Knitting is a timeless craft that allows you to create beautiful garments and accessories with just a pair of needles and some yarn. However, sometimes you may encounter a mistake or need to add additional stitches to your project. This is where picking up stitches comes in handy.
Picking up stitches is a technique that allows you to add new stitches to your work without having to start over. Whether you need to add stitches for a button band, a collar, or to fix a dropped stitch, knowing how to pick up stitches is a valuable skill for any knitter.
In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of picking up stitches in knitting. We will cover different scenarios, such as picking up stitches along an edge or in the middle of your work, and provide tips and tricks to make the process easier and more enjoyable.
So grab your knitting needles and let’s dive into the world of picking up stitches. With a little practice, you’ll be able to confidently fix mistakes and add any necessary stitches to your knitting projects.
Understanding the Basics of Picking Up Stitches
The process of picking up stitches in knitting is a fundamental skill that allows you to add new stitches to an existing piece of work. Whether you are fixing a mistake, adding an edge or collar, or picking up stitches for a decorative border, understanding the basics of this technique is essential for any knitter.
When picking up stitches, you will be working with the loops along the edge of your knitting piece. These loops are also known as “live stitches” because they are not secured by a bind-off or cast-on edge. By inserting a needle into these loops and working new stitches, you can seamlessly continue your knitting project.
Picking up stitches can be done along different types of edges, such as the cast-on edge, the bind-off edge, or the sides of a piece. The number of stitches you need to pick up will depend on your knitting pattern or desired outcome. Make sure to refer to the pattern instructions or calculate the number of stitches required based on your gauge and measurements.
Here are the basic steps to follow when picking up stitches:
- Hold your knitting piece with the right side facing you.
- Insert the needle into the loop of the first stitch on the edge.
- Wrap the yarn around the needle as if to knit.
- Pull the loop of yarn through the stitch, creating a new stitch on your needle.
- Repeat steps 2-4 until you have picked up the desired number of stitches.
- Continue knitting or following your pattern instructions as needed.
It is important to note that picking up stitches can vary depending on the stitch pattern you are working with. For example, if you are picking up stitches on a garter stitch edge, you may need to pick up through the bumps on the edge instead of the loops. Always refer to your pattern instructions for specific guidance.
By mastering the basics of picking up stitches, you will gain the confidence to tackle a variety of knitting projects. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter, this technique will enhance your knitting skills and allow you to create beautiful and professional-looking finished pieces.
Tools and Materials Needed for Picking Up Stitches
When picking up stitches in knitting, it is important to have the right tools and materials on hand. Here is a list of what you will need:
1. Knitting Needles
Choose a set of knitting needles that are appropriate for the yarn you are using and the desired gauge of your project. For picking up stitches, it is often helpful to use double-pointed needles or a circular needle with a shorter cable.
2. Yarn
Have the same yarn that you used for your project or a similar yarn in the same weight. This ensures that the picked up stitches will blend seamlessly with your existing work.
3. Stitch Marker
A stitch marker can be useful to mark the first stitch where you start picking up stitches. This helps to keep track of your progress and ensures that you are working in the correct direction.
4. Tapestry Needle
A tapestry needle is needed to weave in any loose ends or to secure the picked up stitches. It is also useful for any finishing touches required for your project.
5. Scissors
You will need a pair of scissors to cut the yarn after you have finished picking up stitches or to trim any excess yarn.
6. Stitch Holder or Spare Yarn
If you need to hold stitches while picking up others, a stitch holder or spare yarn can be used. This keeps the stitches secure and prevents them from unraveling.
7. Pattern or Instructions
Ensure you have the pattern or instructions for your project that guide you on where to pick up stitches and how many to pick up for a specific area.
By having these tools and materials ready, you will be well-equipped to pick up stitches in your knitting project with ease and precision.
Step 1: Identifying the Stitch to Be Picked Up
Before you can pick up stitches in knitting, it’s important to first identify the stitch that needs to be picked up. This is usually indicated in your knitting pattern or instructions. Look for any notes or symbols that indicate a dropped or missed stitch.
