KnitFreedom - Liat Gat
[KnitFreedom] Video Tour Of The Malabrigo Yarns Factory in Montevideo, Uruguay
updated
To find links to all the beautiful projects featured in the video, go to knitfreedom.com/success/fair-isle-knitting.
Cabling can be tricky. We teach you to cable with confidence so you can create beautiful, intricate cabled designs like a superstar,
Knit Simple to Complex Cable Projects with Confidence!
Fear of making mistakes can hold you back from trying cabled projects.
* You may doubt that you could fix a cabling mistake
* Tons of strange new abbreviations to learn and memorize
* It can be hard to remember which stitches go where!
I’m Liat Gat, founder and video instructor at KnitFreedom. Once I taught myself how to do cables without a cable needle, I figured out the secret to remembering what goes where.
I created a super-popular bulky cabled legwarmers pattern and this 23-video tutorial series to help bring this technique within the reach of more knitters everywhere.
Now I’ve updated the course with even more high-quality bonus content so you can work reversible cables like a pro, as well.
Learn to cable with confidence today! ON SALE NOW through August 31st, 2022.
knitfreedom.com/success/cables
Double-pointed needles are hard! Learn to knit a hat the easiest way - on Magic Loop.
Knitting your first hat can be easy!
We teach you step-by-step the easiest way to knit a hat in the round on one long circular needle. No more struggling with double-points!
"I had attempted--once--to knit a hat using DPN's. It ended up being a mass of ladders, dropped stitches, and PTSD. I swore off hat knitting right then, and have only crocheted hats since.
"Magic Loop is the answer I didn't know existed.
"I felt so comfortable making this hat that I was able to do it while watching TV and ended up making a very slouchy version because I just kept going! Knitting has never been so enjoyable and stress-free. It's almost impossible to mess up with Magic Loop. Next I want to learn to do socks this way. "
- Kathryn Law, Washington, DC
If you don’t have anyone to take you by the hand and show you step-by-step how to make a hat, you might experience…
- Lack of confidence in choosing the right pattern
- Not knowing how to follow the pattern
- Not feeling confident knitting in the round
-- How You'll Learn Your First Hat with this Video Class --
We’ll be using Magic Loop (one long circular needle) to knit a simple bulky hat with optional stripes in this step-by-step video class for beginners. This class gets you:
8 Step-by-Step Premium Knitting Videos
Downloadable Videos and Class PDF for Offline Learning
Free Patterns for Adult-Size Bulky-Weight AND Worsted-Weight Hats
Personal Answers to Your Emailed Questions
60-Day 100% Money-Back Guarantee
Why Knit a Hat?
If you’re stuck knitting scarves and dishcloths because you’re not comfortable knitting in the round, it’s time for you to expand your skills so you can knit more challenging projects.
Learning to knit in the round is the single fastest way to improve your knitting ability and open up the possibility of knitting more exciting projects. After you learn to knit in the round (which is, by the way, totally within your ability to do), you can knit socks, mittens, sweaters, toys, and pretty much anything you can imagine, including, of course, lots of hats!
Why Knit in the Round on Magic Loop?
Knitting in the round (knitting a continuous tube) is a fantastic way to create garments like hats, socks, mittens, and sweaters. I have found the Magic Loop technique of knitting in the round to be the easiest way to knit in the round with speed and enjoyment.
What Materials Will I Need to Do This Hat on Magic Loop?
You’ll need a 40-47-inch-long circular needle in two sizes, US 9 and 10.
What Other Materials Will I Need to Knit This Hat?
You’ll need 100 yards of bulky (chunky)-weight yarn, in a single color or two or more colors if you’d like to do a striped hat.
What Techniques Will I Learn in This Class?
You’ll learn how to:
Knit in the round on Magic Loop
Check your gauge in the round
Cast on using the Long-Tail Cast-On
Work in the round in 1×1 rib
Count your rounds easily so you don’t have to write anything down
Do the Make One (M1) increase and recognize it when you see it
Make jogless stripes in the round
Use the Traveling Loop method to work Magic Loop on many stitches
Do the Knit 2 Together (K2tog) decrease and recognize it when you see it
Know when to decrease and when to do a plain round without writing anything down
Close the top of a hat
Invisibly weave in ends
Block your work for professional results
60-Day 100% Money-Back Guarantee
You are protected by our 60-day no-questions-asked 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Try any of our courses out for 60 days. If you don’t love everything you learn and tell all your friends, we’ll give you your money back.
Personal Answers to Your Knitting Questions
We know self-taught knitters have questions, and we never want you to feel alone. As a KnitFreedom student you have access to personal knitting coaching via email at any time. Just email happiness@knitfreedom.com. Knitting expert and video teacher Liat Gat will answer your questions about this hat project. You can even send in a photo of your knitting if you aren’t sure how to explain what’s happened.
Downloadable Videos for Offline Viewing
If you go on vacation and want to take your knitting videos with you, or you live in an area with unreliable/slow Internet, you can download all our class videos to your computer at any time, and transfer them to your mobile devices as well.
knitfreedom.com/success/my-first-hat
Finally understand and follow any Brioche pattern. Brioche is easier than you think!
Learning Brioche can be pretty overwhelming...
There are strange new abbreviations to learn, and it can be hard to wrap your head around what exactly you’re doing.
- You might be afraid Brioche is too hard
- How to approach new abbreviations like "brk" and "brp?"
