With knitting considered to improve both mental and social health, there are striking parallels between the advantages of knitting and the benefits of meditation. Knitting lessons, whether online or in workshops, can improve mental health, and provide you with the opportunity to socialize and meet new people. Knitting classes and groups can also knit for charity, which can have a beneficial impact on one’s mental health and sense of well-being since you’ll be giving back to the community.
Whether you’ve never taken up knitting needles before in your life or just need to remind yourself of some things, this guide to the fundamentals and types of different knitting styles can help you embark on your creative journey.
Types of Knitting Classes to Consider
Whether you realise it or not, not a single person can knit in the same way, and I mean not just by how they hold their needles. All of the minor details, from how you wrap your yarn around the needle to which hand the yarn is in, can contribute to your knitting style. Although certain knitting techniques may not be for you, some seem interesting enough to learn about through knitting lessons you can take online. But for now, let’s read through the fundamentals of some knitting styles and patterns so you can know which knitting course is best for you.
Continental vs English Knitting Technique
There are two primary knitting techniques: the English method and the German or Continental approach. The only major distinction between the two is how the yarn is handled. The working yarn is held in the right hand in the English technique and in the left hand in the Continental approach. While both approaches provide excellent outcomes, they’re quite different, so it is worthwhile to learn about them both.
English knitting, sometimes known as American knitting or “throwing,” is the most common method in England, portions of Europe, and other areas of the world. Holding the yarn in your right hand, you toss it over the needle to make a stitch.
Continental knitting, also known as German knitting or picking, is popular throughout northern and eastern Europe, as well as other areas of the world. The yarn is held in the left hand, and a slight movement of the left index finger is employed to help the needle pick up the yarn and make a new stitch.
The continental style isn’t for everyone, but it’s an interesting way of knitting to learn about regardless. The way you hold the yarn and work the stitches distinguishes this method from other knitting techniques. Knitting is often referred to as left-handed, European, and German knitting. The phrase “left-handed” to describe this technique is a bit misleading. It is not a left-handed knitting method; both left and right-handed individuals can perform it.
Some term it “left-handed knitting,” although no matter which hand handles the yarn, you knit with both hands. It’s good to master both ways since they aid with stranded knitting and allow you to decide which approach you prefer. Even if you’ve been knitting in English or Continental style for a long time, it’s worthwhile to learn the other way or experiment with a lesser-known style. Plus, it’s always nice to learn new methods and have them in your arsenal, even if you usually knit in one style most of the time.
Brioche
Some people are intimidated by this stitch pattern, but if you get the hang of it, it’s quite simple to work straight. Brioche knitting is a unique knitted ribbing method distinguished by its elevated, doughy feel. By alternating columns of slipped stitches with yarnovers and knit stitches, wonderful pieces of fabric are created.
The brioche technique has a long history, and the textiles made using this knitting method have a wide range of applications. Brioche stitches are known by a variety of names, including Double Brioche, Waffle Brioche, and Syncopated Brioche. Fisherman’s Rib is a similar stitch pattern to Brioche, yet different since it lacks slipped stitches and yarn overs.
Estonian Lace
Estonian lace is famous for its beauty and the use of innovative techniques that result in a unique end product. Nupps and a 5-stitch gather are two of these methods that use increases and decreases to create a collected portion of stitches that resembles a flower or bud.
A nupp is a sort of tiny bobble. Nupps are five stitches made from one stitch on the right side row and dropped to one stitch on the wrong side using a purl 5 together. Making the knit and yarn overs on the right side as slack as possible is the key to effective nupps. This will make working with the wrong-side reductions simpler. They’re usually used in motifs that have yarn overs in the centre and decreases on the side that shift the yarn overs and nupps throughout the design. This technique may look intimidating and difficult, but as with any other knitting technique, make sure you take your time with it.
Intarsia
The intarsia knitting method allows you to add patches of colour to the backdrop in any shape, size, or quantity. Consider these intarsia regions to be islands floating in the backdrop sea. Because it is only one strand thick, intarsia fabric is lightweight and flowing. Intarsia pieces are best made flat in rows and then seamed.
With a few exceptions, intarsia is stitched flat in rows back and forth, owing to its unique design. When you switch colours, you drop one strand of yarn and leave it hanging to be used in the next row. You change colours in an intarsia design, whether you’re working from the right or wrong side of the piece. Each colour in your pattern necessitates its own yarn supply, resulting in a bunch of strands hanging from your work. You can make a new supply of yarn for each region of colour as you go, or prepare them ahead of time by carefully examining your pattern plan. In any case, the amount of yarn required for each colour island will vary, so simply estimate how much length you require.
Fair Isle
Fair Isle knitting, also known as stranded colourwork knitting, is a method that involves knitting with two or more colours of yarn in the same row, and the colour transitions are close together. This allows you to move the yarn you’re not knitting over the back of the piece as you proceed. Each strand will be picked up as needed, leaving a strand or float of yarn on the backside of the piece.
Fair Isle knitting produces a warm cloth because the floats provide weight and warmth. Typically, you will want to conceal the backside of the work. As a result, this is an excellent method for tiny colourwork designs on bags, sweaters, socks, and other crafts where the reverse side will not be seen.
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you’ll be itching to try out different stitches, patterns, fibres, colours, textures, and more. Knitting is enjoyable and simple once you get the hang of it. You can create some of the most gorgeous items of apparel using the various types of Australian knitting yarns.