Once you have identified the stitch, it’s helpful to keep track of its location in your knitting. You can use stitch markers, different colored yarn, or simply count the rows and stitches to ensure you pick up the correct stitch.
If the stitch you need to pick up is a dropped stitch, you may notice a small loop or gap in your knitting. This can be a bit trickier to identify, but with practice, you’ll become more familiar with the appearance of dropped stitches.
It’s important to note that picking up stitches is typically done along the edges of your knitting or in specific areas indicated by your pattern. These stitches may be on the side of your work, in the middle of a row, or around a neckline or sleeve opening.
By identifying the stitch you need to pick up and understanding its location in your knitting, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step of picking up stitches.
Step 2: Preparing the Needle and Yarn
Before you can start picking up stitches, it’s important to make sure your needle and yarn are ready. Follow these steps to prepare them:
- Select the Needle Size: Choose a needle that is appropriate for your project and yarn. The needle size should match the gauge specified in your knitting pattern.
- Thread the Needle with Yarn: Take the end of your yarn and thread it through the eye of the needle. Leave a tail of yarn that is long enough to weave in later.
- Create a Slipknot: Make a slipknot by forming a loop with the yarn, passing the end through the loop, and pulling tight. Slide the slipknot onto the needle, leaving a small space between the slipknot and the end of the needle.
- Prepare the Yarn: Hold the needle in your right hand and the end of the yarn in your left hand. Apply tension to the yarn by wrapping it around your fingers or using a yarn guide. This will help control the tension as you pick up stitches.
Once you have prepared your needle and yarn, you are ready to move on to the next step: picking up stitches.
Step 3: Inserting the Needle and Picking Up the Stitch
Once you have identified the stitch you want to pick up, it’s time to actually insert the needle and pick up the stitch. Follow these steps to do it correctly:
- Select the correct needle size for your project and hold it in your dominant hand. The tip of the needle should be pointing towards the stitch you want to pick up.
- Insert the needle from back to front into the center of the stitch below the dropped or missed stitch. Make sure to insert the needle under both legs of the stitch, just like you would when knitting.
- Using your needle, catch the working yarn and pull it through the center of the stitch, creating a new loop on your needle.
- Slide the new loop onto your left-hand needle, making sure to keep the tension of the working yarn consistent with the rest of your knitting.
- Repeat these steps for each stitch you need to pick up. Make sure to insert the needle into the correct stitch below the dropped or missed stitch, and catch the working yarn to create a new loop each time.
- Continue picking up stitches until you have picked up all the stitches needed for your pattern or until you have fixed all the dropped or missed stitches.
If you are picking up stitches along a selvage edge or other non-stitch edge, you may need to space your stitches evenly. In this case, you can use a tapestry needle or stitch markers to mark the placement of each stitch before picking it up.
Once you have picked up all the stitches, you can continue knitting your project as usual. Remember to keep the tension consistent and make any necessary adjustments to your knitting to accommodate the newly picked up stitches.
Step 4: Working the Picked Up Stitch
Once you have successfully picked up the stitches along the edge, it’s time to work them as instructed in your pattern.
To work the picked up stitch, follow these steps:
- Insert your needle: Insert the right-hand needle into the picked up stitch from front to back, as if you were going to knit it.
- Wrap the yarn: Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle, using the same yarn and tension as the rest of your project.
- Pull through: Pull the right-hand needle through the picked up stitch, creating a new stitch on the right-hand needle.
Repeat these steps for each picked up stitch along the edge. Make sure to maintain the same tension and stitch size as the rest of your project to ensure consistency.
If your pattern instructs you to work a specific stitch pattern, such as knitting, purling, or a specific stitch combination, make sure to follow those instructions as you work the picked up stitches. This will create the desired pattern and texture.
Continue working the picked up stitches as instructed in your pattern until you reach the end of the row or the specified number of stitches.
Remember to keep track of any stitch markers or pattern repeats as you work the picked up stitches. This will help you maintain the correct stitch count and pattern alignment.
