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Common Knitting Questions
Should I use circular needles instead of straight
needles?
Actually, it's a personal preference. Jana prefers the circular
needles for several reasons: they're more versatile, you can use
them to knit both in the round or back and forth like a straight
needle, and they're more comfortable to use. They also have less of
a tendency to tire out your shoulders as your fabric grows.
What does "double knitting" mean?
Double Knitting is actually a weight of yarn like worsted, fingering
or sport. It knits at a gauge of 5.5 stitches to the inch. It
doesn't mean that you're required to knit with two strands doubled
together at the same time.
If I use circular needles do I have to knit in round?
Absolutely not. Knit back and forth by switching needles from one
hand to another after each row just as you would use a straight
needle.
Is it okay to add a new ball of yarn in the middle of a row?
It's best not to make a practice of this, because there's always a
possibility that your knot will come undone, or the knot will want
to come to the front of the garment. Also, the way Murphy's Law
works, that knot will be right on the tip of your breast! Just don't
do it.
Should I decrease and increase at the beginning and end of
the row?
Try not to make a practice of this, either. Always try to knit the
first stitch and then be sure you decrease or increase before the
last stitch on the row.
What is gauge?
Only the most important thing there is to know about knitting! Gauge
is the measurement of the stitches required for a particular
pattern.
For instance:
Each pattern will require that you knit a certain number of stitches
with a particular yarn on a specified needle. It's not necessary to
always use the yarn or the needles the pattern calls for, but it is
required that you get the correct number of stitches per inch for
your pattern to be the right size/length/etc. |
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