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The art of knitting
originated during the 4th or 5th century in the Middle East. While
knitting, Yarn or thread is used to make loops that interlock with each
other and a fabric is produced. At one time only royalty used Knitted
garments and some of the garments used are still displayed in museums in
London. Knitting was once the chief occupation of shepherds, sailors,
apprentices who studied in guilds and royal knitters. Now knitting is
taken up by anyone who wants to produce something creative and
functional. The colors and styles that are prevalent make the art of
knitting fun. Stitches, which are used in the art, can either be
Continental or American and although there is not much to choose between
the two, you can find which one you are more comfortable with.
Start knitting with wool and use size 7 needles. American needles range
from 15 –1, size 15 being the largest. English needles are descending in
size, larger the number, smaller the needle. But size 7 is the same in
both American and English. The word ply needs to be explained. If the
wool is 2 ply, then it means the yarn consists of 2 plies. A ply
pertains to a single strand of yarn. Once you have a skein of wool,
first wrap a few yards around your fingers which are spread apart. This
forms the base for your ball of wool. Wrap the remaining wool around
this base in a vertical and horizontal manner so that you get a ball of
wool. This is easier to knit with.
The next thing that you have to do is to hold the needles, one in each
hand and make a slipknot with the wool. Place this on the left needle.
Insert the right needle into this cast on stitch, wrap the wool around
and pull the loop. This would be your first cast on stitch. Repeat the
process till you get the required number of stitches on the left needle.
This requirement will differ from garment to garment and from person to
person.
Two basic stitches are used in knitting, the knit and the purl.
Different permutations and combinations of the knit and purl produced
different designs. When you want to shape a garment, add multiple
stitches either at the end or beginning, or want to create a buttonhole,
an “increase” is used. A “decrease” which is the reduction of stitches
is often used in combination with an increase. Binding off implies the
removal of stitches in such a way that they will not come undone. If a
decorative pattern is required, crossing of stitches is resorted to.
Errors are common while knitting and that too when you are doing it for
the first time. When a collar needs to be added or a neck needs to be
finished, stitches are “ picked up”. Once the garment is finished the
knitted sections need to be joined edge to edge in a way that is not
visible. This can be done by weaving or grafting.
Now that you are ready to knit, sit in a nice armchair, relax and enjoy
the act of knitting. Purls and plains will sort themselves as you knit
and before you know it, you will have produced a work of art.
Author M.Swami copyright
data 2004 Indianchild.com
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