl (a different kind of stitch used to create a pattern) We are a mixed group of all ability knitters and crochet fans, and work individually on our own projects whilst at the group. Each one of us has our own reason for being there and different agendas for what we want to get from the group, which is why the setting and style of the group is so unique. We are all there to help each other we offer group support, share hints and tips with each other and all have patterns stashed away which we are happy to share.
Many of our members have sited You Tube as somewhere they have found helpful when trying to learn, if you type knitting or crochet into the site you have hundreds of related guides appear, so it helps to be a little more specific when searching.
The internet is full of guides and free information available to help and support you when learning, below are some of the sites we have found useful, and we hope you do too.
Many of our members have sited You Tube as somewhere they have found helpful when trying to learn, if you type knitting or crochet into the site you have hundreds of related guides appear, so it helps to be a little more specific when searching.
The internet is full of guides and free information available to help and support you when learning, below are some of the sites we have found useful, and we hope you do too.