- And how would you fix any mistakes?
But Brioche is easier than you think.
"I love, Love, LOVE your Brioche course. I feel like it has already paid for itself with just the little tips alone that you have passed along so far.
"Not once have I had a problem seeing or understanding what you were doing or explaining.
"And it began in such an understandable and methodical way. Everything keeps building on what was previously covered… And the videos are OUT-STANDING!!"
– Chuck D., Chesapeake, VA
"A thoughtful and well-presented guide to the Brioche stitch."
– Nancy Marchant, Author, Knitting Brioche
----- Links to patterns shown in the video -----
ravelry.com/patterns/library/briocherry
ravelry.com/patterns/library/liebelle
ravelry.com/patterns/library/ring-of-fire-3
ravelry.com/patterns/library/two-color-brioche-knit-scarf-for-men
ravelry.com/patterns/library/surfers-delight---easy-basic-brioche-hat
ravelry.com/patterns/library/cabito
ravelry.com/patterns/library/my-sister-loves-soft-brioche
ravelry.com/patterns/library/wheatandchaff
Socks can be scary to tackle on your own. Our class + knitalong give you extra support. knitfreedom.com/shop/august-2022-toe-up-socks-class-and-knitalong
Knitting socks comes with lots of questions, especially for first-timers...
All the choices you make when attempting to knit a pair of socks are enough to intimidate anyone!
* Should you start with toe-up or top-down?
* Double pointed needles, two circulars, or Magic Loop?
* You might doubt you can take on a pair of socks and actually make them fit.
~~ Anyone can learn to knit toe-up socks ~~
"Woohoo - finally finished my socks! :) I think I am going to do another pair in worsted and after that will do a pair with fingering sock yarn.
Also, I did the faux heel since I have a high instep and am so pleased with the way the socks fit.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Liat for doing this sock knitalong and for all of your helpful videos and instructions."
Peggy C. - 2020 Toe-Up Socks Knitalong
"My socks are almost done, one more row and I'll be ready to turn the heel. I had to begin many times at first but then once I got the hang of it all, I was knitting, which to me, is plenty amazing.
I've learned so much: how to use Magic Loop, how to feel what's going on, how to see (read) my yarn (I'm not great at it, but I'm beginning to see it), how to follow and figure out a pattern. It's incredible.
Many thanks for the lovely gift of knowledge."
Valerie H. - 2020 Toe-Up Socks Knitalong
~~ This Knitalong Comes With Prerecorded Videos and Weekly Email Lessons Starting August 1st 2022. ~~
* Get Access to Everything *
As soon as you sign up, you'll get access to your video class, Imagiknit discount code, and advice about which materials to buy.
* Get Weekly Lessons *
Starting August 1st, 2022, you'll get weekly or twice-weekly emails walking you through each step, starting with choosing a pattern and buying materials.
* Ask Questions and Post Photos *
Each email will come with a link to post questions, comments, and photos in your group knitalong area. We answer all questions in 24 hours.
Toe-up socks can become your next favorite project!
knitfreedom.com/shop/august-2022-toe-up-socks-class-and-knitalong
While my description of how to create the “double stitch” in the video above is correct, instructions for how to substitute German Short Rows for regular short rows in your pattern are incorrect.
Correct method: On each row, work one extra stitch than the pattern indicates before turning, slipping the stitch, and creating the double stitch.
If your pattern says “K40, W&T, P22, W&T, continue working back and forth, working until one stitch before the wrap and turn, W&T,” you would substitute GSR (German Short Rows) as follows: “K41, turn, slip, create double stitch, P23, turn, slip, create double stitch, work up to next double stitch, turn, slip, create double stitch.”
Finding the "wrap" of a "wrap and turn" is hard on your eyes. Substitute German short rows for regular and avoid the wrap and turn.
For step-by-step photos, visit knitfreedom.com/blog/german-short-rows
Knit the beautiful Odyssey shawl with help from a one-hour instructional video from KnitFreedom and 20 gorgeous yarn combinations hand-picked by Imagiknit Yarns.
Available now at knitfreedom.com/blog/odyssey-kit.
From Tucson's Morning Blend Segment - 5 Ways Knitting Can Save Your Life
To seam your 1x1 rib with Kitchener stitch, make sure you start your provisional cast-on correctly. Otherwise it will be hard to take your provisional yarn out.
These instructions show how to seamlessly join 1×1 rib top-to-bottom, that is, when you join provisional cast-on stitches to the edge to be bound off.
Cast on your ribbing using a provisional cast-on. Make sure to knit the first row of stitches before starting your ribbing, or else you won’t be able to get the waste yarn out later.
When you are ready to bind off, pull our the waste yarn of your provisional cast-on. Feed the knitting needle through the loops the provisional cast-on has saved, making sure to get the half-loop on either side.
You should have one more loop on the provisional cast-on needle than you do on your working needle.
There are no setup stitches for Kitchener stitch on 1×1 rib. Work the following sequence according to what kind of stitch you are binding off on the front needle.
For a knit stitch:
Front needle: Feed tapestry needle through purlwise. Do not remove stitch.
Back needle: Feed tapestry needle through purlwise. Remove stitch.
Back needle: Feed tapestry needle through knitwise. Do not remove stitch.
Front needle: Feed tapestry needle through knitwise. Remove stitch.
