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Casting on1 Wind the yarn around yourleft index finger to make acircle as shown above. Witha knitting needle, pull a loopof the yarn attached to theball through the circle.2 Pull both ends of yarn totighten the slip-knot on theknitting needle. You are nowready to begin.

KnitKnit and purl stitches formthe basis of almost all knittedfabrics. The knit stitch is theeasiest to learn and is thefirst stitch you will create.When worked continuously,it forms a reversible fabric

called garter stitch. You canrecognise garter stitch by thehorizontal ridges formed atthe top of the knitted loops.1 With the cast-on stitcheson the needle in your lefthand, insert the right-handneedle from left to right andfrom front to back throughthe first cast-on stitch.2 Take the yarn from the ballon your index finger (theworking yarn) around the pointof the right-hand needle.

3 Draw the right-hand needleand yarn through the stitch,forming a new stitch on theright-hand needle, and at thesame, time slip the originalstitch off the left-handneedle. Repeat these stepsuntil all the stitches from theleft-hand needle have beenworked. One knit row hasnow been completed.

PurlAfter the knit stitch, you

will move on to the purlstitch. If the purl stitch isworked continuously, itforms the same fabric asgarter stitch. However, ifpurl rows and knit rowsare worked alternately,they create stocking stitch,which is the most widelyused knitted fabric.1 With the yarn to the frontof the work, insert the right-hand needle from the rightto the left into the front of

the first stitch on the left-hand needle.2 Then take the yarnfrom the ball on your indexfinger (the working yarn)around the point of theright-hand needle.3 Draw the right-handneedle and the yarn throughthe stitch, forming a newstitch on the right-handneedle, and at the sametime, slip the original stitchoff the left-hand needle.

Repeat these steps until

all the stitches have beenworked. One purl row has

now been completed.

IncreaseIncreases are used to addto the width of the knittedfabric by creating morestitches. They are worked,for example, when shapingsleeves up the length of thearm or when additionalstitches are needed aftera ribbed welt.

Some increases areinvisible, while others are

worked away from theedge of the work and aremeant to be seen in orderto give decorative detail.Most knitting patterns willtell you which type ofincrease to make.

Increase one1 Insert the right-hand

needle into the front ofthe next stitch, then knitthe stitch, but leave iton the left-hand needle.2 Insert the right-handneedle into the back ofthe same stitch and knit it.Then slip the original stitchoff the needle. Now youhave made an extra stitchon the right-hand needle.

HOW TO KNIT If you have never knitted before,heres how to get started, with thehelp of expert knitter Debbie Bliss.

Casting on Knit

Purl

Increase

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Purl cast-off

Knit 2 together

Make One1 Insert the left-handneedle from front to backunder the horizontal strandbetween the stitch justworked on the right-handneedle and the first stitchon the left-hand needle.2 Knit into the back of

the loop to twist it andto prevent a hole. Dropthe strand from the left-hand needle. This formsa new stitch on the right-hand needle.

Yarn OverYarn over between knitstitches Bring the yarnforward between the twoneedles, from the back

to the front of the work.Taking the yarn over theright-hand needle to do so,knit the next stitch.Yarn over between purlstitches Bring the yarn overthe right-hand needle to theback, then between the twoneedles to the front. Thenpurl the next stitch.Yarn over between a purland a knit Take the yarnfrom the front over the right-hand needle to the back.

Then knit the next stitch.Yarn over between aknit and a purl Bring theyarn forward between thetwo needles from the backto the front of the work andtake it over the top of theright-hand needle to theback again, then forwardbetween the needles. Thenpurl the next stitch.

Casting OffCasting off is used to finishoff your knitted piece so thatthe stitches dont unravel. Itis also used to decreasemore than one stitch at atime, such as when shapingarmholes, neckbands andbuttonholes. It is important

that a cast-off is firm butelastic, particularly whenyou are casting off around aneckband, to ensure that itcan be pulled easily over thehead. Unless told otherwise,cast off in the pattern usedin the piece.

