Techniques

The techniques that take you beyond knit and purl: shaping, knitting in the round, joining and finishing. One guide per technique.

All Learn to knit Techniques Sizes & charts Glossary Projects23 articles

Techniques

German twisted cast on (Old Norwegian)

The German twisted cast on (Old Norwegian) is a long-tail cast on with an extra twist that makes the edge stretchy. Step by step, for cuffs and brims.

By Julia Wallin17 October 20262 min read

Back view of a rust ribbed sweater with cream sleeves and linen trousers against a white wall

Techniques

Stretchy cast ons: which to use and when

A stretchy cast on lets cuffs, brims and necklines stretch and spring back. Compare the German twisted and Italian cast ons and pick the right one.

By Julia Wallin17 October 20262 min read

Olive green knitted throw draped over a wooden chair beside a dark painting

Techniques

I-cord bind off: the rounded rope edge

The i-cord bind off knits a small rounded cord along the edge as you bind off. Step by step, how to finish the cord and how to avoid a ladder.

By Julia Wallin17 October 20262 min read

Woman in a mustard ribbed beanie and camel wool coat walking down a cobbled street

Techniques

Stretchy bind off: Jeny's surprisingly stretchy method

Stretchy bind off with Jeny's method (JSSBO): a yarn over before each stitch lets the edge stretch and spring back. Step by step, for knit and purl stitches.

By Julia Wallin17 October 20262 min read

Person in a cream cable-knit sweater sitting on granite rocks facing the sea at golden hour

Techniques

Long-tail cast on: the all-purpose method in depth

The long-tail cast on is the standard way to start: firm, slightly stretchy and quick. How to work it and how long to make the tail.

By Julia Wallin17 October 20262 min read

Stack of folded green and rust ribbed knits with wooden needles on a steel table

Techniques

Rib stitch: how to knit 1×1 and 2×2 rib

Rib stitch alternates columns of knit and purl stitches, so the fabric stretches. How to knit 1×1 and 2×2 rib flat and in the round, with stitch counts.

By Julia Wallin9 October 20262 min read

Techniques

Mattress stitch: the invisible seam

Mattress stitch joins two knitted pieces edge to edge with a seam that does not show. How to find the bars and sew it from the right side, step by step.

By Julia Wallin3 October 20262 min read

Woman in a multicolor checkered chunky knit coat by a bright window

Techniques

Kitchener stitch: invisible grafting, step by step

Kitchener stitch (grafting) joins two sets of live stitches so the join does not show. Used on sock toes. The setup, the four repeating steps and the tension.

By Julia Wallin3 October 20262 min read

Techniques

Cable cast on: firm edges and mid-row stitches

The cable cast on in knitting gives a firm, neat edge and is the usual way to add stitches mid-row, for example at buttonholes and underarms. Step by step.

By Julia Wallin3 October 20262 min read

Stack of folded olive, black and mustard chunky knits with wooden needles on a bench

Techniques

Tubular bind off (Italian bind off) for 1×1 rib

The tubular bind off (Italian bind off) closes 1×1 rib with a tapestry needle for a rounded, stretchy edge. Step by step, with the foundation rows.

By Julia Wallin3 October 20262 min read

Techniques

Backwards loop cast on: the quick mid-row method

The backwards loop cast on is the quickest way to add stitches mid-row: underarms, buttonholes, glove fingers. How to work it, and when not to use it.

By Julia Wallin3 October 20262 min read

Red knitting in progress on a marble café table with tea and wildflowers

Techniques

Twisted rib: sharp columns for cuffs and brims

Twisted rib knitting: k1tbl, p1 in the round, with ptbl on wrong-side rows when you knit flat. The two variants, and why twisted rib stretches less.

By Julia Wallin3 October 20262 min read

Techniques

Ptbl: purl through the back loop (twisted purl)

Ptbl means purl through the back loop. It twists a purl stitch and is used in twisted rib worked flat. How to work it, with tips for Continental knitting.

By Julia Wallin3 October 20262 min read

Visible mending of a rust orange knitted sweater with cream yarn and a darning needle

Techniques

Italian cast on (tubular cast on) for 1×1 rib

The Italian cast on (tubular cast on) gives 1×1 rib a rounded, stretchy edge with no visible cast-on row. Step by step, with the foundation rows.

By Julia Wallin2 October 20263 min read

Techniques

Ktbl: knit through the back loop (twisted knit)

Ktbl means knit through the back loop. It twists the stitch and is used in twisted rib. How to knit it, and why your stitches may get twisted by accident.

By Julia Wallin2 October 20262 min read

With video

Techniques

Kfb: knit front and back

Kfb (knit front and back) is the easiest knitting increase: knit into the front and back of the same stitch to make two from one. Steps, uses and mistakes.

By Julia Wallin9 August 20262 min read

Brown hand-knitted sock in progress with ruffled cuff and stitch holder

Techniques

German short rows: the double stitch, step by step

German short rows shape knitting with a simple "double stitch" instead of wraps. Learn the method step by step, how to work the DS later, and why knitters prefer it.

By Julia Wallin9 August 20263 min read

With video

Techniques

SSK: the left-leaning decrease

SSK (slip, slip, knit) turns two stitches into one with a left lean. Learn it step by step, why the slips must be knitwise, and when to use it instead of k2tog.

By Julia Wallin7 August 20263 min read

Caramel yarn balls and knitting in progress on a marble surface

With video

Techniques

K2tog: the right-leaning decrease

K2tog (knit two together) is the simplest knitting decrease: knit two stitches as one, leaning right. Learn it step by step and when to pair it with ssk.

By Julia Wallin7 August 20262 min read

Brown hand-knitted sweater in progress on white marble in dappled sunlight

With video

Techniques

M1L and M1R: mirrored increases explained

M1L and M1R are nearly invisible mirrored increases made from the bar between stitches. Learn both step by step, and how to avoid the hole that ruins them.

By Julia Wallin7 August 20263 min read

White knitted sweater laid on blue floral toile fabric

Techniques

I-cord: how to knit a cord

An i-cord is a small knitted tube made on two double-pointed needles: knit, slide, do not turn. Learn the technique and its uses, from drawstrings to edgings.

By Julia Wallin7 August 20262 min read

Grey lace knitting in progress with a ball of grey yarn and a knitted cushion

Techniques

Magic loop: small circles on one long circular

Magic loop lets you knit socks, sleeves and mittens in the round on one long circular needle. The setup, the working sequence, and how to stop ladders at the loop points.

By Julia Wallin5 August 20263 min read

Stack of folded knitted sweaters in warm neutral tones

Techniques

Blocking knitting: wet, steam and spray, explained

Blocking is washing and shaping your finished knitting so the stitches even out and the piece takes its final size. When to wet block, steam or spray, step by step.

By Julia Wallin5 August 20263 min read