Difference between revisions of "Knit a Beanie"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Preparing Your Materials === | === Preparing Your Materials === | ||
| − | #Choose a yarn. Yarns come in a variety of “weights,” meaning some yarns are thin and delicate while others are chunky and thick.<ref>http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html</ref> The thinner the yarn, the more stitches you have to knit to create a length of fabric. The lightest weight — "fingering" — would call for a lot of yarn and time to create a simple hat. This pattern calls for a nice medium-weight yarn: "worsted" yarn. | + | #Choose a yarn. Yarns come in a variety of “weights,” meaning some yarns are thin and delicate while others are chunky and thick.<ref name="rf1">http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html</ref> The thinner the yarn, the more stitches you have to knit to create a length of fabric. The lightest weight — "fingering" — would call for a lot of yarn and time to create a simple hat. This pattern calls for a nice medium-weight yarn: "worsted" yarn. |
#*Look on the yarn's packaging for the weight. "Worsted" yarn is signified by the number 4. | #*Look on the yarn's packaging for the weight. "Worsted" yarn is signified by the number 4. | ||
#*Remember to choose an appropriate fiber. You probably wouldn't want to wear a hat made out of something itchy and uncomfortable! Cotton, acrylic, and wools, or blends of these fibers are all good choices. | #*Remember to choose an appropriate fiber. You probably wouldn't want to wear a hat made out of something itchy and uncomfortable! Cotton, acrylic, and wools, or blends of these fibers are all good choices. | ||
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#*Cheaper yarns can be rough and uncomfortable, so make sure to give the yarn a touch-test before buying it. To accurately test how it will feel on your head, test it by touching the yarn to the inside of your arm, or to your neck. Simply feeling it with your hands may not suffice. | #*Cheaper yarns can be rough and uncomfortable, so make sure to give the yarn a touch-test before buying it. To accurately test how it will feel on your head, test it by touching the yarn to the inside of your arm, or to your neck. Simply feeling it with your hands may not suffice. | ||
#*You'll need about 200 yards for this pattern. This should be about one skein of yarn, depending on the brand you choose. | #*You'll need about 200 yards for this pattern. This should be about one skein of yarn, depending on the brand you choose. | ||
| − | #Use circular needles sized for your yarn. Each yarn weight calls for a different sized knitting needle. The yarn’s packaging will tell you what size needle you should use. For worsted yarn, like we’re using in this pattern, the Craft Yarn Council recommends using needles sized from 7-9.<ref | + | #Use circular needles sized for your yarn. Each yarn weight calls for a different sized knitting needle. The yarn’s packaging will tell you what size needle you should use. For worsted yarn, like we’re using in this pattern, the Craft Yarn Council recommends using needles sized from 7-9.<ref name="rf1" /> For this pattern, we’ll split the middle and use size 8 needles. |
#*When you think of needles, you might think of two separate sticks. But, “knitting in the round” (making a tube fabric like a beanie or sock) calls for circular needles. | #*When you think of needles, you might think of two separate sticks. But, “knitting in the round” (making a tube fabric like a beanie or sock) calls for circular needles. | ||
#*Circular needles are attached by a length of plastic, so your stitches are always in the same place instead of being split up between two different needles. | #*Circular needles are attached by a length of plastic, so your stitches are always in the same place instead of being split up between two different needles. | ||
#*Circular needles come in different lengths, too. For a hat, choose a 16" size 8 needle. If the plastic connector is too much longer than 16", it will get in the way of your knitting. | #*Circular needles come in different lengths, too. For a hat, choose a 16" size 8 needle. If the plastic connector is too much longer than 16", it will get in the way of your knitting. | ||
