It’s the ultimate test of self-control. You’re eager to start a new sweater project - all the beautiful yarn is sitting on the couch next to you, the pattern is waiting on your lap, and the recommended needle is in your hands. Why in the world would you knit a tiny, seemingly useless square when… Continue reading Ask Amanda: Why should I knit a gauge swatch?
Category: ask amanda
Ask Amanda: I’m just completely stuck – what do I do?
I think it’s happened to everyone - no matter what you try, something about your latest knitting or crocheting project isn’t right. You’re completely stuck and frustrated, and nothing is working! In cases like this, I’m convinced that the best answer is to put the project away and do something else. At Vogue Knitting Live… Continue reading Ask Amanda: I’m just completely stuck – what do I do?
Ask Amanda: How do I join my knitting in the round?
When you’re preparing to knit in the round, joining is a critical step. Your pattern will tell you how many stitches to cast on, and then it will ask you to join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Even one little twist will result in a potentially unusable piece of knitting,… Continue reading Ask Amanda: How do I join my knitting in the round?
Ask Amanda: Are my stitches twisted?
Before I delve in, it may help to clarify the difference between intentional twist stitches and unintentionally twisting your stitches. It can be a little confusing with such similar names, but they are two separate techniques. Twist stitches (the intentional kind) are a nice way to add surface texture to your knitting. The examples below… Continue reading Ask Amanda: Are my stitches twisted?
Ask Amanda: Why is my bind-off so tight?
Binding off in knitting can be one of the most exciting steps of the project, since every stitch takes you closer to finishing. While the actual motion of binding off (alternatively called casting off) is very similar to knitting, there is an important difference. A standard bind-off row naturally has less elasticity than your typical… Continue reading Ask Amanda: Why is my bind-off so tight?
Ask Amanda: Why is there a loose stitch at the end of the row?
It’s important to remember that there are as many styles of knitting as there are knitters, so each person’s work will look slightly different. Oftentimes, a slight tension difference between stitches won’t be that noticeable after the project is finished and blocked. That being said, sometimes a little knitting help can get a looseness problem… Continue reading Ask Amanda: Why is there a loose stitch at the end of the row?
Ask Amanda: How do I make a slip knot?
The humble slip knot is the foundation upon which countless yarn projects have been built. It’s typically the first loop that you’ll put on your crafting tool of choice, since a slip knot for knitting is the same as a slip knot for crochet. This knot’s special quality is its flexibility: the loop can easily… Continue reading Ask Amanda: How do I make a slip knot?
Ask Amanda: How do I wind yarn into a ball?
Before I answer the question about winding yarn, let’s take a look at the different ways yarn is packaged. Here at Berroco, our yarns are generally packaged in one of three different ways (or put-ups, as they’re called). Deciding which way to package the yarn depends on a lot of factors, including the nature of… Continue reading Ask Amanda: How do I wind yarn into a ball?
Ask Amanda: Should I block my knitting before or after sewing seams?
This question pops up a lot, and like many things in the world of knitting, there is no stiff, permanent rule. However, In most cases, I’d recommend blocking the pieces of a garment before sewing seams. Here are three reasons why: If two pieces that need to be joined end up slightly different lengths (in… Continue reading Ask Amanda: Should I block my knitting before or after sewing seams?
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