Knitting is a way thread or yarn may be turned into cloth. Similar to crochet, knitting consists of loops called stitches pulled through each other. Knitting differs from crochet in that multiple stitches are “active”, or in use. The active stitches are held on a knitting needle until another loop can be passed through them with a second needle.
Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. By hand, there are numerous styles and means for knitting. Some of these produce an entirely different end-product; some produce very similar results. Flat knitting, which is done on two straight needles, produces a length of cloth, while circular knitting, which is done on circular or double-pointed needles, produces a tube of cloth.
Different yarns and knitting needles may be used to achieve different end products, by giving the final piece different color, texture, or integrity.
History of Knitting
The first knitting trade guild was started in Paris in 1527. The invention of the knitting machine Made knitting by hand useful but non-essential craft. Similar to spinning, quilting, and needlepoint Knitting became a social activity.
Hand knitting has gone into and out of fashion many times in the last two centuries, and at the turn of the 21st century it is enjoying a revival. According to the industry group Craft Yarn Council of America, the number of women knitters in the US age 25-36 increased 150% in the two years between 2002 and 2004. Many contemporary knitters have an interest in blogging about their knitting, patterns, and techniques.
There are a lot of groups that are not only growing individually, but also forming international communities. There are also communities online.
Process
A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on (also known as “binding on”), which involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle. Different methods of casting on are used for different effects: one may be stretchy enough for lace, while another provides a decorative edging — Provisional cast-ons are used when the knitting will continue in both directions from the cast-on. The number of active stitches remains the same as when cast on unless stitches are added (an increase) or removed (a decrease).
Most Western-style knitters follow either the English style (in which the yarn is held in the right hand) or the Continental style (in which the yarn is held in the left hand). A third but less common method, called combination knitting may also be used.
Once the knitted piece is finished, the remaining live stitches are cast off. Casting (or binding) off loops the stitches across each other so they can be removed from the needle without unraveling the item. Although the mechanics are different from casting on, there are a similar variety of methods and choices to be made.
In typical sweater-making, the final knitted garment will be made of several knitted pieces, with individual sections of the garment knit separately and then sewn together. However, seamless knitting, where a whole garment is knit as a single piece, is also possible. Elizabeth Zimmermann is probably the best-known proponent of seamless, or circular knitting techniques. Smaller items, such as socks and hats, are usually knit in one piece on double-pointed needles or circular needles.
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