KNIT 1 LONG
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So you're ready to knit The December Hat, or perhaps The Isn't She Lovely Scarf. Yay you! But, before you cast on, please take a moment to learn (or review) the Knit 1 Long stitch. You'll be glad you did!
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By learning to Knit 1 Long, you're not only learning to execute this particular stitch, but you're also laying the technical groundwork for any future patterns requiring lifted stitches. Look at you flexing your knitty muscles!
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Knit 1 Long is admittedly awkward to execute...at first. But, rest assured, it's just like riding a bike; the first few times can be a bit bumpy, but before you know it you'll be moving forward effortlessly. Ready? Here we go...
step 1
The first Knit 1 Long instruction is to "insert the right-hand needle 2 rounds below into the space between the k2tog and the passed slipped stitch".
(1) This "target space" is located between the next two stitches on your left-hand needle, two rounds below--under the two "ladders".
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step 2
Now that you have identified the target space:
(2) Insert your right-hand needle (from front to back) through this space.
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steps 3 & 4
Now that your needle is through the space:
(3) Knit a stitch--just like normal, by wrapping your working yarn counter-clockwise around your right-hand needle, then............
(4) draw up a loop onto your right-hand needle. |
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a little note
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Always, always remember: You are the BOSS of your stitches--lifted and otherwise!
Feel free to manually adjust the lifted stitches as you work them. Sometimes, after drawing up a loop, I will adjust it by lightly pulling it forward with my fingers to give it a little more “slack”. This makes the stitches more visible on the final hat, and also helps prevent puckering. |
step 5
The next instruction is to "k2", so go ahead and knit the next two stitches, just like normal. Your work should now look like (5).
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deep breaths...you're half-way there!
step 6
I promise, this is the trickiest part, but then it's easy peasy.
The second time you are instructed to Knit 1 Long you are asked to "insert the right-hand needle into the same space as before". This space is a bit awkward to access because you're kind of going 'backwards'. Try moving your right-hand needle ever-so-slightly backwards (ie. to the right), while pointing it downwards, at the target space. To make the space easier to access, try stretching the fabric a bit with your left hand, while using your right index finger to hold back the stitches on your right-hand needle so they don't fall off. That's what my left hand and right index finger are doing in (6). |
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steps 7 & 8
Now that your needle is through the space:
(7) Knit a stitch--just like normal, by wrapping your working yarn counter-clockwise around your right-hand needle, then............
(8) draw up a loop onto your right-hand needle. This step can look a bit messy, but it's exactly the same motion as the first time..there are just more stitches in play now.
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you did it! you're a knitting genius.
congratulations!
You now know how to Knit 1 Long.
If you're making The December Hat, you'll get a nice amount of practice with this stitch. If you're making the Isn't She Lovely scarf, you'll be an expert by the time you're done! |
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