The Knitting Yarn

How Can Different Knitting Instructions Decrease Knitting Discomfort?

February 11, 2011 By Ina Gilmore 5 Comments

Some time ago I noted my left thumb aching . . .especially after knitting.

While it cleared up after stopping knitting, it bothered me.

First of all, who wants to give up knitting? And second, I didn’t want it to be anything
serious . . .like a repetitive stress injury.

I noticed it when I was more stressed than usual. My caregiving activities were at an all-time high, among other things . . .

Because I wanted to know if I could fix it by changing what I was doing, I started closely watching how I knit.

I first noted the discomfort while knitting a 1×1 ribbing. At the time I knit quite a bit of ribbing including hats and socks.

Why knit ribbing? Well three reasons actually.

Ribbing makes a nice elastic stitch.
Caregiving responsibilities were cutting into knitting time. So I didn’t have extra time to take extensive measurements and fittings. I wanted articles that would fit without a lot of adjustments.
A pattern that’s the same every row is easier to drop in a hurry and pick up again when interruptions come . . .cutting down on the ripping and reworking.

Changing the knitting instructions to accomodate pain
How do I knit?

I carry the yarn in her left hand. Well, sort of.

Actually I don’t wind it between my fingers. When switching from a knit stitch to a purl stitch, I use my left thumb to wrap the yarn around the needle to form the purl stitch.

When relearning how to carry the yarn wasn’t working, it was time to search for another
option . . .

What about knitting instructions that allow you to carry the yarn behind your work for both knit and purl stitches?

Like you do in Norwegian purling.

You can check it out in this video . . .

Can’t see the video? Just click here for a different viewer.

Learning a new way to purl was easier than trying to relearn holding the yarn in my hand differently.

If you haven’t tried the Norwegian purl stitch, you might want to. It’s nice to have a couple of alternative ways to purl. You may find it FUN to switch back and forth.

Using Norwegian purling relieved the thumb pain.

An added benefit . . .I stopped avoiding the purl stitch.

Are you avoiding a certain stitch?

If you want to do the stitch, you might try a different method of knitting.

And guess what . . .?

You might just find it FUN!

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

Ina

“The Knitting Dr.”

The Knitting Yarn

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It’s a challenge showing you how to tell people they’re important to you. Anonymously! And it can easily be used to show family and friends how much you care about them.

It’s F-R-E-E — and FUN! Plus there are some great prizes available!

Just click on the image or this link for more information . . .

The first life you change just might be your own!

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I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on this website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Tawashi: a new kind of knitted dishcloth pattern?

December 31, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 2 Comments

If scrubbies are a kind of dishcloth, tawashi are a kind of scrubbie.

So yes, they are related.

Traditional tawashi are Japanese scrub brushes. Among knitters and crocheters, tawashi often means a special kind of scrubbie.

Tawashi are usually made of acrylic yarn. The combination of acrylic yarn and garter stitch ridges makes scrubbing easier. Tawashi usually don’t scratch surfaces.

Even though acrylic is manufactured, acrylic tawashi are also known as eco-tawashi. Why?

Well, because they need less soap — or even none — to work.

They are too harsh for delicate skin, though!

Tawashi: a new kind of knitted dishcloth?

Tribble tawashi

Ready to try tawashi?

There are lots of patterns on Ravelry, some for sale and some free. One of the handiest ones I’ve found is a free pattern called Tribble2.

While the original pattern calls for cotton yarn, it makes a great acrylic Tawashi!

Just click here for the link to the pattern page.

And just for fun, I thought you might just enjoy this video on knitting from Fraggle Rock:

If you haven’t yet signed up for your updates, there’s a handy opt-in form in the upper sidebar (upper right of the page).

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: Knitting Patterns Tagged With: knitted dishcloth pattern, Tawashi, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

How can knitting be part of heart healthy tips?

December 10, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 1 Comment

I remember watching one of my aunts knit and crochet.

When I saw her — usually at a family reunion — she had a smile on her face. And it didn’t take much to get her to laugh.

Although many would have considered her life challenging she always seemed joyful. She knit and crocheted some of the most beautiful pieces . . .

