Making a Hem

Making a Hem

A knitted hem which results in a double layer of knitted fabric, helps the garment to hang and fall better. The knitted hem is usually knitted on a smaller size needle than the main needle used for the garment.
Cast on the amount of required stitches (on one size smaller needles)
Beginning with a knit row, stocking stitch (knit one row, purl next row) the depth of hem required finishing on a knit row.
With a purl row facing, knit this row. This row now makes a ridge on the right side of the garment giving the hemline.
Change to the larger needles for the next row knit this row, then begin main pattern.
When garment is finished turn the hem under to wrong side and sew in place.

Crochet abbreviations

Crochet abbreviations

Crochet has its own language or shorthand for describing the different instructions. These abbreviations become more familiar and easy to follow as you knit more and more patterns. Here are a few.

ch = chain
dc = double crochet
htr = half treble
tr = treble
st(s) = stitch (es)
tr tr = triple treble

Knitting abbreviations

Knitting abbreviations

Knitting has its own language or shorthand for describing the different instructions. These abbreviations become more familiar and easy to follow as you knit more and more patterns. Here are a few.

K = Knit
P = Purl
st(s) = Stitch (es)
g st = garter stitch
st st = stocking stitch
K1, P1 = knit 1, purl 1
rev st st = reverse stocking stitch
tog = together

Explaining the importance of Knitting Tension.

Explaining the importance of Knitting Tension.

Tension is the most important aspect of knitting. To get the right tension when knitting ensures a garment that is finished to the size required, and in the long term, less ripping and frustration. Understanding tension is the answer to successful knitting and obtaining the correct width. Knitting is a relaxing, rewarding and enjoyable hobby not a stressful, frustrating task where one hopes with a wing and a prayer the garment fits!
Remember you are in charge of the finished product and getting the size right is very simple. Also note that no two people will knit the same, both will have different tensions. This is the reason why it is never a good idea to have someone else finish knitting something you have started. Most patterns give a tension square with the number of stitches and quantity of rows equaling a measurement.
For example: 22sts x 14rows = 10cm (4ins).
This is the designers tension and the pattern is based on this.To get the exact finished size garment, the tension square the designer is working in must be achieved. One or two stitches more or less than the tension square can mean a big size difference. If you obtain the right stitch tension and the rows are more or less, then ignore the difference and continue on.
If the tension square measures less than the required width, try a larger size needle.
If the tension square measures bigger than the required width try a smaller needle.
Substituting different yarns instead of using the suggested yarn and getting the correct results is possible only if the proper tension square is used. In most cases if the same ply of yarn is used the tension square will be the same.

Making a knitted scarf look different.

Here are two simple ways of making a plain scarf look different.
Turn back the bottom to make pockets. Crochet a decorative seam or just top sew the edge.
Make a cosy hood by folding the scarf in half and joining the two edges at the centre.

The ball of yarn / wool.

Start the ball of wool by pulling the end from the center. Not only does this stop the ball of wool bouncing around the floor, it also keeps the wool clean. You can also put it in a bag at this stage.

Joining in a new ball of yarn.

Measure the amount of yarn that is left. To complete a a row of knitting, without a join in the centre, you will need four times the width of your knitting. If the yarn does run out in the middle of a row, more than often it really is worth taking the stitches back to the start of the row