Knitting Techniques

For those of you who are knitting enthusiasts or for those who would like to learn knitting, let’s take a look at two knitting techniques that may come in handy.

Technique #1: The Wrapped Stitch

When knitting in a short row, it should be noted that each row has a turning point where the knitting is turned without finishing the row.  Thus, the knitting technique used here would require that you:

Knit side:
1. Knit to the turning point in the row;
2. Keeping the yarn in back, slip the next stitch using purl from the left needle to the right needle;
3. Move the yarn to the front;
4. Slip the stitch back from the right needle to the left needle;
5. Move the yarn to the back;
6. Turn and continue; then

Purl side:
1. Purl  to the turning point in the row;
2. Keeping the yarn in front, slip the next stitch using purl from the left needle to the right needle;
3. Move the yarn to the back;
4. Slip the stitch back from the right needle to the left needle;
5. Move the yarn to the front.

To close the gap, follow this knitting technique:  A gap is formed at each turning point, which is closed when the gap is encountered next.  When you encounter a wrapped stitch, close the gap by working the wrap and the wrapped stitch together. On the knit side: Before knitting the wrapped stitch, insert the right needle (front-to-back) into the front loop of the wrap and knit the stitch and wrap together. On the purl side: Before knitting the wrapped stitch, insert the right needle (back-to-front) into the back loop of the wrap.  Place the wrap on the left needle and purl it together with the next stitch. Turn and continue.

Technique #2: Yarn Over Short Row

Follow this knitting technique on the knit side:
1. Knit to the turning point in the row;
2. Turn - you're now on the purl side with the yarn in front;
3. Backward Yarn Over - take the yarn to the back between the needles and then over the right needle to bring the yarn to the front;
4. Continue.

Purl Side:
1. Purl to the turning point in the row;
2. Turn – you’re now on the knit side with the yarn in back;
3. Yarn Over – take the yarn to the front between the needles and then over the right needle to bring the yarn to the back;
4. Continue;
5. Knit and purl turning points and notice the yarn over.

Follow this knitting technique to close the gap: A gap is formed at each turning point, which is closed when the gap is next encountered.  With the Yarn Over technique the gap is quite noticeable due to the yarn over sitting there. 

On the knit side: Knit until you reach a yarn over. Correct the mount of the yarn over.  A stitch is properly mounted if its right leg is in the front of the needle and its left leg in back.  Look at your yarn over and see how its left leg is in front of the needle?  Simple turn the yarn over around so its right leg is in front.  Knit the yarn over together with the next stitch.

On the purl side: Purl until you reach a yarn over; slip the yarn over, using knit method, to the right needles; slip the next stitch, using knit method, to the right needles; return both stitches, using purl method, to the left needles; and purl these two stitches together through the back loop.