Image via Wikipedia

When I think of the knitters and crocheters I’ve known over the years, many of them also seem to go through life happy and at peace. I’ve often wondered if they knitted or crocheted because of its calming effects — or if their personality attracted them to the needlework.

You know sometimes when life gets stressful I like to just . . .stop and knit.

If you’ve been knitting a while, you probably know why.

Concentrating on the knitting focuses your attention.

How often have you found a solution to a problem after knitting?

Or just found yourself more relaxed and calm afterward?

Did you know medical science has now confirmed that meditation and knitting have a lot in common? Harvard researchers found when you meditate or knit for 20 minutes:

Your heart rate decreases . . .
Your breathing decreases and . . .
Even your metabolism slows down!

Who would have thought knitting could be heart-healthy?

While there are lots of ways to reduce stress . . .

Some people like to hold or pet a dog or cat . . .

Heart healthy tips: Petting a dog?

And some find knitting soothing . . .

Heart healthy tips include knitting

And then there’s always something that isn’t recommended . . .

Stress Reduction Kit

What are your favorite heart healthy tips for stress reduction?

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

P.S. Want to monitor your stress — or that of someone you love ?

Heart Math is a unique stress reduction tool. Check out HeartMath!

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I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Heart healthy tips, knitting, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

Knitting socks: double pointed or 2 circular needles?

December 6, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 5 Comments

Knitting three dimensional projects like socks is fun.

In the case of knitting socks the fine yarn and thin needles are challenging when you first start to knit socks . . .even if you’ve been knitting for years!

My first socks were knit on five double pointed needles.

A picture of double point knitting needles in use (not mine!)

Image via Wikipedia

For simple patterns, such as stockinette or ribbing, I had no problems. My most recent sock project was, however, lace socks.

I used WendyKnits’ free Sprucey Lucy sock pattern.

The first sock I knit with my trusty double pointed needles. They’re bamboo, and I have knit several projects with them.

All went well . . .until after turning the heel. Then I found myself dropping stitches, and losing my place more often than I like.

The sock pattern has a natural divide into two parts, even after turning the heel.

And my extra needles (5 not 2) didn’t help. In the interest of full disclosure my tendency to multitask while knitting — to say nothing about the sometimes-constant interruptions when I knit — also played roles.

I thought maybe the two circular needles, which after all are what Wendy uses, would help. I had one Susan Bates Quicksilver Circular Knitting Needles 24 Inch – Size 1. I ordered a second since my local yarn shop is the Internet! The investment in both needles was under $15 — within my budget.

By the time the needle arrived, I had completed the first sock and was working on the foot of the second. I switched to the circular needles, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to use them.

The yarn I’m using: Patons Stretch Socks-Mineral colorway, actually slips more easily off the circular needles than the bamboo needles. Why? Well, the finish on the circular metal needles is smoother than the bamboo . . .or maybe the bamboo needles are a bit worn.

Knitting the second sock was much easier.

At the ribbed cuff I switched back to the double-pointed needles. The circular needles seem a bit cumbersome for simple ribbing, although with some practice I might just change my mind.

Sprucey Lucy Knee High Socks

After completing this project, my next project was designing Christmas stockings. Is it any wonder they’re knit with worsted weight yarn (quick and larger needles) and simple stockinette stitch? In circular knitting stockinette stitch is knit every row. No matter whether you use double-pointed or circular needles! You can find the kits here.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: knitting instructions Tagged With: christmas stockings, knitting, Knitting socks, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

Christmas stocking stuffers: What are in your Christmas stockings?

November 23, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 2 Comments

Image by beccaplusmolly via Flickr

When I was a kid, often our Christmas stockings had individually wrapped gifts.

Each gift might be small, but it was exciting to open them! And it was only later we realized Santa used the wrapping paper my mother carefully saved from presents the year before.

Santa was thrifty!

And those Christmas stocking stuffers were often something we could enjoy for more than just a moment or two. I remember practical gifts, such as socks and Chapsticks. I don’t ever recall feeling deprived of toys, although many of today’s children might feel that way.

You see, my parents grew up in The Depression, and so any Christmas gift was a big deal to them. After some prodding, they both had stories of very lean Christmases.

