Knitting 101: an essential guide on the different types of knitting needles

There are a quite a few knitting needles so which are the best ones to use?  Well some times it comes down to how you knit - whether you knit tight or loose or the type of needle you prefer to knit with. There are also knitting needles that are better suited for certain yarns, projects or can help you.  Wait certain needles can help you with your knitting?  Yes they sure can and other types of needles can make it harder to knit. Come and learn about the different types of knitting needles and which ones to use!

What's that stitch? Diagonal rib

Welcome to what's that stitch series!  This weeks stitch is diagonal rib another knitting rib stitch but unlike the most common rib stitches it is knitted on a diagonal.  This rib is stretchy but has less give than a knit 1, purl 1 rib.   Diagonal rib uses only knit and purl stitches making it perfect for beginner knitters. I've added a freebie in this blog post for you too. :-)

Free printable wall artwork to frame: all good vibes only and relax knit learn create

I created an all good vibes only and a relax knit learn create free printable wall artwork to frame  for my office and thought i'd share them with you. I've created two different backgrounds for each one these include rainbows and a forest of pine trees. 

What's that stitch? Pique zig zag

Welcome to what's that stitch series!  This weeks stitch is pique zig zag another knitting stitch that looks really hard to do but isn't.  I uses my two favourite stitches knit and purl, which are the most common stitches used and have a wide range of different stitch patterns using just knit and purl.  Perhaps that is why I love these two stitches so much you only need to know how to do these and you can knit such beautiful stitches that look so different from one another. 

What's that stitch? Andalusian stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Andalusian stitch is a very nice stitch which is quite easy to knit and uses only knit and purl stitches.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do andalulsian stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

What's that stitch? Stocking stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Stocking stitch stitch is 2nd most commonly used stitch in knitting and usually the 2nd stitch beginner knitters learn how to knit.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do stocking stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

What's that stitch? Garter stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Garter stitch is the most commonly used stitch in knitting and the first stitch beginner knitters learn how to do.  I thought this stitch was called knit stitch, then wondered what garter stitch was when I came across it in a pattern.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do garter stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

Yarn care symbols

Wondering what the yarn care symbols are and what they mean? Or worse and gotten them wrong only to mess up all that hard work that went into knitting the item?  I know how heartbreaking it is to get them wrong and wreak an item - ironed something I shouldn't have.  I made a yarn care symbols sheet to help you out and decided to add a bonus my handy yarn care symbols card I keep in my knitting kit.  

What's that stitch? Garter ridge stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Garter ridge stitch creates ridges of garter stitch every 3 rows.  Creating a horizontal pattern of  raised bumps.  It looks a bit like ploughed fields.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do garter ridge stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

What's that stitch? Ant egg stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Ant egg stitch creates an interesting diagonal pattern of raised stitches.  The close up reminds me of little stars with the raised stitches forming the edges and the stocking stitch forming the inside of the star.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do ant egg stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

What's that stitch - stamen stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Stamen stitch is also called honey comb stitch which has quite a sturdy stitch that does not stretch easily.  It creates a texture that is just amazing with the detail in it and its so easy to knit!  It looks like little circles inside one another with dashes breaking them up.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do sand stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

What's that stitch - basket stitch

Welcome to another week of what's that stitch?  This weeks stitch is basket stitch.  Wait are these not the same? Basket stitch creates a woven look where as basket weave creates a checkerboard like pattern.  Here is a quick guide how to do basket stitch, how to make your own rectangle like the one above and get a few project ideas using basket stitch.  I've also included a freebie - our hand stitch cards. 

What's that stitch - oblique rib

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Oblique rib creates a diagonal rib with a ripple through it, making it more interesting than plain rib.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do pique rib and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

Yarn weights

Learn about the standard sizes for yarn weights and the names for these which can vary depending on which country you live in. Here in New Zealand we tend to use ply while some countries have names for them. 

2019 calendar printable - knitting and scenery

2019 is here, start the year with a fresh new calendar! I thought i'd start the New Year off with creating two free 2019 calendar printables for you.  I've created two monthly calendars with different designs for you - a knitting calendar and a scenery calendar.  Each calendar has a cover and each page has a calendar along with a picture.