Knit cast-off1 Knit two stitches. Insertthe left-hand needle into the

first stitch knitted on the right-hand needle and lift thisstitch over the second stitchand off the right-hand needle.2 One stitch is now on theright-hand needle. Knit thenext stitch. Repeat first stepuntil all the stitches have beencast off. Pull the yarn throughthe last stitch to fasten off.

Purl Cast-off1 Purl two stitches. Insert theleft-hand needle into the back

of the first stitch worked on theright-hand needle and lift thisstitch over the second stitchand off the right-hand needle.2 One stitch is now on theright-hand needle. Purl thenext stitch. Repeat the firststep until all the stitcheshave been cast off. Pull theyarn through the last stitchto fasten off.

DecreaseDecreases are used to makethe fabric narrower by gettingrid of stitches on the needle.They are worked to make anopening for a neckline orshaping a sleeve head. As

with increases, they can beused to create decorativedetail, often around a neckedge. Increases and decreasesare used together to createlace patterns.

Knit 2 together(k2tog or dec one)On a knit row, insert theright-hand needle from leftto right through the next twostitches on the left-hand needleand knit them together. One

stitch has been decreased.

Purl 2 together(p2tog or dec one)On a purl row, insert theright-hand needle from rightto left through the next twostitches on the left-handneedle. Then purl them

together. One stitch hasbeen decreased.

Slip stitch over1 Insert the right-hand needleinto the next stitch on theleft-hand needle and slip it

onto the right-hand needlewithout knitting it. Knit thenext stitch. Then insert theleft-hand needle into theslipped stitch as shown.2 With the left-hand needle,lift the slipped stitch over theknitted stitch as shown andoff the right-hand needle.

Knit cast-off

Yarn over

Slip stitch over

Purl 2 together

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Stockingstitch

Mossstitch

Double ribstitch

Single ribstitch

Garterstitch

STITCH TYPESOnce you have masteredthe knit and purl stitches,you can combine the twoto create an endless varietyof stitch patterns. Eachstitch pattern has its owncharacter and most knittershave a particular favourite.Mine is moss stitch, which Iuse in many of my designs.

Garter stitchGarter stitch is made of

all knit rows, which createa dense, reversible fabric.It is particularly good forplain garments withoutborders as the fabric liesflat and doesnt curl upat the edges. Garter stitchgives new knitters theopportunity to createsimple garments withoutwelts or borders.

Cast on any numberof stitches.Knit every row.Repeat this row to formgarter stitch.

Stocking stitchThe most commonly usedpattern, stocking stitch isworked using alternate knitand purl rows. The purl rowis considered to be the wrongside, but you can make eitherside the right or wrong side,

depending on the effectyou want. The purl side ofstocking stitch when usedas the right side is calledreverse stocking stitch.Cast on any number ofstitches.1st row (right side) Knit.2nd row (wrong side) Purl.Repeat the first and secondrows to form stocking stitch.

Single rib or 1 x 1 ribRibbing is made byalternating vertical columnsof knit and purl stitches.The knitter changes fromknit to purl within the rowrather than every otherrow. Ribbing can be usedas an all-over pattern, butits elasticity makes itperfect for borders, suchas neckbands and cuffs,as it stretches and springsback into shape to fit

the body.Cast on an even numberof stitches.1st row *K1, p1, repeatfrom * to end.Repeat this row to formsingle rib.

Double rib or 2 x 2 ribCast on a multiple of4 stitches, plus 2.

1st row K2,*p2, k2, repeatfrom * to end.2nd row P2,*k2, p2, repeatfrom * to end.Repeat the first and secondrows to form double rib.

Moss stitchMoss stitch is one ofthe most attractive of thesimple stitch patterns. Thereversible fabric is achievedby working knit and purlstitches that alternate

vertically and horizontally.It works well as a stand-alone pattern, but is alsoa good alternative to rib toprovide decorative detail.Cast on an uneven numberof stitches.1st row K1,*p1, k1, repeatfrom * to end.Repeat this row to formmoss stitch.

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TWO-TONE SOCKSSizes To fit ages 3-6(6-12:12-18) monthsMaterials 1 x 50g ball Debbie BlissBaby Cashmerino in eachof main colour (M) and

contrast colour (C) Set of four double-pointed3mm knitting needles

Tension25 sts and 34 rows to 10cmsquare over st st using3mm needles.