But I never heard one word of complaint.

No, instead they were glad they could have a single gift . . .or could make gifts for other family members. Their families were not poor because they had something to eat and a warm house.

My mother told stories of the poor children in town who walked the railroad tracks to collect coal that fell off the trains. The coal was to heat their houses. Now those children would have been happy for coal for Christmas!

Somehow it gives a different perspective, doesn’t it?

Christmas stocking stuffers can be challenging . . .they can be fun . . .and even both!

Part of the fun is making the gifts unique for the recipient . . .young or older. And any gift should be age-appropriate.

So what are some practical Christmas stocking stuffers?

Crayons . . .markers . . .and/or colored pencils. For drawing and writing of course!
A blank book for drawings or a journal. This can encourage a child to write and/or draw regularly.
The ever-practical toothbrush . . .comb . . .Chapstick . . .or even socks. They can stuff the stocking well!
A small book or puzzle. You might even be able to convince Santa to include one that’s educational!
Sticker, craft supplies, and even play dough.

You might even make some knitted stocking stuffers!

Is this an all-inclusive list? Nope.

Just some suggestions to spark your imagination.

And of course, what’s more personal than knitted Christmas stockings?

Update 12/11/2011: Get my Christmas stocking patterns to knit by clicking here right now.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: christmas stocking stuffers, christmas stockings, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

Who brings your Christmas stockings?

November 12, 2010 By Ina Gilmore Leave a Comment

Hanging Christmas stockings is a tradition in many homes.

Sometimes the children hang them, and sometimes Santa Claus or St. Nicholas brings them on Christmas Eve. In some countries, children leave out a boot or a wooden shoe instead of stockings.

The origin of Christmas stockings has several variations. Most involve St. Nicholas, a poor man, and his three daughters.

Do you know the Legend of Christmas Stockings?

According to tradition, long ago a penniless nobleman was concerned about his three beautiful daughters. His wife had died. After her death he became despondent, losing his inheritance to bad investments. And he worried that his daughters could not be married.

You see, in his village it was traditional for the father of the bride to provide a dowry. The bride would give the money or property to her husband when they were married.

Unfortunately, this man had no money or property. Apparently he worried quite a bit about his daughters who took good care of him and never complained.

One day, St. Nicholas passed through the village. He heard about this man and his daughters, and wanted to help. Because he knew the nobleman would refuse charity, he decided to help him secretly. So, he waited until dark. During the night, St. Nicholas tossed three pouches of gold coins down the man’s chimney.

The pouches fell into the girls’ stockings that they had washed and hung by the fireplace to dry. The girls showed their father the coins the next day. He used the money to marry off each girl. Everyone lived happily ever after — as they usually do in these legends.

Children throughout the village starting putting out their Christmas stockings hoping St. Nicholas would stop by and fill them. Since then, the tradition has spread. Children all over the world hang Christmas stockings year after year also hoping St. Nicholas will leave them gifts.

It’s a cute story.

Is it true? Well, it is a legend.

How do Christmas stockings vary?

A Christmas stocking could be as simple as a child’s regular stocking hung up Christmas Eve. Or more often it could be a special stocking or sock that’s hung with the Christmas decorations.

Are your Christmas stockings throw-aways? Used only once or twice, and then discarded?
Or are they treasured heirlooms, meant to be lovingly passed down from one generation to the next?
Maybe they’re in-between the two. Sturdy enough to last several Christmases, but not likely to survive from generation to generation.

Sometimes it makes a difference in whether your Christmas stockings are store bought or handmade. And sometimes it doesn’t —

Who made your Christmas stockings?

A relative or friend, probably a crafter. Ah these stockings may be destined to be treasured! Carefully wrapped and stored each year, and brought out with the other Christmas decorations. There may even be a story like how Great Aunt Martha made them for all the children.
Special ordered and personalized, either by hand or machine. These may have motifs and colors to suit the recipient. While it may take less time on the part of the giver, just as much care may go into choosing the right one.
Mass produced Christmas stockings can be nice, too. And no, that’s not just an afterthought! If you’re a crafter, you can personalize them with a child’s name. Sometimes it’s enough to know you picked out this stocking for a special child.