For a purl stitch:
Front needle: Feed tapestry needle through knitwise. Do not remove stitch.
Back needle: Feed tapestry needle through knitwise. Remove stitch.
Back needle: Feed tapestry needle through purlwise. Do not remove stitch.
Front needle: Feed tapestry needle through purlwise. Remove stitch.
For a technical explanation of how this works (and how to graft 1×1 ribbing top-to-top) I recommend Joni Coniglio’s excellent Interweave article Grafting Knitting, Myth 2: Grafted Ribbing Will Always Have a Half-Stitch Jog.
When doing the Chinese Waitress Cast-On with a crochet hook, make sure to wrap the yarn around the back of the crochet hook in a figure-8 motion. Then, when you pull the stitch through, twist the crochet hook down and to the left, away from you, and then back up to cross under the left needle. This will un-twist the stitch and get you ready for the next stitch without having to remove the crochet hook.
To understand:
- Why it's so important to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On correctly,
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To do this Chinese Waitress Cast-On shortcut, after you bring each stitch through, twist the needle to the left, away from you, and bring it back up to cross under the left needle.
Check to make sure you've done it right by pulling the working yarn. It should be the right leg of the stitch.
Thanks to KnitFreedom readers for suggesting this shortcut!
To understand:
- Why it's so important to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On correctly,
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To cast on in the middle of a project using the Chinese Waitress Cast-On:
1. Hold your left needle so the right side of the work faces you.
2. Cross the right-hand needle behind the left-hand needle, to the right of the first stitch.
3. Tension the yarn in your right hand.
4. Bring the yarn up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion.
5. Pull the stitch on the right-hand needle through the two loops on the left-hand needle.
6. Remove the right-hand needle from the stitch.
7. **IMPORTANT** With your fingers, un-twist the stitch towards you so that the right side of the loop is the one coming from the working yarn.
8. Re-insert the right needle into the stitch from front to back, crossing it behind the left-hand needle.
9. Bring the yarn up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion (this is the same as step 4).
10. Pull the stitch you just made between the two loops on the left-hand needle and, in the same movement, through the stitch already on the right-hand needle.
11. Repeat steps 6-10 until you have cast on one less than the number of stitches required for your project.
12. Slip the stitch that is on the right-hand needle to the left-hand needle (the left needle should go in front-to-back). This is your last cast-on stitch.
To learn:
- Why it's so important to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On correctly,
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
Most tutorials online (including my original Chinese Waitress Cast-On tutorial) show you to create a new stitch, remove the right needle, and re-insert it into the stitch from front to back. This is wrong or at best incomplete.
The right way to do it is to remove the right needle and use your fingers to un-twist the stitch. You should give the stitch a 180-degree turn towards you. You'll know you've done it right if the right leg of the stitch moves when you pull on the working yarn. Now you can re-insert the right needle and continue with the Chinese Waitress cast-on.
To access:
- The full OFFICIAL Chinese Waitress Cast-On tutorial,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
The Chinese Waitress Cast-On is reversible and super-stretchy on Garter stitch. It makes a solid, strong edge that I highly recommend. In this video I also demonstrate the Chinese Waitress (Double-Chain) Cast-Off on Garter stitch and show that it is very stretchy and looks identical to the Chinese Waitress Cast-On.
The Long-Tail Cast-On has a barely-visible edge on Garter stitch. It is fairly stretchy. The standard bind-off leaves a visible chain of stitches that looks nothing like the Long-Tail Cast-On. The standard bind-off is also firm and not stretchy.
To learn:
- How to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On correctly,
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
When done the wrong way (the way you normally see it taught), the Chinese-Waitress Cast-On edge is made of twisted stitches and it does not stretch as much as when it is done the right way. It also lays flat and reveals more of its underside edge.
The Chinese Waitress Cast-On done correctly has an even, stretchy edge that curls up slightly on Stockinette stitch. It makes two chains of perfectly straight stitches that show prominently on the edge of the knit fabric.
To learn:
- How to correctly do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- The matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off,
go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On Continental-style:
1. Place a slipknot on the left-hand needle. Leave a short tail (6"). The slipknot does not count as a cast-on stitch and will be removed later.
2. Cross the right-hand needle behind the left-hand needle, to the right of the slipknot.
3. Tension the yarn in your left hand, behind both needles.
4. Bring the yarn down and behind both needles, then up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion.
5. Pull the stitch on the right-hand needle through the two loops on the left-hand needle.
6. Remove the right-hand needle from the stitch.
7. **IMPORTANT** With your fingers, un-twist the stitch towards you so that the right side of the loop is the one coming from the working yarn.
8. Re-insert the right needle into the stitch from front to back, crossing it behind the left-hand needle.
9. Bring the yarn down and behind both needles, then up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion (this is the same as step 4).
10. Pull the stitch you just made between the two loops on the left-hand needle and, in the same movement, through the stitch already on the right-hand needle.
11. Repeat steps 6-10 until you have cast on one less than the number of stitches required for your project, not counting the slipknot.
12. Slip the stitch that is on the right-hand needle to the left-hand needle (the left needle should go in front-to-back). This is your last cast-on stitch.
13. You have completed the cast-on. When you knit the first row and come to the slipknot, remove it from the left-hand needle and give the tail yarn a tug. The slipknot will undo.
To learn:
- Why it's so important to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On correctly,
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On:
1. Place a slipknot on the left-hand needle. Leave a short tail (6"). The slipknot does not count as a cast-on stitch and will be removed later.
