Knitwear For Dummies

Knitwear Techniques

Honeycomb 

To create the honeycomb effect you need to use the three headed transfer tool. Knit roughly 8-10 rows and place the bear claws on the bottom of the sample to keep it stretched out. Knit another 10 rows and insert the transfer tool into the sample. It’s easier to start the left side, making your way across. Pick up three individual stitches half way down the piece and then bring them up and place back onto the needles that they align with. Leave three spaces and repeat, do this all the way across to the other end. Once the row is complete, knit another 10 rows and repeat the same process, taking the thread that are in line with the once you missed out previously. Carry on repeating this process until you have as much as you desire. 

Hemming

On all knitwear garments a hem is used to finish off the piece, making it look neat and professional. To create a hem cast on and knit about 20-30 rows, depending how large you want it to be. Once you've done this, you need to take the very first bit of yarn from the first line and attach it to the first needle using either a singular transfer tool or a three headed one if you want to do it slightly quicker. Follow this method all the way along the line making sure you attach the very first line and that you transfer onto every needle. Once this method is completed carry on basic knitting and you will see that it creates a fold so you are not left with a fraying edge. 

Lace Holes 

Lace holes can be used to create beautiful patterns in the knitted fabric and make your garments look more interesting but are still very simple to do. To start this technique knit roughly around 20 rows to give you some room either side of your lace holes, then take your one headed transfer tool and transfer the yarn on the first needle onto the one next to it (you can start either from the left or right hand side). Carry on doing this all the way down the line, then knit another two rows and repeat the process starting from the other side otherwise the sample will keep loosing more and more width on one side. Once your happy with how many rows of lace holes you have done feel free to carry on basic knitting so your technique is in the middle of your sample. 

You don't have to simply stick with rows of lace holes though, you can make interesting patterns like diamond shapes by starting from the middle and transferring a single piece of yarn and then knit another line, transfer to pieces either side of the one you just did then knit two more. Carry on doing the same thing until you are happy with how wide the diamond is and then start doing the opposite so that you close the diamond back up.