So, who brings your Christmas stockings?

Santa Claus or St. Nicholas is traditional in many places. The children often hang the stockings and Santa Claus or St. Nicholas fills them.
Sinterklauss brings Dutch children gifts in their wooden shoes.
The Three Kings fill some children’s shoes with presents in France, Spain, and Mexico.
La Befana visits Italian children on Epiphany, January 6.
And there are more stories designed to teach children about the Christmas story. How Jesus is The Gift to the world, and how He received gifts at His Birth.

Candy Cane Christmas Stocking

Christmas stockings are a neat way to create memories and to remember past Christmases. And you don’t have to have a lot of expensive presents to do so.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Update 12/11/2011: Get my Christmas stocking patterns to knit by clicking here right now.

Bibliography for Christmas Stocking Legend: Christmas socks, accessed 11-12-10.

Bibliography for information on who brings Christmas stockings and gifts: Legend of Christmas Stockings, accessed 11-12-10.

Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: Christmas, christmas stocking, christmas stockings, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

Why should knitters learn left-handed knitting?

November 8, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 7 Comments

Why should you learn to knit left-handed — or right-handed if you’re left-handed?

A few years ago, I had the responsibility of caring for an elderly relative.

One who had undergone surgery, immobilizing his left hand and wrist. After a couple of days, he became increasingly frustrated and irritated.

You see, he was forced to use his right hand to do everyday tasks. Even simple tasks like drinking from a glass or eating became a major chore.

Why?

Because he’s left-hand dominant, and his left hand was immobilized.

So suddenly he was forced to do everything right-handed!

When I called his surgeon, he assured me they had always had good results with this procedure. While it was relatively new, he said the left hand is immobilized because right-handed patients don’t have a problem.

Then I informed him this patient is left-handed.

There was an audible, uncomfortable silence.

Apparently the surgeon didn’t know that.

You know, some knitting teachers are a lot like that surgeon. They just think everyone knits the same — or should.

About the same time, I watched a knitting teacher on television.

She insisted her students knit “the only way to knit.”

My reaction to only one way to knit? I laughed — long and hard!

She taught the “throw” method or English or American method. Which is perfectly fine if you like it. I actually felt sorry for her students because they seemed to be knitting very slooowly.

Does it matter?

Left-handed stockinette stitch

Not really. Knitting looks the same no matter which method you use. You might even invent your own method, which is perfectly acceptable.

Right-handed stockinette stitch

Okay, maybe not every knitter agrees. You’re here at The Knitting Yarn: a stress-free knitting zone. Where the only right way to knit is your way.

Period.

If you find one way more comfortable than another, go for it! Knitting should be relaxing, a stress-reliever. And when you get into the rhythm of knitting — or “the zone“ — whatever works for you is best.

It takes a while to learn to hold the yarn and needles. It’s not all that easy the first few times you knit. No matter what method you use.

When you find your method though, you can often knit without looking. And maybe even while concentrating on something else. Like a magazine, a television show, or even a conversation.

Of course, there are limits. Knitting while driving is not a good idea!

So if you prefer to knit the left-handed method, sometimes called mirror knitting, that’s also fine. Even if you don’t consider yourself left-handed!

You see, many of the so-called “rules” of knitting are well, made to be broken. They aren’t laws or even statutes. Often passed down from one generation to another.

And if you want to knit the way your great-grandmother knit because your grandmother taught you that way, by all means go for it!

If not, that’s okay too.

You might even want to learn more than one method.

Why would you want to learn more than one knitting method?

Some knitters find it helpful to switch methods to help prevent repetitive stress injuries. You know, like carpal tunnel.
If a knitter injures one of her hands, arms or shoulders, sometimes switching to another method is helpful: especially if one needle is held still or “propped.”
Once you learn more than one method, it often seems easy to pick up more methods. And why not learn more than one method before you have to?

Why is it easier to learn more methods? Probably because you’re learning more than how to make the knit or purl stitch. You’re actually watching how the yarn wraps to form the stitches, and then the fabric. How the yarn loops around the needle (left side yarn forward or back for example) is determined by your method of knitting.

