Online Knitting Hub

When I returned to knitting after a long break, I'd completely forgotten how to make a slip knot to enable me to cast on. I watched countless videos on Youtube, to try to master the technique again, but just couldn't manage it. I think I had some weird lack of spatial awareness, which prevented me from reproducing what was advertised as an easy peasy technique! However, I finally found a video (below) that helped my particular way of learning. As soon as I watched it, it clicked and I was immediately able to make a slip knot. I now show this to first time knitters, as I feel other techniques unnecessarily complicate things.

I love this free knitting pattern for a cute baby hoodie. It so simple to knit as well, so it shouldn't be too challenging for beginner knitters.  It's designed for babies from 6 months, to toddler stage. And it'll be perfect for early Spring days to keep little ones nice and cosy. It's available over at Fave crafts , and would make a great weekend project. What a great gift it would make for an expectant Mum too.

Poppet the Poodle, would make an adorable cuddly toy, for any young child. This Vintage knitting pattern is from the 1950s, and uses loop stitches to make the curls. And the good news is, that the pattern is available for free over at  Ravelry  

Knitting with colour adds interest to your work, but to a beginner knitter it may seem a challenge to actually do this. However, changing colours when you’re knitting really is easier than you would think. There is no need to cut the yarn between colour changes when knitting colour work or stripes. By carrying the yarn up the side of your work this allows you to bring different colour yarns up the edge without unsightly knots spoiling your knitting where a colour change has taken place. The above video from Knit Purl Hunter , will guide you step-by-step, through the process of  making the yarn colour change. The process is also exactly the same as explained if you are adding a new ball of yarn to your knitting

Making a yarn-over is a simple way to increase stitches when knitting. Using a yarn-over makes a small hole as well as a new stitch, so is sometimes referred to as a 'visible' increase.  Yarn-overs are used to make garments bigger or to add some shape when knitting .  Some patterns use yarn-over techniques to intentionally add holes as part of the design. Placed carefully yarn-overs can make your knitting appear light and airy. The most common situation in which ... MORE you will be asked to do a yarn-over when knitting, is between two knit stitches, but that is not the only way to do it. You can also increase at the beginning of a row as knitting tutorial below explains.   Some knitters become confused when asked to yarn-over at the beginning of a row. They can't understand how to wrap the yarn around the needle when there's nothing to hold it in place? But all you have to do is drape the yarn over the right-hand needle and immediately make the next stit...

Beginner knitter shawl pattern Shawls come in many shapes, sizes, and weights.  Once they were associated with little old granny's in a rocking chair, but they've been back in fashion for some time. Not only are they a great way of keeping warm on cooler evenings, they are also a fashion accessory, worn by many A-list celebrities.  And as they are so easy to knit, what better excuse do you need to knit one? One of the first things I ever knitted was a shawl, and I was really pleased by how simple it was to make something, that actually looked quite professional at the end of the project. And this makes it particularly beginner knitter friendly.  As it’s so easy to do, it’s also one of those knitting projects that you can knit anywhere, as not too much concentration is required. Ideal therefore, if you’re settling down to watch a movie, as you don’t have to have your eye on it all the time to avoid mistakes. The shawl pattern I outline b...

There are many different ways of casting on when knitting. But the thumb cast-on, which is also known as the single needle cast-on, or backward loop cast-on, is probably one of the simplest. And this of course, makes it particularly 'beginner knitter' friendly. As so many people learn knitting more easily, by being shown rather than reading about it, I thought I would share this excellent video tutorial, from Patricia Cox, at the Baldy Sheep Company , which shows you how to master this method. This quick method is excellent if you have a lot of stitches to cast on, or you need a stretchy, flexible edge (such as in knitting a lacy type pattern)