Once you have completed working the picked up stitches, you can continue with the next section of your project, following the instructions in your pattern.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Picking Up Stitches
While picking up stitches in knitting is generally a straightforward process, there are some common issues that can arise. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you overcome these challenges:
Problem: Stitches are too tight
If the stitches you are trying to pick up are too tight, it can be difficult to insert the needle into them. To solve this issue, try using a smaller needle or loosening the tension on your yarn.
Problem: Stitches are too loose
On the other hand, if the stitches are too loose, they may not hold their shape well once picked up. To fix this problem, try using a larger needle or tightening the tension on your yarn.
Problem: Unevenly spaced stitches
Sometimes when picking up stitches, you may end up with uneven spacing. This can be caused by accidentally skipping stitches or picking up too many stitches in one area. To correct this, carefully count the stitches as you pick them up, making sure they are evenly spaced.
Problem: Picking up stitches in the wrong direction
It’s important to pick up stitches in the correct direction in order to maintain the proper stitch pattern. If you find that you have picked up stitches in the wrong direction, simply drop them off the needle and try again, being mindful of the correct direction.
Problem: Stitches are twisted
If the stitches you have picked up appear twisted on the needle, it could be that you have inserted the needle into the back loop instead of the front loop. To fix this, carefully remove the twisted stitches from the needle and reinsert the needle into the front loop of the stitches.
Problem: Difficulty picking up stitches in a specific stitch pattern
Some stitch patterns can be trickier to pick up stitches in than others. If you are finding it difficult to pick up stitches in a particular stitch pattern, try using a smaller needle or using a crochet hook to help pull the stitches through.
Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to picking up stitches in knitting. With time and experience, you’ll become more comfortable troubleshooting these common issues and achieving the desired results.
Finishing Off and Incorporating Picked Up Stitches Into Your Project
After you have picked up the desired number of stitches, it is time to finish off and incorporate them into your knitting project. Here are the steps to follow:
- Once you have finished picking up stitches, ensure that you have the same number of stitches on your needle as required by the pattern.
- If necessary, transfer the newly picked up stitches onto a separate knitting needle or stitch holder to keep them secure while you work on the rest of your project.
- Continue knitting according to the pattern, incorporating the picked up stitches as directed. Pay attention to any changes in stitch pattern, decreases, or shaping that may be necessary.
- If you are picking up stitches along a curved edge, such as a neckline or sleeve, you may need to distribute the stitches evenly as you work. This can be done by knitting or purling together multiple picked up stitches at once, or by increasing or decreasing stitches as needed.
- Once all the picked up stitches have been incorporated into your project, you can continue working on the rest of the pattern as usual.
Remember to refer to the pattern instructions for any specific techniques or details regarding the incorporation of picked up stitches. With practice, picking up stitches will become easier, and you’ll be able to add beautiful details and finishes to your knitting projects.
FAQ:
What does it mean to “pick up stitches” in knitting?
Picking up stitches in knitting refers to the technique of adding new stitches onto an existing knitted fabric. This is done by inserting the needle into the loops of the fabric and working new stitches from there.
When do I need to pick up stitches in knitting?
You typically need to pick up stitches in knitting when you want to add new fabric or construct additional sections onto your existing project. This can be useful when you want to add sleeves to a sweater or create a button band on a cardigan, for example.
What tools do I need to pick up stitches in knitting?
To pick up stitches in knitting, you will need a needle that is the appropriate size for your project and yarn, as well as a crochet hook or a smaller knitting needle. A crochet hook can be helpful for picking up stitches if you are working with a tight or densely knit fabric.
What should I do if I make a mistake while picking up stitches in knitting?
If you make a mistake while picking up stitches in knitting, don’t panic! You can simply unravel the stitches you have picked up and try again. Alternatively, you can use a crochet hook or smaller knitting needle to correct the mistake by manipulating the loops and stitches.
Can you recommend any resources or tutorials for learning how to pick up stitches in knitting?
There are many great resources and tutorials available online for learning how to pick up stitches in knitting. Some popular websites that offer step-by-step guides and video tutorials include KnittingHelp.com and VeryPink Knits. Additionally, many knitting books and magazines also provide detailed instructions on this technique.