As long as you’re consistent, the finished fabric should look identical. No matter what method you use.

Which is why the argument about whether or not left-handed knitters should knit left-handed or not seems silly.

If it’s easier for someone to start with a particular method, and that method gets them knitting: GREAT!

Oh, and by the way many knitters do knit left-handed or a variant of left-handed.

When? Why when they knit backwards, such as for short rows in entrelac or sock heels!

One of the fastest ways to begin left-knitting is from a one-on-one expert knitting instructor. So take advantage of the left-handed technique and experience success. Here’s how . . .

You can have your own personal knitting instructor, Norma Jean, take you step by step through the process. Watch her instruction at your convenience—as often as you want! Buy now through Amazon: Beginning Knitting for Left-Handed Knitters.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: Left-handed Knitting Tagged With: knitting, left-handed knitting, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

Looking for knitted Christmas stocking stuffers?

November 6, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 1 Comment

Remember the childhood excitement of Christmas?

Being so excited you were sure you wouldn’t sleep? And suddenly waking before dawn, ready to see what Santa brought in your Christmas stocking?

Maybe even under the Christmas stockings.

In good times, sometimes it’s easy to forget that simple is exciting too. This year many folks are considering cutting back for the holidays.

When thinking of simple Christmases, I think first of the Christmas Laura and Mary spent in Kansas Territory in Little House on the Prairie.

Image via Wikipedia

Their home was small, and isolated from their neighbors. If you recall, Mr. Edwards ran into Santa and brought some of their gifts. The girls of course were thrilled, as were Ma and Pa Ingalls.

That Christmas they had such treasures as:

A homemade sugar cookie. Yes, one cookie
A single piece of candy
A shiny penny.
A new tin cup.

Austere?

They didn’t think so.

And more recently, a man I know grew up in The Great Depression as the eleventh of twelve children. In good years each child had an orange for Christmas. That’s all: one orange. Yet I never heard him complain. On the contrary, he was delighted to get the orange!

So, it was understandable why as a parent he favored practical gifts such as clothing over expensive toys. And did his children suffer?

The answer is a resounding No!

Is something missing when only the biggest most expensive toy — for children or adults — will do? And the frustration of seeing it cast aside for something else after only a brief time —

It can become an increasing spiral of spending more and more — for less and less return.

You know taking a page from the past can be enlightening. There’s even a Victorian quote for Christmas stocking stuffers:

“Something to eat, something to read, something to play with and something they need.” ~ Victorian poem

Okay, so knitting something to eat or read probably isn’t the best idea.

What do you knit for Christmas stocking stuffers to play with?

While some toys may be too large to fit inside a stocking, they could be underneath the stocking. And your options include:

Doll clothes
Small toys such as balls
A miniature rug or blanket for a doll house
Stuffed toys
Christmas ornaments

Tip: Consider individually wrapping your Christmas stocking stuffers. There’s more excitement in unwrapping many gifts.

What do you knit for Christmas stocking stuffers they need?

Hats
Mittens and gloves
Scarves — may need to go under the stocking
Socks
Slippers

When you’re looking for basic patterns for multiple sizes. check out The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd. With multiple-sized patterns for socks, mittens, gloves, hats, tams, scarves, sweaters, and vests this book is versatile. And it’s easy-to-use with multiple gauges: the math is done for you! The spiral bound book has a hard cover, and opens flat.
Click here to buy now!

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: christmas stocking stuffers, christmas stockings, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

How do you make Christmas stockings?

October 11, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 1 Comment

When my friend Erika asked if I could design a Christmas stocking, I thought, “Why not?”

Why let something small—like never having knit one before—stop a knitting project?

Deciding to start at the beginning with some basic research, I plowed into the project. After studying Christmas stockings’ construction, I decided it wouldn’t be any harder than knitting socks. And was pleasantly surprised to find they were easier to knit than I thought.

So just how do you make Christmas stockings?

