5/19/24 to 5/25/24
Welcome to the first week of our knit along! We’ll be sharing instructions and resources on how to knit your first garter square to start your project bag. Please join our Discord Server if you have any KAL questions.
Remember, we’re using worsted yarn and #7 or #8 needles. If you already crochet and would like to learn some tips and techniques using a crochet hook, grab an H 5mm hook.
Pattern
The first part of the pattern is available through this link (updated 5/21). It’ll go over how to knit the bag and explain how to knit the solid color squares.
Workshop Slides
If you’d like to go over the slides we covered during our workshop, please follow this link.
Step 1. Cast on using either the knitted cast on or long tail cast on, 17 stitches.
Cast Ons
Knitted Cast On (Continental Style). This is the first cast on typically taught in knitting because it teaches you not only how to cast on, but how to do the knit stitch. I like this video by KnittingHelp.com that goes over how to do this essential cast on in both Continental and English methods.
Long Tail Cast On Continental and English Styles. Suzanne Bryan does a great job going over how to hold your yarn and needles with each method and how to do the super useful long tail cast on.
Tip for crocheters: Check out this video from Love Life Yarn showing how to cast on using a knitting needle and a crochet hook
Step 2. Knit 34 rows
The Knit Stitch
To create the garter pattern, you will knit all 17 stitches on both sides until you have knit 34 rows in total. You will have 17 garter ridges in total. See more below.
Suzanne Bryan shows us how to do the knit stitch in both continental and English knitting styles. She’s one of my favorite knitting instructors because she’s very thorough and explains things very clearly.
Garter Stitch
All of the bag’s body will be knit in garter stitch. Meaning you’ll only do the knit stitch. This will help you build muscle memory to start knitting more easily and with even tension. After you’re done with the bag, you’ll likely be able to just knit without even looking at the needles.
To count how many rows you’ve knit, count the ridges only. Each ridge represents two rows. Why? because every time you knit, the bumpy part of the knit stitch goes to the back and the “smooth” part of the stitch stays in the front. Take a look at this video for Nimble Needles that goes over how to count your rows.
Step 3. Bind Off
Bind off
Suzanne Bryan, Continental style
After you’re done knitting 34 rows, you will need to bind off and leave a long tail for seaming later.
The video on the left will go over how to do the basic bind off. Note that you’ll only be binding off knit stitches. There are NO purls in garter st.
I’ll include two videos that explain how to do it the Continental way and using a crochet hook.
English style knitters: I’m attaching this link that covers all the basics in that style.
Very Pink Knits Crochet Bind Off:
Homework
You will knit a total of 12 solid color squares at your own pace. Join our discord server to ask questions and get more help.
West Alabama Fiber Guild 