Some Hints For The Knitting Enthusiast

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 94, 11 September 1950, Page 8

Some Hints For The Knitting Enthusiast

Are you one of those knitters who can tackle any complicated pattern, one of those whose interest is merely whetted by the suggestion “this is not a pattern to be attempted by an amateur?” Or are you. of the variety who are always asking better workers to help you unravel some strange-looking muddle? The following hints are for the group who have not yet mastered the intricacies into which purl and plain may lead them. Even if you are one of those experienced knitters' 1 who chat, read, or gaze about without dropping a single stitch, there may be some wrinkle here to help you. Remember, when buying wool, always get one skein more than the directions state. If you run short you will not have to tramp town trying—sometimes without success —• to match up a colour. You will always have a little left for alterations and repairs. You will have some to spare, too, if you find it impossible to get the right shade of buttons. Make the button covers and pad them with cotton wool, and will have saved yourself a lot of bother.

Wash Before Using Stick to plain stitches if you are a beginner, Garter stitch may involve more knitting, but the effect is tidy and, anyway, jumpers under suits are far better plain and unglorified. When re-knitting wool from unpicked garments wash before using. Unwind, and twist tightly round a frame, tie into a skein at both ends and then slide off the frame. Dip the wool up and down in warm, soapy water, then hang on a line out of the sun. Another way is to keep the wool on the frame and steam over a kettle of boiling water. To make a firm edge when casting on stitches, knit them on, placing the needle between the last and second-to-last stitches each time before putting the wool round for a fresh stitch.

When working the waistline ribbing for a pullover, cast the stitches on with thicker needles and knit into the back thread of every stitch in the first row, then work the rib with the finer needles. This creates elasticity, and the edge does not break when the garment is pulled on and off. To introduce coloured bands into a ribbed band at the waist, knit the first row of the new colour in plain knitting, instead of rib—and so avoid a mixture of the two colours showing.

If you are knitting a garment larger or smaller than the given directions, merely use thicker or finer needles, instead of messing round with instructions. An experienced knitter can work out and adjust the directions to her requirements but a beginner will get into a fine muddle.