Knitting Christmas stockings is very similar to knitting socks. Yes, the original Christmas stockings were actually stockings children wore the rest of the year. So, the overall pattern is roughly the same as a sock pattern.
Modern Christmas stockings tend to be larger than socks. Larger in diameter and leg length, although the foot is often knit shorter.
To hide the stocking stuffers from little eyes, their stockings are often knit in stockinette stitchrather than a lace pattern. Stockinette stitch is also a traditional pattern for stockings. Stockinette stitch even gets its name from knitting stockings.

Candy Cane version of Christmas Stockings

Because most Christmas stockings are knit in the round, stockinette stitch is all knit stitches. Many knitters prefer the knit stitch to the purl stitch.
If this is one of your first projects knit in the round, the yarn and needles are usually heavier than those used to knit socks to be worn. This makes knitting Christmas stockings easier, especially if you’re not used to knitting with either a set of double-pointed needles or two circular needles.
Christmas stockings usually are knit from the top down, although there’s no reason they couldn’t be knit from the bottom up. You might have to adjust a motif or graph if you’re knitting your sock in more than one color.
Because the stocking is for decoration, the heel usually looks squared and is often different than the main stocking color.
The toe is often the same contrasting color as the heel.
And left-handed knitters will be happy to note that Christmas stockings can be knit left-handed, too. If the pattern has an asymmetrical motif, you may end up with a mirror image unless you reverse the graph. The good news is most Christmas motifs are either symmetric or can be just as lovely as a mirror image.

Victorian version of Christmas Stocking

So you can see that knitting Christmas stockings isn’t so complicated after all! And they’re fun to knit, then display or give away.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Update 12/11/2011: Get my Christmas stocking patterns to knit by clicking here right now.

Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: christmas stockings, knitting, Stockinette stitch, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

What does a mirror have to do with left-handed knitting?

July 13, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 8 Comments

Recently Jen shared her knitting experience with me. I found it interesting and thought you might enjoy it as well.

For years, Jen longed to learn to knit. She took classes, and tried all the different techniques she could find. Each time, eagerly looking forward to learning to knit, Jen left each course disappointed and feeling like a failure. The classes just weren’t teaching her in a way that she could learn successfully.

Until . . .

One day she talked to the right person. A knitter asked her one question that changed everything:

“Have you tried left-handed knitting?”

Jen’s response to the question came as a shock, and the resounding answer was a big “NO.” Jen and her previous knitting teachers had never considered left-handed knitting, also known as mirror knitting.

Why? Probably because most of the students were right-hand dominant. Or, perhaps even if their left hands were dominant, they still could knit the traditional ways.

However, Jen is decidedly left-hand dominant. For her, the yarn and needles just would not work together using a right-hand method. She’d felt defeated and alone, but many people that are left-hand dominant simply can’t adjust to right-handed methods.

Traditional knitting is designed by and for right-hand dominant knitters. If you watch a traditional knitter, whether she’s carrying the yarn in her left or right hand, usually most of the work is done by the right hand.

So what is mirror knitting?

It’s a knitting method that is the mirror image of a right-hand dominant knitter. When you watch a right-handed knitter in a mirror, you’ll see the left-handed version in the reflection. And that’s how many lefties learn to knit. How easy is that?

In the mirror reflection, the stitches are formed with the left needle, and the stitches are moved from the right hand needle to the left: the reverse or mirror image of right-hand dominant knitting.

Even the loops on each individual stitch are reversed. So, the left side of the loop is forward instead of to the right.

Does it make a difference?

Well, a mirror knitter following traditional directions exactly will knit a mirror image. If the knitted article is symmetric, like how many scarves are made, it probably makes no difference. On the other hand, if it’s asymmetrical—like the front of a cardigan—the right side will be knit instead of the left.

Similarly, motifs in color work and cables will be mirror images. Mirror knitters are amazingly adept at “fixing” patterns. That is, adjusting the pattern to compensate. And, some prefer knitting only symmetrical items to avoid the mirror image effect altogether.

Left-handed knitting stockinette stitch

Jen is happily mirror knitting with help from her new teacher.

One of the fastest ways to begin mirror knitting is from a one-on-one expert knitting instructor. So take advantage of the mirror knitting method and experience success. Here’s how . . .

Filed Under: Left-handed Knitting Tagged With: left-handed knitting, technorati, The Knitting Yarn