If you’re a knitter, then you’ve likely come across the need to pick up stitches. Whether it is for a sleeve, border, or shawl, knowing how to pick up stitches is an essential skill for any knitting project. It might seem daunting at first, but with practice, it can become second nature. Let’s explore how to pick up stitches in knitting.
Picking up Stitches Along an Edge
The most common way of picking up stitches is along the edge of your knitting. To do this, make sure that your yarn is attached to the edge of your project and insert the needle from back to front into the first stitch on the edge that you want to pick up. You will then wrap your yarn around the needle and pull it through before slipping it off onto your right-hand needle. Repeat this process until all of the stitches have been picked up.
Picking up Stitches in Already Knitted Fabric
If you need to pick up stitches within the already knitted fabric such as if you are making a short row begin by locating a row with some visible purl bumps on one side and knit “V“s on the other side. Insert your needle into these purl bumps from back to front and wrap your yarn around the needle and pull it through before slipping it off onto your right-hand needle. Continue this process until all of the desired stitches have been picked up.
Also Read: How to Pick Up Dropped Stitches in Knitting
Picking Up Invisible Stitches
When picking up invisible stitches, you’ll start by locating where there are two or more rows of knit “V“s below where you want to begin picking up stitches. Inserting your needle from bottom to top in between these two rows can be tricky at times due to their close proximity together use a smaller size needle if necessary.
Once inserted into between those two rows of knit “V“s, wrap the yarn around the needle and pull it through before slipping it off onto your right-hand needle until all of the desired numbers of invisible stitches have been picked up.
Pick Up and Knit Stitches for Neckband on Cardigan
When knitting a cardigan, picking up and knitting stitches for the neckband is an essential step that can make a big difference in the final look of the garment. To do this, start at the center back of the neck and pick up stitches along the edge of the cardigan’s front with a needle. The number of stitches you need to pick up will depend on the size of the cardigan and the desired width of the neckband.
Once you’ve picked up the stitches, knit them using your preferred stitch pattern, such as ribbing or garter stitch. It’s important to maintain consistent tension throughout the neckband to ensure that it lies flat and doesn’t pucker. With a little practice, picking up and knitting stitches for a neckband can become an easy and satisfying part of the knitting process, adding a professional touch to your finished garment.
Picking Up Stitches for Sleeves
Picking up stitches for sleeves is a crucial step when knitting a sweater or cardigan. To do this, start at the underarm of the garment and pick up stitches along the edge of the armhole using a needle. The number of stitches you need to pick up will depend on the size of the garment, the gauge of your knitting, and the desired sleeve width.
It’s essential to maintain consistent tension while picking up the stitches to avoid puckering or gaps in the finished sleeve. Once you’ve picked up the stitches, you can then knit the sleeves in the desired stitch pattern, whether it be stockinette, ribbing, or any other pattern.
Picking up stitches for sleeves can be a bit tricky at first, but with practice and attention to detail, it becomes an essential skill in the knitting process, resulting in well-fitted and professional-looking sleeves.
Conclusion
Knowing how to pick up stitches is an essential skill for any knitter who wants beautiful finished products that last. With practice and patience, picking up stitches can become second nature and will make even complex projects much easier. Whether along an edge or hidden within the already knitted fabric, having confidence in picking up those pesky little loops can bring any project closer to completion with ease. So now that we know how to pick up our knitting needles.
Also Read: How do You do a Slip Stitch in Knitting