Hand knitting

A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on, which involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle.

There are various methods employed to cast on, such as the "thumb method" (also known as "slingshot" or "long-tail" cast-ons), where the stitches are created by a series of loops that will, when knitted, give a very loose edge ideal for "picking up stitches" and knitting a border; the "double needle method" (also known as "knit-on" or "cable cast-on"), whereby each loop placed on the needle is then "knitted on," which produces a firmer edge ideal on its own as a border; and many more.

[8] A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on (also known as "binding on"), which involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle.

There are various method employed to "cast on," such as the "thumb method" (also known as "slingshot" or "long-tail" cast-ons), where the stitches are created by a series of loops that will, when knitted, give a very loose edge ideal for "picking up stitches" and knitting a border; the "double needle method" (also known as "knit-on" or "cable cast-on"), whereby each loop placed on the needle is then "knitted on," which produces a firmer edge ideal on its own as a border; and many more.

One of the earliest known examples of knitting was finely decorated cotton socks found in Egypt in the end of the first millennium AD.

According to the industry group Craft Yarn Council of America, the number of women knitters in the United States age 25–35 increased 150% in the two years between 2002 and 2004.

[15] Magda Sayeg is credited with starting the movement in the US and Knit the city are a prominent group of graffiti knitters in the United Kingdom.

[17] A new movie, shot by a Tasmanian filmmaker on a set made almost entirely out of yarn, was partially inspired by "knitted graffiti".

In these historical projects, yarn companies often provided knitting patterns approved by the various branches of the armed services; they were distributed by local chapters of the American Red Cross or other organizations.

The Australian charity Wrap with Love provides blankets knitted by volunteers to people most in need around the world who have been affected by war.

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation accepts donations for the Lakota people in the United States.

Instead of knitting for charity, knitters are encouraged to donate a week's worth of disposable income, including money that otherwise might have been spent on yarn.

[23] Knitting especially large or fine garments such as sweaters can require months of work and, as gifts, may have a strong emotional aspect.

These studies have found the rhythmic and repetitive action of knitting can "help prevent and manage stress, pain and depression, which in turn strengthens the body's immune system",[32][medical citation needed] as well as create a relaxation response in the body which can decrease blood pressure, heart rate, help prevent illness, and have a calming effect.

[32][medical citation needed] Knitting, along with other leisure activities has been linked to reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Much like physical activity strengthens the body, mental exercise makes the human brain more resilient.

The hooked needles greatly enhance control of the work, catching the stitches and preventing them from slipping off.

Mega knitting produces a chunky, bulky fabric or an open lacy weave, depending on the weight and type of yarn used.

Examples from 19th century novels include Madame Thérèse Defarge in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, Anna Makarovna in Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, various characters in Jane Austen's novels and Miss Ophelia in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Skeins and balls are generally sold with a yarn-band, a label that describes the yarn's weight, length, dye lot, fiber content, washing instructions, suggested needle size, likely gauge, etc.

It is common practice to save the yarn band for future reference, especially if additional skeins must be purchased.

Natural fibers are those that are obtained from a plant or an animal and have different attributes depending on the animal/plant they are harvested from which must be taken into account when considering the uses of a finished knitting object.

[38] Example: Wool is well suited to items which will be used to hold in heat, even when damp, such as winter hats and mittens.

Cotton, for example, doesn't stretch as much as wool, and as such requires the knitter to work harder to maintain gauge.

A yarn's usefulness for a knitting project is judged by several factors, such as its loft (its ability to trap air), its resilience (elasticity under tension), its washability and colorfastness, its hand (its feel, particularly softness vs. scratchiness), its durability against abrasion, its resistance to pilling, its hairiness (fuzziness), its tendency to twist or untwist, its overall weight and drape, its blocking and felting qualities, its comfort (breathability, moisture absorption, wicking properties) and of course its look, which includes its color, sheen, smoothness and ornamental features.

Other factors include allergenicity; speed of drying; resistance to chemicals, moths, and mildew; melting point and flammability; retention of static electricity; and the propensity to become stained and to accept dyes.

Sometimes unconventional materials are like paper,[40] rope, flexible metal wire, and plastic tubing are used in place of yarn.

Thus, a simple way to change gauge is to use different needles, which is the basis of uneven knitting.

Cable needles are typically very short (a few inches), and are used to hold stitches temporarily while others are being knitted.

Crochet hooks and a darning needle are often useful in binding off or in joining two knitted pieces edge-to-edge.

Flat knitting. The loops on the metal needle are the active stitches, and the yarn coming out of the knitting on the right is the working yarn.
Circular knitting on a circular needle
A woman in the process of knitting
This woman is knitting at a coffee shop; although it can be done by one person alone, knitting can be a social activity. There are many knitting guilds and other knitting groups or knitting clubs .
Julia Hopson with world-record 3.5 meter (11'6") long knitting needles
A skein of wool yarn (center) is uncoiled into its basic loop. A tie is visible at the left; after untying, the hank may be wound into a ball or balls suitable for knitting. Knitting from a normal hank directly is likely to tangle the yarn, producing snarls.
Transformation of a hank of lavender silk yarn (top) into a ball in which the knitting yarn emerges from the center (bottom). The latter is better for knitting since the yarn is much less likely to tangle.
Knitting needles in a variety of sizes and materials. Different materials have varying amounts of friction, and are suitable for different yarn types.
Double-pointed knitting needles in various materials and sizes. They come in sets of four, five or six.
Circular knitting needles in different lengths, materials and sizes, including plastic, aluminum, steel and nickel-plated brass.
Some ancillary tools used by hand-knitters. Starting from the bottom right are two crochet hooks, two stitch holders (like big blunt safety pins), and two cable needles in pink and green. On the left are a pair of scissors, a yarn needle, green and blue stitch markers, and two orange point protectors. At the top left are two blue point protectors, one on a red needle.