2. Cross the right-hand needle behind the left-hand needle, to the right of the slipknot.
3. Tension the yarn in your right hand.
4. Bring the yarn up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion.
5. Pull the stitch on the right-hand needle through the two loops on the left-hand needle.
6. Remove the right-hand needle from the stitch.
7. **IMPORTANT** With your fingers, un-twist the stitch towards you so that the right side of the loop is the one coming from the working yarn.
8. Re-insert the right needle into the stitch from front to back, crossing it behind the left-hand needle.
9. Bring the yarn up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion (this is the same as step 4).
10. Pull the stitch you just made between the two loops on the left-hand needle and, in the same movement, through the stitch already on the right-hand needle.
11. Repeat steps 6-10 until you have cast on one less than the number of stitches required for your project, not counting the slipknot.
12. Slip the stitch that is on the right-hand needle to the left-hand needle (the left needle should go in front-to-back). This is your last cast-on stitch.
13. You have completed the cast-on. When you knit the first row and come to the slipknot, remove it from the left-hand needle and give the tail yarn a tug. The slipknot will undo.
To understand:
- Why it's so important to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On correctly,
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On in the round:
1. Place a slipknot on one end of a circular needle. Leave a short tail (6"). The slipknot does not count as a cast-on stitch and will be removed later. Hold the needle in your left hand.
2. Take the other end of the circular needle in your right hand and cross it behind the left-hand needle, to the right of the slipknot.
3. Tension the yarn in your right hand.
4. Bring the yarn up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion.
5. Pull the stitch on the right-hand needle through the two loops on the left-hand needle.
6. Remove the right-hand needle from the stitch.
7. **IMPORTANT** With your fingers, un-twist the stitch towards you so that the right side of the loop is the one coming from the working yarn.
8. Re-insert the right needle into the stitch from front to back, crossing it behind the left-hand needle.
9. Bring the yarn up and over the left-hand needle, then around the back of the right-hand needle in a figure-8 motion (this is the same as step 4).
10. Pull the stitch you just made between the two loops on the left-hand needle and, in the same movement, through the stitch already on the right-hand needle.
11. Repeat steps 6-10 until you have cast on the number of stitches required for your project.
12. Place the stitch that is on your right-hand needle on your left-hand needle. This is the last stitch of the cast-on. As you will remove the slipknot, this should give you the right number of stitches for your project.
13. Slide the stitches onto the cable of the needle. Divide them in two and pull out a long loop of cable between the two halves of stitches. Push the stitches onto the needle tips.
14. **IMPORTANT** Push the slipknot off the tip of the front needle and tug the yarn so that the slipknot undoes.
15. Place the needle with the working yarn on it in the back. Make sure there are no twists in the stitches.
16. Bring the working yarn between the needle tips and over the back of the needle.
17. Slide the back needle to the right and "fly" it around so that it faces the left needle. Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if to knit.
18. Use the working yarn that is on the back cable to knit the first stitch. Knit across the stitches on the front needle. You have completed half a round.
Continue working in Magic Loop to finish knitting the round. You can watch our free Magic Loop videos at knitfreedom.com/magic-loop
To learn:
- Why it's so important to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On correctly,
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On,
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations, and
- the matching Chinese Waitress Bind-Off, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To do the Chinese Waitress (Double-Chain) Cast-Off:
1. Purl the first stitch, wrapping the yarn clockwise around the needle (this is opposite to the way you normally do).
2. Yarnover
3. Purl the next stitch, again wrapping the yarn clockwise.
4. Pass the yarnover over the first stitch on the right-hand needle.
5. Pass the second stitch over the first stitch on the right-hand needle.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until all stitches are bound off.
7. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail for weaving in. Pull through last stitch.
To learn:
- How to do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On (correctly),
- What most tutorials get wrong about the Chinese Waitress Cast-On, and
- Tips and tricks for using this cast-on in different situations,
go to knitfreedom.com/blog/chinese-waitress
--- HOW TO BECOME A KNITTING SUPERSTAR IN RECORD TIME —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
If this video saved you some stress feel free to support my channel and buy me a coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/knitfreedom
Read the whole post and watch the pain-relief video here: knitfreedom.com/blog/knitting-pain
I know what it’s like to knit for hours and wake up with hands so sore you can barely move them.
These exercises, taught to me by certified massage therapist and myofascial release specialist Kate Howe, have already helped hundreds of knitters feel instant relief (just check out the comments on the post below!).
You don’t have to live with knitting hand pain.
The Get-Instant-Relief Plan
1. Watch this myofascial forearm stretch video
2. Do the stretch for 60 seconds
3. Feel instant relief
You can do these stretches every day to get instant relief!
To learn 4 more hand stretches and fix your knitting tension to prevent hand pain, go to knitfreedom.com/blog/knitting-pain
--- ABOUT KNITFREEDOM'S KNITTING SUPERSTAR UNIVERSITY —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
Get the free guide here: knitfreedom.com/blog/kitchener-stitch
I've helped hundreds of knitters already remember and understand Kitchener stitch with these videos, even those who used to be totally intimidated by the technique. They even tell me they love doing Kitchener now!
Learning Kitchener stitch is simple: You'll click to go the guide, email the link to yourself or save it on Pinterest or Ravelry so you can have it for future reference, and then watch the in-depth videos whenever you are ready to learn and understand Kitchener stitch without fear.
