Oct 29 2012

How to Make a Simple Braid

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Rachel

First I need supplies. Three pieces of thread or string at the desired length and then I usually add about four to sixes inches to my desired length because of the knot I need to tie at the ends of the braid.

Supplies for Braiding

Tie a Knot

Tape

Now something I always think about when I’m braiding, is think of as the three strands are fighting to stay in the middle. The outside always wants to be in the middle.

outside towards to the middle

So in the picture above the pink thread, outside right, is crossing over the center, red, thread.

bring the other side to the middle

Now the pink is in the middle and I need to bring the blue, outside left, over the pink and into the middle.

close up of first braid

to the middle again

Again, bring the outside right, now the red, over the blue to the middle.

pink to the middle

Now the blue is the outside right, the red is in the middle and the pink is outside left. Bring the pink over the red making the red now the outside left and the pink the middle thread.

close up of the braiding

If you’re yarn long thread, be careful and separate the threads after each passing because the ends can get tangled. Also try to keep the same tension as you braid so there’s an even pattern.

continue to braid

keep going

Continue all the way down until there is only about an inch or so left of thread, or until you can’t braid anymore. Then, I like to tie a knot to keep the braid from separating.

braid complete!

This is going to be the string for my stitch counter, so I carefully cut the knot off each end, as close to the knot as I possibly can, and carefully thread the stitch counter and then knot both ends together.

my stitch counter is ready

I’m now ready to use my new stitch counter necklace!

Oct 26 2012

Finishing Knitting, How to Bind Off

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Rachel

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I’m at the point in my scarf that it is time to finish it! So I need to bind off of my needles.

To start, I need to knit two stitches, but do not do it too tightly.

Take the left hand needle under the first stitch on the right hand (the stitch farthest away from the point of the needle) and hook it back on the left hand needle and pull the first stitch over the second stitch and then drop, the one that is being pulled over, the stitch leaving only one stitch on the right hand needle.

Next knit stitch another stitch to make two stitches on the right hand needle again, and again take the left needle under the first stitch and pull it over the second stitch, then drop the stitch that you pulled over. Continue this until there is only one stitch left on the needle. Carefully pull the needle out of the loop, and place the yarn tail through the loop and pull tight. All there is left to do before completing the scarf is weaving in the tails of the scarf.

First complete two knit stitches

Take left needle under first stitch on the right

Pull First Stitch Over the Second Stitch

Drop the pulled over stitch off of the needle

Knit another stitch so there are two stitches back on the needle and repeat

Under the first stitch

Pull over the stitch still on the needle and drop it

Continue knit stitching and dropping until there is only one stitch/loop left on the needle

Carefully pull out the needle from the loop

The Loop

Another view of the loop, be careful not to tighten the loop

If you aren’t at the end of your yarn ball simply cut the yarn so a tail a few inches long remains.

Take the tail of the scarf and place it through the loop

And pull it tight

Now all there is left to do is to weave in the ends of the scarf

Side note to this, if you created a pattern with your knitting project like knit 2 purl 2 then you bind off in that same pattern.

I’m almost done! I’m so excited to finish this scarf for my niece! Both nieces are going to look super cute all bundled up in their scarves this winter!