All beginning knitters have questions about the best way to do things, why different things happen while they are knitting, how to fix knitting mistakes and more.
Here are some of the most common questions posed by new knitters, along with their answers and more resources you can check out for more information.
1. How Do I Cast on Stitches?
Before you can start knitting and purling you need to know how to cast on stitches. There are two basic methods used for casting on, the knitted cast on and the long-tail cast on.
2. How Long Should a Long-Tail Be?
Many knitters prefer the long-tail cast on method because it is a quick way to get a lot of stitches on the needle. But there's always a question of how long you should make your long tail to ensure you have enough yarn to make it through all the stitches you need to cast on. There are two methods that many knitters use to estimate how long the long tail should be.
3. How Do I Pick the Right Needle?
Different people like different kinds of needles for different reasons. Many beginning knitters prefer wooden or bamboo knitting needles for their warmth and flexibility. It's also important to make sure you're using the right sized needle for your project.
4. Why Are There Holes in My Knitting?
A common problem for beginning knitters is ending up with holes in your knitting. Holes can be caused by knitting with an uneven tension or to a larger gauge than the pattern specifies (see below), but they can also be caused by inadvertently making yarn overs in your work.
5. What is Tension?
Depending on where you live, tension can mean knitting gauge or it can have to do with the openness or tightness of your knitting. Gauge is important because how your stitches look will influence how the finished knitted item looks.
6. What if My Stitches Fall Off My Needle?
It happens to everyone: you set your knitting down for just a second and when you pick it back up, the stitches go flying. It's easy to make your stitches fall off your needle and it's almost as easy to fix, as long as you're a little patient.
7. How Do I Know Where I Am in a Pattern?
Understanding where you are in a pattern basically comes down to knowing the pattern stitch you are working with and knowing the difference between how knit stitches and purl stitches look.
8. What Does That Abbreviation Mean?
Knitters have a language all their own that is used as shorthand in patterns. This is great for knitters who know the lingo, because a pattern can be explained in a lot less time using abbreviations. This handy chart will help you with the translations.
9. Why Does Stockinette Stitch Curl?
Stockinette stitch is one of the most basic knitting stitches out there, but it can really frustrate new knitters because it curls in on itself. Here's why.
10. Can I Knit on a Plane?
Every traveling knitter wonders whether knitting is allowed on airplanes. The answer is yes in most parts of the world (Australia seems to be pretty knitter unfriendly), but there are some things you can do to make the experience easier for you and better for those around you.
