An idiot's guide to 'Knitting'...

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By Frances Powell of Buttercup Miniatures...

Even if you are an experienced knitter in human size, if you have never knitted in miniature before don’t expect to start with a complicated lace or Aran pattern.

SPACE

Before you start knitting an item in miniature:

  1. Try some of the ‘larger’ sized miniature needles first; they are more rigid and easier to work with especially for a first attempt.
  2. Get used to the tiny needles by knitting a few rows of stocking (stockinette) stitch using ANY yarn you have available. You will find it takes a few rows to adapt to the feel of the needles and be comfortable handling them.
  3. Now introduce the very fine yarn, (if you try to do this before you are used to the needles your brain will not cope) knit a few rows with the fine yarn to get used to the feel of the knitting.
  4. You may find you need a magnifier to see the stitches clearly, those that hang round the neck are best to use to start with. It is better to discover this before you start on a pattern that requires really fine needles and yarn.
  5. You may find the knitting needles prick your fingers as you knit; this can be ‘cured’ by wearing a rubber thimble (available from stationers shops for counting money) that is turned inside out, so the smooth surface is on the outside.

Things that may make life easier when knitting:

  1. Try to have no distractions, like the TV, as if you drop a stitch it is easier to start again than to pick it up. This can be heartbreaking if you are casting (binding) off.
  2. Dropped stitches that you do manage to pick up WILL ALWAYS show.
  3. Knit in lighter colours to start with, dark colours will be easier when you are more experienced.
  4. Place a cloth in a contrast colour on your lap so the stitches show up better.
  5. Always keep your hands clean as when an item is washed it may go out of shape, shrink, grow or lose any mothproofing.
  6. Don’t be tempted to go for acrylic wool if the pattern says wool, the design will not look the same when it is finished.
  7. Don’t be tempted to buy cheap wool because you get a huge hank of it for the same price as a skein of mothproofed wool. Some 1-ply wool designed for human clothes is not strong enough to use in miniature knitting
  8. If using pure wool, make sure it is mothproofed. It can be heartbreaking to find a piece of knitting you spent hours doing and put on display has been attacked by moths.

Introducing a pattern:

  1. Start with something fairly simple with no shaping, like a blanket or cot cover.
  2. When you have mastered this move on to something with a little shaping, then you are ready for the tricky stuff like lace and Arans.
  3. Start with a pattern for an adult doll and until you are confident do not attempt patterns for baby dolls.

You should now be ready to embark on your first miniature knitting project.

© Copyright F H Powell 2008

 This pattern may not be reproduced in any form (including knitted up) for commercial gain without written permission from Buttercup Miniatures.

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