Week 1-2 TLE_HE- Needlecraft 3rd Quarter

Introduction to knitting
As we all know, there are various form/kind of needle craft and one of this is knitting.
KNITTING – is a technique of producing fabric from a strand of yarn or wool. It is a process of using two or
more needles to loop the yarn into a series of loops which are interconnected in order to create an item of
clothing or length of fabric. Unlike weaving, knitting does not require a loom or any other equipment, apart
from needles or even your fingers. This made it valuable technique for nomadic and non- agrarian people.
Knitting is believed to have originated in the Middle East in the 5th century and travelled to Europe with wool
traders, soon afterwards. Interestingly, the examples of early knitting from Egypt are actually made from
cotton fibers, not wool. Through European colonization, knitting then spread to America.
Knitting origin lies in the basic human need for clothing to protect us against the elements. The word comes
from the word “Knot” which is thought to originate from Dutch verb “ KNUTTEN ” which is similar to the old
English word “ Crytan “
The oldest knitted artifacts are sucks from Egypt, dating from the 11th century. The first known mechanical
knitting machine was developed in 1589 by William Lee of Calverton near Nottingham.
Aside from the fact that knitting is very adaptable craft, it could also be a good source of income. Ifugao
woman who shift from farming into knitting of stylish hats and scarves is one of the exemplary shared
experience. It was through Merideth Ramirez Talusan, co-founder of the Ricefield Collective, who realized that
the Ifugao people cannot survive with rice alone.
Indeed, from the beginning up to this age, knitting is continuously flourishing. The traditional stitches and
color patterns highly express the culture that we have, the value of perseverance and hard work, and the
individual creativity and brilliant ideas of Filipinos.
Two Methods of knitting
The trick to Continental knitting is keeping the yarn slightly taut. It is customary knitting in many European
and Eastern country
1. Wind the yarn around your left pinkie and over your left forefinger 2Insert the RH needle
through the stitch on the LH needle.

1.Knitting is a technique of producing fabric from a strand of yarn or wool. It is a process of using two or
more needles to loop the yarn into a series of loops which are interconnected in order to create an item of
clothing or length of fabric.
Is believed to have originated in the Middle East in the 15th century and travelled to Europe with wool
traders. Their origins lie in the basic human need for clothing to protect against the elements.
2. There are two methods of knitting
a. Continental Method is a customary knitting in many European and Eastern countries, there are four
ways of doing it;
a.1 Winding the yarn around our left pinkie and over our lefty forefinger
a.2 Inserting the right hand through the stitch on the left-hand needle.
a.3 Swiveling the tip of the right-hand needle to the right and under the yarn strand, scooping up the yarn
from our left forefinger.
a.4 Pulling the yarn through the loop, sliding the old loop off the left-hand needle and letting it drop.
b. English Method is the most common style in knitting in the English-speaking world. In the English
method the working yarn is held in the right hand. How we hold the yarn is up to us. As long as we can
maintain even gauge. One of the most common method is to weave the yarn over and under the fingers.

KNITTING TOOLS
1. Yarns - It is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers, suitable for use in the
production of textiles; sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery and rope
making.

2. Knitting Needles - Knitting Needles are the most important tool in knitting.
a. Straight needles have a pointed end. When working with a pair of straight needles, the
work is done with flat and in rows.

b. Circular knitting needles are needles that are connected together with a cord. The
cord is usually plastic but may be created out of other materials.

c. Double-pointed knitting needles are knitting needles with points at both ends.
Usually, it comes in sets of four and are used for doilies, gloves, mittens, round
necklines, socks etc. or whenever a seam is not used.

d. Plastic knitting needle. These needles are ideal for beginners and are the least
expensive. Plastic knitting needles are lighter and more flexible than metal designs

e. Metal knitting needle. Metal Needle is stronger and more durable than other
materials.

f. Wood knitting needle. Wooden knitting needles are very popular. They are initially
cold, but will warm up from the heat given off by your hands

g. Bamboo knitting needle. There are also knitting needles that are made of bamboo.
These needles are imported from Japan and are lightweight and strong.

h. h. Resin knitting needle. Some knitting needles are made from resin. These needles
are hollow, so they weigh less than many other materials.

i. Glass knitting needle. One of the final materials used to make knitting needles is
glass

3. Stitch Holders - This is used by knitters to hold open stitches when not being used by
the needles. They can be used when finishing a side of an item, such as a sweater, and
preparing for the kitchener stitch. They can be used on stitches separated from the
needle when splitting the piece. For example, when shaping the neckhole of a sweater,
the stitch holder is placed on the group of stitches used to make the neckhole, and the
needles are used to continue to make the stitches on either side. Stitch holders are also
used at the ends of sleeves of a sweater before they are attached to the body of the
sweater. A large safety pin or extra knitting needle can be used in place of a holder.

4. Stitch Markers - Stitch markers are used to help keep track of the number of stitches in
a row or to indicate where a stitch pattern starts or ends.

5. Scissors - In order to cut the excess yarn from your project, you need a pair of scissors.

6. Yarn Bobbins- They are made of plastic and come in several shapes and sizes. They hold
small amounts of colored yarns.

7. Sewing Needles - Sewing needles are helpful for weaving in the ends of your knitting
project and for sewing together pieces of a garment

8. Crochet Hooks – using these tools, you can easily your first knitted project.

9. Cable Needles -Cable needles are a special kind of knitting needle used specifically to
hold stitches in the front of or behind your knitting so that the stitches can be picked up
and knitted after knitting other stitches first.
10. Knit Gauge - One of the best things you can do help with the success of your knitting
projects, is to knit a gauge swatch. Gauge is very important in getting knitted items the right
size.
Week 3-8 TLE_HE- Needlecraft 3rd Quarter
Basic Knitting Stitches
A. SLIP KNOT
The slip knot for knitting is the same as the slip knot for crocheting.

Watch this video for better understanding. Click this link>>>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_R1UDsNOMk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbtnjHrb_Hg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptCcTCsHIU0
B. CASTING ON
A way to turn loose yarn into neat little stitches that sit perfectly on the needle. It is the first step in knitting.

C. KNIT STITCH
 The simple stitch that makes up the backbone of knitting.

D. PURL STITCH
An inverted knitting stitch, creating by pulling a loop of yarn from the front of the fabric to the back through a previous stitch.

E. CASTING OFF
It is also called as “Bind Off” that creates an end to knitting .