Category Archives: Tutorial Series

Tutorial Series: The Thumb Method Cast-on

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The Thumb method cast-on is a commonly used long tail cast-on technique. A long tail of yarn is set aside on one side of the slip knot. The working yarn is on the other side of the slip knot. The thumb is used to form the loop that is used to make a new stitch on the knitting needle. Another example of a long tail cast-on technique is the slingshot method. In this method, the thumb and the index finger create a new stitch. The thumb method is beginner-friendly and a quick cast-on method. I use the thumb method cast-on mostly for knitting projects with few stitches (dishcloths, etc.). The written instructions and video below on how to do the thumb method cast-on are shown for right-handed knitting.

The Thumb Method Cast-On:



The Steps for the Thumb Method Cast-On:

  1. Make a slip knot (Tutorial Series: How to Slip Knot) with a yarn tail that will be enough for the number of stitches for a specific knitting project
  2. Insert the slip knot onto a knitting needle
  3. Holding the yarn tail with some tension in the left fist, wrap the left thumb under and over the yarn tail to make a loop
  4. Insert the right hand needle into the front strand of the loop on the thumb
  5. Bring the working yarn around the top of the right needle and wrap it between the thumb and the right knitting needle
  6. Catch and pick up the working yarn loop (a new stitch) with the right needle
  7. Repeat Steps 3 – 6 to cast-on the required number of stitches needed for a knitting project

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: The Knitted Cast-On Method

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The Knitted Cast-On is one of many cast-on techniques in knitting. Other cast-on methods include the long tail cast-on, cable cast-on, provisional cast-on, the thumb method, picot cast-on, stretchy cast-on etc. The Knitted cast-on method is ideal for large projects. Use it when a large number of stitches are required for cast-on. This is typical for a blanket or shawl pattern. This method like the cable cast-on does not need a long yarn tail. The Knitted Cast-On is also a great beginner friendly cast-on method since it is basically the knit stitch. I usually use the knitted cast-on for knitting projects where all the edge stitches are later picked up for a more decorative border. The knitted cast-on begins with a slip knot and each additional stitch is then knitted on. The written instructions and video below on how to do the knitted cast-on is shown for right-handed knitting.

The Knitted Cast-On:


The Knitted Cast-on Steps:

  1. Make a slip knot (How To Slip Knot)
  2. Transfer the slip knot loop onto the left knitting needle
  3. Insert the right knitting needle into the slip knot and bring working yarn around and in between the two needles as if to knit (Knit and Tink)
  4. Catch and pull the working yarn loop onto the right knitting needle
  5. Transfer the new stitch loop from the right knitting needle onto the left knitting needle by inserting the left knitting needle under the front strand of the new stitch loop
  6. Tug the working yarn to tighten the new stitch loop on the left knitting needle
  7. Insert the right knitting needle into the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  8. Catch and pull the working yarn loop with the right knitting needle
  9. Move the new stitch loop from the right knitting needle to the left knitting needle by inserting the left knitting needle under the front strand of the new stitch loop
  10. Tug the working yarn to tighten the new stitch loop on the left knitting needle
  11. Repeat steps 7 – 10 till the desired number of stitch count is reached for a knitting project

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: WYIF and WYIB

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There are knitting patterns that use the abbreviations wyif (with yarn in front) or wyib (with yarn in back). Some of my patterns with these include The Dotted Dishcloth Pattern and The Brick and Mortar Dishcloth Pattern. In these patterns, wyif or wyib is usually used before slipping a stitch or two. A slipped stitch is neither knit nor purled. Slipped stitches can be used for mosaic colorwork knitting or to create an i-cord edge or textured stitch patterns. The video and written instructions below show how to slip one stitch wyif or wyib purlwise for right-hand knitting.

How to slip a stitch WYIF and WYIB:

The video below shows K1 (knit 1), wyif S1 (with working yarn in front slip one stitch purlwise), wyib S1 (with working yarn in back slip one stitch purlwise), wyif S1, wyib S1



WYIF:

  • Bring working yarn from the back of the right knitting needle to the front of the work
  • Insert the right knitting needle as if to purl (purlwise) into the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Catch that first stitch with the right knitting needle
  • Pull the stitch off the left knitting needle and onto the right knitting needle (one stitch has been slipped)

WYIB:

  • Bring working yarn from the front of the right knitting needle to the back of the work
  • Insert the right knitting needle as if to purl (purlwise) into the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Catch that first stitch with the right knitting needle
  • Pull the stitch off the left knitting needle and onto the right knitting needle (one stitch has been slipped)

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: How to Join Round

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Knitting in the round, also known as circular knitting, is a versatile technique. It allows knitters to create seamless items like hats, sweaters, and socks. Using double pointed needles (DPNs) or circular knitting needles, it’s possible to join rounds seamlessly. For knitting in the round, the first stitch is joined to the last stitch in the cast on row. The video and written instructions below show how I join round using circular knitting needles.

How to Join Round:


Written Instructions for How to Join Round:

  • Cast on the required number of stitches using a circular knitting needle.
  • Place a beginning of round marker (BOR) on the right circular knitting needle
  • Check to see all the stitches are facing inwards in one direction in the circular knitting needle
  • Without twisting the stitches, knit the stitch on the right circular needle to the first stitch on the left circular needle to join round
  • Continue knitting in the round as specified in the pattern

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: How to Double Crochet

Posted in How to Double Crochet, Tutorial Series by

Another fundamental crochet stitch is the double crochet. It is taller than a single crochet and a half double crochet, but shorter than a treble or triple crochet. Fabric made with the double crochet stitch is less dense than fabric made with a half double crochet or single crochet. Below, you can find video and written instructions demonstrating how to make a double crochet for all the rows after the foundation chain when crocheting with your right hand.

How to Double Crochet (video in slow motion):


Written Instructions on How to Double Crochet in the rows after the Foundation Chain:

  1. After a double crochet in the last chain stitch of the foundation chain row has been worked, chain three and turn the work for the second and all subsequent rows.
  2. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), skip the first three stitches from the loop on the crochet hook and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn under and through both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  4. There are three loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the first two loops on the hook. There are two loops left on the crochet hook
  6. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook. There is one loop left on the crochet hook
  7. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise) and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  8. Repeat steps 3 to 6
  9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 till the last stitch in the row
  10. For the last stitch of the row, repeat steps 3 and 6, chain three and turn
  11. Repeat Steps 2 to 9 to double crochet all the subsequent rows

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.