Easy Vintage Slipper Pattern We’ve certainly had our share of cold winter weather of late, so what a great excuse to spend a few hours knitting up a pair of cosy slippers for yourself, or a family member, with this super easy knitting pattern. This beginner friendly vintage slipper pattern was originally published in the 1950s, but still looks fashionable today. As it is an American pattern, I’ve converted the original yarn type and needle sizes used, into the UK equivalent.  I've also altered some American terminology and added a few extra instructions where it may be unclear. Here’s how to make your Retro knitted slippers: Instructions are for Child's size, changes for Women's and Men's sizes are in brackets Wool/Yarn used:  Chunky Knit Size Needles: 8mm (or size to achieve gauge below) GAUGE: 3 sts = 1 inch   To begin: Cast on 25 (29-35) sts. Row 1 - wrong side - K 9 (10-12), p 1, k 5 (7-9), p 1, k 9 (10-12) sts. Row 2...

Never lose your keys again, with this free quick & easy knitting pattern for a key ring, by Redheart.  As a plus, it's also beginner friendly. It would also make a lovely gift too, for a child or adult. Follow the link below now to download the pdf pattern for free. Free key ring knitting pattern  

 From the DogWood Series, by Erwan Fichou, Devoted dog owners know from cuddling their animals, just how soft and warm dog fur is. But some dog owners have taken this appreciation for their pet’s fur coat further, by actually collecting their pet’s moulted hair, spinning it and then knitting it up into sweaters. The ancient art of dog spinning, known as 'Chiengora', has been around for thousands of years. But if you aren’t handy with a spinning wheel and knitting needles yourself, then there are several companies that will turn your beloved pet’s cast off fur into garments. For instance Knit Your Dog makes custom sweaters, gloves, scarves, ponchos, baby booties, and more from the fur of man's best friend. Founder Jeannie Sanke, favourite saying about the process is that, the 'shed happens, but it can be a beautiful thing' - specifically in the form of warm winter accessories.  Although she admits not every breed of dog is suitable for thi...

A yarn over is a way of making an extra knitted stitch on your knitting needle and creating a deliberate small hole in your fabric. Yarn overs can be used as decorative stitches, in lace patterns, or as increases, or when paired with a decrease a buttonhole. Yarn overs, especially for the beginner knitter, can be a little tricky, but this great video, from the Knitwitch, explains beautifully how to knit a 'yarn over'. And of course, once you've mastered it, it's a great tool to have in your bag of knitting tricks!

If you are a fan of vintage knits, or you are just looking for something a bit different, then, why not get busy knitting this simple but pretty, 1950s, shrug, which is a perfect cover-up on cool evenings.  It's knitted as one straight piece, with no increases or decreases - just four seams to sew up.  With regard to sizing, this is an American pattern, so please bear in mind that American sizes are one size larger than UK sizes, i.e. size 14 US size, would be a 16 in the UK. I've also added a few extra instructions where I felt a beginner knitter, may be unfamiliar with certain terms   Instructions will fit Sizes 10 to 18. The wool suggested to knit this pattern, is naturally after so long 'discontinued' COATS& CLARK'S "RED HEART" KNITTING WORSTED, 4 Ply, 10 ounces of No. 818 Blue Jewel. Knitting needles, 1 pair No. 10. ( UK 6mm/Size 4 ) GAUGE: 4 sts = 1 inch; 5 rows = 1 inch. Starting at the centre back...

Glass booties Carol Milne Carol Milne, is a Seattle-based artist who has developed a weird and wacky approach to knitting - she knits with glass! Yes, that's right, glass! Carol  is a self-taught knitter, but says knitting was always more of a  hobby than a career, until one day back in 2006, she developed a process of creating beautiful knitted glass sculptures.     Since then she has created dozens of amazing pieces, that are exhibited throughout the world and are in big demand by collectors.   The Process:   On her website, Carol explains how she developed the process.   She said: "You may be picturing my lightning fingers, industrial needles and miles of glass strands, all poised in front of a torch. And as a sucker for a good story, I would love to tell that you’re exactly right. Like the Roadrunner cartoon character, my hands move so fast, all you can see is a blur. "But alas, like real life kn...