Knitting Study Guide

📖 Core Concepts Knitting – interlooping yarn to make a fabric of connected loops. Stitch – a single loop pulled through a previous loop; knit (loop from below) vs purl (loop from above). Course – a horizontal row of stitches (path of yarn across). Wale – a vertical column of stitches; width of fabric is measured in wales. Gauge – number of stitches / rows per unit length (e.g., stitches‑per‑inch). Determines finished size. Cast‑on / Cast‑off – creating the first live stitches and securing the final edge. Yarn weight – thickness category (lace → jumbo) that dictates needle size and gauge. Elasticity – looped structure lets knitted fabric stretch up to 500 % in multiple directions. --- 📌 Must Remember Knit vs Purl appearance: knit = “V” on right side; purl = horizontal “wavy” line on right side. Garter stitch: knit every row (or purl every row) → flat, no curl. Stockinette stitch: knit one row, purl the next → curls at edges. Ribbing (e.g., 2×2): alternating knit & purl wales → horizontal stretch, resists curl. Seed/Moss stitch: knit‑purl alternation in every stitch and every row → textured, lies flat. Cable: crossing groups of stitches to form rope‑like twists; reduces elasticity, adds density. Lace: yarn‑overs (increase) + decreases → decorative eyelets, high stretch. Gauge rule: Larger needle → fewer stitches per inch → looser fabric. Yarn weight vs needle: use recommended needle size on label; thicker yarn → larger needle. --- 🔄 Key Processes Casting On (Long‑tail) Make a slip knot, hold tail with left thumb, wrap around needle, pull through loop → repeat. Knit Stitch (Continental) Insert right needle into front of first stitch, scoop yarn from left, pull new loop through, slide old off. Purl Stitch Bring yarn to front, insert needle into back of stitch, scoop yarn, pull new loop, slip old off. Binding Off (Basic) Knit two stitches, knit the first stitch over the second, repeat across row; tightness controls edge firmness. Cable Creation Slip a set of stitches onto a cable needle, hold front, knit next set, then knit slipped stitches back in reverse order. Lace Eyelet (Yarn‑over + Decrease) Yarn‑over (creates a hole), then knit two stitches together (decrease) to keep stitch count. --- 🔍 Key Comparisons Knit vs Crochet Needles: 2 vs 1 hook. Stitch flow: knit creates stitch, then moves on; crochet completes stitch before moving. Yarn consumption: crochet uses more yarn per stitch. Garter vs Stockinette Curl: Garter = none; Stockinette = edge curl. Texture: Garter = ridged front‑back; Stockinette = smooth front, bumpy back. Weft vs Warp Knitting Yarn direction: Weft loops perpendicular to yarn course; warp loops parallel. Yarn usage: One yarn for whole weft fabric; each warp wale needs its own yarn. --- ⚠️ Common Misunderstandings “More stitches = tighter fabric” – Not always; needle size matters more than stitch count. “Purl is just a reverse knit” – Purl uses a different loop path; the right‑side appearance swaps. “All ribbing stretches equally” – Wider rib ratios (e.g., 3×1) give more horizontal stretch than tight ratios (2×2). “Yarn‑over always adds a stitch” – It adds a loop and a hole; you must pair with a decrease elsewhere to keep gauge. --- 🧠 Mental Models / Intuition Loop‑as‑spring: Picture each loop as a tiny spring; more loops per inch = stiffer, fewer loops = softer and stretchier. Row‑as‑road, Wale‑as‑lane: Courses run horizontally like roads; wales run vertically like lanes—visualize traffic (yarn) moving along them. Cable = braid: Treat a cable like a braid of hair; crossing strands changes the direction of tension, tightening the fabric. --- 🚩 Exceptions & Edge Cases Bulky yarn on small needles → can create “tight gauge” but may produce a rough, uneven fabric. Metal needles on slippery yarns → high slip risk; switch to wood/bamboo for better grip. Circular needles on flat pieces – If tension is inconsistent, edges may curl differently than with straight needles. --- 📍 When to Use Which Edge finishing: Use ribbing or garter stitch for non‑curling edges; reserve stockinette for decorative surfaces. Shape control: Short‑row techniques for localized shaping (e.g., sock heels, bust darts). Texture vs Stretch: Choose cables for dense, less stretchy panels; choose lace for open, highly elastic sections. Yarn choice: Heavy yarn + large needles for warm blankets; fine yarn + small needles for detailed colorwork (Fair Isle, intarsia). --- 👀 Patterns to Recognize “Knit‑purl alternation every row” → Stockinette. “Knit every row” → Garter. “Repeated knit‑purl groups (2×2, 3×1)” → Ribbing. “Knit‑purl alternation each stitch & each row” → Seed/Moss. “Crossed groups of stitches with cable needle” → Cable pattern. “Yarn‑over followed later by a decrease” → Lace eyelet. --- 🗂️ Exam Traps Choosing gauge: A question may give stitch count per 4 in but expect you to convert to per inch before calculating finished size. Edge curl: Selecting “stockinette” for a cuffed sleeve—exam will flag the inevitable curl; the correct answer is ribbing or garter. Yarn‑over confusion: Some distractors treat a yarn‑over as “adds a stitch” without noting the accompanying hole; remember gauge changes only if not paired with a decrease. Needle type: A prompt about “circular knitting for a flat sweater” – the trap is to think circular needles are only for tubes; they can also knit flat pieces when turned after each row. ---