Hand knitting
Hand knitting is a form of knitting, in which the knitted fabric is produced by hand using needles.
Types
Flat knitting
Flat knitting involves working back and forth in rows to create a two-dimensional fabric. At the end of each row, the piece is turned and worked across. This technique produces individual fabric panels, which are can be used for flat items such as scarves, shawls, dishcloths, blankets, and afghans. A single panel can be joined at the ends to form continuous or circular items like an infinity scarf, a snood scarf, or a knit hat. Multiple panels can be sewn together to construct garments such as sweaters, combining separate pieces for the back, front, and sleeves.Flat knitting can be done with straight needles or circular needles.
Circular knitting
Circular knitting creates a seamless tube of knitted fabric. Knitting is worked in continuous rounds. Circular knitting is used to create pieces that are circular or tube-shaped, such as hats, socks, mittens, sleeves, and entire sweaters.Originally, circular knitting was done using a set of four or five double-pointed knitting needles. In 1918, Frank L. Sessions was issued a patten for circular knitting needles. This invention made knitting tubular forms easier and more ergonomic. A circular needle resembles two short knitting needles connected by a cable of varying length between them.
Two-at-a-time
Two-at-a-time is a method of knitting two items, such as socks, at the same time. Traditionally, this was done on two sets of double-pointed needles. Other approaches include knitting on two circular needles, and the "magic loop" technique, which involves using a circular needle with a long flexible cable.Fabric Finishing
Felting
Felting is the hand-knitters' term for fulling, a technique for joining knitted or woven animal-fibres. The finished product is put in hot water and agitated until it starts to shrink. The result typically has a felt-like appearance but has reduced dimensions. Bags, mittens, vests, socks, slippers, and hats are just a few items that can be felted.Needle felting
Needle felting is a technique used to add decoration to a knitted or felted piece, where raw roving is applied using a very sharp barbed felting needle by repeatedly piercing the roving and background together. Once washed in hot water, the appliqued decoration is fused with the background. Felted knitting can be cut with scissors without concern about fraying.Process
There are many hundreds of different knitting stitches used by knitters. A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on, which involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle. Different methods of casting on are used for different effects: one may be stretchy enough for lace, while another provides a decorative edging. Provisional cast-ons are used when the knitting will continue in both directions from the cast-on. There are various methods employed to cast on, such as the "thumb method", where the stitches are created by a series of loops that will, when knitted, give a very loose edge ideal for "picking up stitches" and knitting a border; the "double needle method", whereby each loop placed on the needle is then "knitted on," which produces a firmer edge ideal on its own as a border; and many more. The number of active stitches remains the same as when cast on unless stitches are added or removed.Most Western-style knitters follow either the English style or the Continental style. These styles show various regional differences. English knitting can be split up into, among others, throwing, flicking, and lever knitting. Continental knitting also shows a similar range of styles. Stitches can be produced by wrapping the needle around the yarn or by simply picking it through.
There are also different ways to insert the needle into the stitch. Knitting through the front of a stitch is called Western knitting. Going through the back of a stitch is called Eastern knitting. A third method, called combination knitting, goes through the front of a knit stitch and the back of a purl stitch. In Scandinavia, but especially in Norway, the purl stitch is produced with yarn held in back and held as close to the needles as possible. This shifts the tensioning of the yarn away from the fingers and on to the needle.
Once the knitted piece is finished, the remaining live stitches are "cast off". Casting off loops the stitches across each other so they can be removed from the needle without unravelling the item. Although the mechanics are different from casting on, there is a similar variety of methods.
In knitting certain articles of clothing, especially larger ones like sweaters, the final knitted garment will be made of several knitted pieces, with individual sections of the garment knit separately and then sewn together. Seamless knitting, where a whole garment is knit as a single piece, is also possible. Elizabeth Zimmermann is probably the best-known proponent of seamless or circular knitting techniques. Smaller items, such as socks and hats, are usually knit in one piece on double-pointed needles or small diameter circular needles.
Stitches
There are well-nigh an infinite number of possible combinations of knitting stitches, the favorites of which have been collected into stitch treasuries. A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on, which involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle. Different methods of casting on are used for different effects: one may be stretchy enough for lace, while another provides a decorative edging — Provisional cast-ons are used when the knitting will continue in both directions from the cast-on. There are various method employed to "cast on," such as the "thumb method", where the stitches are created by a series of loops that will, when knitted, give a very loose edge ideal for "picking up stitches" and knitting a border; the "double needle method", whereby each loop placed on the needle is then "knitted on," which produces a firmer edge ideal on its own as a border; and many more. The number of active stitches remains the same as when cast on unless stitches are added or removed.Social aspects
One of the earliest known examples of knitting was finely decorated cotton socks found in Egypt in the end of the first millennium AD. The first knitting trade guild was started in Paris in 1527.With the invention of the knitting machine, however, knitting "by hand" became a useful but non-essential craft. Similar to quilting, spinning, and needlepoint, knitting became a social activity.