When you click to go to the guide, you'll get access to six free video tutorials showing you different aspects of Kitchener stitch.
As you refer to the guide, you'll learn from an illustrated printable diagram plus step-by-step photos and an animated gif summing up the whole process, plus answers to 12 common questions knitters have about Kitchener stitch.
If you find our guide useful, I encourage you to email it to yourself, pin it on Pinterest, or even paste a link to it in your Ravelry project notes so that you have access to this great resource whenever you need it.
Finally, whenever you have a pattern that tells you to finish your knitting with Kitchener stitch, you can go to those saved links or just go to KnitFreedom.com and search for Kitchener stitch. You'll have access to the only resource you'll ever need for understanding exactly how to do and excel at Kitchener stitch.
So check out our Complete Kitchener Stitch Guide today because you deserve to always have great tutorials at your fingertips.
knitfreedom.com/blog/kitchener-stitch
--- ABOUT KNITFREEDOM'S KNITTING SUPERSTAR UNIVERSITY ---
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To improve your tension on Kitchener stitch, try the following tips:
- Only cut as much tail as you need, not more
- Stop every few stitches to see how your bind-off looks. Give the finished section of the bind-off a little tug as you go, so that you can see if it’s too tight or too loose.
- Pull your yarn carefully when pulling it through the stitches. Do not pull hard. Pull until the yarn is just snug.
- Bring the needles close to each other every time you pull the yarn through. If you keep them far apart, it will make it difficult to get the tension right.
- The row of stitches you’re creating should match the tension of the surrounding stitches.
If your Kitchener stitch is too loose, you can use your tapestry needle to move the loose yarn down the bind-off and tighten up the bind-off. If it is too tight, you should undo your bind-off and start again (how to undo your Kitchener stitch bind-off: youtu.be/uJIFAXoPVEM)
For a step-by-step photo tutorial of Kitchener stitch, a downloadable cheat sheet, and lots of Kitchener stitch tips and tricks, see our Complete Video Guide to Seaming Your Knitting With Kitchener Stitch (knitfreedom.com/blog/kitchener-stitch-video-instructions-complete-guide).
To watch this Kitchener stitch tension video on KnitFreedom, go to:
knitfreedom.com/knitting-video/how-to-have-great-tension-on-kitchener-stitch
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This is an advanced sewn bind-off that is completely flat and invisible. It is slow but it gets faster as you get better at it.
Not only is this a fabulous way to invisibly join two pieces of knitting, this technique is used in a lot of other advanced bind-offs, making it an investment in your future knitting happiness.
I would consider it “required” for intermediate knitters.
For a step-by-step photo tutorial, downloadable cheat sheet, and lots of Kitchener stitch tips and tricks, see our Complete Video Guide to Seaming Your Knitting With Kitchener Stitch (knitfreedom.com/blog/kitchener-stitch-video-instructions-complete-guide).
Instructions:
To prepare, cut your yarn tail as follows:
Measure out three times the width of the stitches to be bound off, plus add 6 inches for weaving in. Cut yarn.
Thread yarn onto a tapestry needle.
Setup Stitches:
1. Go purlwise into first stitch on front needle. Pull yarn through.
2. Go knitwise into first stitch on back needle. Pull yarn through.
After you do the setup above, repeat the following steps:
1. Go knitwise into first stitch on front needle. Take the stitch off.
2. Go purlwise into first stitch on front needle. Pull yarn through.
3. Go purlwise into first stitch on back needle. Take the stitch off.
4. Go knitwise into first stitch on back needle. Pull yarn through.
To finish, work step 1 and then 3.
To easily remember Kitchener stitch, repeat the following mantra: (front needle) Knit off, purl; (back needle) Purl off, knit.
To watch this video on KnitFreedom, go to:
knitfreedom.com/knitting-video/kitchener-stitch-without-fear
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My tip for understanding this bind-off without having to learn a "new" technique:
- To feed the yarn through the stitch knitwise, purl. Pull the yarn through.
- To feed the yarn through the stitch purlwise, knit. Pull the yarn through.
Watch the video to see what I mean.
To prepare:
- Cut the yarn tail as for normal Kitchener stitch (3x the width of stitches to be bound off, plus 6 inches for weaving in).
- Tension the yarn tail in your fingers as for knitting (American or Continental style).
Setup: Work steps 2 and 4 below once.
Repeat:
1. Front needle: Purl the first stitch and pull the yarn through. Take the stitch off.
2. Front needle: Knit the first stitch and pull the yarn through. Leave the stitch on.
3. Back needle: Knit the first stitch and pull the yarn through. Take the stitch off.
4. Back needle: Purl the first stitch and pull the yarn through. Leave the stitch on.
To finish: When you have 1 stitch left on each needle, work steps 1 and 3 above once.
For a step-by-step photo tutorial of Kitchener stitch, a downloadable cheat sheet, and lots of Kitchener stitch tips and tricks, see our Complete Video Guide to Seaming Your Knitting With Kitchener Stitch (knitfreedom.com/blog/kitchener-stitch-video-instructions-complete-guide).
