7 Knitting Tips to Help You Knit Fast
Learn these 7 knitting tips and watch your fingers fly
Can knitting tips really help you knit faster? Sure they can. If you're like everyone else these days, you're busy and often just can't seem to find the spare time to sit down and knit. If this is the case, you'll love these tips and suggestions for knitting projects that you can knit in a day or a weekend.
Tip #1 -- Choose quick and easy knitting patterns
Yes, sometimes you're just itching to start that beautiful cardigan and learn all of the new knitting techniques the pattern requires, but let's face facts. Those projects take time and you need something fast that can satisfy your knitting urges. Try some of these:
Choose patterns that are sleeveless or that have short sleeves. Not putting sleeves in a project cuts the time drastically.
Stay away from baggy designs. These require more yarn and take longer to knit because of their generous styling.
Knit for babies. They're small and there are many charities that need baby supplies that will be quick for you to whip up. These free knitting patterns are some of my favorites!
Knit caps and scarves. Very fast and easy, you can make these in one day.
Tip #2 -- Choose projects that use tubes
By knitting tube designs on circular knitting needles, you save time by not having to turn the work and purl. Check out this funky free knitting pattern for a bag.
Tip #3 -- Use a modular knitting needle kit
Modular knitting kits make use of a smaller needle on the left so the stitches slip of the needle more easily. Try this free knitting pattern for an afghan. And then share it with this knitting charity.
Tip #4 -- Choose larger knitting yarns
The finer the yarn, the longer the project is going to take you. Choose projects with bulkier, novelty yarn for speedy projects.
Tip #5 -- Skip the cable needle
When working cables, don't bother with a cable needle -- these needles don't improve the result and are only useful if you are using a very slippery yarn.
Tip #6 -- Knit Continental style
Continental knitters are the speediest of all. Miriam Tegals, who holds the speed knitting world record, knits using this style.
Tip #7 -- Observe
When you're around your knitting friends or are at your local knit shop, pay attention and observe the knitters there. Watch the knitters who knit the fastest and dissect their style. Notice how they pick up and throw the yarn and try their techniques.
Sometimes, you just have to knit that afghan or sweater of your dreams. But for the times when you want to knit and have the satisfaction of completing a project quickly, follow these knitting tips. See how fast you can crank out those gifts for loved ones and your knitting for charity work.
