Knitting rules: where to start, what you need for knitting, how to choose yarn, hook and knitting needles
"Knitting Without Tears" – this is the name of one of the most famous knitting textbooks in the world. Its author, Elizabeth Zimmerman, chose this name for the book not by chance. One of the main prejudices regarding knitting is that it requires a lot of strength and patience, and not every mortal is able to master it.
Following Zimmerman, we want to rehabilitate hand knitting. Where to start practicing this ancient craft, which is by no means as difficult as it seems. It can bring you many pleasant hours. In addition, knitting has been proven to calm the nervous system and improve well-being. The Americans even came up with a playful saying: "Knitting is the new yoga."
There are several myths associated with knitting and its history. Many people think that only grandmothers knit. It's not like that at all! Knit by those who love to knit, people of any age and gender. Children adopt this passion from older family members, and then their skills grow with them. Adults "infect" from friends and colleagues. Celebrities set an example for fans: Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Uma Thurman, Stephen Fry, David Duchovny, Brad Pitt knit in between filming.
The history of knitting also knows a lot of male names, for example, in the list of leading designers of hand knitwear: Kaffe Fassett, Horst Schultz, Jared Flood. There are not too many knitting men in Russia yet. Representatives of the stronger sex, appearing in public with a ball and knitting needles, attract increased attention. However, they themselves admit that the reaction of others to their hobby is generally very friendly, and they themselves enjoy knitting.
The great advantage of hand knitting is that you get to choose how intricate your project will be. For those who like to knit, you need to be able to do quite a bit. Knitting consists of front and back loops, and crochet – from air loops and several columns. On the basis of only this minimum base, you can knit a lot of interesting and beautiful things. Further, if you want, you can enrich your knitting technique with more and more new tricks. But you can tell yourself “I can knit" after the first finished thing. The road to mastery is endless, but you have already entered it and are free to go as long as you want.
The more labor and skill invested, the better the thing. The labor involved is evidence of patience, and the complexity of technical prowess. Unfortunately, neither one nor the other guarantees that the thing will turn out beautiful and harmonious. Conversely, simple but well-designed models can make a great impression.
Not a single person who loves to knit will ever say that he knits from poverty. Knitting is not the best way to save money these days. Quality knitting yarn and knitting accessories (hooks and knitting needles) can be very expensive. But the most precious thing that is needed for knitting is our time and energy.
Another myth from the history of knitting is that a do-it-yourself thing looks worse than a factory one. These are completely incomparable categories of products. For handmade things, individuality, originality, "soul" come to the fore. And even minor flaws, some unevenness only give the hand-knitted canvas a kind of unique charm.
Preparing for knitting: how to choose yarn for knitting, which hook and knitting needles to choose for knitting
With rare exceptions, knitting is a rather lengthy process. And in order not to delay it even more, it is worthwhile to think carefully about all the details of your project in advance, that is, draw up a knitting plan, determine where to start.
The first stage of preparation for knitting is the choice of a model. Suppose you find a model in a magazine that you like. To get started, answer two questions: does this thing suit you, your appearance and figure, your lifestyle, and how much this thing will fit into your wardrobe, what will you wear it with, does it match in color and style with your other things. Look for similar models in the galleries of needlework forums and knitting communities, evaluate how they look on people of different physiques. Discuss your plans with people whose taste you trust. Perhaps, after thoughtful reflection, you will want to make some adjustments to the planned project or abandon it altogether in favor of something else.
If you are making any changes to a magazine model or even undertaking to come up with your own, always keep in mind one of the basic rules of knitting: there must be a main and a secondary. The main thing is the accent, the most interesting detail. It will draw attention to your virtues. The remaining details and parts of the composition support the accent, create a worthy background for it.
At the second stage, the knitting rules provide for the selection of yarn. Having decided on the model, you need to think about how to choose yarn for knitting. If you are going to knit according to a magazine, you can buy the yarn indicated in the description, or pick up a similar one in composition, thickness and footage. If you came up with the model yourself, you have to determine all the required yarn parameters yourself. If this is difficult, ask experienced knitters how to choose yarn for knitting, or take a consultation at a knitting supply store.
If you want to knit a model with very thick yarn, resist the temptation to combine several thin threads to get the desired thickness. The thing will come out very heavy, the canvas will stretch under its own weight. Look for special bulky yarns with added bouncy fibers or cord yarns.
According to the rules of knitting, the required amount of yarn is calculated based on the size of the model, pattern, needle or hook thickness. Openwork patterns allow you to knit a thing from a very small amount of yarn. The front surface is also quite economical. But elastic bands, plaits, jacquard, garter stitch are very "gluttonous". Buy yarn with a small margin so that it is certainly enough. If you buy the missing, take to the store not only the label with the name of the yarn and the shade number, but also the yarn itself. The same color may vary slightly from batch to batch.
Preparation for knitting ends with the selection of tools. You will spend many hours knitting, so take care of which hook and knitting needles to choose for knitting so that they are comfortable to work with. Fortunately, the choice is very large: there are light bamboo knitting needles, on which the yarn slides well, and hooks with an anatomical handle, and square knitting needles that are comfortable to hold, and knitting needles with sharp long ends and removable fishing lines for knitting lace. In addition to which hook and needles to choose for knitting, take care of markers for marking the pattern, a row counter, pins for slipped loops and much more.
Be sure to do the calculation. Few people like to knit swatches and do density calculations, but this boring step can save you a lot of time and nerves. Try to make it a habit.
Knitting with pleasure
Finally, behind the thoughts and calculations, you can start knitting! Make this process as comfortable and enjoyable as possible: sit comfortably, take care of good lighting, a basket or bag for tangles trying to escape, an interesting movie or audiobook.
Do not knit with yarn that is uncomfortable to work with, such as itchy or irritating to the skin. Not only do you spoil the pleasure of knitting, but then the thing will also prick and irritate the skin. The experience of many needlewomen suggests that even washing with air conditioning or the old method – freezing at a low temperature – does not relieve the yarn of pricklyness. Fortunately for those who love to knit, it is now possible to buy warm, but at the same time soft and pleasant yarn. Pay special attention to the edges, neckline, sides, bottom of the sleeves, seams. They determine the quality of the product. Sloppy edges and slats can kill any job.
And now, when the product, knitted with your own hands, is ready, do not forget about the basic rule of knitted fashion – do not wear a lot of knitted at once. One large or two or three small things is the best choice. Things in the kit should emphasize and shade the texture of knitwear without clogging it.
Openwork and transparent things should not be worn on underwear or on a naked body, no matter what fashion magazines recommend.
Mesh on the naked body draws attention to the body, not to the mesh. Respect your work, let the audience see it. A cover or lining that matches the yarn or a contrasting color favorably presents the pattern and helps the fabric to hold its shape. A successful knitted thing will certainly provide you with many compliments and admiring glances. But besides this, you will also have a memory of comfort, peace and pleasure that knitting gave you.