| − | #Buy stitch markers for knitting in the round.<ref>http://blog.lionbrand.com/2011/07/25/how-to-use-stitch-markers/</ref> When you're knitting on two separate needles, you can see clearly when you've reached the end of the row. You run out of stitches and have to flip your knitting over. On circular needles, though, you never "run out of stitches." To keep track of where each row begins and ends, buy a stitch marker. | + | #Buy stitch markers for knitting in the round.<ref name="rf2">http://blog.lionbrand.com/2011/07/25/how-to-use-stitch-markers/</ref> When you're knitting on two separate needles, you can see clearly when you've reached the end of the row. You run out of stitches and have to flip your knitting over. On circular needles, though, you never "run out of stitches." To keep track of where each row begins and ends, buy a stitch marker. |
#*A stitch marker is usually a small, circular piece of plastic. You'll slip it onto your needle when you've finished casting on your stitches. | #*A stitch marker is usually a small, circular piece of plastic. You'll slip it onto your needle when you've finished casting on your stitches. | ||
#*When you're knitting each row, you'll know you've come back to where you began when you reach the stitch marker. | #*When you're knitting each row, you'll know you've come back to where you began when you reach the stitch marker. | ||
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=== Creating the Base of the Beanie === | === Creating the Base of the Beanie === | ||
| − | #Gauge your yarn.<ref>http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/05/how-to-measure-your-gauge-in-knitting/</ref> Even though yarns have different weights, each brand is a little bit different. You should always gauge the yarn to see how much fabric you'll actually produce. In gauging, you'll find out how many stitches it takes to create an inch of fabric with your combination of yarn and needles. Make sure it matches the pattern you're working from, or else adjust the number of stitches you make per row. Make sure your hat will be the right size. | + | #Gauge your yarn.<ref name="rf3">http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/05/how-to-measure-your-gauge-in-knitting/</ref> Even though yarns have different weights, each brand is a little bit different. You should always gauge the yarn to see how much fabric you'll actually produce. In gauging, you'll find out how many stitches it takes to create an inch of fabric with your combination of yarn and needles. Make sure it matches the pattern you're working from, or else adjust the number of stitches you make per row. Make sure your hat will be the right size. |
#*Cast on 20 stitches. | #*Cast on 20 stitches. | ||
#*Knit 26 rows. | #*Knit 26 rows. | ||
#*Using a ruler, see how many stitches are in one-inch of the fabric swatch you've made. | #*Using a ruler, see how many stitches are in one-inch of the fabric swatch you've made. | ||
#*For this pattern, 20 stitches knitted for 26 rows should create a 4" x 4" swatch of fabric. | #*For this pattern, 20 stitches knitted for 26 rows should create a 4" x 4" swatch of fabric. | ||
| − | #[[Cast On|Cast on]] your yarn. Casting on is the first step in knitting. It can be a difficult process to describe with words, and there are a wide variety of techniques. You should look up videos online if you’re not familiar with the process.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJQvsZ6kT0&list=PLfM7sm6RRauQ3xuHZDSYuO6zlZtAnmhXr</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtEZGV7r5Pk&index=2&list=PLfM7sm6RRauQ3xuHZDSYuO6zlZtAnmhXr</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G2rSNCcQiw&index=7&list=PLfM7sm6RRauQ3xuHZDSYuO6zlZtAnmhXr</ref> | + | #[[Cast On|Cast on]] your yarn. Casting on is the first step in knitting. It can be a difficult process to describe with words, and there are a wide variety of techniques. You should look up videos online if you’re not familiar with the process.<ref name="rf4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJQvsZ6kT0&list=PLfM7sm6RRauQ3xuHZDSYuO6zlZtAnmhXr</ref><ref name="rf5">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtEZGV7r5Pk&index=2&list=PLfM7sm6RRauQ3xuHZDSYuO6zlZtAnmhXr</ref><ref name="rf6">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G2rSNCcQiw&index=7&list=PLfM7sm6RRauQ3xuHZDSYuO6zlZtAnmhXr</ref> |
#*Create a slip knot and slide it onto one of the needles. The loop should be less-than-snug around the needle. If the loop is too tight, you’ll have trouble slipping the other needle into the stitch. | #*Create a slip knot and slide it onto one of the needles. The loop should be less-than-snug around the needle. If the loop is too tight, you’ll have trouble slipping the other needle into the stitch. | ||
#*Cast on a total of 80 stitches for this pattern. | #*Cast on a total of 80 stitches for this pattern. | ||
