The Art of Knitting
160
The Art of Knitting
160eBook
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Overview
Starting with a chapter of general directions, the guide presents examples of fancy stitches, including edging designs for mittens and socks, borders for scarves and shawls, and knitted edgings and insertions. Ladies' apparel and accessories include hoods, capes, shawls, jackets, fascinators, leggings, and many other projects. Menswear includes sweaters, belts, scarves, ties, and more. In addition to children's clothing and toys, the book also features patterns for counterpanes, spreads, doilies, mats, and other household articles.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780486810591 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Dover Publications |
| Publication date: | 03/17/2016 |
| Series: | Dover Crafts: Knitting |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 160 |
| File size: | 70 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
Founded by Ebenezer Butterick to distribute the first graded sewing patterns, The Butterick Publishing Company released its first magazine, Ladies Quarterly of Broadway Fashions, in 1867. The Metropolitan followed in 1868 and The Delineator magazine in 1873, establishing Butterick as a worldwide enterprise, with 1,000 agencies throughout Europe and North America.
Read an Excerpt
The Art of Knitting
By Dover Publications Inc.
Dover Publications, Inc.
Copyright © 2016 Dover Publications, Inc.All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-486-81059-1
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR KNITTING.
Most amateur knitters, and many experts, confess to an inability to follow the instructions and knitting designs published in various books and periodicals for their benefit. This is the result of a lack of perseverance on the part of the knitter, and is also often due to the different abbreviations used by different publishers of such work. A mastery of any set of abbreviations, will overcome the main difficulty; then, if the instructions are correct, the development of the design will be comparatively easy. We therefore urge those who purchase this manual, to become familiar with the abbreviations given above, before beginning any of the designs presented on the following pages; for much time has been spent to render them plain and correctly adapt them to the accompanying instructions.
Casting On Stitches.
As every other task or pleasure has a beginning, so has knitting. The foundation, materials in hand, is, "casting on stitches," for which we give several methods, as follows:
Of the two or three methods of casting on stitches, the one best adapted to garments or articles where an elastic edge is desired, is developed with a single thread or yarn and two needles. It is conducted as follows:
First Method.
Make a loop in the yarn or thread and slip it onto a needle. (See No. 1.) Next slip the second needle into the loop, (see No. 2.) throw the yarn around it, draw it through (see No. 3.) and slip the loop thus formed onto the left-hand needle, thrusting the latter needle through it from the front to the back. Put the right-hand needle into the second loop (see No. 4,) make another loop as at No. 3, and slip it onto the left-hand needle. Repeat in this manner until you have as many stitches as required.
Second Method.
(With One Needle.)
Hold the end of the yarn under the third and fourth fingers of the left-hand. With the right (which also holds the needle) bring the yarn from under the left thumb up over it and also over the first finger of the left hand, then downward under the finger and up over the thumb; (see No. 5). Then pass the point of the needle under the crossing up back of that portion of the yarn that is brought down from the first finger (see No. 6), draw it forward toward the left, grasp the crossing with the thumb and finger (see No. 7), throw the yarn over the needle with the right hand (which holds the yarn as in regular knitting) draw a loop through, slip the yarn off the left first finger and draw it down to knot the loop or stitch on the needle. Then arrange the yarn over the left hand again and make another loop or stitch in the same way. Repeat until you have the required number of stitches on the needle.
Third Method.
Same as second except that the yarn which passes over the left hand is doubled, the end being held, with the yarn itself, to begin the casting, the same as in the beginning of the Second Method. The yarn is held single in the right hand and unwinds from the ball. The length of the doubled portion must, necessarily be a matter of guess-work, depending upon the size of the article to be knit. The doubled thread or yarn makes a very firm edge for stockings and socks, or any garments that are to be subjected to continuous service.
Plain Knitting
Having cast on the requisite number of stitches, thrust the right-hand needle into the first stitch; throw the thread around its point, draw it through to form a loop or stitch; repeat this movement for the next and all the stitches on the left-hand needle. In knitting a sock or stocking repeat along each needle in regular order, round and round.
Fancy knitting.