To watch this video on KnitFreedom, go to:
knitfreedom.com/knitting-video/kitchener-stitch-without-a-tapestry-needle
--- ABOUT KNITFREEDOM'S KNITTING SUPERSTAR UNIVERSITY ---
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
To undo Kitchener stitch, take the tapestry needle and follow the path of yarn back through the stitches the way you came, putting each stitch back on the needle, with the needle going in from front to back through the stitch, as you go. Do this very carefully. This will take some time but it will be worth it the effort to get a bind-off you are proud of.
For a step-by-step photo tutorial of Kitchener stitch, a downloadable cheat sheet, and lots of Kitchener stitch tips and tricks, see our Complete Video Guide to Seaming Your Knitting With Kitchener Stitch (knitfreedom.com/blog/kitchener-stitch-video-instructions-complete-guide).
To watch this video on KnitFreedom, go to:
knitfreedom.com/knitting-video/how-to-undo-kitchener-stitch
--- ABOUT KNITFREEDOM'S KNITTING SUPERSTAR UNIVERSITY —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
This method works for Magic Loop as well as regular round knitting on circular needles.
For a step-by-step photo tutorial of Kitchener stitch, a downloadable cheat sheet, and lots of Kitchener stitch tips and tricks, see our Complete Video Guide to Seaming Your Knitting With Kitchener Stitch (knitfreedom.com/blog/kitchener-stitch-video-instructions-complete-guide).
Instructions
Place your provisional cast-on stitches onto a circular needle.
Cut the tail yarn to leave 4x the circumference of the tube to be seamed. Put the tail yarn on a tapestry needle.
Fold your knitted tube so that the provisional cast-on circular needle is in the back and the working stitches are on the circular needle in the front. Bring the last stitches of the back needle of the back tube up to the back of the first stitches of the front tube. Ignore the needles in the middle.
Place a marker into the first stitch on the front needle of the working stitches and into the first stitch on the back needle of the provisional stitches.
There are no setup stitches needed for Kitchener in the round.
Kitchener in the round is worked as for regular Kitchener stitch. Repeat the following sequence:
1. FRONT NEEDLE: Feed the tapestry needle knitwise through the first stitch. Remove stitch.
2. FRONT NEEDLE: Feed the tapestry needle purlwise through the second stitch. Leave stitch on.
3. BACK NEEDLE: Feed the tapestry needle purlwise through the first stitch. Remove stitch.
4. BACK NEEDLE: Feed the tapestry needle knitwise through the second stitch. Leave stitch on.
Finishing
When you have one stitch left on each needle, work the following sequence:
Work step 1 above. Place the reserved stitch with the marker on the needle. Feed the tapestry needle purlwise through the stitch. Remove the stitch.
Work step 3 above. Place the reserved stitch with the marker on the needle. Feed the tapestry needle knitwise through the stitch. Remove the stitch.
Weave in ends using duplicate stitch. Use ends to close any remaining gaps in the fabric.
To watch this video on KnitFreedom, go to:
knitfreedom.com/knitting-video/kitchener-stitch-in-the-round
--- ABOUT KNITFREEDOM'S KNITTING SUPERSTAR UNIVERSITY —-
Trying to learn and master knitting on your own is frustrating. Knitting Superstar University is a video knitting school that teaches you everything you need to know so you can knit any project with confidence. Get instant access at knitfreedom.com
We are thrilled to have knitCompanion creator Sally Holt here to tell you about her amazing app! In this demonstration video, she will take you through the main features of this sophisticated tool using a pattern from KnitFreedom as her example.
KnitCompanion is a pattern-tracking app for knitters and fiber artists, which is designed to help you keep track of where you are in the pattern as you knit. Even if you put your knitting down mid-row, the app can mark the point where you stopped for you.
It also helps you keep important reference material at your fingertips. You can easily pull up the key while you're knitting, even if it's on a different page. You can flip pages of the pattern within the app without losing your place. And you can link your favorite video tutorials for tricky stitches right into the app, so you can watch them in the app while you work the stitch.
The app has intelligent chart recognition, which means you can import the chart directly from your pattern. You then have a host of special features to help you navigate it, including reminders, one-tap markers, and magic markers (which help you count stitches).
Perhaps the most exciting feature of the app is its voice control function, which means you can track your place in the pattern without ever having to put down your needles.
KnitCompanion even connects to Ravelry, so you can easily import your patterns and view them within the app.
"It is just SUCH A BENEFIT."
In this short video you will discover where KnitFreedom Premium student Judi J. was in her knitting before she found KnitFreedom, and where she is now.
"I'm a very... sporadic knitter," explains Judi, a retired knitter from a tech family who loves going on cruises. "I learned to knit and purl in the third grade, and I made one scarf and put knitting away until I was married.
"When I got married a made one sweater, I have no idea how, since I had no [knitting knowledge]. I then put knitting away until now [that I'm retired].
"I realized that I want to do a lot more things, but I have no idea how. I went to take a [private one-on-one] knitting lesson at my local yarn store - that cost $30 an hour. So my first lesson ended up being $75! I went one other time, and then though, 'I can't afford this!'
"So I started looking online and I found your site, KnitFreedom. I didn't know what that was so I checked it out and found the Premium program. I started doing the math and realized, 'Wow, this is cheap!' I wanted the whole program and I thought, 'This works out to less than $15 a month!'
"So I did it and I can tell you I have not regretted it one bit. I can look so many things up, and on my own time, too, which is, more often than not, at two o'clock in the morning. I'm not a regular 9-5 person.
