Knitting on knitting needles is one of the oldest ways of making clothes. In Peru archaeologists found knitted products, which date back to the 3rd c. Today things are a fashion trend, and the process of knitting has long turned into an exciting hobby for many people. How to start knitting on knitting needles to make things yourself? Learning to knit is easy. But, as in any art, in this case there are subtleties.
How to choose yarn?
For the choice of yarn you need to learn to understand the quality, composition and parameters of the thread.
As a rule, the price guide serves as a benchmark for quality. Sometimes, at a high price, yarns can not sell very good quality, but if it is made from natural fibers and is sold at a low price, it is worth assuming that something is wrong with this yarn.
The quality of the thread affects how long the thing will look good. The coarser types of wool are less prone to the formation of "spools" than the softer and furry wool. Some manufacturers use special technologies that reduce the rolling of soft wool, but this is reflected in the price.
Yarn is made from natural and non-natural raw materials. The main natural raw material is sheep wool. If other animals are used, this is clearly indicated on the label. Products made of woolen yarn "superwash" can be washed in a washing machine. In addition to wool, natural yarn is made from flax, cotton and silk.
Unfortunately, stores do not always faithfully and accurately indicate the type of raw materials, so you need to learn the manufacturer's labels yourself, so as not to get a "mohair look" - 100% nylon, under the guise of mohair.
As for the parameters of the thread: it is necessary to pay attention not only to the composition and length of the thread, but also to its thickness. In coils with the same length of thread and weight, the thickness of the thread may vary. If you are knitting an article on a pattern, then using a thinner or thicker than required thread, you will not get the expected result.
In order that after the first wash the product does not give a strong shrinkage, the yarn should be washed, dipped in soap and dried, before rolling into tangles.
How do I know how much yarn I need?
Usually the required quantity (weight, diameter, length and thickness of the thread) is indicated on the pattern. You can independently calculate the length of a thread like this:
- tie the sample, measure its area (S) ruler;
- Count how many loops are per centimeter (X);
- Dissolve the sample and measure the length of the thread (L);
- dividing L by S - we obtain the required length of the filament by 1 cm (A);
- measure the product area (B);
- and multiply by A.
B * A = the required length of the thread for this product.
The value of X is needed in order to know how many loops to recruit for the desired size of the product in the pattern.
We choose knitting needles.
The spokes should be twice as thick as the thread. The number of the spoke is the diameter of the spoke in millimeters.
Spokes are made of different materials. Wooden, bone and plastic - lighter, but not smooth. They are not very comfortable to work with soft, fluffy wool. Vorsilki wool cling to the spoke and the canvas is not smooth. The spokes of aluminum are light and smooth, but the light threads are dirty. Nickel plated - smooth and not bent, but heavier.
When choosing it is important to pay attention to the tip of the spoke. Too sharp tip splits the thread and hurts your fingers, and too stupid - stretches the loops.
For different purposes it is convenient to use different types of spokes. Long needles are convenient for knitting straight canvas; knitting needles on the line - for the neck; The socks and mittens are knitted with a set of five small spokes. For "braid" use auxiliary knitting needles, and if you need to temporarily loops, then a knitting pin will help. If the product is large, the circular spokes with a fishing line will ease the load on the hands.
For one product, several types of spokes of different types and thicknesses may be needed.
Learn how to type and knit loops can be through the illustrated explanations from the books-manuals. But it's best to use video lessons. On the Internet, you can find a lot of smart video lessons, which explain and explain how to type and knit different types of loops, patterns, braids, lace patterns. Such lessons can also be purchased on discs.
A few tips on how to knit on knitting needles:
- In order to connect a thing of a complex style, practice is necessary. In order not to be disappointed that the work did not turn out to be of high quality, for the first experiments it is better to choose a product that is simple in form;
- If you knit a pattern - use special bobbins, which are wound around small pieces of colored yarn, which allows you not to use many large balls at once;
- Use the tips for the spokes. These are small plastic caps that will not allow the loops to slip from the open ends of the spokes that are not involved in the work;
- For knitting patterns with 2 or 4 threads use a knitting thimble;
- If you knit a product from threads of different colors, then you need to pick up threads of the same thickness and similar in composition. Otherwise, after washing, the yarns may give different shrinkage and the product is deformed;
- It is undesirable to leave the series unconnected. The last loops can be extended;
- Start knitting, that is, you do not need to type the first row too tightly;
- For circular knitting of socks or mittens it is convenient to use light bamboo knitting needles;
- In order that the eyes do not get tired when knitting from dark wool, you can put a white cloth on your knees and strengthen the lighting;
- To ensure that white wool is not stained during knitting, the tangle can be put in a plastic bag;
- Sewing products conveniently with a large bone needle. It is not as sharp as metal, so it does not break the threads;
- To determine the density of knitting, it is convenient to use a special frame - the density determinant;
- To track changes in the pattern it is convenient to use special markers;
- To ensure that the tension of the thread is uniform and the fabric turns smooth, knit a thread from the middle of the tangle;
- Before you wash the finished item, check if the colored threads that you have used are stained.
Thus, knitting on knitting needles is a very fascinating pastime, which is possible for every girl and mistress.