How to knit a wrapped stitch
Knitting is both a relaxing and satisfying craft that allows you to create layers of warmth with your own hands. One of the techniques that can add a touch of elegance and texture to your knitting is the wrapped stitch. The wrapped stitch creates a unique pattern that appears to be twisted or wrapped around the main fabric.
To knit a wrapped stitch, you will need a pair of knitting needles and your choice of yarn. This technique is often used in lace knitting or when creating decorative elements in your projects. The key to mastering the wrapped stitch lies in its simplicity, making it accessible to both beginner and experienced knitters.
To create a wrapped stitch, start by inserting your right needle into the stitch that needs to be wrapped from the front to the back, as if you were going to knit it. Then, bring the yarn over the right needle and to the front of your work, creating a loop or wrap around the stitch. Finally, knit the stitch as you normally would, making sure to keep the wrap in front of the stitch.
Materials
To knit a wrapped stitch, you will need the following materials:
- A pair of knitting needles, size US 8 or as recommended by your pattern
- A ball of yarn in the desired color and weight
- A yarn needle for weaving in ends
- A stitch marker to mark the beginning and end of a wrapped stitch section, if needed
- A pair of scissors
Make sure to choose a comfortable knitting needle size and yarn weight that works well for you and matches your project requirements. With the right materials and a little practice, you will be able to create beautifully wrapped stitches in no time!
Step 1: Cast On
To begin knitting a wrapped stitch, the first step is to cast on your desired number of stitches. This process creates the foundation for your knitted project and determines the width. There are different methods to cast on, but one commonly used technique is the long tail cast on.
Here’s how you can do the long tail cast on:
- First, make a slipknot by creating a loop with the yarn.
- Next, insert the needle through the loop of the slipknot.
- Then, pull the yarn to tighten the loop around the needle while still keeping a long tail.
- Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand and the long tail of yarn in your left hand.
- Now, wrap the yarn around your left thumb and hold it with your fingers.
- Insert the needle into the loop around your thumb from front to back.
- Next, reach over the working yarn (the yarn attached to the ball) with the needle.
- Finally, pull the loop of yarn through the loop on your thumb, creating a new stitch on the needle.
Repeat the steps until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your project.
Now that you have cast on your stitches, you are ready to move on to the next step of knitting a wrapped stitch.
Step 2: Knit the Wrapped Stitch
To begin knitting the wrapped stitch, insert the right-hand needle into the stitch as if to knit. Take note of the wrap that is sitting on top of the stitch. This wrap will be worked together with the stitch to create the wrapped stitch.
Once the right-hand needle is inserted into the stitch, pass it under the wrap. Use your index finger to guide the needle if needed. The wrap should now be sitting on top of the right-hand needle along with the stitch.
With both the stitch and the wrap on the right-hand needle, hold the needle with your right hand and use your left hand to help with tension. Keeping the wrap in place, knit the stitch as usual by bringing the yarn through from back to front of the stitch.
Once the stitch has been knitted, slide it off the left-hand needle. The wrapped stitch is now complete. Continue knitting the next stitches in your pattern, following any instructions for wrapping stitches as necessary.