Hand knitting has gone into and out of fashion many times in the last two centuries, and at the turn of the 21st century it is enjoying a revival. According to the industry group Craft Yarn Council of America, the number of women knitters in the United States age 25-35 increased 150% in the two years between 2002 and 2004. While some may say hand knitting has never really gone away, this latest reincarnation is less about the make do and mend of the 1940s and 1950s and more about making a statement about individuality as well as developing an innate sense of community.
Additionally, many contemporary knitters have an interest in blogging about their knitting, knitting patterns, and techniques, or joining a virtual community focused on knitting, such as the extremely popular Ravelry. There are also a number of popular knitting podcasts, and various other knitting websites. One website, , allows users to upload pictures of projects and add tags. Other users can comment, encouraging conversation and continuous learning. Contemporary knitting groups may be referred to in the U.S. as a "Stitch 'N Bitch" where a group of knitters get together to work on projects, discuss , troubleshoot their work and just socialize. In the UK, the term has been "knitting circle" since the early 20th century.
There are now numerous groups that are not only growing individually, but also forming international communities. Communities also exist online, with blogs being very popular, alongside online groups and social networking through mediums such as Yahoo! Groups, where people can share tips and techniques, run competitions, and share their knitting patterns. More people are finding knitting a recreation and enjoying the hobby with their family. Knitting parties also are becoming popular in small and large communities around the U.S. and Canada.
Graffiti
In the last decade, a practice called knitting graffiti, guerilla knitting, or yarn bombing— the use of knitted or crocheted cloth to modify and beautify one's surroundings—emerged in the U.S. and spread worldwide. Magda Sayeg is credited with starting the movement in the US and Knit the city are a prominent group of graffiti knitters in the United Kingdom. Yarn bombers sometimes target existing pieces of graffiti for beautification. For instance, Dave Cole is a contemporary sculpture artist who practiced knitting as graffiti for a large-scale public art installation in Melbourne, Australia for the Big West Arts Festival in 2009. The work was vandalized the night of its completion. A new movie, shot by a Tasmanian filmmaker on a set made almost entirely out of yarn, was partially inspired by "knitted graffiti".Charity
Knitting garments for free distribution to others is a common theme in modern history.Knitters made socks, sweaters, scarves, mittens, gloves, and hats for soldiers in Crimea, the American Civil War, and the Boer Wars; this practice continued in World War I, World War II and the Korean War, and continues for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In these historical projects, yarn companies often provided knitting patterns approved by the various branches of the armed services; they were distributed by local chapters of the American Red Cross or other organizations. Modern projects usually entail the knitting of hats or helmet liners; the liners provided for soldiers must be of 100% worsted weight wool and be crafted using specific colors.
The Australian charity Wrap with Love provides blankets knitted by volunteers to people most in need around the world who have been affected by war. Clothing and afghans are frequently made for children, the elderly, and the economically disadvantaged in various countries. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation accepts donations for the Lakota people in the United States. Prayer shawls, or shawls in which the crafter meditates or says prayers of their faith while knitting with the intent on comforting the recipient, are donated to those experiencing loss or stress. Many knitters today knit and donate "chemo caps," soft caps for cancer patients who lose their hair during chemotherapy. Yarn companies offer free knitting patterns for these caps.
The US-based charity trains women in Nicaragua to knit baby blankets. They receive all of the profits. Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America. The blankets are all hand-knitted and the women work inside a home. People purchase these blankets to give a gift and also help those in need. PNC Financial has given Sheep Dreamzzz blankets for their Operation Shower participation in association with the non-profit work done by professional golfer Jim Furyk and his wife Tabitha.
Originally started after the 2004 Indonesian tsunami, is a charity challenge issued by knitting personality Stephanie Pearl-McPhee that encourages knitters to donate to Médecins Sans Frontières. Instead of knitting for charity, knitters are encouraged to donate a week's worth of disposable income, including money that otherwise might have been spent on yarn. Knitted items are occasional offered as prizes to donors. As of September 2011, Knitters Without Borders donors have contributed CAD$1,062,217.
Security blankets can also be made through the Project Linus organization which helps needy children.
There are organizations that help reach other countries in need such as afghans for Afghans. This outreach is described as, "afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan."
Penguin sweaters were knitted by volunteers for the rehabilitation of penguins contaminated by exposure to oil slicks. The project is now complete.
Chicken sweaters were also knitted to aid battery hens that had lost their feathers. The organization is not currently accepting donations, but maintains a list of volunteers.