Knitting is one of the most enigmatic art forms existing, yet it goes un-noticed. Nearly 24 million people across the globe say they love knitting, crocheting and crafting with yarns, an art which lets them experience the spectrum of colors, and work with a wide range of textures.
Alternative Health Benefits to Knitting?
If you are wondering why you should learn to knit, it's because not only is knitting about creating or making
fabrics it also happens to be a stress relieving social activity which gives you alternative health benefits that can be very cost effective. You can spend a little on just the basic tools, or a lot on fancy yarns and machinery. A highly creative and constructive hobby, knitting maximizes your time while you improve your health by reducing stress during long travel periods, chatting with friends or are glued to the television set.
While so many people learn to paint, act, dance or play music as a mode of expression, learning to knit stands
apart as a unique portable form of expression that is bound by any definite space or time. It is universal in essence yet significantly individual.
Knitting has its own Midas' touch, its own magical spell and you have that magic in your fingers, all that is required is the realization. Ask avid knitters why you should learn to knit and they'll come up with the confident reply that it's the most beautiful and versatile art form.
Knitting: Relaxation or Fashion?
Some might say it's relaxing; others may say, more fashionable. It has long been the favorite technique for sweater making because of the detailing and color patterning that can be explored, and the supple, fabric the stitches leave as an end product.
Knitting will give you a lifetime of pleasure and relaxation. You can learn to knit and create handmade knits for
yourself and people you love.
Remember while learning to knit
There are some basic points which every beginner should keep in mind when they are learning to knit:
- Should gather all the materials needed to complete the project.
- Try to use the schematic drawing measurements to guide the size selection.
- Read through the instructions; circle the numbers pertaining to the required size.
- Look up any unfamiliar terms in the Knitting Glossary and Abbreviation
There are two kinds of basic stitches that you need to learn in knitting-Knit and Purl. They can be worked alone or together and form the basis of dozens of designs as well as other stitches.
Tools for Knitting
The basic tools needed for beginners when they are learning to knit are:
- Knitting Needles
- Yarn
- Crochet Hook
- Row counter
Knitting requires two needles. You begin by making a slip knot on one needle and "casting on" the number of
stitches you need for the project. The basic stitches are created using both needles, wrapping the yarn over one needle and drawing the wrapped yarn through loops on the other needle. They are of different kinds like Straight knitting needles, which come in aluminum, plastic or wood and Circular knitting needle which are long, flexible needles with a point on each end. These circular needles are growing in popularity because they eliminate seams and the need to continually turn your knitting at the end of a row.
Knitting Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers. Knitting Yarn can be made from any number of
synthetic or natural fibers. There are various kinds of knitting yarn available in the market like Wool, Angora,
Silk, Cashmere and Vicuna.
Crochet Hook, as its name suggests, the "Crochet Hook" has a notch at one end for catching loops of yarn and drawing them through stitches.
Row counter is used to count the number of rows that have been knitted. It is a cylinder with a numbered dial that is pushed onto the needle and is turned at the completion of each row. This is especially helpful when working long pattern repeats.
Once you have thought about what you want to make, you can easily pick up more advanced knitting tools. All the tools that we discussed above are very basic tools that you will need for any knit work that you do.
Your Own Personal Touch to Knitting
What makes the entire activity even more special is the warmth of personal touch it extends to the ones you knit for. Your time, talent, the yarn and color you select -- even the thoughts and feelings you have as you work -- all become part of your knitted gift .
Knitting thus becomes a balancing act between the high-tech, fast-paced lifestyle, and the sense of accomplishment it provides when a project is completed that surpasses all expression. Knitting can also be a source of income for you, if you go online with the great designs you have created and sell them to the beginning knitters all around the world. So, get started and learn to knit today.
