Knitting Tutorials

Learning, sharing and taking the art of knitting
to new heights.

Join Bits of Lace in 2012, a year-long series being hosted at the new KnitHeartStrings.com membership site.

Free Membership level available now. Get a free project pattern each month while you are a member.

Avoid mishaps of twisting your stitches while joining for circular knitting.

This is not an endorsement of the way I knit. I am describing here, only because so many people have asked. If you are looking to add to, change or refine your repertoire of knitting methods, I hope you find these ideas helpful. The basic premise is that less wasted motion means quicker knitting. A side benefit is the reduction of risk for repetitive motion stress ailments.

Nearing the big FO (Finished Object) stage for a shawl, I instead detoured to the disaster stage. I washed and went to block the shawl and a big area in one of the corners was nearly disintegrated. Here is the story …

Do you feel as I do sometimes, and just wish that your ball of yarn would go on and on? Read about 3 of my favorite methods for joining yarn. Each method meets different needs and scenarios depending on the type yarn, fiber and color(s) I am using –

• Splitting Plies and Re-twisting
• Stitching Together
• Interlocking Loops (Russian Join)

Have you ever thought about attaching your buttons directly onto a sweater button band as you knit/crochet, rather than sewing them on afterwards? Here is how …

When the directions say "Bind off loosely …", do you have a favorite way of producing an elastic, yet attractive edge? Are you are looking for some easy variations you might not have tried before? Glad to help! Here are my top favorites …

This is from a class I teach in the top-down Faroese Shawl construction that I have been using since the early 1990's. I had been motivated to reverse engineer the traditional bottom-up Faroese Shawl into top-down soon after I learned to spin. With top-down, I could better gauge how long I could make the shawl before running out of yarn. When using your own one-of-a-kind hand spun yarn, it's not like just going down to the store and getting more.

Lace Socks Class

Is there a mystique about lace socks that brings romantic summer evenings to your mind? Can you just imagine a pair of lacy socks adorning your feet, but have been hesitant about striking out on your own? Come along with me and we will explore the pleasure of making our own lace socks! For the class project, we will be knitting handsome lace socks that look more complicated than they really are. We will also explore ideas for your own lace sock designing. 7 lessons. $35.

Technique Teddy Bear

An independent study version of this class is being developed.

Note: This class is also available as a teacher-assisted, classroom environment workshop at Needlecraft University on a pre-set schedule. The NU online class has Message Board support to ask questions and share experiences with other students taking the class at the same time ...

Needlecraft University online classes are delivered on a pre-set schedule. These classes have Message Board support to ask questions and share experiences with other students taking the class at the same time. Classes span multiple weeks so you can practice and learn at your own pace according to your own schedule. Just connect your computer to the internet, and the class and Discussion Board are there, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.