reblog

Do you want to knit faster? Is it taking too much of your time and effort to get a project done? Knitting at a fast pace is developed after a lot of practice but then there are also a few tips that can help you. So, before you start knitting, make sure you have quality knitting needles in the right size and type and yarn along with knitting accessories to assist you in the craft.

1. Make Knitting a Daily Practice

Like all skills, knitting takes practice. The more you knit, the better and faster you get. Make time for knitting as much as you can. Daily practice will certainly help but if you do not have the time, try over a weekend. Giving time is important but it is equally necessary to knit without distractions. A playlist of your favorite songs will assist you with knitting. So get one ready before you get started. It is also a good idea to participate in knit-along (KALs) in your community for the reason to get some purpose to your knitting. Another habit to develop is knitting without looking. It requires a lot of practice but can be mastered with time. This is because even if you do not focus on your knitting needles, your muscle memory will take over your hands and get you knitting faster.

Once you develop this habit, you can knit pretty much anywhere and be fast with your knitting projects. When learning to knit without looking, it is always recommended to use a simple pattern with mainly knit and purl stitches and no other special techniques. This way you do not have to keep looking at your knitting every time.

2. Get comfortable.

A very simple technique but very effective in getting your projects done faster is to choose comfortable seating with lots of lighting. Many times a different knitting position can do wonders for your speed. You can try to sit cross-legged or seated on a rocking chair or on the sofa cuddled by your pets. Experiment and see what works best for you. Also do make sure to take breaks in between long knitting sessions. Also do not attempt to knit whenever you are tired, this way you will be making mistakes and taking time to correct them, making your knitting go slower.

3. Knit Looser

Knitting fast is all about knitting neatly. Loose stitches are your best bet to avoid knitting mistakes and therefore the option to go faster. Loose even stitches mean easier to insert your knitting needle tip. This will help you avoid any assistance from the loops and knit smoothly and faster. This also works for you to correct knitting mistakes whether you rip or tink or use any other measure.

4. Tension your yarn efficiently

Tensioning yarn in a way that best works for you are the trick to knitting fast. Every knitter has a unique way of holding and tensioning the yarn. To knit faster, it’s recommended you play around with different tensioning methods and find the one that works for you and not stick to the method you were taught. The yarn must glide effortlessly or it will certainly slow you down. Either weave the yarn in your fingers rather than wrapping them or let it lie flat in your palm. This brings us to the next point, the knitting style.

5. Switch to a different knitting style.

There are five general knitting styles and every knitter has their own style too. When we begin knitting, we generally adopt the style taught to us by our mentor and find it easy to continue doing so. To speed up knitting a recommended way is to explore knitting styles and choose one that best works for you. Try out the English knitting style for its simplicity. The Continental style of knitting works best if you are left-handed or have learned crocheting first. Lever knitting known as flicking is believed to be the fastest knitting style. Shetland knitting style is used by the popular knitter Hazel Tindall, who holds the title of the world’s fastest knitter. Even the ancient Portuguese knitting style is being rediscovered for its unique style of tensioning the yarn.

6. Change your knitting needles

While we always prefer our old and trusted knitting needles over others, the trick to knitting faster is sometimes changing the needles. Even if you find wood, bamboo and other materials work for you, metals are ideal for fast knitting. The stainless steel knitting needles from the Mindful Collection make stitch passing very easy. And it's not just the material it is also the knitting needle type. Not just the material, knitters struggling with double-pointed needles have often worked faster and smoother with circular knitting needles. And, this is for other needle types.

7. Use Knitting Accessories

Knitting accessories are knitting essentials and they help you with your craft. Be it stitch markers or scissors, knitting needle sets or cases, there is so much to help your knit faster and smoother.

With the above tricks and tips, learn to knit faster.

Happy knitting!

Source: https://knitpromindful.bcz.com/2023/01/23/7-tricks-tips-to-knit-faster/

Darning needles are one of the essential knitting accessories that every knitter, new as well as seasoned experts must own. For darning the seams or edges, making the proper finish of a project, weaving in yarn ends or repairing mistakes, the darning needles are used for many purposes. Often referred to as tapestry or wool or finishing needles, the darning needles are the unsung heroes of the knitting world. Such is the multipurpose use that even in the olden days every woman and man used to carry one on themselves at all times.

Choosing the right darning needle is very important for its significant purpose in knitting as well as other yarn crafts. Also like knitters are different, every needle is different. The darning needles come in different materials and lengths with different kinds of tips and different-sized holes for the yarn to pass through. The Mindful Collection offers high-density laminated wood darning needles in the teal shade as well as bent-tipped plastic needles in each Mindful knitting needle set. If you have explored the range of stainless steel knitting needles, you are well aware of the fact that the entire range focuses on the meditative aspects of the craft. Each of the accessories is designed on the same theme of mindfulness. The mindful darning needles are a great choice for all knitters.

