KNITTING
The
Knitting is the process of using two or
more needles to loop yarn into a series
of interconnected loops in order to
create a finished garment or to create a
cloth.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
The origin of knitting is known to have
been lost in the mists of ancient times. It
was believed that the first knitters were
probably a nomadic race living in the
Palaces of North Africa. Some of the
items that they knitted were the tent flaps
of decorative patterns believing that the
symbols knitted on flaps were used to
frighten away evil spirits.
Aside from the fact that knitting is a very
adaptable craft, it could also be a good
source of income. Ifugao women who
shift from farming into knitting of stylish
hats and scarves is one of the exemplary
shared experience. It was through
Meredith Ramirez Tulusan, co-founder of
the Ricefield Collective, who realized that
the Ifugao people cannot survive with
rice alone, as they used to in the last few
decades. They increasingly need other
source of income and to do so, many are
moving away abandoning terraces.
These realizations inspire the creation of
Ricefield Collective, a US-based online
knitwear, selling stylish products to an
international clientele which was also
founded by Englishwoman, Anna Maltz
and a Filipina from Ifugao Jean
Mundiguing. All knitters of the said
company are Ifugao women. Indeed,
from the very beginning up to this age,
knitting is continuously flourishing.
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
Continental method It is a customary
knitting in many European and eastern
countries. The yarn is held over the left
forefinger and regulated by the other
fingers. The right-hand needle digs into
the stitch on the left-handle needle and
hooks the yarn through it to make a new
stitch. The stitch through which it has
hooked has now attained its mission in
life and becomes part of the fabric. There
are several popular ways to position the
yarn. Tension is controlled partly with the
index finger, extending it to tighten yarn
after the needle passes underneath.
Many experts feel that greater speed can
be attained with this method and key is
flexible wrist movement.
English method Prevails in English
speaking countries. The yarn is held in
the right hand over the forefinger and
under others which regulate the tension.
Some knitters wind the yarn around the
various fingers, starting by one or more
winds around the little finger. The knitter
then digs the right hand needle-point
into the first stitch on the lefthand needle
and hooks the new stitch through. When
reduce to its essential, can be by far the
fastest in the annals of handknitting. The
right hand needle then has its right end
firmly secured in your forearm or under
your armpit. The left end is held by
thumb and forefinger of the left hand.
The free right hand can feed the yarn
and hook through the stitches at
surprising speed.
KNITTING TOOLS AND
MATERIALS
YARN - 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. There are various types of yarn
differing in twist, size and texture you can
choose from depending on the design you
want for your knitted articles.
KNITTING NEEDLES - Knitting Needles
are the most important tool in knitting. They
come in a variety of styles and materials.
Some of the most common knitting needles
include plastic, metal, and wood. Each type
has various advantages and disadvantages.
Knitting needles styles include: straight,
circular, and doublepointed.
KINDS OF KNITTING NEEDLES:
1. Straight needles have a pointed
end. When working with a pair of
straight needles, the work is done
with flat and in rows. Work across
all the stitches on one needle,
then turn work to other side and
work across all stitches on other
needle. Straight knitting needles
are usually available in 10 inch
and 14 inch lengths. These are
the knitting needles that usually
come to mind when thinking
about knitting. The smaller the
number, the finer the needle.
2. Circular needles are needles that
are connected together with a
cord. The cord is usually plastic
but may be created out of other
materials. The needles at each
end of the cord are typically
shorter than straight knitting
needles. Circular knitting needles
are available in 16, 24, and 36
inch lengths. They are often used
to knit in the round. But also
make knitting flat pieces easier by
allowing the fabric to be held on
the cable and thus reducing the
amount of weight being held on
each knitting needle.
3. 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.
TYPES OF KNITTING NEEDLE
MATERIALS:
1. Plastic knitting needles These
needles are ideal for beginners
and are the least expensive.
Plastic knitting needles are lighter
and more flexible than metal
designs. They are also very
smooth, so you will likely be able
to knit more quickly.
2. Metal knitting needles Metal
Needle is stronger and more
durable than other materials.
However, metal knitting needles
are cold to the touch. They also
make clicking sounds while you
 knit. The advantage of these
needles is that they're extremely
smooth, so experience knitters
can knit quickly using them.
3. 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. They are also
smooth, but not too smooth. The
main disadvantage of wooden
knitting needles is that they can
break easily. They are also one of
the most expensive options.
4. Bamboo knitting needles There
are also knitting needles that are
made of bamboo. These needles
are imported from Japan and are
lightweight and strong. Bamboo
designs are also less slippery than
other designs so your stitches will
stay in place better. Bamboo
knitting needles are also more
flexible than metal designs, but
less flexible than plastic designs.
5. Resin knitting needles Some
knitting needles are made from
resin. These needles are hollow,
so they weigh less than many
other materials. However, they
are also strong, so they won't
break easily. Knitting needles that
are made from resin are
inexpensive and look like plastic
needles.
6. Glass knitting needles One of the
final materials used to make
knitting needles is glass. Glass is
heavier than other materials. They
are also very smooth and slippery
so you may have trouble keeping
115 stitches in place. Glass
knitting needles will also warm up
as you use them.
STITCH HOLDER - 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.
STITCH MARKER - 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. There are also
locking/unlocking stitch markers and split
markers that can be used to mark a stitch on
a row. They can be removed later when the
knitting project is complete.
SCISSORS - In order to cut the excess yarn
from your project, you need a pair of
scissors. Either way, leave these scissors
where you normally do your knitting or in
your knitting bag, because you never know
when you might need them.
YARN BOBBINS - They are made of plastic
and come in several shapes and sizes. They
hold small amounts of colored yarns.