"I've now done two pairs of socks, and I never thought I could knit socks! I've also done two sweaters. When I had a problem on one of my sweaters, I contacted KnitFreedom and they walked me through the whole thing.
"I'm so happy with the program. One thing I love is there's no pressure! When you listen to Liat start the class, she just speaks so calmly, and I'm like, 'Okay, where's the pressure?' But there's no pressure.
"Sometimes, and I think she may do this on purpose, she makes a little mistake and then just says, 'That's ok, I'm going to walk you through how to fix that!' I love that.
"And those are some of the reasons why I am so happy with and wholeheartedly recommend the Premium program. It's just such a benefit."
Have you experienced this in your knitting, where you can feel the yarn ball tugging at the yarn on your hand and you kind of just ignore it?
I've developed a good tension habit that I wanted to share with you that has helped me knit a lot more comfortably (and faster).
Every time you feel tension in your yarn coming from the yarn ball, slide your hand down the working yarn out to arm's length, THREE TIMES. That's right, pull three arms' lengths' worth of yarn out of your ball before starting to knit.
You can do this at the beginning of every round or row or anytime you feel your yarn getting tight again.
Are you going to try this habit next time you knit? Let me know in the comments!
For more tension and knit faster tricks, explore knitfreedom.com/knitting-topic/knit-faster
To bind off on two-at-a-time socks, you'll need to save the very last stitch of the first half of the first sock. Reserve it on the needle. Then bind off the second sock. Then resume binding off the first sock.
Here is the trick I mentioned about how to neaten the last stitch of your bind-off in the round:
knitfreedom.com/blog/neaten-last-st-bind-off-round
This example is shown with Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off, but the concept will work for the Invisible Ribbed Bind-off or any knitted or sewn bind-off.
Here is how to do JSSBO (Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off): knitfreedom.com/blog/jssbo-jenys-surprisingly-stretchy-bind-off
Here is how to do the Invisible Ribbed Bind-Off:
knitfreedom.com/knitting-video/invisible-ribbed-bind-off-for-1x1-rib
Here are all our Stretchy Bind-Offs:
knitfreedom.com/knitting-topic/bind-offs/stretchy-ribbed-bind-offs
For a step-by-guide on how to knit toe-up, two-at-a-time socks and really get addicted to how fun it is, check out our class knitfreedom.com/shop/toe-up-socks.
How to take off one or both socks from your two-at-a-time knitting project to unravel or fix mistakes and then put it/them back on.
How to do easier increases on your toe-up socks: KFB (Knit Front-and-Back) instead of M1 (Make One)
How to remove or take out knit and/or purl stitches one by one from your knitting. Fixing knitting mistakes, tinking, taking out stitches, removing mistakes in your knitting.
To check your gauge in the round, make a swatch on Magic Loop or DPNs and hold your gauge-checker over the stitches. Count how many stitches are in one inch.
My favorite bind-off for toe-up socks is Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off (JSSBO). It is easy to memorize, easy to do, stretchy, fast, and great for the tops of toe-up socks. Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off works with 1x1 rib, 2x2 rib, or any combination of knits and purls.
The blog link above includes the free video and a step-by-step photo tutorial.
The Tulips Buttonhole by TechKnitter is a perfectly-formed, strong buttonhole with even cast-on and bind-off edges. I highly recommend investing time in learning this advanced technique. The blog link above includes free video and step-by-step photo instructions.
Our giveaway has ended, and the lucky winner has been notified via email (we had thousands of entries – thank you so much for your support).
If you didn’t win the bundle, have no fear – there’s something special here for you, too. I didn’t want to leave you out if you didn’t win the giveaway, so I’ve added an exclusive bonus just for the next few days.
When you purchase Fantastic Mosaics before 11:59pm Pacific time on Monday (3/30/15), you’ll receive a special series of bonus coaching emails where I’ll walk you through the entire course step-by-step with bonus tips, helpful links, and encouragement along the way.
Fantastic Mosaics: http://knitfreedom.com/mosaics
Fantastic Mosaics has already had some amazing feedback from our reviewers.
Peggy W. said, “This is so fun I couldn’t stop knitting! The video is, as always, perfect.” Thanks, Peggy!
About.com’s Sarah White called Fantastic Mosaics “a fun, detailed and approachable guide to the technique.”
I can’t wait for you to see what makes mosaics fantastic!
Learn more about Fantastic Mosaics: http://knitfreedom.com/mosaics
http://youtu.be/LNvRfpoDc8k
Brick Pattern Instructions in the description!
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have made a little mosaic swatch of a simple brick pattern, which happens to be the foundation of quite a few cute and easy projects (like the Ballband Dishcloth above).
You’ll also learn how to switch colors neatly when making stripes (which is key in mosaic knitting because you only knit one color at a time, so you have to alternate between the yarns every couple rows – read: stripes).
Lastly, you’ll learn my favorite quick tip for binding off that will make any swatch lay flat and even (gotta love that).
Here’s the swatch we’ll be making:
Easy Mosaic Brick Pattern – Sample Swatch Tutorial
Row 1: (RS): With MC: K.
Row 2: (WS): Purl.
Row 3: Switch to CC: *K5, Sl 1, rep from * to last 5 sts, end k5.
Row 4: *P5, Sl 1, rep from * to last 5 sts, end p5.
Row 5: With MC, repeat row 1.
Row 6: Repeat row 2.