Here are a few facts about the Mindful Darning Needles

Needle Tips

The Mindful Collection offers darning needles in both types of round straight tips as well as bent tips.

The round straight tip of the darning needles is great for going through different kinds of yarn without damaging the stitches or the yarn fibre. As the knitted fabric is permeable in comparison to other fabrics, the tip doesn’t need to be sharp. In fact, blunt tips or rounded ones let you work through stitches without slicing through individual strands of yarn.

Bent-tipped darning needles are also very helpful when you’re seaming two pieces together. They navigate very clearly without snagging any stitches.

Even when weaving in ends such as in colourwork or lace patterns, the blunt tips can comfortably slice through part of a yarn making the tail a part of the final fabric.

Many times darning involves “plucking” individual stitches and pulling the needle underneath them so the blunt edge can work smoothly without any damage. For this same reason, they are also ideal for duplicate stitches on a finished knitted fabric.

Even when you’re doing tricks that involve more of an up-down or side-to-side motion, like seaming two sides together with mattress stitch, a bent-tipped darning needle may be more comfortable for you.

Needle Size

The general rule of thumb is to use darning needles a size smaller than the knitting needle. The trick is not too small size, in fact, a snug fit is good. You don’t want the yarn too slip through the big eye or force too thick of yarn through too small of an eye.

If the yarn slips through, you will be taking much more time to complete the simple task and be frustrated. And, if the yarn is too thick, the abrasion of the wood needle will gradually cause the yarn to wear thin and break taking more time to rectify the error and lose precious yarn in the process. Even if you’re darning a small end or you’re seaming an entire sleeve, you don’t want to lose your end halfway through.

If you’re unsure that a darning needle is a right match for your fabric, we have an easy way to check. Simply hold the darning needle over your fabric, or slide it horizontally through one stitch. If the needle is as wide as a stitch is tall, you should switch to a smaller needle. Ideally, you don’t want it to be any more than half as wide as the stitch is tall.

The More the Merrier

Like knitting needles and stitch markers, you can never have too many darning needles. You need to have them in different sizes. When it comes to darning needles, the Mindful Collection offers 2 big and 2 small darning needles in a wooden case.

Uses of the Darning Needles

Now coming to the use of darning needles. Whether it is a pair of socks or a wide blanket, you’ll always be needing the darning needle.

Weave in yarn ends - Every knitting project will have at least two yarn ends to weave in while there will be many when you use different yarns. With a darning needle, you can weave every end no matter the knitted stitches. Just thread the yarn tails and go through the knitted stitches as invisibly as possible.

Repair Holes - There will be knitting patterns where you come across mistakenly made holes. Here too, the darning needles can cover up holes from the opposite side of the knitted fabric.

Duplicate Stitches - Sometimes when you need to add beauty to a simple knitted fabric, duplicate stitches are of great help. Thread yarn in a different shade on a darning needle and go through the stitches to make interesting designs, alphabets and more.

So, with this guide on everything you need to know about darning needles get ready to create some wonderful projects.

Happy knitting!

Source: https://writeupcafe.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mindful-darning-needles/

The Magic Loop is a technique of knitting small circumferences on a circular needle. The method requires circular knitting needles with needle lengths around 36″ (80 cm) to 47″ (150 cm). The trick to knitting in the round with Magic loop technique with circular needles is to gently bend the cable to pull a loop or two on either sides with needle tips holding the stitches. You only knit with the tips with the cable forming the loop in and out.

So, what does magic loop mean?

It is a knitting technique first mentioned by Sarah Hauschka. The famous knitter had mentioned this method first in Beverly Galeskas’s booklet The Magic Loop in 2002. Since then, the method became the talk of the town with more and more knitters taking up the magic loop for knitting small circumferences.

Knitting in the round comes seamlessly with circular knitting needles but if the circumference is too small and the needle length longer, stitches tend to get stretched. But, with the magic loop, it has become possible to knit the tips of mittens, baby hats, socks and so much more.

The trick behind knitting the magic loop is simple; separate your project into two parts or what can be said as a set of joined stitches on both needle tips. One part is always on the flexible cable while the other is on the tips. As the cable is long enough, you can use the needle tip on the other end of the cable to knit stitches freely.

So, for this magical technique of knitting, how to choose circular knitting needles? We have three points to keep in mind.

1. Cable Length

The first and foremost requirement is a long cable that’s 100 cm (36″) or even 150 cm (47″). You can also go for a length of 80 cm (32") Now, do not choose any long cable but one that forms a flexible loop. Sometimes too much cable length can be annoying to pull back and forth constantly.