This is done according to special instructions given stitch by stitch, but the details include only foundation principles, such as knitting plain, seaming or purling, widening, narrowing, etc., etc.
Seaming or Purling.
"Seam" and "purl" are different names for the same movement. Every knitter knows how to "seam a stitch." To purl a stitch means exactly the same thing. For those who are not proficient in knitting as yet, we explain as follows: To "seam" or "purl," throw the thread from its usual position at the back of the work in front of the right-hand needle (see No. 8); then insert the point of the latter under the next stitch thrusting it through from the right toward the left instead of the way usual in knitting plain; this will bring the right-hand needle in front of the left one instead of back of it as in plain knitting ; now throw the thread around the right-hand needle by the same movement as the one used in plain knitting (see No. 9), and draw the loop backward instead of forward. Seam or purl as many stitches as required, and then throw the yarn back of the needle into its ordinary position. The front of the work is the side next to the knitter; the back, the side away from her.
Methods of Widening or Increasing.
Widening by throwing the thread in front of the needle between stitches makes a tiny opening that is objectionable, except in fancy patterns. In plain knitting it is best to widen by knitting a plain and a purled stitch out of the same loop without slipping the loop until both are made; or, by knitting one out of the front and one out of the back of the same loop or stitch in the same manner; or, by taking up and knitting, as a stitch, the bar of thread between the two needles. Where two stitches are to be made by throwing the thread, it must pass in front of the needle, over it and to the front again. The general direction for this is, "thread over twice." In working back, to complete the two new stitches knit the first throw-over like an ordinary stitch, but in knitting the second you must put the needle into the back loop of the stitch instead of the front. In widening or increasing three stitches, the same plan must be observed, by knitting from the back of the second and third throw-overs. In increasing by throwing the thread, the following is another method: Pass the right needle through a loop in the ordinary manner, throw the thread twice around it and draw the two throw-overs through together as if they were one. This is practically the same as throwing the thread over the needle twice between stitches, and the throw-overs are knit off in the same manner.
To Widen When Purling.
The thread, being already in front of the needle, must be wound once entirely around it.
Methods of Narrowing or Decreasing.
The most generally used method of narrowing is to "knit two together." To do this slip the point of the right-hand needle in the ordinary manner under two stitches at once, and then throw the thread over and draw the loop through both as if they were one. This method may also be used by putting the needle through the back of two stitches instead of through the front; this will make them lie more flatly than by the other method and will form a regular chain. Another method is to slip one, knit one, and pass the slipped stitch over the knitted one. This narrows by one stitch. To narrow two stitches: Slip one, knit two together and pass the slipped stitch over the two knitted stitches. Three stitches may be narrowed upon the same principle.
To Narrow When Purling.
Purl two together; or, purl one, put it back on the left-hand needle and then draw the next stitch beyond over it, drop the drawn stitch off the needle, and then slip the first stitch back on the right needle. Or, two stitches may be purled from the back, by throwing the thread forward in the usual way and taking up the two stitches by slipping the point of the right needle under them from the left side toward the right, and bringing the right-hand needle over the left one in the usual way.
Edge Stitches.
The stitch at each end of a row in knitting is called the edge stitch. It is generally disposed of so as to keep the edge straight or even, but is not spoken of as an edge stitch in instructions.
The First Stitch.
Always slip the first stitch in knitting and knit the last, unless special instructions for disposing of them are given. This will make a more even edge. A chain-edge for stripes is formed by slipping the first and purling the last stitch.
Stitches Unintentionally Dropped.
Either ravel your work back to the dropped stitch and then restore it and the others to the needle, or, if it has slipped down for a number of rows, take a crochet hook and carefully chain it up through all the lines until the needle is reached.
To Fasten Two Threads Together.
Lap the ends of the threads for a short distance and knit a few stitches with both at the same time. This will prevent a knot and make the work firm and smooth.
To Join or Bind Together.
Knit as far across the row as directed — generally to the middle. Then fold the work so as to bring the two needles side by side. Take an extra needle, put it through the first or end stitch on the needle next to you, then through the corresponding stitch on the other needle; knit the two together as one stitch. Knit in this way across the two needles, break off the yarn and fasten.
