Reading Knit Instructions


Up to this point, you have learned how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. Before you can go on and make much of a project, you really need to have some understanding of how to read knit instructions. Reading instructions is really a learning process. You don’t have to know every abbreviation, and have it committed to memory forever before you begin to use knitting instructions. Learn them as you go, and before you know it, it won’t be necessary to look them up. Part 1 of the video will cover some of the basics that a beginner should know. It will also cover some of the things that tend to throw people off and drive them crazy. Part 2 covers some terms that you will find when using a sweater pattern. Unless you have a fantastic memory, it’s quite feasible that you may have to return to this video later, as you progress in your projects.

Here the list of knit abbreviations that I culled and used in Part 1. Bookmark it if you think you’ll need to refer to it later. After Part 2, I’ll have another dishcloth that will utilize the skills that you have learned to date. I realize you are probably thinking "Another dishcloth?!" I know, but they are small and therefore quick. I don't want you to get bored by giving you a scarf that goes on forever. In your breaks from the dishcloth, go ahead and look at the next 2 lessons on Yarn Weights and Gauge. Now, let’s knit y’all!








Choose a dishcloth from this page: Knits by Rachel. Avoid the dishcloths named X's and O's, Lacy Butterfly, and Lacy Four Leaf Clover. These have YO's in them and that hasn't been covered yet.

7 comments:

  1. pattern says return to original number of sts. does that mean add additional 60 sts their is a left sleeve and a right sleeve neck opening work 30sts, join another hank of yarn and work to the end. work both sides at once with separate hanks of yarn, when it says return to original number of sts. am I adding sts. for the right sleeve?

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    1. I'd love to be able to help but I need more info. Can u email a link to the pattern (if it's online and free) or the exact wording from the pattern in the area that is giving u problems. I'd like to be able to see exactly how they are wording it. Email address is at the top of the page.

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  2. i have problem with yarn over.. like this example : (yo, ssk, k, k2tog, yo, k6) repeat around
    does yo the first time means that i keep the yarn over until it says yo again.. which would mean to work normal... or i just yo before ssk and then i knit with yarn on the normal side and then i yo again before the k6?? and if so, i keep the yarn over on the six coming stitches!! i dont get it please help me

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    1. Hi Naan, a yarn over is actually considered a stitch rather than more of an action like you are describing it, such as moving the yarn to the front or the back. The way a YO is worked is totally dependent on the stitch before and after the YO. I think it's pretty safe to assume that before the set of parenthesis is a knit stitch and I'm basing that on the fact that it ends with a knit stitch as well, or 6 knit stitches. I'm a bit confused by the way you have explained it so I want to send you to my YO lesson. The part you need to see, which is a YO between 2 knit stitches is at the very beginning of the video (even though you are dealing with k2tog and ssk they would still be considered knit stitches). Watch that and see if that helps clear it up. If it doesn't, you can either come back here or just comment on that page. By watching that video I'm hoping you can gain some clarity and that it will help you to ask again in a different manner if needed. I'm happy to help you until you understand it. Here's the YO lesson: http://letsknityall.blogspot.com/2013/04/yo.html

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    2. i have just read your reply, first thanks so much for replying and second i want to say : Oh uh.. :D
      actually this is the first time i realize this fact about YO... so for sure i will watch the video. and if i have anything else i will let you know..
      really thanks for taking time and replying..

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  3. Thank you so much Sherry - your lessons are awesome. I can actually understand them. Just learning to knit and loving it!
    Thanks you again.

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  4. If I have a pattern that says "* to* 13 times more, yo, k2, yo, k3tog, twice;" is it asking me to just k3tog twice? or to knit the whole yo, k2, yo, k3tog twice?

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