Introduction
I know that knitting has always had somewhat 'grannyish' connotations but I think there are many reasons to get into it. Firstly, it is a great way to relax after a stressful day as it is creative but requires very little concentration. This means that you can do it in front of the TV or while chatting!You can also start and stop a knitting project at leisure as it requires no drying time, cooking time etc making it a good way to fill 10 minutes while you are waiting for the supper to cook for example! My friend Izzy and I used to spend many a companionable evening with our knitting and tea last winter, and somehow doing something at the same time made it seem productive too.
Secondly, you can make really personal, beautiful things. For example wearing a home-knitted scarf in a lovely wool or giving this to a friend feels very special! You can choose the exact type and colour of wool to suit the project too.
Thirdly, given the economic climate and cold weather I think that knitting is actually somewhat in fashion and that this alternative, cheap, productive and therapeutic hobby is back to stay.
I have done a bit of knitting on and of for a few years but have mainly stuck to scarves and snoods (circular scarves) with the odd branch out into fingerless mittens, mini stockings (at christmas) and, most recently, a hot water bottle cover.
I'm going to describe how to knit a snood and hot water bottle cover as I think these are the best things to start with and will be very welcome in January.
A simple snood
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| Burgundy Snood |
This is the best project to do if you want to make something quite quickly and don't want to spend lots on wool or buy lots of different needles. Some people would do this on circular needles but this works fine and is a good way to practice your knitting without worrying about buying extra needles.
Materials
To make one like this burgundy one I made for my sister, you'll need:
About 200g of standard wool
A pair of 5mm standard knitting needles
A tapestry needle (optional but helpful and very cheap)
Instructions
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Cast on about 50 stitches
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| Starting to cast on using 5mm needles |
It doesn't really matter how many stitches you do but when you spread them out evenly they should be the width you would like your snood to be. If you don't know how to cast on I suggest you refer to one of the excellent youtube videos on the subject which I use to remind myself when I forget! Note that there are various ways to cast on but I would just learn one and stick with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iv03nRS8xU
- Knit in
basic knit stitch for as long as you need to to make a length of scarf that would fit comfortably round the neck if it was joined at the ends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8kF5JBkjSs : For simple knit stitch.
If you need to start a new ball of wool, see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy__eVIDshE to do it properly or, just tie the ends together (to my shame this is what I usually do but it works perfectly well!). It is a good idea to check the number of stitches you have occasionally to check you haven't dropped or added any by mistake as if you drop lots you will end up with ends that don't match.
- When the length is as you want it (you may want to make a snood that you wrap around the neck twice but I prefer a chunky once round snood)
cast off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqqaIgvohcI : For casting off
- Now you will have what looks like a very short scarf. Thread the end of the wool into the tapestry needle if you have one and 'sew' the ends together using the wool. This will need to be stitched up well so that it looks like a circular scarf so take some time over this bit and don't be tempted to rush to the finish! If you don't have the right sort of needle you can probably thread it in with your fingers but it will be fiddly unless you are using chunky wool (see below).
Variations and choosing wool
You can easily vary these instructions to make stripy or more chunky snoods. I made a nice forest green and navy version for a friend for example. Perhaps you could make one in team colours for a sports fan!
The type of wool you choose will also have a big impact on the finished product (as for all knitting). Knitting with fine merino wool or cashmere blends will give luxurious items but will be more expensive, although given that the quantities of wool are low for this it will not cost you more than £10 unless you find some really expensive wool! If you buy good value average quality wool it will probably cost £3 - £5 to knit a snood but see more on buying wool below.
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| Thick roughly spun sheep's wool snood |
In the photo to the right I used some very unrefined chunky wool I found it a market which was deliciously cosy. For this one I used much larger needles as the wool was thicker (which is the general rule). This also meant that it was very quick to knit as I didn't use many stitches per row (about 10). It is also easy to see what you're doing so is good for beginners! For very thick wool like this it is also fine to use your fingers to do the final threading in stage.
A hot water bottle cover
This project is also good as it is also very simple and doesn't require different types of needles. The finished project is quite impressive however and could make a good present.
Materials
To make one like this you need:
About 100g merino wool
A pair of 3.5mm needles
A tapestry needle
Instructions
Note: As shown in the photo, this cover has bobbles on it. I had a bit of trouble with those so I'll give a version without them and explain how to do the bobbles in another post. If you want to know now get in touch and I'll give you the pattern!
- Cast on 47 stitches as for snood
- Work in stocking stitch for 85 rows. Stocking stitch means that you alternate a row of the basic knit stitch (covered above) with a row of purl stitch. This gives a more 'refined' piece of work but the material will roll inwards so I don't think it works very well for scarves and snoods.
As 85 is a lot of rows you may just want to measure your work and stop when it measures about 26cm. Alternatively you will find you can count the rows when you have knitted them instead of having to count in your head throughout.
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| Step 1 - bring yarn forward |
- It is important that you start this step on a basic knit stitch row not a purl row. This row is an eyelet row which makes holes to thread your ribbon through later. To do this:
1. Knit 4 stitches the bring the wool forward to it comes out of the work towards you instead of out though the back if the work.
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| Step 2 - knit 2 together |
2.Then knit 2 stitches together. This just means what it sounds. You push your right hand needle (B) past two stitches on the left needle (A), take your wool back to the back of the work and wrap it around needle B then pull the two stitches off onto needle B as normal.
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Eyelet created by bringing forward
and knitting two together |
- Knit 3 stitches then bring wool forward again (step 1) and knit 2 together (step 2). Knit 1 stitch bring wool forward and knit 2 together. Repeat this stages (from knit 3) until you are 4 stitches from the end of the row.
- Knit in stocking stitch (starting with purl) for another 28 rows (or until panel measures 36cm).
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My flatmate with the hot water
bottle and a dinosaur onsie! |
- Cast off.
- Repeat all previous steps to make the other side of the cover. Then stitch the two panels together apart from the top near where the eyelets are. Stitch them together so the smooth side faces outwards.
- Make a knitted ribbon by casting on 150 stitches then casting them all off. Thread this through the eyelets so the cover can be closed.
Variations
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| Knitted ribbon threaded though eyelets |
This cover would work well in a stripy pattern and it would be easy to do especially as you could make sure your knots are on the inside so they wouldn't be seen. You could also do a mini version for a mini hot water bottle by decreasing cat on stitches and number of rows worked.
Buying wool
Charity shops often have good value wool and it is good to support them so I would encourage you to look here for most projects.
Ebay is good for bulk buying and bargains (I said I was an ebay fan!).
For a really special project you might want to look online for cashmere and merino yarn, or ideally visit your local craft shop (or even better specialist knitting shop) because then you can get the best idea of how the wool feels and can hold different colours up together.
I hope some of you feel motivated to try knitting. There are loads of online tutorials and patterns if you want to develop this further and I bet you know someone who can help you too (my Aunt is a knitting pro!).
Helen x
