This was a post the I wrote for the Polka Dot Robot blog, but I wanted to bring this series here to Oh shoot as well.
Today I want to introduce a new series to the PDR blog called Knitting Techniques. This series is for intermediate/advanced knitters (or beginner knitters who are ready to learn more advanced skills.) I will be sharing techniques that I have learned over the years. This is something that I am really excited about because I love teaching knitting, but I want to share more of my knowledge than just casting on. Let’s kick this off with the magic loop!
What is magic loop? Magic loop is a technique to knit small circumferences using one circular needle.
Supplies: I use interchangeable needles, but you do NOT need these needles to do the magic loop.
Circular needles with 40' cable
Yarn
Stitch marker
Interchangeable knitting needles are sets of circular knitting needles with cables that allow different sized knitting needle points to be exchanged and used on a common set of cables.
I am going to show you how to set-up interchangeable needles in the next few photos.
At both ends of the cable there is a little hole that fits a key (see photo above). I highly recommend using the key when setting up your needles because it helps them to stay on when you are knitting. I have found that when I do not use the key, my needles start to unscrew while I am knitting.
Once you have the key in place you can now screw on the needle. In the photo above I am showing you how to hold the key.
I am always on the go and I don't have time to chase a rolling ball of yarn around when I am knitting. If you use the end of the yarn that is in the middle of the ball, then your ball of yarn does not roll all over the place.
Cast an even number of stitches (sts). In the example above, I cast on 24sts. Once you have cast on the number of sts you need, slide all sts to the the middle of the cable.
Divide your sts evenly and pull the cable through your sts. I have 12sts on one side of the cable and 12sts on the other side of my cable.
Move sts to your needles. The top needle is your right needle and the bottom needle is your left needle.
Make sure that your sts do not twist. In the photo above, it looks like you're ready to start knitting, but you're not...
Pull your right needle out.
Now half your sts are on the cable and half your sts are on a needle.
Now you are ready to begin knitting!
Knit the first st and make sure you pull tight so that it joins your knitting.
Once you finish knitting the row, your work will face to the left. You will need to flip it back over so that it faces right.
It is very important that you do not twist your sts. The above photo shows what twisted sts look like.
Once you have flipped your work back over, place the sts that you just worked back onto your needle and repeat the last few steps until you have finished your project.
Here are two photos of what my work looks like a few rounds in ;)
If there are any knitting techniques that you would like to see on the PDR blog and Oh Shoot, please email me at vivianna(AT)polkadotrobot(DOT)com.
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!
wow. i will have to try this!
http://breatheandhush.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Katie | August 17, 2011 at 10:13 PM