If you are a regular knitter using the technique of magic loop frequently, it’s best to invest in an Interchangeable Knitting Needles Set with multiple needle sizes, cable lengths, and other accessories. This allows you the chance to even switch the cables according to your comfort. And, this way you can have a complete set for all knitting projects whether you knit in the round or back and forth. You can also go ahead with a fixed circular knitting needle or a set, which is completely dedicated to the magic loop technique.

2. Needle & Cable Material

Knitters have their own preference for needle material; some prefer stainless steel or metal tips to move stitches around easily. Many knitters prefer wood or bamboo so that stitches don’t slip around much. Advanced knitters have many needle materials, types and sizes in their stash to choose the appropriate tool for the project. There are also knitters exploring specially designed cubic knitting needles for a better grip for knitters who face health issues that impact their hands and wrist. Choosing a particular knitting needle material depends on your preference. You can choose any needle for the magic loop.

Similar to the knitting needles, it just takes a bit of trial and error to figure out the cables of the circular knitting needles. So, before you start your knitting, unwind the cables. Test the cable flexibility by simply bending the cable back and forth. If the cable is ready to bend to your will then you have the right cable. If it has a mind of your own, then give it some pampering to listen to you. Make it adjustable by dipping it in warm water. Some balanced heat will unwind its kinks and make it pliable to bend it for the loop. The best option though will be to choose memory-free cords in flexible materials. Also, make sure that the cable can survive the constant in and out movements without breaking down.

3. Smooth Joint

Lastly, choose circular needles that have a smooth join between the needle and the cable. With the constant movement back and forth through the stitches, it is important to have a smooth flow. You would not want the yarn or knit stitches to be stuck or snag. A smooth join between needle and cable is vital for the success of your project. Fixed circular knitting needles have an added bonus as they were manufactured together while a quality interchangeable needle set will also prevent any issues.

Once you have taken these points into consideration, you are ready for knitting with the Magic Loop. The Mindful Collection offers a range of stainless steel knitting needles, smooth teal cables and accessories that focus on the meditative practice of knitting. So, get ready for knitting those cute baby hats, socks, mitten tips and so much more.

Circular knitting refers to the style of knitting in seamless rounds. For knitting in the round, you can choose fixed circulars, interchangeable circular needles, or a set of five double-pointed knitting needles. The general rule of knitting in a circle is that the circumference must be larger than the needle length, especially for circular knitting needles, so that the stitches are not stretched, and the knitter can work comfortably. For example, if you have a 50 cm (approx 20-inch) circumference, you can comfortably knit with 40 cm (16") circular needles. Or another way to accommodate a small diameter is the magic loop, where you knit with a long circular needle of 100 to 150cm (40 - 47 inches). To craft a tubular project, you need to join the round. In fact, that is how you can knit in rounds.

There are many ways to do so but do you need help figuring out how to start? Or did you finish your hat or sock only to notice a weird gap or overlap right at the beginning? To make things simpler, we'll walk you through the steps of how to join the round with circular knitting needles without a gap or jog.

Anyway, let's dive right into it.

To join a round, you need to join the first and last cast-on stitches together. Start with cast-on stitches as you usually do. Read the knitting pattern for the stitch count and the cast-on method. Different projects instruct different ways to cast stitches. Socks, hats, and sweater necklines would require stretchy stitches, while home décor would require a constricted cast-on that would retain its shape. Cast an extra stitch; this would help later. The only rule you need to follow is to avoid twisted stitches. Align all the stitches in the same way. Twisted stitches mean you'll have to start over, and no knitter would like to do that.

Let's look at the methods to join the round.

Method 1: Stitch Swap Join

Cast on the required number of stitches. Make sure to keep the stitches loose and neat. Spread the stitches on the entire length of circular needles but do not stretch them.

Insert your knitting needle tip into the first cast stitch. The slip knot is counted as the first stitch.

Slip the first cast-on stitch on the left knitting needle as if to purl.

Then, insert your needle into the last cast-on stitch. Pass this stitch over the other.

Now begins the most critical step to join the round. Pass the first stitch on the knitting needle over the stitch you just slipped.

Insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle and begin knitting in the round.

Method 2: Double Strand Join

This method of joining the round reduces the stretchiness of the cast on stitches.

Cast on only the required number of stitches on one tip of a circular needle.

Grab the yarn and the yarn tail together and begin knitting.

While you can knit with the doubled yarn for a few stitches, it is recommended to knit the entire round so that the yarn tail is secure enough. Working this method prevents you from having to weave in that pesky yarn tail later and also creates a strong join.

Method 3: Invisible Join

Using this method, you'll need to cast on one additional stitch than what your pattern calls for.

Slip the first cast stitch (not the slip knot) purlwise.

Pass the extra stitch over the slipped stitch and drop it off the needle for the invisible join.

Then, slip the first stitch back on the knitting needle.

Move this stitch back to the left needle purlwise to create the invisible join.

