By Alice Seidel

One of the things I love about knitting is that there is always something new to know about! So much information is out there, in magazines, knitting books, websites; it can become confusing very quickly if you don’t know just what is basic to your knitting needs.

After all, do you really need to know what brand of lighted knitting needles to purchase or which brand of silk yarn will knit up best with that advanced pattern you found, when you still want not-so-advanced information?

In this article, I’ve searched my files for the best basics for knitters! When you have this knowledge, so much of the rest will begin to make better sense.

Knitting Needle basics. There are the straight needles we all know and use, but what do you do with double-pointed & circular needles? Double pointed needles come in sets of four or five and are used to make items such as mittens, socks, and other round pieces. Circular needles are used when casting on a large number of stitches, i.e. 100 or more, and then you “knit in the round”. When you knit a large afghan or sweater, circular needles are wonderful. They are easy on your fingers, and can be taken anywhere.

Yarn basics. Does it matter which yarn I knit with? It sure does! With so many yarns available these days, choosing what to use can be a dilemma. So, I recommend read your instructions and read the yarn labels. There’s a whole host of info on those yarn labels.

When knitting baby items, use soft sport yarn or fine or fingering yarn. For sweaters use worsted yarn. For afghans, worsted, wool, DK or Aran yarn works best. For rugs or sturdy jackets, use bulky or chunky yarns. Be sure to find out how much yarn comes with each skein, as each project calls for a specific amount of yarn, and each skein/ball of yarn is different. Always buy enough yarn in the same dye lots, even if you have to buy one extra, just to be sure. In time, you’ll have quite a stash of extra yarn and that’s when you can use your best knitting creativity to use those all up!

Gauge basics. I see the word “gauge” in every pattern I find. Is it that important? It depends. If you are knitting a scarf or place-mats or other specialty items, then gauge is not that important. But, for items to wear or even afghans, it is very important to know how many stitches per inch and per row, you are knitting with. The required gauge is always specified in every pattern, and before you begin that project, make a gauge swatch to measure correctness. If your gauge numbers are too small, try using larger needles and vice versa. Some knitters knit more tightly than others, so never go by what someone else’s knitting produces.

It is mastering the basics, whether they be for knitting, cooking, painting, mothering, or brain surgery, that will make all the rest easy to do!

Remember, when you get to know the basics, you can create a world of knitting magic for yourself, that you will find, is just what you have been looking for! Knitting……..enjoy!

Keep YOUR knitting on the “Cutting Edge” with FREE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resources and share stories. FR.EE Details ==>http://www.theknitstitch.com.

Article Source: Alice Seidel => Got Knitting Questions? I Have Answers!

By Toby Russell

Background

Yarn is a string composed of interlocked fibers used in the production of textiles, crocheting, sewing and knitting.

There are many different fibers that can form a knitting yarn. Cotton is the most popular natural fibre and wool is the most common animal fiber. However, other types of animal fibers are used too, like angora, cashmere and the latest trend in knitting yarns – the alpaca knitting yarn. The alpaca fibers that form a knitting yarn are notable for their strength, which is significantly higher than that in wool fibers, for their softness and, moreover, the alpaca fiber comes in an impressive range of natural colors from white, beige, light brown, dark brown, to black.

Blending for quality

However, it had been demonstrated that by blending alpaca fiber with wool , we obtain a yarn of a higher quality. When it comes to the knitting yarn composed solely of sheep’s wool, we talk of two categories of wool used in knitting yarn: worsted and woolen.

The yarn that results from worsted wool is smooth and firm, whereas the one that results from woolens is fuzzier and not so strong

Other Types

As for the natural fibers, silk and linen are also used for knitting yarn. Knitting yarn can be also made of synthetic materials, chiefly acrylic. There are all acrylic yarns or acrylic blended with wool. Nylon is another synthetic fiber used in a small quantity in the yarn designed for use in socks as an example.

There are many different types of knitting yarns you can find obviously according to quality and price. You want. For example, you can find usual yarns like cotton and wool and then luxury yarns like super merino, pure silk, possum worsted, Hana silk, baby alpaca, zephyr (50% Chinese Tussah Silk and 50% fine Merino wool)

What you need to know before choosing

You need to know the properties of your knitting yarn because they affect the look and the feel of the garment. Your first point of call and where you can find out a lots of information is by looking at the label, such as the fiber content, weight, type of the knitting yarn, and its suitability for the project you have in mind and naturally how many meters of knitting yarn you have and washing instructions.

In most instances, however, the pattern from which you’ll be knitting will identify and/or suggest the best material with which to knit the item. It is also advisable to buy a little more knitting yarn than the pattern requires.

About Yarn Weight

Yarn weight is the thickness of the knitting yarn. You will see there is a vast range going from very fine weight or baby weight and chunky yarns as well.

What does it mean?

Yarn weights are separated into different categories, six categories actually. There is:

1) a baby, fingering, or sock category, which is super fine;

2) baby or sport category and is fine yarn weight;

3) the DK, light, worsted category which is light,

4) the afghan, aran, worsted category,

5) the chunky, craft and rug category and the fifth,

6) super bulky yarn weight which can be bulky and roving.

In the UK, yarn is labeled in ply. A ply is a single strand of yarn. Lace weight or 2-ply/3-ply is a very fine yarn used for lacy garments . scarves and baby clothes.

Fingering knitting yarn or 4-ply is used for baby clothes but also for adult clothes.

From Around the World

Sport weight or DK 8-ply in Australia it is a very popular type of yarn because not only it comes in different colors , but it also comes in a range of different effects, such as heather, blushed, tweed and more; Aran, worsted or triple, 12-ply in Australia is generally used for heavily texture garments; chunky or bulky, 14-ply in Australia is a heavy yarn used to make large sweaters and jackets. This last category is called in America super-bulky.

Toby Russell & his website – http://www.knitting4beginners.com aims to offer beginner’s advice for those just getting started in the hobby of knitting.

Article Source: Toby Russell –> All About Knitting Yarn