blogs

Here we are!  Your last lesson before we learn to bind off our work!  Are you excited?  Think about all you've learned the last 4 weeks...it's incredible!  I truly look forward to hearing your thoughts on this series here at modmomsclub.com or at www.mondaymorningknits.com.  For those who may be just joining us, I really encourage you to check out the Learn to Knit series.  It's all there, ready and waiting for you!  Fly through the lessons or take them slowly...whatever suits you, your schedule and your life the best.

So, let's get down to business!  Today, you're going to learn three specialty stitches - yarn over, knitting through the back loop and passing a slipped stitch over.

Yarn Over

Best known as a YO, a yarn over creates a hole in your work.  Yes, this is done intentionally.  You can do a YO either as you knit or as you purl.  It's quite simple.  Wherever your yarn is (e.g. the back of your work), bring it to the opposite side.  Next, bring your yarn up and over the right needle, back down and to the beginning.  For example, if you're knitting, your yarn strand is at the back of your work. So, to YO, you'll bring your yarn to the front (Pic 1).  Then, you'll loop it over the top of the right needle and bring it back to the front (Pic 2).     Repeat the motions for purlin changing the starting point of the yarn - normally it's in the front so bring it to the back, up and over the right needle and return it to the back.

Picture 1                                     Picture 2     

Knitting Through the Back Loop

This specialty stitch mimicks the classic knit stitch in everything but where your insert the tip of your right needle.  This differs from the knit stitch in that once the stitch is completed, the loop actually remains twisted on the needle.  When you knit, the loop remains straight and untwisted.

Abbreviated two ways, you might see this stitch written as TBL (through back loop) or K1B (Knit 1 in the back).  As you have probably been able to figure out by now, you'll insert the tip of your right needle from the front of the work between the two sides of the loop on the left needle with the tip coming out the back of the work (Pic 1).  In other words, instead of having the front of the loop resting against our right needle, the back of the loop will rest against the needle.  Complete the stitch by wrapping the yarn around, pulling it through and popping off that stitch (Pic 2)!  Easy as a Marie Callendar's pie!

Picture 1                                     Picture 2

Picture 3                                    Picture 4

Pass the Slipped Stitch Over

There will be times where you will have to follow instructions that include the abbreviation PSSO.  This usually follows directions that will read something to this effect:  slip 1 stitch, k2tog (or some other stitch), psso.  To complete these types of directions, first slip 1 stitch (Pic 1).  Next, complete the stitch called for.  In my pictures below, I "k2tog"ed.  Now, using the left needle, gently lift up the slipped stitch.  Pull it up and slide it over the knitted stitch.  Once it has cleared the stitch and the end of the right needle, drop it so it falls onto the work below.  Congrats!  You've PSSOd!

Picture 1                                    Picture 2

Picture 3                                     Picture 4

Simple Stitch Patterns

A stitch pattern is a combination of stitches that creates a visual effect in a piece of knitted work.  

Garter Stitch

Garter stitch is the most simple of stitch patterns because you will knit every row.  Two knit rows makes one garter ridge.  This stitch pattern is great for blankets and scarves.  It's perfect for doing if you want to cozy up in a blanket and watch a flick.

Stockinette Stitch

Stockinette stitch (St st) is achieved by knitting the first row, purling the second and repeating rows 1 and 2.  It creates a v look in your stitches.  This is commonly related to white space in a document.  It's standard, it's filler, it's generic, it's great for garment tops.  One important attribute to take note of when it comes to St st is that it will roll at the edges.  Have you ever seen a sweater with rolled cuffs or hems?  Take a closer look and you'll notice that the garment is knit in stockinette stitch and does not have any type of ribbed or garter stitch edging.  It takes less yarn to knit something in St st than it does in garter.  Do not use stockinette stitch for a scarf unless you want a tube.

Rib stitch

Ribbing is stretchy by nature and is often used at cuffs, necklines or hems.  It can be used to accentuate a waistline but this is usually done by decreasing at the seams.  To knit a rib, you'll alternate knit and purl across an entire row.  There are multiple ways to rib but you'll most often see k1p1 (knit 1 then purl 1, repeat) and k2p2 (knit 2 then purl 2, repeat).  

               
K1p1 Rib                                             K2p2 Rib

I really encourage you to knit a bit in each of the above simple stitch patterns so that you can feel the difference, practice shifting between knitting and purling and then see the effects that each stitch pattern has on your work.  

Next week is our final week.  I cannot believe it!  We'll be checking out some great books to add to our library that focus on great patterns and great diagrams/instructions.  Plus, we'll be learning our final technique - binding off!  After next week, you will have every single bit of knowledge needed to complete your first project - the Textured Simplicity Knit Scarf!  After that, the world is your oyester!  I look forward to seeing you again next week as we Learn to Knit: Binding Off, Your First Project and A Look at My Knitting Library.