There are certain things that you can do to make sure that each project that you knit comes out just the way you want.
Here are a few of my favorite tips.
Make the Right Size Garment First, make sure you choose the right size of garment that you want to knit.
I'm talking especially about sweaters here.
Knowing what size and shape of sweater looks best on you is very important for knitting a sweater that looks right, especially because knitting a sweater is a lot of effort and can usually costs a lot of money; you want to make sure you get this part right.
Measuring Correctly Just find the sweater that you own that looks best on you and measure across the bust and the other pertinent measurements.
This way you know exactly what size of sweater to make for yourself.
You can also look up a web site like the Craft Yarn Council of America to understand how sizing works, and they even have a sizing chart for children.
Select the Right Yarn Next, you want to make sure that you select the right kind of yarn for your project.
I recommend reading a book such as the Knitters Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes in order to help you understand why to choose certain fibers over others; but for a rule of thumb, wool is always your best bet.
Nowadays, wool comes in so many beautiful colors and textures and it's very soft that there should be no reason to prevent you from experimenting with it.
It's not washable like acrylic unless you get wool that's been specifically treated to be machine washable.
You'll see that on the label.
Next, make sure that the texture of yarn that you choose goes with the needed durability of your project.
Items like socks really need to have some percentage of nylon in with the yarn so that they're durable.
Single-ply yarns can be very, very soft and heavenly but they will pill so be careful.
Check Your Gauge Next, make sure that you measure your gauge especially for projects where it really matters how they fit.
By this, I'm talking about sweaters, socks, and mittens.
These are items that you really don't want too tight or falling off.
Just make a gauge swatch (a four-by-four square of Stockinette stitch fabric), block it, and then lay a ruler over it and measure how many stitches or Vs you see in one inch.
You can also use knitting videos to help you see how to do this correctly.
Here are a few of my favorite tips.
Make the Right Size Garment First, make sure you choose the right size of garment that you want to knit.
I'm talking especially about sweaters here.
Knowing what size and shape of sweater looks best on you is very important for knitting a sweater that looks right, especially because knitting a sweater is a lot of effort and can usually costs a lot of money; you want to make sure you get this part right.
Measuring Correctly Just find the sweater that you own that looks best on you and measure across the bust and the other pertinent measurements.
This way you know exactly what size of sweater to make for yourself.
You can also look up a web site like the Craft Yarn Council of America to understand how sizing works, and they even have a sizing chart for children.
Select the Right Yarn Next, you want to make sure that you select the right kind of yarn for your project.
I recommend reading a book such as the Knitters Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes in order to help you understand why to choose certain fibers over others; but for a rule of thumb, wool is always your best bet.
Nowadays, wool comes in so many beautiful colors and textures and it's very soft that there should be no reason to prevent you from experimenting with it.
It's not washable like acrylic unless you get wool that's been specifically treated to be machine washable.
You'll see that on the label.
Next, make sure that the texture of yarn that you choose goes with the needed durability of your project.
Items like socks really need to have some percentage of nylon in with the yarn so that they're durable.
Single-ply yarns can be very, very soft and heavenly but they will pill so be careful.
Check Your Gauge Next, make sure that you measure your gauge especially for projects where it really matters how they fit.
By this, I'm talking about sweaters, socks, and mittens.
These are items that you really don't want too tight or falling off.
Just make a gauge swatch (a four-by-four square of Stockinette stitch fabric), block it, and then lay a ruler over it and measure how many stitches or Vs you see in one inch.
You can also use knitting videos to help you see how to do this correctly.