Double Knitting.
The two sides of double knitting look alike and can be lifted apart. The work is done as follows: Cast on an even number of stitches. Bring the thread in front, slip one stitch inserting the needle as if for purling, put the thread back and knit one stitch. Repeat to the end of the row. The second row is like the first, except that you knit the slipped stitches and slip the knitted ones.
Rib Knitting.
This is made by purling and knitting alternately a like number of stitches. The most general rib is made by knitting two and purling two, across or around the work. When the ribbing is done on two needles, in working every other time across, the stitches that were knitted must be purled, and those that were purled must be knitted.
Patent Knitting.
This method is frequently used in knitting children's underwear. It is worked as follows: * Throw the wool forward, slip one, knit two together, and repeat from * across or around the work. In knitting on two needles, work back in the same way.
CHAPTER 2FANCY STITCHES AND DESIGNS IN KNITTING.
Knotted Stitch.
No. 1. — Cast on any number of stitches required.
First row. — Th o twice, k 1, and repeat across the row.
Second row. — * K 1; out of the two put-overs (th o twice) p 1, k 1. Now pass the 1st and 2nd stitches on the left hand needle over the 3rd; then repeat these details from the *, and continue repeating in this way to the end of the row. These two rows complete the pattern.
Design for Knitting Shawls, Fascinators, Clouds, Etc.
No. 2. — Cast on an even number of stitches and knit across plain, using No. 4 or 6 needles.
First row, — Knit plain.
Second row. — Slip 1, k 1, * wool in front of the needle, insert needle under 3 stitches and knit as 1 ; repeat from * to the end of the row, and knit the last stitch.
Third row. — Knit 2, * knit 1 out of the put-over thread, purl 1, knit 1, and repeat from *.
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth rows. — Knit plain.
Repeat from 2nd row for all the work.
Cane–Work Design.
No. 3. — Use four needles. (The design may also be knitted on two needles by making 1 stitch in every 4th purled row to take the place of the last put-over in the preceding row).
Cast on any number of stitches divisible by 4.
First row. — Th o, k 1, th o, k 3 and repeat across the row.
Second, Fourth, Sixth, Eighth and Tenth rows. — Purl.
Third row. — * K 3, th o, sl 1, k 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over, th o and repeat from * (or beginning of the row) across the work.
Fifth row. — * Th o, sl 1, k 2 together, pass slipped stitch over, th o, k 3 and repeat from * across the work.
Seventh row. — Same as third.
Ninth row. — Same as fifth.
Tenth row. — Purl as directed and then repeat from third row for the next section of the work.
This is a favorite design for the fronts of stockings and is generally made about three inches wide, and may extend from the toe as high as desired.
Design in Knitting.
(No Illustration.)
This stitch is suitable for clouds, shawls, etc. Split zephyr wool and No. 4 or 6 needles are used in knitting the design. Bone or wooden needles may be used if the work is desired very open. Cast on an even number of stitches, and knit a plain row.
First row. — Knit plain.
Second row. — Slip 1, knit 1, * th o, knit 3 together, * ; repeat from star to star to the end of the row; knit last stitch plain.
Third row. — Knit 2 ; * where the thread was put over in last row, knit 1 stitch plain, and seam 1 ; then knit 1, *; repeat from star to star to end of row.
Fourth row. — Plain.
Fifth and Sixth rows. — Plain ; repeat from 2nd row.
Fancy Knitted Stripe.
No. 4. — Two or four needles may be used for this design. In working with two needles, purl instead of knitting plain in the alternate rows. The design is complete in 8 rows or rounds. Cast on any number of stitches divisible by 9 and work as follows:
First round. — K 3, n, th o, k 4 and repeat.
Second, Fourth, Sixth and Eighth rounds. — Knit plain.
Third round. — K 2, n, th o, n, th o, k 3 and repeat.
Fifth round. — K 1, n, th o, n, th o, n, th o, k 2 and repeat.
Seventh round. — N, th o, n, th o, n, th o, n, th o, k 1 and repeat.
Knit 8th row as directed and repeat from beginning.
