Saturday Stitch: Stepping Garter Stitch

Every Saturday I will share with you a new stitch.
Today's stitch is: Stepping Garter Stitch.

This pattern stitch is reversible; and is more textured on the right side; the garter stitches run diagonally in the other direction on the wrong side against a background of reverse stockinette.  Great for sweaters, scarves, throws, pillows etc. You need a stitch number multiple of 8 + 2 edge stitches. Repeat the pattern between the * as many times as you like.

Instructions :

Row 1 and all odd rows(RS): knit
Rows 2 and 4:  Edge st *k4, p4; rep from * to last st, edge st.
Rows 6 and 8: Edge st, k2, *p4, k4; rep from *, ending p4, k2, edge st.
Rows 10 and 12: Edge st, *p4, k4; rep from * to last, edge st.
Rows 14 and 16: Edge st, p2, *k4, p4, rep from *, ending k4, p2, edge st.

Difficulty level: Easy

Beginers Knitting part 3: Cast Off and First Project.

When you reach the end of your knitting project, you must get the stitches off the needle. The method of doing this is known as casting off or binding off.

There is one main method for casting off, which involves knitting or purling as in the pattern and slipping the finished stitches over each other until you have only one stitch left, which is then closed with the tail end of the yarn.

To start casting off, stitch two knit stitches (or you can also stitch two purl stitches if that works better for your pattern – either one).

Now you should have two loops on the right needle.

Take your left needle and push it through the second loop on your right needle (the first loop you made).

Pull the loop up and over the first loop and off of the right needle.

Now you will have One loop on the right needle and it will look something like this.

Knit another stitch so you have two on the right needle again.

Pull the loop up and over the first loop and off of the right needle again.

Continue repeating this down the row.

Now you should have all of the stitches off of both needles, except for one left on the right needle.

Pull the loop off the needle and cut the yarn, leaving several inches to work with.

Push the excess yarn through the last loop.Pull it tight to tie off the end of the row.

Now you should know how to do all the basics of knitting to get going on some fun projects!

When you're a new knitter it can be difficult to decide what patterns to knit. How do you know which ones are easy enough for you to manage and which ones require skills you don't yet have?

This Garter Stitch Scarf is the perfect first knitting pattern because all you have to know to complete it is how to cast on, knit and bind off. The bulky yarn makes it a really quick project, too, which is super-satisfying for a new knitter. More experienced knitters should take a look at this pattern, too. It makes a handsome scarf that you can complete in just a couple of hours--perfect for last-minute gift giving.

Materials:

One skein super-bulky yarn, around 100 yards 

Size 13 needles, straight

This makes a scarf about five inches wide and 60 inches long, depending on the yardage of your chosen yarn.

Instructions:

1. Cast on 12 stitches.
2. Knit every row until you have about a yard of yarn left.
3. Cast off leaving a tail of 6inches.

Once you've cast off you'll want to know what to do with the tail, well this needs to be hidden by weaving in. This was covered in a previous post so if you click on the link you'll get all the info.
This is a wonderful all-purpose scarf pattern. You can make it with any kind of yarn or with a couple of different kinds of yarn held together. If you want to use a different weight of yarn, check on the label to see what sized needles are recommended and use them instead of the size 13s. You might also need a few more stitches if you're using lighter weight yarn in order to get a nice width. Or you can make a super-skinny scarf. That's fun, too!

Next Lesson - Basic stitch patterns 

Easy Knit Handbag

If you're not careful it's easy to become obsessed with knitting bags! Not that that's a bad thing. This Easy Knit Handbag is the perfect project for beginners who are ready to try knitting more than just scarves. Knit with straight knitting needles, this pattern uses the stockinette stitch and garter stitch to create  texture. I love easy knitting patterns that are practical, stylish and fun to make! This free knit bag pattern is really cute you'll want to make it right away.

Materials:
100grm  Ribbon type yarn
100grm Double knitting type yarn
Size 4mm needles or size to obtain gauge
Two Handles
1 piece of cardboard 4inches wide x 10inches long for bottom of bag.


Gauge - Two yarns knit together
26 sts = 4”; 24 rows = 4” in Pat St
TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE


Note
The base of the bag is double thickness with cardboard in between.


Bag Front


With 4mm needles and both yarns together cast on 24 stitches and work 10 rows Stockinette stitch ( rightside row knit, wrongside row purl).


Next cast on 10 sts at begining of next two rows  -44sts


Pattern
Work 8 rows garter stitch ( every row knit)
Next work 10 rows Stockinette stitch
 Repeat these 18 rows three times then a further 8 rows garter stitch.
Cast off.


Bag Back
Work same as the front.
Base/Side Strip
Cast on 30 sts and work in garter st for 24 inches. 
Cast off.

In the same maner make a second strip 10 inches long.


FINISHING
Lay the 10 inche strip on top of the 24 inch strip centering the shorter strip. Sew both long edges leaving the narrow edges open, this forms a pocket on each side and a double base. Insert cardboard between the 2 strips before completing the second edge and tack strips tog at bottom of pockets to hold cardboard in place. Sew one long edge to the front and one long edge to the back sections.
Place one handle at the cast on edge of thr front of bag, Fold cast on edge over to secure handle and sew in place. Repeat for bag back. Line if desired.




The secret of the knitted bag is choosing the correct yarn then adding your own little twist. Have a go and let your creative juices flow!