To make-upWith 3mm needles and C,cast on 32 (36:40) sts.Arrange these sts on 3 needlesand cont in rounds.

Rib round * K1, p1; rep from* to end.Rib a further 3 (5:7) rounds.Change to M.Now work in rounds of k, soforming st st.K 2 (2:4) rounds.Dec round K5, k2tog, k tolast 7 sts, skpo, k5. 30(34:38) sts.K 3 (5:7) rounds.

STANDARDABBREVIATIONSalt = alternatebeg = begin(ning)cont = continuedec = decrease (ing)foll = following

inc = increase (ing)k = knitm1 = make one stitch bypicking up the loop lyingbetween the stitch justworked and the nextstitch and working intothe back of itpatt = patternp = purlpsso = pass slippedstitch overrem = remain (ing)rep = repeat (ing)

skpo = slip 1, knit 1, passslipped stitch oversl = slipst(s) = stitch(es)st st = stocking stitchtbl = through back of looptog = togetheryf= yarn forwardyon = yarn over needleyrn = yarn round needle

Dec round K4, k2tog,k to last 6 sts, skpo, k4.28 (32:36) sts.Work 3 (5:7) rounds.Dec round K3, k2tog,k5 (6:7), k2tog, [k5 (6:7),skpo] twice, k2 (3:4).

24 (28:32) sts.Cut off M.Divide sts onto 3 needlesas follows: slip first 7 (8:9)sts onto first needle, next5 (6:7) sts onto secondneedle and next 5 (6:7) stsonto 3rd needle, then sliplast 7 (8:9) sts onto otherend of first needle.Shape heelWith right side facing, join C to14 (16:18) sts on first needle.Cont in st st rows on these

14 (16:18) sts only.Beg with a k row, work10 rows st st.Next row K9 (11: 13),skpo, turn.Next row Sl 1, p4 (6:8),p2tog, turn.Next row Sl 1, k4 (6:8),skpo, turn.Next row Sl 1, p4 (6:8),p2tog, turn.

Rep the last 2 rows twicemore. 6 (8:10) sts.Break off yarn.Reset sts on 3 needles asfollows: slip first 3 (4:5) stsof heel sts onto a safety pin,place marker here toindicate beg of round.

Join M to rem sts, withfirst needle k3 (4:5), thenpick up and k8 sts alongside of heel, with secondneedle k10 (12:14), with3rd needle pick up andk8 sts along other sideof heel, k3 (4:5) fromsafety pin. 32 (36:40) sts.Cont in rounds.K 1 round.Dec round K9 (10:11), k2tog,k10 (12:14), k2tog tbl, k9(10:11). 30 (34:38) sts.

K 1 round.Dec round K8 (9:10), k2tog,k10 (12:14), k2tog tbl, k8(9:10). 28 (32:36) sts.K 1 round.Dec round K7 (8:9), k2tog,k10 (12:14), k2tog tbl, k7(8:9). 26 (30:34) sts.K 1 round.Dec round K6 (7:8), k2tog,k10 (12:14), k2tog tbl, k6(7:8). 24 (28:32) sts.Work 11 (13: 17) roundsstraight.

Shape toeDec round [K2tog tbl, k4(5:6)] 4 times. 20 (24:28) sts.K 1 round.Dec round [K2tog tbl, k3(4:5)] 4 times. 16 (20:24) sts.K 1 round.Change to C.Dec round [K2tog tbl, k2(3:4)] 4 times. 12 (16:20) sts.K 1 round.2nd and 3rd sizes onlyDec round [K2tog tbl, k (2:3)] 4 times. (12:16) sts.

3rd size onlyK 1 round.Dec round [K2tog tbl, k (:2)] 4 times. (:12) sts.K 1 round.All sizesDec round [K2tog tbl]6 times.Break off yarn, threadthrough rem 6 sts, pullup and secure.

To find your localstockist of Debbie Bliss

yarns and patternbooks, visit www.prestigeyarns.com,emailinfo@prestigeyarns.comor phone Prestige Yarnson (02) 4285 6669.Pattern books alsoavailable at bookstores.