Knitted Design for Shawls, Stripes, Spreads, Afghans, Etc.
No. 5. — Cast on any number of stitches divisible by 6 and knit across plain.
Next row. — * K 1, th o 3 times and repeat across the row.
Next row. — Slip 1, drop the put-overs and repeat 5 times more until there are 6 stitches on the right-hand needle. Now pass the first3 stitches slipped over the last3, being careful not to twist them in crossing. Then pass them onto the left-hand needle and knit off. Repeat in this way across the work.
Next two rows. — Plain, Next row. — K 1, th o 3 times and repeat across the row.
Next row. — Slip 1, drop the put-overs and repeat 5 times more, as before. Then pass the 6 stitches onto the left-hand needle, and pass the lastthree over the first3, and then knit as before. Repeat across the row.
Next two rows. — Plain.
Then repeat from * for all the work.
Narrow Fancy Stripe In Knitting.
No. 6. — This design may be made on two needles instead of four if preferred, except that in this case the alternate rows must be purled instead of knitted. Cast on any number of stitches divisible by 4. Four rows or rounds complete the pattern.
First round. — K 1, n, th o, k 1, and repeat.
Second and Fourth rounds. — Plain.
Third round. — N, th o, k 2 and repeat.
Repeat these four rounds to any depth desired.
Fancy–Stripe Design.
No. 7. — Use four steel needles. Cast on any number of stitches divisible by 10.
First round. — P 3, k 1, th o, sl and b, k 4, and repeat from beginning of round.
Second round. — P 3, k 2, th o, sl and b, k 3, and repeat from beginning of round.
Third round. — Purl 3, k 3, th o, sl and b, k 2 and repeat.
Fourth round. — Purl 3, k 4, th o, sl and b, k 1 and repeat.
Fifth round. — P 3, k 5, th p, sl and b and repeat. Then repeat from first round for all the work.
This will be found a very pretty pattern for the fronts of stockings or the backs of mittens, and may be continued as far as individual taste may dictate. It is also pretty for the tops of infant's socks.
Fancy Design in Knitting.
No. 8. — Use four needles.
Cast on any number of stitches divisible by four. Twelve rounds complete the design.
First round. — Knit 2, n, th o and repeat around the work.
Second and every alternate round, including the Twelfth. — Knit plain.
Third round. — K 1, n, th o, k 1 and repeat around the work.
Fifth round. — Narrow, th o, k 2 and repeat.
Seventh round. — K 2, th o, slip and bind and repeat to end of round.
Knit the eighth round as directed, (plain), and then pass the first stitch on each needle to the next needle; this will leave one stitch on the 3rd needle which is considered a part of the 8th round in addition to its other stitches, and is knitted as such before the next round is begun.
Ninth round. — K 2, th o, slip and bind and repeat to end of round.
Eleventh round. — N, th o, k 2 and repeat. In the 12th round knit all but the last stitch; then pass the last stitch on each needle to the next needle. For the next division of the pattern, repeat from the 5th to the 12th rounds inclusive, also making the transfers of the stitches as directed for the first division.
(Continues...)
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Table of Contents
Comprehensive in scope and elegant in presentation, this classic Victorian-era volume was the first complete how-to guide to knitting. Originally published by Butterick, the company that later produced Vogue Knitting, it constitutes a fantastic historical document as well as an easy-to-follow guide for knitters at all levels of experience. In addition to basic knitting instructions and a dictionary of stitches, the book offers illustrated patterns for dozens of projects, including sweaters, scarves, hats, and other items for women, men, and children.
Starting with a chapter of general directions, the guide presents examples of fancy stitches, including edging designs for mittens and socks, borders for scarves and shawls, and knitted edgings and insertions. Ladies' apparel and accessories include hoods, capes, shawls, jackets, fascinators, leggings, and many other projects. Menswear includes sweaters, belts, scarves, ties, and more. In addition to children's clothing and toys, the book also features patterns for counterpanes, spreads, doilies, mats, and other household articles.
Dover (2016) republication of the edition originally published by the Butterick Publishing Co., Limited, London and New York, 1892.
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