Tips & Tricks
 

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  • Important Techniques

    To keep from twisting the yarn when joining on circular needles, knit back one or two rows after casting on, then join. Sew the small seam at the bottom with the leftover tail.
  • On projects with many stitches, place markers at evenly spaced intervals to make it easier to identify missed stitches without having to count the entire row.
  • Use post-its to mark where you are in a pattern.
  • Place a reverse stitch in the pattern to mark the button placement in the same rows where the buttonhole will be.
  • Use slick dental floss along with your yarn when binding off the armhole to keep it from stretching.
  • Since the last stitch in a bind-off can be loose, knit (or purl) the stitch in the row below, and don't use the last stitch on the needle.
  • When making socks, mittens, and gloves, reduce the needle size on your last row before sewing up the final stitches for a neater appearance.
  • When using an invisible or provisional cast-on, place a knot at the end of the cast-on so you know which side to zip when you remove the waste yarn.
  • Join a row on circular needles by switching the last stitch with the first and then knit before continuing to knit.
  • Use knee-high nylons as yarn holders.
  • You can join two ends of wool yarn by unraveling both ends slightly, wetting both ends in your mouth, and rolling the two ends together to join. This only works with wool.

Improving Stitch Techniques

  • When picking up stitches, pick up anything that looks like a hole. If you have too many stitches at the end, decrease evenly across in the next row.
  • For a handy cable holder, keep a darning needle tied to the end of your cast-on tail and use the needle to hold your cable stitches.

Finishing and Joining/Blocking

  • When joining a sleeve to a sweater, use a three needle bind-off. Pick up the stitches on the armhole with one needle and pick up the stitches at the end of the sleeve with another needle. With right sides together, bind off with a third needle.
  • Bend a metal coat hanger in the shape of a sock for blocking and drying socks.