CT-MMB.732 Advanced Knitting Advanced knitting builds on the stitches, ADVANCED KNITTING TERMS patterns, and techniques learned in the beginner and intermediate sections. Not Often times you will find that the same only will new patterns be introduced, but stitch patterns will have different names/ the knitter will be encouraged to design or abbreviations. Good directions will change some patterns. Be alert to explain the abbreviations being used. patterns in magazines, knitting books, or Below are examples of three different online, and search the Internet to find names/ abbreviations that all create the patterns you might like to use. Remember same stitch. that good instructions include: A list of materials required Back cross (BC), Twist Back (TB), & Left Twist (LT): A gauge for number of stitches per inch and number of rows per inch [uses 2 sts] slip 1 stitch onto cable needle Print large enough to read easily to back of work, knit 1 stitch, then knit A clear photograph of the finished stitch from cable needle. garment so the details can be seen This stitch may also be accomplished Detailed instructions for finishing without the use of a cable needle by the item working behind the first stitch on the left A chart with the size range for the needle, knit into the back of the second knitted garment in relation to body stitch, being careful not to drop stitches measurements. off the left needle. Knit the first stitch, and then let both stitches drop off the left Plan Your Project needle. When shopping for yarn, remember to purchase all of the yarn you will need to Front cross (FC), Twist Front (TW),& complete your article, because colors Right Twist (RT): vary between dye lots. It is much better to [uses 2 sts] slip 1 stitch onto cable needle have a little yarn left over than to run out to front of work, knit 1 stitch, the knit stitch in the middle of the project. from cable needle. This stitch may also be accomplished KNITTING TOOLS without the use of a cable needle--knit 2 together but don’t drop stitches off the left Check your tools before you start. Many needle. Knit the first stitch, and then let of the same tools will be needed at this both stitches drop off the left needle. level as in previous level(s). In addition, you may need bobbins if choosing a Cable Back (CB): project that includes intarsia or bobbin Cable stitch in which stitches on the cable knitting. Bobbins needle are held in back of work. This hold individual colors of yarn that are only creates a right twisting cable, and may needed in small areas of your design. also be written as (C4B), which means the cable stitch is made over four stitches, 2 being held on cable needle Following a Graph while the next 2 stitches are knit. Cable Front (CF): You will find various symbols used by different pattern books to identify the Cable stitch in which stitches on cable colors when several colors are used to needle are held in front of work. This form a design. creates a left twisting cable, and may also be written as (C4F) which means the cable stitch is made over 4 stitches, 2 being held on cable needle while the next two stitches are knit. KNITTING WITH A COMBINATION OF COLORS Remember: When following a graph, Knitted items made with a combination of use the colors called for, or substitute multiple colors have many different colors of your choice. names or titles, such as Fair Isle, Scandinavian, Norwegian, and Argyle. Changing Colors Argyle is the term used for articles made with a diamond-shaped pattern When knitting with two or more colors, of two or more colors. It is best to use whether it is Fair Isle or bobbin work, the bobbins when knitting an Argyle yarns should be twisted at the back of the pattern. work when changing from one color to another to avoid holes in the work. After Fair Isle is the term given to the type of knitting the required number of stitches of knitting where a pattern or design is one color, lay the yarn you have been knitted into a garment using two or using along the left-hand needle at the more colors. It can be an all-over back of the work, pick up the new color pattern or a partial pattern, such as a from underneath, and knit the required yoke of a sweater or the cuffs of number of stitches. This will twist the two mittens or socks. It is easier to knit a colors and prevent holes. On each color Fair Isle pattern by following a graph change, place the yarn just used on the than by working from ordinary left-hand side in the same manner before directions. A Fair Isle pattern may be working with the new color. This is also worked by carrying the colors not in referred to as intarsia knitting. use across the back, or wrong side, of the work, or it may be worked by using bobbins. Scandinavian and Norwegian knitting are basically the same as Fair Isle. Their names are derived from the region in which this type of knitting is characteristic. 2 FAIR ISLE KNITTING BOBBIN KNITTING Fair Isle is when colors change back and When working a pattern where colors forth every few stitches. The color not appear in a definite block or line (such as being used may be carried across the Argyle), it is best to use a separate back of the work in two ways. bobbin of yarn for each change of color. In a pattern of this type, the directions usually tell how many bobbins to use and First: When the spaces between are not how much yarn to wind on each one. more than three stitches wide, the yarn When changing colors, twist yarn by not in use is carried across the back of bringing new color under yarn you have the work. Be careful to carry the yarn been using as you do when working with loosely enough to match the elasticity of Fair Isle knitting. the knitting itself. Remember when you If, except for the bobbin you are knitting are changing color to pick up the new with, the bobbins are rolled tightly, it will yarn from underneath, as described prevent them from becoming tangled. above. It may be easier if you carry the yarn not in use in your left hand and the Break off colors when they are not one being used in your right hand in the needed in the design, leaving 5-inch ends usual manner. to weave in later. Second: When the distance between two colors is more than three stitches, the ARAN ISLE KNITTING color not in use may be woven into the back or wrong side of the article while The Aran Islands at the entrance to knitting. This prevents loops on the wrong Ireland’s Galway Bay have given their side. This procedure is done by holding name to the knitting done by their the yarn being used in the right hand in inhabitants. Usually worked in the usual manner; the yarn being carried unbleached wool, the knitting is is held in the left hand and carried on the characterized by raised pattern stitches wrong side of the work. Knit one stitch in set side by side. An Aran Island article the usual way, insert the needle into the would include several pattern stitches, next stitch, but before catching yarn to such as cables, rope cables, raised knit, place the yarn you are carrying over diamonds, and seed stitches. the needle. Now work stitch in usual way, Sweaters knit in the Aran Islands are slipping off carried yarn as the stitch is highly prized by ski enthusiasts and completed. Continue working in this fishermen. Some of the woolen yarns manner, catching carried yarn in every used for these sweaters are spun with a other stitch. Be careful not to draw up certain amount of grease or lanolin left in carried yarn too tightly. them so they shed water. If the pattern falls so that each color Aran yarns are available at yarn shops. appears in more or less definite blocks or The yarns are heavier and bulkier than 4- spaces, it is best to attach a new ball or ply knitting worsted. Synthetic yarns are bobbin of yarn where each change of available which resemble the unbleached color occurs. To do this, follow the woolen yarns used in the traditional direction for bobbin knitting. sweaters. 3 KNITTING WITH MULTIPLE PATTERN original pattern stitch to the desired STITCHES pattern stitch would require an adjustment in the total number of stitches to be cast Choose pattern stitches very carefully. on. The original number (128) should be Whether you are going to make a changed to 126 to allow for the extra sweater, shawl, coat or socks, there are stitches required in the original pattern. several groups of stitches suitable for The difference, plus or minus, of 1 or 2 each item. Not all stitch groups are stitches between the two stitch patterns is suitable for every article. It is important to easily absorbed and should not affect the choose the pattern stitches to suit the fit too drastically. article to be made. If the instructions do not give the multiple Look carefully at the illustrations and of the stitches in the directions, it is not photographs of knitted articles in knitting difficult to find the multiple.