No matter what level you are at in knitting you still don’t know everything that you need to know about knitting. Many times people learn secrets and tips from other knitters that can enhance their own knitting projects. So whether you are a beginning knitter or an advanced knitter here are some tips on knitting that you might find helpful.
Tip one:
Something that some people might not know about knitting is that you can combine yarns to get different weights. For example if you need a sport weight yarn you could combine two fingering yarns. Or if you need a worsted weight yarn you could combine two sport yarns. Or if you needed a bulky yarn what you would need to do would be to combine two worsted weight yarns. But you want to make sure that you always check your gauge. Otherwise this is a great way to use up extra yarns you have.
Tip two:
Another good tip is when you are sewing buttons on your garments that have been knitted, you should use elastic thread, rather than yarn. You can purchase the elastic thread at that same fabric stores that you buy your knitting supplies at. By using elastic thread instead of yarn your buttons won’t pull on the knitted fabric or cut the yarn after you have worn the items several times, basically elastic thread makes the button more durable for longer use.
Tip three:
Another good idea is to put plastic or rubber knitting needle points on the tips of your scissors so that you don’t accidentally ruin other things in your bag. You never know when your scissors might accidentally open and cut through a piece of yarn you have been working with, or snag that new baby blanket causing it to pull and tear.
Tip four:
Rather than using moth balls, which can stink or cause your wool to have an unpleasant smell you can use small chunks of Irish Spring Bath soap to help keep the moths away. Not only will it help keep the moths away it will also leave your wool smelling fresh and clean.
Tip five:
Rather than binding off you should leave your shoulder stitches on needles or stitch holders. Once you have completed both the back and front of the item you should knit the two sides together and bind off at the shoulder seam. By doing this you are ensuring that your seam is smooth and flat.
Tip six:
Once you have started to run out of yarn you are going to have to introduce a new ball of yarn to your project, the ball of yarn is known as a skein of yarn. But when joining the new ball of yarn to the old ball of yarn you should knit at least three stitches using both the end of the old ball of yarn and the beginning of the new ball of yarn. After you have done at least three stitches you need to drop the old ball of yarn, meaning you don’t use it anymore, and continue on with the new ball of yarn.
Tip seven:
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you are knitting a stockinette pattern you should put something like a place holder ring or you should tie a piece of yarn to one of the needles to mark your place. This way when the needle with the marker is on is empty and you are starting a new row you will know exactly what stitch you should be using.