Knit or Crochet

Knit or Crochet a special project with your Alpaca yarn and you will see and feel how terrific it is to work with Alpaca. It is such a beautiful and versatile art form that provides you with hours and hours of satisfaction.

Working with your yarn has a calming effect that is a wonderful stress reliever. The texture and feel is very special. This hobby balances a fast-paced lifestyle and maximizes your time while you watch t.v. or travel.

You can make gifts for yourself or family members that have special meaning and will be cherished for years. You can turn your hobby into a business and sell your knit or crochet items. See our section on the Internet for details on setting up your own website to sell your items.

The choice of whether to knit or crochet is up to you. My mother taught me this wonderful hobby as a little girl. This is a terrific craft to teach your children that will keep them entertained for hours.

Unravel some of the mysteries of knitting, crochet and more at this website: www.thecraftladycrochet.com The tools you need to learn to understand and read patterns for multiple processes. Your guide to finding that crochet and kniting is fun and easy to learn. It is not as difficult as many people may think it is.

I first learned to crochet as I found it easier. As I got older I learned to knit. I now love to do both. I have sold items on the internet, locally by word of mouth, at fairs and craft shows, and in a retail store. Check out this website to learn about building a business from your craft, www.knitting-n-crochet.com

Many handcrafters are interested in selling items wholesale. For an easy guide to establish your business as a wholesale marketer try this link. A new window will be opened. Be sure to return when you are done viewing this offer! Guide to Selling Wholesale

Crochet

The "granny square" is a perfect example of a crochet item. With this technique you make several squares or circles and then sew them together to make blankets or vests.

The following link providees you with many vintage crochet patterns that have very easy to follow instructions. A must when you discover the joy of crochet. This link will open a new window so be sure to return when you are done! Vintage Crochet Pattern Collection

Crochet hooks are made out of metal, plastic or wood. They come in various sizes. The size of the hooks are from 2.25 milimeters in diameter to 19 milimeters in diameter. Size is indicated by a capital letter from B to S. "B" is the smallest size and "S" is the largest.

To start crocheting you make a loose slipknot and place it on the crochet hook. You then work a chain by pulling yarn through the circle created in the yarn. The length of the chain is indicated by your pattern.

You next make rows on top of your chain. To do this you insert the hook in the second chain from your hook. You wrap your yarn around the hook and pull it back through a loop. Wrap yarn around the hook again and pull through both loops now on the hook. Proceed on to the next stitch in the chain. This is a single crochet.

At the end of the row you simply chain 2 stitches and turn the work around. Double and triple crochets are simple once you are skilled with single crochet stitches.

For double crochet you wrap yarn around the hook once after going through the base stitch. Pull through the first loop only. Yarn over again and pull through just the first loop again. Yarn over and now pull through both loops. Triple crochet requires just an additional yarn over and through 1 loop before pulling all the way through both loops.

Shells are made by repeating the double or triple crochet 3 times in the same base stitch. Shells are used to make the corners when making a square. You crochet in single chains or stitches until ready for a corner. Make a shell and then continue on with single stitches until ready for the next corner.

Circles start with a small chain. Several shells are made. The first shell is connected to the last and you work in the round without turning the piece over. You inrease the number of shells with each row.

Colors are easy to change. You simply tie your new color to your old color and keep on working on your piece. The ends are later worked into the piece when you are done.

Once you are familiar with crocheting it is simple to make your own patterns. This is such a versatile and wonderful craft. It is easy to set the piece down and come back to it later. I just place the hook into the ball of yarn and go!

A bit confused? I don't blame you. This art is best taught in person. The following link will provide you with more detailed crochet techniques to get started as well as advanced techniques when you are comfortable with your craft. The link will open a new window so be sure to return when you are done! Learn How to Crochet - Beginner and Advanced

Knit

Straight knitting needles are made from aluminum, plastic or wood. They vary in size from 2 milimeters to 10 milimeters. Sizes are indicated by a number from 0 to 15 and even larger. The larger the number, the bigger the diameter.

They are sold in pairs and vary in length from 10 to 14 inches. There is a point at one end and a knob or disc at the other that prevents stitches from falling off. Two needles may be connected by a wire which is necessary if working in a circle.

To start you must first "cast on" the number of stitches your pattern indicates. Make a slip knot and place it on one of your needles. Hold the needle with the knot in your right hand. With your left hand make a loop of yarn around your thumb, insert the needle in the loop, slip your thumb out and gently pull the yarn to form a stitch on the needle. Repeat this step until you have the necessary amount of stitches on your needle.

Now place the needle with the stitches on it in your left hand. Place the empty needle in your right hand. Insert the tip of the needle in your right hand through the first stitch on the needle in your left hand. Be sure to go through the needle from the front to the back.

Wrap the yarn around the right needle one time. Pull the needle and yarn wrapped back through the stitch keeping the new loop on the right hand needle. Drop the stitch off the point of the left hand needle. You have now made your first knit stitch. You should have one stitch on your right hand needle and the rest on the left needle.

Continue doing this until all stitches are transfered to the right hand needle. You have now finished your first row. Turn your piece around and place the full needle in your left hand, the empty in your right. Repeat the process.

The pearl stitch is much the same as a knit stitch. The difference with the pearl is that when you place the empty needle on the right through the stitch on the left you come from the back instead of the front. The rest is the same.

To add stitches you simply knit twice in the same stitch or chain on. To decrease you simply transfer a stitch over to the other needele without wrapping yarn. Button holes are used by slip stitching one row and casting on to add the next row.

Cable stiches and other advanced stitches will not be discussed here. They can be fun to work with when you are experienced with the basics of knitting. Color changes and making your own patterns can be exciting as well.

What a mouthfull! As with crochet, the art of knitting is best taught in person. I have also found a wonderful link to help teach you and get you started in the right direction with your knitting hobby and/or business. Knitting Essentials This link will open a seperate window so be sure to return when you are done!

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