SEWING NEEDLES - Sewing needles are
helpful for weaving in the ends of your
knitting project and for sewing together
pieces of a garment, such as putting the
arms on a sweater. You can find needles
suitable for working with yarn in plastic and
metal. Either is fine, though plastic is
preferred if you're knitting with children or
the accident-prone. Make sure you buy
needles with large eyes so the yarn can easily
pass through them. A needle threader might
also be a handy addition to your knitting tool
collection.
CROCHET HOOKS - Why do knitters need
crochet hooks? Sometimes a crocheted
border on a knitted garment is a very nice
touch, but crochet hooks can come in handy
even for those who don't know a single
crochet from a French knot. If the ends of
your yarn are too short to be woven in with
a sewing needle, a crochet hook is an
invaluable tool. The size of the hook you buy
doesn't matter that much, but it should be
large enough to be compatible with a range
of yarn thicknesses. Armed with these simple
tools you can easily complete your first
knitted project.
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. This is what allows the stitches
to cross each other and create cable stitches.
There are several different shapes of cable
needles. There are curved cable knitting
needles and straight cable knitting needles.
ROW COUNTER - A row counter for hand
knitting is a tally counter for counting rows
or courses worked, for counting stitch
pattern repetitions, or for counting increases
or decreases of the number of stitches in
consecutive rows.
BASIC KNITTING
STITCHES
SLIP KNOT - The slip knot is the first stitch
you place on your knitting needle. It sets up
your cast row and anchors the following
stitches. It’s also regulates the size of your
stitches on your knitting needle.
CAST ON - Casting on is a family of
techniques for adding new stitches that do
not depend on earlier stitches. In principle, it
is the opposite of binding off, but the
techniques involved are generally unrelated.
KNIT STITCH - A basic knitting stitch
usually made with the yarn at the back of the
work by inserting the right needle into the
front part of a loop on the left needle from
the left side, catching the yarn with the point
of the right needle, and bringing it through
the first loop to form a new loop compare
purl stitch.
PURL STITCH - A knitting stitch usually
made with the yarn at the front of the work
by inserting the right needle into the front of
a loop on the left needle from the right,
catching the yarn with the right needle, and
bringing it through to form a new loop
compare knit stitch.
CAST/BIND OFF - Creates and end to your
knitting. It is a safe and neat way to seal off
the stitches so that they don not unravel. To
cast off knitting start a new row, and knit two
stitches loose so your cast off edge will
remain stretchy.
GARTER STITCH - The name for the
stitch was taken from the name of these
bands – supposedly garters were knitted in
garter stitch (which is more elastic than
stockinette stitch)
STOCKINETTE STITCH - A stockinette
stitch (or stocking stitch in UK) is formed by
one row of knit stitches, one row of purl
stitches. Learning the stockinette stitch is a
great next step once you have learned how
to knit and purl. It can be used for everything
from sweaters and cardigan, to bags, hats
and socks.
MOSS STITCH - American/Irish moss stitch
is created by alternating knit and purl stitches
in the same row, repeating that row, then
knitting the opposite stitches in the next row
and repeating that row.
SEED STITCH - Seed stitch knitting is a
common, easy stitch pattern in knitting. It is
made by alternating knit stitches and purl
stitches within a row and between rows. It is
called seed stitch because the stitches create
little bumps that may look like seeds.
RIB STITCH - Rib stitch is a textured
vertical stripe stitch pattern and is created by
alternating knit and purl stitches in the same
row, then knitting the same stitch in the next
row. This forms columns of knit and purl
stitches, and is often used for cuffs or brims.
ANDALUSIAN STITCH - The Andalusian
stitch is an easy to knit stitch pattern. It is
basically stockinette stitch but with a little
twist. Every fourth row alternates knits and
purls, as in 1+1 ribbing. It is simple but with a
little more texture to it than the regular
stockinette stitch. This stitch can be used for
sweaters or blankets.
BASKETWEAVE STITCH - The
basketweave stitch is a lovely stitch pattern
that uses only knits and purls to create a
fabric that looks woven like a basket.
HERRINGBONE STITCH - A herringbone
stitch is a needlework stitch used in
embroidery, knitting and crochet. It is so
named as it resembles the bones extending
from he spine of a herring fish. In knitting, it
is a stitch that creates a fabric pattern closely
resembling a herringbone pattern, or
herringbone cloth.
NETTED STITCH - A lace knitting pattern
that creates a textured mesh fabric, ideal to
knit bags, wraps, shawls or summer tops.
Easy to knit (4 rows only) and just a few
techniques to implement.
LINEN STITCH - The linen stitch simulates
a woven fabric like linen by alternating
wrapped stitches over slip stitches. The result
is a tight dense fabric that is very sturdy and
durable. It is great for scarves, potholders,
bags, and jacket.
BAMBOO STITCH - This is a very easy
knitting stitch that is a simple two row repeat.
You simply yarn over, knit two stitches, then
pass the yarn over the two knit stitches.
Repeat for the first row. On the next row,
you simply use the purl stitch across.
TERMINOLOGIES AND
ABBREVIATIONS
k knit
p purl
yo Yarn over
md round
st stitch
tog together
beg beginning
psso Pass slip stitch/
Over knit stitch
dp Double pointed needle
“- inch (es)
* - (asterisk) – it means that you have to
repeat everything after asterisk as many
times as specified in instructions. One or
more asterisks (*) in the instructions indicates
that the instructions following the symbol will
be repeated a specified number of times
( ) - parenthesis in instructions indicates that
the instructions within the parenthesis are to
be repeated a number of times
PICTURE GUIDE

YARN

KNITTING NEEDLES