Now, cinch up the excess thread with the active yarn and the yarn tail. This will create the invisible join.

The cast-on stitches are joined, so begin knitting in the round.

Method 4: Add 1, Decrease 1, Join

This method of joining the round is easy; just remember to place a stitch marker to show the beginning of your round.

Cast on an extra stitch. If your pattern asks for, say, 50 stitches, cast 51. Take advantage of this step whether you knit with circular needles.

Move this extra stitch to your knitting needle purlwise.

Add 1 stitch, and decrease 1 stitch to join the round.

To compensate, knit two together (k2tog) and continue knitting.

Your round is joined. You only have to follow the pattern instructions. Once you have finished knitting, cast off stitches.

Get to your favorite socks or hat without a weird join. With stainless steel circular knitting needles from the Mindful Collection, you'll have a smooth crafting experience. With these methods, you can knit with your circular needles. Each needle tip has an inspirational word that has a mindful effect on the knitter. Besides individual needles, complete sets of circular knitting needles are available in the collection too. With unique conscious names laser-printed on the needle body, each kit contains multiple needle sizes, cables, and accessories.

Source: https://uberant.com/article/1888020-knitting-in-the-round-with-circular-needles-for-beginners/

The long tail cast-on is a classic technique in knitting. Most knitters use the long tail method. It is well-known for its speed and stretchiness. It's one of the most popular ways to teach new knitters to cast on, and for good reason. Whether you knit with single pointed needles for a flat project such as a scarf or a dishcloth or use the circulars for a wide-width project or a pair of socks, you can adopt the method to make your first stitches. In fact, even if you knit with a set of double pointed needles you can cast on one knitting needle and then transfer stitches to the other needles that will form the circumference.

With one knitting needle in your hand you make the first stitches that you’ll knit from. The slip knot is counted as the first cast on stitch in many knitting patterns and projects but make sure that you have the right count. In fact if you are going to go ahead with a project that requires knitting in the round it is recommended that you cast one extra stitch that would later be used for joining the round.

Now, getting back to the topic of how to cast on stitches on circular knitting needles by the long tail method, let’s get started. To cast on stitches use the same knitting needle you would be using for the project or a size bigger if you have a tight tension or you could also take two knitting needles of different sizes and use them as one.

How to Calculate Yarn for Long Tail Cast on?

Before you make the slip knot on the knitting needles, make you're generous with the length of the yarn tail. In the long tail method, you'll be using the tail when casting on. So, in case you run out of yarn, you won't be able to cast further stitches and have to begin again. Getting just the right length of yarn can be tricky. But, it’s better to have enough yarn than not! But, then again too long tails can be annoying.

There are many ways to calculate how much yarn you’ll need. A general rule is to take four times the yarn length than needed for width or circumference project or three times the width of the project you're casting on for, plus about 6"/ 15cm extra. A very useful technique is to cast on stitches from both ends of the yarn ball or skein so that you will never run out of yarn or use another yarn ball.

With calculations done, let’s make the long tail cast on.

Step 1: Make the slip knot on the knitting needle and hold it in your right hand. As you are using a circular needle hold one tip and let the other dangle.

Step 2: Use your left hand to grasp the two tails of yarn. Hold the yarn with the palm open and index finger and thumb at the top. Position your thumb and finger to create a “slingshot” or a V shape. Keep the same position of the hand and yarn after each cast-on stitch.

Step 3: Insert the knitting needle under the strand of yarn wrapped around your thumb. Remember to hold your left hand like a pistol with the index finger and thumb. Pull up the yarn strand wrapped around your index finger.

Step 4: Pull your yarn out through the thumb loop. Also pull your thumb from the loop of the yarn and pull the yarn to tighten the new stitch.

Step 5: Insert the needle tip into the left thumb loop from below. Pull the yarn strand from your index finger with the right needle, from right to left. Pull the index finger yarn strand down through the loop on your left thumb and release the yarn from your left thumb.

Step 7: Use your thumb and index finger to tighten up the stitch and return to the slingshot position.

Repeat the steps to continue the long tail cast-on until all of your stitches have been cast on. Make sure to leave a 6-inch tail to weave in yarn ends. If you are going to join the round make sure to cast an extra stitch and if you are knitting back and forth, have the exact count of stitches.

The long tail cast on works for a variety of projects. The stretchy method works perfectly for tight knitters. While the method works for even a blanket pattern make sure that you won’t run short of yarn by casting on stitches from both ends of the yarn ball or skein you’ll be using for the project.

Now with the cast on stitches, start your knitting pattern. Work according to the instructions or the way you have planned your project. The long tail method gives you a stretchy cast on so make sure to bind off with a similar stretch method.

Source: https://www.zupyak.com/p/3382846/t/how-to-long-tail-cast-on-circular-knitting-needles