Knitting is one of several ways to turn
thread or
yarn into
cloth (c.f.,
weaving and
crochet). Unlike woven fabric, knitted
fabric consists entirely of
parallel courses of yarn. The courses are joined to each other by interlocking loops in which a short loop of one course of yarn is wrapped over the
bight of another course (Rutt, 2003). In practice, knitting is usually begun by forming a base series of twisted loops of yarn on a
knitting needle. A second knitting needle is then used to reach through each loop (or stitch) in succession in order to snag a bight of yarn and pull a length back through the loop. This forms a new stitch at the top of the current wale of stitches (or loops). Work can proceed in the round or by going back and forth in rows. Knitting can also be done by
machines.
The two basic stitches are knit (or "plain") and purl (or "wrong"). These two nominal stitches are actually identical, however, being the obverse and reverse of the same stitch. A knit stitch is formed by inserting the needle in the front of the loop and pulling a loop of yarn through to form a new loop, while a purl stitch is formed by inserting the needle in the back of the loop and pushing a loop of yarn through to form a new loop.
If only knits or or only purls are used when working back and forth in rows, the result is called garter stitch. Alternating rows of knits and purls result in stockinette or jersey stitch, the stitch most often used in commercial garments such as T-shirts. Different combinations of stitches can be used to form ribbing, cables, or other textures.
See also crochet, weaving, spinning.
- Thomas, Mary. (1938). Mary Thomas's Knitting Book. Dover Publications. New York. (1972 Reprint Edition ISBN 0-486-22817-7)
- Rutt, Richard (2003). A history of handknitting. Interweave Press, Loveland, CO. (Reprint Edition ISBN 1-931-49937-3)
- Hiatt, June Hemmons. (1988). The principles of knitting: Methods and techniques of hand knitting. Simon and Schuster, New York.