Row 7: With CC, k2, *Sl 1, k5, rep from * to last 3 sts, end Sl 1, k2.
Row 8: P2, *p5, Sl 1, rep from * to last 3 sts, end p2.
Row 9: With MC: K.
Row 10 (WS): BO in knit¹.
¹“Bind off in knit” means knit each stitch as you bind it off (even though you’re on the WS).
Knitting the whole swatch should take 20-30 minutes (that’s just a guess). My video is about 10 minutes long, and I show you everything except for the plain knitting rows.
Prepare Your Yarn and Needles
Bazinga chunky self striping yarn
Chunky yarn is my favorite for practice swatches
Time to get your yarn and needles out! Find two colors of yarn that are the same weight, that is, two worsted-weight yarns, two bulky-weight yarns, etc.
Get a pair of straight needles in the size recommended on your yarn band (US size 7 for worsted weight and US size 9 for bulky weight).
Bulky yarn is my favorite choice of weights for swatching and learning new techniques.
Next, look over the instructions for the Easy Mosaic Brick Pattern below. If you understand most of the abbreviations, give it a go and try to knit the swatch on your own!
Try the Swatch On Your Own First
The reason I want you to try this swatch on your own first is because when you watch the video with me, you will have some experience and context. You also might have some questions you want answered. It’s also good practice in just trusting yourself to read a new pattern, uninfluenced by any prior explanation.
If you don’t want to knit the swatch on your own, or don’t understand the pattern instructions, that’s ok – I’ve explained everything in the videos and in the photo tutorials that follow.
(In my upcoming mosaic knitting video class, Fantastic Mosaics, I give you tips and troubleshooting videos to help you get the most out of this tutorial, so if you have any trouble at all, know that there’s more than just what you see here.)
Last thing before you get started – If you prefer photo tutorials to video (or if you just need a reminder as you’re working through the swatch), there are detailed step-by-step photo instructions on my blog post: http://knitfreedom.com/color-knitting/how-to-do-basic-mosaic-knitting-video-photo-tutorial.
In this mosaic knitting video I use blue for my MC (main color) and yellow for my CC (contrasting color).
youtube.com/watch?v=1xVLbVs-C-Q
Read the blog post: knitfreedom.com/blog/fix-knitting-back-shoulder-neck-pain-esther-gokhale
After a yoga injury a couple years ago, I have struggled with back pain that has confused my doctors and physical therapists.
After feeling stuck and not getting much better, I became depressed and gained weight. This also impacted my knitting – no one wants to knit while they are in pain!
I began searching high and low for an answer that did not include medication or surgery.
Fortunately, I stumbled across a book and teacher that eventually changed my life and helped me heal my back. I just knew I had to share this technique with all my fellow knitters!
Plus, instead of doing a book review, I thought – why not film a video with the author herself?
So Esther Gokhale, the “Posture Guru of Silicon Valley,” and I set out to record a video just for you on how to relieve back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Summary and Recap – 5 Ways To Relieve Back Pain for Knitters
1. The Shoulder Roll
Because of the shapes of our couches, chairs, and car seats, our shoulders tend to get hunched forward over time. Concentrating on your knitting makes it worse.
Shoulder repositioning is an easy way to start fixing your posture and relieving your back pain.
2. Stretchsitting
To mitigate the fatigue of sitting and compressing your spine, you can use a backrest to traction your back and actually stretch and heal it as you sit.
3. Stand up periodically
Every 15 minutes you should be standing up.
Stand up and do what feels good!
Tip: Whenever you feel a little uncomfortable and start to move and shift in your chair – THAT’S a sign from your body to stand up! – like how about right now?
4. Stacksitting
When you’re not sitting against the back rest of a chair, you probably alternate between relaxed and slumped or being upright and tense. Both of those do damage.
The Goal: you want to be upright and relaxed. The key to this is to have the pelvis well-positioned.
5. Lengthen the Neck
This technique will help relieve tension in the jaw and face, and it often helps reduce chronic headaches and jaw pain.
About the Gokhale Method Institute
The Gokhale Method helps people restore their natural architecture — the posture and movement ways that we all had as little children.
Up until 100 years ago people had excellent architecture and movement patterns. You still see the same patterns in some cultures around the world today — and all those people are free of back pain!
The Gokhale Method helps you get back to that health and posture efficiently and in a sustained way.
Leave a Comment
Which of these techniques really hits home for you? Did you experience any relief right away? What other movement tips would you recommend to other readers? Leave a comment below and let me know.
Read the blog post for more tips and pointers:
http://knitfreedom.com/back-pain
youtube.com/watch?v=qM0ICNdpp28
Become a Knitting Superstar: knitfreedom.com/shop/knitting-superstar This webinar replay features video knitting coach extraordinaire Liat Gat showing you the top three tips all knitting superstars need to know.
Make sure you watch for the special webinar-only discount at 41:23.
You can knit anything your heart desires, especially with Liat’s support!
Read the blog to see what's coming up next: knitfreedom.com/blog
youtube.com/watch?v=glmnExHLLKw
For the blog post: http://knitfreedom.com/interviews/october-podcast-interview-liat
I asked my good friend and KnitFreedom Marketing Mastermind Stacy to interview me, and she asked lots of good questions that you may want to know the answer to. I hope you enjoy!
Please leave a comment on this video with any thoughts or feedback you have.
youtube.com/watch?v=OAFgU-K2UhU


