Knitting

• The oldest knitted artifacts are sucks from Egypt


  11th century
• The first known mechanical knitting machine was developed by william Lee of calverton near Nottingham


  1589
• Knitting


  A technique of producing fabric from a stand of yarn or wool, using two or more needles to loop the yarn into a series of interconnected loops to create an item of clothing or length of fabric
• Knitting


  • Unlike weaving, it does not require a loom or any other equipment, apart from needles or even fingers
  • It was a valuable technique for nomadic and non-agrarian people
• Knitting origin


  Lies in the basic human need for clothing to protect against the elements
• The word "knitting"


  Comes from the word "KNOT", which is thought to originate from the Dutch verb "KNUTTEN", similar to the old English word "CRYTAN"
• Two methods of knitting

  Continental knitting: keeping the yarn slightly taut, customary in many European and Eastern countries
• Handcraft


  A technique of producing fabric from a strand of yarn or wool through a process of using two or more needles to loop the yarn into interconnected stitches or loops to create an item of clothing or length of fabric
• Knitting


  A handcraft technique that does not require a loom or other equipment, apart from needles or even fingers, making it a valuable technique for nomadic and non-agrarian people
• The word 'knitting' comes from the word "knot" which is thought to originate from the Dutch verb "knutten" which is similar to the old English word "crytan"
• The oldest knitted artifacts are socks from Egypt


  11th century
• The first known Mechanical knitting machine was developed by William Lee of Calverton near Nottingham


  1589
• Continental Knitting


  1. Wind the yarn around your left pinkie and left forefinger

  2. Keep the yarn slightly taut

  3. Insert the RH needle through the stitch on LH needle from left to right

  4. Swivel the tip of the RH needle to scoop up the yarn from the left finger

  5. Pull the yarn through the loop on the RH needle
• English Method of Knitting


  1. Hold the working yarn in the right hand

  2. Weave the yarn under the finger
• Knitting Tools and Materials

  • Straight Needles
  • Circular Knitting Needles
  • Double-pointed Knitting Needles
  • Plastic Knitting Needles
  • Metal Knitting Needles
  • Wood Knitting Needles
  • Bamboo Knitting Needles
  • Resin Knitting Needles
  • Glass Knitting Needles
• Straight Needles


  • Have a pointed end
  • Work is done across all stitches on one needle, then turn and work across all stitches on the other needle
• Circular Knitting Needles


  • Needles connected by a cord, often plastic
  • Shorter than straight needles
  • Used for knitting in the round and flat pieces
• Double-pointed Knitting Needles


  • Have points at both ends
  • Used for doilies, gloves, mittens, round necklines, socks, and whenever a seam is not used
• Plastic Knitting Needles


  • Lighter and more flexible than metal
  • Smooth, good for beginners
  • Least expensive
• Metal Knitting Needles


  • Stronger and more durable than other materials
  • Cold to the touch
  • Make clicking sounds
  • Extremely smooth, good for experienced knitters
• Wood Knitting Needles


  • Initially cold but warm up from hand heat
  • Smooth but not too smooth
  • Can break easily
  • One of the most expensive options
• Bamboo Knitting Needles


  • Imported from Japan
  • Lightweight and strong
  • Less slippery than other designs, stitches stay in place better
  • More flexible than metal, less flexible than plastic
• Resin Knitting Needles


  • Hollow, so they weigh less than many other materials
  • Strong, won't break easily
  • Inexpensive and look like plastic
• Glass Knitting Needles

  • Heavier than other materials
  • Very smooth and slippery, stitches may have trouble staying in place
  • Warm up as used
• Yarn


  A long continuous length of interlocked fibers, suitable for use in the production of textiles: sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery and rope
• Stitch Holder


  Used by knitters to hold open stitches when not being used by the needles, such as when finishing and preparing for the kitchener stitch, or when splitting the piece for shaping the neckhole of a sweater
• Stitch Markers


  Used to help keep track of the number of stitches in a row or to indicate where a stitch pattern starts or ends
• Scissors


  Used to cut excess yarn
• Yarn Bobbins


  Made of plastic, come in various shapes and sizes, hold small amounts of colored yarns
• Sewing Needles


  Used for weaving in the ends of a knitting project and for sewing together pieces of a garment, such as putting the arms on a sweater
• Crochet Hook


  Used to create crocheted borders on knitted garments, or to weave in short ends of yarn
• Cable Needles


  Special kind of knitting needle used to hold stitches in front of or behind the knitting so they can be picked up and knitted after other stitches are knitted first, allowing the creation of cable stitches
• Knit Gauge


  Used to measure the gauge of a knitting project, important for getting the right size of the finished item